Category: Newcastle News

A man has been charged following an alleged armed road rage in the state’s north yesterday.

About 5.40pm yesterday (Tuesday 4 August 2026), police were called to a shopping centre carpark on Stockland Drive, Glendale, following reports of a road rage incident.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District attended and were told two women – aged 22 and 47 – were involved in an alleged road rage incident with another unknown driver, before a firearm was pointed at them and the driver leaving the scene.

Following inquiries, police attended a home on Anzac Parade, Teralba, and stopped a vehicle believed to be linked to the alleged incident.

A vehicle search was conducted, with police allegedly locating and seizing a gel blaster, two tasers, a baton, three slingshots and a knife.

A 26-year-old man was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station where he was charged with possess unregistered firearm-pistol, five counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (personal) and armed with intent commit indictable offence.

He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 2 today (Wednesday 5 August 2026).

New figures have revealed Newcastle Museum has one of the youngest demographics of any museum in Australia, with around 20% of its visitors aged under 25.

The youth market has surged significantly since the Museum opened its doors at Honeysuckle 15 years ago today, with just 6% of visitors falling into the 16-24 age bracket at that time.

The giant red hooks have welcomed millions of visitors into the doors of the Newcastle Museum during the past 15 years.

City of Newcastle Museum Archive Libraries and Learning Director Julie Baird, who is also President of the Australian Museum & Galleries Association, said it was important to appeal across all generations.

“Newcastle Museum is committed to telling the stories of ordinary and extraordinary Novocastrians through our collections, exhibitions and audience engagement – this is who we are, where we’ve come from and where we’re going,” Ms Baird said.

“Our programming doesn’t just tap into the nostalgia of older generations but holds a mirror up to society across a spectrum of topics and ideas.

“We want to see people of all ages coming through our doors and have been strategic about what we offer to encourage growth in multiple age groups, from teen-led takeovers of the Museum after hours to exhibitions and programs for broad tastes and age ranges.

“Family groups with young children also continue to be a mainstay of our visitor profile, ensuring intergenerational experiences are an important part of what we offer here at the Museum.

“We are proud to be celebrating 15 years at this site, creating an inclusive and accessible space that educates, entertains and benefits the community in so many ways.”

Almost 2.3 million people have visited Newcastle Museum since the former Railway Workshops at Honeysuckle were transformed into a state-of-the-art cultural facility in 2011.

Last year saw Newcastle Museum record its second highest audience numbers since the move, with just over 188,000 visitors. The Museum is on track for more of the same this year with over 97,000 people coming through its doors by the end of July.

Ms Baird said upgrading and expanding the Museum at Honeysuckle saw it become a cornerstone of the wider Civic cultural precinct and a key tourist attraction for Newcastle.

“Newcastle Museum is a vehicle for celebrating our city and sharing its stories, not just with the local community but with tens of thousands of visitors to our region ever year,” Ms Baird said. 

“It has evolved over the years to play an increasingly significant role in the city’s tourism offering, with around 65% of our audience now coming from outside the Hunter Region compared to just 27% 15 years ago.

“We rely heavily on our annual visitor evaluation survey to guide what decisions we make and what we do. 

“This year Newcastle Museum achieved a satisfaction rate of 96%, with one of the highest visitation rates per capita in Australia.

“These are the numbers that matter because people vote with their feet. We look forward to welcoming them into this space for decades to come.” 

A glass Link Building was constructed to form a connection between the three existing Heritage-listed railway workshops as part of the relocation of Newcastle Museum to its Honeysuckle home.

