Category: Newcastle News

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

Trey Young, aged 11, was last seen in Toronto about 2pm yesterday (Sunday 21 September 2025)

When he was unable to be contacted or located, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police have concerns for Trey’s welfare due to his young age. 

Trey is described as Caucasian appearance, 170cm tall, thin build, brown eyes, short brown hair with small mullet. 

He was last seen wearing a multicoloured shirt, black shorts and blue/white coloured sneakers. 

Trey is known to frequent the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Sydney CBD. He may utilise the rail network. 

Inquiries have established that he maybe in company with several other young persons.

Anyone who sees Trey is urged to contact Toronto Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

City of Newcastle will launch a trial of reduced entry fees for all visitors at four of its five inland pools when the new swimming season begins on Saturday.

Councillors voted in June to endorse the $2 trial at Beresfield, Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend pools for the 2025/26 swimming season, a proposal supported by 95% of respondents who took part in community consultation.

Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre is not included in the trial to reduce the risk of overcrowding at that facility, and with a waterslide, aquatic playground and four pools, its 
 $6 all-day entry fee ensures it remains the most affordable pool with similar facilities in the region.

Cr Peta Winney-Baartz, lifeguard Ethan Crisp, Cr Declan Clausen, lifeguard Tiarna Baxter and Cr Charlotte McCabe at Mayfield Pool ahead of its reopening on Saturday and the start of the $2 entry fee trial.Cr Declan Clausen, who proposed the $2 entry fee trial, said it’s important to provide equitable and affordable access to aquatic facilities across the city.

“Our inland swimming centres play a vital role in fostering community connection and promoting health and wellbeing,” Cr Clausen said.

“Combined with free access to Merewether and Newcastle Ocean Baths, we’re making sure everyone has a place to cool off this summer.”

Visitors to all five inland pools will enjoy upgraded facilities following more than $1 million of programmed maintenance and upgrades over the winter break.

Lambton reopened on 25 August following the installation of a new platform to increase accessibility, an extensive paint job which includes non-slip areas, as well as three new heat pumps.

Beresfield received an upgrade to the solar heating system, while Stockton families will enjoy new playground equipment, barbecues, picnic tables, shade structures and new accessible footpaths.

New roller shutters have been installed at Wallsend and Lambton to improve security, and lighting upgrades have been completed at Beresfield and Mayfield.

With the winter beach lifeguard schedule now completed, patrols return to all six Newcastle beaches from this Saturday, adding to the year-round patrols that also take place at Merewether and Newcastle Ocean Baths.

Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy said our lifeguards keep watch over more than one million swimmers and sunseekers each summer.

“City of Newcastle’s lifeguards receive extensive training and professional development to ensure they can keep the community safe,” Ms Duffy said.

“Our successful Trainee Beach Lifeguard Program is also back this summer, with applications now open. 

“The program offers an exciting opportunity for four high school students, who are also members of a Hunter Surf Life Saving Club, to gain hands-on experience working alongside professional lifeguards.”

In preparation for the warmer weather, City of Newcastle has recently wrapped up its school based annual Water Safety Education Program, which has been delivered by lifeguards since 1966.

This year’s program covered 46 schools across the region, educating more than 12,000 students about dangerous conditions, how to swim safely and what to do if they get into difficult situations.

To learn more about the trainee lifeguard program go to City of Newcastle’s employment page.

For more information about lifeguard patrol hours visit our website.

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

Hayden Holmes, aged 14, was last seen on Church Street, Rutherford, about 5pm on Thursday (19 September 2025).

When he was unable to be located or contacted, officers attached to Port Stephens/Hunter Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Family and police hold concerns for his welfare due to his age.

Hayden is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 160cm tall, slim build with brown hair.

He is known to frequent the Maitland, Cessnock and Singleton area.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Maitland Police Stations or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are appealing for assistance following a reported child approach incident in the state’s north last month.

Police were told between 4.30pm and 5.15pm on Saturday 23 August 2025, a 13-year-old girl was walking along Doyle Street, Bellbird, when a utility vehicle stopped next to the girl, and the driver asked if she wanted a lift.

The driver attempted to get out of his car as the girl refused and managed to run away. The driver left the scene.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced investigations.

The driver is described as being of Caucasian appearance, believed to be in his 60s or 70s, with light grey hair, grey beard with a dark colour at the bottom, and a crooked nose.

Following inquiries, police have released CCTV images of a vehicle seen in the area at the time of the incident.

The vehicle is described as being a two-door black/chalky appearance utility – possibly an older model Ford – with white flames going along the side of the car, a spoiler on the tray, and black rims.

