Category: Newcastle News

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage boy missing from the state’s north.

Eli Tomaszewski, aged 13, was last seen on Nile Street, Mayfield, about 8.30pm on Tuesday 17 March 2026.

When he was unable to be located, officers attached to Port Stephens Hunter Police District were notified yesterday (Thursday 19 March 2026), and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

There are concerns for Eli’s welfare due to his young age.

Eli is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150cm tall, of thin build, with brown hair, and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing a maroon shirt, black denim shorts and blue Nike shoes.

Eli is known to frequent the Raymond Terrace area.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Raymond Terrace police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Almost 40 years since the Tangara trains were built in Newcastle, the work to extend their life is coming back to the Hunter, with the Minns Labor Government establishing two new production lines at the rail facility in Cardiff. 

This investment will create around 100 new jobs and 20 apprenticeships in the Hunter, rebuilding the train manufacturing workforce after the former Liberal-National Government ended passenger train manufacturing in the region in 2013 and prioritised overseas manufacturers. 

The $447 million Tangara Life Extension program will extend the life of 55 eight-carriage trains by over a decade by replacing internal cladding, the computer operating system, installing more accessible emergency help points, emergency door release, passenger visual displays, upgrades to the passenger address system and CCTV.

The two new production lines in the Hunter, in addition to the existing three lines at Auburn and Flemington, will increase the pace of train upgrades from 12 per year to 20. This increased capacity means more upgraded Tangara trains will be on the network sooner.

The 100 new jobs and 20 apprenticeships in the Hunter brings the total number of jobs on the Tangara Life Extension program to 320. 200 people including apprentices are already working on the program at Auburn and Flemington. 

This investment in local skills will help develop the workforce that will build the new Tangara fleet in NSW, which will begin procurement by 2027 and meet the 50 per cent local manufacturing target as part of the Future Fleet Program.

The life extension program is part of the Government’s focus on improving rail reliability in response to the Independent Rail Review.

The Tangaras are some of the oldest rolling stocks and refurbished carriages will help to reduce maintenance faults. 

To date, four Tangara trains are undergoing upgrades with the first train now in the network undergoing dynamic testing activities before it re-enters service on the network.

Tangara vision and historic images can be downloaded HERE.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“I lived in Newcastle when it was a proud train building city. We’re now bringing train manufacturing jobs back to the Hunter, the home of the original Tangara fleet.

“The former government sent Hunter jobs offshore because of their obsession with buying trains overseas. Anywhere but NSW, that was their policy on transport manufacturing jobs.

“This investment accelerates the life extension of our Tangara fleet while creating real jobs and skills development in the Hunter region.

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:

“The people of Newcastle built these trains more than 35 years ago, and it’s only right that the Hunter is once again at the heart of this work. We’re truly a proud train manufacturing town.

“But this is about more than upgrading trains. It’s about creating secure jobs, training apprentices and giving local families confidence that opportunity exists right here in our region.

“We’re backing Hunter workers and making sure the skills and industries that built this region continue to thrive into the future.”

Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:

“Almost 40 years after the Tangara trains were first built in Newcastle, it is fantastic to see this work returning to the Hunter.

“This is what rebuilding public transport capability in NSW looks like – more skilled jobs in the Hunter, more apprenticeships and more work being done here at home.

“After years of offshoring and neglect, we are rebuilding the workforce and capability NSW needs for the future.”

Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement Courtney Houssos said:

“This is a key step as we rebuild our domestic manufacturing capability and turn around 12 years of offshoring by the previous Liberal-National Government.

“We know that for every one job in manufacturing there are a further 3.5 in the supply chain, and that’s why we want our procurement dollars creating jobs here in NSW.

“We want to better leverage our precious procurement dollars through projects like this so we can maximise our support for workers and industries here in NSW, not on the other side of the world.”

Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery said: 

“The two lines to be added to this facility are also adding new jobs and apprenticeships, offering great opportunities for locals. 

“There will be cost savings associated with the acceleration of the program of work and by opening up these additional lines, the project will be finished sooner than previously forecast. 

“That means the benefits of this initiative will be felt far beyond Wallsend.” 

Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland said:

“The Tangara Life Extension Program is the most comprehensive refurbishment of its kind ever undertaken by Sydney Trains.