Newcastle Museum Fast Facts

• Newcastle Museum was established in 1988 in the restored former Castlemaine Brewery in Newcastle West as a major Bicentennial project.
• It temporarily closed in 2008 to allow for its shift to the former Honeysuckle Railway Workshops, which were the original preferred site for the Museum.
• The relocation involved the major refurbishment of the three existing Heritage-listed railway buildings. The Locomotive Boiler Shop is now home to Supernova, the New Erecting Shop is home to Fire and Earth, and the Blacksmith’s and Wheel Shop house enclosed exhibition spaces and the theatrette. A new Link Building, constructed to form a connection between these spaces, contains the main public foyer, transport exhibition and orientation spaces.
• The Museum re-opened on 4 August 2011. In the first six months it welcomed 100,000 visitors through the doors to explore the innovative and interactive new displays including the drama of the BHP show, which interprets the excitement, colour and noise of the steel making process and remains the Museum’s most popular permanent exhibit today.
• In the past 15 years, Newcastle Museum has welcomed 2,298,252 visitors, accepted over 3,000 object donations, won 24 state and national awards including an international Best in Heritage award from the International Congress of Museums and an AMAGA award for the best exhibition in Australia, and displayed 98 exhibitions across a diverse range of topic areas.
• The Museum welcomed its two millionth visitor to the Honeysuckle site in 2025.

Two University of Newcastle researchers have received more than $1.1 million in funding to advance cardiovascular research and improve access to specialist heart health care for regional and rural communities.

Two University of Newcastle-based cardiovascular specialists have been awarded $1.1 million in Minns Labor Government funding to improve heart health outcomes in regional and rural communities across NSW.

Professor Aaron Sverdlov and Dr Tatt Jhong Haw are among 28 health researchers across the state to receive funding from the latest round of the NSW Government’s $14 million Cardiovascular Senior and Early-Mid Career Researcher Grant program.

Professor Sverdlov received $748,104 to explore cancer drug combinations that fight tumours and protect the heart.  

The cardiologist and his team will establish a telehealth cardio-oncology service at Maitland and Tamworth with the aim to improve access to specialist cardiovascular care for patients living in regional and rural NSW.

Dr Haw, a Cardio-Respiratory researcher, will use $450,000 in grant funding to examine how exposure to air pollution from coal mining and bushfires during a women’s pregnancy affects infants’ health outcomes, including their risk of developing heart and lung disease later in life.

Together, these projects will address key health challenges faced by communities in regional NSW, boosting peoples’ access to timely, specialised cardiovascular care, while helping ensure research solutions are developed with local needs in mind.

The grants are part of the NSW Government’s Cardiovascular Research Capacity Program, a $150 million commitment over 10 years, which aims to improve the cardiovascular health of people in NSW.

The latest round of funding will support research across several priority areas including:

• safer immune therapies for cardiovascular disease
• prevention of blood clots in life support machines
• developing monitoring devices for heart rhythm treatments
• creating synthetic grafts that regenerate into arteries
• codesigning cardiovascular disease prevention strategies for adolescents.

For more information, visit Cardiovascular Senior and Early-Mid Career Researcher Grants.

Minister for Medical Research David Harris said:

“Our Government is supporting some of the best and brightest minds in cardiovascular research through this grant program, which aims to keep our state at the forefront of medical research.

“This round of grants was highly competitive, and I would like to congratulate Professor Aaron Sverdlov, Dr Tatt Jhong Haw and the other 26 successful recipients who will now be better able to continue the amazing work they are doing.

“Professor Sverdlov and Dr Haw’s important, innovative research is helping ensure people in our regional communities receive equitable access to healthcare that best suits their needs.

“I look forward to seeing how the important work undertaken by these talented researchers, their multi-disciplinary teams and collaborators, will make a real difference to the lives of people living in NSW and across the globe.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:

“This is fantastic news for Professor Aaron Sverdlov and Dr Tatt Jhong Haw and a big win for the Hunter.

“This funding will help drive research that has the potential to change lives, while making sure some of our brightest clinicians and researchers can continue their work right here in our region.

“The Hunter is where world-class medical research is happening and this investment is helping keep it that way.”  

Cardiologist Professor Aaron Sverdlov said:

“With advances in cancer care, we are seeing more and more people who are surviving cancer, but unfortunately, many are left with heart problems caused by cancer treatment. Our team in Newcastle is working to change that by developing better ways to protect the heart while helping patients receive the cancer care they need.  

“This grant gives our team the chance to build on everything we have created in cardio-oncology and keep turning that work into safer, more practical care for patients in our region while helping lead the way nationally.  

