Category: Newcastle News

The Upper Hunter’s newest racing facility will be unveiled with an historic TAB meeting on Sunday afternoon at Muswellbrook.

Following a $3 million redevelopment of the facility, the Muswellbrook Greyhound Track will host a Grand Opening family day to celebrate the club’s first ever TAB race meeting.

“It’s a very exciting time not only for our racing participants in the region – which is a heartland of our sport in NSW – but for the community in and around Muswellbrook,” Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) Chief Executive Officer Rob Macaulay said.

“What greyhound racing does within local communities, is that it supports livelihoods of participants and but there are also flow on benefits throughout the towns.

“We estimate the facility will bring an additional $20 million into the Muswellbrook economy, and 20 additional jobs.

“The local community will see an influx into the economy from those coming to race,  and, as part of a new GRNSW policy initiated last year, local suppliers were the preferred supplies for work, and will continue to be.”

GRNSW purchased the track from the Greyhound Breeders, Owners & Trainers Association in 2021 with the aim of rebuilding the facility. The last race meeting staged at Muswellbrook was an 11-race, Non-TAB card on August 1, 2021.

As the case is with all GRNSW track upgrades, the focus of the rebuild at Muswellbrook  has been firmly on safety.

“The reason why we are investing in these tracks around the State is to bring all of our racetracks up to the safest standard for our greyhounds, and we have done exactly that here at Muswellbrook,” Mr Macaulay said.

“The safety and welfare of our animal is paramount.”

Among the work conducted at the track has been a full refurbishment with the remediation and re-profiling of the track and the turf surface, the installation of a new safety rail, safety padding on the turns and in the catching pen, and a Safechase lure system.

The kennels have new insulation and air conditioning installed, new starting boxes and new synthetic mats at the boxes are in place, and a new swabbing bay and stewards’ room have been built.

“We are very, very proud of the new facility at Muswellbrook, it looks spectacular, and to celebrate the Grand Opening, we are inviting everyone from around the region to come along and be part of what will be a memorable day,” Mr Macaulay said.

“There will be lots of free activities for all the family, including a jumping castle, face painting, sausage sizzle, fairy floss, kids’ zone, and local band Hurricane Fall will be performing, and it will all be free.”

Local participants have shown their support for the new facility with a large number of nominations ensuring a 12-race card has been scheduled.

The completion of the upgrade at Muswellbrook will offer participants another state-of-the-art venue in the region to race at, along with The Gardens in Newcastle and the Maitland track.

A man will face court today charged over an alleged stabbing at a train station near Newcastle.

Emergency services were called to Broadmeadow Railway Station about 10.15am yesterday (Friday 14 April 2023), after reports a 28-year-old man had suffered a stab wound to his abdomen.

He was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

A 25-year-old man was taken to Mater Hospital under police guard.

A crime scene was established by officers from Newcastle City Police District, who commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The 25-year-old man was discharged from hospital late yesterday before he was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station.

He was charged with wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty, and possess prohibited drug.

The Bar Beach man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 15 April 2023).

A police officer has been charged over alleged sexual related offences.

In December 2022, an investigation commenced into reports of an alleged sexual offence involving a 17-year-old girl.

Following inquiries, a 27-year-old man was arrested yesterday (Thursday 6 April 2023) and taken to Singleton Police Station.

The probationary constable – attached to a command in the Northern Region – was charged with incite other to do a sexual act with them without consent and behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school.

He was granted conditional bail to appear before Singleton Local Court on Thursday 11 May 2023.

The officer’s employment status is currently under review.

City of Newcastle held three events at Fort Scratchley during the Newcastle 500, which is in line with what was done during the 2019 Newcastle 500.

Approximately 200 City of Newcastle employees and their guest attended an event on the Friday of the race weekend after being selected via an internal ballot. General Admission tickets were provided at no cost to City of Newcastle and our staff. Those attending were required to take a day of annual leave in order to attend. All costs (including food and drink) were paid for by the staff who attended.

