Category: Newcastle News

Police are investigating two unrelated traffic incidents which left a man and a woman with critical injuries in the Newcastle region overnight.

About 12.20am today (Thursday 23 October 2025), emergency services were called to the intersection of Denison Street and Gordon Avenue, Hamilton, following reports of a crash.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and were told a motorcycle rider had crashed while attempting to navigate a roundabout.

The rider – a 27-year-old man – was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene for serious injuries.

He was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition, where he remains.

Police declared a crime scene and have commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.

Inquiries are ongoing.

About 10pm yesterday (Wednesday 22 October 2025), emergency services were called to the Cowper Street, Carrington, following reports of a crash.

NSW Ambulance paramedics attended and were told an E-bike rider had crashed into a stationary caravan.

Paramedics treated the rider – a 26-year-old woman – at the scene for life-threatening injuries, before she was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition where she remains.

Police were later notified of the crash, and officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended.

A crime scene has been declared, and an investigation commenced into the circumstances of the crash.

Inquiries are ongoing.

Police will today launch a new high-visibility operation to improve road and pedestrian safety across coastal communities from the Central Coast to Port Stephens.

The safety initiative, Operation Shore Safe, is a joint effort between Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and the Northern Region, aimed at improving road and pedestrian safety across these areas during the busy summer period.

Beginning today (Thursday 23 October 2025) and running through to February 2026, Operation Shore Safe will see a high-visibility deployment of up to eight solo motorcycle officers supported by unmarked highway patrol vehicles, trail bikes, and bicycle patrols.

The resources will be strategically positioned across key coastal areas to supplement local police and highway patrol teams during a time of increased traffic and visitor activity.

The operation is designed to promote safer behaviour on roads and footpaths, as well as in and around other high volume pedestrian areas, particularly in relation to the growing use of e-micromobility devices.

A key focus will be reducing road trauma, including fatal and serious injury collisions, which have disproportionately affected communities in the Northern Region this year.

Newcastle-Hunter Sector Highway Patrol Chief Inspector Thomas Barnes said the operation is about being proactive and present in the right places at the right times.

“We know that during the warmer months, our coastal areas become significantly busier. Operation Shore Safe is about making sure we’re out there, engaging with the public, encouraging safe behaviour, and stepping in when necessary to prevent harm,” Ch/Insp Barnes said.

Traffic North Highway Patrol Commander, Superintendent Julie Boon, echoed the importance of the initiative, noting its potential to save lives.

“This is about visibility, education, and enforcement. We want to remind everyone, from drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and e-bike users, that safety is a shared responsibility. Our presence will be felt, and our message is clear: we want everyone to enjoy our beautiful coastlines safely.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley, said the operation will help ensure the safety of the community.

“Operation Shore Safe is about putting police where they’re needed most to promote road safety, prevent serious crashes and keep both pedestrians and road users safe,” Minister Catley said.

“Every summer, thousands of people flock to our coastline to enjoy everything it has to offer, and we want to make sure they get home safely at the end of the day. Our highway patrol and local police will be out in force to keep roads, shared paths and popular beachside areas safe for everyone.

“This is smart, proactive policing that shows the commitment of the NSW Police Force in keeping communities safe right across the state.”

Police are urging all road users to remain alert, follow the rules, and look out for one another as the region heads into its busiest season.

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

Rhylan O’Keefe, aged 14, was last seen on Barlee Street, Morisset Park, about 7.30am yesterday (Tuesday 21 October 2025).

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

Police and family hold concerns for Rhylan’s welfare due to his young age.

Rhylan is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170-180cm tall, slim build with blue eyes and brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black pants, and black and white Nike shoes.

Rhylan is known to frequent the Morriset, Bonnells Bay and Newcastle areas.

The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has condemned the University of Newcastle’s decision to apply for Fair Work Commission intervention in enterprise bargaining.

The move comes as 140 job cuts loom over staff already experiencing severe stress and anxiety about their futures.

University management has applied for the Fair Work Commission to deal with a bargaining dispute, despite negotiations commencing just six months ago.

NTEU members are pushing for a fair pay rise, workload regulation and flexible work provisions.

NTEU members will strike for half a day on Thursday October 23.

The University of Newcastle attempted to sideline staff and their union from the bargaining process a little over two years ago.

UoN Vice-Chancellor Alex Zelinsky serves as Vice-President of the Australian Higher Education Industrial Association (AHEIA), the aggressive employer association known for advising universities on strategies to circumvent union negotiations.

NTEU General Secretary Damien Cahill said:

“The University of Newcastle has shown it would rather blow up negotiations and push disputes to the commission than engage constructively with staff seeking fair pay and conditions.

“Management is running to the Fair Work Commission rather than staying at the bargaining table and addressing the reasonable demands of staff for a fair pay rise, workload regulation and job security.

“This is a cynical tactic from a university whose vice-chancellor is the vice-president of the bosses’ association that is notorious for using aggressive industrial tactics.

“Staff are already under enormous pressure with 140 job cuts hanging over their heads. Now they must endure management’s aggressive industrial tactics designed to avoid genuine negotiation.

