Category: Newcastle News

A $5 million project to reduce the risk of flooding on a major Newcastle roadway has been completed by City of Newcastle.

The work will significantly decrease the likelihood of University Drive at Waratah West flooding due to heavy rain by improving the flow of water through Boatman Creek.

The low section of this busy road, which is a major thoroughfare to the Mater Hospital and University of Newcastle, was notorious for flooding during major wet weather events, causing road closures and damage to nearby properties. In 2020, ten people were rescued by the SES after a bus entered floodwaters at this location.

A 100-year-old brick arch culvert that was restricting the capacity of Boatman Creek and posing a blockage risk has now been replaced with a new sandstone channel. The upstream creek has also been rehabilitated to maximise flow capacity and channel durability.

A new cycleway pedestrian bridge located above the stormwater channel was also constructed as part of the project to maintain access for students and the community.

While the new upgrades won’t entirely flood-proof the area, the project will mean less disruption to traffic on this important road by reducing flooding frequency.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle is continuing to invest in projects across the city that deliver modern infrastructure to help mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events.

“We are committed to delivering largescale stormwater infrastructure upgrades that ensure the safety of community and property now and into the future,” Cr Nelmes said.

“By replacing the culvert, upgrading the channel in Boatman Creek, and moving water away from people and properties, this work will reduce the impacts of flooding on lives, homes and businesses.”

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said that the upgrade will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those living and working in the area.

“The construction of a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists over the embankment has also ensured the project maintains access to the University for students and continues to be an important link in our city’s wider cycleway network,” Cr Clausen said.

A man is due in Newcastle court today charged with 45 offences after allegedly exposing himself to school children.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District established Strike Force Fitzwater to investigate multiple reports of a man exposing his genitals to children in the Merewether and Cooks Hill area.

As part of inquiries, detectives were patrolling the Cooks Hill area yesterday (Friday 6 October 2023), when they followed a vehicle to Robey Street, Merewether, and arrested the 65-year-old driver.

The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he has now been charged with 45 offences,

Intentionally do sexual act towards child between 10 to 16 years (21 counts)
Stalk person intent to cause physical or mental harm (22 counts)
Intentionally sexually touch child 10 years or older and under 16 years, and
Carry out sexual act with another without consent.
He has been refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 7 October 2023).

A number of items have been seized for further examination from both the vehicle and a home in the Newcastle area.

A Hunter man, 28, has been sentenced to a maximum of five years imprisonment in the Newcastle District Court for a range of child abuse material offences.

The investigation began after the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a report from the United States’ National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about a user uploading child abuse material to several online platforms.

AFP investigators linked the Hunter region man, then 26, to the illegal activity.

A search warrant was executed at the man’s home near Raymond Terrance in August 2022, with AFP investigators seizing a mobile phone and laptop that contained child abuse material. 

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Stuart Millen warned that watching, downloading or purchasing child abuse material was not a victimless crime.

“The charges demonstrated the AFP’s commitment to investigate and charge offenders believed to be involved in child exploitation and sexual abuse,” Det A/Supt Millen added.

“Children are not commodities to be used for the abhorrent gratification of sexual predators, and our investigators will continue to be relentless in their pursuit of anyone sharing or accessing child abuse material.

“Anyone who views this material is committing a crime.”

The man pleaded guilty to:

• One count of using a carriage service to procure child under 16 years of age, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
• One count of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
• Two counts of using a carriage service to cause child abuse material to be transmitted to self, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
• One count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
• One count of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth).

He was sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Newcastle District Court yesterday (4 October, 2023), with a non-parole period of three years.

The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation is driving a collaborative national approach to combatting child abuse.

The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.

Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE at www.accce.gov.au/report. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.

If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available at www.accce.gov.au/support.

Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at www.thinkuknow.org.au, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.

For more information on the role of the ACCCE, what is online child sexual exploitation and how to report it visit www.accce.gov.au.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a girl missing from the Muswellbrook area.

Emily Garton, aged 15, was last seen at a home on Wollombi Road, Muswellbrook, about 8.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 3 October 2023).

When she could not be located or contacted, officers from Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced inquiries to locate her.

Police hold serious concerns for her welfare due to her age.

Emily is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm tall, of a solid build, with brown hair and brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing a pink crop top, blue denim jeans, and black and red joggers.

Emily is known to utilise public transport and is known to frequent the Rutherford and Maitland areas.

Anyone who has seen Emily or has information of her whereabouts is urged to call police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are appealing for public assistance as they continue to investigate a break-in and robbery near Newcastle.

About 4am yesterday (Sunday 1 October 2023), police have been told two men broke into a home in Gosford Road, Broadmeadow, before they threatened the male occupant with a knife.

The two men stole a handbag and car keys before fleeing the property in a white Holden Barina.

No one was physically injured.

About 5.40am yesterday, a 31-year-old man was driving in a Toyota Corolla sedan on Mitchell Street, Merewether, when a Holden Barina pulled up next to his vehicle and two men inside threatened him with a knife.

Police have been told the two men tried to steal his car before driving away in the Holden Barina.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced investigations into both incidents, which are believed to be linked.

As inquiries continue, police wish to speak with two men who may be able to assist with the investigation.

The two men are described as both being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance. One of the men is further described as being aged in his late teens to early 20s and was last seen wearing dark-coloured clothing. The second man has been described as wearing light-coloured clothing.

