A man has died following a single-vehicle crash in the state’s Lake Macquarie district this afternoon.
About 4.15pm (Saturday 8 October 2022), emergency services were called to Macquarie Road, Cardiff, following reports a Holden sedan had left the road and hit a power pole.
The male driver, and sole occupant of the car, died at the scene.
He is yet to be positively identified.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene as inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash continue.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Police remain at the scene of a fatal helicopter crash in the Hunter this afternoon.
About 4.20pm (Thursday 6 October 2022), emergency services were called to Campbells Road, Maitland Vale – about 10km north of Maitland – after reports a helicopter had crashed.
Upon arrival, crews located a Bell ‘Jet Ranger’ helicopter crashed on a nearby riverbank.
One male occupant was located deceased; he is yet to be formally identified.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District have established a crime scene.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) have been notified and will conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Hundreds of Knights fans lined King Street outside City Hall last night to celebrate the Newcastle Knights’ historic 2022 NRLW Premiership win.
Bringing home the trophy for the first time since the men’s side took out the 2001 NRL Premiership, the 24-woman squad finished grand final winners on Sunday with a 32-12 victory over the Parramatta Eels.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes hosted a civic reception at City Hall, congratulating the team and club officials on their efforts throughout the season. The team was also presented with a Key to the City in front of a huge crowd of adoring Knights supporters who lined King Street and Civic Park.
“These women are fantastic role models, showing women and girls everywhere that anything is possible, even in a sport like rugby league traditionally played by men,” Cr Nelmes said.
The Key to the City was accepted by team captain Millie Boyle, who, alongside teammate Caitlan Johnston, picked up Prop of the Year at the recent Dally M Awards, while halfback Jesse Southwell, at just 17 years of age, won the Rookie of the Year Award. Boyle and Johnston were also named alongside Tamika Upton and Yasmin Clydesdale in the Australian Jillaroos squad for the World Cup from 15 October to 22 November, although Boyle and Upton have since withdrawn due to work commitments and injury respectively.
Sharing the moment with co-captain Hannah Southwell, who ruptured her ACL in round 1 against the Brisbane Broncos, Boyle said the team had gone from strength to strength this season under the guidance of coach Ron Griffiths.
“On behalf of the entire team, I’d like to thank the Lord Mayor for opening the doors to City Hall to celebrate the team’s victory,” Boyle said.
“It means so much to the players, captains and coaches to have such strong support from Novocastrians, which has kept us buoyed throughout the season. It’s wonderful to share this celebration with the city.”
Following a light-hearted challenge suggested by the Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Donna Davis, where the Lord Mayor of the losing team’s city had to wear the winner’s jersey to the next Council meeting, Cr Davis will be sporting the Knights jersey this month.
Newcastle cricketers will take to the pitch for the first round of their district cricket season this weekend to celebrate the reopening of Newcastle’s No.1 Sportsground following its $8 million upgrade.
The players will benefit from the ground’s extensive refurbishment, which included the construction of seven turf cricket wickets, new sight screens and oval perimeter fencing.
The playing surface has also been completely rebuilt, with a new sub-soil irrigation and drainage system providing a high quality, consistent playing surface, while the increased field size achieves the minimum standard for high level AFL and cricket fixtures.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said No.1 Sportsground’s redevelopment will allow Newcastle to attract first class cricket and pre-season AFL fixtures while also benefitting those locals who utilise it regularly for grassroots and regional level sport.
“No. 1 Sportsground was designed and constructed in 1921 and was officially opened 100 years ago last month,” Cr Nelmes said.
“In that time the venue has hosted a variety of sporting and non-sporting events, including the 1931 Mayor’s Relief Fund and Newcastle Ambulance Round, in which cricket legend Don Bradman captained a female cricket team at No.1 Sportsground.
“The redevelopment delivers significantly upgraded facilities for regular users of the ground while also providing our city with a potential economic boost through the attraction of major sporting events.
“Novocastrians love their sport and the completed work at No.1 Sportsground will put us in the running to host pre-season AFL fixtures and regional Big Bash League matches right here in Newcastle.
“We’re also continuing to investigate government funding opportunities to complete the second stage of the project, which will increase the footprint of the existing grandstand with a two-storey addition at the rear of the building to provide upgraded amenities for players, officials and spectators.”
Other features of the stage one works that have been completed include a lighting upgrade to enable evening fixtures, new player dug out benches, and additional bleacher seating to almost double the seated capacity from 400 to 790.
Newcastle District Cricket Association Secretary Aaron Gray said he is excited to see cricket once again being played at the premier facility.