“The University of Newcastle appears to have lost faith in its own executives’ ability to negotiate a fair agreement. Instead of working with staff and the NTEU, they’re deploying the same failed playbook as they did last time.

“Universities that find common ground with the NTEU reach agreements that benefit everyone. But the University of Newcastle seems determined to pursue confrontation.

“The NTEU will continue to fight for fair pay, secure jobs and reasonable working conditions for all university staff.”

Detectives have released CCTV footage as they appeal for public assistance in relation to an armed hold up that occurred last year in the states Hunter region.
Shortly after 8pm on Thursday 18 April 2024 officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District responded to reports of an armed hold up at a café on Gan Gan Road, Anna Bay.
Police were informed that two men entered the store armed with a machete and a shortened baseball bat and stole a quantity of cash.
The men left the location in a red two-door hatchback that was driven from the location by a third unknown person.

There were no reports of any person being injured.

Strike Force Merson was established to investigate the incident.

As inquiries continue investigators have released CCTV of two men who maybe able to assist police.
The first man was wearing a black balaclava, black hooded jumper with the word EVERLAST written in white across the back, black gloves, blue jeans and red sneakers. He was also carrying a green shopping bag.
The second man was wearing a grey beanie, white jumper with a fluorescent yellow hood, black gloves, white pants and white sneakers.

Police are warning members of the public to be on alert after counterfeit cash has been reported being handed to businesses across the Hunter Valley.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were alerted after counterfeit $50- and $100-dollar notes were handed to businesses in Cessnock, Kurri Kurri, Muswellbrook, Scone, Singelton, Blandford, Cliftleigh, Glendon, Merriwa and Middle Falbrook between May 2025 and October 2025.

Officers have seized the notes which amount to over $2,600 in counterfeit notes and inquiries are now underway.

Tips from NSW Police to spot a counterfeit note include,

• Feel the note – a genuine note is printed on special plastic polymer and is difficult to tear
• Check for words that mark the note as counterfeit such as ‘prop’ or ‘specimen’
• Hold the note to the light and look for the Australian Coat of Arms. This is generally located to the left of the clear window, or denomination numeral when looking at the front of the note.
• Feel for slightly raised printing on the main design of the note
• Look for the seven-pointed star inside a circle
• Compare the background printing – look for any distortions or less clearly defined patterns.
• Check that the note has a clear window and that it has a clear printed image: $50 has the Southern Cross and the $100 has the lyrebird.
• If possible, look under a UV light to locate the serial numbers

City of Newcastle has looked close to home for its latest strategic investment, purchasing a significant industrial property in Sandgate to augment its long-term financial plans.

The 8.64-hectare land holding is the first Newcastle property acquired under City of Newcastle’s Future Fund, which was established to ensure it can meet the need for infrastructure and services across the city into the future. 

Executive Director of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer David Clarke said the Future Fund enables City of Newcastle to diversify its revenue base to cater for both the growing population and aging assets. 

“Ensuring the long-term sustainability of almost $3 billion worth of infrastructure we manage on behalf of the community is one of our key responsibilities,” Mr Clarke said.

“As our infrastructure ages, the cost of maintaining and renewing these essential assets increases, which is why we proactively set aside funds each year to meet these future needs.

“Our Future Fund is a strategic initiative that enables us to invest our cash reserves into a diversified portfolio of property and commercial assets. 

“This latest acquisition strengthens that portfolio and positions us to generate stable returns, protecting our financial position and ensuring we can continue to meet the needs of our growing community without putting extra pressure on rates.”

The Rural Drive property includes two warehouses that have existing leases in place with a number of businesses, which will generate ongoing rental income for City of Newcastle.

Mr Clarke said City of Newcastle will also consider potential longer term uses for the site.

“This strategic purchase also presents an opportunity to explore its use in the years ahead,” Mr Clarke said.

“We will undertake a master planning process on the site to determine the most suitable mix of operational and income producing uses. 

“One future consideration could include building a new, more modern facility for our Works Depot, which currently sits within the footprint of the Broadmeadow Precinct Investigation Area. 

“This master planning process will take some time and there is a lot to consider before any decision can be made at a later date.”

The Sandgate purchase was vetted by the Future Fund Governance Committee in line with its adopted investment strategy before being approved by the elected Council. 

The Committee’s membership includes representatives of City of Newcastle and the elected Council, as well as two independent members with appropriate professional capabilities and an independent Chairperson. 

It is the third property purchased under the Future Fund, with previous acquisitions including a Bunnings warehouse in Taree and a Wollongong medical centre.

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

Lailah Russell, aged 13, was last seen in Newcastle about 6pm yesterday (Thursday 16 October 2025). 

When she could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

There are serious concerns for Lailah’s welfare due to her young age.

Lailah is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 160cm, thin build with long light brown hair

She was last seen wearing a black hooded jumper, black shorts and white sneakers.

