Category: Newcastle News

City of Newcastle is kicking off consultation to capture insights into the community’s views and knowledge of future plans for the Newcastle Airport precinct.

The precinct is experiencing a period of growth and transformation, with the Airport’s international terminal due to open in August.

A 76-hectare parcel of land adjoining the Airport and Williamtown RAAF Base, known as Astra Aerolab, is also undergoing a major redevelopment into Australia’s newest innovation, defence and aerospace precinct.

This precinct was initially identified as part of Newcastle Airport’s Masterplan, which outlined a 60-year vision for development of the Airport and a 20-year blueprint for growth.  

The community consultation follows a resolution of the elected Council in October 2024.

The motion was proposed by Councillor Charlotte McCabe, who said it was appropriate for City of Newcastle, as a co-owner of Newcastle Airport, to understand the community’s views on the future development.

“This survey is an important opportunity for the community to give feedback about the Astra Aerolab defence precinct, which the Council jointly owns with Port Stephens Council,” Cr McCabe said. 

“Revenue that’s generated by the precinct will be used to deliver services and infrastructure in our Newcastle local government area, so the community needs to be fully informed and carefully consulted.”

Astra Aerolab has secured significant investment and support from the NSW Government and Australian Government, with the first stage of civil infrastructure work now complete and future development stages underway.

Tenants already secured for the precinct include defence contractor BAE Systems Australia and Kongsberg Defence Australia.

A mixture of phone, online and face-to-face surveys will be undertaken to gauge community sentiment, identify any issues or concerns and build understanding of the project.

For more information or to take part in the survey visit City of Newcastle’s Have Your Say page by 25 June.

Project FAQs

What is Astra Aerolab? It’s the name of a new industrial park under construction directly next to Newcastle Airport and RAAF Base Williamtown. It’s a 76-hectare site for defence and aerospace industries.

What other names is Astra Aerolab known by? Its company name is Greater Newcastle Aerotropolis Proprietary Limited.

Who owns Astra Aerolab? Newcastle Airport – which is jointly owned by City of Newcastle and Port Stephens councils.

How long has Astra Aerolab been in development? Newcastle Airport bought the site in 2018 as part of its masterplan to transform the airport precinct. The aim was to attract new industries to the Hunter to support the defence sector, including advanced manufacturing. 

Will ratepayers have to pay if Newcastle Airport or Astra Aerolab incur debts? No. The company structures ensure any debt incurred by Newcastle Airport or Astra Aerolab would be kept in the company’s asset pool. It would not be passed on to ratepayers.

Is Newcastle Airport in financial trouble? No – in fact a recent external audit confirmed it’s financially sound and forecast to make a net profit for the 2024/2025 financial year of approximately $3 million.

What are the benefits of Astra Aerolab? The industrial park will be a hub for new industries supporting the defence sector, including advanced manufacturing. This is expected to bring jobs and economic benefits to the region.

Do ratepayers have a say in decisions about the Airport and Astra Aerolab? Not directly. Decisions about the running of both companies are made by the board of directors. However, both City of Newcastle and Port Stephens councils have representative board members.

When will Astra Aerolab be up and running with businesses moving in? Construction of the first building is expected to begin in August and be complete by the end of next year.

Have any business tenants signed up yet? BAE Systems Australia and Kongsberg Defence Australia will be the first major tenants. Negotiations are currently underway with another potential tenant, a global aerospace company.

What zoning applies to Astra Aerolab? The land was rezoned in 2013 and is a Defence and Airport Related Employment Zone (or DAREZ).

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage boy reported missing from the Hunter Valley

Levi Rogers, aged 15, was last seen in Muswellbrook, about 7pm yesterday (Sunday 1 June 2025).

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to the Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

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

Levi is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm tall, thin build and short brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a black hooded jumper, white/grey coloured pants, black socks and black shoes.

Levi is known to frequent the Muswellbrook area.

Two teenage boys on a motorcycle have been seriously injured after a crash in the Hunter region.

Shortly after 2am today (Sunday 1 June 2025), officers from Lake Macquarie Police District on routine patrol drove across a crash between a motorcycle and Mazda 3 hatchback at the intersection of Main Road and Lowry Street, Cardiff.

Police immediately stopped and rendered first aid to the occupants of the motorcycle until the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics.

The rider and pillion passenger – both aged 16 – were taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition. Both boys were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.

The driver of the car – a 52-year-old man – escaped injury and was taken to the same hospital for mandatory testing.

A crime scene was established which is currently being examined by specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit.

Inquiries have established that the motorcycle was reported stolen from Edgeworth on 11 May 2025

The motorcycle had not been involved in a pursuit prior to the crash.

As inquiries continue, police are urging anyone who may have information about the crash – or has any available dashcam/mobile phone footage – to contact Belmont Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

City of Newcastle is working to ensure the ongoing protection of more than 80 hectares of bushland and wetlands, which are home to threatened species and ecologically significant habitats.