Approximately 300 business and community leaders attended an event on the Saturday of the race weekend at Fort Scratchley, which also featured a fundraising event for domestic violence charities Got Your Back Sista and Nova for Women and Children. Just over $40,000 was raised for the two charities. Again, General Admission tickets to the event were provided at no cost to City of Newcastle.

An event held on the Sunday of the race weekend was a public event with more than 300 people purchasing tickets, with income from the event ensuring not only were all costs associated with using Fort Scratchley across the weekend covered but that a profit of $10,805.99 was made.

A comprehensive review has outlined a strategic path for the City to enhance and protect Newcastle’s five public swimming pools for the community over the next 20 years.

The ‘Inland Pools Strategy 2043’ sets out an investment plan for Newcastle’s network of public swimming pools to ensure they are fit for purpose in the long term, while noting more than $5 million has been spent upgrading and $2 million maintaining our public pools over the past five years.

The draft Strategy proposes the creation of an Inland Pools Reserve Fund to ensure that funding is set aside annually to enhance the City’s five public pools over the next 20 years. The investigation has also found that the condition of the public pools will enable them to continue to operate without replacement until at least 2043.

From next week, CN will seek feedback from the community and key stakeholders, including a newly formed Inland Pools Community Network, that sought nominations from members of the public who regularly use Newcastle’s five publicly owned pools.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the draft Strategy considered current and future user needs, along with the existing conditions of the pools, to guide future investment.

“City of Newcastle’s public swimming pools attract more than 300,000 visitors every year. Independent research shows public satisfaction with our pools is more than 80%, making them just as popular as the Newcastle Art Gallery and Museum,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The draft Inland Pools Strategy 2043 shows how our network of five swimming centres service the community in their own unique way and sets a strategic direction for each, including upgrading Wallsend Swimming Centre as our population in the western suburbs increases.

“We’re now encouraging the community to have their say on the draft Strategy to help us shape how City of Newcastle protects and invests in its five public pools over the next 20 years.”

The draft Strategy was top of the agenda last night amongst the Inland Pools Community Network, a newly formed group of passionate community representatives.

Representatives for Lambton, Wallsend, Mayfield, Stockton and Beresfield swimming centres in addition to a school representative and accessibility advocate were selected via an expressions of interest process to make up the Network.

Cr Nelmes said each community representative is an active member of a local swimming centre and will help share information, provide feedback and advocate on behalf of pool users.

“City of Newcastle looks forward to working together with the Inland Pools Community Network as we invest in these community facilities and ensure they are accessible to everyone,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We look forward to hearing what each community representative brings to the table to help us plan for the future of our city’s much-loved inland pool network.”

Colin Irvine spends most days at Lambton Swimming Centre and said he is committed to actively contributing to the way the facilities are managed.

“These days I coach both swimming and water polo at Lambton Pool and am there most days. I can see the challenges faced by those running swimming pools from many perspectives,” Mr Irvine said.

“I have been a swimmer all my life and have spent a lot of time at Lambton Pool. In my younger years I was an elite level competitive swimmer and water polo player. As an athlete, a parent, a coach, a business owner, and as a frequent user, I have an appreciation for the challenges faced by local and state authorities in balancing competing community needs with scarce resources.”

Consultation will open on the draft Inland Pools Strategy 2043 following the Easter holidays.

Beresfield netballers and pickleballers have been given a boost ahead of the new season with upgraded training facilities delivered as part of a $65,000 project to create a new multisport space for the community.

The revitalised community space has been upgraded with a dual netball and basketball court alongside a previously unused tennis court, which has been re-purposed to include facilities for Newcastle’s first pickleball court.

City of Newcastle completed the transformation of the Allendale Street facility in collaboration with the Beresfield and District Netball Club, which secured a $50,000 grant from the NSW Government with support from the State Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said local projects such as the upgrade to the Beresfield netball court offer important opportunities for the community to engage in active and healthy lifestyles.