“Our season will commence at No.1 Sportsground with a first grade fixture on Saturday and our new SG Moore Shield under-16 boys’ Twenty20 competition on Sunday,” Mr Gray said.
“It’s a very good position for us to have the best ground back in play for this season, especially now we have swelled to 208 teams across all competitions, while the enhancement of lighting means we can play more day/night events and host female and male cricket at a quality venue.”
No. 1 Sportsground is located on the corner of Parry and Union Streets in the iconic National Park, one of Newcastle’s largest and oldest sportsgrounds and open space reserves. It boasts facilities for a range of sports including netball, AFL, cricket, rugby, football, athletics, and croquet, and caters for casual sport and play through basketball courts and parklands.
Other work recently completed within National Park includes the construction of four additional basketball courts on the former tennis court site near the corner of National Park and Parry Streets, along with playing field upgrades at No. 5 and No. 6 Sportsgrounds, which have improved the playing surface of both grounds and allowed for effective management of the flood storage capacity of National Park.
A man’s been charged with murder as part of ongoing investigations by the Homicide Squad into a fatal fire in the state’s Hunter last year.
Just after 5am on Monday 26 July 2021, emergency services were called to Fullerton Street at Stockton, following reports of a unit fire.
On arrival, officers from Fire & Rescue NSW found the premises well alight; however, managed to extinguish the blaze a short time later.
In a search of the premises, the body of a man was discovered.
He’s since been identified as the unit’s resident and sole occupant; 54-year-old Graham Cameron.
A crime scene was established by officers from Newcastle City Police District and subsequently examined by specialist police who determined the fire had been deliberately lit.
The matter was subsequently referred to detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, who established Strike Force Childowla to further investigate the circumstances of the incident.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives – assisted by Northern Region Operation Support Group (OSG) – executed a search warrant at a home on Pitt Street at Stockton about 6.30am today (Wednesday 5 October 2022).
A 22-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station, where he was charged with murder.
He was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today.
Investigations under Strike Force Childowla continue.
A man has been charged following an alleged armed robbery in Lake Macquarie this morning.
About 7am (Wednesday 5 October 2022), a 46-year-old female attendant and a female customer were inside a service station on Macquarie Drive, Valentine, when a man entered the store.
Police will allege the man threatened the customer with a knife and demanded her wallet, before he threatened the attendant and fled the store in a Mitsubishi Outlander.
No one was injured during the incident.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and whilst responding, police sighted a Mitsubishi Outlander matching the description of the vehicle in James Street, Windale.
Police observed a man flee the vehicle before they engaged in a foot pursuit and arrested a 21-year-old man at a nearby home.
He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with two counts of robbery armed with an offensive weapon, assault with intent to rob armed with offensive weapon, be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, enter vehicle or boat without consent of owner/occupier, and two counts of larceny.
He was refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 6 October 2022).
A man has died following a single-vehicle crash in the state’s Hunter region.
Just after 4.45am (Tuesday 4 October 2022), emergency services were called to Tank Street, near Canterbury Road, Morpeth, after reports a van had crashed into a telegraph pole.
The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle – a 37-year-old man – died at the scene.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the crash.
Local road diversions are in place around the crash site.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has today released plans to create 15 minute neighbourhoods in the Hunter region by better connecting local transport networks.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the Draft Hunter Regional Transport Plan is now out for public consultation and outlines the Government’s strategy to bust congestion, improve freight connections and make the M1 a Smart Motorway.
“The Hunter is one of the fastest-growing areas in NSW and we want to ensure we are building what matters to make daily life easier for these communities,” Mr Farraway said.
“This draft plan is our vision for what Transport for NSW should look at to secure a brighter future for people living in the Hunter, by providing support for the businesses and industries that are the lifeblood of this booming area.
“Some of these initiatives we’re already delivering – like the transformative New England Highway upgrade between Belford and the Golden Highway – and some are about to get underway, including the Muswellbrook and Singleton bypasses.
“We’re also planning for the future by investigating a range of initiatives such as further upgrades to the New England Highway to improve safety and travel times at Rocky Cut, Belford to Singleton, Singleton to Muswellbrook and Muswellbrook to Scone.”
Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said Newcastle is the second largest city in the state and with its population expected to increase 15 per cent by 2041, it’s important that residents and stakeholders contribute to the Draft Hunter Regional Transport Plan.
“We are putting the foundations in place that will make sure the rapidly growing population across the Hunter has a safe, efficient and accessible road network to use,” Mrs Ward said.
