Category: Newcastle News

The Albanese and Minns Governments have activated additional assistance for communities impacted by recent bushfires with a Natural Disaster Declaration for the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area.

In the Lake Macquarie area, the bushfire threatened homes in the townships of Redhead, Gateshead, Whitebridge and Dudley, requiring significant aviation support and causing damage to over 90 hectares of bushland.

The declaration activates a suite of support measures for residents, businesses, primary producers and the local council. People whose homes have been damaged may be eligible for immediate financial help as well as clean-up, rebuilding and recovery assistance.

Support has been made available under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Assistance measures that may be available, depending on eligibility include:
Assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items generally provided from evacuation or recovery centres.
Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living.
Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a basic, safe and habitable condition.
Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.
Financial support towards counter disaster activity undertaken by emergency service organisations to keep communities safe.

The Minns Labor Government understands people want to help, but we ask the community not to send physical donations. The best way to support those affected is by donating through GIVIT, our official disaster relief partner at https://www.givit.org.au/

The Natural Disaster Declaration for Lake Macquarie follows the earlier announcement of DRFA disaster assistance to communities in the 6 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Central Coast, Mid Coast, Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Warrumbungle and Dubbo.

To keep up to date with recovery advice and support go to nsw.gov.au/firerecoveryupdates

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain said:

I want people in the Lake Macquarie region to know the Albanese Government is here to support you. We are working closely with our New South Wales counterparts to ensure people get assistance as quickly as possible.

To have this happen to people just weeks before Christmas is especially tough, and as a community we are all here to help.”

NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

The Lake Macquarie community has endured a frightening and disruptive period of bushfires.

This declaration enables immediate access to essential support so people can begin to get back on their feet.

Recovery staff are on the ground with Council and emergency services, undertaking impact assessments and recovery planning to ensure resources are directed where they’re needed most, as quickly as possible.”

The Minns Labor Government is inviting the Swansea community to have their say on a new 10-year environmental plan to support ongoing dredging in Swansea Channel.

Transport for NSW has prepared a Review of Environmental Factors seeking environmental approval for dredging works to maintain safe and reliable access through the channel.

This consultation follows the third stage of maintenance dredging work completed earlier this year, which delivered improvements to navigability and safety in areas previously impacted by sediment build-up.

Following the busy boating season, an additional stage of maintenance dredging will take place next year.

The Review of Environmental Factors coincides with progress on the new Dredge and Sand Transfer System, a permanent solution designed to keep the channel open year-round.

Once approved, the Review of Environmental Factors will be valid for 10 years and will serve as the planning approval required to install and operate the new system.

Transport for NSW is working in partnership with the Australian Government and Lake Macquarie City Council as part of a multi-agency initiative.

In November 2024, the Federal Government committed $10 million to deliver the new dredge system in collaboration with the NSW Government and Council.

The NSW Government contributed an additional $6 million to fund the operation and maintain the dredging equipment.

Community feedback is now sought on the environmental considerations for the dredging program, including potential impacts during construction and ongoing operations.

Residents are invited to meet the project team at the Swansea Library Ocean Room, 228 Pacific Highway, on the following dates:

Monday 8 December, 3pm–6pm

Tuesday 9 December, 10am–1pm

For more information on the Review of Environmental Factors and to provide feedback, visit the Have Your Say page.

Have Your Say closes on 21 December 2025.

Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley said:

We’ve worked incredibly hard to get Swansea Channel to where it is today, moving tens of thousands of cubic metres of sand to keep the waterway open, safe and operating the way it should.

As we wrap up the year, we’re closer than ever to locking in a long-term solution that will keep the channel reliably open all year round.

For locals who depend on the channel – for business, for boating or simply to enjoy the lake – this is a significant step toward securing a new Dredge and Sand Transfer System and giving people confidence that the waterway will stay accessible.

I encourage everyone to get involved in the Have Your Say process. Strong community input will help us shape a better, more resilient future for everyone who loves and uses our waterways.”

