Category: Newcastle News

An off-duty police officer has been charged with high-range PCA in Lake Macquarie yesterday.
About 11.30pm (Thursday 25 November 2021), officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District attended Palmers Road, Freemans Waterhole, after reports a white Volkswagen Amarok was parked in the middle of the road.
Members of the public observed the driver standing outside the vehicle and assisted in moving the car off the road.
The driver – an off-duty probationary constable attached to the Northern Region – participated in a roadside breath test that returned a positive result.
The 39-year-old man was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station where a subsequent breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.218.
The officer, from West Gosford, was issued a Court Attendance Notice for drive with high range PCA and is due to appear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 18th January 2022.
His licence has been suspended

City of Newcastle is leading the trial and implementation of a new sustainable technology that improves cleanliness of stormwater runoff through an innovative filtration system used in garden beds along our city streets.
Filter soils have been installed at test sites in Newcastle suburbs using compost soil and specially processed recycled materials like glass and green waste.
Raingardens are small garden beds located along the street featuring soil and plants that slow down and filter pollution in stormwater, so it doesn’t harm waterways and beaches.
The raingardens are usually found on street corners where cars can’t park and have more grass-like shrubbery than usual roadside plantings and are set in lowered beds over drains.
Recycled glass and green waste is now being used as a filter material that creates a healthy environment for plants increasing biodiversity in the suburbs. In addition to filtering the water, the raingardens also create a habitat for flora and fauna and absorb heat, meaning our streets are cooler in summer.
Data collected from these test sites will be verified by University of Newcastle as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Centre for Organic Research and Education (CORE) and City of Newcastle.
City of Newcastle is the first council to use the biofilter material that contains recycled products within the soil mix, such as crushed recycled glass instead of virgin sand, and organic composted waste products instead of artificial fertiliser and clay.
The unique material can remove pollutants such as sediment and heavy metals that come from our tyres and brake pads as they wear down; grease, oil, petrol and air conditioner coolant that drips from motor vehicles; and excess nutrients from parks and gardens that can cause algal blooms.
The water is carried away through drains, pipes and channels to local creeks, wetlands, estuaries and finally to the ocean, which is a great outcome for the environment.
Biofilter raingardens have now been installed at sites in Cooks Hill, Merewether, Mayfield West, Stockton, The Junction and Wallsend. Existing systems in Beresfield and Fletcher will soon be renewed with biofilter material.
Costa Georgiadis, Chair Centre for Organic Research and Education Eric Love, City of Newcastle Asset Services Manager Peter McMurray and City of Newcastle Asset Engineer Luke Jaszczyk at a biofilter raingarden in Wallsend.

City of Newcastle has welcomed the NSW Government’s decision to amend its unpopular infrastructure contributions scheme following the Council’s advocacy.
Planning Minister Rob Stokes has confirmed that proposed reforms to the State’s infrastructure contributions scheme will be modified to ensure City of Newcastle and other local councils can continue to fund community infrastructure from developer contributions.
Advocacy led by Local Government NSW and City of Newcastle had raised concerns about the potential impacts of the proposed reforms on councils’ financial sustainability if the funds had been redirected for distribution by the NSW Government as originally proposed.
The modified reforms will also ensure state contributions are spent in the region where they are collected rather than be spent in regions at the discretion of the NSW Government.
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath welcomed the changes as a win for Newcastle and communities across the state.
“I would like to thank the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces for listening to feedback from City of Newcastle and working with Local Government NSW to address our concerns,” Jeremy Bath said.
“Newcastle will welcome 23,000 new residents and house 11,500 new dwellings by 2036. Developer contributions provide vital funds that help deliver community infrastructure such as cycleways, bus shelters, parks and playgrounds, sporting grounds, recreation facilities and town centre public domain improvements.
“We need to ensure public infrastructure keeps pace with growth and is equitably funded, while also protecting current ratepayers from being financially burdened by the infrastructure requirements that result from future development.”
The NSW Government’s Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Infrastructure Contributions) Bill 2021 was introduced into NSW Parliament with the NSW Budget.
A Notice of Motion moved at City of Newcastle’s August Council meeting called on the NSW Government to undertake further consultation with the local government sector on any proposed reforms to the infrastructure contributions system.