“We’ve already set in motion major projects that will deliver great travel time savings for the city and its commuter hubs, like the final piece of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass from Rankin Park to Jesmond and widening the Hexham Straight.
“We’re also investigating a range of measures to reach our government’s target of zero fatalities and serious injuries on our roads by 2056 by creating a safer road network.
“It’s now time for residents, businesses and visitors to have their say on the draft plan to help us enhance our transport network now and into the future.”
Member for the Upper Hunter Dave Layzell said planning for the region’s future transport needs was important for the Hunter’s continued economic development by making it easier to get around.
“We want to improve the lives of Hunter residents by emphasising the ‘15-minute neighbourhood’, allowing people to access most of their everyday needs quickly and easily by using public transport, walking or cycling,” Mr Layzell said.
The plan is available to view at future.transport.nsw.gov.au/HunterRTP and covers 10 local government areas comprising Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Mid Coast, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton and Upper Hunter.
Newcastle’s already incredible collection of vibrant and eclectic street art is set to don another nine new large-scale murals with the return of Big Picture Fest this weekend.
City of Newcastle (CN) is supporting the festival as part of New Annual with Special Business Rate funding to bring local, national and international artists together over three days.
Local street artist Goya Torres, originally from Mexico, will bring to life a wall on Gibson Street with local characters carrying spiritual animals on their shoulders whilst the exterior of Hunter Water’s office will be emblazoned with a striking abstract mural by Noosa-based artist Rosie Woods.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Big Picture Fest enhances Newcastle’s public art scene and contributes to the vibrancy of the city whilst creating an artistic legacy for the community and activates the city to support local businesses.
“Newcastle is a major arts and cultural destination that is entering a new phase of maturity and sophistication thanks to ongoing revitalisation right across our city,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Big Picture Fest is a major international street art activation that brings together local, national and international renowned artists in celebration of art in public spaces in Newcastle.
“The festival celebrates Newcastle’s history and creative culture by showcasing amazing talent through large scale murals in the city for visitors and locals to enjoy.
“Big Picture Fest is a great example of how Special Business Rate funding can be used to help beautify and activate our business precincts which provides a boost to the economy and supports local jobs.”
City of Newcastle’s Public Art Reference Group (PARG) support Big Picture Fest and consult and advise on the artists and murals chosen to enhance Newcastle’s streetscapes.
Councillor and PARG Chair Carol Duncan welcomed back Big Picture Fest and said the festival is a creative way to reinvent and refresh quality artworks across the city.
“Street art is an important component of Newcastle’s changing landscape, documenting our rich industrial, social and cultural history, and plays a significant role in fostering a dynamic and vibrant creative arts sector,” Cr Duncan said.
“City of Newcastle has just created a two-part podcast on the festival Newcastle’s street art scene that is well- worth listening to.”
Big Picture Fest Newcastle Director Katerina Skoumbas said excitement was building for the return of the festival in Newcastle.
“It will be a busy weekend for Newcastle, so we encourage people to get out to see the artists in-situ as the art they create injects so much colour and energy into our city,” Ms Skoumbas said.
Big Picture Fest returns to Newcastle Friday 30 September until Sunday 2 October 2022 and is free for the community to attend.
City of Newcastle is making progress with the implementation of actions outlined in the Stockton Coastal Management Program 2020, with tenders to be called soon for the construction of a new buried seawall.
The buried protection structure at the southern end of the existing Mitchell Street rock wall is the first of three new structures to be delivered to shield Stockton’s coastline and reduce the chance of erosion during large swells.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the design for the structure was developed based on a detailed assessment of possible options first undertaken as part of the 2020 Coastal Management Program.
“We considered a range of factors when coming up with this design, including each option’s ability to address both erosion from storm events and long-term beach recession, its ability to protect public assets at high risk sites, as well as how well each option enabled access to the beach and how it will look to beach users once its constructed,” Cr Nelmes said.
“We also considered environmental impacts and performance, and the cost to construct and maintain the structure over the long term.”
The buried seawall will consist of underground vertical concrete piles that extend from street level to 8.5m below ground. Once constructed only the very top of the round beams will be visible at ground level.
Construction is planned to start early next year and is complemented by a range of emergency repair works already underway at hotspots up and down Stockton Beach.
“The repair works, including renewal of sandbags and addition of new rockbags at a range of locations is important to secure these sites ahead of construction of permanent, vertical, buried structures.”
City of Newcastle reminds the community to follow safety warnings and to adhere to any accessway closures or hazard notices that impact use of the beach while this work is completed.