“This funding helps us keep translating our work into real care for people across Newcastle, the Hunter and regional NSW, including through telehealth, so patients can access expert support closer to home during and after cancer treatment. At the same time the funding will help develop better therapies that can both fight cancer and protect the heart.”

Cardio-Respiratory researcher Dr Tatt Jhong Haw said:

“This research aims to identify early molecular warning signs of prenatal pollution exposure, to help develop future predictive tests and preventative health interventions, and protect the lifelong heart and lung health of children in regional NSW.

“This $450,000 NSW Government funding support will facilitate the transition to a research leadership role. It will also support us to establish a regional hub which leverages global partnerships to develop proactive screening tools that inform public health policy with the aim of protecting children’s futures from the effects of environmental pollution.

“By developing Hunter-specific screening tools and early-intervention therapies, this funding translates laboratory research into direct clinical solutions and evidence to protect the lifelong health of children in the local community.” 

A man has died after being pulled from the water at a beach on the mid-north coast today.

About 11.15am (Monday 3 August 2027), emergency services were called to One Mile Beach, One Mile (Port Stephens), following reports of a person unresponsive in the water.

Members of the public pulled a 69-year-old man from the water and commenced CPR.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the man; however, he was unable to be revived.

Officers attached to Port Stephens/Hunter Police District have commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident and will prepare a report for the Coroner.

A man has died following a crash at a mine site in the Hunter Valley.

Just after 1pm today (Monday 3 August 2026), emergency services were called to a coal mine on Watt Street, Warkworth (approximately 23km west of Singleton), following reports of a crash.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended, along with Fire and Rescue NSW and located a man who had been struck by a truck.

The man – believed to be aged in his 50s – died at the scene.

He is yet to be formerly identified.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

A teenage boy has died in a single-vehicle crash in the state’s Lake Macquarie region.

About 3am today (Monday 3 August 2026), emergency services were called to a paddock on Willow Road, Gateshead, following reports of a crash.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District attended and found a Toyota Kluger had left the roadway, and crashed into a paddock.

A 13-year-old boy was treated by first responders, but he could not be revived and died at the scene.

A 14- year-old boy, who was an occupant of the vehicle, was arrested at the scene. He was taken to hospital with leg injuries, under police guard.

Two other people are believed to have been in the vehicle at the time of the crash but left the scene prior to the arrival of police.

Police established a crime scene and officers attached to the Crash Investigation Unit have commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Initial inquiries have established the vehicle was stolen from the Swansea area between 10pm yesterday (Sunday 2 August 2026) and 3am today.

Following inquiries, a 14-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man were arrested and taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard.

As inquiries are ongoing, anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Newcastle’s favourite seaside settings will become platforms for performance when New Annual returns in September with 10 days of unforgettable experiences, live shows and audience participation.

City of Newcastle unveiled the full program for its flagship arts festival today, launching a line-up of events that bring art to the audience and turn the city itself into the stage.Cavitation: Izabela Pluta. Pictured: Izabela Pluta in the Canoe Pool, Newcastle. Photo credit: Edwina Richards

Festival Director Tory Loudon said New Annual continues to champion the stories, places and creative spirit that make Newcastle unique.

“This year’s program reflects a city that’s creative, confident and constantly evolving. It brings together remarkable local artists with leading voices from across Australia, all responding to this place with curiosity and imagination,” Ms Loudon said.

“From sunrise gatherings on Dixon Park Beach and sunset music at Newcastle Ocean Baths to intimate theatre in the pub and indie-rock odes to Silverchair, we’re inviting audiences to experience Newcastle through the stories, sub-cultures and landscapes that define it.”

Featuring 40 events, 402 artists and seven new commissions, the sixth edition of the festival will run from 25 September to 4 October, with an abundance of free and low-cost ticketed performances for audiences of all ages. 

Newcastle’s coastline will become the festival’s most dramatic stage from dawn till dusk, with sunrise theatre experience Sea Stories at Dixon Park Beach, an open-air photographic exhibition on Bathers Way and a living work of art that shifts with the tides at the Canoe Pool, accompanied by an early morning dance performance.

The setting sun will transform the Newcastle Ocean Baths into one of Australia’s most spectacular open-air music venues over four free concerts, before peace returns to its waters beneath the full moon for a special one-off spiritual celebration of feminine sovereignty.