“Our teams in Sydney and soon, in the Hunter are carrying out critical system upgrades, modernising on‑board technologies and improving safety and accessibility features to bring these trains in line with contemporary standards.”

A new landfill cell capable of receiving up to three million cubic metres of waste will be built at Summerhill Waste Management Centre to cater for Newcastle’s growing population.

This will be the 10^th cell established at the site, which is one of the largest facilities in NSW and has the capacity to meet the city’s waste disposal needs for more than 100 years.

CEO Jeremy Bath said City of Newcastle was continuing to deliver its long-term waste strategy to ensure Newcastle’s future as a sustainable city.

“The Summerhill Waste Management Centre is a significant asset that allows us to take responsibility for our city’s waste and innovate its management as our population continues to grow,” Mr Bath said.

“The planning and eventual development of the latest landfill cell will provide Newcastle with secure, environmentally responsible waste capacity for another 10 years.

“This will be delivered alongside a range of initiatives and education programs focussed on reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and changing the way we return, reuse, repair and recycle resources.

“The current landfill operates in conjunction with our Resource Recovery Centre, which opened in 2019 and has diverted almost 19,000 tonnes of waste that would otherwise have been destined for landfill.”

City of Newcastle has awarded a tender for the design of the Cell 10 project, which will include planning for site-wide stormwater and contaminated liquid strategies, gas management and detailed geotechnical investigations.

Work will also be completed to update the overall masterplan for the site.

City of Newcastle’s Managing Director Waste Services David Witherdin said Cell 10 will be guided by best-practice environmental controls as part of the long-term operational and environmental sustainability of the site.

“Our modern facilities and best practice landfill operations have replaced the open-air rubbish piles of the past by using the sealed cells as independent containment units,” Mr Witherdin said.

“The cells manage contaminated liquids and allow us to reduce the volume of clean stormwater entering the landfill area and thereby reduces contamination.

“Our landfilling practices manage odour more effectively and increase capture of landfill gas which is converted it into electricity and reduces our carbon impact, while still providing long-term landfill capacity for our city’s predicted population boom.”

The master planning and design work is expected to be completed in 2027 followed by a tender to build Cell 10, with the staged construction program expected to begin in 2028.

A driver has died in hospital after a single-vehicle crash in the Hunter Valley area.

About 3:45pm on Tuesday 10 March 2026, emergency services were called to Leggetts Drive, Pelaw Main (2km south of Kurri Kurri), following reports of a crash.

On arrival, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District located a single vehicle crashed into a power pole.

The driver – an 18-year-old man – was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

Police commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.

About 8.15am today (Sunday 15 March 2026), police received notification that the 18-year-old man had passed away in hospital.

Police will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage girl missing on the state’s Central Coast.

Brodie Monger, aged 14, was last seen in East Maitland, about 12pm on Sunday 1 March 2026.

When she could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified yesterday (Thursday 12 March 2026) and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for her welfare due to her age.

Brodie is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150cm tall, of thin build with blonde hair.

She is known to frequent the Central Coast, Newcastle and East Maitland areas.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to call Port Stephens-Hunter Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from the State’s north.

Aubree Wray, aged 14, was last seen in Soldiers Point, about 58km north of Newcastle, at 11pm on Thursday 19 February 2026.

Unable to be located or contacted since, officers attached to Port-Stephens Hunter Police District were notified on Sunday 8 March 2026 and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Family and police hold concerns for Aubree’s welfare due to her age.

Aubree is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150cm tall, of thin build, with dark brown hair.

She is known to frequent the Liverpool, Casula, and Cabramatta areas.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact Port-Stephens Hunter Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage boy missing from the Newcastle area.
Callum Schonewille, aged 15, was last seen in Telarah on 18 February 2026.
Unable to be located or contacted, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were notified on Monday 20 February 2026 and officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Inquiries revealed Callum may have been at a chemist on Beaumont Street, Hamilton, about 8:45am on Monday 9 March 2026.
Police hold concerns for Callum’s welfare due to his age.
Callum is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall, of slim build, with light brown hair and a blonde rats tail and mullet.
He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black shorts, black slides, black socks, black jumper with TUPAC logo and carrying a black satchel bag.
Callum is believed to frequent the Telarah, Maitland, Edgeworth, Charlestown, Windale and Campsie areas.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages

Allegations that serious risks were downplayed or concealed at the Calvary Mater and that workers who flagged concerns were threatened or pushed out of their roles have been revealed as part of a submission to an inquiry into the hospital’s management.

