Federal Government provides cash for new Raymond Terrace playground

BY JARROD MELMETH

A new playground will be constructed at Raymond Terrace thanks to funding from the federal government.

$280,000 will be spent on the new playground and accessible public amenities at Bettles Park at the southern gateway to Raymond Terrace.

Port Stephens Council is undertaking the works which will also include new pathways, seating and shade.

Mayor Ryan Palmer says the playgrounds design has been decided by the community and extensive engagement based on the NSW Government's 'Everyone Can Play' guidelines.

“We heard our community wanted a playground to suit a range of ages and abilities. This will help improve accessibility and inclusivity for young families in Raymond Terrace and surrounding areas. 

“Bettles Park is a highly visible reserve at the southern gateway to Raymond Terrace. It was once a very popular highway stop before Raymond Terrace was bypassed and used to house the Sabre Jet, which is now on display nearby at Fighter World.

“I hope these improvements to Bettles Park with new play infrastructure and accessible public amenities will continue to support residents and visitors into the future," Cr Palmer said.

Pictured: Artist impression of the playground.
Image: Supplied.

Hunter teen airlifted to hospital with life threatening burns

BY JARROD MELMETH

A teenager has been airlifted to the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney after suffering serious burns during an incident at Raymond Terrace.

Just after 8pm on Sunday night, NSW Ambulance was called to the scene where they began treatment on the 17-year-old who had life threatening burns to his entire body, reportedly from a bonfire. 

Due the serious nature of the burns, the Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to the scene before the teenager was placed in an induced coma and put on life support.

He was flown to Sydney in a critical condition. 

Port Stephens Puppy freed after becoming stuck in a car ramp

BY JARROD MELMETH

A puppy has been rescued after becoming trapped in a car ramp over the weekend.

The crew from Port Stephens State Emergency Service attended a home at Raymond Terrace on Sunday where they found Dakota, whose head was trapped in the car ramp.

Her owners tried to use washing detergent and lubrication to free the little pup to no avail. 

Rescue Operators from the Port Stephens SES used a hydraulic combi tool to spread the metal, ultimately freeing Dakota.

The team says the pup returned to her owners loving arms and they were thanked with lots of licks and tail wags.

Pictured: Dakota after being freed.
Image: Port Stephens SES.

Port Stephens sports complexes to receive $1.1 million upgrade

BY JARROD MELMETH

Two of Port Stephens premier sports grounds are set for upgrades following a cash injection from the state government.

King Park at Raymond Terrace and Tomaree Sports Complex have received a combined $1.1 million to transform the two facilities into regional sporting destinations.

$840,000 has been awarded to King Park to help council to continue delivering the King Park masterplan. With the money council plans to upgrade the existing amenities building to provide unisex change rooms, revamp the meeting and function area, create new pathways, build tiered and sheltered seating and install new signage.

The remaining $260,000 will be spent at the Tomaree Sports Complex which will see the Elizabeth Waring building revitalised into a high-quality sporting and community space.

Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer says Mayor Ryan Palmer says the grants will improve the quality of sport infrastructure across Port Stephens.

“Investing in sporting infrastructure is an investment in the health of our community, now and into the future. It’s also an investment in keeping our community connected and creates economic opportunities through hosting events," Cr Palmer said.

Pictured: Aerial Image of King Park at Raymond Terrace

Step forward for Black Hill to Raymond Terrace M1 Extension

BY JARROD MELMETH 

The NSW Government has released the environmental impact statement for the M1 Pacific Motorway extension between Black Hill and Raymond Terrace.

The 28-page document outlines the impact of the $2 billion jointly funded state and federal project on the surrounding environment. 

The 15 kilometre road is set to bypass Beresfield, Hexham and Heatherbrae and will see the construction of four new interchanges at Black Hill, Tarro, Tomago and Raymond Terrace, as well as a 2.6 kilometre bridge over the Hunter River floodplain.

The project has been on the infrastructure list in the Hunter Region since the first concept report was released in 2005. 

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes says he is pleased both levels of government are moving ahead with this next step.

"This project has taken on significant importance as it is one of the last stretches of the M1 link from Sydney to Brisbane to be upgraded.

"We are relieved this step has been taken and were concerned the project was stalling, notwithstanding there are allocations in respective government budgets for the project.

"The concepts and designs have changed significantly since 2005 and it is important that the community and businesses understand how the project links into existing development and road infrastructure as well as facilitating future development," Mr Hawes said.

Feedback on the EIS can be provided here until August 28.

The new bridge passing over the existing road.

View of the new road from Tarro Railway Station.

The interchange to be built at Tomago.

Man extradited from Queensland over East Maitland axe attack

BY JARROD MELMETH 

A 23-year-old man has been extradited from Queensland to NSW over an axe attack at East Maitland last week.

Just before 8pm on July 13, a man and a woman were inside a home on Alliance Street when a group of five people arrived at the home before an argument broke out.

Police will allege the 28-year-old woman was assaulted and the 35-year-old man was struck several rimes with the tomahawk.

Since the incident, two people have been charged in relation to the incident.

Following further inquiries, detectives from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, assisted by officers from the Queensland Police Service, travelled to the Sunshine Coast where they arrested the 23-year-old man on Tuesday.

A request for the mans extradition was granted at the Maroochydore Magistrates Court.

On Wednesday he was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station charged with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and affray.

The Tarro man was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing. 

Port Stephens dance teacher charged with sexual abuse

BY JARROD MELMETH 

A dance teacher will face court on Thursday charged over the alleged sexual abuse of students in Port Stephens.

In March detectives from Port Stephen-Hunter Police District began investigating reports of inappropriate behaviour by the dance teacher towards a number of students.

The 27-year-old was arrested on Wednesday and charged with 12 offences, including three counts of aggravated indecent assault-victim under authority under, three counts of indecent assault person under 16 years of age, aggravated sex assault- victim under the age of 16 years, aggravated sex assault- victim under authority of offender, assault with act of indecency, common assault, sexual intercourse reckless as to consent (ACT not NSW) and sexual intercourse with person under care (aged between 17 and 18).

Police will alleged the man sexually abused four students and a girl, aged between 12 and 17, who were known to him between 2013 and 2019.

The man from Corlette, was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Thursday.

Lemon Tree Passage Police Station Weeks Away From Opening

BY JARROD MELMETH

The new Lemon Tree Passage police station will be commissioned on June 30.

Port Stephens-Hunter Police say the current station on Cook Parade will not be in use while the transition to the new facility on Meredith Avenue takes place. 

However, they say the community can be rest assured that patrols on the Tilligery Peninsula will remain the same, and calls to the Lemon Tree Passage station will be diverted to Raymond Terrace station.

The design of the $1.5 million station has drawn criticism from residents and local MP Kate Washington.

Ms Washington took to social media in April saying another $1.5 million 'Swedish sauna' was delivered on the back of a truck this week.

The new station being delivered to the new site.
Photo: Port Stephens Examiner.

New Emergency Communications Centre Up And Running At Raymond Terrace

 BY IAN CROUCH

Emergency services across the Hunter will now be able to communicate better and respond more quickly with the opening of a new communications centre at Raymond Terrace.

The Public Safety Network site is part of a $600 million investment in essential infrastructure by the state government and comes in the wake of the recent floods and devastating bushfires 18 months ago.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin says it will connect all emergency services and provide more reliable radio links.

"The Public Safety Network provides emergency services with a single integrated network on which to communicate and ensure that frontline responders have a more reliable network to help keep people and property safe," he said.

 

New Emergency Communications Centre Opens At Raymond Terrace. Picture: telco.nsw.gov.au