Beyond the coastline, New Annual will transform Newcastle’s pubs, theatres, galleries, parks and public spaces into places of participation and discovery.

City of Newcastle’s cultural facilities will be front and centre with spectacular live shows and captivating displays of visual art at Newcastle Museum, Civic Theatre, The Playhouse, City Hall and Newcastle Art Gallery, while Wheeler Place, Civic Park and Laman Street will be transformed into hubs of performance, food and culture.

Audiences can also expect the unexpected from new venues such as the Oriental Hotel, Bartholomews, Carrington Foreshore and Charlestown Square, as New Annual showcases local people, places and performances alongside some of the best theatre, art and music from Australia and overseas.

All In: Dance Makers Collective. Photo credit: Joshua Morris

New Annual is delivered by City of Newcastle and proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, Multicultural NSW, Transport for NSW and Create NSW. The University of Newcastle returns as a presenting partner for the 2026 event.

Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said events such as New Annual help celebrate the vibrant cultural diversity of local communities while also driving economic growth.

“The NSW Government is proud to support New Annual in its sixth year, cementing the event as a mainstay in Newcastle’s cultural calendar and enriching the local arts scene,” Mr Crakanthorp said.

“New Annual gets better and better every year. Through our investment across Create NSW, Transport for NSW, and Multicultural NSW, the State Government is ensuring that locals and visitors alike can experience vibrant public spaces, world-class art and unforgettable live performances for free or low cost.”

University of Newcastle Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Engagement and Equity, Nathan Towney said the University was proud to continue its support of New Annual. 

“New Annual is a wonderful example of how arts and culture bring people together, spark creativity and celebrate the unique character of our region,” Mr Towney said.

“The festival highlights Newcastle as a city of innovation, imagination and cultural excellence, and our University is excited to support another year of unforgettable experiences for residents, students and visitors alike.”

Event details are live now on the New Annual website, with tickets to go on sale to the general public at 10am on Monday 3 August. 

