Club Calls on Council For Protection After Smith Park Vandalised Again

BY CAMERON TARAGEL

Hamilton Azzurri Football Club is calling on Newcastle Council for more ground protections after yet another vandalism incident.

Players found their changing sheds and visitor rooms sprayed with bright blue paint on Tuesday night.

It follows an incident earlier this year where the club's field was found torn up by vandals in cars.

The club has issued a plea to Council for CCTV and proper fencing to deter any future vandals.

Club Vice President James Sneesby said due to costs, Council would need to assist in funding the installation.

"The investment going into these parks are not just financial but the investment of like communities," he said.

"A bit more of an investment could lead to less destruction."

Wallsend MP Sonia Horney also recently launched a petition calling on Newcastle Council to install CCTV and fencing in local sporting grounds.

"We know the points where people are making the damage," Mr Sneesby said.

"We know where you'd put the CCTV and I think that would probably be a good way to manage things."

Additionally, he said the damage prevents kids and volunteers from playing.

"It's little kids you're disappointing that are showing up on weekends," he said.

"It's also volunteers that are putting their hard earned time and their own money in.

"So just please stop it."

The club is asking anyone with information to contact them or the police.

Graffiti on visiting team's change room. Picture: Hamilton Azzurri FC Facebook

Search Under Way For Missing Teenager From Muswellbrook

 BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter Valley police say the disappearance of a teenage girl from Muswellbrook is out of character.

16-year-old Shyanne Millington was last seen on Sunday July 19 and there concerns for her welfare.

She's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall with a medium build and dyed dark red hair and was last seen wearing a black hooded jumper, ripped black jeans and black and white converse shoes.

Shyanne is known to frequent the Muswellbrook, Singleton and Sydney CBD areas.

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

Missing teen Shyanne Millington

 

New Belmont Wharf Boosts Safety and Access to Lake Macquarie

 BY OLIVIA HADWEN

A new 71-metre public wharf has opened at Belmont, giving boaties a safer and more accessible way to enjoy Lake Macquarie.

The wharf is 10 metres longer and 2.4 metres wider than the previous structure, which served the community for around 50 years. 

This upgrade will allow more space for recreational vessels to pull alongside and access the foreshore safely. 

The development is part of a $1.6 million state government investment through the Boating Infrastructure for Communities program in partnership with Lake Macquarie Council.

Minister for Hunter and Swansea MP Yasmin Catley said modern and reliable boating infrastructure is essential for locals, businesses and visitors.   

"We have more than 20,000 boats registered locally, meaning this is infrastructure our communities use everyday," she said. 

"This isn't just a nice-to-have, it's infrastructure that locals use and rely on. 

"It's part of our lifestyle to be on the lake, and it's important that we make sure that we've got the infrastructure there for us to enjoy it as well."

The new wharf features steel piles, stronger concrete supports, durable decking, marine-grade fixings and protective vessel fenders. 

It has been built with the purpose to withstand busy marine environments. 

Another improvement is a new marine water pump-out facility, which will give boat owners a safer and more responsible way to dispose of waste while also helping to protect the health of Lake Macquarie.

Minster for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said the state government is invested in improving local waterways.

"The new pump-out facility will also help protect this beautiful waterway so it can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come," she said. 

New Belmont Wharf. Picture: Lake Macquarie City Council

 

HVO Continuation Project Divides Hunter At IPC Hearing

 BY SARAH BOTRILL

The future of one of the Hunter’s largest coal mines is now in the hands of the Independent Planning Commission (IPC), with supporters and opposition presenting arguments this week over the proposed Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) Continuation Project. 

The project, jointly owned by Yancoal and Glencore, would extend the life of the existing open-cut operation near Singleton to 2045 at its northern site, and 2042 at HVO South. 

The NSW Department of Planning referred the project to the IPC after receiving more than 50 objections. 

Supporters argue that the extension is crucial for protecting jobs and regional communities, while environmental groups contend it would undermine New South Wales’ legislated climate targets. 

Mining and Energy Union (MEU) Northern District President Robin Williams said the mine is one of the Hunter's final chances to remain a float while heading into the renewable energy transition. 

