A man will face court today charged over an alleged breach of bail in the Newcastle area.
About 1.20am today (Sunday 26 December 2021), police stopped a silver Mercedes on Dennison Street, Hamilton, and spoke to the driver – a 35-year-old man.
Following inquiries, it was revealed the man was allegedly in breach of current bail conditions.
Police searched the vehicle and allegedly located a shopping bag containing a 401grams methylamphetamine.
The bag was seized and will be forensically examined.
The estimated street value of the drugs seized is more than $360,000.
The Windale man was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with breach of bail.
He was refused bail and is due to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Sunday 26 December 2021).
Inquiries continue.
Category: Newcastle News
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Gender imbalance in Newcastle Councillors
Nine women have today been confirmed as elected to Newcastle City Council, a first in the City’s 220-year history.
The NSW Electoral Commission has finalised the count for the local government election held on 4 December 2021, with Cr Nuatali Nelmes re-elected as Lord Mayor for a third consecutive term.
Seven new Councillors and five returning Councillors will join her to form the new 13 person Council.
Of the 13 elected representatives, a majority of seven will represent Newcastle Labor, three Liberals, two Greens, and one Independent.
Returning councillors include Declan Clausen (Ward 1 Labor), Carol Duncan (Ward 2 Labor), John Church (Ward 1 Independent), Dr John Mackenzie (Ward 1 Green), and Peta Winney-Baartz (Ward 3 Labor).
They will be joined by new Councillors Dr Elizabeth Adamczyk (Ward 4 Labor), Jenny Barrie (Ward 2 Liberal), Charlotte McCabe (Ward 2 Green), Callum Pull (Ward 4 Liberal), Deahnna Richardson (Ward 4 Labor), Katrina Wark (Ward 3 Liberal) and Margaret Wood (Ward 3 Labor).
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes thanked the community for their support in re-electing her for a third term as Lord Mayor.
“I’m honoured to be officially re-elected to serve Newcastle for another term as Lord Mayor,” Cr Nelmes said.
“I’d like to thank the community for voting to support our transformational and progressive vision for Newcastle. Together with my Labor colleagues we have worked hard to deliver financial sustainability while protecting services and jobs to ensure social justice, equality and our unique environment is preserved in Newcastle.
“I’m also proud that Novocastrians have voted for gender diversity, not just parity, with a majority and historic female voice represented on Newcastle Council in this new term.”
Lord Mayor Nelmes’ immediate priority will be to respond to the impact of the current Omicron strain on Newcastle and effects on the community.
“This city has had a tough two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to face challenges with the new Omicron strain,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Now more than ever, our community in Newcastle needs the support of a strong local government with a track record of delivering stable and consistent leadership that has innovated to provide solutions to support jobs and protect our community as we look to 2022 and beyond.”
Councillor Carol Duncan, returning for her second term, said she was excited to see greater female representation on Newcastle Council this term.
“Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes has been a trailblazer for us all, breaking through an often harsh glass ceiling in Newcastle. Her leadership by example has paved the way for both the younger generation and women to follow. It’s not an easy path for a young woman but it has been transformational for Newcastle,” Cr Duncan said.
“Once we have a generation of kids growing up thinking it’s normal to have a female majority council, state or federal government, we’ll know things are improving.
“I’m enormously proud to be a member of Newcastle’s first female-majority council and I note that it’s one of the strategic priorities of the United Nations (UN) that, ‘women lead, participate in and benefit equally from governance systems’.”
Newly elected Liberal Councillor Jenny Barrie added that Council is a great platform to inspire women of all ages into politics.
“I’m excited to work with Nuatali and join a hardworking and dedicated team to represent ratepayers and residents across the City of Newcastle,” Cr Barrie said.
The first Ordinary Council Meeting of the new term will be held on Tuesday 18 January, 2022.
The new Newcastle Councillors, in order of election:
Lord Mayor:
Cr Nuatali Nelmes (Labor)
Ward 1:
Cr Declan Clausen (Labor)
Cr John Church (Independent)
Cr Dr John Mackenzie (Green)
Ward 2:
Cr Carol Duncan (Labor)
Cr Jenny Barrie (Liberal)
Cr Charlotte McCabe (Green)
Ward 3:
Cr Peta Winney-Baartz (Labor)
Cr Margaret Wood (Labor)
Cr Katrina Wark (Liberal)
Ward 4:
Cr Deahnna Richardson (Labor)
Cr Dr Elizabeth Adamczyk (Labor)
Cr Callum Pull (Liberal)
The NSW Electoral Commission has finalised the count for the local government election held on 4 December 2021, with Cr Nuatali Nelmes re-elected as Lord Mayor for a third consecutive term.