The elected Council unanimously voted in April to seek input from the community on the formalisation of the status of 22 parcels of land across six Newcastle suburbs as community land managed as natural areas. 

Image: Blue Wren Creek in Elemore Vale is one of the 22 parcels of land proposed for reclassification of community land.The areas, which combined cover the equivalent of 112 soccer fields, are currently classified as operational land or road reserves. 

The community is invited to provide feedback on the proposed reclassification, which is designed to offer greater long-term protection for a range of bushland, wetlands and creek lines including areas adjacent to Blackbutt Reserve.

City of Newcastle’s Executive Director Planning and Environment Michelle Bisson said Novocastrians have made it clear they want the city’s natural assets to be protected and enhanced. 

“With 65 wetland areas, 91 bushland parcels and 79km of urban creeks under our care, City of Newcastle recognises the intrinsic value of our environment and the benefits of nature to our society,” Ms Bisson said.

“These land parcels hold significant environmental, social, and cultural value for many in the community, and while they have been actively managed as natural assets for more than 15 years, reclassification will provide clarity for their future management.

“This process also aligns with our Newcastle Environment Strategy, which was developed with extensive community consultation and aims to improve the health and condition of our natural assets and biodiversity connectivity.”

The parcels of land range in size from a tiny 100 square metre area of Hunter Coast Spotted Gum adjoining the Blackbutt Reserve escarpment at New Lambton Heights, to 41.5 hectares of floodplain and wetlands around Ironbark Creek at Wallsend, which provides habitat for threatened and migratory species. 

It also includes a significant 22-hectare wetland and woodland area at Black Hill, which forms an essential link in the biodiversity corridor between Stockton and the Watagans. City of Newcastle signed a Conservation Agreement with the NSW Government for the area in 2024.   

Councillor Joel Pringle, Chair of City of Newcastle’s Liveable Cities Strategic Advisory Committee, said accurately classifying public land parcels is an important step in sustainable, cost-effective land management. 

“In addition to the long-term environmental benefits, the reclassification of these land parcels could also enable us to access external grant funding and, potentially, biodiversity offsetting opportunities,” Cr Pringle said.   

“I encourage the community to take some time to read through the proposal, understand its importance, and to have their say during the exhibition period.” 

The public exhibition period will run from Friday 30 May to Friday 27 June. A report summarising community feedback will be presented to Council to inform its final decision.

Submissions can be made online via the Have Your Say Newcastle website at https://haveyoursay.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/proposed-reclassification-land-parcels 

The body of a man has been located following a marine search for a missing fisherman on Lake Macquarie yesterday.

About 4pm (Thursday 29 May 2025), police were called to Summerland Point, Lake Macquarie, following reports an 82-year-old man had not returned from a fishing trip.

Officers attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District and Marine Area Command – with assistance from Marine Rescue NSW and Surf Life Saving NSW – arrived and began searching for the man after his boat was located abandoned.

During the search – with assistance from a Surf Life Saving NSW helicopter – the body of the man was located in the water about 7.40pm.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

An off-duty police officer has been charged after allegedly refusing to leave a licenced premise in the state’s north.

About 12.55am Saturday 28 December 2024, police were called to a licenced premises in Shoal Bay, following reports a group were refusing to leave.

Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District arrived and were told three people were physically removed by security after they allegedly refused to leave the property when directed.

Police commenced an investigation into the incident and, following extensive inquiries, a 41-year-old male senior constable attached to Northern Region, a 41-year-old woman, and an 18-year-old man were yesterday (Friday 30 May 2025), charged with excluded person fail to leave premises when required.

The woman was also charged with common assault.

All three were issued court attendance notices to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 7 July 2025.

Police are appealing for assistance to locate a teenage boy missing from state’s Hunter region.

Kieren Nean, aged 13, was last seen on Cook Street, Raymond Terrace, about 12pm on Wednesday 14 May 2025.

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Newcastle Police District were contacted yesterday (Thursday 30 May 2025) and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

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

Kieren is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 165cm, of thin build, with brown hair.

He is known to frequent the Raymond Terrace and Newcastle areas.

If you see Kieren, please call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

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

Richard Wilder, aged 16, was last seen on Marika Street, Lochinvar, about 11am on Sunday 18 May 2025.

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were contacted on Monday (26 May 2025) and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Richard is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 150cm-155cm tall, of medium build with light brown hair.

Police and family have concerns for his welfare due to his age.

He was last wearing a white Nike hoodie.

He is known to frequent the Newcastle areas.

A man has died after a single-vehicle crash in the state’s Lake Macquarie area.

About 8.45am this morning (Thursday 29 May 2025), emergency services were called to Gorokan Road, Wyee, following reports an off-road motorbike had crashed on the bank of Mannering Creek, near a footbridge.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended and found the rider of the motorbike – a man believed to be aged in his 20s – unresponsive in the water.

The man could not be revived and was declared dead at the scene.

Police established a crime scene and seized the motorbike for forensic examination and commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.