"We're supporting the expansion of the Hunter Valley Operations mine… It's about protecting 1,500 direct jobs at that mine," Mr Williams said.

"Then there's a large group of supporting contractors, suppliers. 

"Thousands of families will be impacted if this extension doesn't go ahead for that mine.

"We need this operation to continue so that we can have some form of rational transition from where we are today to where we might need to be in the future."

Environmental advocacy group Lock the Gate Alliance urged the Commission to reject the proposal, arguing the project is incompatible with the state's climate commitments.

NSW Coordinator Nic Clyde said climate change was already affecting communities and that extending coal mining would increase greenhouse gas emissions.

"It's very clear that we need to transition away from coal mining and that our entire planet and our community are suffering as a result of unmitigated climate change," Mr Clyde said. 

Mr Clyde said the Hunter's economy was already beginning to diversify through industries such as green steel manufacturing, pumped hydro energy storage and train manufacturing.

"The challenge ahead is to plan for the future, look after workers and have an orderly closure of these mines as coal demand inevitably reduces," he said.

The Department of Planning has identified key issues including greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity, water resources, air quality, noise, social and economic impacts, Aboriginal cultural heritage and mine rehabilitation.

The Independent Planning Commission will consider evidence presented during the hearings, along with written submissions from the public, before making its determination later this year.

Picture: Lock The Gate Alliance

Fuel Spill Sparks Lane Closures at Hexham

 BY IAN CROUCH

Emergency crews are at the scene of a large fuel spill from a truck at Hexham.

Newcastle Fire Command says they were called to the New England Highway just past the Pacific Highway turnoff at about 3.00am today (Friday 17 July, 2026).

A semi-trailer has lost around 200 litres of diesel from a ruptured fuel tank over a 300 metre stretch of road.

Two of three westbound lanes are closed while the clean-up continues.

 

Port of Newcastle Gains Approval For Battery Storage

BY RUBY VAN DE WIJGAART

The Port of Newcastle is the first in the state approved to store grid-scale lithium-ion batteries. 

Approval was granted by the NSW Government in late 2025, enabling the port to receive and store the devices for three of the state's largest battery projects -- Origin Energy's Eraring Battery, AGL's Tomago Battery, and Bellambi Heights Battery Energy Storage System.

The projects will gather roughly 1.7 gigawatts of controllable capacity along with 6.8 gigawatts of energy storage, enough to power millions of homes in times of demand. 

The complexity of the cargo requires specialist handling and purposely build infrastructure in order to ensure the safety of the product and those tasked to handle the batteries. 

CEO Craig Carmody says this approval opens up a pipeline for number of renewable opportunities. 

"This is not just important for the port and our diversification strategy," he said. 

"This is another way of firming up the energy supply in NSW, it allows these big industrial projects to push ahead." 

The port is investing in expanded infrastructure at its Multi Purpose Terminal in Mayfield, actively executing a $36 million waterside berth extension to accommodate larger multipurpose vessels.

Picture supplied. 

Fears Held For Missing Newcastle Woman

 BY IAN CROUCH

A search is under way for a Newcastle woman who hasn't been seen in more than a month.

42-year-old Kirsty Hayes was last seen in Darby Street, Cooks Hill sometime between Thursday June 11 and Monday June 15, 2026.

She's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall with a thin build, brown hair and green eyes and is known to frequent the Newcastle and Hunter Valley areas.

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

 

Missing woman Kirsty Hayes

UPDATE! Appeal Launched To Find Girl Missing From Abermain

 BY IAN CROUCH

 Good News!

Police have advised Shanae Ford has been found.

They've thanked the community for their support in sharing the appeal.

EARLIER:  

Police are asking for out help to find a young girl who's gone missing from the Lower Hunter.

12-year-old Shanae Ford was last seen in Abermain about 2.00pm on Monday 13 July, 2026 and there are concerns for her welfare due to her age.

She's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165 to 170cm tall with a medium build, dark hair and brown eyes.

