Category: Newcastle News

The M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace has reached a significant milestone with the successful lifting of the first girders at the northern interchange on the Heatherbrae Bypass.

Motorists will see the interchange come to life after the lifting of eight bridge girders onto the northern interchange on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 October.

The overbridge at the northern interchange will serve as the main direct access off the M1 Pacific Motorway, to the Pacific Highway and the townships of Heatherbrae and Raymond Terrace.

When completed, the interchange will provide southbound motorists the option to continue into Heatherbrae using the local road network or take the new motorway across Windeyers Creek bypassing Heatherbrae.

The work to build the overbridge includes geotechnical investigations, relocation of utilities, drainage, earthworks, bridge substructure and superstructure, and pavement works.

The team has already lifted 62 of the 827 bridge girders into place across the project, with more than 70 per cent of the Heatherbrae Bypass workforce sourced from the Hunter Region, including 38 apprentices and 12 trainees.

The extension is expected to be open to traffic in mid-2028.

For more information and to sign up for regular updates on the progress of the M1 extension visit nswroads.work/m12rtportal.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“This is an exciting step forward for the M1 Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace project.

“Once complete, this project, together with the Coffs Harbour bypass, will provide the remaining major upgrades to complete a free-flowing route between Sydney and Brisbane with no traffic lights.

“The Australian and NSW Governments are proud to be working together to deliver the ‘missing link’ and strengthening our road network across the nation.”

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison:

“This is great news for the 48,000 motorists from across NSW who travel on the notorious bottleneck on the Pacific Highway at Hexham.

“Combined with the Hexham Straight Widening project, this will significantly improve journeys for local motorists, visitors and the freight industry.

“The Australian and NSW Governments are delivering legacy infrastructure which will cater to the needs of our great state in the decades ahead.”

Federal Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson:

“This is a vital missing link that I have pushed the Federal Government to support since 2016 and has been accelerated under the Albanese and Minns Governments.

“The M1 extension to Raymond Terrace will transform travel in this region by removing up to 25,000 vehicles a day away from key congestion areas, saving motorists around nine minutes off their trip.”

NSW Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington:

“It’s great to see the progress being made on the M1 Pacific Highway extension to Raymond Terrace.

“Once completed, this project will be a huge time saver for locals and visitors traveling in and around Port Stephens.

“The Heatherbrae Bypass will reduce traffic on our local roads, making them safer for everyone.”

A teenager missing from state’s north has been located.

The 13-year-old was last seen in Hamilton South on Friday (25 October 2024).

Following inquiries, he was located safe and well on Saturday (26 October 2024).

Police would like to thank the public and media for their assistance.

A 98-year-old man who went missing from Jewells in the Lake Macquarie area yesterday (Friday 25 October 2024), has been located.

Police thank the public and media for their assistance.

Police are appealing for public assistance as they continue to search for a missing elderly man in the Lake Macquarie area.

George Linz, aged 98, was last seen on Silverdale Parade, Jewells, about 10.30am yesterday (Friday 25 October 2024).

When George couldn’t be located, officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and commenced inquiries.

Police hold concerns for George’s welfare due to his age and as he has limited mobility.

George is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, of slim build, and with grey hair.

He was last seen wearing an apricot-coloured jumper, grey trackpants and dark-coloured sneakers.

Anyone with information on George’s whereabouts is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A driver has died after a single vehicle crash in the state’s Hunter Valley this morning.

Shortly after 5am (Saturday 26 October 2024), emergency services responded to a report a vehicle had crashed into a tree along Maitland Road, Cessnock.

The 46-year-old male driver – and sole occupant of the vehicle – died at the scene.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District have commenced an investigation and will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.

Local traffic diversions are in place and motorists are urged to avoid the area.

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

Robert Lovegrove, aged 13, was last seen at a school in Hamilton South around 9am on Thursday 25 October 2024.

When he could not be located or contacted since, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified on Friday (25 October 2024) at 6pm and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

There are concerns for Robert’s welfare as he lives with a medical condition that requires medication.

Robert is described as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island appearance, about 160cm tall, of thin build, with black mullet-style hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing a black shirt, black shorts, black shoes and carrying a bum bag.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A man will face court charged with numerous offences following an investigation by Newcastle City detectives.

In January 2022, detectives attached to Newcastle City Police District commenced an investigation after receiving a referral from the Australian Federal Police regarding the alleged uploading of child abuse material through a social media platform.