The Newcastle Inner City Bypass is collaborating with several agencies to mitigate impacts to native plant species across the project site, including the vulnerable Tetratheca juncea (Black-eyed Susan). Transport for NSW, the Hunter Region Landcare Network, Trees in Newcastle and Fulton Hogan have collaborated to collect plant species before impact by the Newcastle Inner City Bypass – Rankin Park to Jesmond project. The conservation efforts included salvage of the vulnerable Tetratheca juncea (Black-eyed Susan). As part of the salvage of the threatened species, the team carried out the collection of seeds, cuttings and other native plant material to use at their nursery located at Redhead, Lake Macquarie. Plant propagation of various species, including a range of Eucalyptus, is already underway in nurseries managed by Landcare and Trees in Newcastle. Seed has been collected from felled trees that are otherwise difficult to collect due to their height. On top of this work, the project team has also salvaged suitable trees to be reused as bridge timber in the maintenance of Transport’s heritage bridges. In addition, suitable felled timber has been provided to Local Land Services for reuse in river restoration projects and to local Indigenous people to produce cultural weapons and tools to enable the continuation of cultural practices. The historic Araucaria bidwillii (Bunya pine tree) from the Jesmond roundabout has also been donated to a local guitar making school while appropriate timber will be reused onsite for fauna habitat and rehabilitation during landscaping. Revisions throughout the design process have seen the project corridor moved east from the original design alignment to minimise the impacts to flora, in particular to threatened species. Clearing within the project boundary has been reduced to the greatest extent practicable, resulting in around an eight-hectare reduction in native vegetation clearing against the 44-hectare limit originally approved for the project. Biodiversity offsets have been provided in accordance with the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Policy for Major Projects. This includes 3,244 ecosystem credits and 12,690 species credits. This includes offsetting for fringe impacts to the existing bushland. Sonia Hornery, Member for Wallsend: “The Newcastle Inner City Bypass will provide traffic relief for the local community by removing up to 30,000 vehicles each day from the existing route of Lookout Road, Croudace Street and Newcastle Road. “A key benefit of this project is Transport for NSW’s commitment to the preservation and restoration of native plant biodiversity, particularly for threatened species like Tetratheca juncea. “By valuing plant rehabilitation, the project ensures the ecological health of the area is maintained, supporting local wildlife, and sustaining the region’s natural environment for future generations.” Sharon Claydon, Member for Newcastle: “Newcastle expects major projects to proceed while protecting the precious environment that makes our region so special – that’s exactly what this work is doing. We’re delivering critical infrastructure while safeguarding vulnerable species like the Black-eyed Susan.” “This is smart, responsible project delivery. By redesigning the corridor and working with our incredible local Landcare groups, we’re keeping native plants in the landscape and reducing impacts wherever possible.” “The Newcastle Inner City Bypass will ease congestion for tens of thousands of motorists, and these environmental protections mean we can do it without sacrificing the natural environment our community values so deeply.”

Police are investigating a serious crash in the state’s Hunter Valley .

About 3.35pm yesterday (Friday 5 December 2025), emergency services responded to reports of two trucks crashing in the east bound lanes of the the New England Highway, Belford, approximately 15km south of Singleton.

NSW Ambulance paramedics the male drivers of the trucks – aged 25 and 71 – at the scene before they were taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condtion.

Officers from the Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene that was later examined by police from the Crash Investigation Unit.

The 76-year-old female driver of a Ford Ranger towing a caravan was taken to to Cessnock Hospital for mandatory testing. The woman was not injured and the Ford was not directly involved in the crash.

The $700 million Singleton Bypass has passed the one-year mark of major construction, progressing a once-in-a-generation upgrade that will remove one of the Hunter’s longest-standing bottlenecks.
The new eight-kilometre bypass is on track to open to traffic in late 2026, weather permitting, and has been funded with a $560 million investment from the Albanese Labor Government and $140 million investment from the Minns Labor Government.
Newly released aerial vision highlights the vast scale of the bypass and the relentless work of the crews transforming the Hunter.
Over the past 12 months, more than 1300 workers have been active across the entire alignment, with major achievements including:
· All six bridges under construction, including the region-shaping 1.6km Hunter Floodplain bridge now 80% complete
· More than 500,000m³ of earthworks placed (the equivalent of 200 Olympic swimming pools)
· Council’s new water pump station nearing completion
· Peak work underway on drainage, utilities relocation, pavement, noise walls, and safety screens
Once complete, the bypass will remove around 15,000 vehicles a day from Singleton’s CBD, bypass five sets of traffic lights, cut congestion, reduce freight delays and deliver safer, faster and more reliable journeys for the 26,000 motorists who travel on this section of the New England Highway each day.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King:
“This project has been talked about for generations, but it’s the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments delivering it.
“The Singleton Bypass will take thousands of vehicles off Singleton’s main road, improving safety, and slashing travel times across the region.
“The Albanese Government is proud to be investing $560 million to get it built and to see real progress on the ground.”
NSW Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley:
“Locals have long been asking for a solution to congestion, heavy traffic and safety concerns and the Albanese and Minns Labor Government is delivering.
“The Singleton bypass will transform how people move around the Hunter, making travel safer, faster and more efficient for the thousands of people who live in, visit and travel through our region.
“We are seeing real progress on the ground. No one backs our regional communities like a Labor Government.”
NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison:
“Seeing the progress on the Singleton Bypass shows exactly what happens when governments genuinely invest in regional communities. This bypass is finally becoming a reality after decades of traffic, frustration and safety concerns from locals.
“Two new bridges are already providing an alternate route for heavy vehicles working on the project, minimising the impact of construction on the local road network.so the benefits are being felt even before opening day.
“This is a game-changing investment in the Hunter – safer roads, stronger freight links and a smoother drive for everyone who calls Singleton and the Hunter home.”
Federal Member for Hunter, Dan Repacholi:
“This bypass is delivering local jobs, local investment and a long-overdue fix for congestion that has plagued Singleton for years.
“With more than 1,300 jobs supported during construction, the project is already boosting our economy, and the benefits will keep coming when the new bypass opens.
“Thank you to Transport for NSW and the entire construction workforce for the incredible progress so far.”
NSW Labor spokesperson for Upper Hunter, Emily Suvval:
“This is exactly the kind of infrastructure Hunter communities have been crying out for: practical, local and life-changing.
“Removing one of the region’s worst choke points will make it easier to get to work, get kids to school and get freight where it needs to go. It’s a huge win for the Upper Hunter.”

