Category: Newcastle News

A motorcyclist has died following a crash in the Hunter Valley this morning.

About 7.15am today (Monday 8 March 2021), emergency services were called to the Old New England Highway at Liddell following reports a motorcycle had left the road and rolled down an embankment.

Upon arrival, the rider – believed to be a man aged in his 40s – was located deceased; he is yet to be formally identified.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District have established a crime scene and have commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Police have arrested and charged a man on outstanding warrants with serious domestic violence-related offences and firearms offences in the Hunter Region today.

About 5.30am today (Sunday 7 March 2021), officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to Truscott Street, Raymond Terrace, after reports a man was attempting to gain access to a home.

Following inquiries, the officers established the 29-year-old man was wanted on four outstanding arrest warrants for offences relating to domestic violence and firearms offences, and a revocation of parole.

By the time police arrived at the scene, the man had gained access to the home. A 26-year-old woman, who is the occupant of the property and known to the man, was also inside.

Upon seeing police, the man attempted to flee the home through a roof cavity and was stopped by officers. He was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.

The 29-year-old was charged with;

• Stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic)

• Contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic)

• Agg B&E & commit serious indictable offence-people there

• Destroy or damage property

• Take & drive conveyance w/o consent of owner (x 2)

• Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period

• Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not m/v)

He was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court tomorrow (Monday 8 March 2021).

City of Newcastle is moving forward with projects to help mitigate flooding in Wallsend with tenders called to upgrade stormwater infrastructure at Cowper Street, including the installation of a channel bypass adjacent to the existing bridge which will help water flow more easily through Ironbark Creek.

In addition to improving the flow of stormwater, the upgrade will improve the amenity of this section of channel leading into Wallsend Park, with the upgraded creek to be widened, realigned and flanked by sandstone to renew the existing concrete walled channel.

The planned improvements at Cowper Street follow a call for tender in February for the demolition of a vacant building adjacent to the Nelson Street bridge, acquired by the City in 2018 to facilitate the future widening of the Hunter Water Corporation owned Ironbark Creek stormwater channel.

Widening the Hunter Water channel and replacing the Tyrrell Street, Nelson Street and Boscawen Street bridges are key elements of the Ironbark Creek Flood Mitigation Plan.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said these projects are important priorities for the Wallsend community.

“We are committed to delivering both the Ironbark Creek Flood Mitigation Plan and our program of traffic improvements and amenity upgrades to the Wallsend town centre, which will support businesses and residents.”

“By upgrading this section of underground storm water system with larger drains, we hope to see a reduction in damaging flash flooding in the centre of Wallsend.”

The upgrade of the Cowper Street Bridge culvert is a critical first step before the City can proceed with upgrades to the nearby intersection of Cowper and Kokera Street, replacing the roundabout with traffic signals.

Further traffic improvements in Wallsend are planned under the Wallsend Local Centres Program, with detailed design for the upgrade of existing traffic signals at the intersection of Cowper Street and Nelson Street set to commence later in 2021, with blackspot funding from Transport for NSW.

A new Tyrrell Street Bridge was opened in April last year following the City’s $3.3 million replacement of the original 1930 built structure.

Detailed design of the replacement and raising of the Nelson and Boscawen Street bridges is also scheduled to commence later in 2021.

The tender for the upgrade of the Cowper Street culvert is available via https://www.tenderlink.com/newcastle/

A man will face court today after allegedly threatening police with a knife as they responded to a noise complaint in the state’s Hunter Region last night.

Shortly before 11pm (Friday 5 March 2021), officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to a home on Cambridge Avenue, Lemon Tree Passage following complaints of loud music.

Officers spoke to the female occupant of the premises and left the scene only to return thirty minutes later for another complaint of noise. The occupant again turned the music down and officers left.

On receiving the third call to the home, officers issued the occupant with a formal direction to cease the noise. On leaving, police will allege they heard a 24-year-old man threatening the occupant.

The man walked out into the front yard of the home towards police, allegedly armed with a knife.

Officers called on the man to drop the weapon, however, he failed to comply. A taster was deployed, and the man was arrested.

He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with two counts of intimidation, and being armed with intent.

He was refused bail and will appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 6 March 2021).

Police will address the media this morning after two men were stabbed near Cessnock overnight.

About 1.50am (Friday 5 March 2021), emergency services were called to a home on Shalistan Street, Cliftleigh, about 20km north-east of Cessnock, following reports two men were fighting and had been stabbed.

On arrival, police found a 23-year-old man with stab wounds to the chest and head. He was treated at the scene before being taken to John Hunter Hospital. He remains in a stable condition.

Police were then told a second man left the scene prior to their arrival.

A short time later, police were notified when the 27-year-old man attended Maitland Hospital suffering stab wounds to the chest and neck. He was later taken to John Hunter Hospital where he is reported to be in a critical condition.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A motorcyclist has died following a two-vehicle crash in Lake Macquarie this morning.

