New Program to Help Female Inmates Re-enter Community

The state government has launched a new intensive support program to assist Indigenous women leaving prison.

Delivered through a partnership between Corrective Services NSW and not-for-profit Embrace People & Place, the $5.7 million project aims to provide wrap-around support for women leaving custody to help them rebuild their lives to prevent crime.

The program will provide six months of pre-release assistance with a focus on identifying and addressing their post-release needs, as well as providing practical supports.

After they’ve left custody, the initiative plans to offer support for up to two years with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, due to their disproportionate representation in prisons and unique barriers to reintegration.

It builds off 2021 BOSCAR data which identified education and skills training play an important role in reducing recidivism, with a 45% reduction in theft offences amongst participating inmates after release.

The program will utilise a former Periodic Detention Centre in the Port Stephens area as the temporary accommodation facility.

Work has already begun to prepare eligible women for the program, with the first cohort to be housed at the facility in 2026.

Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said they are committed to enhancing rehabilitative outcomes.

“We need to offer intiatives that acknowledge and respond to the unique experiences of women who enter custody,” he said.

“Reintegration and rehabilitation is really important to ensure there are no new victims, a safer community for all and that women post-release can live much better lives.

“We know that women’s pathways to criminal behaviour are often a result of abuse, disadvantage and trauma – and this project will support community safety in an effective and meaningful way.”

Embrace People & Place CEO Coralie Nichols said those leaving prison need to return to community life with dignity and confidence.

“Really difficult problems are often solved when people come together,” she said.

“So, having a moment where philanthropy, works with government and a non-for-profit to support those most vulnerable in our community – it’s a mark of who we are.”

BUS STRIKE – Services to Halt From 4am Friday

 The Rail Tram and Bus Union says they’ll be on strike from tomorrow, with services including regular routes, school services and night owl Saturday services suspended from 4am on Friday to 4am on Saturday.

The 24-hour strike is an escalation following a refusal of Operator Keolis Downer’s proposed enterprise agreement when it was put to a ballot.

Rail, Train and Bus Union Divisional President Peter Grech says the proposed agreement is a three-year contract which would continue past 2027, when it’s expected Keolis Downer’s agreement with the State Government will run out.

“So we don’t want to be locked into an agreement where where there’s no Keolis Downer anymore. So we’re just ensuring that the money which is put in our pockets is negotiated through the Keolis Downer,” he said.

“We just apologise for the inconvenience to the commuters. We didn’t want to get to this. We’ve been trying not to inconvenience commuters and we’re hoping for some sort of resolution,” he said.

It’s understood a last minute meeting has been held today in an attempt to reach an agreement to stop the action.

Credit / Wikimedia Commons

BREAKING! Murder Investigation Launched After Death Of A Man At Cooks Hill

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man has died after an alleged assault in Cooks Hill this morning.

Emergency services were called to unit block on Darby Street just before 3.30am today (Wednesday 10 December 2025) following reports of an assault.

The 53-year-old man was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.

His death is being treated as suspicious.

Police have set up a crime scene and detectives have commenced an investigation with the assistance of the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad.

 

Tragedy At Tanilba Bay: Toddler Killed After Being Hit By Car

 BY IAN CROUCH

A toddler has died after being hit by a car at Tanilba Bay.

Emergency services were called to Lloyd George Grove at about 5.40pm yesterday (Tuesday 9 December 2025), arriving to find the 1-year-old girl had been hit by a Toyota utility at the property.

She was taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition but sadly succumbed to her injuries.

The driver, a 25-year-old man, was not injured and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

An investigation is under way and a report is being prepared for the coroner.

 

REDHEAD FIRE – Lake Macquarie Added to Disaster Declaration List

 The Federal Government has activated Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for locals at Redhead, Gateshead, Whitebridge and Dudley, who may have had property damaged or might be in need of essentials.

Measures include assistance to meet emergency accommodation needs, grants for uninsured residents and financial support towards counter disaster activity undertaken by emergency service organisations to keep communities safe.

The fire at Redhead Road has now burned through over 90 hectares, and did threaten homes, but thanks to water bombing aircraft and firefighters on rolling shifts, they were able to keep the fire from spreading to a nearby aged care home.