Seven new Councillors and five returning Councillors will join her to form the new 13 person Council.
Of the 13 elected representatives, a majority of seven will represent Newcastle Labor, three Liberals, two Greens, and one Independent.
Returning councillors include Declan Clausen (Ward 1 Labor), Carol Duncan (Ward 2 Labor), John Church (Ward 1 Independent), Dr John Mackenzie (Ward 1 Green), and Peta Winney-Baartz (Ward 3 Labor).
They will be joined by new Councillors Dr Elizabeth Adamczyk (Ward 4 Labor), Jenny Barrie (Ward 2 Liberal), Charlotte McCabe (Ward 2 Green), Callum Pull (Ward 4 Liberal), Deahnna Richardson (Ward 4 Labor), Katrina Wark (Ward 3 Liberal) and Margaret Wood (Ward 3 Labor).
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes thanked the community for their support in re-electing her for a third term as Lord Mayor.
“I’m honoured to be officially re-elected to serve Newcastle for another term as Lord Mayor,” Cr Nelmes said.
“I’d like to thank the community for voting to support our transformational and progressive vision for Newcastle. Together with my Labor colleagues we have worked hard to deliver financial sustainability while protecting services and jobs to ensure social justice, equality and our unique environment is preserved in Newcastle.
“I’m also proud that Novocastrians have voted for gender diversity, not just parity, with a majority and historic female voice represented on Newcastle Council in this new term.”
Lord Mayor Nelmes’ immediate priority will be to respond to the impact of the current Omicron strain on Newcastle and effects on the community.
“This city has had a tough two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to face challenges with the new Omicron strain,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Now more than ever, our community in Newcastle needs the support of a strong local government with a track record of delivering stable and consistent leadership that has innovated to provide solutions to support jobs and protect our community as we look to 2022 and beyond.”
Councillor Carol Duncan, returning for her second term, said she was excited to see greater female representation on Newcastle Council this term.
“Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes has been a trailblazer for us all, breaking through an often harsh glass ceiling in Newcastle. Her leadership by example has paved the way for both the younger generation and women to follow. It’s not an easy path for a young woman but it has been transformational for Newcastle,” Cr Duncan said.
“Once we have a generation of kids growing up thinking it’s normal to have a female majority council, state or federal government, we’ll know things are improving.
“I’m enormously proud to be a member of Newcastle’s first female-majority council and I note that it’s one of the strategic priorities of the United Nations (UN) that, ‘women lead, participate in and benefit equally from governance systems’.”
Newly elected Liberal Councillor Jenny Barrie added that Council is a great platform to inspire women of all ages into politics.
“I’m excited to work with Nuatali and join a hardworking and dedicated team to represent ratepayers and residents across the City of Newcastle,” Cr Barrie said.
The first Ordinary Council Meeting of the new term will be held on Tuesday 18 January, 2022.
The new Newcastle Councillors, in order of election:
Lord Mayor:
Cr Nuatali Nelmes (Labor)
Ward 1:
Cr Declan Clausen (Labor)
Cr John Church (Independent)
Cr Dr John Mackenzie (Green)
Ward 2:
Cr Carol Duncan (Labor)
Cr Jenny Barrie (Liberal)
Cr Charlotte McCabe (Green)
Ward 3:
Cr Peta Winney-Baartz (Labor)
Cr Margaret Wood (Labor)
Cr Katrina Wark (Liberal)
Ward 4:
Cr Deahnna Richardson (Labor)
Cr Dr Elizabeth Adamczyk (Labor)
Cr Callum Pull (Liberal)
Landmark Newcastle Art Gallery exhibition receives national recognition
A Newcastle Art Gallery exhibition that showcased works of art never before seen outside of the Torres Strait has this week been announced as the winner of the Promoting Indigenous Recognition Award at the National Local Government Awards.
Newcastle Art Gallery’s WARWAR: The Art of Torres Strait, exhibition on display from May until August, focused on the Torres Strait Islander (TSI) culture and its launch coincided with the raising of the TSI flag at City Hall for the first time in the building’s 92-year history.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the national recognition of the landmark exhibition acknowledges the importance of connecting with local communities and raising cultural awareness through art.
