Man To Face Court Charged With Murder After Elderly Woman Found Dead At Fern Bay

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to face court charged with murder after an elderly woman was found dead in a Port Stephens home.

Police say around 12.30pm on Thursday December 18, a 61-year-old man attended Newcastle Police Station in relation to an incident at a Fern Bay home.

Officers went to the home on Taylor Road and found the 88-year-old woman deceased.

The man then attended Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with murder (Domestic Violence related).

He's been refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 19 December 2025).

Police say the man and woman are known to each other.

 

Car chase involving two vehicles spans across multiple suburbs

BY OLIVIA GOELDNER

Two separate police pursuits were launched in the Hunter this morning.

A Lexus and a Jeep Patriot were spotted by police during a patrol in the Fern Bay Area around 2:10am.

When the drivers failed to stop Two pursuits were initiated.  

The pursuit of the Jeep was terminated due to safety concerns. 

The Lexus which had been reported stolen reached Waratah before the pursuit was also terminated. 

Anyone with dashcam footage of the incident or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Image courtesy of Newcastle Herald

Man Threatened With Firearm At Fern Bay Caravan Park

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A man's been arrested and charged with allegedly threatening another man with a firearm at Fern Bay. 

Port Stephens Police were called to a caravan park on Nelson Bay Road at about 2:00pm yesterday (Thursday the 31st of November, 2023), following reports a dispute had erupted between two men. 

Officers say the altercation was over a noise complaint, and allege a 60-year-old man held a replica pistol up to a 76-year-old man and threatened him. 

No one was injured as a result of the incident. 

The younger man was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with a number of firearm and other offences. 

He's due to face court on the 19th of December. 

Driver Allegedly Six Times Over The Limit At Fern Bay

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man has a date in court next month after allegedly being caught drink driving at more then 6 times the legal limit at Fern Bay

Police were called to Nelson Bay Road just before 2.00pm on Tuesday where a Subaru Tribeca had crashed into a brick fence.

The 47-year-old driver wasn't injured but returned a positive roadside breath test.

He was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where it's alleged he returned a reading of 0.316.

He'll face Raymond Terrace Court on June 20 charged with high range PCA and has had his licence suspended.

Crews Contain Bushfire At Fern Bay

 BY IAN CROUCH

Strong winds have hampered efforts to contain an overnight bushfire at Fern Bay.

Four Fire & Rescue and three RFS trucks were called to Braid Road at about 10.30pm on Sunday.

Newcastle Fire Command says although there are homes in the area, no properties were under threat.

Crews took around 2-and-a-half hours to extinguish and black out the fire, which burnt through about 1 hectare of bush. 

Police Investigate Serious Crash At Fern Bay

 BY IAN CROUCH

 A motorcyclist has suffered serious injuries in a crash at Fern Bay overnight.

Police say the 25-year-old was riding on the Fern Bay Access Track at about 6.30pm on Sunday when he collided with a utility.

He was taken to the John Hunter Hospital with serious leg injuries.

The driver of the ute was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Investigations are continuing.

Council Adopts Fern Bay and North Stockton Vision, Includes New Ferry Terminal and Coastal Walk

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A planning strategy adopted by Newcastle and Port Stephens Councils will see a new town centre and ferry terminal built in North Stockton and a coastal walk installed from Stockton to the Tomaree Headland. 

The  Fern Bay and North Stockton Strategy  is a 20-year blueprint for the rapidly growing area between the Hunter River and Stockton Beach and was guided by early engagement with the Fern Bay community and a workshop with Councillors from both Newcastle and Port Stephens.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says the strategy will see Newcastle and Port Stephens work together to develop diverse housing opportunities, public spaces and community amenities.

“Developed by both Newcastle and Port Stephens councils, the joint strategy is a fantastic outcome after a great deal of work and forms a strategic planning basis to follow along with landowners and the broader Stockton community,” Cr Nelmes said.

In addition to the overarching changes, the strategy will see the development of a new supermarket, new accommodation services, and the revitalization of roads, paths, and bus stops, including a duplication of Nelson Bay Road with traffic lights at the intersection of Vardon Road. 

Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer said the collaboration between the two councils and their consultation with local residents would result in a "great outcome for these communities".

“The creation of more housing, access to better facilities and more transport options will ensure this town truly thrives," said Mayor Palmer.

“It’s been a wonderfully successful collaboration between our Port Stephens Council and City of Newcastle teams, and we’ll continue to work together on the best outcomes for the Fern Bay North Stockton communities into the future.”