Latest news with #TimCrakanthorp
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Concern for MP safety after online terror group listing
The home affairs minister has expressed concern for the safety of politicians after an online far-right extremist group was linked to a plot to kill a state MP. The extremist group Terrorgram, which was listed as a terror organisation on Friday, was linked to a plot to kill NSW Labor MP Tim Crakanthorp in 2024. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the plot was one of the reasons for the group's formal listing as a terrorist organisation. Australians who join, recruit or fund the network will face prison sentences of up to 25 years. Mr Burke said he was concerned about the potential for attacks against elected officials in the UK and US happening in Australia. "I don't want Australia to become a country where members of parliament can't move around freely and engage with the community. It's good for democracy," he told Sky News on Sunday. "Terrorgram has been shown to be a threat on our shores ... but (there was) as very direct attempted attack on an Australian member of parliament." The federal government says Terrorgram provides instructions to its members online through the chat platform Telegram how to conduct terrorist attacks, and has been responsible for inspiring events in the United States, Europe and Asia. The US branded Terrorgram a terrorist organisation in January. Mr Burke said while Terrorgram operated differently to other terrorist organisations, the group needed to be dealt with harshly. "What they're doing on that group is not just spreading a whole lot of racist forms of bigotry and other forms of bigotry. They then also share how-to guides on how to conduct a terrorist attack, encouraging people to do so," he said. "The fact that it's a different form of terrorism doesn't change one bit ... we need to act on it as seriously as we would if it were a group of people meeting in a room in a terrorist cell."
Perth Now
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Concern for MP safety after online terror group listing
The home affairs minister has expressed concern for the safety of politicians after an online far-right extremist group was linked to a plot to kill a state MP. The extremist group Terrorgram, which was listed as a terror organisation on Friday, was linked to a plot to kill NSW Labor MP Tim Crakanthorp in 2024. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the plot was one of the reasons for the group's formal listing as a terrorist organisation. Australians who join, recruit or fund the network will face prison sentences of up to 25 years. Mr Burke said he was concerned about the potential for attacks against elected officials in the UK and US happening in Australia. "I don't want Australia to become a country where members of parliament can't move around freely and engage with the community. It's good for democracy," he told Sky News on Sunday. "Terrorgram has been shown to be a threat on our shores ... but (there was) as very direct attempted attack on an Australian member of parliament." The federal government says Terrorgram provides instructions to its members online through the chat platform Telegram how to conduct terrorist attacks, and has been responsible for inspiring events in the United States, Europe and Asia. The US branded Terrorgram a terrorist organisation in January. Mr Burke said while Terrorgram operated differently to other terrorist organisations, the group needed to be dealt with harshly. "What they're doing on that group is not just spreading a whole lot of racist forms of bigotry and other forms of bigotry. They then also share how-to guides on how to conduct a terrorist attack, encouraging people to do so," he said. "The fact that it's a different form of terrorism doesn't change one bit ... we need to act on it as seriously as we would if it were a group of people meeting in a room in a terrorist cell."
ABC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Terrorgram linked to alleged plot to kill Labor politician
Violent racist organisation Terrorgram, which has now been formally listed as a terror organisation, has been linked to an alleged plot to kill NSW Labor MP Tim Crakanthorp. It is the first time the terror group has been linked to a plot in Australia. Jordan Patten, 20, was charged last year with a terror offence after police arrested him in Newcastle dressed in a commando suit one block away from Mr Crakanthorp's office. Police allege he had begun plotting to kill the MP that morning and was arrested just hours later carrying a hammer and knives. According to the Home Affairs Department, the alleged attacker said Terrorgram, which operates through encrypted platforms like Telegram, had played a critical role in his radicalisation. After the attack failed, the 19-year-old allegedly uploaded a 205-page manifesto that cited the 2019 Christchurch shooter as inspiration. The department said following the failed attack, Terrorgram members also posted advice and instructions for how prospective future attackers could avoid the same failures and succeed in carrying out "lone-actor" terrorist attacks. "The users explicitly advocated for individuals to carry out more successful attacks through the provision of this advice," the department said. The group has been linked to terror activity in the United States, Europe and Asia but has not previously been officially linked to a terror plot in Australia. The federal government moved to impose financial sanctions on Terrorgram in February, making it illegal to financially support or benefit from the group. Friday's terror listing makes it an offence for anyone to be a member of Terrorgram, associate with its members, recruit for the group or train with or fund the organisation. The offences are punishable with a maximum penalty of 25 years' prison. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told ABC Radio National the listing would not be the final step, acknowledging the constant effort to stamp out terror groups online. "You never stop chasing these characters down, you never stop," he said. "This listing won't be the last thing we have to do against far-right white supremacist groups, there will be more."
