Category: Newcastle News

The creative community in Newcastle is receiving a $99,000 funding boost, helping to support the continued growth and development of the city’s vibrant arts scene.

The funding secured through the Australian Government’s Creative Australia Arts Projects for Organisations program, will allow Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub in Newcastle West to further its mission of providing a creative space for regional professional choreographers, dancers, and artists to collaborate and develop new works.

The $99,000 investment will enable Catapult to produce a series of funded artist-led residencies and performance outcomes for emerging and mid-career choreographers including First Nations artists Maddison Fraser, Remy Rochester, Anton, Sara Black, and Tra Mi Dinh working with regional professional dancers and multidisciplinary artists in a collaborative model of creation.

The annual program of fully supported residencies and performance outcomes offers opportunities for professional artists to collaborate, create, seed and present new work, advocating for viable artists’ careers and development, within a financially supportive environment.

Catapult is one of 246 projects across Australia sharing in $12 million from the latest round of Creative Australia’s Arts Projects program.

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon:

“I am thrilled to see this funding boost for the Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub.

“This funding is a fantastic opportunity to support the creative community in Newcastle, ensuring that our regional professional artists continue to thrive and contribute to the rich cultural landscape of our city.

“Catapult has been a cornerstone of Newcastle’s professional dance community for over a decade, offering a unique environment for innovation and creative expression. This funding will enable the hub to continue fostering professional emerging and mid-career choreographers, provide opportunities for professional development, and ensure the arts remain an integral part of life in Newcastle.”

Catapult Dance Artistic Director Cadi McCarthy:

“We are absolutely delighted to be in receipt of this funding.

“It will make a significant difference to supporting professional artists including choreographers, professional regional dancers, and the community at large.

“Catapult has always been about nurturing creativity and fostering collaboration, and this funding will allow us to build upon the incredible momentum we’ve already created in Newcastle.

A teenage learner driver has died in a two-vehicle crash in the states Hunter region overnight.

About 9pm Tuesday (18 March 2025), emergency services were called to John Renshaw Drive, Black Hill, following reports of a crash.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District arrived to find a Holden commodore and a Ford utility had collided.

The learner driver of the Holden – a 17-year-old boy – died at the scene.

The rear passenger of the Holden – also a 17-year-old boy – was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene before being airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition.

The front passenger of the Holden – a 56-year-old man – was also treated at the scene and taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

The driver of the utility – a 62-year-old woman – was treated for minor injuries and taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory testing.

Police have established a crime scene and have commenced an investigation into the cause of the crash.

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

Motorists are urged to avoid the area as John Renshaw Drive is closed and refer to Livetraffic.com for the most up to date information.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is calling for the public’s help in its investigation into the suspected mass poisoning of hundreds of native Corella birds across multiple Newcastle suburbs, including Hamilton, Carrington, Waratah, Broadmeadow, Lambton, and near Newcastle University.

The EPA received initial reports on Monday 17 March 2025 of 14 sick and dead birds in Hamilton but by midday reports had escalated to hundreds of affected birds in Carrington and surrounding areas.

NSW EPA Executive Director of Regulatory Operations, Jason Gordon, said the EPA is investigating pesticide misuse as the possible cause based on EPA observations and advice from local veterinarians.

“This is a serious incident, and any assistance from the public could be critical to our investigation,” Mr Gordon said.

“This is a very distressing situation for everybody involved, particularly the wildlife carers and residents who are finding and collecting the birds as well as the vets who are treating them.

“The birds are exhibiting symptoms such as bleeding, staggering, paralysis, and an inability to fly and so far, we understand that veterinary clinics across Newcastle have reported over 200 bird deaths.

“We have collected samples for testing, and our officers will be visiting all sites where sick or dead birds have been found over the coming days. Anyone who thinks they may have information on how the birds have died or on potential pesticides misuse is strongly encouraged to call the EPA on 131 555.

“The misuse of pesticides, whether deliberate or unintentional, is completely unacceptable and carries heavy penalties. If you use pesticides, it is essential to follow label directions and be mindful of the surrounding environment and wildlife.”

Wildlife volunteers from Hunter Wildlife Rescue and WIRES, along with members of the public, have been assisting in the response and transporting sick birds to veterinary clinics. Members of the public should avoid handling affected wildlife.

The negligent use of pesticides in a manner that harms any non-target animal, or plant can attract penalties of up to $500,000 for an individual and $2,000,000 for a corporation.

A man has died following a unit fire in Newcastle East this afternoon.

About 3.50pm (Monday 17 March 2025), emergency services were called to a unit on Colliers Close, Newcastle East, following reports of a fire.

Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze, which caused extensive damage to the unit.

A man was located inside the unit suffering burns. He died at the scene and while he is yet to be formally identified, he is believed to be aged in his 60s.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District have established a crime scene, and an investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the fire.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Investigations are underway after a man drowned in a water hole near Dungog today.

About 3.45pm (Sunday 16 March 2025), officers from Port Stephens/Hunter Police District were called to a swimming hole at Ladies Well at Upper Allyn – about 48km north west of Dungog – following reports of concern for the welfare of a swimmer.

Police arrived and, following an operation with assistance from, NSW Ambulance paramedics, Police Divers and Police Rescue, a man’s body was retrieved from the water.

He is yet to be formally identified; however, is believed to be aged in his 20’s.

A crime scene has been established and inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death are underway.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

A teenage boy will face court today charged over an alleged stolen vehicle and pursuit on the Central Coast.

About 4am today (Sunday 16 March 2025), police were patrolling at Long Jetty when they attempted to stop a white Nissan Pathfinder for the purposes of a roadside breath test.

