ABC Central Coast

20/12/2025

TOTAL FIRE BAN 🚫 Sunday, Dec 21
📍Central Coast, Lake Macquarie
🔥 An extreme fire danger rating has been declared for today. This means NO fires in the open air.
ℹ️ https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fdr-and-tobans
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​👉 Check warnings for your location at ab.co/Emergency

15/12/2025

It's tempting to look away when we see distressing news coverage or content on social media.

Research shows indirect exposure to traumatic events can trigger mental health problems or difficulties in personal relationships, particularly for children, so a balance must be found between engaging with the news and managing anxiety.

If you or anyone you know needs help:
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
Su***de Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
Headspace on 1800 650 890
ReachOut at au.reachout.com

14/12/2025

: 16 people, including a child, have now died as a result of yesterday's deadly attack on a Jewish event at Bondi Beach in Sydney, NSW health minister Ryan Park confirms. Follow live for updates.

Sixteen people are dead, including one of the two alleged gunmen, and at least 38 are in hospital, including four children.

13/12/2025

Gordon Plath thought he was one of the lucky ones when he escaped a bushfire that swept through Koolewong on the New South Wales Central Coast last weekend — but then he found himself in a stand-off with his insurer.

12/12/2025

ℹ️ The Bureau of Meteorology says storms are no longer occurring in this area. This post will not be updated ℹ️

📍Newcastle, Gosford, Cessnock, Maitland, Wallsend and Toronto.
​​
ℹ️ ​​ABC Emergency: ab.co/ABC-NSW
⚬ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Bureau of Meteorology: ab.co/BOMNSW
⚬ SES: www.hazardwatch.gov.au/

11/12/2025

The New South Wales road toll is on the rise.

Now, families who've lost loved ones are calling for tougher penalties and urging us all to slow down.

For support, reach out to the Road Trauma Support Group on 1800 808 384.
Lifeline is also available 24/7 on 13 11 14.

Renee Ernst's world fell apart when her husband Troy was killed in a crash on his way home from work. She says consequences for dangerous driving need to be harsher.

09/12/2025

🌈 OUR HEYWIRE WINNER 🌈
Growing up on the Central Coast, Erika always felt isolated.

In her Heywire-winning story, the 17-year-old describes the racism she experienced, its impact and how meeting her best friend, Sahara, changed everything.

When Sahara died in year 9, Erika started an anti-racism club called The Bridge Project, in honour of her friend.

"In our meetings, we talk about identity, hair, food, language," she said.

"It's a space where everyone is welcome to learn about identity and culture."

Erika's story is one of the 35 being shared by the 2026 ABC Heywire winners.

Announced today, the winners share compelling stories that reflect their real-world efforts to tackle local challenges, build stronger communities and inspire others through their lived experiences.

09/12/2025

National Parks and Wildlife Service has confirmed the identity of the 59-year-old firefighter, who died in bushfires north of Newcastle on the weekend.

John Lohan, 59, was assisting with bushfire prevention work at Nerong on Sunday night when the incident occurred.

He worked out of the Lake Munmorah depot for three decades.

Mr Lohan's family has asked for privacy as they come to terms with their loss.

Choose your news on the ABC NEWS app and stay in the know: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

NPWS firefighter John Lohan died after being crushed by a tree during bushfire prevention work on the NSW Mid North Coast.

09/12/2025

🏅GOLD FOR THE CENTRAL COAST🏅
Narara's Matt Graham has won gold in the moguls at the FIS World Cup event in Ruka, Finland.

The 31-year-old is preparing for next year's Winter Olympics in February.

Fellow Aussie Jakara Anthony also took gold in the women's moguls.

Congratulations Matt and Jakara!

Olympic medallists Jakara Anthony and Matt Graham start their FIS World Cup seasons with a bang, claiming double gold in Ruka just two months out from the Milano-Cortina Games.

08/12/2025

❤Koolewong locals say "nothing could have prepared them" for the scale and intensity of Saturday's devastating fire.😔🔥

You can read more here👇

Residents on the NSW coast are coming to terms with property loss after bushfires swept through the region on Saturday.

08/12/2025

Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has joined One Nation after leaving the Nationals in the final sitting week of parliament.

The announcement ends weeks of speculation after leaving the National party over a breakdown in relationship with leader David Littleproud.

In a statement, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says Joyce will continue representing his electorate of New England until the next election.

Follow the ABC politics blog here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-08/cph-pols-blog-dec-8/106113524

Choose your news on the ABC NEWS app and stay in the know: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

06/12/2025

🔥 SPECIAL PROGRAM: Koolewong bushfire recovery information with Scott Levi.

ℹ️ Listen to ABC Central Coast 92.5FM or abc.net.au/listen/live/centralcoast from 10 am Sunday.

📷 Smoke rising from the Koolewong bushfire on Saturday 6 December 2025. Supplied: NSW RFS.