Skill Shortages Puts Hunter Businesses At Risk

BY MARLEY RAE

New research conducted by Business NSW shows three in four businesses in the Hunter are struggling to find skilled workers.

This year's biennial State of Skills report, which was based on survey responses by more than 500 businesses across NSW and the Hunter, found over 75 per cent of respondents reported skills shortages, 

It's slightly higher than the state average of 73.6 per cent. 

While the regional figure is below the post-COVID high of 2022 (89.1 per cent), it is markedly higher than shortages reported in 2019 (54.3 per cent) and 2017 (33.3 per cent). 

The report also found half of the respondents expect the shortage to cost them customer and commercial opportunities, with some warning their businesses may not survive if conditions persist.

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes said the figures highlighted a concerning trend as skill shortages become entrenched with the local work force.

"These findings are consistent with what businesses across the Hunter have been telling us for some time," he said.

"The Hunter is not unusual and we've got a bit of a task to address a number of factors to try and address it."

However, the report also reveals competition for talent in the regional workforce are keen in the face of skills shortages, with 37.2 per cent of Hunter respondents noting the loss of suitable applicants to other employers during recruitment as a major challenge.

The shortages have prompted calls from Business NSW for a $200 million investment in apprenticeships, a comprehensive overhaul of regional, employer led skills compacts and income concessions for pensioners.

Mr Hawes believes workforce training, planning and skill development are essential amongst the Hunter's economic structural change.

"It's particularly critical in the Hunter if we're to get to these points of transformation in servicing new energy economy and growth in advanced manufacturing," he said.

"If we can get this right an get people who want to work back in the workforce, it's going help the region achieve it's transformation and goals it's setting itself.

"But if we don't, we've got a situation where people who are filling some of these skilled jobs are being tapped on the shoulder and not coming through the application process." 

Picture: Pexels

BREAKING! Teenage Boy Dies In Crash at Gateshead

 BY IAN CROUCH

Investigations are under way into a crash at Gateshead early Monday which left one teenager dead and another in hospital.

Police say a stolen Toyota Kluger crashed into a paddock overturned off Willow Road just before 3.00am.

One of the passengers, a 13-year-old boy suffered critical injuries but could not be revived and died at the scene.

A 14-year-old boy was taken to the John Hunter in a stable condition with leg injuries, where he remains under police guard.

Police say two other people fled the scene. 

Following inquiries, a 14-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man were arrested and taken to the John Hunter under police guard.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. 

A report is being prepared for the Coroner

 

Pine Cone Pranks Cost Lake Macquarie Council Thousands

BY RUBY VAN DE WIJGAART

Lake Macquarie Council has spent more than $5000 removing traffic cones from the top of pine trees, as part of a new social media trend. 

Known as 'coning', the phenomenon has seen vandals scale 25-metre-tall Norfolk pine trees and other greenery, to place a traffic cone on top. 

The trend is said to gained popularity on New Zealand social media, but has quickly swept its way around Lake Macquarie, predominantly the eastern suburbs. 

Council is calling on anyone participating in the trend, with grave concerns for their safety as many of the trees have unstable branches and reach dangerous heights. 

The climbing also loosens branches, making it unsafe for the community to walk below. 

"There may be more [incidents] we're not familiar with but we're asking for public assistance," said Council's Presentation Manager Paul Pafumi. 

The trend also poses a risk to the health of the trees, with the traffic cones said to stunt growth and have lasting impacts. 

"This means that the tree would require removal, that would be at the coast of the council as well," said Mr Pafumi. 

Lake Macquarie Council are urging those with information to contact them or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Picture: Lake Macquarie Council

Hunter Transmission Project Approved To Begin Construction

BY CAMERON TARAGEL

The state's energy transition has reached a critical milestone with the Hunter Transmission Project (HTP) officially being approved.

The project enables construction of a new 110-kilometre, 500 kilovolt transmission line which will  improve energy security and and strengthen NSW's electricity grid.

The line will now follow a new route with 90 per cent of it being located on mining, energy and government-owned land in order to reduce the amount of private properties affected.

Upper Hunter Nationals MP Dave Layzell is backing the now approved HTP, despite previously opposing the project.

"We have done the best we could do to be able to weave it through and minimise the impact on landholders," he said.

The MP said his initial opposition was due to the projected impacts on landholders along the route from Bayswater to Olney near Eraring.

However, after lengthy deliberations with community members, only 10 per cent of the project will now be located on private land.

It's dropped the estimated impacted properties from 70 to around only 20.

Mr Layzell said while it's not perfect, it's better than the initial proposal

"I believe they have listened where they can," he said. 

