Category: Newcastle News

A man will face court today charged with allegedly attempting to deliver contraband inside a correctional facility in the Hunter.
Yesterday (Sunday 22 August 2021), officers from Hunter Valley Police District received information regarding a plan to drop contraband into a correctional centre in Cessnock via a drone.
Police notified the facility and patrols were conducted on the prison complex.
Following inquiries, police stopped a Holden Commodore on Maitland Road, Cessnock, about 11.45pm, and spoke to the female driver and male passenger.
A subsequent search of the vehicle was conducted, where police seized a drone, and a plastic bag containing a mobile phone and charger, tobacco, lighter and buprenorphine.
A 25-year-old man was arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with two counts of unlawfully deliver or attempt to deliver anything to inmate, and one count each of take part supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, bring etc prohibited drug/plant into place of detention and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.
Police will allege in court the man was coordinating the operation with someone inside the facility.
He was refused bail to appear before Cessnock Local Court today (Monday 23 August 2021).
Hunter Valley Police District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Matt Zimmer, said officers will continue to work alongside officers from Corrective Services NSW to identify and take action against those who attempt to introduce contraband.
“Our joint operations with Corrective Services NSW will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals who attempt to facilitate the supply of prohibited drugs or other contraband into facilities in the Hunter Valley district,” Det Insp Zimmer said.
Inquiries continue.

City of Newcastle is inviting businesses to learn more about developing unique and marketable visitor offerings so they can make the most of an expected post-COVID-19 tourism boom.
The City’s Product Development Mentoring Program has already helped 15 businesses offering everything from bike tours to baked goods with training and mentoring to shift their product in a way that appeals to visitors.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle is committed to enhancing the local visitor experience, with tourism set to play a vital role in the city’s economic recovery.
“Prior to COVID-19 Newcastle’s thriving tourism industry contributed over $945 million to the local economy each year, with more than 5.1 million international and domestic visitors flocking to experience our city’s diverse natural beauty, vibrant nightlife and world-class events,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Our sights are set on tourism to bolster Newcastle’s COVID-disrupted economy by leveraging and celebrating Newcastle’s cultural, natural and built heritage points of difference.
“We’ve engaged expert consultants who will work alongside 10 local businesses to develop bookable experiences to attract visitor dollars, which in turn will help promote greater industry resilience, drive destination awareness and grow the visitor economy.
“The results of our pilot Product Development Mentoring Program established in 2020 were encouraging, with 15 local businesses benefiting from the program, including the launch of a new business called Newy Rides.
“Other beneficiaries such as Baked Uprising and Mitch Revs Gallery explored new opportunities in the tourism market to enhance their core offerings. Urban Hum refined their tourism experience while other businesses have expanded their operations, employed new staff and relaunched products, which were put on hold by COVID-19.
“By improving our city’s existing bespoke bookable tourism experiences, Newcastle will be well positioned to welcome back visitors when lockdown restrictions ease.”
The program will be delivered virtually, with an in-depth business review followed by five one-on-one mentoring sessions tailored to each individual operator’s needs.
The Product Development Mentoring Program is funded under the City’s NewSkills training program.
Expressions of interest are now open, visit City of Newcastle.

The Newcastle early learning sector is headed for crisis if the Morrison Government doesn’t act urgently and provide support to child care services in the region.
“The Morrison Government’s decision to finally include Newcastle in the gap fee waiver is welcomed, but it means very little if the sector is left hanging out to dry,” Ms Claydon said.
“My office has received many emails and calls from concerned Newcastle parents and early learning centres alike who are worried about the long-term feasibility of the sector.”
Ms Claydon said she was aware that a lot of services are charging gap fees because they can’t afford to give up their income.
Providers are being put in a no-win position, having to choose between either:

• Waiving gap fees for families, and taking such a hit to their revenue that they are at risk of closing their doors, leaving early educators without work and essential workers without care for their children; or
• Not waiving gap fees for families, leaving parents upset that they have to pay for a service they cannot access, and risking them un-enrolling altogether.

“Many providers are being forced to charge parents full fees because the Morrison Government is refusing to offer replacement revenue to child care centres.”
“The Morrison Government needs to ensure families are not left out of pocket during lockdowns for child care they cannot access, because they are doing the right thing and staying home.”
“There are many providers who are struggling to stay afloat because they’re ineligible for other business support payments.”
“In order for centres to waive the gap fee, the Morrison Government must provide a support package to early learning centres similar to the one implemented in Victoria last year.”
During the prolonged Victorian lockdown last year, the Morrison Government introduced a financial support package for early learning services that allowed them to stay open to serve essential workers, while also waiving gap fees for families, and surviving from lower attendance levels.
“It would be truly devastating for Newcastle families and our local economy to see the collapse of the early learning sector.”
“It’s crucial that the Morrison Government acts urgently and provides a support package to early learning centres in our region to keep workers in a job and our local economy afloat.”

