Newcastle Knights receive Key to the City after NRLW win

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hundreds of fans gathered at Newcastle City Hall on Tuesday evening to celebrate the Newcastle Knights claiming the 2022 NRLW Premiership.

The 32-to-12 victory over the Parramatta Eels is Newcastle's first trophy since the men's Premiership win in 2001.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes also presented the 24-woman squad with a Key to the City at the civic reception, accepted by captain Millie Boyle.

Ms Boyle says it's an incredible moment.

"On behalf of the entire team, I’d like to thank the Lord Mayor for opening the doors to City Hall to celebrate the team’s victory," she said. 

"It means so much to the players, captains and coaches to have such strong support from Novocastrians, which has kept us buoyed throughout the season. It's wonderful to share this celebration with the city."

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and the Newcastle Knights at City Hall.

Stockton fire lit to conceal murder, police allege

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A man has been charged on Wednesday over the alleged murder of a man in Stockton last year.

A 22-year-old man was arrested at Stockton on Wednesday morning, in relation to the death of Graham Cameron in a suspicious unit fire.

Emergency services were called to the Fullerton Street address last July, where the 54-year-old's body was discovered after the blaze was put out.

The fire was intensified by strong winds and almost completely destroyed the home.

Police will allege in court that Mr Cameron was stabbed to death, and the fire was deliberately lit to cover up the killing and evidence.

Police also believe other people could be involved, whether directly or indirectly, in assisting the suspect or concealing evidence.

The 22-year-old was known to Mr Cameron as a casual acquaintance. 

He's been refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Wednesday afternoon.

Homicide Squad Commander Danny Doherty addressed the media on Wednesday morning.

Dates Revised for Sail Port Stephens 2023 Races

BY DARCY MCGAVIN

Sail Port Stephens (SPS) will be reorganising its event schedule for April and May next year.

The decision was made to better accommodate more boats for the regatta, as well as reducing pressure on management resources needed to run it effectively.  

Media and Marketing Director Mark Rothfield says it was getting difficult to manage all of the race courses.

"Sail Port Stephens has been running for fifteen years, and in that time its grown exponentially," he said. "There literally isn't a another marina berth, buoy or anything in town to accommodate more boats."

"[The schedule change] is definitely gonna help us, there'll be more marina availability, more accommodation availability... so by stretching that out, it'll definitely help people to access those services."

The new structure will also allow management to be more spread the race team to work more efficiently.

"This time around we'll be able to make sure we can resource [the race] a lot better so the racing experience will be a lot better for the competitors."

Image source: Sail Port Stephens

Hunter commuters invited to have their say on 20-year transport plan

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Public submissions have opened today on the new draft Hunter Regional Transport Plan.

The State Government's hoping to get the transport network up to scratch, with the region expected to grow by 100,000 people by 2041.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp says there are big ideas and hot-ticket items on the agenda. 

"We've got the new ferry wharf at Wickham, which is finally getting a little bit of airplay here," he said. "I've been championing that for many, many years, so that would be a great boon, given the increasing population at Stockton and Fern Bay in particular."

"Secondly, the tram line corridor protections west to Broadmeadow and beyond are something I've also been calling on for many years. If we don't preserve that corridor for the light rail, there won't be a light rail heading west."

Across the broader Hunter, the plan also recommends looking into restoring train services to Cessnock and Kurri Kurri, as well as electrifying the line to Maitland.

Proposals such as high-speed rail, cycling initiatives, road and traffic improvements, and the currently-shelved Intercity fleet are all still on the table. 

Mr Crakanthorp says he would like to see the ideas come to fruition. 

"It's the timeframes that really concern me," he said. "Last time we had a report indicating there might be a ferry wharf at Wickham, they were talking about investigation over the next 15 years."

"It's only a couple of years later, and they're looking at the next ten years, so I'd like to see something happen a little bit quicker than that."

"With the corridor protection for light rail, that should have happened a long time ago. They're still just talking about it now and putting it into a draft plan. It should be happening now as we speak."

You can have your say on the plan here.

Walka Water Works to host holidaymakers in new-look future

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Walka Water Works is set for a $25 million revitalisation, with Maitland Council and the State Government signing a Memorandum of Understanding to put the site on the tourist map.

They're partnering with Reflections Holiday Parks in the hopes of securing a joint funding bid in the Regional Tourism Activation Fund.

The site's been closed for cleanup works since February, after asbestos was detected on the grounds.

While it's expected to reopen in the coming weeks, the site's slated for bigger changes beyond that date, including holiday accommodation and opening the heritage pumphouse to the public.

Mayor Philip Penfold says it's an exciting opportunity.

"It will be everything from glamping cabins to eco-cabins, to tent sites to caravan sites," he said.

"There'll be quite a variety scattered across the various locations of Walka, so as not to spoil that site."

The plan is also proposing to improve accessibility on the walking trails, redevelop the miniature railway station, and establish a centralised amenities building.

Under the plan, Council would work with Crown Lands to make the changes happen.

"The future of the pumphouse building can be many and varied," Cr Penfold said. "Certainly it'll be a fantastic opportunity for a function centre, opportunities for restaurants, cafes, and the like."

"It's a large building. It sorely needs some TLC and some work done inside."

"The understanding that we have with the Government will help us bring this back to life. It does need funding, but we do have some irons in the fire on that."

5 People And A Dog Survive Boat Explosion On Port Stephens.

 BY IAN CROUCH

A lucky escape for 5 people and their pet after a boat explosion and sinking near Soldiers Point.

Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage says a small cuddy cab style boat had 4 adults, a child and a dog on board when the explosion occurred at about 2.00pm on Monday and the vessel started taking on water.

A Marine Rescue Vessel and crew were training nearby and raced to the scene.

Two adults and the child were rescued by members of the public and the vessel was towed to Lemon Tree Passage where the other two adults and the dog got off safely moments before the boat sank.

The boat was towed to Lemon Tree Passage where it promptly sank Picture Marine rescue Lemon Tree Passage

BREAKING! Driver Killed At Morpeth

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man has died in a single car crash at Morpeth.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Tank Street and Canterbury Drive just before 5.00am on Tuesday.

They arrived to find a van had crashed onto a power pole and the driver had been ejected from the vehicle - the 37-year-old died at the scene.

Police have set up a crime scene and local diversions are in place around the crash site.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.