The Newcastle Knights are once again the toast of the town after beating the Gold Coast Titans 24 points to 18 in the grand final in Sydney this afternoon to claim their second-straight NRLW premiership.

To help celebrate their historic achievement City of Newcastle (CN) will host a civic reception for the 28-player squad and coaching staff at City Hall on Tuesday, October 3.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Knights’ women have become incredible ambassadors for Newcastle.

“This team has achieved so much in such a short space of time and it’s important we acknowledge their continued success,” Cr Nelmes said.

“A lot of the players are born and bred Novocastrians and wonderful role models, showing our local women and girls they can achieve their dreams close to home, even in a sport traditionally dominated by men.”

One of those locals is captain Hannah Southwell, who missed out on the 2022 grand final victory over the Parramatta Eels because of injury.

She returned to play a pivotal role in the 2023 NRLW season, where the Knights won the minor premiership for the first time, before capping off the campaign by claiming back-to-back titles.

The civic reception will be held at City Hall from 4:30pm and is free and open for the public to attend to help celebrate back-to-back titles.

Following the official proceedings, fans will have the chance to meet their heroes as part of an autograph signing session.

CN was a foundation sponsor of the Knights women’s team during their historic debut season in the 2021 National Rugby League Telstra Women’s Premiership.

Hundreds of Knights fans lined King Street outside City Hall last year to celebrate the Newcastle Knights’ historic 2022 NRLW Premiership win. At that time, the team was also presented with a Key to the City by the Lord Mayor.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the Hunter Valley region.

Alexander Moore, aged 22, was last seen at Rothbury about 8.30pm on Sunday 24 September 2023.

When he could not be located or contacted, officers from Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced inquiries to locate him.

Police and family hold concerns for Alexander’s welfare as he has a number of medical conditions.

Alexander is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 165cm tall, with a slim build, blond hair, green eyes, and is bearded. It’s not known what he was wearing when he left the premises.

Alexander may be driving a 2012-model silver Holden Commodore with NSW registration, CV14LA.

Anyone who has seen Alexander since 24 September, or has information of his whereabouts or has any further information is urged to contact Cessnock Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Anyone with information about this 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 information via NSW Police social media pages.

First Nations culture will take centre stage this weekend as City of Newcastle’s 10-day New Annual festival wraps up with a host of free events.

Museum Park will be filled with the sights and sounds of the Awabakal people as part of Ngiarrenbumba Burrai (Our Country), featuring a program of dance, native food and language workshops and special performances.

The same location will tonight play host to This Land, a free musical showcase of nationally renowned and local First Nations artists presented in partnership with the University of Newcastle, headlined by Kamilaroi-Samoan R&B sensation, Becca Hatch.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the last weekend of New Annual offers great value for families.

“Around 50 percent of performances and activities at this year’s New Annual festival are free or under $25,” Cr Nelmes said.

“This weekend’s amazing events taking place across the city, also include live music and workshops, the exhibition by internationally renowned South Sudanese photographer Atong Atem, as well as the popular Chalk the Walk 3D art trail across the streets of Newcastle.

“Global Gathering at Museum Park on Saturday is a celebration of diverse traditions, food, art forms, and cultural expressions by people from all over the world who now call Newcastle home.”

Wheeler Place will host Shaun Parker’s Found Objects across the weekend, an epic outdoor, family dance theatre work utilising everyday objects. Following each performance there will be a 20-minute workshop giving the audience the opportunity to connect with the performers.

On Saturday, 20 artists will turn Wheeler Place into an urban canvas as part of the Easel’d Live Paint Jam.

Museum Park will also be taken over by up to 70 local drummers, who will feature in Dancenorth’s epic production, NOISE, with shows tonight and tomorrow.

Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said New Annual gives Novocastrians an important platform to showcase their talent.

“Half of the New Annual program is local, including singers, actors, dancers, artists and playwrights,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.

“It’s so exciting to see local talent on the bill alongside world-renowned arts and cultural practitioners from across Australia.

“Following a few tough years, the festival offers a vital economic boost for Newcastle’s recovering creative arts and live music sectors that were heavily impacted by COVID-19.”

Visit www.newannual.com for more details about the full program.

Police are appealing for public assistance as investigations continue after a man was seriously injured in Newcastle today.

Emergency services were called to a fast-food restaurant in King Street, just after 3.20am (Thursday 28 September 2023), when a man suffering serious burns to his body sought help.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District are investigating reports of a 23-year-old man being assaulted and set on fire.

The man was taken to John Hunter Hospital before he was transferred to Royal North Shore Hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

Police established a crime scene and investigations are underway into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

As inquiries continue, investigators are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with dashcam vision in the area at the time to come forward.

Bodhi Nancarrow, aged 16, was last seen at Maitland Railway Station about 8pm on Sunday (24 September 2023).

When he could not be located or contacted, officers from the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were later notified and commenced inquiries to locate him.

Police and family hold concerns for Bodhi due to his age.

Bodhi is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall, of a medium build, has a short black hair, and a left nose piercing.

He was last seen wearing a brown jumper with the ‘Make Memories’ writing, black shorts with ‘MM’ writing, black and white sneakers, and was carrying a black backpack.

Anyone who sees Bodhi or has information of his whereabouts, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.