Lailah is known to frequent the Newcastle, Muswellbrook and Singleton areas.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to contact Newcastle City Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Hunter Valley locals are gearing up for a huge game of Eye Spy for something beginning with ‘R’, when more than 70 critically endangered Regent Honeyeaters are released into the skies of Wonnarua Country.
The flock of zoo-bred birds will fly out over lands owned by the Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council as part of ongoing efforts to boost population numbers in the wild.
With around 300 Regent Honeyeaters left in the wild, NSW’s Hunter Valley is the centre of their range and a key breeding location.
Specially fitted non-invasive radio trackers will help researchers keep a close eye on the released birds as they cross the Tomalpin Woodlands.
But it’s also likely the birds will fly into backyards, parks and school grounds, which is why ecologists are calling for all eyes on the skies.
Easily spotted by their beautiful yellow and black feathers, these birds have become synonymous with the region, yet their movements remain a mystery.
Do they make a beeline for sandstone Country breeding haunts?  Or do they hop around the Hunter’s blooming eucalypts with flocks of wild-born birds?
The data collected from this landscape-size game of Eye Spy will have a real and direct impact on answering these questions and help save this critically endangered bird from extinction.
This is the fourth bird release in this location, and marks 30 years since the Regent Honeyeater conservation breeding program began in 1995.
To date more than 220 Taronga Sydney Zoo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo-bred birds have been released onto Mindaribba lands, areas of exceptional habitat and a diversity of flowering gums.
Reporting your Regent Honeyeater sightings is easy with a step-by-step guide and online portal at BirdLife Australia: http://www.birdlife.org.au/what-to-do-if-you-see-a-regent-honeyeater/
This critical conservation project is a joint effort between the NSW Government’s Saving our Species Program, Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Birdlife Australia and Local Land Services. 
 
DEPARTMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER SPECIES EXPERT, KIM MAUTE:
“Reintroducing this critically endangered species into the wild is one way the NSW Government is ensuring the survival of this species.
“But everyone can play a part in making sure these genuinely beautiful and musical birds are spied by future generations.
“We encourage everyone to keep an eye out for these birds during spring and share your sightings so we can continue to make the best conservation decisions for this iconic bird”.
 
MINDARIBBA LOCAL ABORIGINAL LAND COUNCIL CEO, TARA DEVER: 
“It’s time to let people know how special it is. This piece of Wonnarua Country, at the foot of old Tumblebee Mountain, is as much a part of everyone who has grown up here as it is to the Regent Honeyeater.
“These zoo-bred Regent Honey Eater releases are critical to the survival of the species.
“My grandparents and their parents before them had Regents in their backyard at Stanford Merthyr. We want our grandchildren to have them in theirs.
“The Regent Honeyeater is still here because this place of Kurri Kurri, this salty water place, is a good place, it’s special Country.
“This is not something that can be left to a few anymore – there is no time left to think about your involvement. Its protection starts with every man, woman and child in Kurri Kurri and beyond understanding that this bird is significant to them.
“The golden sunlight of their wings reflects the warm beauty of the Tomalpin Woodlands and Kurri Kurri itself.”
 
WELFARE AND CONSERVATION DIRECTOR AT TARONGA CONSERVATION SOCIETY, ANDREW ELPHINSTONE:
“The Regent Honeyeater is a flagship species, pollinating and maintaining habitat both sides of the Great Dividing Range, but faces an uncertain future.
“Over the past 30 years breeding Regent Honeyeaters we’ve heard some remarkable stories of Taronga Zoo-bred birds pairing and breeding with wild birds, travelling vast distances and being sighted 10-years after their release.”
 
REGENT HONEYEATER RECOVERY ADVISOR AT BIRDLIFE AUSTRALIA, MICK RODERICK:
“The Tomalpin Woodlands are probably the single-most important site for Regent Honeyeaters, and it is a privilege to be able to help save this bird from extinction by supplementing the population on Wonnarua Country.
“We have seen females from previous releases pairing with wild male Regent Honeyeaters and successfully breeding, which is the truest sign of success for the team which is great news.”

Rising Tide’s application to use Foreshore Park as a campsite from 25 November to 2 December has been approved by City of Newcastle following in principle support from the elected Council at an Extraordinary Council Meeting on 12 August 2025.   

At the same Extraordinary Council Meeting, the elected Council approved Rising Tide’s application to use Camp Shortland from 28 November to 1 December for a public concert. 

Final authorisation for the Foreshore Park event following the notification process was delegated to City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath and has now been approved. 

The Foreshore Park site replaces Rising Tide’s original application to utilise Hamilton North’s Richardson Park as a camp site, following safety concerns from the Police. 

A total of 1,500 submissions were received by City of Newcastle during the public notice period for Foreshore Park, which were submitted through the formal Have Your Say online portal. 

76.6% of submissions were supportive of the proposed event at Foreshore Park. 65% of submissions from within the Newcastle local government area were supportive of the event. Support was substantially higher in suburbs in wards 1 and 2, which are located closest to Foreshore Park.  

The authorisation does not require the submission of a valid Form 1, following representations from the NSW Police questioning the purpose and benefit, given the event at Foreshore Park is for the purpose for camping and is not expected to include a public assembly. 

A report outlining the reasons for the event authorisation for Foreshore Park can be viewed here, which is available on the City of Newcastle Have Your Say page.