Detectives have charged two men over alleged child sexual abuse uncovered as part of inquiries into the disappearances of young women in the Lake Macquarie area in the late 1970s.
Strike Force Arapaima was established in April 2019 by Lake Macquarie detectives to re-examine the investigations into the 1979 disappearances and suspected murders of Robyn Hickie and Amanda Robinson, as well as the 1994 kidnapping and suspected murder of Gordana Kotevski.
As part of ongoing investigations, detectives have been conducting inquiries relating to activity in the east Lake Macquarie area the night Amanda went missing (Friday 20 April 1979), including a private fundraiser function at the former Swansea Bowling Club.
While exploring this line of inquiry, Strike Force Arapaima detectives uncovered information relating to the sexual abuse of two boys in the late 1980s and early 1990s by two men, who were known to them.
Following extensive inquiries, a 69-year-old man was arrested at a home in Seven Hills about 9.20am last Wednesday (17 November 2021) and taken to Blacktown Police Station.
He was charged with three counts of sexual assault (Cat 4) assault + indecent act, in company; two counts of sexual assault (Cat 4) incite indecent act person under 16, two counts of sexual assault (Cat 4) indecent act with person under 16 and sexual intercourse with child 10 or over and under 16 years.
The man appeared at Blacktown Local Court on the same day, where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at the same court on Thursday 13 January 2022.
A second man – also aged 69 – was arrested in Greenacre about 8.25am today (Thursday 25 November 2021).
He was taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with 41 offences including multiple counts of each sexual intercourse with child 10 or over and under 16 years, sexual assault (Cat 4) assault + indecent act, in company; sexual assault (Cat 4) incite indecent act person under 16, and sexual assault (Cat 4) indecent act with person under 16.
He was refused bail to appear in Bankstown Local Court today.
As investigations into the girls’ disappearances continue, Strike Force Arapaima detectives are seeking to identify and speak with other attendees of the fundraiser function on Friday 20 April 1979.
Investigators believe those attendees may have relevant information which could assist with their inquiries.

