Cessnock Council Demand Meta Take Down Viral Abuse Video

 BY MAJELLA MCGRATH

Cessnock Council is demanding tech giant Meta remove a Facebook video of a council worker being verbally attacked while on the job.  

Last week, 44-year-old Western Sydney man Gregory Tait allegedly filmed an heated interaction with a Cessnock Council worker and posted it on his social media. 

In the video, Tait approaches a worker mowing grass and picking up rubbish along Wine Country Drive at Nulkaba and proceeds to verbally abuse him. 

Council said the videos are still circulating online, despite reportedly going against Meta's guidelines.  

Tait was recently convicted for spouting violent death threats to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the day after the Bondi Beach Terror Attack. 

On Friday October 16, he faced Paramatta Local Court, where he was handed a recognisance sentence and ordered to pay $1000. 

Tait has posted a series of concerning videos on his Facebook page being seen to verbally abuse a number of councils across the state, including Cessnock Council. 

The United Services Union (USU) and Cessnock Council have condemned Meta's failure to promptly remove videos, demanding the company take immediate action to protect workers from further online abuse.  

Mayor Daniel Watton says he's fed up with the way council staff are treated and there is no excuse for people, especially those completing a job, to be abused.

"We are doing everything we can to communicate with Meta, our requests are in line with their standards," he said. 

"So we expect this to be taken down swiftly."

USU general secretary Graeme Kelly said workers safety and wellbeing must come before a social media company's willingness to host abusive content.

"Meta has been asked to remove these videos," he said. 

"It's failure to act is unacceptable. 

"A company with Meta's resources should be capable of responding promptly when workers are being targeted on its platform."

Mr Kelly said the attacks reinforce the urgent need for stronger legislative protections for council employees providing services to the public.

There is now a call for the NSW Government to make legislation to protect council workers and other service workers a priority. 

Gregory Tait leaving Parramatta Local Court on Friday. Picture: Nine News/Sam Mooy

Missing Indian Man Could Be In The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police believe a man reported missing from Sydney could be in the Hunter region.

48-year-old Varum Badmi was last seen in Quakers Hill yesterday (Monday 20 April 2026) and concerns are growing for his welfare as he's been unable to be contacted or located.

He's described as being of Indian Sub-Continental appearance, about 165cm tall with a medium build and short black hair and was last seen wearing a green shirt and black shorts.

Varum may be driving a grey Rav 4 with the NSW registration FEH 27B.

Police say he's known to frequent the Cessnock area.

 

Missing man Varum Badmi could be in the Cessnock area.

Man Arrested During Police Operation At Cessnock

 BY IAN CROUCH

A police operation in the heart of Cessnock has ended with the arrest of a man on domestic violence-related offences.

It's alleged the 34-year-old forced his way into a unit on North Avenue around 2.30am on Sunday and threatened a woman with what's believed to be a firearm.

Following investigations, officers from the Tactical Operations Unit and local police sealed off the area around midday yesterday (Monday 13 April 2025), with the man taken into custody at about 4.30pm.

He's been charged with four offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm DV and will face the bail court today (Tuesday 14 April, 2025).

 

Police deployed heavily armoured bearcat vehicles to the area around North Avenue at Cessnock

Union Backs Reintroduction Of Cessnock Passenger Trains

BY LIAM COLLINS

The Rail Tram and Bus Union is calling on the Minns Government to reinstate passenger train lines between Maitland and Cessnock.

Current and expected population growth in both regions have spurred the union to advocate for the lines to be reopened, hoping to put forward a motion at the NSW Labor Party State Conference this July.

Currently, residents travelling between Newcastle and Cessnock don't have any direct public transport options, with the Train to Cessnock Campaign having voiced concerns since 2023.

The Maitland-Cessnock passenger line has been closed since the 1970s after patronage declined.

The union's Loco Division secretary Farren Campbell said reinstating passenger trains is a common sense position.

