CCTV Footage Released of Thornton Business Fire

BY OLI GOELDNER

Detectives are appealing for information after a suspicious fire at a Thornton business last week. 

At about 1.05am on Tuesday 10 February, emergency services were called to the business on the New England Highway, following reports of a fire. 

Fire and Rescue NSW crews brought the fire under control and extinguished the blaze.  

The building sustained minimal structural damage; however, large amounts of stock were destroyed, and a cash register was stolen.

Police attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene and commenced inquiries into the fire.

The men are depicted in the CCTV wearing dark clothing and balaclavas, and are believed to have left the area in a light-coloured hatchback.

One of the men is seen leaving the area with the lower half of his body engulfed in flames.

Police believe the man might have suffered burns following the incident.

As inquiries into the incident continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Unit Destroyed During Alleged Siege At Thornton

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man has been taken to hospital following a siege and fire at Thornton this morning.

Police were called to a unit in Government Road just after 6.30am today (Friday 25 July, 2025) to a concern for welfare report.

Police say a man was holed up inside the unit. 

Fire crews were also called to reports of a gas leak at the scene.

Police say the incident ended with the man safely taken into custody at about 9.00am when the unit was allegedly set on fire.

Crews took about an hour to extinguish the fire which gutted the unit.

If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

 

Police Disappointed Following Vandalism at Thornton Skate Park

 BY PETER HYSLOP

 Port Stephens Hunter Police say they're seeking information about damage caused to the recently-built Thornton Skate Park

It's been open for a week, but spray painted tags and images have been painted all over ramps.

Officers say they're disappointed about the damage.

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

Vandalism at Thornton Skate Park. Credit: Port Stephens Hunter Police

House Destroyed By Fire At Thornton

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed a home at Thornton overnight.

Newcastle Fire Command says they received 7 triple-zero calls to a single level home on fire in Woolley Close just before midnight on Thursday, with crews arriving to find flames through the roof.

Seven fire trucks and a duty commander attended the blaze which took almost three hours to fully extinguish.

The roof of the home collapsed at the height of the blaze.

Police say no-one was home at the time and a crime scene has been set up as investigators look into the cause of the fire.

BREAKING! Motorcyclist In Critical Condition After High Speed Crash At Thornton

 BY IAN CROUCH

A 52-year-old man has suffered critical head and leg injuries in a high speed crash at Thornton overnight.

Emergency services were called to Haussman Drive just after 8.00pm on Wednesday.

Police say a motorbike collided with the front of a Ford Courier being reversed into a driveway.

The rider was thrown from the motorbike on impact, with the bike continuing riderless for a short period before colliding with a traffic island.

The rider was taken to the John Hunter Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

The 65-year-old driver of the Ford was arrested and taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory testing.

Haussman Drive was closed for three hours while crash investigators examined the scene.

Investigations are continuing.

Man missing from Thornton as police appeal for assistance

 BY PETER HYSLOP

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a 21-year-old man missing from the Hunter.

Eli Elliott was last seen in Thornton on Monday September 30. When he could not be contacted, officers commenced inquiries into his whereabouts. His family hold concerns for his welfare.

He's known to frequent East Maitland and Thornton, and is being described as of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, of a thin build with short brown hair. He was last seen wearing grey track pants and a grey hooded jumper.

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

Eli Elliott. Credit: NSW Police

Upgrades at Thornton Intersection delayed by several months

 BY OLIVIA GOELDNER 

Supply chain issues and ongoing wet weather have forced construction to temporarily cease on an intersection in Thornton. 

Upgrades to the Raymond Terrace Road and Government Road intersection can expect to be delayed by several months, pushing completion of the Thornton North intersection upgrade to the end of the year. 

It comes following current high demand from several other infrastructure projects across the Hunter, causing interruptions to the supply of road gravel from local quarries. 

Ongoing wet weather has also contributed not only to construction delays, but supply shortages as well. 

Maitland Council's Works Manager Ashley Kavanagh says the impacts have been felt across the region. 

"There's a lot of similar work happening across the Hunter Valley at the moment, and it's obviously having a knock on effect for all the projects that are currently under construction. 

"We've been working with contactors and Transport for NSW to look for alternative methods and suppliers but at this stage none of them have turned up with a different result." 

He thanks residents and commuters for their patience. 

Image courtesy of Maitland Council

Police Seek Help To Identify Man After Child Approached At Thornton

 BY IAN CROUCH

Port Stephens Hunter Police are asking for help to identify a man who they believe can assist with their inquiries concerning a child approach at Thornton.

Police say the incident occurred last Friday April 14.

Anyone who can identify him is asked to contact Maitland Police Station.

Police want to stress the man may or may not have been involved in a crime and they need to establish his identity to further their inquiries.

Police believe this man can assist with their inquiries

BREAKING! Man Bashed And Robbed During Home Invasion At Thornton

 BY IAN CROUCH

An 18-year-old man has suffered multiple injuries during a violent home invasion at Thornton overnight.