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 23 November 2021. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.
Lord Mayoral Minutes
Newcastle says no to Sydney’s toxic waste from Northern Beaches Link project
A Lord Mayoral Minute (LMM) was supported that noted with concern the NSW Government’s announcement of plans to ship toxic waste from the construction of the Northern Beaches Link to Newcastle. The LMM called for City of Newcastle to write to Premier Dominic Perrottet, and Minister Rob Stokes, advising that City of Newcastle will not accept toxic sludge from the Northern Beaches Link project at Summerhill Waste Management Centre.
Save Newcastle’s After Hours GP Service
Councillors voted to support a Lord Mayoral Minute (LMM) for City of Newcastle to write to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Health Greg Hunt, asking them to restore the full services of the Hunter Primary Care GP Access After Hours Service in Newcastle and the Hunter and reverse a decision to close the service at the Calvary Mater Hospital.
End of term and recognition of outgoing Councillors; Councillors Dunn, Rufo and Luke
A Lord Mayoral Minute (LMM) noting that this meeting was the last Ordinary Council Meeting of an extended term, which began on 26 September 2017, and congratulating all staff and Councillors for their contribution, was supported by Councillors.
The LMM noted that this was the final meeting of retiring Councillors Jason Dunn, Andrea Rufo and Brad Luke and congratulated them for their contribution to the betterment of the City of Newcastle.
Ordinary business
Councillor Kath Elliott stay of suspension
Council noted the stay of suspension of Councillor Kath Elliott from Civic office, in accordance with Orders issued by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). The NCAT will hear Councillor Elliott’s appeal against her suspension by the Office of Local Government on 13 December 2021.
Code of Conduct annual statistics
Council noted a report on City of Newcastle’s annual Code of Conduct complaints statistics for 1 September 2020 to 31 August 2021, in accordance with Office of Local Government requirements.
Adoption of 2022 Council meeting schedule
Council resolved to adopt a meeting schedule for 2022 and amend the 2021 adopted meeting schedule to vacate the December 2021 Committee and Ordinary Council meetings due to the rescheduling of the Local Government Election to 4 December 2021.
Tabling of Register of Disclosures of Interest
Council noted the tabling of the Register of Disclosures of Interest for the period 1 August to 31 October 2021 by the Chief Executive Officer.
Adoption of Gregson Park Masterplan and Heritage Places Plan of Management for Gregson Park
Council unanimously voted to adopt the amended Gregson Park Masterplan and the Heritage Places Plan of Management for Gregson Park, which included retaining the ‘Sportsground’ category over the southern section of the western tennis court.
Planning Proposal – Lingard Private Hospital – endorsement for public exhibition
Council unanimously voted to commence the statutory process for amending the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012 for the rezoning and expansion of the Lingard Private Hospital on land at 23 Merewether Street and 8 Lingard Street, Merewether. This includes endorsing the Planning Proposal for the site and forwarding it to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment for a Gateway Determination and public exhibition.
Variations to Development Standards
Council received a report on approved development variations between 1 July to 30 September 2021 in accordance with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s concurrence to vary development standards in the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012.
Endorsement of the 2020/21 Annual Report
Council unanimously voted to endorse City of Newcastle’s 2020/21 Annual Report and its submission to the NSW Minister for Local Government.
September quarterly performance report on the 2018-2022 delivery program
Council unanimously voted to receive the 2018-2022 Delivery Program – September Quarterly Performance Report.
Executive Monthly Performance Report
Council voted to receive the Executive Monthly Performance Report for October 2021.
Tender report – supply of four green waste trucks
Council unanimously resolved not to accept any tender for the supply of four green waste trucks for Contract No. 2021/714T, and instead continue maintenance of the current fleet until a business case is completed considering a transition to electric or alternative fuel vehicles to meet City of Newcastle’s Climate Action Plan commitments.
Notices of Motion
End of term review – Councillor productivity
Council adopted a notice of motion (NOM) acknowledging that this is the final meeting of the 2017- 2021 term of Council and noting that Councillor-initiated motions are one of the key mechanisms that allow a Councillor to fulfill their role. During the 2017-2021 term of Council, there have been 51 ordinary and extraordinary meetings of the Council where a total of 287 Councillor-initiated motions were considered.
Building on Local Centres Program success
Council unanimously adopted a notice of motion that commended City of Newcastle staff for the successful implementation of the Local Centres Program, which has seen almost $16 million invested into the delivery of infrastructure renewal at Beresfield, Carrington, Kotara, Merewether, Hamilton and Wallsend.
Projects are currently underway at Mitchell Street, Stockton and Shortland Local Centre, while detailed design and community consultation at Orchardtown Road, New Lambton is underway. Planning for the next stages of the Wallsend Local Centre almost complete, while Georgetown and Waratah Local Centres have been initiated following a successful Notice of Motion carried in May 2021.
The NOM called for City of Newcastle to initiate detailed planning for Local Centre upgrades at Maitland Road, Mayfield, in consultation with the recently re-formed Mayfield BIA.
Two-year anniversary of Summerhill solar farm
Council unanimously adopted a notice of motion to mark the two-year anniversary of City of Newcastle’s (CN) solar farm at Summerhill Waste Management Centre, noting that success of the solar farm and its role, alongside the Sapphire Wind Farm power purchase contract, in allowing CN to meet 100 per cent of its power supply through renewable energy sources.
The NOM calls for CN to commit to taking all actions required to meet net zero emissions for CN’s operations by 2030.
The NOM also noted CN now has more than 800 kilowatts of photovoltaic solar systems installed across 16 key sites with additional systems being delivered and called for CN to explore options to further increase our solar energy generation capabilities at all available Council sites.
Local sporting facility upgrades 2017-2021
Council adopted a notice of motion that noted that City of Newcastle (CN) has invested more than $87 million on the city’s open spaces since 2017 and congratulated CN staff for the delivery of more than $21 million worth of capital works upgrades for local sporting facilities during the last term of Council.
It called for CN to write to the new Deputy Premier, Paul Toole, asking that the NSW Government provide fair and equitable access to significant grant funding programs, not currently available to Newcastle, to improve our female sporting facilities, including change rooms.
Koala habitat
Council adopted a notice of motion that noted the significant decline in NSW koala populations since 1990 and the need for coordinated action to ensure future generations can see these iconic species in the wild.
The NOM called for City of Newcastle to write to the NSW Premier and several Ministers asking for the retention of various environmental planning provisions, and for planning certainty, resources and support to identify core koala habitat and the development of Koala Plans of Management.
Protecting the green corridor
Council adopted a notice of motion that advocates for greater recognition and the permanent protection of the ‘Green Corridor’, an intact ecological corridor that links the Watagans and Yengo National Parks with the coastal plains of the Tomago Sand beds, Stockton Bight and Port Stephens, as part of the review of the Hunter Regional Plan.

City of Newcastle is inviting community feedback to help inform a new strategy that will guide the future provision and direction of tennis and bat ball facilities across the Newcastle local government area.
Community members can have their say via an online survey, and direct consultation will also be undertaken with tennis clubs, neighbouring councils, Tennis NSW and Venues NSW.
A review of the provision of tennis courts throughout Newcastle was a recommendation made in the city’s Strategic Sports Plan, a ten-year plan that provides strategic guidance and facility advice for 13 outdoor sports, including tennis, to 2031.
The consultation will inform the development of a draft Tennis Strategy, which will then be reported to Council and placed on public exhibition for further community comment.
There are currently 61 tennis courts within 14 tennis centres throughout the city, and a further three bat ball courts, which prove popular amongst Newcastle’s active community members.
City of Newcastle is committed to providing sporting infrastructure to provide opportunities for the community to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
To find out more and to provide feedback visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay

