Police Probe House Fire At Raymond Terrace

 BY IAN CROUCH

An investigation is under way into an early-morning house fire at Raymond Terrace.

Fire crews and five trucks were called to Kangaroo Street just after 3.00am today (Wednesday 4 March 2026) to find smoke issuing from the single level weatherboard home.

Newcastle Fire Command says they managed to contain the flames to the back right hand corner of the home, taking around 45 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

It's understood the resident was not home when the fire broke out.

Police are treating the fire as suspicious - crews attended a fire call at the home at week ago. 

Fire crews at the scene of the house fire in Kangaroo Street. Picture: Raymond Terrace RFS

 

BREAKING! Firefighters Battling House Fire At Raymond Terrace

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has caused extensive damage to a Raymond Terrace home overnight.

Newcastle Fire Command says crews from Raymond Terrace, Tarro and Morpeth were called to the single level brick veneer home on Benjamin Lee Drive at 3.13am today (Thursday 27 November, 2025) to find the front half of the home well alight.

The occupants of the home managed to safely evacuate and no-one was injured.

It's taken crews about 30 minutes to bring the fire under control, with efforts continuing to fully extinguish and mop up the blaze.

It's believed a lithium battery in one of the rooms may have caused the fire.

 

KINGS HILL DEVELOPMENT – Former MP Slams “Ridiculous” Delay

 Former Port Stephens Mayor and MP Craig Baumann says the Kings Hill development near Grahamstown Dam is long overdue.

The land, then for 4,500 homes was rezoned in 2010, but has been turned down by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel, who later rejected an appeal in January over storm water and road works.

Councillor Giacomo Arnott is preparing a notice of motion to look at other options for future development.

But Craig Baumann believes the updated application for 2,500 homes should go ahead.

“It’s critical for the growth of Raymond Terrace, and Medowie High School has just commenced without the additional population and demand on Irrawang High School and Hunter River High.

“I’m not quite sure how [Medowie High School] will survive,” he said.

“If another 12,000 people moved into Raymond Terrace, the shops would benefit. The commercial centre would increase in size to everybody’s benefit,” he said.

Credit: Kings Hill Development

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.

 

P-Plater Fined After Serious Crash At Raymond Terrace

 BY IAN CROUCH

Four people have had a lucky escape from serious injury and a P-Plater has been fined following a crash at Raymond Terrace on Wednesday night.

Police say a Nissan X-Trail was travelling southbound on the Pacific Highway just before midnight when the driver swerved to avoid a slow moving vehicle and crashed at high speed into the cable barrier on the median strip.

It's believed the car overturned before coming to rest on it's wheels.

Two men and two women were taken to hospital as a precaution.

Meanwhile a 19-year-old man has been fined $544 and lost 3 demerit points after speeding through the crash scene at more than 100 km/hr.

Police say drivers are required to slow down to a safe speed when driving past crashes and traffic incidents on the highway. 

 

Police Appeal for Help to Locate Teenager

 BY PETER HYSLOP

Concerns are growing for a young girl who's gone missing from Raymond Terrace.

13-year-old Ahleighaa Waters was last seen in the area on Tuesday night (11 February) and the alarm was raised when she couldn't be located or contacted.

There are concerns for her welfare due to her age.

Ahleighaa's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 135cm tall with a slim build and blonde hair.

She's known to frequent the Tenambit and Raymond Terrace areas.

Anyone with information's being asked to contact Crime Stoppers.

Ahleighaa Waters. Credit: NSW Police

Teens Arrested After Pursuit In Alleged Stolen Car At Raymond Terrace

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police have charged two teenagers accused of leading officers on a pursuit in a stolen car at Raymond Terrace.

Patrolling officers spotted the white Toyota Corolla on Mount Hall Road on Sunday night and initiated a pursuit when the car failed to stop.

Road spikes were deployed, and the vehicle was found abandoned on Platt Street, Waratah a short time later.

Two males aged 15 and 18 were arrested along with a 13-year-old girl.

Police allege the 15-year-old was behind the wheel - both boys are now before the courts.

The girl will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act. 

Police Release CCTV as they Investigate Raymond Terrace Break-in

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Police have released CCTV footage as they continue to investigate a break and enter at a Raymond Terrace business. 

About 1.20am on Thursday March 4,  two men approached an automotive business on Port Stephens Street and walked around the perimeter before leaving on foot.

The pair returned about 20 minutes later, before one of the men climbed under a fence and entered the premises.

