Severe heatwave, high fire danger hits Hunter Region
The Hunter Region faces a severe heatwave with soaring temperatures and extreme fire danger. Stay informed with live updates on weather, safety alerts, and local news from Newcastle Herald.
The Hunter Region faces a severe heatwave with soaring temperatures and extreme fire danger. Stay informed with live updates on weather, safety alerts, and local news from Newcastle Herald.
Shocking data reveals only 52% of Hunter New England adults saw a dentist last year. Experts warn preventable dental diseases are worsening due to systemic gaps and underfunding. Read more.
A visionary plan to repurpose disused Upper Hunter mining pits into interconnected lakes gains momentum, promising water security, tourism, and jobs. Read about the innovative solution.
As a severe heatwave looms, we revisit the Hunter's 1939 furnace that killed scores, halted work, and left a tragic mark on local records. Discover the history to understand the present.
A cancer ward at Newcastle's Calvary Mater Hospital was kept open for over a year with dangerous mould, prompting calls for an independent public inquiry. Read the full investigation.
NSW Health inspectors have seized illicit goods worth millions in a six-month operation, closing multiple stores. Experts warn of rising crime linked to the black market.
Leading Australian athletes are demanding a Royal Commission into the organisation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Bondi, citing major governance and safety concerns. Read the full story.
The Bureau of Meteorology issues a severe thunderstorm warning for the Hunter region, with damaging winds, hail, and heavy rain expected. This comes ahead of the first major heatwave of 2026, with temperatures forecast to soar above 30°C in Newcastle and
A jack-up barge has positioned itself off Nine Mile Beach, signalling the start of complex offshore works for the Belmont Desalination Plant. The project will secure the Lower Hunter's water future.
Thousands celebrated New Year's Eve on Newcastle's Foreshore as families and revellers shared hopes for travel and adventure in 2026. NSW Police ran a major operation amid health warnings about dangerous drugs.
Hunter SES crews faced their busiest year ever, responding to over 5000 incidents and 10,000 volunteer hours in 2025's severe storms and floods. Read about their heroic efforts.
A look at the Hunter region's clean energy transition in 2026: battery storage surges, coal lingers, and offshore wind faces delays. Discover the key projects shaping NSW's power future.
From a fatal beach shooting to devastating floods and a major health initiative, revisit the stories that defined the Hunter region in 2025. Read the full year in review.
A petition with over 8,000 signatures calls for urgent reform of the Queensland Health Travel Scheme, citing unfair costs for regional and rural health workers. Advocates demand change.
Daria Kasatkina is set to make her Australian Open debut as an Australian after a mental health break. Friends Storm Hunter and Daria Saville back her to thrive with local support. Download the 7NEWS app.
State projections reveal the Hunter Region is set to grow by over 184,500 people in two decades, nearing a million residents. Local leaders warn housing and infrastructure must keep pace.
A man in his 60s was flown to John Hunter Hospital with chest and back injuries after a glider crash near Ravensworth. Emergency services, including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, responded to the incident.
A rollercoaster year for Hunter sport gets its own awards. From the Knights' wooden spoon to the Jets' Cup win and Kalyn Ponga's bizarre endorsement, we recap the highs, lows and wacky moments of 2025.
As the Hunter Region looks towards 2050, three critical issues—coal mining's legacy, unchecked urban sprawl, and lagging education—will define its future success. Explore the cumulative impacts.
A NSW Rural Fire Service volunteer was hospitalised after a stick lodged near his eye while fighting the Hollydeen blaze. He has since been released after surgery.
Six Hunter region stores have been forced to close for 90 days after being caught selling illegal tobacco and vapes. NSW Health's new powers lead to statewide blitz, seizing millions in contraband.
Upper Hunter farmers celebrate as the critical Coulsons Creek Road reopens just before Christmas, ending a costly five-year detour. The $60 million project fixes a botched council upgrade.
Construction on the $600m Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone begins early 2026, creating nearly 600 jobs and connecting 1.8GW of clean power. Read about the region's energy future.
A mutant H3N2 flu strain is driving higher-than-normal infections this summer. Experts urge vaccination and caution at holiday gatherings to curb the spread. Read the latest health warning.
A Newcastle man, left in a wheelchair after a drug-fuelled crash, reveals how Narcotics Anonymous saved his life. His story of recovery offers hope amid rising local drug deaths.
Construction on the $4 billion Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone will begin early 2026, creating nearly 600 jobs and connecting 1.8GW of clean power. Read more about this major NSW project.
Newcastle's vibrant theatre community celebrated a record-breaking 47th CONDA Awards, with Opera Hunter's 'Sweeney Todd' and local talents taking top honours. Discover all the winners.
A jack-up barge has positioned itself off Nine Mile Beach, signalling the start of complex offshore works for the Belmont Desalination Plant. The project will secure the Lower Hunter's water future.
A former UOW executive manager has reported the university to the NSW corruption watchdog, citing an 'accountability deficit' and concerns over conflicts of interest. Read the full details.
Cairns Hospital's surgical capacity is under immense strain. A new surgical centre is urgently needed to serve the growing Far North Queensland population. Read why this is a critical priority.