Shanae is known to frequent the Abermain, Cessnock, Maitland, Rutherford and Lake Macquarie areas.

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

 

Missing girl Shanae Ford

 

 

New Industry Opportunities Sparked by Rezoning Hunter Mining Sites

BY OLIVIA HADWEN

Two mining sites in the Hunter are set to be rezoned for new industry opportunities in renewable energy, warehousing and manufacturing.

Following the closure of Muswellbrook's Mount Arthur Coal Mine in 2030, around 5,400 hectares of the site will be rezoned for the new developments, set to host nearly 6,000 new jobs. 

Meanwhile, the former Macquarie Coal Complex in West Wallsend is ideally positioned to become a major employment precinct as well, featuring at least 500 hectares of developable land. 

The proposed operation will create up to 1,130 new jobs, with direct links to the M1 and Main Northern Railway. 

These are the first major post-mining land transformation plans underneath the Commonwealth Government's $5 million investment alongside state funding. 

The redevelopment of land is set to drive economic growth across the Hunter region and provide job opportunities to local workers. 

NSW Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said the state government is acting now to plan for the region's future. 

"These proposals provide a clear pathway for former mining land to support new industries, investment and jobs for decades to come," he said. 

The draft master plans and rezoning proposals are on public exhibition until August 11. 

The community can speak directly with the project team through in-person drop-in sessions set to be held in both Muswellbrook and Lake Macquarie. 

"These plans will help create thousands of local jobs, attract new investment and give Hunter communities confidence that the region will remain one of the state's economic powerhouses," Hunter Minister Yasmin Catley added. 

Port Stephens Mayor Calls for Protection Against Shoal Bay Erosion

BY CAMERON TARAGEL

Port Stephens mayor Leah Anderson is calling for the state government to step in and provide much-needed assistance for erosion along Shoal Bay Road. 

State legislation only allows sandbags to be in place for up to 90 days, but Cr Anderson believes an extension would be beneficial to allow for long-term solutions to begin. 

Currently, no sand bags are in place along the deteriorating foreshore due to the restrictions, with recent harsh weather removing large chunks of sand. 

Cr Anderson said sand management is only a short-term fix. 

"We're trying to do all the studies that we need to do to actually look at what we need to do," she said.

"We need to do something to stabilize the area until we can work out that long-term solution." 

The mayor recent wrote to the NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe to advocate for a 12 month extension to sand bag limits. 

Additionally, she said with the state government's financial support, a stronger long-term solution can be found.

"We don't have a lot of funding for the works that we need to do," she said.

"We need to apply for state government grants to be able to co-fund long-term solutions." 

Council is seeking the state approval to secure the beachfront as they continue delivering their long-term Coastal Management Program. 

Erosion along Shoal Bay Road in April this year. Picture: Port Stephens Council 

Business Hunter Praises State Government Praised for Local Train Manufacturing Plan

BY MARLEY RAE

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes has applauded the NSW Government's pledge to make the Hunter the state's home for train building.

Over the weekend, Premier Chris Minns announced at the NSW Labor Conference they will invest $12 billion to build a new Hunter train manufacturing facility. 

Operated by a private manufacturer, the business would be constructed to provide ongoing support for the region's passenger train fleet, with a former Teralba coal mine and the Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot shortlisted as potential locations.

Mr Hawes believes the announcement is a big win for the Hunter.

"This is a huge vote of confidence from the NSW Government in the Hunter's industrial capability and their desire to see that strength upheld", he said.

"We are really pleased to see the government's adopting a 'build them here' approach and recognising that governments have an ability and responsibility to support jobs, skill development and local businesses through the supply chain by manufacturing trains right here in our states industrial heartland."

The local rail manufacturing industry dried up in 2012, with the new facility to refocus train procurement back to the Hunter after more than a decade of major contracts going offshore. 

"The proposal keys into the regions DNA when it comes to manufacturing, building and making things, especially train building," said Mr Hawes. 

"The government is seeking to make an investment on it's own part, but also is really seeking to provoke private sector investment to get the facility up and running, and we think that's very exciting.

"I'm confident we will get a strong response from not only the investment community, but also the workplace community looking to see this sort of facility go ahead." 

