State Govt Announces $27m For Future Jobs, Post Mining Land Use

 BY PETER HYSLOP

 The State Government is today announcing a fund to support future economic development in the Hunter region, one responsible for looking at good uses of land after mines close down.

The Future Jobs and Investment Authority would use $27.3 million worth of taxpayer dollars over four years to try and attract investment, and also to figure out ways to spend Government money on post mining land use.

State Finance and Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos says the plan isn’t to get rid of coal mines, just to deal with decommissioned ones.

“We know that coal will continue to have an important role to play particularly here in the Hunter, where we have strong export markets, and I know our key trading partners are watching this closely,” she said.

Northern Mining and NSW Energy District President Robin Williams says it’s important to prepare for the future.

“There’s no doubt that coal mining jobs are well paid jobs, and they’ve been the backbone of the Hunter Valley for decades.

“But that doesn’t [resolve] the fact that at some point, mining will reduce,” he said.

LAKE MACQUARIE – Local Artists to Illuminate Boats in Competition

 BY PETER HYSLOP

Lake Macquarie Council says it’s putting final touches on the annual Float Your Boat festival this weekend with thousands of visitors expected.

Entrants from D.I.Y. tinnies to local artists will be taking to the water with lit up vessels, in the running to win a Mayoral prize.

Angela Budden is a local artist entering a giant illuminated seagull stealing a chip

She says it’s been many hours of wrangling with light strips.

“As for the legs, we just need more outlets … we’re in the middle of the build at the moment,” she said.

“I’m hoping to finish it ready for install on Friday,” she said.

Local artist Angela Budden

Mayor Adam Shultz says it’ll be a tourism boost for the region.

“This has been going since 2017, and it’s been building year on year.

“People can vote for their best display, by attending one of those three live sites at Toronto, Belmont or Warners Bay,” he said.

Artist Jakeob Watson, Mayor Adam Shultz and artist Angela Budden

BREAKING! Pets Tragically Killed In House Fire At Millfield

 BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters have battled for several hours to extinguish a fierce house fire at Millfield overnight.

Crews were called to the single level home on Eleventh Avenue just after 11.00pm on Tuesday to find the house up in flames.

Newcastle Fire Command says a the house was unoccupied at the time although there were several animals at the property, many of whom were saved but it's feared others may have perished in the blaze .

More than 30 firefighters and RFS crews worked through the night to extinguish the fire, which was hampered by a large amount items which had been hoarded at the home.

Crew wrapped up firefighting efforts just after 4.30am on Wednesday - two crews will remain on patrol at the scene.

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage and will be subject to an investigation.

Crews battle the blaze at Millfield. Picture; Kearsley Fire and Rescue

 

 

FLOOD RECOVERY – Deputy PM Says Category D Funding Calls to be “Worked Through”

 BY PETER HYSLOP

The Nationals are ramping up their calls for the Federal Government to release Category D funding, the highest category of disaster assistance, for flood stricken residents.

The annual conference at the weekend voted to condemn the Federal and State Governments for failing to provide it so far.

The funding must be agreed to by the Prime Minister, he’s currently in Canada for the G7 summit.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says the Government’s waiting for recommendations from officials on the ground.

“Well that will be worked through in the normal course,” he said.

“In relation to what flooding has occurred, the process will be playing out in a way which seeks to deal with this as quickly as we can.

“Obviously we are very mindful of the impact of flooding that has occurred … making sure the appropriate support if provided as quickly as possible,” he said.

 

Upper Hunter state Nationals MP Dave Layzell says communities in the Hunter and Mid North Coast are struggling.

“Last night people were contacting me sending me photos of their properties completely surrounded in floodwater,” he said.

“People are just really angry about it and we need to get this problem fixed,” he said.

SINGLETON – Mayor Welcomes Upgrade to “Rabbit Warren” Police Station

 BY PETER HYSLOP

Singleton police Station is set for a major upgrade with $8.7 million committed to deliver better facilities.

The refurbishment includes a two-storey wing housing the Crime Prevention Unit, Detectives Unit and Proactive Crime Unit. The heritage structure was built in 1866.

The heritage building’s been dubbed a rabbit warren by Singleton Mayor Sue Moore, she says the upgrades are long overdue.

“It’s a heritage building, so any new structure that sits behind or is seen to be viewed from the street, has to be part of the aesthetic for the Heritage Committee,” she said

Police Minister Yasmin Catley says there’ll be a continued police presence.

“Whilst the building [construction] is underway, the police from Singleton will relocate down to Branxton, so we’ll still have, as always, a 24-hour presence,” she said.