One of Newcastle’s three Federal Circuit Court judges has retired, leaving the community in the dark over a future replacement.
Federal Circuit Court judge Janet Terry reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 earlier this month, with no announcement from the Federal Government about her prospective replacement.
“The Federal Government has a responsibility to provide efficient and appropriate judicial and court services to the people of Newcastle,” Ms Claydon said.
Following reports of Judge Terry’s retirement, Ms Claydon wrote to Attorney-General Senator Michaelia Cash on 31 July seeking clarification over the retired judge’s successor.
Ms Claydon stated that she is still waiting to receive a response from Senator Cash on the appointment process.
“This isn’t the first time the Liberal Government has failed to appoint a replacement Federal Circuit Court judge in Newcastle within a timely manner.”
“Last time the Government waited many months to find a replacement, leaving judges with twice the case load and Novocastrians on waitlists for nineteen months, subsequently blowing the backlog out of proportion.”
“I’m sick of the Morrison Liberal government’s inability to forward plan a timely replacement, given they know full well that judges are compelled to retire at the age of 70.”
Ms Claydon said that lives could be put at risk if a replacement for Judge Terry is not actioned immediately, given that many cases involve the trauma of martial breakdown, domestic violence, drug abuse, and child custody disputes.
“The Morrison Government’s failure to find a replacement is deeply distressing for the many families who are already in vulnerable circumstances.”
Ms Claydon stated that the Morrison Government’s negligence will place an extra burden on the already underfunded judicial system.
“Once a replacement judge is installed, there will still be the issue of the massive backlog that has resulted from the Government’s continuous attacks on the Family Court system.”
“With retired judges set to return to the bench to clear the national 7,000 case backlog, the last thing the Hunter region needs is an empty appointment and unnecessary grief for families.”
“I intend to raise this issue in Parliament next week.”

Officers from Newcastle City Police District have served a 22-year-old man with a Future Court Attendance Notice for breaching the current Public Health Order.
Police will allege a 22-year-old man hosted a number of large gatherings at a home on Sandgate Road, Shortland, on three separate nights from Wednesday 28 to Friday 30 July 2021.
He is due to face Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday 28 September 2021.
Two women, aged 21 and 20, have previously been issued Future Court Attendance Notices for attending the gatherings; they remain before the courts.
All three people have since tested positive to COVID-19 and are now isolating.
A further three people – two men aged 21 and 26, and a 20-year-old woman – were issued with $1000 Penalty Infringement Notices for attending the gatherings as police continue their inquiries to identify further guests.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

ADF personnel will join the NSW Police Force in Dubbo and Newcastle today, as part of an expansion of the COVID-19 welfare and compliance activities across NSW.
Police officers will be assisted by ADF personnel as they conduct welfare doorknocks and compliance checks of stay-at-home and self-isolation orders.
50 ADF personnel will assist with compliance in Dubbo and the surrounding area, with a further 50 to assist with compliance in the Hunter region.
Further deployments are expected by the end of the week.
Deputy Commissioner Mick Willing, Regional NSW Field Operations, welcomed the arrival of troops in regional towns.
“The NSW Police Force has a long history of co-operation with the ADF and they have provided vital assistance over the past 18 months,” Deputy Commissioner Willing said.
“First and foremost, the troops are there to support the community alongside police. Among other tasks, you will see them delivering hampers and checking on the welfare of our most vulnerable people.
“I want to thank them for their help and again appeal to everyone across our regions to stay at home as much as possible – please do everything you can to help us stop the spread.”
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Hamilton business owner Janice Musumeci has been awarded a two-year contract to provide Business Improvement Association (BIA) support services, replacing previous provider Purser Corporate Communications (Purser).
The initial support services contract was awarded to Purser in 2019 following independent recommendations made to improve the use of Special Business Rate funds, which are collected to promote, beautify and develop the City’s business precincts.
The centralised support service for BIAs delivers efficiencies for its members by providing a shared resource to manage their administrative and compliance obligations. This allows members more time and resources to focus on delivering projects and events that will activate, promote and enhance their precincts.
The contract with Purser ends this month, with the consultancy announcing in July it would be closing its doors after almost 40 years in Newcastle.
Ms Musumeci was awarded the support services contract following a competitive tender process. She has demonstrated a strong ability to deliver outcomes for the business community through her role as Chair of the Hamilton Business Improvement Association, a position she will leave to take the support services contract.
Visit Business Improvement Associations on the City of Newcastle website for more information.