The Albanese and Minns Governments are forging ahead with one of the Hunter’s most significant infrastructure projects, with the final girders now in place on the new northbound bridge over Ironbark Creek (Toohrnbing) on the Hexham Straight Widening.
A total of 65 girders have been lifted into place by a 400-tonne crane. Each girder weighs around 20 tonnes – equivalent to the weight of 10 family cars – and forms the foundation of the new three-lane northbound bridge.
The Hexham Straight upgrade is a key part of the $2.2 billion M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace, jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments.
With around 50,000 vehicles using this stretch of road each day, the project aims to relieve congestion, improve safety and provide more reliable travel for both commuters and freight operators.
Transport for NSW and its delivery partners – an alliance of Georgiou, Daracon Contractors and SMEC – are now focused on completing the bridge deck, installing barriers and progressing final road surfacing.
The new northbound bridge is expected to open to traffic by early 2026, weather permitting.
This six-kilometre upgrade between the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and Hexham Bridge will see the current two-lane dual carriageway widened to three lanes in each direction, removing a well-known bottleneck and helping to future-proof the region’s road network.
Motorists are already seeing the transformation take shape, and more changes will become visible as construction continues. Some temporary lane closures and speed reductions will be required at times, with updates available through Live Traffic NSW.
The M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace includes the Hexham Straight Widening and is being delivered with $1.8 billion from the Australian Government and $448 million from the NSW Government. The entire upgrade is expected to open to traffic in 2026.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison:
“There will be no sub-par work on this project. This is one of the most important road corridors in the Hunter, and we are building infrastructure that will last – not just for today, but for decades to come.
“In the 1870’s, the first timber truss bridge was opened over Ironbark Creek, connecting Newcastle to Maitland.
“Now we’re seeing the final girder placed on a brand new, modern bridge that will carry this connection forward for generations.”
Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon:
“This is an exciting step forward on one of Newcastle and the Hunter’s most critical road projects.
“Once complete, this upgrade will make trips faster, safer, and more reliable for the more than 50,000 motorists who use this stretch every day.
“We’re delivering real progress on this long-awaited project, and this milestone brings us another step closer to the finish line.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Paterson, Meryl Swanson:
“The final girder lift is a major step forward for the Hexham Straight upgrade – a project that will ease congestion, improve safety, and support local jobs right here in our region.
“I’m proud to see this progress delivered thanks to a strong collaboration between the Australian and NSW Governments. With $1.8 billion in federal funding, the M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace project is a major investment in our region’s future – and the Hexham Straight Widening is a critical step towards its completion.
“A big thank you to all the commuters for your patience during construction, and to the incredible roadworkers and project teams for their hard work in making the Hexham Straight Widening a reality.”
Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp:
“It’s fantastic to see the Hexham Straight Widening project ticking off another significant milestone.
“Motorists will be able to see the bridge come together before their very eyes over the next few months as our teams continue carrying out this important upgrade.”
Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery:
“A big well done to the Hexham Straight Widening team who have worked tirelessly on upgrading this important stretch of the Pacific Highway.
“Once complete, this project will improve traffic flow for motorists and freight which mean safer journeys and more reliable travel times.”

A man will face court over alleged child sex offences committed almost 50 years ago.

In late 2023 Detectives from Northern Beaches Police Area Command commenced investigations into allegations that two teenage girls had been sexually assaulted during the 1970’s.

It will be alleged that a man sexually assaulted the girls – both aged 13 at the time – who were known to him, on separate occasions between 1976 and 1977 at an address in Collaroy.

Following extensive inquiries on Wednesday 30 July 2025 a 74-year-old man was served with a Future Service Court Attendance notice at a home in Kurri Kurri

He was charged with five counts of rape, and commit act of indecency on female, under 16 years.

The man is due to appear at Manly Local Court today (Wednesday 17 September 2025).

Swansea will gain an additional drop off location under the NSW Government’s successful embedded batteries trial, allowing the community to safely dispose of items with built-in batteries for free.

Gadgets with embedded lithium-ion batteries are increasingly common in our homes, such as vapes, headphones, speakers, electric toothbrushes, e-scooters and smart watches.

Battery-powered items contain valuable recoverable materials but are also highly combustible. The waste industry says these items are causing thousands of hard-to-extinguish fires in trucks and landfills each year.

Nearly 200 battery fires have been attended by Fire and Rescue NSW so far in 2025, reflecting a serious risk to the community, households and waste workers.

The embedded batteries trial was first launched in September 2024, with 21 councils across NSW initially taking part to safely collect and recycle items with built-in batteries at Community Recycling Centres.

To date, more than 9,000 kilograms of this problem waste has been dropped off at centres and safely disposed of, reducing pressures on landfill and driving circular solutions.

The Belmont North Community Recycling Centre is one of more than 13 additional community recycling centres joining the trial, which is set to run until September 2026.

Swansea locals are encouraged to look at what unwanted battery-powered items they have in their home, and head down to their local Community Recycling Centre to drop them off.

For a full list of accepted items and locations, go to: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/Your-environment/Recycling-and-reuse/household-recycling-overview/Embedded-batteries

For more information on loose battery recycling, go to: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/Your-environment/Recycling-and-reuse/household-recycling-overview/Safe-battery-recycling

Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley said:

“No battery should end up in the bin. Batteries that can be removed from a product should be taped and dropped off to a local recycling point and now we can do the same with embedded batteries.

“Swansea locals are now able to safely drop off embedded battery products at their local community recycling centre to reduce the risks of battery fires and contribute to a safer, more sustainable future for all.”

NSW Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“New South Wales is leading the way to combat the risks of battery fires and making sure battery-powered items are being managed at the end of their usable life.

“Thanks to the success of the embedded batteries trial, we are making it easier for people to keep batteries out of the bin, so we can protect our environment, recycle more and keep our communities safe.”

Police are appealing for assistance to locate a man missing from Toronto, in the Lake Macquarie district.

Jason Zammit, aged 36, was last seen on Anzac Parade about 1am on Thursday 11 September 2025.

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

Jason is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall, of muscular build, with light brown hair, brown eyes and a tattoo on his neck.

Jason may be in the East Maitland area.

Anyone with information on Jason’s whereabouts is urged to come forward and contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.