The Fernleigh Track after the Redhead fire. Credit / Lake Macquarie Council

Truck Loaded With E-Bikes And Batteries Destroyed By Fire At Nerong

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire crews have worked through the night to extinguish a truck fire at Nerong north of Newcastle.

Newcastle Fire Command says a B-Double with a mixed load which included E-bikes and batteries caught fire in the northbound lanes of the Pacific Highway about 2 kilometres south of the town just after midnight on Tuesday 9 December 2025.

Fire and Rescue crews from Tea Gardens along with a bulk water tanker from Toronto and a Hazmat team from Newcastle were sent to the blaze.

It's taken 5 hours to completely extinguish the fire and make the area safe.

The truck driver wasn't injured and a salvage operation is getting under way.

 

SWANSEA CHANNEL – Community Consultation Underway on 10 Year Plan

 The State Government says it wants to hear from residents on a Review of Environmental Factors for approving dredging works to maintain reliable access through the channel, following the third stage of maintenance dredging completed earlier this year.

Progress is also being made on the $10 million Dredge and Sand Transfer System, which will use excess sand from the channel to deal with erosion at Blacksmiths Beach.

Swansea MP Yasmin Catley says once the plan’s put into action, it will clear up issues with access.

“It will make sure that as we see markers that indicate that there’s [sand banking up], Maritime will be able to go in there and do the dredging programs without us having to wait sometimes more than 12 months for approvals,” she said.

“The construction of the Sand Transfer System will begin in March and it will conclude in May and that’s transferring the dredged sand onto Blacksmiths Beach, just up near the golf course. This will really address the issues that we have over there of severe coastal erosion,” she said.

Credit / Lake Macquarie Council

Newcastle Police Appeal For Help To Find Missing Teenage Boy

 BY IAN CROUCH

Concerns are growing for the welfare of a teenage boy who's gone missing from Hamilton South.

14-year-old Darcey McKay was last seen in the area at about 4.45pm on Friday and police and family hold concerns for his welfare due to his age.

Darcey's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 155cm tall with a thin build and light brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a predominantly black t-shirt with red and white graphics, tan shorts and brown Birkenstock shoes.

He's known to frequent local skate parks, public parks, the Junction Fair, Bar Beach skate park and Newcastle area.

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

Missing teen Darcey McKay

 

RFS Positions Resources Ahead of Hot Weekend

 Temperature forecasts of up to 40 degrees on Saturday is not any help to the Rural Fire Service who are stretched battling blazes across the Hunter.

The Buladelah grass fire closed the Pacific Highway on Friday morning from Twelve Mile Creek all the way to Nabiac, causing significant headaches for commuters who have been forced to use The Bucketts Way instead. As of Friday afternoon, it had burned through over 760 hectares.

There are a number of fires crews are keeping an eye on, including at Cedar Creek, the ongoing Milsons Gully fire near Merriwa, and at Upper Rouchel near Scone.

RFS Spokeswoman Victoria Quested says they’re getting help from the ground and the air.

“We’ve seen some strike teams deployed from other areas of the state to come in and assist those local crews. And no doubt people in the area have noticed [a number] of our aircraft operating. So crews are doing a great job,” she said.

“We’ve got high fuel loads right across the state including in the Hunter and as we are now in this period of drying, which we obviously haven’t seen in the last few years, that fuel is very much drying out.

“So under conditions like we’re seeing today and certainly going into tomorrow where we’re expecting those winds to pick up, fires can start very quickly and spread very rapidly,” she said.

Locals are being advised to download the Hazards Near Me app to stay across the latest warnings.

Credit / Buladelah RFB / Facebook

LINK ROAD FOREST – Campaigners Hoping to set up Second Council Motion

 Backlash is continuing against the state significant housing estate proposal for the Link Road Forest at Wallsend, which could see more than 4,000 homes built.

Campaigners are calling on the State Government to instead rezone the land as a national park to protect threatened species.

It’s hoped another motion for writing to the State Government calling for the housing project to be dropped, will pass at next Tuesday’s Council meeting.

Campaign Convener Ian McKenzie says its a vital decision for generations to come.

“I think Council’s generally on side. They’ve already passed a resolution asking the State Government to consider rezoning this area for conservation in perpetuity. But I think the information that we brought them [at this week’s public briefing] strengthened their resolve,” he said.