In its submission to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into management, maintenance and operational issues at the Calvary Mater Hospital, the Health Services Union has included staff reports of a “sweep it under the rug” culture as part of the private maintenance contract which the Novacare consortium is responsible for.

After years of failures under the Public Private Partnership model, the HSU is using its submission to call for a full review of the contract compliance and greater accountability and transparency amongst the public private arrangements in the state health system.

Staff have been reporting issues with the hospital maintenance going back almost a decade. Whistleblowers have revealed they were pressured to water down findings of failings, and that some quality and performance reports were altered to downplay the seriousness of safety risks,” HSU Secretary Gerard Hayes said.

Our members have reported facing intimidation and harassment, including being threatened with the loss of their job if they escalated concerns. It’s disturbing behaviour from a contractor that puts profit over people, creating unsafe conditions for staff and patients.

HSU members are working at full capacity at Calvary Mater. They simply want to come to work and deliver the best and safest services possible to the community, but the current environment is preventing them from doing that” Gerard Hayes said.

Maintenance failures have been well reported at the hospital, ranging from mould to potable water issues. HSU’s submission highlights rectification of the potable water issue at the hospital was delayed on cost grounds, with SafeWork and the Health Minister eventually stepping in to take over control of critical repair works.

Public Private Partnerships put staff and the public at risk and undermine trust. By allowing companies to make a profit from our public health facilities, everyone except those companies loses,” Gerard Hayes said.

HSU has used its submission to urge the state government to launch an independent investigation into the alleged bullying, harassment and reported retaliation by Honeywell, (part of the Novarcare consortium and responsible for “hard facilities management”) and Novacare management, including providing protections for current and former workers what have raised concerns.

It also calls for the maintenance and rectification works claimed by Novacare to be independently audited, and to fully assess the building’s conditions, as well as creating a safe and accessible escalation pathway for healthcare workers to report unsafe conditions without compromising their jobs.

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 10 March (items adjourned from 24 February 2026). NB: it is not a full record of resolutions. 

Ordinary business 

Committee for the Hunter membership

Council voted unanimously for City of Newcastle to join the Committee for the Hunter, which will help foster strategic partnerships, influence region-shaping policy and priorities, and demonstrate leadership in the long-term social and economic development of the Hunter.

Newcastle Maritime Museum Society Collection (recommitted motion from 24 February 2026)

Council voted unanimously for City of Newcastle CEO to engage urgently with Venues NSW to seek a short-term extension of the existing storage lease at the Newcastle Showground for the Newcastle Maritime Museum Society collection beyond its current expiry on 20 March 2026. This follows in principle support from the NSW Government regarding temporary storage of the collection at the Newcastle Logistics Precinct, while a long-term plan to get the collection back on public display is developed by the Society and its stakeholders.

Urban Design Review Panel Annual Report 2025

Council received the Urban Design Review Annual Report 2025. 

Notices of Motion 

Community petition – Scholey Street, Mayfield

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion to accept a petition from residents of Scholey Street, Mayfield and request the Chief Executive Officer provide an assessment on the conditions in Scholey Street and respond to the petition organiser. Council will provide traffic data speed and volume information to the NSW Police to assist with enforcement in the area. 

Opal gates Hamilton Railway Station

Council supported a notice of motion to write to the NSW Minister for Transport and government officials to request the installation of Opal fare gates at Hamilton Railway Station. 

Council support for the return of the Newcastle 500 Supercars event

Council unanimously supported an amended notice of motion to reaffirm City of Newcastle’s previous resolutions of October and November 2023 that Council supports retaining Supercars in the Hunter region through a regional model. The motion confirmed that Council does not support reinstating the Newcastle 500 street circuit in Newcastle. 

Supporting accessible, healthy and safe open spaces for dogs in Newcastle

Council unanimously supported an amended notice of motion to consider fencing the existing off-leash area at Tarro Reserve as part of the review of the action plan in Dogs in Open Space Plan 2019. Council voted to consider various actions in the upcoming capital works budgets once the review of the Dogs in Open Space Plan 2019 has been completed. 

