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Police are appealing for dashcam footage after a roadworker was seriously involved during a crash on the M1 Motorway at Berowra yesterday.
Emergency services were called shortly after 3am (Wednesday 23 October 2019), after a roadworker was struck in the breakdown lane by a utility, driven between the roadwork safety vehicle and the rock wall.
The 28-year-old roadworker was treated at the scene by paramedics for head injuries before being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a serious condition.
The driver of the utility, a 72-year-old man from Kingsgrove, has also been taken to Royal North Shore for mandatory testing and to be treated for a minor head injury.
Officers from Ku-Ring-Gai Police Area Command attended and established a crime scene; however, inquiries are now been taken over by the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit (MCIU).
As inquiries continue, officers from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit are now appealing for public assistance for anyone who may have been travelling southbound on the M1 between 10pm Tuesday 22 October 2019) and 3am and may have dashcam footage or anyone who may have witnessed the crash to come forward.
Anyone with information or dashcam footage of the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a single-vehicle fatal crash in the Hunter Region overnight.
About 11.40pm (Wednesday 24 October 2019), a vehicle travelling north on M1, near O’Donnelltown Road, Killingworth, Lake Macquarie, left the road and crashed into bushland.
The vehicle caught alight and the driver died at the scene.
A crime scene has been established as inquiries continue.
The driver has not yet been identified.

Police are investigating after two vehicles and a home were set alight in Charlestown overnight.
Sometime between 5.30pm and 8pm yesterday (Wednesday 23 October 2019), police have been told a Hyundai i30 was found on fire at a home on Whitburn Close, Charlestown.
Neighbours and Fire and Rescue NSW assisted in extinguishing the blaze.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were called and attended the scene.
While at this home, police received reports of another vehicle fire on Merran Avenue, Charlestown.
Police have been told a man noticed his vehicle, a Subaru Forester, was on fire and extinguished the blaze.
He then noticed two separate small fires at the sides of the home; all the blazes were extinguished.
Officers from Lake Macquarie PD were called to the scene and commenced an investigation.
Police believe the two incidents are linked.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have CCTV footage or dash cam footage from around these times in the area to contact Belmont Police on 4922 8899 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Lake Macquarie Police District Duty Officer, Chief Inspector David Matthews, said this is a timely reminder for residents to revisit their home security.
“Always try to park vehicles inside a garage where possible, never leave valuables inside your car and in plain sight, and always remember to lock the door before walking away.
“These may seem like simple reminders but they can help you avoid becoming a victim of crime,” Ch Insp Matthews said.

A woman has been charged following a fatal two-car crash at Belmont North earlier this year.
About 7.25am on Monday 13 May 2019, a Ford Falcon was travelling south on the Pacific Highway while a Mitsubishi Colt was travelling north on the same road, when the cars collided in the northbound lane.
The driver of the Mitsubishi, a 50-year-old Belmont North woman, died at the scene.
The driver of the Ford, a 32-year-old woman also from Belmont North, was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment and mandatory testing.
Yesterday (Wednesday 23 October 2019), the 32-year-old woman presented to Newcastle Police Station and was arrested.
She has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death (DUI), dangerous driving occasioning death (drive in a dangerous manner), negligent driving causing death, drive under the influence of a drug, drive with illicit drug present in blood and not keep left of media strip.
She was granted conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 14 November 2019.

A woman has been charged following an investigation into a fatal two-car crash in Lake Macquarie earlier this year.
About 7.25am on Monday 13 May 2019, emergency services were called to the intersection of Avonlea Street and the Pacific Highway, Belmont North, following reports a Mitsubishi Colt and Ford Falcon collided head-on.
The 50-year-old female driver of the Mitsubishi died at the scene and the 32-year-old female driver of the Ford Falcon was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.
Officers from the Crash Investigation Unit commenced an investigation and following inquiries, a 32-year-old woman was arrested at Newcastle Police Station today (Wednesday 23 October 2019).
Police will allege the Ford was travelling southbound when it crossed into the northbound lanes and collided with the Mitsubishi Colt.
The woman was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death (DUI), dangerous driving occasioning death (manner dangerous), negligent driving cause death, driver under the Influence of a drug, drive with illicit drug present in blood and not keep left of median strip.
She was granted conditional bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 14 November 2019

City of Newcastle has returned a sixth consecutive annual operating surplus.
Audited financial statements endorsed by Council tonight show City of Newcastle delivered a budget surplus of $9.4 million for the year 2018/19.
The financial statements also show the City registered operational income of $336.3 million and total operating expenses of $295.9 million.
“City of Newcastle continues on the path of financial sustainability, delivering a sixth consecutive budget surplus,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“This compares favourably to a growing trend of budget deficits in local government and demonstrates that the City has the capacity to respond to rising service expectations and unforeseen events.
“Development and investment activity remain strong in Newcastle, with the total value of building approvals again topping $1 billion in 2018/19.
“Our record $91.6 million capital works program for 2018/19 is contributing to this growth, as we maintain heritage assets while revitalising and re-inventing our city.
“The works program delivered projects including popular playgrounds at Blackbutt’s Richley Reserve and the South Stockton Active Hub, plus upgrades to our local centres at Carrington and Beresfield.
“Meanwhile, tourism and visitation are at record numbers, bolstered by the success of the Newcastle 500 and growth in a wide range of events spanning sport, music, art and culture – many of which are supported by CN sponsorships and grants.
“From landmark infrastructure projects to local centre upgrades and flood mitigation works in Wallsend, we’re improving the amenity, safety and sense of community right across the city.”
CEO Jeremy Bath said the City had met or exceeded all six financial performance ratios set by the NSW Office of Local Government (OLG).
“These benchmarks are a measure of financial sustainability and highlight the robust financial health of the City of Newcastle,” he said.
“The figures show ratepayers can be confident that we will continue to deliver high-quality services and projects in a financially responsible way,” he said.
The OLG manages a website that rate payers can use to track how their Council is faring compared to other local governments https://yourcouncil.nsw.gov.au/council-data/newcastle-1560307491/