Police say at about 10.25pm on Monday, a group of six males armed with weapons forced entry into the man's Railway Avenue home and assaulted him.

He's been conveyed to Maitland hospital suffering a broken nose, fractured eye socket and a severe laceration to his head, where he remains in a stable condition undergoing tests.

The group stole items of property before running off.

Police say the alleged victim and the offenders were not known to each other and no-one else was in the home when the attack took place.

Chris Minns Announces $15 Million Investment Into The Thornton Rail Bridge Duplication Project

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The state government says it's coming through on it's commitment to ease traffic congestion in Maitland, by investing $15 million into the next stage of the Thornton Rail Bridge Duplication Project. 

It comes with an estimated 7,000 new residents expected to call Maitland home within the next 20 years. 

The funding will be used to kick-off initial planning works to duplicate the bridge, with the hopes of expanding access out to Thornton Road, offering residents a flood-free route during natural disasters. 

NSW Premier Chris Minns was in Thornton for the announcement on Friday, and said community members have been calling out for a quicker, more secure route in and out of Maitland. 

"These are flood-prone areas that need evacuation routes in the event of a natural disaster, and so it's not just a question of ease of mobility and infrastructure upgrades, this is essential in ensuring that you've got a resilient community that can deal with the effect and the threat of flooding in Maitland." 

Community consultation on the project is expected to begin soon, following the funding announcement. 

NSW Premier Chris Minns

Break-And-Enters At Thornton And Edgeworth Could Be Linked, Police Say

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Police have released CCTV footage of a man as investigations continue into two alleged break and enters in the Hunter Region. 

Officers allege a man broke into a supermarket on the corner of Taylor Avenue and Thomas Coke at Thornton at about 2:30am on Monday the 5th of June and stole a cash box. 

A second cash box was allegedly stolen from a supermarket at the intersection of Main Road and Callan Street at Edgeworth on Wednesday the 14th of June. 

 

Police believe the two incidents may be linked and have released footage of a man they believe will be able to assist with enquiries. 

He's being described as Caucasian in appearance and of a medium build. 

He is shown wearing a white face mask, a black and white hooded jumper with writing down both sides, gloves, grey shorts and white sneakers.

Man Charged After Vehicle Stop at Thornton

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A man will face Maitland court today, after a vehicle stop at Thornton unearthed allegedly stolen items and illegal drugs. 

Port Stephens Hunter Police were patrolling the Thornton area at about 3:00am on Wednesday, when they located a vehicle allegedly displaying altered registration plates on Thomas Coke Drive.

A search of the car revealed property suspected to have been stolen during a recent break and enter at Rutherford and a small bag containing methamphetamine.

A 30-year-old man was arrested at the scene before being taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with multiple offences.  

Police Believe Same Man Is Responsible For Break & Enters At Thornton, Rutherford and Edgeworth

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are stepping up investigations into a spate of break and enters across the Hunter.

In the first incident, a man broke into a Thornton supermarket in the early hours of June 5 and stole a cash box.

A fast-food restaurant inside the Rutherford Mall was broken into at about 1.00am on June 13, with a man stealing cash.

Then, just before midnight last Wednesday, a man broke into a supermarket at the corner of Main Road and Callan Street Edgeworth and stole a cash box.

Police believe the same man is responsible.

Police believe this man is responsible for three break and enter offences over the past month 

Teenager Charged Over Alleged Break-In at Thornton

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A teenage boy has been charged after a home in Thornton was allegedly broken into yesterday.

Police were called to a property at Edwards Avenue about 2:30am yesterday morning, after reports of a break and enter.

They were told residents had noticed a door left ajar and several items missing, including a set of car keys and personal devices. 

They were also told, a vehicle was found 15 metres down the driveway, wedged against a large hedge.

Following inquiries, police attended a property on Parkway Drive in Thornton, where they arrested a 17-year-old boy.

He was refused bail and will appear before a children's court on Friday

Strong Winds Fan Bushfires At Fullerton Cove And Thornton

 BY IAN CROUCH

Strong westerly winds have hampered efforts to contain a bushfire at Fullerton Cove.

The Cox's Lane fire has burnt through more than 160 hectares, however no properties were under threat as the fire has been burning towards Stockton Beach.

Lavis Lane was closed overnight but has since been re-opened.

Stockton Beach remains closed.

Meanwhile, crews have been called back to a grass fire at Thornton overnight.

Newcastle Fire Command says they received 16 Triple Zero calls to the fire in Haussman Drive just before 6.00pm on Monday.

Crews had the fire contained but were called back to a re-ignition just before 10.30pm.

The fire burnt out 5 hectares and has now been extinguished.

Fire crews were called back to Haussman Drive at Thornton overnight Picture East Maitland Fire & Rescue

Search Under Way For Missing Teen At Thornton

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are concerned for the welfare of a 15-year-old girl who's gone missing from Thornton.