“WARWAR: The Art of Torres Strait was four years in the making and we are thrilled that the most significant First Nations exhibition project in Newcastle Art Gallery’s 64-year history has received this national accolade,” Cr Nelmes said.
“To further strengthen our city’s ties to the local TSI community, we raised the TSI flag at City Hall for the first time in a special ceremony the week before the exhibition opened, and it now remains there permanently.”
“Visitors from across Australia came to Newcastle specially to see this important exhibition for our city.”
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton was thrilled the popular exhibition had received a national accolade.
“Having recently won the Museums and Galleries NSW IMAGINE Award judged by industry peers, we are beyond thrilled and so grateful to have now been recognised nationally for this incredible exhibition project.
“With over 130 works of art, many from major Australian institutions and the Torres Strait Islands that have never been publicly displayed before, the exhibition provided an incredible opportunity for our local TSI community and visitors to experience and gain a new appreciation and understanding of TSI culture here in Newcastle.”
The award-winning WARWAR: The Art of Torres Strait was developed in collaboration with highly awarded Torres Strait Islander artist and curator Brian Robinson, local artist and traditional performer Toby Cedar and timed to coincide with significant dates such as Mabo Day, Reconciliation Day, Coming of the Light and NAIDOC Week.
The exhibition, which was presented in in English, Kala Lagaw Ya (Western TSI), and Meriam Mir (Eastern TSI) languages, showcased the evolution and strength of Torres Strait Islander tradition and society through arts practitioners from the 19th century and the emergence of the contemporary art traditions of today, and explored issues of cultural maintenance, Christianity, language and the impact of globalisation on the physical environment of the Torres Strait Islands.
A partnership with the local TSI community and the University of Newcastle gave visitors the chance to immerse themselves in an innovative Augmented Reality experience and education space design that shared important cultural traditions such as language and Torres Strait Island connection to land, sea and sky. The exhibition title, WARWAR, is a traditional Eastern Island word in the Meriam Mer language, which translates into English as ‘marked with a pattern’.
The National Local Government Awards recognise the best Australian local government achievements and highlight innovative and resourceful solutions implemented by local governments, which make a difference to their local communities. A full list of 2021 award winners is available online at www.infrastructure.gov.au
Image: Opening event WARWAR: The Art of Torres Strait Newcastle Art Gallery 29 May 2021
Wanted man arrested at Cessnock
Police have arrested and charged a wanted man after he was located in the Hunter region yesterday.
On Wednesday 8 December 2021, officers attached to the Northern Region Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team and the State Crime Command’s Extended Supervision Order Investigation Team, commenced an investigation into the whereabouts of a 29-year-old Tenambit man who was wanted for a breach of a bail.
Following extensive inquiries, police attended a unit on Dixon Street, Cessnock, about 2.30pm yesterday (Monday 20 December 2021), where they located the man inside a cupboard in a bedroom.
He was arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station where he was charged with fail to comply with extended/interim supervision order (four counts), destroy or damage property less than $2,000, contravene apprehended domestic violence order, and breach of bail.
The man was refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court today (Tuesday 21 December 2021).
Man charged over alleged child sexual abuse – Lake Macquarie
A man has been charged following an investigation into the alleged sexual abuse of young children in the state’s north.
In March 2021, detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District established Strike Force Friar to investigate multiple reports of child sexual abuse that occurred between 1993 and 2020.
Following extensive inquiries, investigators arrested a 64-year-old man, with the assistance of the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad, at Swansea about 8.30am yesterday (Monday 20 December 2021).
The Marks Point man was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with 26 offences,
- Indecent assault with victim under the age of 10 (13 counts)
- Indecent assault person under 16 years of age
- Sexual intercourse with person under the age of 10 (three counts)
- Aggravated indecent assault – victim under the age of 16 (three counts)
- Commit act of indecency with person under 16 years (two counts)
- Commit act of indecency with person under 10 years
- Sexually touch another person without consent, and
- Carry out sexual act with another without consent (two counts)
Police will allege in court that the man sexually abused seven children – who were known to him – in the Lake Macquarie and Narrabri areas between 1993 and 2020.
He was refused bail and appeared in Belmont Local Court on the same day, where he was formally refused bail to appear in the same court on Wednesday 16 February 2022.
Fatal motorcycle crash near Cessnock
A motorcyclist has died following a crash in the state’s Hunter region.
About 4.20am today (Saturday 18 December 2021), emergency services were called to Old Maitland Rd, Sawyers Gully, about 20km north east of Cessnock, after reports a motorcycle had crashed.