"They have looked at options."

Project coordiantors EnergyCo said the new route will bypass sections of vegetation critical to the endangered Littlejohns' Tree Frog. 

The line's Executive Project Director Peter Redwin said they've kept local habitats in mind.

"We have changed the design to decrease the amount of impact on known habitats of various species," he said.

"We will continue to refine that process as we go through the final design phase in the next couple of months." he said.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said the project is an important step in the transition from coal-fired power stations.

"The project is the missing link between the renewable energy being build in Central-West Orana and New England," she said.

"Planning approval means we can get on with building the infrastructure needed to secure NSW's energy future."

The project is expected to support around 1,500 direct and indirect jobs across the state.

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the HTP's approval is a major win for the region.

"We've got the R&D, the infrastructure, the funding, the skills," she said.

"This is a major vote of confidence in the Hunter, creating jobs, backing local businesses and driving investment.

"The Hunter has always been a powerhouse of NSW and this project shows that our region is open for business and ready to lead the energy transition." 

Construction is expected to commence later this year and be completed by late 2029, subject to Commonwealth Government approval. 

Proposed transmission line. Picture: EnergyCo

Fire Tears Through Unit At Birmingham Gardens

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has caused severe damage to a unit at Birmingham Gardens overnight.

Fire crews from Wallsend, Mayfield West and Lambton were called to a duplex in Lee Crescent just after 1.30am today (Tuesday 28 July, 2026) to find a fire on the back patio of unit 1 had taken hold.

Newcastle Fire Command says the occupants were woken by smoke alarms and safely evacuated the unit along with the occupants of unit 2.

The second unit sustained fire damage to the ceiling.

12 firefighters took more than 3 hours to fully extinguish and mop up the blaze before handing the scene to police.

  

Lake Mac Council Addresses ANZAC Day Cost Blowout

 BY MAX HARVEY

Lake Macquarie's ANZAC day services are facing financial pressure amidst growing attendance and safety concerns.

A new report shows council's bill for the events has ballooned by $24,152, or 63.4 per cent from 2025 to 2026.

The report claims the primary driver for this shift is growing size and complexity of ANZAC events, which have led to increased logistical requirements. 

Transportation, complex traffic management, and infrastructure work are cited as major impacting factors.

Lake Macquarie Council's Manager of Arts, Culture, and Tourism Jacqui Hemsley authored the report. 

She said fleet cost was a particular point of financial pain. 

"The costs in particular last year were brought up because we have a fleet of heavy vehicles, which is a really important part of marches, but we've had to have external trucks come and help us do that," she said.

"So that had an additional cost to it."

In 2025, a total of 23 Council-owned trucks and drivers were required across 20 events, costing $7,500. 

However, in April this year, Council spent an additional $17,000 hiring eight contractor trucks for the 19 scheduled events, bringing the total cost to $24,500. 

Ms Hemsley said the extra fleet costs were due to a lack of suitable council vehicles, as well as growing safety requirements. 

It's been reported police attempted to shut down the Morriset event in October last year, primarily due to an insufficient amount of bollards needed to prevent vehicles from entering pedestrian areas during the proceedings. 

The report will be presented during the Ordinary Council Meeting on July 27. 

"We're reporting back to Council what we've done in working with community groups, informing them about a pathway in the future and what we'll be doing for 2027," said Ms Hemsley. 

Picture: Troy Mortier 

MP Says More Can Be Done As Muswellbrook Hospital Expansion Continues

BY RUBY VAN DE WIJGAART

Construction on Muswellbrook Hospital's community health space is now complete. 

This $45 million upgrade is the third stage in the hospital's redevelopment, providing a range of services, including nursing care, childcare and allied health services.

Previous stages of development have seen the construction of a new emergency department, renal and infusion unit services, with the next stage to see the development of a new sterilisation department. 

The third stage of development aims to relieve pressure off other medical centers, giving Muswellbrook and surrounding areas access to more resources. 

However, Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell says more still needs to be done, including the installation of a 24-hour CT imaging service. 

"Having a 24-hour one [CT machine] would actually enable the hospital to be able to use that facility all the time," he said. 

"There is a lot of money going to Western Sydney, but we need to see regional health and those big investments here as well." 

According to the MP, Muswellbrook only has a private CT imaging services, only operational during normal business hours. 

He said patients requiring scans at hospital have to be transported via ambulance to Maitland, or are asked to have a relative or themselves drive instead, creating further pressure on the town's paramedic services. 

Muswellbrook Hospital. Picture: NSW Government