"Good, cheap, reliable, efficient public transport is so important for communities everywhere, and that's particularly the case in the Hunter," he said.

"We've seen regional communities really struggle with public transport - we think this is a no-brainer.

"It's good for working families and good for the Hunter."

Mr Campbell further stated the opportunity the union had to advocate for the line reopening would be beneficial.

"We're proud to be spearheading this at the upcoming Labor conference," he said. 

"It's something that we absolutely support, and we commend anyone who's willing to get behind it."

The NSW Labor Party State Conference will be held at the Sydney Town Hall on the 4th and 5th of July.

Man Arrested Over Cessnock Club Fire

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to front court in November accused of deliberately setting fire to community club at Cessnock earlier this month.

Around 8.00am on Sunday October 19, Police were called to reports of a fire at the PCYC in Short Street, arriving to find entry had been gained into the foyer area and a fire set with what they believed was an accelerant.

The fire failed to spread before self-extinguishing.

Following investigations, police arrested a 39-year-old man at a house in Kurri Kurri yesterday morning.

He was charged with break and enter with intent to commit serious indictable offence and damage property by fire.

The man's been granted strict conditional bail to face Cessnock Court on November 19.

 

CESSNOCK GROWTH – Mayor Wants to Avoid “Western Sydney Situation”

 Cessnock Council is looking to find a way to manage population growth with 112,500 people expected to move in by 2041.

The Housing Discussion Paper has received a number of submissions including from the Property Council which is urging Council to relax development planning controls.

Mayor Dan Watton says repairing and building adequate infrastructure will be a key consideration.

“We can’t keep building upon roads which need major repair,” he said.

“The State Government has set targets for us … but it needs to be done in a responsible manner,” he said.

Submissions to the Discussion paper close on Wednesday 24 September (tomorrow).

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Four Arrested Over Alleged Pursuit In Stolen Car At Cessnock

 BY IAN CROUCH

A 17-year-old boy is accused of stealing a car and leading police on a pursuit near Cessnock.

He's one of three boys and a 24-year-old man arrested after the chase ended at Cessnock on Monday night.

Police pulled the vehicle over for an RBT on Cessnock Road at Neath.

They say the car stopped briefly before being driven from the scene.

The car was pursued to Cessnock where it's alleged the occupants stopped and tried to flee on foot.

Three boys aged 15,16 and 17 and a 24-year-old man were arrested.

The 17-year-old has been charged with several offences including take and drive conveyance without consent and deliberately blackening or disguising  his face to avoid detection.

The 15 and 24-year-old's were also charged while the 16-year-old was dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.  
 

 

Police Step Up Appeal For Help To Find Man Missing For Months

 BY IAN CROUCH

 Police are asking Hunter residents for help to find a man who was last heard from almost 5 months ago.

43-year-old John White was last contacted on the 3rd of January, 2025.

He's known to frequent the Cessnock,  Hunter and Tamworth areas.

John's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall with a medium build and brown hair.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Missing man John White Picture: NSW Police

Cessnock Bypass Announced, Muswellbrook Bypass Construction Brought Forward

 BY JACK SEYMOUR

Federal Transport Minister Catherine King has visited the Hunter today (18 March) announcing planning of a new Cessnock Bypass and bringing construction on the Muswellbrook Bypass forward by 12 months.

Preparation works on the $304 million Muswellbrook road will begin later this year with major construction slated to begin next year.

Catherine King says the project will have long term benefits.

"It'll see continued work in the region, but also really give people back their main street." she said.

"It'll have that ability to get over 13 thousand to 20 thousand cars every single day out of the main streets of Muswellbrook," she said.

The Federal Government's also committing $5 million to planning of the Cessnock Bypass with a route to stretch from Bellbird, behind the Cessnock Aerodrome and joining up with Wine Country Drive.

