A critical incident investigation is underway after a woman died near Newcastle overnight.
Just after 12.30pm yesterday (Thursday 14 September 2023), officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to a unit complex in Mitchell Street, Stockton, following reports a woman was threatening people with an axe.
On arrival, the 47-year-old woman allegedly threatened responding officers with the axe before barricading herself inside a unit.
A police operation commenced, with assistance from specialist tactical officers, including police negotiators, before police were able to gain entry to the property about 9.45pm
Police used a number of tactical options to take the woman into custody including the use of a Taser.
She was then escorted from the scene to an ambulance, however, her condition deteriorated a short time later, and she was taken to John Hunter Hospital, where she later died.
A crime scene was established and a critical incident team from the Homicide Squad will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.
That investigation will be subject to an independent review.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
City of Newcastle is moving ahead with the creation of a new inclusive playspace at Hamilton’s historic Gregson Park, with the contract for construction now open to tender.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the project was identified as a high priority action as part of the adopted Masterplan for the much-loved park.
“We know our community values Gregson Park’s rich history and what it offers as a recreational space,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Extensive community engagement was undertaken in preparing the Gregson Park Masterplan 2021, with feedback into the concept design for a new playspace and upgraded amenities, and consultation with First Nations Australians to appropriately capture Indigenous elements in the design.
“The construction of this playground will be a significant step in delivering our shared vision for Gregson Park, which will ensure it remains a much-loved and well utilised space now and into the future.”
Alongside a variety of traditional play equipment, the playground will feature a range of accessible, sensory and nature-based play options, with traditional Indigenous elements, including a yarning circle to encourage knowledge sharing and a bush tucker garden to enrich learning of native edible plants.
Additional shade, a water feature, formal and informal seating, and footbridges will also feature, complemented by an upgraded, accessible amenities building and new covered picnic area to ensure the park is an inclusive place for all.
Councillor Carol Duncan said it was exciting to see this project move forward, with construction expected to begin early next year.
“Hamilton is a unique, diverse and iconic Newcastle suburb with Gregson Park the green space at its heart,” Cr Duncan said.
“I look forward to seeing work get underway on the reimagined playspace and upgraded amenities, which will enhance the future enjoyment of the park for the next generation.”
Local business owner and Hamilton Business Improvement Association (BIA) Chair Reece Hignell said the new playspace will provide plenty of benefits for the suburb.
“Gregson Park is a popular destination that attracts visitors from Hamilton and the wider Newcastle community,” Mr Hignell said.
“This new playground will provide a drawcard for more families and that will hopefully create increased foot traffic for all of our wonderful businesses in and around Beaumont Street.”
A shared pathway home to one of the largest parkrun events in Australia will be preserved into the future as part of City of Newcastle’s $350,000 investment into the Throsby Creek riverwall.
The project will repair a 200m-long section of the rock riverwall at Wickham, ensuring the ongoing stability of the heavily used pathway that runs adjacent to the western bank of Throsby Creek.
The shared pathway provides a key link in the inner-city cycleway and forms part of the 5km-long Newy parkrun course, which is traversed by more than 400 runners and walkers every Saturday morning.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said these important repairs will ensure the riverwall continues to be an environmental, recreational and visual asset valued by all members of our community.
“Moving across the city with ease is important to the liveability of Newcastle, which is why City of Newcastle is investing in pedestrian safety, enhanced accessibility and linked movement within local neighbourhoods,” Cr Clausen said.
“Repairs to the Throsby Creek riverwall will provide stability to the nearby shared pathway, which has been utilised more than 224,000 times by Newy parkrun participants alongside countless cyclists, walkers and café lovers who live and work in the surrounding Wickham, Maryville and Carrington communities.”
The repair work will involve the recovery and reinstallation of the original igneous pink rocks displaced from the wall into the creek waters over time, supplemented by around 210 tonnes of newly sourced rock, which will be used to repair and stablise the riverwall where it had degraded over time.
The project will also provide formalised pedestrian recreation access to the artificial beach on the southern and northern end of the work area.
Works are being delivered for City of Newcastle by Soil Conservation Services. City of Newcastle has worked with local suppliers to gain access to appropriate rock resources, which have been in short supply, delaying the commencement of permanent restoration works.
The original rock wall was delivered more than 20 years ago by a private developer on behalf of the NSW Government. The reconstructed wall will be built to a higher standard, to reduce the likelihood of future councils needing to undertake further restoration.
Newy parkrun Co Event Director, Penny Redhead said the Throsby Creek loop is a fantastic resource, with one of the best flat scenic routes Newcastle’s inner-city has to offer.
“Over the past 10 years, Newcastle has experienced a running movement. This is highlighted by the continued growth in participation not only at Newy parkrun but across the 13 parkruns in the Greater Hunter Region,” Ms Redhead said.
“The focus of parkrun is getting people of all ages, shapes, and abilities together as a community to move continuously, at their pace, for 5km. With the riverwall repairs, the shared pathway will be safer and more accessible for everyone including parkrun.