Picture: Transport for NSW

Lyne MP Calls For Community Opinion Ahead Of Gambling Reforms

BY LIAM COLLINS

Proposed reforms on gambling advertisements has spurred Lyne MP Alison Penfold to call for community input. 

The Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2026, introduced to the Federal Parliament on Thursday, is looking to ban gambling advertising during live sport broadcasts, on sporting uniforms and at sports venues, as well as stronger protections for children online. 

The bill comes three years after the landmark 2023 Murphy review, a parliamentary inquiry spearheaded by the late MP Peter Murphy which sought to research the harms of online gambling and make recommendations.

Alison Penfold released a survey to residents of her electorate, asking locals what they thought of the proposed reforms.

She said we have to be careful of gambling advertising around a younger sporting audience.

"I've heard stories from teachers where kids aren't talking about the footy teams that are playing, they're talking about the odds of who's going to win, and that has real concern," she said. 

So far, her survey has highlighted a majority support for the reforms from its over 500 responses across the Lyne electorate.

Ms Penfold said the clear, straight-forward responses to the survey were incredibly helpful.

"People have certainly got strong views on this... these are very important matters," she said. 

"I really appreciate people telling me their stories, their family stories, the pain and suffering that comes with someone who's been addicted to gambling."

The responses will be used to construct her arguments on the reforms, once it's debated in Parliament in mid-August. 

The survey is available online and is open until July 24. 

Lyne MP Alison Penfold. 

Construction Complete On $890M John Hunter Acute Services Building

 BY RUBY VAN DE WIJGAART

The construction of the $890 Million John Hunter Health, and Innovation Precinct has been completed.

With staff orientation, system testing and equipment instalment underway, the final stage has begun with the acute services building expected to be open to patients later this year.  

The new seven-storey building includes a new emergency department, projected to accommodate up to 95,000 patients each year. 

It also features 22 new operating theatres and nine interventional suites to accommodate increased demand for procedural services, with the services expected to increase the units capacity by 60 per cent. 

Moreover new birthing suites, inpatient maternity, special care units and a neonatal intensive care unit have also been added. 

The recent state budget delivered a $55 million boost to the development, which increased the total investment to $890 Million -- making it the largest hospital redevelopment outside of Sydney.

The new expansion is connected via four bridges to the existing Hunter Medical Research Institute, maintaining a connection between the two buildings and specialties. 

The new infrastructure introduces more opportunities for education, training and further employment to aid the current availability. 

John Hunter Hospital executive general manager Julie Tait said the next step will be finding staff. 

"I think staffing numbers in NSW are challenging"  Julie Tait admitted. 

"We are constantly trying to recruit and fill.

"Certainly we do carry vacancies on occasion but we have many plans to trying to increase that [staffing numbers]."

Hunter Minister Yasmin Catley said it's a massive milestone for the Hunter.

"The Hunter is growing, and our health services need to grow with it," she said.

"For too long, people outside of Sydney have had to travel further than they should for specialist care and our investment means more people across the Hunter can get world-class treatment closer to home."

John Hunter Hospital Executive General Manager Julie Tait, Hunter Minister Yasmin Catley, Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp. Picture: Ian Crouch

UPDATE! Fears Missing Port Stephens Man May Have Crashed His Motorbike

 BY IAN CROUCH

 Good News!

Police have advised Jonathan Daniel has been found and have thanked the media and the public for their assistance.

EARLIER: 

Fears are growing for the welfare of man who's gone missing from Lemon Tree Passage.

64-year-old Jonathan Daniel was last seen riding away from Cook Parade on his motorbike yesterday morning (Wednesday 1 July 2026) and has failed to return.

His disappearance is out of character and there are concerns he may have crashed his bike.

Jonathan's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 185cm tall with a medium build, grey hair and brown eyes.

He was riding a 2022 red Honda motorcycle with the NSW registration ERG62.

Jonathan is known to frequent the Tea Gardens, The Branch, Girvan, Crawford River and Bulahdelah areas.

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

 

Missing man Jonathan Daniel