A fourth man has been charged following a fatal shooting in Port Stephens earlier this year.
About 1.45pm on Sunday 29 August 2021, emergency services were called to Hideaway Drive, Salt Ash, following reports a white Ford Ranger utility had hit a tree.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended, along with NSW Ambulance paramedics, and located a male driver suffering a fatal gunshot wound.
He was later identified as 45-year-old David King.
A short time later, officers located a burnt-out white Santa Fe on Masonite Road, Heatherbrae, which police believe is allegedly linked to the shooting.
Detectives established Strike Force Breve to investigate the incident, with assistance from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.
Three men – aged 26, 27 and 39 – have since been arrested and charged. They are currently before the courts.
Following further inquiries, about 10am today (Tuesday 23 November 2021), police arrested a 28-year-old man at Newcastle Police Station.
He was charged with murder, take/detain person in company without to obtain advantage, and possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority.
The man was refused bail and appeared in Newcastle Local Court today where he was formally refused bail to reappear in Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 17 January 2022.

Investigators have laid additional charges and charged a second former youth worker over alleged historical sexual offences, as part of Strike Force Eiraban
In November 2020, detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District established Strike Force Eiraban to investigate allegations of alleged child sexual offences against two teenage boys between 1990 and 2004 in Muswellbrook and Gateshead.
As part of inquiries, detectives charged a 71-year-old man on Thursday 29 July 2021 with 15 offences. He remains before the court.
Strike Force detectives also investigated reports that two men – who are known to each other – allegedly sexually abused multiple children between the 1960s and mid 2000’s, while employed at a youth centre in Muswellbrook.
Following further inquiries, police arrested the 71-year-old man at Lake Macquarie yesterday (Tuesday 23 November 2021), and laid an additional 85 charges including;

• sexual assault person under 16 years of age
• sexual assault and commit act of indecency (x2)
• sex assault indecent assault person younger than 16 under authority (x5)
• aggravated indecent assault – victim under authority of offender (x2)
• aggravated indecency – victim under 16 and offender in company
• incite aggravated indecency – victim younger than 16 under authority of offender (x9)
• incite aggravated indecency – victim younger than 16 and offender in company
• sexual intercourse – person aged between 10 and 16 under authority (x6)
• buggery (x7)
• indecent assault on male (x29)
• indecent act with male (x5)
• sexual intercourse with person 10 or over and under 16 years (x11)
• aggravated indecent assault (x5)

Further, investigators arrested a 67-year-old man at a house in Wauchope yesterday. The man was taken to Port Macquarie Police Station and charged with 28 offences:

• sex assault indecent assault person <16 under authority (x5)
• sex assault incite indecent act, <16 & under authority (x2)
• aggravated indecent assault – victim under authority of offender (x3)
• aggravated indecency-victim under 16 & offender in company (x1)
• incite aggravated indecency-victim <16 & under authority of offender (x2)
• incite aggravated indecency-victim <16 & offender in company (x1)
• sexual intercourse with person under the age of 10 years (x2)
• sexual intercourse-person 10 & under 16 under authority (x12)

Both men were refused bail and appeared at Port Macquarie Local Court today (Wednesday 24 November 2021).
The older man was formally refused bail and the younger man was granted conditional bail, both to appear before Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 19 January 2022.
Investigations under Strike Force Eiraban continue.

An exciting opportunity awaits inspired architects, with City of Newcastle together with property developers St Hilliers and The Spotlight Property Group launching a design competition for the redevelopment of 711 Hunter Street in the city’s revitalised West-end.
The competition brief requires two towers in the design, approximately 90 metres high, with up to 250 dwellings and 1,500 square metres of commercial floor space, at an estimated construction cost of $100 million.
City of Newcastle Manager Regulatory, Planning and Assessment Michelle Bisson said the design competition signals that Newcastle is entering a new phase with developer confidence in the city reaching an all-time high.
“Newcastle is coming of age by transforming into a modern metropolitan city, with significant redevelopment occurring, particularly in the West-end,” Ms Bisson said.
“This prominent site, which was the former Spotlight and Anaconda building, extends from Hunter Street to King Street along the northern side of National Park Street, and is the perfect place to drive design excellence.
“The design competition is seeking innovative design entries by bringing the best creative talent to the fore, to imagine a landmark building and place that will stand the test of time.”
The design competition is being run by an independent jury process under the governance of City of Newcastle and the NSW Government Architect’s Office. Consultants Urbis are administering the design competition on behalf of property developers St Hilliers and The Spotlight Property Group.
The winning design will be chosen by the independent jury at the close of the competition in December, and a Development Application for the site is expected to be lodged by St Hilliers and The Spotlight Property Group in 2022.
St Hilliers Property Project Director Paul Smith said this design competition is a great way to build design excitement and interest for this high-profile project.
“Ongoing revitalisation is transforming Newcastle’s West-end so we see it as a perfect time to launch the design competition for this development,” Mr Smith said.
“We look forward to reviewing the innovative proposals as a result of the competition process and delivering Newcastle a development that is a symbol of design excellence.”