Hunter MP Dan Repacholi with Federal Transport Minister Catherine King

Man Killed In Motorbike Crash At Cessnock

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man has died in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash at Cessnock overnight.

Emergency services were called to Maitland Road at about 7.20pm on Wednesday where a motorcycle had left the road and crashed into a power pole.

The rider, a 32-year-old man, was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.

Investigations into the crash are continuing and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Units Destroyed By Fire At Cessnock

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed a two unit townhouse at Cessnock overnight.

Newcastle Fire Command says ten fire trucks from six stations were called to Dixon Street at about 10.45pm on Monday to find the unit complex up in flames.

It's taken crews just over an hour to bring the fire under control, with crews remaining at the scene until 1.00am on Tuesday.

Fire and Rescue says 21 people were evacuated from the complex.

NSW Ambulance says Intensive Care Paramedics assessed 3 patients at the scene.

Police say a 33-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman were taken to Cessnock Hospital in a stable condition with smoke inhalation.

Police say the cause of the fire is undetermined and a crime scene has been established.

Forensic officers and fire investigators will examine the scene later this morning. 

Police are appealing for information or dashcam footage as investigations continue.
 

Three Teens Arrested Over Pursuit In Alleged Stolen Car At Cessnock

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police have arrested three teenage boys following a pursuit in an allegedly stolen car at Kurri Kurri overnight.

Officers spotted the car on Deakin Street at about 12.20am on Tuesday, but say the vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit began.

The chase went through several suburbs before the car stopped in Love Street at Cessnock.

The driver, a 19-year-old man, and two male passengers aged 16 were arrested.

The man's been charged with police pursuit, unlicensed driving, drug possession and car theft.

he's been refused bail to face Cessnock Court today.

One of the 16-year-old boys is facing the children's court today - the other will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

Appeal for information to help locate a teenager missing from the state's north

BY JORDAN REGNIS

Police are appealing for information to locate a teenager missing from the state’s north.

Ella North, aged 14, was last seen at an address in Wandandian, on Tuesday 11 June 2024.

When she could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

There are concerns for her welfare due to her young age.

She is described as Caucasian in appearance, about 160cm tall, of a medium build, with light brown hair.

Ella is known to frequent the Cessnock area.

Anyone with information into Ella’s whereabouts is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Westcott Street Bridge opens for public use in the Cessnock LGA

BY JORDAN REGNIS

The new $2.2 million Westcott Street Bridge has now opened in the Cessnock LGA.

The new dual lane concrete bridge includes an added pedestrian access footway, and an open load limit.

Cessnock Mayor Jay Suvaal says the bridge will "reduce annual maintenance costs by 80%".

The bridge serves around 84 businesses, which include those in healthcare, administrative services, transport and construction.

The open load limit means there are no longer restrictions on larger emergency vehicles.

Upgrades were funded under the Transport for NSW Fixing Country Bridges Program.

New life-saving defibrillators to be installed at seven Cessnock sporting facilities

 BY OLIVIA GOELDNER

New grants from the state government have allowed for seven sporting faculties in the Cessnock Electorate to receive life-saving defibrillators. 

Cessnock Motor Cross Club, West Wallsend Rugby Football Club and Cessnock District Netball Association are among the few chosen. 

The grants of up to $3,000 cover the purchase, installation and training of the new automated external defibrillators. 

It comes as a part of the NSW Government's Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program, putting $500,000 towards 193 sporting facilities in low socio-economic areas. 

Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr says he's pleased with the effort. 

"With more and more people of all ages participating in sport and active recreation across the Electorate of Cessnock this equipment will be available should the worst ever happen.

"This funding will ensure our local sporting organisation's are equipped to respond to life-threatening emergencies."

Image courtesy of Regional Development Australia

NAB To Close Cessnock Branch In June

 BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter MP, Dan Repacholi has hit out at the National Australia Bank over plans to close it's Cessnock branch in June.

The bank wrote to the MP this week advising of the decision.

