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

 

LEMON TREE PASSAGE RD POTHOLES – “How did it get to that?” – Roads Minister

 BY PETER HYSLOP

The State’s Roads Minister has issued a tough response to Port Stephens Council’s communication about the state of Lemon Tree Passage Road and Medowie Road.

“[Council] really have to look at- ‘how did it get to that poor condition?'” Jenny Aitchison said on Thursday.

Council estimates the repair bill to be over $100 million for both thoroughfares, saying both roads need a full reconstruction.

Jenny Aitchison confirmed Transport for NSW is getting in contact with Council and a new process to apply for road re-categorisation is being finalised.

If the roads were re-categorised, Council wouldn’t have to foot the whole bill for the repair and ongoing management of the roads.

Small parcels of Council-owned land are being sold across the region to try and save a rate variation from being passed on to ratepayers.

“We’re looking at every way we possibly can to put money into roads,” Mayor Leah Anderson told 2NURFM.

“We know this is a big issue right across the state … we will be following that [road re-categorisation] process,” she said.

Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison at Hexham on Thursday

Police Bust Cocaine Collection Group In The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

Three men are due to face court today (Friday 27 June 2025) charged with conspiring to import 1.5 tonnes of cocaine following a major police operation in the Hunter.

Detectives from Strike Force Blaine say they identified three men acting suspiciously in the Hunter including the purchase of two marine vessels for cash.

Police will allege the actions of the men were consistent with the methods used by catching crews involved with the collection of large quantities of prohibited drugs.

Police say the trio stood to earn $3.4 million between them for their role in collecting the cocaine haul.

Yesterday (Thursday 26 June 2025), officers arrested a 34-year-old man during a vehicle stop at Eleebana, a 23-year-old man at an industrial worksite in Forster and a 24-year-old man at Salamander Bay.

They also seized a commercial fishing boat at Lemon Tree Passage for forensic examination.

All three have been charged with conspiracy to supply a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug as part of a criminal group and refused bail to face Parramatta Local Court today.

 

Police arresting a 34-year-old man at Eleebana

Lemon Tree Passage Teen Reported Missing

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are asking for our help to find another young teenager who's gone missing in the Port Stephens area, this time from Lemon Tree Passage.

15-year-old Tayeisha was last seen yesterday morning wearing black track pants and a grey hooded jumper.

She's not in trouble, however police need to make sure she's okay.

Tayeisha is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall with brown hair and hazel eyes.

If you've seen her or know where she is, call Raymond Terrace Police.

Missing teen Tayeisha

Man Suffers Burns In Battery Explosion At Lemon Tree Passage

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man in his 50's is recovering in the burns unit at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital after a battery exploded in his face at Lemon Tree Passage.

NSW Ambulance says the man was working on the battery on a boat when the explosion occurred at about 2.45pm on Wednesday, leaving him with serious hydrochloric acid burns to his face and chest.

Ambulance Inspector Joel De Zuna says thankfully the man knew to pour water on the area until paramedics arrived.

He was flown to Sydney for further treatment and is now listed in a stable condition.

The injured man was flown to Sydney for treatment Picture: NSW Ambulance

Investigation Launched After 4-Year-Old Girl Drowns At Port Stephens

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic drowning of a 4-year-old girl at Port Stephens.

Emergency services were called to Tanilba Road near Lemon Tree Passage at about 2.30pm on Tuesday to reports the little girl had fallen into the Karuah River from a kayak.

Police pulled the unconscious child from the water and commenced CPR.

She was rushed to the John Hunter Hospital under police escort, but sadly could not be revived.

A report is being prepared for the Coroner.

A rescue helicopter was called to the scene at Lemon Tree Passage Picture: dailmail.co.uk

Father And Son Badly Burnt In Boat Explosion At Lemon Tree Passage

BY IAN CROUCH

A father and son have suffered serious burns in a boat explosion at Lemon Tree Passage.

The 48-year-old man and his 11-year-old son were working on board a cabin cruiser at the local marina just before 5.30pm on Monday when petrol ignited causing the explosion.

Emergency services rushed to the scene with the boat fire quickly extinguished.

The 48-year-old was airlifted to the Royal North Shore Hospital suffering burns to his body, while the boy was flown to Westmead Children's Hospital by the Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter in a serious but stable condition.

The injured boy being treated before being flown to hospital. Picture: dailytelegraph.com.au

Father and Son Injured In Boat Explosion Picture: dailytelegraph.com.au

New Police Station Promised For Lemon Tree Passage

BY IAN  CROUCH

The community of Lemon Tree Passage is in line for a brand new police station thanks to a commitment made by the state government this morning.

$1.5 million will be spent on the new facility which will replace the current station which operates out of leased premises in Cook Road.

However, Police Minister, Troy Grant says there's no timeline yet on when the new station will be built.

"A location is yet to be determined. A period of consultation with the community and local council will occur to make sure they pick the best site to meet the local needs as well as ongoing future police operational response needs. The District Commander, Superintendent Jackson, will lead the project with the properties branch and the local community work with the council. So together, they'll get on with it and develop this new police station as soon as possible," he said.

 

Police Minister Troy Grant joins Liberal candidate for Port Stephens Jaime Abbott  and local police for this monring's announcement. Picture: Jamie Abbott

Salt Ash Fire Update

BY IAN CROUCH

Conditions have eased overnight around Tanilba Bay, Lemon Tree Passage and Mallabula where a large bushfire threatened dozens of homes.

The fire has burnt through 1535 hectares and is currently listed at Advice level.

Crews have worked through the night to carry out tactical backburning along Lemon Tree Passage Road near Oyster Farm Road and Rutile Road near Tanilba Avenue. Backburning has also been carried out behind homes in Tilligerry Track, where more than 70 homes came under threat last night along with about a dozen homes and a caravan park in Oyster Farm Road. These backburning operations are continuing.

Lemon Tree Passage Road has been re-opened but motorists are advised to be aware of fire crews working in the area as well as smoke hazards.

There are currently 70 firefighters and 20 fire trucks from the RFS and Fire & Rescue NSW working on the fire ground. It's expected more resources will be tasked to the area throughout the day.

At the time of writing, (9.00am Sunday) air crews were completing their morning briefing prior to taking to the skies over the fire ground. Three waterbombing helicopters and a fixed-wind aircraft will support efforts on the ground to strengthen containment lines.

While the weather conditions are relatively calm at the moment, the RFS expects conditions to deteriorate as the day progresses. Currently, the winds are from the north-west and are gusting at times up to 40-50 kilometres per hour and the relative humidity is 40%. However, the winds are expected to pick up and swing around from the south-west during the morning and the forecast relative humidity is expected to drop to about 20% which will likely see the fire danger increase. A Very High Fire Danger is expected today ahead of continuing dry and windy conditions.

The RFS is advising residents to remain vigilant, continue to monitor the situation closely and take the advice of firefighters on the ground. Residents should also be prepared to initiate their Bushfire Survival Plan if the situation changes and, if they want to leave their homes, to do so early.

There are no reports of property damage, however a Building Impact Assessment Team is about to begin work.

Fire Lights Up The Night Sky Around Tanilba Bay. Picture: Port Stephens Examiner

Police Investigate Fatal Crash At Lemon Tree Passage

BY IAN CROUCH

A report is being prepared for the Coroner after a man was killed in a crash Lemon Tree Passage.

The 64-year-old was driving his Toyota Hilux southbound on Lemon Tree Passage Road just after 7.30 on Wednesday night when the car left the road and slammed into a tree near the intersection of Brownes Road.

The man, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, died at the scene.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.