They left a short time later and returned with a third man about 2.20am and again entered the premises before leaving on foot along Kangaroo Street.

No items were taken from the business during the incident.

As police continue their inquiries, they have released CCTV footage of three men who may be able to assist with their inquiries.

The first man is described as being of a slim build, between 175cm to 180cm tall, with a light-coloured hat, a jumper, long pants and a backpack.

The second man is described as being of a medium build, between 175cm to 180cm tall, wearing a hat, a jumper and shorts.

The third man is described as being of a medium build, wearing a jumper and long pants.

Anyone who may have information about this incident is urged to contact Raymond Terrace Police or to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Belmont Man Allegedly Caught Driving Almost Six Times Legal Limit at Fern Bay

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man has been charged with high-range drink driving after allegedly being caught almost six times the legal limit at Fern Bay. 

Just before 5.30pm on Thursday, officers stopped an unregistered Subaru Outback on Nelson Bay Road, Fern Bay, where they spoke with the driver, a 50-year-old man.

He was subject to a roadside breath test which returned a positive result.

The driver was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station for a secondary breath analysis which allegedly returned a reading of 0.282.

The Belmont man was issued with a court attendance notice for high-range PCA and is due to face Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday March 29. 

His licence was also suspended and he was issued an infringement notice for driving an unregistered motor vehicle.

Crews Called to Extinguish Garage Fire at Raymond Terrace

BY ISABEL EVERETT 

Fire crews have been called to Raymond Terrace, to reports of flames and smoke billowing out of a garage on Elizabeth Avenue. 

Three crews were called to the scene at around 12.22pm on Friday. 

The garage is adjacent to single level brick house, with all occupants safely evacuated. 

The fire was brought under control around 12.49pm, with the garage damaged by fire and water. 

Crews managed to stop the blaze from spreading to the house, which suffered smoke damage. 

The cause of the blaze is currently unknown.

Police Shoot Dog After Attacking Two Officers at Raymond Terrace Police Station

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Raymond Terrace Police have shot a dog outside the local police station after it attacked two officers. 

The Staffordshire bull terrier cross was brought to station by it's owners when they sought assistance about a domestic violence related matter around 1.20am on Monday. 

The domestic violence incident reportedly escalated inside the station foyer and when a police officer approached the man and woman the dog attacked, biting him of the foot. 

Pepper spray was used to help make the dog release the officer, however outside the station the dog attacked a second officer, biting him through the foot. 

The officer discharged his gun into the back of the dogs neck, to make it release him. 

The dog was taken to a nearby vet, where it later died. 

Officers sustained minor injuries, one with a puncture wound to the foot.

The man who brought the dog to the station was charged with several domestic violence related offences, including resisting arrest, common assault and intimidation.

He was refused bail to face Raymond Terrace Local Court on December 22. 

Inquires are continuing. 

Driver Allegedly Caught "Fishtailing" and 90kms above Speed Limit at Raymond Terrace

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A mans license has been suspended, after he was allegedly caught driving 90 kilometers above the speed limit at Raymond Terrace. 

Around 9.50 pm on Sunday officers detected a green Ford Falcon travelling at 200km/h in a 110km/h zone on the Pacific Highway, Raymond Terrace. 

He was then detected travelling at 125km/h in a 70 km/h zone on Pacific Highway, Heatherbrae.

The 22-year-old driver from Castle Hill, was also seen to ' fishtail ' through the roundabout at the intersection of Pacific Highway and Masonite Road, Heatherbrae.

The drivers licence was confiscated and suspended for a period of six months, he received a Field Court Attendance Notice for ' Drive at a speed dangerous ' and ' Negligent Driving '.

He is due to appear at Raymond Terrace Local court in November. 

Karuah Police Station To Temporarily Close

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Karuah Police station will be temporarily closed as amenities upgrades are completed inside the station.

The station will be closed from Tuesday 13th October until Wednesday 4th November. 

There will be no impact to service levels or staffing numbers in the Karuah area, with officers relocating to Raymond Terrace for the duration of the works.

Port Stephens-Hunter Commander, Superintendent Chad Gillies wants to remind the community that just because the station’s doors are closed for construction, doesn’t mean the local police aren’t there.

“Our officers normally stationed at Karuah will simply relocate for the three-week period to Raymond Terrace Police Station, to allow contractors access to the station.

“We want to assure the community that your level of service will not change, we are still present in the area and here to protect the public 24/7, 365 days a year,” Supt Gillies said.

For any inquiries, please contact Raymond Terrace Police Station on 4983 7599, or call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.