Supporting greater accessibility of public toilets after hours in Newcastle through the Master Locksmith Access Key scheme

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion to ensure all new accessible public toilets in the Newcastle LGA are able to be fitted with the Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK) system as part of infrastructure projects. Council will include a program to increase MLAK toilets across the city in the review of City of Newcastle’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-26 and investigate options to provide the MLAK key free of charge to eligible Newcastle residents in ‘User Rates and Charges’ in future Budgets.

Maintaining current speed zones on Minmi Road

Council supported an amended notice of motion to oppose any attempts by Transport for NSW to make any section of Minmi Road 40 km/hr, with the exception of school zones. 

Exploring the establishment of a special entertainment precinct for midtown Newcastle

Council unanimously supported an amended notice of motion for the CEO to investigate the feasibility, benefits, and implications of establishing a Special Entertainment Precinct, commencing with the Midtown Newcastle precinct. This investigation, where appropriate, will include preliminary targeted stakeholder engagement, with a report to be brought back to Council in 2026 outlining findings, potential boundaries, implementation considerations, resourcing implications, and recommended next steps.

Supporting a trial of increased operating hours at Beresfield Library

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion that City of Newcastle investigate in the 2026-2027 financial year undertaking a six-month trial to increase opening hours and programming at Beresfield Library, in conjunction with findings of the recently completed Library Evaluation Survey and upcoming Library Service Review.

City of Newcastle’s independent urban design experts assessed almost $1 billion in developments during 2025, with a strong emphasis on high quality public domain design.

Across the year, the Urban Design Review Panel undertook 71 individual design sessions in collaboration with City of Newcastle, providing expert advice on projects across the city.  

Fourteen and fifteen storey mixed-use developments with a total of 280 apartments at 5 commercial tenancies at Bull Street Newcastle West.These outcomes are detailed in the 2025 Urban Design Review Panel Annual Report, which was unanimously endorsed at last week’s council meeting.  

City of Newcastle Executive Director Planning and Environment Michelle Bisson said good design is fundamental to creating a welcoming, walkable and liveable city. 

“Our community expects development that enhances local character and the panel is critical in guiding this vision,” Ms Bisson said.  

“The Urban Design Review Panel plays a vital role in guiding development that enhances our public spaces, respects local character and delivers lasting value for our community.

“Their expertise helps ensure that even in a complex planning environment, we continue to see high-quality, thoughtful design outcomes across the city.” 

Residential building with 20 apartments at 237 Wharf Road Newcastle.The Urban Design Review Panel is an independent body comprised of specialists who provide expert advice to City of Newcastle and development applicants to support high-quality design outcomes.

Alongside major civic projects, the Panel reviewed a diverse mix of significant development proposals throughout the year. These ranged from a $2.9 million childcare facility in Tarro to one of the year’s largest projects, a $186.6 million, mixed-use development in Newcastle West featuring 14 and 15-storey towers accommodating 280 apartments and five commercial tenancies. 

Centre-Based Child Care facility on Anderson Drive Tarro.Urban Design Review Panel chairperson Dr Philip Pollard said high-quality design extends beyond the building line. 

“Good design shapes the streets, landscapes and public spaces people use every day,” Dr Pollard said. 

“This year, the panel continued to provide consistent independent advice across an increasingly diverse range of proposals. Our ongoing focus on public domain quality, landscape integration and contextual fit remains central to achieving places the community can be proud of.

“One standout project that has been shaped by input from successive design panels over many years, is the newly completed Newcastle Art Gallery. This space now provides a contemporary, purpose-built home for the city’s remarkable art collection and a cultural asset the community can be proud of.

“The panel places strong emphasis on ensuring new developments respond thoughtfully to their context and contribute to a cohesive urban environment for genuine public benefit. Our role helps applicants achieve outcomes that support the people who use these places and enhance their surroundings.” 

The UDRP also acts as a Design Integrity Panel for nominated projects, ensuring design excellence is maintained through to delivery. In 2025, the UDRP provided advice for 17 different applications including major mixed-use, co-living and residential proposals across the CBD, Newcastle West, Mayfield and New Lambton.