Christmas will come early for local art lovers on December 19 when City of Newcastle unveils iconic pieces of Australian art valued at more than $30 million as part of the opening of the fourth new exhibition space in the expanded Newcastle Art Gallery.

Colonial-era classics and modern icons by Joseph Lycett, William Dobell, Grace Cossington Smith and Margaret Preston will be among the highlights of more than 130 works of art on show in this gallery space.

Installation view, Iconic Loved Unexpected: Newcastle Art Gallery Collection, Newcastle Art Gallery, Australia, 2025 © the artists and their estates. Photo: Matt Carbone

The opening will be celebrated by the return of the Gallery’s popular Friday Night Sounds after-hours event, featuring live music by Newcastle singer-songwriter Nina Romeru and a wildlife drawing workshop with local artists.

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said it was exciting to be able to reveal another new space as preparations continue for the full reopening in February 2026.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support shown since we opened the doors to the community on September 26 for their first look at some of our new galleries,” Ms Morton said.

“Almost 11,000 people have already visited the Gallery and been treated to a taste of our nationally significant collection alongside major First Nations commissions and new acquisitions.

“We’ve had visitors coming from across Australia and around the world including Austria, Canada, Finland, France, India, Mongolia and Switzerland.

“At the same time, we’ve been continuing to meticulously prepare the rest of the Gallery’s spaces in line with the strict environmental conditions required for the long-term presentation of works of art.

“We’re thrilled to be able to open our fourth new gallery space later this month, but this is still just the beginning, with more art and another nine exhibition spaces to come next year.” 

The Gallery is open Friday to Sunday each week from 10am to 4pm. The free Friday Night Sounds event will be held on 19 December from 5pm to 8pm. 

Visit https://newcastleartgallery.nsw.gov.au/ to stay up to date with the Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project.

The entire Gallery will be reopened in February next year, in conjunction with a major collection exhibition and the unveiling of a commission by internationally renowned artist Fayen d’Evie. 

The expansion project is supported by $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnerships and $5 million from the New South Wales Government under the Regional Recovery Package, as well as $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest, Margaret Olley Trust, and community fundraising over many years. A further $1 million is currently being sought through the Foundation’s public fundraising campaign.

The Albanese Government is delivering on its election commitment to boost funding for the Charlestown Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.

The additional funding will boost the capacity of the Charlestown Medicare Urgent Care Clinic with additional funding to extend its operating hours and to employ more doctors and nurses in periods of high demand.

By increasing the capacity of the Charlestown Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, even more patients will be able to receive free, high-quality urgent care without congesting the Emergency Departments of local hospitals, including the John Hunter Hospital.

Since opening in November 2024, there have been over 17,500 visits to the Charlestown Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.

The largest proportion of patients to the Charlestown Medicare Urgent Care Clinic have been children, with over 1 in 4 visits from individuals aged under 15 years old.

More than 1 in 4 visits have taken place on the weekend, and of the visits that took place during weekdays, 1 in 4 have taken place at 5pm or later.

Health Minister Mark Butler:

“The Albanese Government is delivering on its election commitment to provide more funding to the Charlestown Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.

“For the Charlestown Medicare Urgent Care Clinic this means increasing staff numbers in peak periods, and extending opening hours.

“With over 17,500 visits to the UCC we know how much the local community values this service.”

Member for Shortland, Pat Conroy MP:

“A year ago today, we opened the Charlestown Medicare Urgent Care Clinic – and with over 17,500 visits, it’s proved to be one of the busiest in the country.

“That’s why we’re delivering more doctors and nurses during peak hours so that you can get the free urgent care you need, even quicker.

“That means it’s not only open every day of the week and after hours too – but it now has additional capacity to look after you and your family.”

Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon MP:

“In just 12 months, over 17,500 people in our community, have been able to access vital health care at the Charlestown Medicare Urgent Care clinic, thanks to the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to improving healthcare accessibility in our region.