Curtain Call: Strut your Stuff by Fast Fashun. Photo courtesy of Fast Fashun

2026 New Annual Festival program

• All In at City Hall: Dance Makers Collective bring together professional dancers and three local dance schools for a joyful large-scale performance
• At Sea at the Canoe Pool: free daily 8am performance performed at the water’s edge by Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub inspired by Izabela Pluta’s large scale floating artwork
• AUTO-TUNE at the Playhouse: a riotous gig-theatre work from re:group performance collective that channels Silverchair obsession, millennial culture and questionable decisions, all told through original music. Stay after the show each night for a free gig from local bands, including a performance by Newcastle’s own Trophy Wyfe – 2026 winners of triple j Unearthed High.
• Bizarre Newcastle at King Street: newly commissioned film by Stories of Our Town uncovering 10 extraordinary local tales, followed by live cabaret and music from Steve Abbott (Sandman), Christa Hughes, DJ Maynard, Pucko and host Chit Chat
• BLOOM presented by Charlestown Square: artist MelissaLikesSushi transforms Charlestown Square with a massive and vibrant inflatable installation
• Cavitation at the Canoe Pool: Izabela Pluta’s monumental art installation, with an accompanying exhibition at The Lock-Up Gallery
• Chat 10, Looks 3 Live at Civic Theatre: Renowned journalists Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales bringing their celebrated podcast to the stage
• Curtain Call: Strut Your Stuff at Museum Park: Melbourne collective Fast Fashun invite festivalgoers to create wearable art from recycled clothing before taking to the runway
• First Night Art Party in Laman Street: a free celebration fuelled by Pasifika creativity, featuring three powerhouse female performers – Aleksiah, Djanaba, and Ngaiire
• Global Table at Wheeler Place: world-class food, live performance, and cultural storytelling hosted by writer Benjamin Law and writer and comedian Jennifer Wong
• GRUMBLE BOOGIE at Watt Space: an aerobic dance class led by performance artist Betty Grumble – expect a genre smash of ritual movement, cabaret-style panache and performance art
• Lenny’s Country at the Carrington Foreshore: a joyful community celebration of local Indigenous culture led by Curious Legends at Nan’s Place
• Muse at Newcastle Art Gallery: a 20-year survey of work created by internationally acclaimed Newcastle artist Angela Tiatia
• Night Flowers at Watt Space: Damien Frost’s extensive exhibition presents more than a hundred portraits of ‘elusive and exotic self-styled walking works of art’
• NM:PM PUNK! at Newcastle Museum: free high-energy celebration of local punk culture featuring Boudicca, No Reason, Bitchcraft, and ska-legends, The Porkers
• Ocean Rituals at Dixon Park Beach: Passionate open water swimmer and award-winning ocean and coast-life photographer Penny Green presents a series of joyous, moody, and captivating photographs celebrating Newcastle’s coastline and the city’s dynamic ocean swimming community. 
• Petite Suite at the Oriental Hotel: Brand X transforms seven hotel rooms into seven intimate theatrical encounters inspired by one of Newcastle’s most beloved pubs
• Praxis at Newcastle Art Gallery: pairing local visual artists and choreographers to create new collaborative works.
• Press Play at the Playhouse: celebrating 50 years of Tantrum Youth Arts with an interactive theatrical adventure for young imaginations
• Sea Stories at Dixon Park Beach: acclaimed theatre-maker Roslyn Oades shares an intimate sunrise listening experience celebrating friendship, ritual and life by the ocean in Newcastle
• SOAK: Live at the Baths at the Newcastle Ocean Baths: four free sunset sessions curated by Urthboy (Tim Levison), with live music from Hermitude and Claire O’Brien, 92Wrld & Kobie Dee, and Karen Lee Andrews
• Stories of Water and Earth at The Conservatorium: Ensemble Offspring and Nardi Simpson weave chamber music, storytelling and Country
• The Spiegeltent with Loca Vida at Civic Park: cabaret, comedy and late-night spectacle
• Through the Lens of Tony Mott at Newcastle Museum: four decades of iconic Australian and international rock photography.
• Triceratop at University House: a wildly inventive one-person gay dinosaur love story with climate change in its sights.
• Truck Driver at the Playhouse: Jonny Hawkins’ funny and moving portrait of life on the road.
• Twisted at Bartholomews: the one-night-only after-dark art party inspired by the Night Flowers exhibition, featuring DJs and performance artists including Phasmahammer.
• Wansolmoana Lunar Assembly at Newcastle Ocean Baths: Tongan-Australian artist Latai Taumoepeau invites hundreds of participants to float together under the moon for a special one-off celebration of feminine sovereignty and collective power
• Wolf at Civic Theatre: a thrilling mix of acrobatics, artistry and primal instincts from internationally renowned contemporary circus company, Circa

NM:PM Punk! Featuring Bouddica. Photo credit: moshcam18

The Minns Labor Government is continuing to deliver on its commitment to ensure a more reliable source of drinking water for the Lower Hunter, with a major construction milestonereached at the Belmont Desalination Plant.

Hunter Water has successfully completed the project’s 830 metre seawater intake tunnel, with the tunnel boring machine (TBM) breaking through to the offshore intake location and being safely recovered from the ocean.

Rhiannan, the TBM named after Belmont local and world champion cliff diver Rhiannan Iffland, was used to install the 2.4 metre diameter pipeline beneath the seabed.

With TBM’s rarely retrieved from ocean floor in Australia, recovering the machine marks the completion of one of the most complex and high-risk components of construction on the $530 million Belmont Desalination Plant.

The recovery followed a carefully planned sequence of offshore works carried out over several weeks.

Specialist divers first removed debris from around the machine before positioning and aligning a support cradle to guide the TBM into place ahead of retrieval.

Once safely sealed and stabilised, divers connected the hydraulic recovery system, allowing the 75-tonne machine to be pushed clear and prepared for lifting.

The next stage of works will see the installation of mechanical and electrical equipment and ongoing works to connect the seawater intake structure to the treatment plant.

Once complete, the new plant will allow seawater to be drawn from the ocean for treatment, providing a dependable source of drinking water that can withstand future droughts and a changing climate.