“Even on non-parkrun days it’s great to see the volume and variety of people enjoying the path, demonstrating real respect and courtesy amongst all users.”
The project is being delivered as part of City of Newcastle’s citywide creek rehabilitation program, which is designed to improve our blue green grid, through revegetating riparian vegetation, stabilising creek beds, reducing bank erosion, improving water quality, and enhancing amenity for our local communities.
City of Newcastle will invest more than $1.25 million into the program during the 2023/24 financial year, with repairs and rehabilitation projects also planned for the Claremont Reserve creek line at Adamstown, Ironbark Creek at Elermore Vale, Wilai Creek at Elermore Vale, and Dark Creek at North Lambton.
City of Newcastle is moving ahead with the creation of a new inclusive playspace at Hamilton’s historic Gregson Park, with the contract for construction now open to tender.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the project was identified as a high priority action as part of the adopted Masterplan for the much-loved park.
“We know our community values Gregson Park’s rich history and what it offers as a recreational space,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Extensive community engagement was undertaken in preparing the Gregson Park Masterplan 2021, with feedback into the concept design for a new playspace and upgraded amenities, and consultation with First Nations Australians to appropriately capture Indigenous elements in the design.
“The construction of this playground will be a significant step in delivering our shared vision for Gregson Park, which will ensure it remains a much-loved and well utilised space now and into the future.”
Alongside a variety of traditional play equipment, the playground will feature a range of accessible, sensory and nature-based play options, with traditional Indigenous elements, including a yarning circle to encourage knowledge sharing and a bush tucker garden to enrich learning of native edible plants.
Additional shade, a water feature, formal and informal seating, and footbridges will also feature, complemented by an upgraded, accessible amenities building and new covered picnic area to ensure the park is an inclusive place for all.
Councillor Carol Duncan said it was exciting to see this project move forward, with construction expected to begin early next year.
“Hamilton is a unique, diverse and iconic Newcastle suburb with Gregson Park the green space at its heart,” Cr Duncan said.
“I look forward to seeing work get underway on the reimagined playspace and upgraded amenities, which will enhance the future enjoyment of the park for the next generation.”
Local business owner and Hamilton Business Improvement Association (BIA) Chair Reece Hignell said the new playspace will provide plenty of benefits for the suburb.
“Gregson Park is a popular destination that attracts visitors from Hamilton and the wider Newcastle community,” Mr Hignell said.
“This new playground will provide a drawcard for more families and that will hopefully create increased foot traffic for all of our wonderful businesses in and around Beaumont Street.”
An award-winning initiative designed by City of Newcastle (CN) that is slashing development application (DA) processing times could be rolled out across the state.
CN’s innovative Accelerated Development Application pathway fast tracked more than 15 per cent of the city’s $1.5 billion development pipeline during the 2022/23 financial year, helping to reduce the number of undetermined DAs by 35 per cent since 2017.
In the month of July, more than a third of all applications determined by CN were fast tracked through the Accelerated DA pathway with an average processing time of just seven days, reducing CN’s overall processing times by 20 per cent to an average of 33 days.
Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said CN’s industry-leading Accelerated DA pathway is attracting widespread attention.
“Newcastle’s Accelerated DA pathway continues to reduce waiting times for residents and builders,” Cr Clausen said.
“We are seeing low-risk developments such as demolition, signage, and smaller ancillary development, processed in just seven days, which is a remarkable achievement.
“By streamlining lower risk development, staff time can be focused on more complex and challenging proposals.”
“Newcastle is being recognised amongst residents and builders for its streamlined development assessment pathway which further positions our city as an attractive place to build.”
CN’s Planning and Environment Executive Director Michelle Bisson celebrated the team’s significant achievements.
“CN’s Planning and Environment team should be congratulated for their commitment to improving the planning process and enhancing the customer experience, while ensuring a merit-based assessment that doesn’t compromise urban design excellence,” Ms Bisson said.
“The Accelerated DA pathway has significantly changed the way DAs are managed for the city, by enabling residents and businesses to actualise their development goals sooner and support developers to progress their projects to provide desperately needed housing for our growing population.
“We look forward to making further improvements to the process which will lead to even more positive outcomes for the community.”
Junior cricketers in Stockton will have a better chance of one day wearing a baggy green cap thanks to a $10,000 boost from City of Newcastle (CN).
The funding will upgrade the two cricket grounds at Ballast Park, with new artificial turf wickets providing a better playing experience for Stockton Junior Cricket Club players, as well as visiting teams.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle is committed to upgrading sporting facilities across the community for the benefit of all.
“Novocastrians love their sport, which is why City of Newcastle is committed to enhancing our sporting facilities to benefit our local teams and participants,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Providing this grant funding to local clubs will help to further enhance the facilities they use on a weekly basis and deliver major infrastructure upgrades as part of our annual capital works program, which in the past year has seen more than $6.3 million invested into sporting projects.
“We’re proud to work closely with our sporting clubs to ensure our community has continued access to high quality sporting and leisure opportunities now and into the future.”