The rider – a 48-year-old man – died at the scene.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene and an investigation commenced into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Driver blows more than six times the legal limit – Hunter
A man has been charged after allegedly blowing more than six times the legal limit after a crash in the Hunter overnight.
Just after 11pm (Friday 17 December 2021), emergency services were called to the intersection of Anderson Drive and Western Avenue, Tarro, and found a silver Toyota 4WD had crashed into three parked vehicles.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and located the driver of the 4WD, a 48-year-old man. He was subjected to a roadside breath test, allegedly returning a positive result.
The driver was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station where he underwent a secondary breath analysis, which allegedly returned a positive reading of 0.317.
His driver’s licence was immediately suspended and confiscated, and he was issued a Court Attendance Notice for drive with high-range prescribed concentration of alcohol.
The Tomago man was given conditional bail to appear before Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 2 February 2022.
Work begins on upgrade to National Park Netball Courts
The revitalisation of National Park’s popular sporting precincts is set to continue with a $627,000 overhaul of Newcastle’s premier netball facility.
Work began this week to upgrade the 30 competition netball courts at National Park as part of a project being funded by Newcastle Netball Association and delivered with support from City of Newcastle.
Designed to provide safer, high performance court surfaces for thousands of local players ahead of the new season, the project will include court surface grinding, crack repairs, asphalt works, and installation of the heavy-duty Netball NSW endorsed Plexipave surface followed by new line marking and court numbering.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the netball courts are an important part of the National Park sporting precinct, offering recreational opportunities for competition and social netballers and for community members.
“As one of our largest and oldest sportsgrounds and open space reserves, National Park plays an important role in the livability of our city,” Cr Nelmes said.
Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said that City of Newcastle is committed to protecting and enhancing the vital greenspace and active recreation areas, investing millions of dollars into a range of projects currently underway while also planning for its future through the development of the National Park Plan of Management.
“Projects such as the upgrade of the netball courts by Newcastle Netball Association demonstrate the passion and commitment local sporting groups and community members also feel for National Park,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.
“I commend them for moving ahead with this important upgrade, which will provide safe, activated and enhanced recreation spaces for the community, including thousands of registered netball players who take part in Saturday morning, twilight and representative competitions each year.”
Due to the complexity of the project, the netball court precinct will be closed during the construction period, which is expected to be finished, weather depending, by March 2022 ahead of the netball season.
Newcastle Netball Association President Cheryl Hernando said the upgrade would provide players with important safety improvements and a better competition surface.
“Over 4,000 players utilise these courts throughout the year and the enhanced safety measures this revitalisation provides will be gladly welcomed,” she said.
“The new acrylic court surface will deliver a range of benefits for players including better traction underfoot further cementing National Park as the premier netball facility in Newcastle.”
National Park covers more than 20 hectares and is home to a range of community facilities including sportsgrounds, netball and basketball courts, a croquet club and an athletics track.
Third man charged with murder following Stockton shooting
Strike Force Backhouse detectives have charged a third man following investigations into the fatal shooting of a woman in Stockton earlier this year.
Just after 8pm on Wednesday 9 June 2021, emergency services were called to a home on Queen Street, Stockton, following reports of a shooting.
A 61-year-old woman answered her front door before being shot. She died at the scene and was later identified as Stacey Klimovitch.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District established Strike Force Backhouse to investigate the circumstances surrounding Stacey’s murder.
So far during the investigation, two men – aged 29 and 46 – have been charged over their alleged involvement in the shooting murder and remain before the courts.
Following further inquiries, investigators attended a correctional facility in Silverwater yesterday (Wednesday 15 December 2021), and spoke with a 64-year-old inmate.
He was subsequently charged with murder and accessory after the fact to murder.
The man is due to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Monday (20 December 2021).
Investigations remain ongoing.
Second man fined for allegedly breaching self-isolation direction – Hunter region
A second man has been fined over an alleged self-isolation direction breach in the state’s Hunter region.
On Tuesday (14 December 2021), officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District received information from NSW Health in relation to a 20-year-old man who had been directed to self-isolate at a Rutherford property from Wednesday 8 December 2021, as he was a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case.
It’s understood the man subsequently attended a licensed premises on Wharf Road later that evening.
He has since returned a positive test to COVID-19 and is currently self-isolating.
Police spoke with the man today (Thursday 16 December 2021), before he was issued a Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) for $5000 for the offence of Fail to Comply with Notice Direction s 7/8/9 – COVID-19.