Community Members Urged To Have Their Say On Proposed Minmi Road Upgrades

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Newcastle Council is seeking feedback from local residents on its plan to widen and upgrade Minmi Road.

The proposal would see the notorious stretch widened to two lanes in each direction from Summerhill Road to Maryland Drive. 

It's also set to improve access for cyclists along the busy stretch, by implementing a separated lane on the road, as well as a shared pathway. 

Residents around Wallsend, Maryland, Fletcher, and Minmi, are being encouraged to give feedback on the plan by the 17th of November, 2023. 

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, says residents have been calling for something to be done about traffic congestion in Minmi for years.  

"The first commitment of this newly-elected council was to really push ahead and invest in the widening of Minmi Road," she said. 

Cr Nelmes also said she expects the construction period will be disruptive to motorists. 

 

The project is expected to be delivered by 2025-26. 

(From Left) Dehanna Richardson, Nuatali Nelmes, and Callum Pull

 

Wallsend MP Calls for Newcastle Council to Get Moving on Minmi Road Duplication

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The member for Wallsend has moved a Notice of Motion in state parliament, calling on Newcastle Council to commence the duplication of Minmi Road. 

The project aims to alleviate notorious traffic pinch points along Minmi Rd by duplicating large sections of the arterial western corridor from one lane of traffic in each direction to two lanes each way. 

Council committed $26 million to the project back in 2021, and the state government allocated an extra $7.6 million for the duplication just this year. 

Sonia Hornery says she wants to see council take responsibility for the project and get it off the ground. 

"It’s a shame that Councillors are so committed to silly vanity projects in the inner city like the failed skate park on the beach or the unpopular “black box” proposal on Newcastle Ocean Baths but won’t commence a project that they have funding for and have near unanimous support from the community to complete." 

Image: Newcastle Herald

Six Charged Over Alleged Newcastle Pub Brawl

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Six people have been charged after a brawl broke-out at a pub in Newcastle last month.

It's alleged, a 36-year-old man threw glass at a wall and grabbed a female staff member after being asked to leave the premises.

A fight broke out, and shortly after, the man and three others left the venue. 

They returned two hours later and allegedly assaulted a number of patrons in the carpark of the premises, including a 33-year-old man who was knocked unconscious and taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.

Following inquiries, Raptor North Squad officers executed four search warrants at properties in Cardiff, Edgeworth, Gillieston Heights, and Newcastle West from 5:00am yesterday, where they seized five firearms, cannabis, and MDMA.

Four men and two women were arrested.

It's believed all four men are senior members or associates of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. 

 

Woman In Critical Condition After Crashing Into Pole at Minmi

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A woman has been transported to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition after crashing into a pole at Minmi.

Four ambulance crews and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter arrived on scene of the serious single vehicle incident on Woodford Street, just after 11 o'clock on Wednesday morning.

A 43-year-old woman driver became trapped in her vehicle, suffering multiple traumatic injuries and was removed by emergency crews.

There are currently no reports of further injuries to any other patients.

Cause Of Minmi Bushfire Being Investigated

BY IAN CROUCH

Dozens of firefighters have taken around 6 hours to put out a bushfire at Minmi.

Fire and Rescue and RFS crews were called to Reservoir Road just after 11 yesterday morning.

The fire burnt through 5 hectares before being extinguished.

No property was under threat at any stage.

It's not clear how the fire started with investigations continuing.

House Fire at Minmi

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A family have been left devastated after their Minmi home was destroyed by fire last night.

Around 7:30, four fire trucks responded to the blaze on Lenaghans Drive.

Crews arrived within 8 minutes of a triple-zero call, however, the single-level structure was well alight and took about half an hour to extinguish.

Around 90% of the home was destroyed.

Newcastle Fire Command say its lucky no one was home at the time.