The first metro railway tunnel to be built deep under Sydney Harbour has been completed in an historic milestone for public transport in Sydney.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Transport Andrew Constance today walked to the deepest point of the tunnel 40 metres below the harbour floor, meeting workers who built it.
“This is an engineering feat of historic proportions for our great city which will forever change how we get around Sydney,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Today we have made history walking deep beneath Sydney Harbour for the first time, inside one of two metro railway tunnels to be built as part of this mega project.”
Tunnel boring machine (TBM) Kathleen is digging twin railway tunnels under Sydney Harbour as part of Sydney Metro – Australia’s biggest public transport project.
The machine was pulled apart and its giant 90-tonne cutter head and front sections were barged back across Sydney Harbour where it is being reassembled to start digging the second tunnel.
The specialised TBM is named after Kathleen Butler, who played a vital role in the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, as technical adviser to engineer John Bradfield.
“It is incredible that Kathleen has already finished her first tunnel and we are able to walk through this crucial piece of infrastructure deep under the harbour,” Mr Constance said.
Metro trains will start running through the tunnels in 2024 extending the North West Metro into the city and beyond to Bankstown
Sydney Metro will have the ultimate capacity of a train every two minutes in each direction under the Sydney CBD and will be able to move more people across the harbour in the busiest hour of the peak than the Harbour Bridge and Harbour Tunnel combined.
Author: admin
CENTRAL SYDNEY CBD SET TO THRIVE
More office space, good design and high-quality public places are the cornerstone of plans to supercharge growth and investment in Sydney’s CBD.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes today announced the NSW Government’s in-principle support of the City of Sydney’s Central Sydney Planning Strategy.
Mr Stokes said the Strategy will guide Central Sydney’s commercial, residential and recreational future and will enable more jobs and growth while protecting the city’s iconic heritage and public spaces.
“Sydney CBD is Australia’s economic gateway to the world, generating nearly $110 billion each year. This strategy means we will deliver nearly three million square metres of new office space to ensure Sydney remains the commercial hub of the nation,” Mr Stokes said.
“The NSW Government has been working with City of Sydney Council to get the plan moving and provide much-needed certainty to industry that Sydney is open for business.”
Following negotiations between the City of Sydney Council and the NSW Government, three amendments to the Central Sydney Planning Strategy have been agreed to in-principle:
- Allow for up to 50% more floor space for development in the four tower cluster areas (near Barangaroo, Circular Quay, Central and Town Hall) that demonstrate design excellence;
- Encourage more office space in the CBD by removing the residential accommodation bonus instead of implementing a proposed 50% cap on residential accommodation; and
- Prepare a new development contributions plan to help fund the delivery of new public infrastructure to ensure the city retains its valued public and green spaces.
The in-principle agreement allows for the Council to prepare the changes to the draft Strategy and planning proposal, and place both on exhibition early in the new year.
City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the 20-year plan is the most comprehensive urban planning strategy for Central Sydney in 45 years.
“If we want Sydney to maintain its status as a global city and economic powerhouse, it’s vital that we balance the need for commercial floor space with residential development in the city centre,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
“Central Sydney’s residents, workers and visitors are best served by collaboration between the City and the State Government. This plan strikes a balance between fostering new businesses and growth while protecting and enhancing the great public spaces that make our city unique.”
Two men charged with Grievous Bodily Harm – Merewether
Two men have been charged with Grievous Bodily Harm after an incident in the Newcastle area earlier in the year.
Just after 11.50pm on Saturday 2 February 2019, a 31-year-old man and his friends were in Jefferson Park, Merewether when a group of males, who had been at a function at a licensed premise across the road, approached them.
Two men within the group became aggressive and a physical altercation occurred.
The 31-year-old man was kicked in the head – sustaining a broken jaw.
Following extensive investigations, officers from Newcastle City Police Area Command identified two men who they will allege assaulted man.
About 7pm on Wednesday 27 November 2019, a 24-year-old Wangi Wangi man was arrested and charged with common assault, offensive behaviour and grievous bodily harm including malicious wounding. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 19 December 2019.
About 7pm on Sunday 8 December 2019, a second man was arrested. The 23-year-old man from Toronto was charged with larceny, common assault, affray and recklessly cause grievous bodily harm. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 16 January 2020
Driver dies in head-on crash – Raymond Terrace
Crash investigators remain at the scene of a fatal crash in the state’s Hunter Region today.
About 11am (Sunday 8 December 2019), a head-on crash occurred between a Toyota Corolla and a Holden Astra on Richardson Road, near Benjamin Lee Drive, Raymond Terrace.
The driver of the Holden Astra died at the scene. Two female passengers were taken to John Hunter Hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.
The female driver of the Corolla was also taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory tests.
Officers from Port Stephens – Hunter Police District established a crime scene that will be examined by officers from the Crash Investigation Unit.
Anyone who may have dash-cam vision of the crash is urged to contact police at Raymond Terrace Police Station, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Man in court over firearm and weapons offences – Edgeworth
A man has been charged with firearms and weapons offences after seizing an explosive device from a property in the Lake Macquarie region.
Just after midnight yesterday (Saturday 7 December 2019), officers from Newcastle City Police District attended a property in Edgeworth, following reports a firearm with an expired licence was being stored at the location.
Police spoke with the occupant, a 35-year-old man, who surrendered the firearm, and conducted a safe storage inspection at the property.
During the search, officers allegedly located a gun safe that was not properly secured. They also located ammunition, cannabis, and an improvised explosive device (IED).
The Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit attended and rendered the IED safe.
The 35-year-old man was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station.
He was charged with eight offences, including:
- two counts of possess or use prohibited weapon without permit,
- manufacture military-style weapon without a permit,
- manufacture firearm without a licence or permit,
- possess unauthorised prohibited firearm,
- possess or use military-style weapon without permit,
- not keep firearm safely, and
- possess prohibited drug.
The man was refused bail and appeared at Newcastle Local Court today (Sunday 8 December 2019), where he was formally refused bail to appear before the same court tomorrow (Monday 9 December 2019).
Man charged over fatal fail to stop crash – Maitland
A man has been charged after a pedestrian was killed in an alleged fail to stop crash at Maitland last month.
About 11.30pm on Saturday 30 November 2019, emergency services were called to Flat Road, near the intersection of Paterson Road, Bolwarra, following reports of a crash.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and found a male pedestrian who had been struck by a vehicle.
The 62-year-old man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, where he died of his injuries.
The vehicle allegedly left the crash scene and was last seen travelling south on Paterson Road.
A short time later, police responding to the collision saw a Mazda BT50 utility travelling south on Belmore Road at Lorn.
Officers from the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver allegedly failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated.
The low-speed pursuit through local streets ended on High Street after the vehicle mounted the footpath.
The 70-year-old driver underwent a roadside breath test, allegedly returning a positive reading.
He was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station where a subsequent breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.108.
The man was charged with drive with middle range PCA and police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly.
Following further investigations, a 70-year-old man attended Ryde Police Station where he was arrested.
He was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death – DUI, dangerous driving occasioning death – manner dangerous, negligent driving cause death, fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death (Crimes Act) and fail to stop and assist after impact causing death (Road Transport Act).
He was refused bail and is due to appear before Burwood Local Court on Monday 9 December 2019.
Man to face court over alleged strangulation and kidnap of woman – Singleton
A man has been charged with domestic violence-related offences after allegedly strangling and assaulting a woman until she became unconscious in Singleton.
About 5pm on Monday 18 November 2019, a 29-year-old man allegedly threatened and strangled a 25-year-old woman until she was rendered unconscious at a toilet block in Bridgeman Road, Singleton.
It will also be alleged the man then forcibly placed the woman inside his car, assaulted her and threatened her with a hammer before driving to a nearby fast food restaurant.
The woman then jumped out of the moving vehicle and alerted the restaurant’s staff, who, in turn, contacted police.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and commenced an investigation.
Following extensive inquiries, police attached to the Northern Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team arrested a 29-year-old man in Hunter Street, Newcastle, just after 7am today (Saturday 7 December 2019).
He was taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with 10 offences, including:
- three counts of possess prohibited drug,
- unlicensed rider for class,
- choke person with intent to commit indictable offence,
- two counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear of physical harm (DV),
- assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV),
- intentionally choke person without consent (DV), and
- kidnap with intent to commit serious indictable offence occasioning actual bodily harm (DV).
Police will allege in court that the two were known to each other.
The man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Sunday 8 December 2019).
Man in court after starting fire – Lake Macquarie
A man will appear in court today charged with intentionally causing a fire and other offences in the Lake Macquarie area.
About 8.15am yesterday (Friday 6 December 2029), a white Ford Falcon Utility was allegedly stolen from Freemans Drive, Freemans Waterhole.
Shortly after 10am, police were alerted to a vehicle, alleged to be the stolen Ford, being driven in a dangerous manner along Renshaw Drive towards Buchanan, north-west of Newcastle.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle and observed another car that had allegedly been hit by the Ford on Buchanan Road, however, the driver had failed to stop.
Shortly after, about 10.15am, police located the Ford well alight on a property on Buchanan Road, Buchanan.
Officers attached to the Rural Fire Service attended and extinguished the fire in the vehicle, as well as a small grass fire that had started only metres from bushland.
A 32-year-old man was arrested nearby and was taken to Maitland Hospital for assessment and treatment to injuries to his legs.
Upon release from hospital, the man was taken to Cessnock police station and charged with enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, not give particulars to other driver, damage property by fire, intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread and steal motor vehicle.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 7 December 2019).
Police investigate attempted armed robbery – Singleton
Police are investigating an attempted armed robbery at Singleton early this morning.
About 4am today (Thursday 5 December 2019), a 32-year-old male employee was inside a newsagency on John Street, Singleton, when two men entered through the rear door armed with a tomahawk and an iron bar.
The men demanded cash before the 32-year-old became involved in a struggle with the pair and forced them out the door.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended a short time later and established a crime scene.
The man was taken to Singleton Hospital for treatment to minor cuts and grazes to his arms and forehead.
Investigations into the incident are continuing.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have noticed any suspicious behaviour in the area at that time or who may have CCTV or dashcam vision to contact Singleton Police on 6578 7499 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Man charged after allegedly lighting fire – Telarah
A man will appear in court today charged with allegedly lighting a grass fire in the Hunter yesterday.
About 9.20pm on Thursday 5 December 2019, police will allege a 40-year-old man was on Elizabeth Street, Telarah, when he allegedly poured accelerant on a vacant block of land and ignited it.
The fire quickly spread towards nearby rail lines, before neighbours and a passing motorist managed to extinguish most of the blaze.
About 10 minutes later, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District and NSW Fire and Rescue arrived at the scene and spoke with the 40-year-old.
He was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread.
He was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Friday 6 December 2019).