“It’s important for Newcastle now. It’s important for Newcastle for well into the future.

“If we look back in 30 years’ time, we want to say, ‘yes, that was a good decision. We’ve got something that is valuable for the city’,” he said.

Newcastle Link Road. Credit / Transport for NSW

BREAKING! Massive Reward Offered To Solve Cold Case Death Of Singleton Toddler

 BY IAN CROUCH

The NSW government has announced a massive increase in the reward being offered for information over the suspicious death of a toddler at Singleton 20 years ago.

Jordan William Thompson was just 21 months old in March 2005 when his mother returned home from running errands after leaving him in the care of her then partner, to find him unresponsive in a bedroom.

Police were told Jordan had earlier been found face down in a bathtub.

His mother rushed him across the road to Singleton Base Hospital but he couldn't be revived.

A postmortem later found a lethal dose of prescription medication used to treat depression in his system.

Cecil Kennedy has stood trial twice for manslaughter, however juries were unable to reach unanimous verdicts.

Despite a $100,000 dollar reward offered in 2015, no-one has been convicted over Jordan's death.

It's hoped a new reward of $500,000 will encourage someone to come forward with information which leads to an arrest and conviction.

 

Jordan William Thompson 

STOCKTON FERRY - State Government in Talks to Restore Service

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp says the State Government and Keolis Downer are working on solutions for the out of service Newcastle to Stockton ferries.

Bus replacements have been called up since Saturday after the MV Shortland was called back for urgent repairs.

The MV Hunter has been out of service since February.

The bus replacements turn a five-minute ferry trip into up to an hour's long commute through peak hour traffic. 

Tim Crakanthorp has called for a replacement of the current fleet. He says for now, the State Government's working on immediate solutions.

"The fleet's getting old, and I share the community's frustrations," he said.

"We need to really do something about an update of those ferries, but I am in ongoing discussions with the [Minister for Transport's] office about an immediate solution to provide a consistent ferry service.

"Newcastle deserves that, and I'll continue to fight for a good, reliable ferry service," he said.

Tomago Aluminium Talks Focusing on “More Renewable Energy” – Bowen

 Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen says conversations are ongoing about the future of Tomago Aluminium.

Government agencies are reportedly working on a power purchase agreement, where the Federal Government would guarantee a long term stable price of electricity for the plant, which has warned it may be forced to close if power prices don’t come down.

Chris Bowen believes the solution to the manufacturer’s woes is to pump the grid with more renewables.

“We have [Government] agencies [that] have been looking to see whether we can’t provide more renewable energy to Tomago,” he said.

“Tomago’s management said when they announced they were considering Tomago’s future, the problem is there’s not enough renewable energy. Not that there’s too much, there’s not enough.

“We agree with that. So let’s see what more we can do,” he said.

Chris Bowen with Paterson MP Meryl Swanson, Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon, Swansea MP Yasmin Catley, and Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery.

BUCHANAN – Police Appeal for Help Following Suspicious Grass Fires

 Police are appealing for public help to locate a white Mazda SUV last seen in Kurri Kurri after a number of suspicious grass fires were sparked across the Hunter Valley.

At about midday on Sunday emergency services were called to a grass fire at Frame Drive and Gingers Lane at Sawyers Gully. A short time later crews were called to two more fires on John Renshaw Drive at Buchanan. The Rural Fire Service attended and extinguished both blazes.

At 3:40pm firefighters were called to a fire at John Renshaw Drive at Black Hill and another at Averys Lane. They were both extinguished.

Police have established a crime scene at all locations, and have commenced inquiries. Officers are appealing for anyone with information or dash cam footage of the white Mazda, or footage of any of the grass fires between 12pm and 4pm, to contact Crime Stoppers.

The white Mazda SUV. Credit / NSW Police

Appeal for Information over City Road Dirt Bike Crash

 Police are appealing for information following a six vehicle crash at the intersection of City and Brunker roads at Adamstown Heights yesterday (Wednesday 26 November).

It’s understood a dirt bike with two teenagers on board ran a red light and collided with a car at the intersection at 5:35pm.