“We are pleased to have worked with the Beresfield and District Netball Club to deliver this innovative multisport community space ahead of the upcoming netball season and in time for the school holidays,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The project has also created Newcastle’s first pickleball court, giving residents a place to try their hand at this inclusive, low-impact sport, which is now one of the fastest growing sports in the United States.

“This upgraded multisport facility will provide a great place for kids and adults to catch up with friends and enjoy some friendly competition.

“City of Newcastle is committed to enhancing our sporting and recreational facilities across the local government area, with plans to invest almost $20 million into new and improved parks, playgrounds, sporting and aquatic facilities as part of a record capital works program in our 2023/24 Budget.”

The upgrade of the Beresfield netball courts was designed to provide safer, high performance court surfaces for the local netballers as training for the upcoming season begins.

The project involved court surface repairs, top coating and a new anti-slip surface on the netball court, where the installation of reversible towers with both basketball and netball hoops and dual line marking extended the potential use of the space. New tennis netting on the adjacent court and line marking for both tennis and pickleball completed the multiuse upgrade of the facility.

Beresfield and District Netball Club Committee Members worked with City of Newcastle to come up with a plan for the multisport upgrade, making it a community facility that would be embraced by current and future players.

“Beresfield Netball Club are very pleased with the outcome of this project. We are beyond grateful to all involved for delivering important sporting facilities that will without a doubt drive our local community teams ahead of the new season,” Beresfield and District Netball Club Secretary Leanne Blackie said.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from Lake Macquarie.

Mark Walker, aged 45, was last seen leaving a hospital on Croudace Bay Road, Belmont, about 3am yesterday (Tuesday 4 April 2023).

When he could not be located, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police Area Command were notified. A search was conducted of the area with the assistance of SES, Surf Life Saving, Fire and Rescue and Polair.

Police and family have concerns for his welfare.

Mark is described as being of Caucasian appearance, olive complexion, about 170 – 175cm tall, of medium build, with black hair, black beard and moustache.

He was last seen wearing dark grey track pants, dark jumper, white joggers.

Mark is believed to be in the Green Point Reserve.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to contact Lake Macquarie 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.

The next stage of consultation has commenced to gain feedback on the future of the Newcastle 500.

Consultancy firm KPMG held the first of four stakeholder workshops today as part of a comprehensive consultation strategy developed on behalf of City of Newcastle to capture views on the event from across the community.

Industry representatives took part in today’s in-depth focus group, which has been held to understand the perceived benefits and challenges presented by the Newcastle 500.

Additionally, in-depth workshops are being held with local residents on Tuesday and Wednesday, alongside a meeting with local small to medium businesses.

The stakeholder consultation follows an extensive online survey, which launched in February and remained open throughout the delivery of the Newcastle 500, attracting more than 10,000 responses before it closed on 31 March.

During this time, KPMG also conducted a statistically significant phone survey to Newcastle residents, while in-person surveys held around the event precinct during the race period were carried out to provide insight into attendees’ behaviours including visitation to local businesses.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle was committed to capturing views from across the community on the future of the Newcastle 500.

“The community have now experienced the Newcastle 500 four times, we are committed to an open and transparent process of consultation to help inform any future decisions on this event,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We’re committed to undertaking a robust, open process of consultation through consultants KPMG, who are using a range of online, in-person and telephone surveys before, during and after the race period to gather feedback from a wide a range of people.

“This feedback will allow councillors to better understand the community’s views on issues around liveability, economic benefit or challenges, perceptions of the event and its impact on the visitor economy.”

Should Supercars Australia and Destination NSW first agree to an extension, City of Newcastle’s elected Council will vote on whether Newcastle continues as host city. A report on the feedback and insights from the community consultation will help inform the Council’s decision about any potential extension of the Newcastle 500.

City of Newcastle (CN) is appealing for information about the removal of more than 35 items of aluminium street furniture from a CN storage facility.

