Myall dredging plan announced: A major dredging program of the Myall River is set to get underway in March, Port Stephens MP Kate Washington says. The dredging will focus on three sites — Corrie Channel, the Myall River's eastern channel and the sand shoals downstream of the Singing Bridge at Tea Gardens. Sand from the dredging will be used for beach nourishment at Jimmys Beach (pictured above). Ms Washington says the dredging will take place in one continuous phase.
Image credit: ABC News/Jesmine Cheong
Men charged over premiership ring theft: New South Wales Police have charged two Newcastle men in relation to the alleged theft of NRLW star Millie Elliott's 2024 premiership ring. Police were called to a Merewether property on October 12 following reports of a break and enter. The residents — rugby league couple Millie and Adam Elliott — reported other items were also allegedly taken, including handbags, cash, and bank cards. Days after the alleged thefts a 24-year-old man was arrested and charged with a range of break and enter offences. He faced court in October, where he was refused bail to reappear in court in December. Last week a 37-year-old man was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property. He was granted bail to face in court in January.
Seaham quarry plans meeting: The company behind a new quarry at Seaham says it will have to begin searching for a less suitable site if the proposal is rejected. Seaham residents voiced their concerns about the quarry at a public meeting last week, overseen by the NSW Independent Planning Commission. If approved by the IPC the quarry could extract up to 1.5 million tonnes of hard rock per year. The Australian Resource Development Group's planning and development director Dr Justin Meleo says Seaham is an ideal site because it offers high-quality rock for mining and convenient access. But locals fear the quarry will pose a threat to native animals because it could damage their habitat and would increase traffic on local roads.
Copper theft dangers: New South Wales Police have charged a Hunter Valley man for allegedly stealing copper cabling and causing an explosion at an electrical substation. Police say the incident happened in Heddon Greta in late October, the explosion injuring the 46-year-old accused. Ausgrid says stealing copper cabling is an extremely dangerous but common occurrence, adding since July there have been more than 170 copper theft incidents across the network on the Central Coast, Lower Hunter and Upper Hunter areas.
Heritage proposal for baths moves ahead: Submissions are now open for comment on whether the Newcastle Ocean Baths should be added to the state heritage register. The Heritage Council of New South Wales has lodged its intention to consider the listing. Friends of Newcastle Ocean Baths, along with the Hunter branch of the National Trust, submitted the nomination in December last year.
Petition calls for specialist women's clinic: A Newcastle fertility clinic has launched a petition asking the federal government to establish a local endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic. The Newcastle Fertility Specialists petition says the number of people affected by the conditions in the region continues to rise. The federal government is already rolling out clinics across the country and the practice hopes Newcastle will be included in the next round. Fertility specialist Dr Erin Fuller says there needs to be a space where multiple different specialists are in the same location.
State of Origin returning to Newcastle: Newcastle will host the final of the women's State of Origin series next year. Game three will take place at McDonald Jones Stadium on May 29. It will be the second time Newcastle has hosted a women's State of Origin game after game two was held in the city this year.
Newcastle to host NRLW Magic Round: Newcastle will be the host city of the inaugural NRLW Magic Round in 2025. The round will see six games of rugby league played at one venue over a single weekend. The New South Wales government says a new partnership with the NRL will result in regional New South Wales hosting the Magic Round for the next three years.