When the vehicle allegedly failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated which continued through the suburbs of The Entrance, Toukley, Budgewoi, Lake Munmorah, Pelican, Swansea and Belmont.

Road spikes were successfully deployed on the Pacific Highway, Pelican and five teenagers were arrested at the scene.

They were taken to Belmont Police Station where a 14-year-old boy was charged with:

Take and drive conveyance w/o consent of owner
Custody of knife in public place – first offence
Enter vehicle or boat without consent of owner
Police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously
He was refused bail to appear before a Children’s Court today, Sunday 16 March 2025

The other four occupants of the vehicle, two girls aged 15, one girl aged 12 and one girl aged 14 were dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

A man has been charged after police located an alleged unauthorised firearm following a police pursuit in Newcastle this morning.

About 12.50am today (Friday 14 March 2025) officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were on-duty at Brunker Road, Adamstown, when they observed a moped with a pillion passenger allegedly driving in a dangerous manner.

Police attempted to stop the vehicle and when it did not stop a pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit continued through the suburbs of Adamstown, Hamilton South and Merewether.

The pursuit was terminated on Henry Street, Merewether, where the vehicle stopped and the two riders ran from the scene.

The alleged rider – a 21-year-old – was arrested a short time later following a foot pursuit. The passenger could not be located.

Police allegedly located an unauthorised firearm in the 21-year-old man’s possession.

He was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, possess unauthorised firearm, police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed, possess bright light distress signal etc in public place, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen and unlicensed for Class, Class C, R, LR or MR.

He was bail refused to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 14 March 2025).

Three people have been charged following a pursuit in Newcastle this morning.

About 2.50am today (Friday 14 March 2025) officers attached to Newcastle City Police District observed an allegedly stolen SUV travelling on Glebe Road, Hamilton South.

Police attempted to stop the vehicle, and when it did not stop, a pursuit was initiated.

The vehicle was pursued through several suburbs of Newcastle and the pursuit was terminated when the SUV collided with a vehicle on the Pacific Highway, Hexham.

The SUV then came to a stop on the side of the roadway, where the alleged driver – a 33-year-old man – ran from the vehicle.

The man was arrested following a short foot pursuit.

Two other occupants of the SUV – a 53-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman – were also arrested.

The woman was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice for be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner. She is due to face Newcastle Local Court on Saturday 1 May 2025.

The 53-year-old man was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

The 33-year-old man was charged with an outstanding warrant, police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, custody of knife public place, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, use class A vehicle displaying misleading etc number plate, dishonestly obtain property by deception, larceny and enter dwelling with intent (steal).

The men were refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 14 March 2025).

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

Rhonda Anderson, aged 61, was last seen leaving a home on Hawthorne Street, Beresfield about 1:30pm on Monday 3 March 2025.

When she could not be contacted or located, officers attached to Port Stephens/Hunter Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Family and police have concerns for her welfare due to a medical condition.

Rhonda is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 155cm-160am tall, of medium build, with grey hair and blue eyes.

She was last seen wearing black tights, red flower pattern short sleeve shirt, wearing two straw hats

City of Newcastle will begin work next week to ensure the safety and longevity of one of its most popular coastal precincts. 

The effect of time and tides have taken a toll on the infrastructure that protects sections of the Bathers Way between Dixon Park and South Newcastle beaches. 

City of Newcastle will undertake two projects along the coastal stretch, which will stabilise a section of cliff face north of the Dixon Park Surf Lifesaving Club and help maintain the condition of the concrete seawall south of our recent upgrade at South Newcastle Beach. 

City of Newcastle’s Executive Director of Planning and Environment Michelle Bisson said the projects would provide an immediate fix while longer-term solutions are assessed as part of the development of the Southern Beaches Coastal Management Program (CMP). 

“We live in a challenging coastal environment where significant weather events, combined with long-term sea level rise, constantly take a toll on both the natural and built infrastructure,” Ms Bisson said. 

“In the immediate term, this important work will improve resilience to coastal erosion and enhance safety on Bathers Way for beach users in this much-loved location. 

“We are also looking to the future to develop a holistic strategy for this hugely important stretch of our coastline. 

“This includes the ongoing development of our Southern Beaches Coastal Management Program, where we are working with coastal experts to better understand the impacts over the short and long term, and what that means for the future use of these beaches and assets located along the coast.” 

Work will begin on Monday to address the effects of coastal erosion on a 60-metre section of cliff line north of the Dixon Park Surf Life Saving Club.  

A temporary rock bag structure will be constructed at the base of the cliff to stabilise the area until longer term actions are defined as part of the Southern Beaches CMP. 

The lower car park at Dixon Park Beach and the section of Bathers Way within the work zone will be closed with diversions in place during the project, which is expected to take around four weeks to complete. 

Separately on Monday, essential maintenance will also begin on the 147-metre-long seawall located between King Edward Park and the recently completed upgrade of Bathers Way at South Newcastle Beach.   

This will include the application of a protective coating to extend the life of the seawall, which provides coastal protection for the Bathers Way and other infrastructure along the South Newcastle foreshore. 

The project is expected to take up to two months. Bathers Way will be closed to pedestrian and cyclist traffic between King Edward Park and the upgraded section of Bathers Way at South Newcastle on weekdays, however it will be reopened on weekends. 

City of Newcastle’s Executive Director of City Infrastructure Clint Thomson said works were planned to minimise disruption to the community as much as possible. 

“We know how important Bathers Way is to our community, providing opportunities for recreation and access to our spectacular coastline,” Mr Thomson said. 

“This work is essential for the long-term use and enjoyment of this coastal stretch. It has been scheduled outside of the busy summer period to minimise the impact to our community as much as possible during the temporary closures of Bathers Way.   

“We thank the community for their patience while we complete this important work.”