The Advertiser
21-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
State Budget 2025: $21.5 million for Stockton beach renourishment
Next week's state budget will include $21.5 million for vital sand renourishment works at Stockton beach as part of the largest beach repair project in the state's history. The funding will help ensure the beach's long-term future and protect the area's Aboriginal heritage and recreational and economic assets. The government has worked with the City of Newcastle to deliver 130,000 cubic metres of sand to nourish Stockton beach to date. The new funding will ensure the government can deliver the next phase of the Stockton beach Repair Blueprint. Actions include finalising environmental approvals, creating and implementing an environmental monitoring plan, securing licences, planning the approach to procurement, and delivering beach nourishment. "I have been fighting for Stockton beach alongside the community since I was first elected as the Member for Newcastle. I secured $21.5 million for mass sand nourishment, and I am so pleased to be delivering on that commitment," Stockton Special Advisory Panel Chairman and Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said. "It's one thing to have a blueprint - it's another to have the funding confirmed in this year's budget and to be moving onto the next steps of getting sand back on the beach." The Newcastle Herald reported in March that public assets at the northern end of the beach were under "immediate threat" due to the impact of relentless coastal erosion. The warning, contained in the draft Extended Stockton Coastal Management Plan, proposed a medium to long-term plan to manage ongoing sand movement between Little beach and the Port Stephens local government boundary. However, the recent storms stripped even more sand from the beach. City of Newcastle brought in heavy machinery on low tide this week to recontour the beach to slow further sand loss. The work involves scraping sand from the lower part of the beach and depositing it close to land to support and accelerate the natural processes of sand accumulation, to increase dune resilience ahead of mass sand nourishment. The government's new investment over five years is in addition to the $6.3 million stage one project administered by the state government and jointly funded by the federal government and the City of Newcastle Council. The government will continue to involve the community and seek their input on the restoration process. The Stockton Special Advisory Panel will continue to provide important stakeholder perspectives. "Locals have fought for action on Stockton beach for years, and now, the Minns Labor Government is delivering," Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said. "We've already seen the first signs of recovery with sand returned to the beach. This next round of funding means we can keep that momentum going, push ahead with planning and approvals, and deliver the long-term solution Stockton needs. "This is about protecting a place that means so much to locals - for lifestyle, for culture, and for the economy." Next week's state budget will include $21.5 million for vital sand renourishment works at Stockton beach as part of the largest beach repair project in the state's history. The funding will help ensure the beach's long-term future and protect the area's Aboriginal heritage and recreational and economic assets. The government has worked with the City of Newcastle to deliver 130,000 cubic metres of sand to nourish Stockton beach to date. The new funding will ensure the government can deliver the next phase of the Stockton beach Repair Blueprint. Actions include finalising environmental approvals, creating and implementing an environmental monitoring plan, securing licences, planning the approach to procurement, and delivering beach nourishment. "I have been fighting for Stockton beach alongside the community since I was first elected as the Member for Newcastle. I secured $21.5 million for mass sand nourishment, and I am so pleased to be delivering on that commitment," Stockton Special Advisory Panel Chairman and Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said. "It's one thing to have a blueprint - it's another to have the funding confirmed in this year's budget and to be moving onto the next steps of getting sand back on the beach." The Newcastle Herald reported in March that public assets at the northern end of the beach were under "immediate threat" due to the impact of relentless coastal erosion. The warning, contained in the draft Extended Stockton Coastal Management Plan, proposed a medium to long-term plan to manage ongoing sand movement between Little beach and the Port Stephens local government boundary. However, the recent storms stripped even more sand from the beach. City of Newcastle brought in heavy machinery on low tide this week to recontour the beach to slow further sand loss. The work involves scraping sand from the lower part of the beach and depositing it close to land to support and accelerate the natural processes of sand accumulation, to increase dune resilience ahead of mass sand nourishment. The government's new investment over five years is in addition to the $6.3 million stage one project administered by the state government and jointly funded by the federal government and the City of Newcastle Council. The government will continue to involve the community and seek their input on the restoration process. The Stockton Special Advisory Panel will continue to provide important stakeholder perspectives. "Locals have fought for action on Stockton beach for years, and now, the Minns Labor Government is delivering," Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said. "We've already seen the first signs of recovery with sand returned to the beach. This next round of funding means we can keep that momentum going, push ahead with planning and approvals, and deliver the long-term solution Stockton needs. "This is about protecting a place that means