Officer Injured During Police Operation On The Fernleigh Track: Man In Custody

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to front court today (Friday 17 April 2026) accused of hitting a police officer with an unregistered motorbike during a police operation on the Fernleigh Track at Kahibah.

Officers on e-bikes were conducting high-visibility patrols on the track at about 11.30am yesterday (Thursday 16 April 2026) following reports of anti-social behaviour.

They were speaking to a 14-year-old boy when a man on a motorbike approached the officers but allegedly failed to stop as directed and struck an officer in the arm before crashing into a guard rail.

The officer was not seriously injured and did not require hospital treatment.

The 47-year-old man was arrested - he's been charged with seven offences including drive recklessly/furiously at speed in a manner dangerous and refused bail to face the Bail Division Court today.

 

Officers have been regularly patrolling the Fernleigh Track on E-bikes following reports of anti-social behaviour. Photo NSW Police

Fernleigh Track Signs To Combat Anti-Social Behaviour

 BY OLI GOELDNER 

New signage has been installed along the Fernleigh Track to address anti-social behaviour on the popular pathway. 

A total of 14 signs have been put in at all access points on the track, encouraging users to report incidents to police. 

Lake Macquarie Council Community Partnerships manager Matt Holloway said the signage will play an important role in combatting dangerous behaviour. 

"We're really encouraging people to report any incidents or unsafe behaviour they see or experience along the track," he said. 

"This can be done either through the triple zero emergency number, Crime Stoppers, the police assistance line or the online portal." 

Over the past 12 months, police have conducted regular bike and foot patrols of the popular walking track. 

NSW Police District Inspector Anita Kruse reported they've had hundreds of interactions with users of the path discussing their concerns and providing education in relation to e-bikes. 

During that time, ten infringement notices have been issued, and 24 offences have been dealt with under the Young Offenders Act. 

However, Mr Holloway said users should be more vigilant with reports. 

"We're really hoping to see an increase in reporting," he explained.

"The reporting at the moment is quite static over the last six months, I don't believe the numbers have increased or decreased. 

"And, what we're hoping to see out of this is if these incidents are occurring, we see them being reported through these channels rather than through social media or other means." 

The signage is the first of many safety measures to be enacted by a dedicated subcommittee, formed during a Fernleigh Track roundtable meeting with key representatives in late 2025. 

"What we're looking to do is identify these signs and look for other safety-related signage," Mr Holloway said. 

'We also want a big focus back on etiquette ad acceptable behaviour. 

"Also, focusing not particularly on e-bikes, but the illegal e-bikes and anti-social behaviour along the track." 

Picture: Lake Macquarie City Council

New Shared Paths Weave Throughout Lake Macquarie

BY TARNI CRUICKSHANK

Lake Macquarie residents can now enjoy increased safety and ease when walking and cycling, following the completion of new paths in the area.

Work has wrapped on a two hundred and fifty metre path linking Pasterfield Sports Complex to the older precinct of Cameron Park.

It is one of two new shared-paths in the area, and aims to increase access to the sports complex, by foot.

Lake Macquarie Lord Mayor, Kay Fraser says these paths are essential in encouraging residents to rely less on their vehicles and make healthier lifestyle choices.

"They'll be able to actually walk or hop on a bike and get there much quicker and safer.

"It's only small but it was really important to the Cameron Park community and I am really pleased that we have been able to deliver that."

The paths form part of a larger regional cycle route to connect the Fernleigh Track to Richmond Vale via numerous suburbs such as Edgeworth, Minmi and Glendale. 

Projects and Technical Officer, Tom Earls and Mayor Kay Fraser at Pasterfield shared path.

Photo credit: Lake Macquarie City Council

Police appeal for CCTV footage after man left paralysed in Redhead bike crash

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Police are appealing to the public for information after a bike crash on the Fernleigh Track at Redhead left an elderly man unable to walk again.

Emergency services were called to the scene around 11:20am on Wednesday, finding 85-year-old Greg Hood seriously injured.

He had been thrown from his bicycle during an alleged collision with two riders travelling in the opposite direction, on either e-scooters or motorbikes.

The two men were wearing long, dark clothing and it's alleged they fled the scene.

Mr Hood was taken to the John Hunter in a serious condition with spinal injuries and paralysis.

Police are now appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash, and the circumstances leading up to the impact to come forward. 

Officers are especially interested in talking to anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from the vicinity of Geraldton Drive at Redhead. 

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.

Elderly man run off Fernleigh Track by motorbike

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A cyclist is in hospital after an accident on the Fernleigh Track, believed to have happened when a motorbike rider ran off him off the path.

Emergency services were called to Redhead just before 11am on Wednesday.

The 85-year-old man had a head injury, cuts, and abrasions.

He was transported to the John Hunter Hospital on a spinal board.

Locals say motorbikes are a common sight along the track and through the bush.

Indigenous artists commissioned for new Fernleigh Track artwork

BY OLIVIA DILLON

In line with NAIDOC Week, two local Indigenous artists have been commissioned by Lake Macquarie Council to install an artwork along the new Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track (FAST). 

Shellie Smith and Daniella Chedzey, alongside fellow artist Julie Squires, will create a work featuring sculptures of traditional 'gunya' shelters, bark canoes and Aboriginal campsites. 

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser, said commissioning the work puts Council closer towards completing the FAST project. 

"This will be a meaningful acknowledgement of the traditions and daily lives of Awabakal people, who called this area home for thousands of years before European settlement," she said.

"Commissioning this artwork is another step towards this significant active transport project, linking the end of the Fernleigh Track and Belmont to Blacksmiths."

Once completed, the track will create the longest active transport route in the Hunter region, stretching 27km from from Murrays Beach to Adamstown. 

Manager of City Projects at Lake Macquarie Council Adam Wakeman, said the new installation has been designed  to be interactive and engaging for both locals and tourists, by passing on Awabakal knowledge and culture.

"Being a significant environmental area, we're conscious of the Indigenous heritage of the area, so we've engaged with some Indigenous artists to help us interpret some of the history, not only through architectural works in the bridge, but also the bus shelters and the like that we're opening," he said.  

"We're hoping that once this is opened, it'll help with tourism, activation of the area, as well as being an iconic, recreational pathway for people tp use to get out and get active." 

Image: Lake Macquarie City Council Website

Police Seek Man With Mullet After Lake Macquarie Bushfires

BY IAN CROUCH

Lake Macquarie police want to speak to a middle aged man who they believe can assist with their inquiries over three deliberately lit fires last week.

Around 4.40pm on Thursday a fire broke out in the Glenrock State Conservation Area near Burwood Road at Kahibah.

While crews were battling the flames, two other fires ignited beside the Fernleigh Track.

A man was seen standing next to the track watching the firefighting effort.

He's described as being in his 40's of Caucasian appearance, 170 centimetres tall with a solid build and scruffy dark brown hair in a mullet style cut.

The fire in the Glenrock State Conservation Park last Thursday.