The scene was difficult to attend for police in peak hour gridlock, but when they arrived a 17-year-old boy, the rider was treated by paramedics- he’s at John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

The passenger of the motorbike, a 14-year-old boy, is also in hospital in a critical condition.

The five car drivers were uninjured and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

The Crash Investigation Unit is asking anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers.

Credit / Google Maps

Woman Killed And Young Man Fighting For Life In John Hunter Hospital After Shark Attack On Mid North Coast

 BY IAN CROUCH

A woman has died and a man is in the John Hunter Hospital after being mauled by a shark on the Mid North Coast.

Emergency services were called to Kylies Beach at Crowdy Bay north east of Taree about 6.30am today (Thursday 27 November 2025).

Bystanders provided aid to the pair until paramedics arrived, however the woman in her 20s died at the scene.

A man, also in his 20s was airlifted to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter with serious injuries in a critical condition.

The beach has been closed.

Surf Patrols and the Department of Primary Industries remain at the scene.

Lifesavers are continuing to monitor the coastline with drones in a bid to identify the species of shark involved.

 

  

 

 

BREAKING! Firefighters Battling House Fire At Raymond Terrace

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has caused extensive damage to a Raymond Terrace home overnight.

Newcastle Fire Command says crews from Raymond Terrace, Tarro and Morpeth were called to the single level brick veneer home on Benjamin Lee Drive at 3.13am today (Thursday 27 November, 2025) to find the front half of the home well alight.

The occupants of the home managed to safely evacuate and no-one was injured.

It's taken crews about 30 minutes to bring the fire under control, with efforts continuing to fully extinguish and mop up the blaze.

It's believed a lithium battery in one of the rooms may have caused the fire.

 

Total Fire Bans Could Last All Week – RFS

 The RFS says it’s important for Hunter Families to be aware of the risks with extreme fire danger and storms forecast today and hot weather for the next few days.

Another total fire ban is forecast tomorrow (27 November) with dry weather taking us to the end of the week. There’s concern lightning strikes could spark new blazes.

Authorities they haven’t been able to get on top of back burning due to recent wet weather, but the highest risk areas near homes have been taken care of.

Lower Hunter District Manager Superintendent Martin Siemsen says it’s important to be prepared.

“There are potential ignition sources, we saw a couple of fires late yesterday afternoon, occur from that storm cell [in Muswellbrook]. Not a lot of rain and potential for lightning. So those ignition sources potentially exist today, which is a risk,” he said.

Police Appeal for Information on Break and Enters at Lake Macquarie

 Police are appealing for information on multiple break and enters in the early hours of October 28.

Eight males were captured on CCTV unsuccessfully attempting to enter a house on Maddie Street at Bonnells Bay, and were seen leaving in two vehicles, a white MG SUV and black Toyota Corolla.

Just before 4am police allege the males drove the vehicles to Freemans Drive at Cooranbong, where they tried to break into a service station with poles and hammers.

As daylight approached they attempted to access more homes at Catherine Hill Bay and entered a home on Macquarie Grove at Caves Beach, where an Isuzu ute was stolen.

Detectives with Operation Soteria have commenced an investigation, they wish to speak with occupants believed to be in their late teens who were spotted in the cars.

Anyone with information is being urged to come forward.

Port Stephens Councillor Lashes Out at New BOM Website

 A Port Stephens Councillor will tonight call for the Bureau of Meteorology to reverse its new $96 million website design, saying “ordinary Australians” are finding the new layout difficult to navigate.

A notice of motion being tabled by Councillor Giacomo Arnott will ask Council to write to Environment Minister Murray Watt and Paterson MP Meryl Swanson expressing “deep frustration” with the change.

Councillor Arnott says locals can’t get basic information.

“It’s an absurd and obscene amount of money to spend on a website that’s been delivered without the needs of Australians in mind and with services that are nearly unusable and inaccessible for local people, for local councils, for emergency management services,” he said.

“There’s certain bits of data that haven’t made the transition over to the new website at all. And that means the people that used to rely on that data just can’t access it. I think people are very lucky that they can still access the old website,” he said.

Search Under Way For Missing Man In Newcastle

 BY IAN  CROUCH

Police are asking for our help to find a man missing in the Newcastle area. 