so much to locals - for lifestyle, for culture, and for the economy." Next week's state budget will include $21.5 million for vital sand renourishment works at Stockton beach as part of the largest beach repair project in the state's history. The funding will help ensure the beach's long-term future and protect the area's Aboriginal heritage and recreational and economic assets. The government has worked with the City of Newcastle to deliver 130,000 cubic metres of sand to nourish Stockton beach to date. The new funding will ensure the government can deliver the next phase of the Stockton beach Repair Blueprint. Actions include finalising environmental approvals, creating and implementing an environmental monitoring plan, securing licences, planning the approach to procurement, and delivering beach nourishment. "I have been fighting for Stockton beach alongside the community since I was first elected as the Member for Newcastle. I secured $21.5 million for mass sand nourishment, and I am so pleased to be delivering on that commitment," Stockton Special Advisory Panel Chairman and Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said. "It's one thing to have a blueprint - it's another to have the funding confirmed in this year's budget and to be moving onto the next steps of getting sand back on the beach." The Newcastle Herald reported in March that public assets at the northern end of the beach were under "immediate threat" due to the impact of relentless coastal erosion. The warning, contained in the draft Extended Stockton Coastal Management Plan, proposed a medium to long-term plan to manage ongoing sand movement between Little beach and the Port Stephens local government boundary. However, the recent storms stripped even more sand from the beach. City of Newcastle brought in heavy machinery on low tide this week to recontour the beach to slow further sand loss. The work involves scraping sand from the lower part of the beach and depositing it close to land to support and accelerate the natural processes of sand accumulation, to increase dune resilience ahead of mass sand nourishment. The government's new investment over five years is in addition to the $6.3 million stage one project administered by the state government and jointly funded by the federal government and the City of Newcastle Council. The government will continue to involve the community and seek their input on the restoration process. The Stockton Special Advisory Panel will continue to provide important stakeholder perspectives. "Locals have fought for action on Stockton beach for years, and now, the Minns Labor Government is delivering," Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said. "We've already seen the first signs of recovery with sand returned to the beach. This next round of funding means we can keep that momentum going, push ahead with planning and approvals, and deliver the long-term solution Stockton needs. "This is about protecting a place that means so much to locals - for lifestyle, for culture, and for the economy." Next week's state budget will include $21.5 million for vital sand renourishment works at Stockton beach as part of the largest beach repair project in the state's history. The funding will help ensure the beach's long-term future and protect the area's Aboriginal heritage and recreational and economic assets. The government has worked with the City of Newcastle to deliver 130,000 cubic metres of sand to nourish Stockton beach to date. The new funding will ensure the government can deliver the next phase of the Stockton beach Repair Blueprint. Actions include finalising environmental approvals, creating and implementing an environmental monitoring plan, securing licences, planning the approach to procurement, and delivering beach nourishment. "I have been fighting for Stockton beach alongside the community since I was first elected as the Member for Newcastle. I secured $21.5 million for mass sand nourishment, and I am so pleased to be delivering on that commitment," Stockton Special Advisory Panel Chairman and Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said. "It's one thing to have a blueprint - it's another to have the funding confirmed in this year's budget and to be moving onto the next steps of getting sand back on the beach." The Newcastle Herald reported in March that public assets at the northern end of the beach were under "immediate threat" due to the impact of relentless coastal erosion. The warning, contained in the draft Extended Stockton Coastal Management Plan, proposed a medium to long-term plan to manage ongoing sand movement between Little beach and the Port Stephens local government boundary. However, the recent storms stripped even more sand from the beach. City of Newcastle brought in heavy machinery on low tide this week to recontour the beach to slow further sand loss. The work involves scraping sand from the lower part of the beach and depositing it close to land to support and accelerate the natural processes of sand accumulation, to increase dune resilience ahead of mass sand nourishment. The government's new investment over five years is in addition to the $6.3 million stage one project administered by the state government and jointly funded by the federal government and the City of Newcastle Council. The government will continue to involve the community and seek their input on the restoration process. The Stockton Special Advisory Panel will continue to provide important stakeholder perspectives. "Locals have fought for action on Stockton beach for years, and now, the Minns Labor Government is delivering," Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said. "We've already seen the first signs of recovery with sand returned to the beach. This next round of funding means we can keep that momentum going, push ahead with planning and approvals, and deliver the long-term solution Stockton needs. "This is about protecting a place that means so much to locals - for lifestyle, for culture, and for the economy."