The picnic tables and chairs were being stored at a Shortland site after being temporarily removed from Foreshore Park and the surrounding precinct for the duration of the Newcastle 500.

Work crews were due to collect and re-install the street furniture in their original locations around Newcastle Beach, Nobbys Beach and Foreshore Park last week as part of the Newcastle 500 bump-out.

The apparent theft of the items, which would have required several truckloads to remove, has been reported to Police, and CN is working closely with them to identify those responsible.

CN will work towards replacing the furniture as soon as possible, however it is incredibly disappointing that this theft will come at a cost to the community.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of the aluminium furniture or their removal should contact Crime Stoppers on 131-444.

Patients in the Hunter region are a step closer to getting better after hours health care, with an agreement reached with the local Primary Health Network (PHN).

The Albanese Government is providing approximately $5.5 million per annum over four years to the Hunter New England Central Coast PHN to commission Hunter Primary Care to restore after hours services at four GP Access clinics and reopen the Calvary Mater Clinic.

The Former Liberal Government failed to fund the GP Access services, forcing the GP Access clinic at the Calvary Mater Hospital to close permanently and four other clinics to significantly reduce their hours from Christmas Eve 2021.

Delivering on an election commitment, the funding means people in the region will find it easier to see a GP or nurse after hours and reduce pressure on local emergency departments.

With funding for the services due to lapse on 1 July, the agreement also gives certainty to patients and healthcare professionals.

GP Access clinics offer face to face and telehealth primary care services outside business hours. These services are bulk billed to anyone with a Medicare card, and delivered by GPs and Registered Nurses.

The funding will allow the clinics at Belmont Hospital, John Hunter Hospital, Maitland Hospital and Toronto Polyclinic to restore their operational hours, which had been reduced on weekends, public holidays and nights. It will also enable a fifth clinic in Newcastle to be reopened in May 2023, using space at the Calvary Mater Hospital.

GP Access After Hours clinics are open when most general practices are closed, including weeknights (from 6pm), weekends (Saturday from 1pm, Sunday from 9am), and public holidays (24 hours).

Minister Butler said:

“After the Liberals cut the funding to GP Access After Hours the Albanese Government moved quickly to restore and expand after hours health care for people who live across the Hunter.

“It means people of all ages, families and children can get top quality care from GPs and nurses outside of standard business hours.

“Services are free and all patients need is their Medicare card.

“The benefits are many – patients get ready access to care after hours and the demand on local emergency departments is reduced.”

Minister Conroy said:

“The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitments to Lake Macquarie by restoring this unique and vital service.

“Restoring these hours will take pressure off our overcrowded emergency departments during their busiest times.”

“There are very few people in our region who have not used the services of the GP Access After Hours.”

Sharon Claydon MP said:

“The Albanese Labor Government is making good on our commitment to the people of Newcastle.”

“I hear from Novocastrians every week about how hard it is to see their doctor. The former Liberal Government’s cuts and 6-year freeze to Medicare rebates has created a crisis in general practice.”

“Restoring hours at John Hunter Hospital and reopening the clinic at the Calvary Mater Hospital will help ease some of this burden.”

Dan Repacholi MP said:

“I have seen and heard the horror stories of people waiting days and even weeks to be able to get into see their GP. 

“The restoration of the opening hours of the GP Access After Hours Service in Toronto, will mean residents can see a doctor while they are sick, and will reduce our overcrowded Emergency Departments.

“This change will mean residents in Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Morisset, Cooranbong, Toronto, and right across the Hunter electorate, will have access to quality care and will mean a reduction in Hospital waiting times.”

Meryl Swanson said:

“Our Government is delivering on our election commitments to the region by restoring vital health services.

“I’m delighted that the people of Paterson and, indeed, the wider Hunter will see these critical services restored.

“Our Government is taking a practical and common sense approach to improving critical Healthcare for the region.”