It means the NAB will no longer have a branch in the town, forcing customers to travel 30 minutes to the nearest branch in Maitland or Glendale.

Dan Repacholi says the decision will have a huge impact in Cessnock, saying it's a disgrace when the NAB made more than $7 billion dollars in profit last year.

He says local businesses who rely on over-the-counter banking services on daily basis will need to spend days and weeks preparing to swap to another bank so they can continue to operate.

Dan Repacholi has launched a petition on his website urging the community to let the bank know exactly what they feel about the decision.

Hunter MP Dan Repacholi

Hoarders Residence At Cessnock Destroyed By Fire

 BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters have worked for almost three hours to extinguish a fire which engulfed two sheds at Cessnock overnight.

Crews responded to ten triple-zero calls to the Campbell Street address just before midnight, arriving to find the sheds and a large amount of rubbish on the property up in flames.

28 firefighters from five stations including a ladder platform from Newcastle took almost an hour to bring the blaze under control.

Newcastle Fire Command says the property was a hoarders residence and no-one was injured in the fire.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known but police say the fire is not being treated as suspicious. 

Firefighters mop up the blaze in Campbell Street overnight. Picture Kearsley Fire & Rescue

 

Hundreds Without Power After Storm Lashes Lake Macquarie

 BY IAN CROUCH

Hundreds of Lake Macquarie residents remain without power on Thursday morning after a wild storm tore through the region late on Wednesday afternoon.

Several trees came down in parts of Cessnock, Morisset and Southern Lake Macquarie and there were reports of flash flooding.

More than 700 homes and businesses are still without power in Buttaba, Arcadia Vale, Wangi, Dora Creek, Morisset and Martinsville.

In one incident, the roof of a carport was blown off at a home in Baker Street, Dora Creek which blew across the street, cutting power lines.

120 volunteers from 30 SES teams have been busy attending to 158 calls for help in the Northern Region of NSW which includes the Hunter.

The SES says there were 30 jobs in Cessnock, 35 in Wyong, 30 in Cooranbong and 18 in Taree.

Most of the calls were for fallen trees, leaking or damaged rooves and downed power lines.

The storms brought more welcome rain to parts of the Upper and Lower Hunter, with 40mm recorded at Broke and 31mm at Dora Creek.

Cessnock Mayor To Call For Formal Talks About Wine Country 500

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The Mayor of Cessnock will take his bid for the city to host the Supercars in the future to tonight's council meeting. 

He's calling for council to formally start discussions with the Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Destinations NSW, and Supercars about the proposed Wine Country 500. 

Jay Suvaal says he believes people would like to see the event stay in the region, if it won't disrupt businesses or local residents. 

"We've got a huge amount of motorsport fans right across the Hunter region and up here in the Cessnock Local Government Area. We're a world-class tourism destination with plenty of accommodation, and I would love to see the event maintained in the Hunter region to support them," he said. 

"I think we we need to make sure that we learn from the experiences in Newcastle and make sure the bump-in/bump-out that does affect residents and businesses, isn't replicated in our area, and I think we can do that well here." 

City of Newcastle has voted to support the Wine Country 500, despite the fact talks about the event's future in Newcastle are reportedly still underway.

 

Second Man Arrested Over The Murder Of Zachery Davies-Scott

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Another man has been arrested over the murder of a young man at Heddon Greta. 

Strike Force Roslyn detectives arrested and charged 25-year-old Talon Dean over the shooing death of Zachery Davies-Scott on Tuesday the 31st of October, 2023. 

Zac, who was 25 at the time, was shot dead inside a home on Traders Way in Heddon Greta, two days after Christmas last year. 

At about 6:00am on Thursday the 2nd of November, 2023, strike force detectives and Raptor Squad police arrested a second 24-year-old man in Cessnock.

He's been taken to Cessnock Police Station and is expected to also be charged with murder. 

The investigation is ongoing.