The Advertiser
20-05-2025
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Lower Hunter councils prepare to mop up expensive storm damage bill
MURKY floodwaters that have inundated the Lower Hunter are expected to leave local councils with a costly repair bill. A Natural Disaster Declaration is yet to be made in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland or Port Stephens, despite days of heavy rainfall creating crater-like potholes and submerging roads across the region. Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp thanked NSW SES and Marine Rescue volunteers for their efforts amid this week's deluge, and said he had been in touch with the NSW Reconstruction Authority. Mr Crakanthorp said the authority had been liaising with councils across the Hunter in light of recent weather events. "Councils have been requested to estimate damages and apply for a natural disaster declaration," he said. "To be eligible for a Natural Disaster Declaration, there must be a coordinated multi-agency response and at least $240,000 worth of damage. "It will be with the City of Newcastle to assess and estimate impacts." A Natural Disaster Declaration gives affected communities access to a range of special assistance measures to help them recover. Measures can include concessional loans or grants for businesses, not-for-profits and sporting organisations, transport subsidies, restoration of essential public assets and counter-disaster operations like protecting individual homes or public assets. The May 2025 NRMA Funding Local Roads report shows City of Newcastle's infrastructure backlog was $6.2 million in 2023/24, one of the lowest among Hunter councils. Over the past seven years, the council has had an average infrastructure backlog of $15.7 million compared with a regional average of $243.5 million. A City of Newcastle spokesman said recent heavy downpours and above-average rainfall continued to affect the road network. "The declaration of a natural disaster is a decision made by the NSW government based on assessments undertaken by relevant emergency and recovery agencies following the storm event," he said. "At this time, City of Newcastle is unaware of a declaration being made for the area. "Should a formal declaration be made, we will ensure residents and local businesses are informed of any available support and funding pathways." The council spokesman said that, in the meantime, the council was focused on maintaining critical infrastructure, helping impacted residents and supporting emergency response agencies where possible. City of Newcastle has already started patching potholes where possible, with a full assessment of the damage to be undertaken when weather conditions improve. The council spokesman said initial indications showed roads across the Newcastle local government area were "holding up reasonably well." The usually tranquil blue waters of Lake Macquarie were a brown and choppy mess on Tuesday due to the continued downpour that's dumped 141 millimetres of rain since Monday. While there have been road closures due to flash flooding, the wind gusts of up to 44 kilometres per hour are proving the most problematic. Lake Macquarie City Council has received 30 tree requests in the past 48 hours. Several dangerous incidents of fallen trees were reported, including on Wangi Road, at Wangi Wangi, on Sunday night, and, on Monday, a tree blocked access to the Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park. Council staff worked with SES volunteers to clear the trees. The council's manager of city works, Matt Brogan, said the clearance of trees would be prioritised for safety. "We expect this number to significantly rise over the coming few days as wind increases and given saturated ground conditions," Mr Brogan said. The continued downpour is also impacting Lake Macquarie's drainage system. Council has received 145 drainage requests for May, almost double the total between January and April. That figure is expected to significantly increase. Mr Brogan said the council's pothole backlog was under control, but he expected the roads to deteriorate. "There will definitely be an increase in potholes over the coming few weeks; at this stage, the roads tend to be holding up OK," he said. "Our roads are in reasonable shape still, but there will definitely be a bit of catch-up soon with potholes and potentially some heavy patches as we go into winter." In Cessnock, formal damage assessments are expected to be undertaken in the coming days to provide a clearer picture of the extent of the damage, as well as the scale and scope of required repairs. A Cessnock City Council spokeswoman said that, if the damage met the criteria for a natural disaster declaration, it would request assistance from the state government for the council, affected residents and repairs and restoration of essential infrastructure. "Cessnock City Council is actively working alongside emergency services and relevant agencies to manage the impacts of recent and ongoing severe weather, including heavy rainfall and localised flooding across our LGA," she said. "As part of our emergency response, council is monitoring road conditions and implementing temporary road closures where necessary to ensure the safety of residents and road users." A Maitland City Council spokeswoman said it was not in a position to respond to questions due to the ongoing weather event. The spokeswoman said the council's focus remained on supporting the community and keeping people safe. Port Stephens Council did not respond before the Herald's deadline. MURKY floodwaters that have inundated the Lower Hunter are expected to leave local councils with a costly repair bill. A Natural Disaster Declaration is yet to be made in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland or Port Stephens, despite days of heavy rainfall creating crater-like potholes and submerging roads across the region. Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp thanked NSW SES and Marine Rescue volunteers for their efforts amid this week's deluge, and said he had been in touch with the NSW Reconstruction Authority. Mr Crakanthorp said the authority had been liaising with councils across the Hunter in light of recent weather events. "Councils have been requested to estimate damages and apply for a natural disaster declaration," he said. "To be eligible for a Natural Disaster Declaration, there must be a coordinated multi-agency response and at least $240,000 worth of damage. "It will be with the City of Newcastle to assess and estimate impacts." A Natural Disaster Declaration gives affected communities access to a range of special assistance measures to help them recover. Measures can include concessional loans or grants for businesses, not-for-profits and sporting organisations, transport subsidies, restoration of essential public assets and counter-disaster operations like protecting individual homes or public assets. The May 2025 NRMA Funding Local Roads report shows City of Newcastle's infrastructure backlog was $6.2 million in 2023/24, one of the lowest among Hunter councils. Over the past seven years, the council has had an average infrastructure backlog of $15.7 million compared with a regional average of $243.5 million. A City of Newcastle spokesman said recent heavy downpours and above-average rainfall continued to affect the road network. "The declaration of a natural disaster is a decision made by the NSW government based on assessments undertaken by relevant emergency and recovery agencies following the storm event," he said. "At this time, City of Newcastle is unaware of a declaration being made for the area. "Should a formal declaration be made, we will ensure residents and local businesses are informed of any available support and funding pathways." The council spokesman said that, in the meantime, the council was focused on maintaining critical infrastructure, helping impacted residents and supporting emergency response agencies where possible. City of Newcastle has already started patching potholes where possible, with a full assessment of the damage to be undertaken when weather conditions improve. The council spokesman said initial indications showed roads across the Newcastle local government area were "holding up reasonably well." The usually tranquil blue waters of Lake Macquarie were a brown and choppy mess on Tuesday due to the continued downpour that's dumped 141 millimetres of rain since Monday. While there have been road closures due to flash flooding, the wind gusts of up to 44 kilometres per hour are proving the most problematic. Lake Macquarie City Council has received 30 tree requests in the past 48 hours. Several dangerous incidents of fallen trees were reported, including on Wangi Road, at Wangi Wangi, on Sunday night, and, on Monday, a tree blocked access to the Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park. Council staff worked with SES volunteers to clear the trees. The council's manager of city works, Matt Brogan, said the clearance of trees would be prioritised for safety. "We expect this number to significantly rise over the coming few days as wind increases and given saturated ground conditions," Mr Brogan said. The continued downpour is also impacting Lake Macquarie's drainage system. Council has received 145 drainage requests for May, almost double the total between January and April. That figure is expected to significantly increase. Mr Brogan said the council's pothole backlog was under control, but he expected the roads to deteriorate. "There will definitely be an increase in potholes over the coming few weeks; at this stage, the roads tend to be holding up OK," he said. "Our roads are in reasonable shape still, but there will definitely be a bit of catch-up soon with potholes and potentially some heavy patches as we go into winter." In Cessnock, formal damage assessments are expected to be undertaken in the coming days to provide a clearer picture of the extent of the damage, as well as the scale and scope of required repairs. A Cessnock City Council spokeswoman said that, if the damage met the criteria for a natural disaster declaration, it would request assistance from the state government for the council, affected residents and repairs and restoration of essential infrastructure. "Cessnock City Council is actively working alongside emergency services and relevant agencies to manage the impacts of recent and ongoing severe weather, including heavy rainfall and localised flooding across our LGA," she said. "As part of our emergency response, council is monitoring road conditions and implementing temporary road closures where necessary to ensure the safety of residents and road users." A Maitland City Council spokeswoman said it was not in a position to respond to questions due to the ongoing weather event. The spokeswoman said the council's focus remained on supporting the community and keeping people safe. Port Stephens Council did not respond before the Herald's deadline. MURKY floodwaters that have inundated the Lower Hunter are expected to leave local councils with a costly repair bill. A Natural Disaster Declaration is yet to be made in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland or Port Stephens, despite days of heavy rainfall creating crater-like potholes and submerging roads across the region. Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp thanked NSW SES and Marine Rescue volunteers for their efforts amid this week's deluge, and said he had been in touch with the NSW Reconstruction Authority. Mr Crakanthorp said the authority had been liaising with councils across the Hunter in light of recent weather events. "Councils have been requested to estimate damages and apply for a natural disaster declaration," he said. "To be eligible for a Natural Disaster Declaration, there must be a coordinated multi-agency response and at least $240,000 worth of damage. "It will be with the City of Newcastle to assess and estimate impacts." A Natural Disaster Declaration gives affected communities access to a range of special assistance measures to help them recover. Measures can include concessional loans or grants for businesses, not-for-profits and sporting organisations, transport subsidies, restoration of essential public assets and counter-disaster operations like protecting individual homes or public assets. The May 2025 NRMA Funding Local Roads report shows City of Newcastle's infrastructure backlog was $6.2 million in 2023/24, one of the lowest among Hunter councils. Over the past seven years, the council has had an average infrastructure backlog of $15.7 million compared with a regional average of $243.5 million. A City of Newcastle spokesman said recent heavy downpours and above-average rainfall continued to affect the road network. "The declaration of a natural disaster is a decision made by the NSW government based on assessments undertaken by relevant emergency and recovery agencies following the storm event," he said. "At this time, City of Newcastle is unaware of a declaration being made for the area. "Should a formal declaration be made, we will ensure residents and local businesses are informed of any available support and funding pathways." The council spokesman said that, in the meantime, the council was focused on maintaining critical infrastructure, helping impacted residents and supporting emergency response agencies where possible. City of Newcastle has already started patching potholes where possible, with a full assessment of the damage to be undertaken when weather conditions improve. The council spokesman said initial indications showed roads across the Newcastle local government area were "holding up reasonably well." The usually tranquil blue waters of Lake Macquarie were a brown and choppy mess on Tuesday due to the continued downpour that's dumped 141 millimetres of rain since Monday. While there have been road closures due to flash flooding, the wind gusts of up to 44 kilometres per hour are proving the most problematic. Lake Macquarie City Council has received 30 tree requests in the past 48 hours. Several dangerous incidents of fallen trees were reported, including on Wangi Road, at Wangi Wangi, on Sunday night, and, on Monday, a tree blocked access to the Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park. Council staff worked with SES volunteers to clear the trees. The council's manager of city works, Matt Brogan, said the clearance of trees would be prioritised for safety. "We expect this number to significantly rise over the coming few days as wind increases and given saturated ground conditions," Mr Brogan said. The continued downpour is also impacting Lake Macquarie's drainage system. Council has received 145 drainage requests for May, almost double the total between January and April. That figure is expected to significantly increase. Mr Brogan said the council's pothole backlog was under control, but he expected the roads to deteriorate. "There will definitely be an increase in potholes over the coming few weeks; at this stage, the roads tend to be holding up OK," he said. "Our roads are in reasonable shape still, but there will definitely be a bit of catch-up soon with potholes and potentially some heavy patches as we go into winter." In Cessnock, formal damage assessments are expected to be undertaken in the coming days to provide a clearer picture of the extent of the damage, as well as the scale and scope of required repairs. A Cessnock City Council spokeswoman said that, if the damage met the criteria for a natural disaster declaration, it would request assistance from the state government for the council, affected residents and repairs and restoration of essential infrastructure. "Cessnock City Council is actively working alongside emergency services and relevant agencies to manage the impacts of recent and ongoing severe weather, including heavy rainfall and localised flooding across our LGA," she said. "As part of our emergency response, council is monitoring road conditions and implementing temporary road closures where necessary to ensure the safety of residents and road users." A Maitland City Council spokeswoman said it was not in a position to respond to questions due to the ongoing weather event. The spokeswoman said the council's focus remained on supporting the community and keeping people safe. Port Stephens Council did not respond before the Herald's deadline. MURKY floodwaters that have inundated the Lower Hunter are expected to leave local councils with a costly repair bill. A Natural Disaster Declaration is yet to be made in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland or Port Stephens, despite days of heavy rainfall creating crater-like potholes and submerging roads across the region. Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp thanked NSW SES and Marine Rescue volunteers for their efforts amid this week's deluge, and said he had been in touch with the NSW Reconstruction Authority. Mr Crakanthorp said the authority had been liaising with councils across the Hunter in light of recent weather events. "Councils have been requested to estimate damages and apply for a natural disaster declaration," he said. "To be eligible for a Natural Disaster Declaration, there must be a coordinated multi-agency response and at least $240,000 worth of damage. "It will be with the City of Newcastle to assess and estimate impacts." A Natural Disaster Declaration gives affected communities access to a range of special assistance measures to help them recover. Measures can include concessional loans or grants for businesses, not-for-profits and sporting organisations, transport subsidies, restoration of essential public assets and counter-disaster operations like protecting individual homes or public assets. The May 2025 NRMA Funding Local Roads report shows City of Newcastle's infrastructure backlog was $6.2 million in 2023/24, one of the lowest among Hunter councils. Over the past seven years, the council has had an average infrastructure backlog of $15.7 million compared with a regional average of $243.5 million. A City of Newcastle spokesman said recent heavy downpours and above-average rainfall continued to affect the road network. "The declaration of a natural disaster is a decision made by the NSW government based on assessments undertaken by relevant emergency and recovery agencies following the storm event," he said. "At this time, City of Newcastle is unaware of a declaration being made for the area. "Should a formal declaration be made, we will ensure residents and local businesses are informed of any available support and funding pathways." The council spokesman said that, in the meantime, the council was focused on maintaining critical infrastructure, helping impacted residents and supporting emergency response agencies where possible. City of Newcastle has already started patching potholes where possible, with a full assessment of the damage to be undertaken when weather conditions improve. The council spokesman said initial indications showed roads across the Newcastle local government area were "holding up reasonably well." The usually tranquil blue waters of Lake Macquarie were a brown and choppy mess on Tuesday due to the continued downpour that's dumped 141 millimetres of rain since Monday. While there have been road closures due to flash flooding, the wind gusts of up to 44 kilometres per hour are proving the most problematic. Lake Macquarie City Council has received 30 tree requests in the past 48 hours. Several dangerous incidents of fallen trees were reported, including on Wangi Road, at Wangi Wangi, on Sunday night, and, on Monday, a tree blocked access to the Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park. Council staff worked with SES volunteers to clear the trees. The council's manager of city works, Matt Brogan, said the clearance of trees would be prioritised for safety. "We expect this number to significantly rise over the coming few days as wind increases and given saturated ground conditions," Mr Brogan said. The continued downpour is also impacting Lake Macquarie's drainage system. Council has received 145 drainage requests for May, almost double the total between January and April. That figure is expected to significantly increase. Mr Brogan said the council's pothole backlog was under control, but he expected the roads to deteriorate. "There will definitely be an increase in potholes over the coming few weeks; at this stage, the roads tend to be holding up OK," he said. "Our roads are in reasonable shape still, but there will definitely be a bit of catch-up soon with potholes and potentially some heavy patches as we go into winter." In Cessnock, formal damage assessments are expected to be undertaken in the coming days to provide a clearer picture of the extent of the damage, as well as the scale and scope of required repairs. A Cessnock City Council spokeswoman said that, if the damage met the criteria for a natural disaster declaration, it would request assistance from the state government for the council, affected residents and repairs and restoration of essential infrastructure. "Cessnock City Council is actively working alongside emergency services and relevant agencies to manage the impacts of recent and ongoing severe weather, including heavy rainfall and localised flooding across our LGA," she said. "As part of our emergency response, council is monitoring road conditions and implementing temporary road closures where necessary to ensure the safety of residents and road users." A Maitland City Council spokeswoman said it was not in a position to respond to questions due to the ongoing weather event. The spokeswoman said the council's focus remained on supporting the community and keeping people safe. Port Stephens Council did not respond before the Herald's deadline.