The plant will be capable of producing up to 30 million litres of drinking water a day, enough to meet around 15 per cent of the region’s average daily demand, helping to support water security for generations to come.

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley:

“The Minns Labor Government is investing in infrastructure the Hunter needs.

“This project represents a once-in-a-generation investment in the Hunter’s future, strengthening water security as the region continues to grow.

“The Hunter has always been a place that builds big things, and this project is another example of the incredible engineering capability we have right here in our own backyard.

“This desalination plant is a game changer for our region. It gives families confidence that we have a reliable water supply as our region continues to grow.”

Minister for Water Rose Jackson:

“This milestone brings us another step closer to delivering one of the state’s most significant water security projects which will help future-proof the regions water supply.

“As our climate changes, we need to invest in infrastructure that helps communities prepare for longer, more intense droughts while securing essential services for future generations.”

Hunter Water Managing Director, Jennifer Hayes:

“Recovering “Rhiannan” from the ocean is a significant achievement and reflects the technical expertise, planning and teamwork required to deliver this critical infrastructure.

“This milestone brings us another step closer to delivering a climate-resilient water source that will help strengthen water security for the Lower Hunter.

“The Belmont Desalination Plant is a key part of the Lower Hunter Water Security Plan and will help ensure our region has a reliable source of drinking water during future droughts and changing climate conditions.”

City of Newcastle will work with the NSW Government to assess options for long-term affordable access to creative spaces for artists, makers and cultural organisations.

The action is a priority under the new Cultural Plan 2026-2036, which was unanimously adopted at last night’s council meeting.

Civic Theatre’s Upstage at the Playhouse is one of the current City of Newcastle programs supporting the city’s cultural sector. Pictured here is the production of Karma Kafe being performed at the Playhouse in 2025. Photo credit: Elena Gan

The plan will guide City of Newcastle’s commitment to local arts, culture and creative industries during the next decade.

Lord Mayor Gavin Morris said nurturing Newcastle’s creative soul was essential as it continued to grow and develop into a vibrant global city.

“Culture is not simply entertainment. It shapes how our neighbourhoods feel, how we relate to our past and how young people imagine their future,” Cr Morris said.

“This plan supports practical action, from affordable creative space and stronger support for local artists to investment in live music, nightlife and community infrastructure.

“It recognises that creativity happens across the whole city and commits to creating opportunities for communities across Newcastle’s suburbs.”

By 2036, the plan aims to deliver a city where First Nations leadership is embedded throughout cultural life, where culture is accessible in every neighbourhood and where artists can sustain careers locally.

It is split into a series of short, medium and long-term goals, and clarifies City of Newcastle’s role as a champion, advocate or enabler of those actions.

Community and Culture Strategic Advisory Committee Chair, Councillor Jenny Barrie said extensive industry consultation had grounded the plan in lived experience.

“We worked with more than 70 stakeholders to understand the opportunities, pressures and real-world conditions experienced every day by cultural workers, organisations, communities and Traditional Custodians,” Cr Barrie said.

“What we heard most often was the need for more accessible spaces, more sustainable pathways, stronger inclusion, and a cultural identity that appropriately represents the city.

“The final plan provides a shared vision and clear pathway to ensure Newcastle remains a city of storytellers, enriched by the many histories, cultures and communities that call Newcastle home.”

The plan responds to feedback received throughout the public exhibition, including the need for more affordable and fit-for-purpose places to create, rehearse, perform, gather and share work.

This includes progressing discussions with the NSW Government into the feasibility of a Creative Land Trust, that would acquire, hold and manage land and buildings in perpetuity for creative use.

City of Newcastle is one of only two councils in the state working with the government to safeguard cultural floor space in this way.

Other short-term actions in the plan include trialling a new microgrant program to support small-scale creative and community-led activity, championing the development of an annual creative summit and partnering with the independent sector to increase year-round cultural activity in the western suburbs.

The plan recognises the enduring cultural leadership of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples and commits to ensuring First Nations knowledge, stories and connection to place continue to inform Newcastle’s cultural future.

The adopted Cultural Plan 2026-2036 can be viewed on City of Newcastle’s website.