30-year-old Sunny Jenkins was last seen at the John Hunter Hospital at about 1.00pm on Sunday 23 November 2025 and there are concerns for his welfare as his disappearance is out of character.

Sunny's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 185cm tall with a solid build, brown hair and  hazel-coloured eyes.

He's known to frequent the Swansea, Belmont and Garden Suburb areas.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Missing man Sunny Jenkins

 

Rising Tide Labels Port Exclusion Zone “Cowardly”

 Protest Group Rising Tide has labelled a marine exclusion zone in the Port of Newcastle “cowardly” and “draconian”.

No unauthorised vessels or people other than commercial vessels approved by the harbour master will be allowed to enter the Port during the planned Protestival, which begins on Thursday.

Authorities made an attempt to enforce the rule last year, but it was overturned in a last minute Supreme Court decision. Organisers say Transport for NSW has used a different section of the Marine Safety Act, and they won’t be challenging it in court.

Organiser Zack Schofield believes the State Government is repressing a peaceful protest.

“What it shows is a desire to keep the engine of the coal industry running 365 days a year without any sort of recourse for our young people, or for Hunter workers who are facing the collapse of that industry in the next five years,” he said.

“If the Government thinks that they can arrest their way out of their own policy failures, then they’re very much mistaken,” he said.

Credit / Rising Tide

“Not Good Enough” – Calls for Stockton Ferry Fleet Replacement

Frustration is growing among Stockton residents after the Newcastle to Stockton service went out of service yesterday for the second time this year.

Commuters had to wait nearly 30 minutes for bus replacements, taking their total travel time up to an hour for what would usually be a five minute trip.

Calls for new replacement ferries have been made by Newcastle Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp. Current vessels have been in service since 1986.

Stockton Resident Barbara Whitcher says the State Government needs to find a plan soon.

“The people I’m really concerned about are those that don’t have a car and those that need, such as students, [who] need to catch the ferry and get into town and then either walk to appointments or get on the light rail,” she said.

“So, it’s exceedingly inconvenient for people here at Stockton, people at Fern Bay, others that come down and catch the ferry.

“There needs to be a minimum of two ferries operable all the time. It would be handy to have three, but at the moment we’ve got one faulty one that’s operating and that’s just not good enough,” she said.

Fed Govt Commits $5 Million For Post Mining Land Use

 The Federal Government will spend $5 million on paperwork for the future uses of the Mount Arthur Coal Mine at Muswellbrook and Glencore’s Macquarie Coal site near Lake Macquarie, with closures expected in coming years.

Industry Minister Tim Ayres says the spend will support the Hunter’s transition and ensure mining re-use reflects the priorities of local communities.

It comes as a University of Newcastle study is published today on what 70 Muswellbrook locals would like to see after the Mount Arthur Mine closes.

Ideas include establishing a multi-purpose community hub supporting local enterprises.

Lead researcher Associate Professor Hedda Askland says there was discussion on the economic impacts of mining.

“We really wanted to speak to the grassroots. We wanted to speak to the people that we don’t normally hear, the voices that are normally that may be discussing these things around the kitchen table, but we don’t hear them in the public,” she said.

“Everybody agreed that there will be a change in what mining looks like. People wanted to, I guess, honour the industrial heritage.

“A lot of people spoke about the implications of the drive-in, drive-out workforce, the implications of shift work, The fact that Muswellbrook now has a two-tiered economy between those who work within the mining industries and those [who] don’t,” she said.

The State Government has also today introduced legislation to establish the Future Jobs and Investment Authority, which was promised in June.

The Bill gives the Authority the power to provide workforce support, and facilitate post mining land use.

Mount Arthur Mine. Credit / BHP

BREAKING! Crews Battling House Fire At Wangi Wangi

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has caused extensive damage to a home at Wangi Wangi.

Newcastle Fire Command says 5 fire trucks were sent to Lakeview Road just before 6 o'clock on Thursday November 20, arriving to find a fire in an external garage had spread to the single level timber and cladding home.

Crews have managed to control the blaze, which has caused damage to two bedrooms.

Fire and Rescue says no-one was home when the fire broke out.

The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined.

Crews are still working to fully extinguish the fire.

 

BREAKING! Sewer Main Break At Belmont: Hunter Water Crews On Scene

 BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter Water repair crews are working to fix a major problem with a sewer main at Belmont.

