50 Charged Over New Coal Protest at Sandgate

BY OLIVIA DILLON

All 50 people involved in an anti-coal protest which stopped a train at Sandgate yesterday have now been charged. 

Around 20 people scaled the train which was heading to the Port of Newcastle, and used shovels to unload coal from its carriages. 

Others surrounded the carriage, chanting and waving signs and banners. 

Police say two people damaged property, and a third assaulted a security officer while attempting to gain entry into the rail corridor. 

The protestors were reportedly linked to the Rising Tide climate group. 

The action shut down the line to Kooragang Island for at least three hours.  

Image: Rail Express

New Hunter Rail Freight Link Confirmed

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The corridor for a planned 30 kilometre rail freight link between Fassifern and Hexham has been confirmed by Transport for NSW. 

It's hoped the future link, known as the Lower Hunter Freight Corridor, will alleviate the region's rail congestion, while also better connecting the Port of Newcastle with regional NSW. 

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway, said said the route was developed in collaboration with 570 community members. 

And, Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes, said he hopes the agreed-upon route will benefit both passengers and industry.

"It moves in a north-westerly direction at Fassifern and goes up behind Holmesville and through Minmi, then comes out at Hexham to join the line coming into Newcastle. Then, the line that goes west will eventually link to the inland rail that already links up to the northern line up to Brisbane," Mr Hawes said.  

Mr Hawes added he also hopes community feedback will continue to shape the plans for the link. 

"I have no doubt people out there will be concerned about the environmental impacts, but I'm hopeful that the process they will go through to get the approval before they construct will bear that in mind and mitigate those impacts." 

Hunter residents can now view the plan online, as the project moves towards final design stages and construction. 

The Lower Hunter Freight Corridor has been confirmed by Transport for NSW. 

Man Assaulted And Robbed On Train At Cardiff Railway Station

 BY IAN CROUCH

Investigations are ramping up into a savage assault and robbery on a train at Lake Macquarie.

Police say at about 5.30am on Sunday November 6, a 28-year-old man was travelling on a southbound train when he was assaulted from behind by an unknown man while the train was at Cardiff Station.

He was dragged to the floor of the carriage and set upon by 3 other man before having his mobile phone stolen.

The victim was able to escape at Cockle Creek station and call police.

Police have released  CCTV images of the alleged culprits

Police want to speak to these men in connection with an alleged assault and robbery on a train at Cardiff

Industrial action could have flow-on effects for Hunter trains

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Major industrial action on the State's train network on Wednesday could have flow-on effects for the Hunter.

The Hunter Line won't be affected by the ban on operating foreign-built trains, but the Intercity line between Newcastle and Sydney could be impacted.

If services are cancelled, replacement buses are expected to be in short supply.

Regional booked services should also be operating as normal.

Train derailed on Kooragang Island road

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A train has derailed on the road at Kooragang Island on Friday afternoon.

Traffic on Cormorant Road is backed up to the Stockton Bridge.

 

Motorists should expect significant delays for several hours and avoid the area.

Eastbound traffic is moving slowly, with a diversion on Egret St and Teal St.

The road is completely closed to westbound traffic, though it's hoped a diversion could open soon.

Hunter Valley Steamfest postponed due to poor weather

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter Valley Steamfest has been postponed due to recent bad weather across the region.

Maitland City Council has been forced to make the call after a landslip south of Sydney stranded two of the star steam engines on display.

Maitland Park and the Rally Ground have also become unusable for the event because of the wet conditions.

It's now been rescheduled to the weekend of the 30th and 31st of July.

Ticket holders will be contacted in coming days to transfer their tickets or grab a refund.

Transport Minister Visits Lake Macquarie To Officially Open New-Look Wyee Station

BY ISABEL EVERETT

NSW Transport Minister, Andrew Constance joined Lake Macquarie MP, Greg Piper on Wednesday morning to officially open new upgrades to improve accessibility and safety at Wyee Station. 

The upgrade includes three new lifts which provide access to the overhead footbridge and platforms, new pathways and entrances on both sides of the station, along with accessibility upgrades to bathrooms and waiting rooms.

The project, which was completed and operational last month ahead of schedule, also included the  installation of better lighting, and CCTV, and construction of additional parking spaces and a drop-off zone on the Gorokan Road side.

“Wyee Station has become a much busier station than it used to be,” Mr Piper said.

“While it will serve the growing local population in Wyee, it’s also the nearest station for people in the northern parts of the Central Coast and those who live on the south-eastern side of Lake Macquarie.

“This upgrade will provide much easier access not just for disabled, frail or aged people who struggle with stairs, but also for parents with prams and travellers carrying luggage.

NSW Transport Minister, Andrew Constance,
with Lake Macquarie MP, Greg Piper

BREAKING! Teen Stabbed On Train At East Maitland

BY IAN CROUCH

A teenage boy has been arrested over the alleged stabbing of a 16-year-old boy on a train at East Maitland.

Police say the two 16-year-olds, who are known to each other, were travelling on a train between Beresfield and Maitland at about 7.20pm on Thursday when the pair became involved in an argument which quickly escalated, with one of the boys producing a knife and stabbing the other in the abdomen.

The injured boy got off the train at Victoria Street station and sought assistance from a train guard.

The doors of the train were locked as it left the station and police arrested the youth when it arrived at Maitland.

He's been charged with wound with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, reckless wounding and having custody of a knife in a public place.

He's been refused bail to face Broadmeaodow Children's Court today (Friday 29 May 2020).

The injured boy underwent surgery at the John Hunter Hospital and is in a stable condition.