Nine projects have been supported through CN’s 2023/24 Recreation Facilities Grants including upgrades to storage facilities for cricket and outrigger canoe clubs, new grandstands for the New Lambton Eagles at Alder Park, as well as creating the region’s first 18-hole disc golf course at Beresfield.
Future funding opportunities was just one of the topics discussed with sporting groups last night as part of CN’s second Sports Summit at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Representatives from all sporting codes that utilise CN’s outdoor facilities were invited to take part in the summit, which was designed to enhance collaborative relationships between CN and the local sporting community.
Chair of CN’s Sports Infrastructure Working Party, Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz, said the initiative is already having an impact, gaining positive feedback following the 2022 Summit.
“We recognise the importance of engaging in clear and transparent communication with local sporting organisations and the community on the planning and management of our sporting facilities and services,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.
“The Sports Summit aligns perfectly with City of Newcastle’s Strategic Sports Plan, which aims to build better relationships with the sporting community and has been well received by local sporting groups and associations, with more than 100 representatives from 50 local clubs taking part this year.
“With regular changes to representatives on sporting committees, our Sports Summit provided a valuable opportunity to discuss everything from ground allocations, fees and charges to updates on current and upcoming project works and City of Newcastle’s policy on CCTV.”
City of Newcastle has commenced work at Foreshore Park to prepare for the future construction of Newcastle’s largest children’s playground.
The Livvi’s Place inclusive regional playground and waterplay area form the centrepiece of City of Newcastle’s Harbour Foreshore Masterplan, which is designed to create new connections between the city and the harbour’s edge around Foreshore Park and along the Joy Cummings Promenade.
The Harbour Foreshore Masterplan will be delivered in stages, with early works to prepare the playground site, including upgrading and consolidating irrigation and electrical infrastructure to continue over coming months.
Detailed designs are being developed for the fully-fenced accessible playground in consultation with Touched by Olivia.
The playground will have a distinctly Newcastle character and pay tribute to the city’s Aboriginal heritage. The area will also have a waterplay area unique to Newcastle, accessible amenities including a changing places room, and a kiosk which will service both the playground and the wider Foreshore Park.
The project, in conjunction with the broader Harbour Foreshore Masterplan, will help realise the full potential of one of Newcastle’s premier open areas, creating a drawcard destination for locals and visitors to enjoy.
Extensive tree planting and landscaping will be carried out as part of the broader masterplan throughout the precinct to significantly increase shade canopy and create greener public spaces.
The project is supported by the State Government, Variety the Childrens Charity and the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund.
Students, teachers and schools from Newcastle and Lake Macquarie have been acknowledged for their outstanding achievements, resilience and contribution to public education at the 2023 NSW Minister’s and Secretary’s Awards for Excellence.
Last night’s awards at Sydney Town Hall celebrated the best of public schooling, outstanding achievement of individuals and breakthrough school initiatives centred around literacy, numeracy, science, student wellbeing and community partnerships.
The 10 winners from the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie area are:
Amanda Pleash – Heaton Public School – MINISTER’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
Jovana Markelic – Lambton High School – MINISTER’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Ryan Robinson – Lambton High School – MINISTER’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Kotara School – SECRETARY’S AWARD FOR AN OUTSTANDING SCHOOL INITIATIVE – Quality Teaching Round Special Education
Samuel Bloomfield – Merewether High School – MINISTER’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Noah Brown – Warners Bay High School – MINISTER’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Dakota Kellar Bridgart – Warners Bay High School – MINISTER’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Ashlee Dawson – West Wallsend High School – MINISTER’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Ryan Wood – West Wallsend High School – MINISTER’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT –
Whitebridge High School – SECRETARY’S AWARD FOR AN OUTSTANDING SCHOOL INITIATIVE – VET Student Pathways for the Future
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said she was delighted to highlight the incredible achievements of the public system’s outstanding students and teachers.
“These awards are a great opportunity to call out the fabulous educators, who every day are making a difference in the lives of children, and the inspiring students demonstrating academic, cultural, sporting and leadership excellence.”
The winners were selected in the following categories:
Minister’s Award for Excellence in Student Achievement
Minister’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
Secretary’s Award for Excellent Service
Secretary’s Award for an Outstanding School Initiative
Secretary’s School Achievement Award
Public School Parent of the Year.
Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said the awards were a great opportunity to recognise outstanding initiatives and staff that were driving improvements across public schools.
He said the number of regional schools showcased in the awards highlighted the Education Department’s commitment to equity of opportunity no matter where students lived.
Mr Dizdar also acknowledged the role parents played in supporting public schools and public school students.
“The awards also recognise 12 parents, guardians and caregivers who perform invaluable support roles and who contribute significantly to their local NSW public school community; contributions that are deeply appreciated.”
Public Education Foundation chief executive officer David Riordan said public education was the cornerstone of the future of NSW.
“I am so proud to be recognising excellence, not just in the performances and the personal stories but also in the achievements of students, teachers, and school staff from across NSW.”
The Harbour Foreshore Masterplan will be delivered in stages, with early works to prepare the playground site, including upgrading and consolidating irrigation and electrical infrastructure to continue over coming months.