Following extensive inquiries, about 8.10am yesterday (Thursday 24 October 2024), officers executed a search warrant at a house in Kotara and arrested a 23-year-old man.

Police also seized a number of items in relation to child abuse material, as well as five gel blaster firearms, two sets of throwing knives, a set of throwing stars and a trench knife.

The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with ten offences – possess unauthorised prohibited firearm (five counts), possess, or use a prohibited weapon without a permit (two counts), two counts of possess child abuse material and one count of possess bestiality material.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 25 October 2024).

The community is invited to have their say on a proposal to upgrade Newcastle’s cycling and pedestrian network along the heritage listed Parkway Avenue in Hamilton South. 

The proposed improvements, between National Park Street and Smith Street intersections, includes both on-road cycle lanes, sections of off-road shared pathway, amendments to the roundabouts, as well as two combined pedestrian-cycling crossings across Parkway Avenue and the grassed median. 

Corner of National Park Street and Parkway Avenue, Hamilton South

The project is being delivered by City of Newcastle, utilising $469,500 from the Australian Government Black Spot Program as administered by Transport for NSW. 

Executive Manager Transport and Regulation Ryan Tranter said the cycleway and shared pathways would foster a safer and more accessible thoroughfare for cyclists and pedestrians, whilst linking schools with parks and residential areas.  

“This project will provide safe, convenient connections between our shopping centres, favourite places to visit, and homes, inspiring people to walk and ride more often,” Mr Tranter said. 

“We want to hear feedback from residents, high school students, commuters, and anyone who has an interest in the proposed improvements to Parkway Avenue. 

“Feedback from the community is an important aspect of the process and I encourage everyone to have their say during the public exhibition period to help inform the detailed design.” 

The project aims to maintain the heritage and character of Parkway Avenue including its uniform streetscape and retaining the grand median with iconic Norfolk pine trees, whilst providing more space for pedestrians and cyclists.  

In alignment with City of Newcastle’s ‘On Our Bikes’ Cycling Plan, the project proposes designated cycle routes and slowing vehicles by adding speed cushions and realigning the kerb to narrow the lanes on approach of the two roundabouts. 

New priority crossing points will also improve safety for pedestrians travelling in the area.   

The new cycleway and shared path will complement City of Newcastle’s $2 million upgrade which is underway at Maud Street Waratah West, addressing safety and accessibility issues with a signalised crossing, improved alignment, kerb extension and shared paths.  

Community feedback on the proposed concept plans is open until 5pm, Monday 18 November 2024 and will be incorporated as part of the detailed design stage. 

To view the preliminary concept plans and complete the online survey visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay. 

Incident activity

• Ongoing – Until further notice

Details

Buses are replacing some trains between Morisset and Newcastle Interchange between approximately 22:00 and 00:30 due to urgent track repairs at Fassifern. Please check individual trips and service alerts in your app for further information.

Stops affected

• Cockle Creek Station, Boolaroo
• Cardiff Station, Cardiff
• Fassifern Station, Fassifern
• Dora Creek Station, Dora Creek
• Booragul Station, Booragul
• Adamstown Station, Adamstown
• Awaba Station, Awaba
• Broadmeadow Station, Broadmeadow
• Teralba Station, Teralba
• Hamilton Station, Hamilton
• Kotara Station, Kotara
• Newcastle Interchange, Wickham
• Morisset Station, Morisset

Police have charged a woman following a fatal crash near scone earlier this month.

About 3:55pm Friday 4 October 2024, emergency services were called to Bunnan Road, Owens Gap, 22kms west of Scone, following reports a Mitsubishi Lancer had collided with a Nissan Navara.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended and were told the sedan – with three women in it – was travelling north and was attempting to negotiate a right-hand bend when it collided with the ute – with a man and a woman in it.

The female front passenger in the sedan, aged 76, died at the scene.

The female driver of the sedan, aged 53, and female passenger, aged 39, were airlifted to John Hunter Hospital.

The male driver of the ute, aged 27, and the female passenger, aged 24, were also taken to John Hunter Hospital.

The drivers of both vehicles have undergone mandatory testing.

Officers attached to Hunter and Mid North Coast Crash Investigation Units attended and established a crime scene.

Following extensive investigations, police charged the 53-year-old driver with dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death and no keep left of dividing line.

The woman was issued a future court attendance notice to appear before Muswellbrook Local Court Tuesday 17 December 2024.