Tia left her home at about 10.00pm on Wednesday and has not returned.

She's described as being of Aboriginal appearance, about 150cm tall with a thin build and brown eyes and has long brown hair tied in two braids.

If you've seen her, contact Maitland Police or Crime Stoppers.

Tia was last seen on
Wednesday night

Construction Starts on Thornton Neurological Rehab Centre

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Construction has now begun on a $2.6 million neurological centre at Thornton, to provide rehabilitation services to those with neurological conditions and others needing complex therapy.

The centre will provide care for those those with conditions like, spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, parkinson’s disease, motor neuron disease and other rare and disabling conditions.

The 2,200 square metre site will contain a hydrotherapy pool, rehabilitation gym, a manufacturing room for custom orthoses, a medical intervention room, a complex wheelchair and seating showroom with private fitting rooms as well as 31 accessible car parks.

The centre will be owned by Hunter-based Neuro Alliance at the Thornton Interchange following a development application approval from Maitland Council in March 2020.

Daniel Buck founded Neuro Alliance in 2009, and says the centre is strategically located at the end of the M1 motorway to provide convenient access for a growing list of patients from around NSW. 

The centre will serve as a base from which his team will continue to provide community-based services.

“There is no centre like this in Northern NSW,” Mr Buck said.

“Our focus is on improving the quality of life through the application of evidence based and innovative treatment programs,” he said.

“By working closely with our network of health professionals, we can ensure patients receive high quality, evidence-based care.”

Mr Buck said he also chose the site because it is next door to a hotel with disability accessible rooms that is being built by local hospitality group – Allogio. 

Stage one of that project is for a 55 bed hotel and conference centre. 

He said the hotel accommodation will benefit people from out of the Hunter requiring extended care, and their families or carers. 

Neuro Alliance’s team includes a physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, rehabilitation medicine specialist and a neuromuscular orthotist, also working with other allied health professionals including occupational therapists and speech pathologists.

The centre is being built by Hunter-based builder, Draytons, with work expected to be completed by the end of the year.

 Director of Clinical Services and Neuro Alliance, Daniel Buck
and Building Manager, Alan Morrison

Artists Impression

Thornton Break and Enter

BY HANNAH-LOUISE ANDERSON

Police have launched an investigation into a Thornton break-in that occurred last night at a home on Railway Avenue.

The 28 year-old victim, who is legally blind, told police he heard a noise at around 6 pm before he was forced into a wall. Fortunately he was left uninjured, and the offender did not take anything from the home before fleeing the scene.

The assailant was described as being around 175 cm tall with a medium build, and of Caucasian appearance. He was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.

Petition Launched to Upgrade Dangerous Thornton Intersection

BY  MADELAINE MCNEILL

A petition has been launched calling for urgent safety repairs to a notorious Thornton intersection.

The petition was launched by Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison, who has also introduced a Notice of Motion to parliament calling on the Berejiklian Government to make urgent improvements to the site.

Data obtained from Roads and Maritime Services and NSW Police shows eight crashes have been reported at or nearby the intersection over the past ten years, with four Triple Zero calls made at the site between July 2016 and June 2018.

Ms. Aitchison said many residents have complained to her office about the intersection.

"It's a regular feature of all the social media concerns but particularly, the people ringing my office are sending photos of near-misses," Jenny Aitchison told 2NURFM News.

"It's just becoming beyond a joke."

Maitland City Council has plans to improve the Haussman Drive portion of the intersection but Roads and Maritime Services holds responsibility for Raymond Terrace Road, leaving the local MP wondering why nothing has been done.

"This is a busy section of main road connection Maitland to Raymond Terrace and the location is the epicenter of residential boom," Jenny Aitchison said.

"Surely traffic lights are needed here."

Ms. Aitchison is calling on the government to investigate the site's crash history and find a solution before tragedy strikes the intersection.

"We just really want the government to act before someone dies."

Copies of Jenny Aitchison's petition are available here.

Image: Google Maps

Man Assaulted During Thornton Home Invasion

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are on the hunt for five people over a violent home invasion at Thornton.

The group forced open the front locked door of a home on Rockleigh Street just after 3.30am on Thursday where 4 adults and a baby were sleeping.

Police say two of the intruders, a man and a woman, went to the main bedroom and rummaged through the room, leaving the house with two bags of property.

One of the occupants challenged an intruder who was armed with a metal bar, bundling him out of the house before a second offender hit the resident over the head with a crow bar and all five fled.

Chief Inspector Brian Tracey says the victim was taken to Maitland Hospital.

"He is being treated for a superficial wound to his forehead - of course being hit over the head with an iron bar is a terrible thing for anyone to endure, but we're very thankful he's going to be okay," he said.

No-one else was injured.

The group was last seen heading towards Railway Avenue.

Anyone who may have seen them or can assist police with their inquiries is urged to call Maitland Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.