New Lambton Landslip Anniversary Brings New Hope For Residents

BY LIAM COLLINS

Newcastle council are currently working with the state's reconstruction authority to support those affected by the New Lambton landslip. 

Council members and representatives from the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) met with affected residents yesterday, hoping to outline the recovery process and provide transparent communication between all parties.

Impacted resident Laura Jackal said the meeting provided them with some hope towards reaching a solution.

"It didn't provide us with any sort of exact direction; what they have said to us is that they're working really closely together to come up with a solution," she said. 

"What happens next is what they're deciding currently; basically how they're going to rectify the land, how they will compensate us for our land, and when and how they'll demolish the 16 homes."

Pending approval, the complexity of the funding arrangements estimate demolitions are unlikely to commence until 2027.

Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of the landslip which affected 16 New Lambton properties and caused evacuations of more than 40 residents.

Ms Jackal praised the continued support towards the affected families, including emergency accommodation and continued insurance.

"We have been very fortunate in our case; I can't speak for every resident, but we've received the 12 months worth of accommodation support," she said.

"The compensation from insurance companies only lasts 12 months in this case, so the government and stepped in and given us a further 12 months, which is obviously a huge relief for us."

Ms Jackal added the natural disaster has had a significant impact on her and her family.

"I think the predominant feeling is just one of grief for our beautiful home," she said. 

"A year ago it was fine, we were living in it.

"I walked past it this morning and it's so overgrown and boarded up."

New Lambton home impacted by landslip. Picture: Caroline Garred

Two Men Charged Over Alleged Theft Of Equipment Worth More Than $100,000 From Upper Hunter Property

 BY IAN CROUCH

Two men are due to front court accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of equipment from an Upper Hunter property.

It's alleged the pair broke into the property on Pembroke Road at Cassilis and made off with two Honda quad bikes, power tools, cattle tags and other farming and electronic equipment valued at more than $100,000.

Following inquires, police located and seized a quad bike and box trailer from a home in Aly Street, Kayuga.

Search warrants were also executed at homes in Muswellbrook and Aberdeen where it's alleged various items including power tools, copper cabling and farming equipment were found, all believed to be stolen.

Two men aged 27 and 46 were subsequently arrested at Muswellbrook Police Station and charged with theft and disposing of a motor vehicle - serious indictable offence greater than $5000, and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

The older man was also charged with failing to adequately exercise a confined animal and not disclosing the identity of a driver or passenger.

They've each been granted conditional bail to face court in July. 

Investigations continue.

 

Indoor Sports Centre Plans Changed After Strong Feedback

BY OLI GOELDNER 

Newcastle Basketball has amended the final proposal for the controversial Hunter Indoor Sports Centre, after strong community feedback. 

The project will look to replace the ageing Newcastle Basketball Centre and provide a long-term home for a wide range of indoor sports. 

In 2024, a public exhibition of the original plans saw more than 70 per cent of submissions oppose the project, leading to additional amendments. 

Public exhibition on the amended plans wrapped up in September last year. 

A total of 1,278 community submissions were received during the exhibition period, with 69 per cent of submissions supporting the project. 

Newcastle Basketball also held two community drop-in sessions where residents and stakeholders were able to speak directly with technical specialists across flooding, traffic, planning, urban design and open space. 

Further consultation was also undertaken with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), Newcastle council, Transport for NSW, NSW SES, Venues NSW and Lambton High School. 

In response to feedback, the project has been refined to improve traffic, flood management, landscaping, pedestrian movement and community impacts. 

"The Hunter currently doesn't have enough indoor space to meet demand," said Simon Haire, Project Consultant for Newcastle Basketball. 

"The centre will address the region's shortage of indoor courts and support health, participation, inclusion and active lifestyles for decades to come. 

"We've listened to carefully to community feedback and made meaningful changes to ensure the project works for both users and the local community." 

Now, Newcastle Basketball will submit its updated Response to Submissions and supporting technical reports, marking a milestone in the project as it progresses towards final determination and future funding decisions. 

The project will now proceed to the next phase of the SSD's assessment process, which includes further assessment by DPHI, consultation with relevant government agencies and consideration by the Independent Planning Commission.

Fire Rips Through Mayfield Whitegoods Warehouse

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire crews are keeping a watch on a building gutted by fire at Mayfield.

The huge blaze broke out at the Hunter Valley Whitegoods business in Denison Street at about 3.30pm on Monday 18 May, 2026, with nearby residents evacuated and a 200 metre exclusion zone put in place as flames and toxic black smoke billowed into the sky.

Maitland Road was closed until around 8 o'clock on Monday night while about 60 firefighters worked to fully extinguish the fire.

It's a devastating blow for the owners, after their former warehouse which fronted Maitland Road was destroyed by fire in January 2014.  

 

The well-known whitegoods business at Mayfield goes up in flames. Picture Newcastle Weekly

Lake Macquarie MP Says State Can't Afford Tomago Extension

BY MARLEY RAE

Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper claims the state government won't be able to meet the Commonwealth's commitment to the Tomago Aluminum smelter. 

In December, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the Federal Government will commit to extend the smelter's operations, requesting a 50/50 funding split with the state.

Premier Chris Minns has since outlined a potential $300 to $470 million reserved for the smelter, with the final amount to be announced in next month's state budget. 

However, Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper believes the 50-50 split is an unreasonable request.

"If he thinks it was going to be a 50-50 split with the state, then I think the state should have been involved in those discussions first," Mr Piper said.

"If the state can do it, great, but I suspect they are going to really struggle to find that kind of money.

"If we find that kind of money, it could be used in a better way."

The smelter, which directly employs 1500 workers, announced in October they were weighing up their future amid rising energy prices.

The company, which is majority owned by mining giant Rio Tinto, said it was struggling to see how operations were commercially viable beyond the expiration of its energy contract in 2028.

Mr Piper said an 80-20 split of the costs would be more suitable in the state's favour.

"Typically, major projects are an 80-20 split and I'm sure there are some examples that can been shown where that hasn't been the case," he said. 

"We're not really asking for much in this particular case, because Tomago isn't just some local business that benefits NSW, it's the largest aluminum smelter in Australia."

While the federal government has not allocated any funds for Tomago in their recent national budget, a figure is expected to be finalised once the state contribution is confirmed. 

Picture: Tomago Aluminum Smelter

Police Launch Appeal To Find Missing Teenager From East Maitland

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are asking for our help to find a teenager who's gone missing from East Maitland.

14-year-old Lilly Nelson was last seen in the area at about 3.00pm on Saturday 16 May 2026 and there are concerns for her welfare due to her age.

Lilly is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 175cm tall with a thin build, short black hair and blue eyes.

She was last seen wearing a black zip up top, black singlet and dark cargo shorts.

Lilly may also be wearing a double lobe piercing in both ears.

She's known to frequent the East Maitland and Hamilton areas.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Maitland Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Missing teen Lilly Nelson

 

Crews Called To Convenience Store Fire At New Lambton

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has caused damage to a tobacco and convenience store in New Lambton.

Newcastle Fire Command says 5 fire trucks from Lambton and Newcastle were called to the New Lambton Mart on Alma Road, arriving just after 2.30am today (Monday 18 May 2026) to find smoke coming from the roller doors.

Crews cut the doors to gain access, taking about 30 minutes to extinguish the blaze.

No-one was injured during the incident.

The cause has not yet been determined but it's thought the fire is not being treated as suspicious.

Fire crews cut the roller doors to gain access to the fire Picture: Ian Crouch

 

Fire crews in Alma Road New Lambton early Monday Picture: Ian Crouch