An artist’s impression of the new police station.

  

Former Hunter Teacher Charged Over Alleged Historical Child Sex Offences

 BY IAN CROUCH

A former Hunter teacher is due to face court next month charged over the alleged sexual assault of two boys in the 1980's.

In January this year, police began investigating reports a teacher in the Raymond Terrace area had sexually assaulted two boys aged  between 14 and 15 between 1986 and 1987.

It will be alleged in court the teacher assaulted one of the boys while teaching him to ride a motorbike on a property at Clarence Town - the other boy was allegedly sexually assaulted at the same location.

Following extensive inquiries, on Monday 9 June 2025 police issued an 84-year-old Clarence Town man with a court attendance notice for three counts  of sexual assault of a person under 16.

He's due to face Raymond Terrace Court on July 28.

 

$115m Renewables Storage Hub Earmarked For Former BHP Land At Mayfield

 BY IAN CROUCH

Former BHP Steelworks land at Mayfield is being earmarked for development into a logistics precinct.

This month's state budget will include $115 million towards the construction of the precinct on 52 hectares of former BHP Intertrade land adjacent to Industrial Drive.

It will become a storage hub for renewables infrastructure such as wind turbines and transformers before they are transported to energy projects across the state's north west including the Hunter Transmission Project and the Hunter Central Coast REZ.

Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Penny Sharpe will announce the project in Newcastle today (Thursday 12 June, 2025).

 

The Newcastle Logistics Precinct will be built on the former BHP Intertrade Site at Mayfield

 

Police Investigate Suspicious Unit Fire At Newcastle East

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are treating a fire which destroyed a unit in Newcastle East on Tuesday night as suspicious.

14 Firefighters from three stations were called to the Department of Housing complex on Nobbys Road just before 8.00pm to find an unoccupied sub-ground unit on fire.

Around 20 residents were evacuated from the complex and no-one was injured.

It took crews about 20 minutes to get the fire under control and prevent from spreading to other units.

It's the same unit complex where a man tragically died in a unit fire in March this year.

 

 

WARNERS BAY – House Fire Treated As Suspicious

 BY PETER HYSLOP

 Police have confirmed a house fire at Warners Bay overnight may have been deliberately lit as fire investigators examine the cause.

Emergency services were called to Margaret Street just after 11pm to reports of flames coming from the two-storey residence. It took multiple crews to bring the blaze under control but the home suffered extensive damage.

There were initial reports of a smell of fuel and the dog squad was brought in.

All occupants were evacuated, a crime scene has now been established.

House on Margaret Street overnight. Credit: Media Response Newcastle

 

Police Step Up Appeal For Help To Find Man Missing For Months

 BY IAN CROUCH

 Police are asking Hunter residents for help to find a man who was last heard from almost 5 months ago.

43-year-old John White was last contacted on the 3rd of January, 2025.

He's known to frequent the Cessnock,  Hunter and Tamworth areas.

John's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall with a medium build and brown hair.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Missing man John White Picture: NSW Police

Two "Urban Explorers" Arrested Over Alleged Break-In At Mayfield West Police Training Centre

 BY IAN CROUCH

Two men are due to front court today (Friday 6 June, 2025) accused of breaking into the Police Training Centre at Mayfield West overnight.

Police responded to an intruder alarm being activated at the centre on Industrial Drive just after 9.00pm on Thursday.

A police dog rounded up two men aged 24 and 26 inside - they allegedly told police they were urban explorers and thought the building was abandoned.

However, it's alleged they were in possession of house breaking implements and items taken from the centre.

They remain in custody ahead of an appearance in Newcastle Local Court today.

Police say it's likely they'll be charged with Aggravated Break and Enter, Possession of House Breaking Implements and Trespassing.  

 

MAYFIELD - Appeal for Information Following Bullet Damage to Home

BY PETER HYSLOP

 Police are appealing for information after a firearm was discharged during a home invasion at Mayfield last week.

Just before 4am on Friday police were called to Bull Street following reports a gunshot had been heard, no one was hurt.

Newcastle City police attended and established a crime scene which was forensically examined. Damage to the front door resembling a bullet was identified.

A further search of the property revealed an unspent bullet, a knife and knuckledusters.

As inquiries continue, anyone with information’s being asked to come forward.

Newcastle Acting Superintendent Steve Benson says police are working to remove any further threat.

“While we do believe it is targeted, we want to ensure the community we are taking this investigation extremely seriously.

“Any crime involving the use of prohibited weapons is an ongoing focus for us,” he said.

Newcastle Acting Superintendent Steve Benson