Newcastle Fire Command says crews from Belmont and the Hazmat unit from Newcastle were called to Capri Close just before 12.30am on Thursday November 20 to reports a sewer main had ruptured.

There were concerns untreated sewage was leaking into nearby Cold Tea Creek.

Hunter Water crews have shut off a sewer pump and restricted access to the area while repairs are carried out.

It's not clear at this stage if the break has impacted local homes or the creek.

Hunter Water has been contacted for comment.
 

 

13-Year-Old Boy Charged Over Random Sex Attack On Elderly Woman At Ashtonfield

 BY IAN CROUCH

A 13-year-old boy has been refused bail accused of knocking down and sexually assaulting an elderly woman at Ashtonfield near Maitland.

It's alleged the woman in her 80's was walking through Brooklyn Park at about 7.20pm on Monday November 17 when she was attacked by a young male who then left the scene on a scooter.

The woman was taken to the John Hunter Hospital for treatment.

Following extensive inquiries and a public appeal for information, police went to a home at East Maitland on Tuesday night and arrested a 13-year-old boy.

He's been charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexually touch another person without consent and incite another to sexually touch them without consent.

He faced a children's court in Sydney yesterday (Wednesday 19 November, 2025) and has been refused bail to face the Broadmeadow Children's Court in January.

 

Nine Bikie Members Arrested Over Alleged Sexual Touching And Brawls In The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

Raptor Squad police have charged nine alleged Finks outlaw motorcycle gang members following an investigation into drug, firearm, affray and sexual touching related offences in the Hunter.

On Saturday November 1, police allege a 25-year-old woman was inappropriately touched on three separate occasions by a man she didn't know at a Merewether hotel.

Later the same night, police say three men were involved in a fight at the same hotel with one man threatening a patron with a cutlery knife.

Then the following Saturday, it's alleged a group of men attacked patrons outside a licenced premises in Shoal Bay.

Following extensive investigations, police executed warrants in Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Maitland arresting eight men aged between 28 and 40 and a 26-year-old woman. 

Police allege weapons including unauthorised firearms and ammunition were found at properties in Maitland, Windale and Bellbird.

 

MAITLAND – Teen charged following alleged sexual assault of woman in her 80s

 NOTE: This story contains material some readers may find confronting.

A 13-year-old boy will face a children’s court charged with sexually assaulting an elderly woman at Ashtonfield on Monday.

Police allege the woman was walking in Brooklyn Park when she was allegedly knocked to the ground and sexually assaulted by the boy.

Detectives with Port Stephens Hunter District and the State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad commenced inquiries under Strike Force Bosgar.

Detectives executed a search warrant at a home in East Maitland, and the boy was charged with a string of offences to face court today.

Brooklyn Park. Credit / Maitland Council

National Tertiary Education Union Members Protest at State Parliament

 National Tertiary Education Union Members are at State Parliament today protesting at the University of Newcastle's 60th anniversary celebrations.

Members are also striking for 24 hours today, claiming management should not be celebrating while staff are pressured under heavy workloads.

Branch Secretary Terry Summers believes the University can afford to pay academics better.

"Putting a lens on on people who are celebrating what a great job they're doing, when we believe they're not doing a great job," he said.

NTEU Members strike at Callaghan today

Keolis Downer Puts New Pay Offer To Newcastle Bus Drivers

 BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle bus operator Keolis Downer has put a revised offer to drivers in the hope of bringing industrial action to an end.

The company has made an Enterprise Agreement pay offer of 15.5% over four years with an extra 8% over the same period for Year 1 trainees.

This Trainee offer is designed to close the current wage gap and boost recruitment and retention of staff in the long term.

The revised offer retains existing conditions and entitlements.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union is yet to respond to the latest offer.

 

Occupants Safe After Fire Tears Through Home At Scone

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has caused extensive damage to a home at Scone overnight.

16 firefighters from 3 stations were called to the single level fibro and tin roof home on Boronia Street just after 1.30am on Wednesday.

Newcastle Fire Command says the occupants and their pets managed to escape unharmed.

It's taken crews around an hour to extinguish the fire which caused damage to about 50% of the house.

The cause of the blaze is not known at this stage.