About 11.40am today (Friday 5 March 2021), emergency services were called to the intersection of Mitchell Road and Ranton Street, Cardiff, following reports a motorcycle travelling north and a truck travelling south had collided.

The motorcyclist, a man believed to be aged in his 70s, was ejected before being trapped underneath a stationary vehicle until the arrival of emergency services; where he was pronounced deceased.

The 46-year-old male truck driver and the female driver of the vehicle were uninjured and taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory testing.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have dashcam footage is urged to come forward.

Media are invited to Raymond Terrace Police Station tomorrow (Friday 5 March 2021), as the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District dedicates its multi-purpose training room facilities in honour of Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson.

Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson from the Port Stephens Local Area Command was killed when the police car he was driving crashed into a tree on Lovedale Road, Allandale, around 11.50pm five years ago tomorrow (Saturday 5 March 2016).

At the time, Sergeant Richardson had been driving to assist colleagues who were engaged in a pursuit. He was the only person in the car at the time of the crash.

On the fifth anniversary of his passing, Sergeant Richardson will be remembered by his final command, with the station’s multi-purpose training room at Raymond Terrace Police Station being dedicated in his name.

With over 30 events and activities across the city, City of Newcastle’s Count Us In Newcastle festival, is a celebration of Newcastle’s inclusiveness and accessibility.

The month-long festival, delivered in partnership with local businesses and community groups, highlights the city’s disability inclusive community. A suite of curated events and activities in the festival program include a Goal Ball day facilitated by former Australian Paralympians, immersive art and dance experiences, as well as activations focused on education and awareness exploring topics such as discrimination in the workplace.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Count Us In is all about highlighting and celebrating the benefits of disability inclusion for the whole community.

“City of Newcastle prides itself on helping to make our city a more liveable and inclusive community for all people who live, visit and work here, by increasing social inclusion and community connections,” said Cr Nelmes.

“Count Us In is just one way we’re striving towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society. We want to be known as a disability confident city.

“The festival effectively and respectfully links people with disabilities to the broader community and breaks down the barriers to inclusion.”

A not-to-be-missed event will be the Stand Up Speak Up community mural painting event at 194 Maitland Road Islington, to be held on 13 and 14 March and delivered by Community Disability Alliance Hunter.

Community Disability Alliance Hunter executive director Andrew Vodic says the mural will empower those in our community living with a disability and create community conversation.

“The mural symbolises our experiences as people living with a disability in our community promoting inclusion,” Mr Vodic said.

“Pop by on 14 March to learn more about the meaning behind the mural and join in a community conversation around disability inclusion.”

Diversity is reflected in the broad range of activities on offer in the festival program, which have been curated to establish Newcastle as an inclusive community for people living with a disability, their families, carers and friends.

Newcastle Councillor Matthew Byrne and Chair of City of Newcastle’s Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee, said the festival is for everyone and encouraged Novocastrians to come and join in the many events and activities on offer throughout March.

“The broader community is encouraged to join in the festival, as inclusion is everyone’s business and the entire community benefits when we celebrate all our abilities,” Cr Byrne said.

“Thank you to all our partners and members of the community who were part of the previous program and we look forward to delivering another exciting festival program throughout the entire month of March.”

Count Us in Newcastle will be held from 4 to 31 March 2021. For a full program of events and activities, visit City of Newcastle’s website.

Police are investigating after a suspicious fire at a building in Kurri Kurri overnight.

About 8.15pm (Wednesday 3 March 2021), emergency services were called to an abandoned building on Lang Street, Kurri Kurri, following reports the structure was well alight.

Crews from Fire and Rescue New South Wales attended and extinguished the blaze about two hours later.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended and established a crime scene, which has been held overnight.

An investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire.

Anyone with information or who may have seen or heard anything in the near vicinity between 7.30pm and 8.30pm last night is urged to come forward.

 

Two people have been arrested and another remains outstanding following a police operation in Kotara this morning.

About 3.50am today (Wednesday 3 March 2021), officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to a home on Park Avenue, Kotara, following reports a 24-year-old woman had been held against her will.

Police have been told two women – aged 24 and 30 – and two men – aged 29 and 36 – were inside the home before the younger woman managed to escape and contact police.

The two men and woman then threatened an 88-year-old male resident, who was asleep at the time.

A perimeter was established, and specialist units were deployed to assist in the operation – including police negotiators and the dog unit.

The 88-year-old man was able to leave the home and was taken into police care about 5.50am; he was uninjured.

A 36-year-old man fled the home on foot a short time later, before he was arrested near Howell Street.

He was taken to Waratah Police Station.

A 30-year-old woman was also arrested at the property a short time later.

She was taken to Newcastle Police Station.

Both the man and woman are assisting police with their inquiries.

A 29-year-old man escaped the home and remains outstanding; officers attached to Newcastle City PD, Northern Region Operational Support Group (Op Utah) and other police resources are conducting extensive inquiries to locate the man.

An investigation into the circumstances leading up to and during the incident is now underway, including allegations the younger woman had been held against her will in the days prior to today’s incident.