New Social Housing Completed At Lambton

 BY IAN CROUCH

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery is welcoming the completion of a significant social housing project at Lambton.

Five older homes on Robinson Avenue have been replaced with a modern 20-unit development, providing safe accommodation for up to 37 residents.

The $9 million development consists of eight one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom units, with two units able to accommodate wheelchair users.

Sonia Hornery says the move will see more homes available for the many people on the social housing waitlist across the Hunter.  

The new social housing development at Lambton

BREAKING! Police Investigate Fatal Hit And Run At Harpers Hill

 BY IAN CROUCH

The New England Highway has been reopened at Harpers Hill near Greta following a fatal hit and run overnight.

Police say a 37-year-old man from Singleton Heights was walking along the highway at about 9.30pm on Wednesday when he was struck by a car and died at the scene.

The driver of the car did not stop after the incident.

Police have spoken to witnesses and crash investigators have conducted a thorough examination of the scene.

Police are appealing for the driver to contact Maitland Police Station.

Anthony Albanese and Chris Minns announce TAFE Centre of Excellence in Newcastle

By HOLLY FISHLOCK

More than $60 million will be invested by the state and federal government's over the next five years for the Hunter Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence.

The Centre will be established at the TAFE NSW campus at Tighes Hill, and will look to boost the workforce needed to support the renewable energy industry in the Hunter and across the state.

Once up and running the centre will have a training capacity of approximately 450 students annually.

It will provide education and apprenticeships in renewable energy, offshore wind, hydrogen, and related manufacturing fields for the region's workforce.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says there needs to be a plan for the future.

"It's important we invest in new industries, and that we invest in the capacity of workers to be able to fill jobs in those industries."

Meanwhile, NSW Premier Chris Minns says it's important young people have the skills needed to participate in the renewable energy industry.

"We all see an exciting opportunity for the next generation, right here in Newcastle."

The launch of the facility comes after an advanced manufacturing centre of excellence was announced for Western Sydney.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing the Centre of Excellence

BREAKING! Major Hazmat Incident: Fuel Tanker Leak At Sandy Hollow

 BY IAN CROUCH

A leaking fuel tanker has sparked a major Hazmat incident at Sandy Hollow in the Upper Hunter.

Newcastle Fire Command says emergency services were called to the Golden Highway just after 3.30am on Monday where a tanker carrying 12,500 litres of diesel had ruptured, spilling fuel at the rate of 200 litres per minute.

Around 5000 litres has gone into the storm water system.

Crews managed to shift the tanker to a nearby service station which opened at 5 o'clock where the remaining load of fuel was successfully decanted into a large storage tank.

The highway was closed briefly but has now re-opened.

The Environment Protection Authority has been called to the incident.

Man Facing Court Over Alleged Possession Of Child Abuse Material and Firearms

 BY IAN CROUCH

A 23-year-old man is due to front Newcastle Local Court accused of possessing child abuse material.

Local detectives began an investigation in January 2022 after a referral from the Australian Federal Police over the alleged uploading of child abuse material through a social media platform.

Officers searched the man's Kotara home early Thursday morning, allegedly finding items related to child abuse material, five gel blaster firearms, two sets of throwing knives, a set of throwing stars and a trench knife.

The man was arrested at the home - he's been refused bail to face court today (Friday 25 October 2024) charged with 10 offences.

House Destroyed By Fire At Thornton

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed a home at Thornton overnight.

Newcastle Fire Command says they received 7 triple-zero calls to a single level home on fire in Woolley Close just before midnight on Thursday, with crews arriving to find flames through the roof.

Seven fire trucks and a duty commander attended the blaze which took almost three hours to fully extinguish.

The roof of the home collapsed at the height of the blaze.

Police say no-one was home at the time and a crime scene has been set up as investigators look into the cause of the fire.

BREAKING! Motorcyclist In Critical Condition After High Speed Crash At Thornton

 BY IAN CROUCH

A 52-year-old man has suffered critical head and leg injuries in a high speed crash at Thornton overnight.

Emergency services were called to Haussman Drive just after 8.00pm on Wednesday.

Police say a motorbike collided with the front of a Ford Courier being reversed into a driveway.

The rider was thrown from the motorbike on impact, with the bike continuing riderless for a short period before colliding with a traffic island.

The rider was taken to the John Hunter Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

The 65-year-old driver of the Ford was arrested and taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory testing.

Haussman Drive was closed for three hours while crash investigators examined the scene.

Investigations are continuing.