Police Excavation Continues at Newcastle Golf Course as Bones Unearthed
Police are continuing their excavation at a Newcastle golf course where bones were recently discovered, with an anthropologist and representatives from an Aboriginal land council now assisting in the investigation. The bones were unearthed during construction work for a major retirement village development at the site.
Discovery and Initial Response
Police were first called to Newcastle Golf Club at Fern Bay around 12:30pm on Friday, January 23, 2026, following reports that bones had been located during excavation work for an ongoing building development. Officers established a crime scene at the location and seized the discovered bones for further examination.
The site has remained closed to the public since the initial discovery as police continue to process the scene. According to sources familiar with the investigation, police are examining potential links between the unearthed materials and nearby Aboriginal middens.
Expert Assistance Called In
An anthropologist and representatives from the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council have been brought in to assist police with their investigation. Middens are archaeological sites where Aboriginal people historically feasted on fish, shellfish, birds, and animals, leaving behind evidence of their activities.
Excavators returned to the site this week as police inquiries continue. The ongoing investigation seeks to determine the origin and significance of the discovered bones within the context of the area's historical and cultural landscape.
Development Context and Potential Impacts
The bones were discovered during construction work for the $108 million, 172-home retirement village being developed by Principle Living. The private golf club's members initially voted in 2016 to investigate redevelopment proposals to strengthen the club's financial position.
In 2020, members voted to proceed with the Principle Living project. The club successfully subdivided the golf course in 2021 to accommodate the seniors village and received development approval in May 2025. It remains unclear whether this latest discovery will cause delays to the substantial development project.
Police have not released further details about the nature of the bones or their potential age, but the involvement of anthropological experts suggests the investigation is considering both contemporary forensic concerns and historical archaeological significance.