“I’ve heard firsthand from community members how transformative the free Medicare Urgent Care Clinic has been, with some telling me that the service has been genuinely lifesaving for them.

“The Albanese Government’s funding boost means even more Novocastrians will be able to get the urgent and quick care they need, while taking even more pressure off our local hospitals.”

Following a resolution of the elected Council in December 2024, City of Newcastle has been reviewing the use and operation of the dive tower at Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre.

The dive tower was constructed as part of the original facility, which officially opened to the public in January 1963.

It includes 5m, 7.5m and 10m platforms and is located alongside the 1m and 3m springboards, which are all serviced by a 5m-deep pool.

General public access to the dive tower was restricted seven years ago due to safety concerns. The facilities are currently only able to be accessed by accredited diving organisations. 

There are 12 aquatic centres (including Lambton) with heritage dive towers in Australia. However the Lambton tower is one of only two heritage towers (those built before 2000) still in use, with the other remaining facility, at Canberra Olympic Pool. The heritage dive tower at Canberra Olympic Pool is scheduled for permanent closure as part of an upcoming redevelopment project.

Contemporary diving facilities around Australia built since 2000 are also predominantly restricted for use by trained and qualified professionals associated with accredited diving clubs, with public use highly limited.

As part of the review of the dive tower requested by Council, City of Newcastle sought guidance from SafeWork NSW due to the age of the asset and challenges in meeting current safety standards. Following two inspections in November, SafeWork has issued improvement notices that have identified the risks of falls and slips on the tower, 3m springboards and one of the 1m springboards.

The dive tower, 3m boards and southeastern 1m board have been temporarily closed in order to review the SafeWork improvement notices which includes engaging a qualified expert to conduct a risk-based assessment, determine appropriate control measures and associated costs. 

City of Newcastle will consult with stakeholders during the review period in line with SafeWork’s direction including the Dive Club and its approximate 70 members.

Ten sporting fields across Newcastle will be better equipped to handle wet weather next winter thanks to a $500,000 investment into improved drainage being rolled out by City of Newcastle.

Work began this month on the sand grooving program, which is a cost-effective drainage solution that enhances the playing surface without major reconstruction.

Sand grooving at Mayfield ParkChair of the Sports Infrastructure Working Party Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said this program of works will take City of Newcastle’s investment to more than $3.35 million on drainage and irrigation improvements over the past five years.

“We manage more than 150 sports fields and are committed to delivering high quality sporting facilities to meet the needs of our growing and active community,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.

“Unfortunately, what we can’t control is the horrible weather that has regularly hit the east coast of Australia the past few years.

“Newcastle experienced one of its wettest winters on record this year, with May receiving 300mm of rain which was three times the normal average, and August 290mm, which is more than triple what is usually the driest month of the year.

“The levels of rainfall forced the repeated postponement and cancellation of fixtures across a range of sporting codes.

“We continue to invest in projects to lessen the impact of both incredibly wet and overly dry weather on our sporting community and currently have 24 grounds with drainage as well as 25 irrigated grounds.

“Importantly we’ve invested in the maintenance of existing drainage infrastructure to ensure we get the maximum use out of our upgraded grounds.

“We remain committed to working with local sporting organisations to prioritise and deliver key projects in line with our Strategic Sports Plan and will continue to partner with the State and Federal Governments to secure grant funding.”

The sand grooving program is being progressively rolled out at Wallsend Oval No.2, Mayfield Park, Gibbs Brothers Oval, Learmonth Oval No.2, Townson Oval, Darling Street Oval, Nesbitt Park, Lugar Park, Ford Oval and Harry Edwards Oval.

The technique involves cutting narrow trenches in the turf and backfilling them with washed sand to loosen the soil, creating a direct path for water to drain into an existing drainage system, reducing surface ponding.

City of Newcastle will also begin preparing drainage and irrigation designs for eight sports fields this financial year including Adamstown Park and Elermore Vale Reserve.

During the past five years, drainage improvements have been delivered across the city at grounds including National Park No.1, No.5 and No.6, Townson Oval at Merewether, Arthur Edden Oval at New Lambton, Myers Park at Adamstown and Johnson Park at Lambton.

New stormwater pits, subsoil drainage lines and irrigation enhancements were installed at Smith Park in Hamilton North while drainage designs have been completed at Harker Oval at New Lambton, Fletcher’s Kurraka Oval, Novocastrian Park at New Lambton and Hamilton South’s Darling Street Oval.

Drainage improvements were also incorporated into the recent masterplans adopted for Waratah Park and Adamstown Park.

Additional sportsgrounds identified for drainage upgrades will be included as part of the public exhibition for 2026/27 Council budget.

City of Newcastle remains committed to working with local sporting organisations to prioritise and deliver key upgrades and will continue to partner with the State and Federal Governments to secure grant funding.