Following is a summary of the Ordinary Council Meeting for Tuesday 22 October 2019. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.
Ordinary business 
Adoption of 2018/19 annual financial statements 
Council voted to receive and adopt City of Newcastle’s annual financial statements and accompanying notes for the year ended 30 June 2019.
Tabling of disclosures by designated persons – annual report 
Council resolved to note the annual disclosure of interest by designated persons returns (for the financial year 2018/2019) by the CEO.
Administration of 2020 Council election 
Council resolved to enter an election arrangement with the Electoral Commissioner to administer the 2020 ordinary election of Council.
Supplementary report – exhibition of draft Fern Bay and North Stockton Strategy 
The draft Fern Bay and North Stockton Strategy Implementation Plan and Background Investigations will be placed on public exhibition for 28 days.
Adoption of Community Participation Plan 
Council adopted the Community Participation Plan and will publish it on the NSW eplanning portal by 1 December.
Adoption of Joslin Street Local Centre Public Domain Plan and Traffic Plan 
Council has adopted the Joslin Street Local Centre Public Domain Plan and Traffic Plan.
Acquisition of 8A Albert Street and 161 Railway Street, Wickham 
Council resolved to accept the transfer of 8A Albert Street, Wickham, from Rail Corporation NSW for the purposes of widening it and also 161 Railway Street for use as a public road.
Carrington Greenspace Masterplan public exhibition 
The draft Carrington Greenspace Masterplan will be placed on public exhibition for a period of 60 days.
Executive monthly performance report 
Council received the monthly report.
Greater Newcastle Aerotropolis – Appointment of Council’s representatives 
Council voted to appoint Lord Mayor Councillors Nuatali Nelmes and CEO Jeremy Bath as shareholder representatives to Greater Newcastle Aerotropolis.
Notices of Motion 
National Park Plan of Management 
A Notice of Motion to commence a site-specific Management Plan at National Park through consultation with the community and relevant stakeholders was supported.
Emergency Egress for high rise occupants with a disability  
A Notice of Motion to receive a report on emergency egress from high-rise buildings for occupants and visitors with a disability, including options for amendments planning documents, was supported.
Contracts with value of $1 million or more 
A notice of motion that all contracts greater than $1million that City of Newcastle awards go to a tender process and reported to Council for approval was not supported.
Lord Mayoral Minutes
Three Lord Mayoral Minutes were supported at tonight’s meeting.

Council agreed to prepare detailed Budget submissions for both Commonwealth and NSW Treasurers to consider as a part of their funding allocation, with 14 projects listed including Stockton Coastal Erosion, Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project, expansion of Newcastle Light Rail, flood mitigation at Wallsend and rate rebates for pensioners.

Council will also prepare a submission to the NSW Productivity Commissioner, providing City of Newcastle’s feedback about how the NSW Government can best support continued growth in living standards for all Novocastrians, with specific reference to the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan 2036 noting that an opportunity exists for legislative reform and support that could expedite the implementation of the Plan.

Following the success of the Lord Mayor’s Scholarship for Women, council accepted the proposal from the University of Newcastle to support the expansion of the scholarship program to create the Lord Mayor’s Scholarship, which will be open to all students facing disadvantage.

Inquiries are continuing into a crash which has seriously impacted traffic on the M1 Motorway at Berowra this morning.
Emergency services were called to scene shortly after 3am today (Wednesday 23 October 2019), after a roadworker was struck in the breakdown lane by a utility, driven between the roadwork safety vehicle and the rock wall.
The 28-year-old roadworker was treated at the scene by paramedics for head injuries before being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a serious condition.
The driver of the utility, a 72-year-old man from Kingsgrove, has also been taken to Royal North Shore for mandatory testing and to be treated for a minor head injury.
Officers from Ku-Ring-Gai Police Area Command attended and established a crime scene; however, inquiries are now been taken over by the Crash Investigation Unit (CIU), who are on site.
Advice from the Transport Management Centre are that motorists are advised to avoid the Pacific Motorway with all northbound lanes of the M1 closed and motorists are being diverted onto the Pacific Highway at Windybanks Interchange.
Southbound motorists can now use the M1 to travel south but are doing so on the northbound carriageway. Southbound motorists can also divert onto the Pacific Highway at the Berowra off-ramp.
Traffic is very heavy in both directions, especially southbound.
Motorists should allow plenty of extra time, expect delays, reduce speed and exercise caution.
Anyone needing to travel between the Central Coast and Sydney, including HSC students, should consider catching a Central Coast and Newcastle Line train instead.
For the latest traffic information, visit www.livetraffic.com