A man has been charged with high-range drink driving after allegedly being caught almost six times over the legal limit in the Hunter region today.
About 1.30pm (Thursday 6 January 2022), officers attached to Hunter Valley Traffic and Highway Patrol Command stopped the driver of a Mitsubishi SUV on Wollombi Road at Bellbird, for the purpose of a random breath test.
Police spoke to the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle – a 41-year-old man – before he was subjected to a roadside breath test, which returned a positive result.
The Cessnock man was arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station, where a subsequent breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.297.
He was charged with high-range PCA, his driver’s licence was confiscated and immediately suspended, and his vehicle was seized.
The man was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Wednesday 9 February 2022.
Category: Newcastle News
All the news happening in the Newcastle and Hunter Region
Investigation underway into fatal stabbing – Jesmond
An investigation is underway after a man was fatally stabbed in the Hunter Region yesterday.
About 3.45pm (Thursday 6 January 2022), emergency services were called to a home on Michael Street, Jesmond, following reports a man had been stabbed.
Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and located a 34-year-old man suffering a stab wound to his chest.
Police have been told the man attended the home and was injured during an altercation with a male occupant, who then fled.
The injured man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
Despite the efforts of medical staff, the man died in hospital.
Newcastle City Detectives have established Strike Force Mantillus to investigate the circumstances of the man’s death.
As part of their inquiries, a large-scale search is also underway to locate the male occupant.
Man charged following pursuit – Hexham
A man has been charged following a pursuit in the state’s Hunter region yesterday.
About 5.30pm on Wednesday (5 January 2022), officers attached to the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command were travelling north on Stewart Avenue, Hamilton South, when they observed a white Ford Falcon driving in a dangerous manner.
A short time later, police sighted the vehicle travelling on Wallsend and Maitland Road, Sandgate.
Police have attempted to stop the vehicle however the driver allegedly failed to stop as directed by police, and a pursuit was initiated.
The vehicle has crashed into another vehicle travelling in the same direction before stopping about 20 meters into marshland.
When the vehicle stopped, the driver has fled the scene of foot before he was arrested at Hexham. He was taken to the Mater Hospital for testing before being taken to Waratah police station.
The driver – a 25-year-old man – was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, not obey direction of police/authorised person, negligent driving, use unregistered registrable class A motor vehicle on road, use uninsured motor vehicle, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period and not give particulars to other driver (2).
No one was injured in the crash.
The man was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 6 January 2020.
Labor to Make Fast Rail Between Sydney and the Hunter a Reality
Labor will provide a $500 million down payment in our first budget to start corridor acquisition, planning and early works. We will work closely with the New South Wales Government that has already identified this project as a key priority.
Labor is the party of nation building and during our last period in Government we invested more in rail projects than all previous governments combined. The Phase 2 study report into high-speed rail commissioned by Anthony Albanese as Infrastructure Minister identified Sydney to Newcastle as forming the first component of an eventual line to Brisbane.
An Albanese Labor government will establish the High-Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) as a statutory agency and issue a clear statement of expectations to the HSRA to begin work on the Sydney to Newcastle corridor as a matter of priority. The line would include stops in the Central Coast, with Wyong and Gosford as obvious possibilities.
We recognise the potential of our regions and the vibrant jobs and lifestyle options they offer all Australians. And with the population of the Hunter Valley and Central Coast forecast grow by close to 200,000 people by 2040, Labor knows that planning for our medium to long term future requires vision, dedication and a commitment to work cooperatively with the states and territories.
That’s why only an Albanese Labor Government can be trusted to build the infrastructure Australians deserve.
What’s the problem?
The NSW Government’s projections show the population of the Central Coast and the Hunter Valley growing by some 200,000 by 2040, making better transport connections a necessity.
Labor shares the NSW government’s vision of a brighter future for our regions, with fast rail connections offering people more choice of where to live and work.
The Morrison-Joyce government has for too long seen infrastructure investment as a political plaything – only Labor has been the party of nation building with a vision for our nation’s long-term future.
Labor’s Plan.
An Albanese Labor Government will ensure the new High-Speed Rail Authority works on the Sydney to Newcastle corridor as its first priority. This will be backed by a $500 million down payment to begin corridor acquisition, planning and early works.
This project will be a signature element of Labor’s plan for smart regionalisation – recognising our regions’ prosperity can be improved by better connectivity between regional centres and from the major population centres and international gateways.
An Albanese Labor government will work closely with the NSW Government on this nation-building project. We expect the High-Speed Rail Authority to identify and acquire a corridor of land that would accommodate either an initial fast rail line that could eventually be upgraded to high-speed rail, or move directly to build high-speed rail itself. And as with all our infrastructure projects, we will look build as much of our fast and high-speed rail future in Australia as is possible.
Cost of our plan
Fast and High-Speed Rail connections are not short-term political fixes, they are the kind of significant nation-building projects visionary governments invest in.
We will ensure a down-payment of $500 million is set aside in our first budget to begin work on this project, with further investment options identified between the Federal and NSW Governments once detailed planning work has been completed.
How fast will the trains go?
This line will be built with the capacity for trains to run up to and over 250kmh.
This would slash journey times from Sydney to Newcastle from over 2 and a half hours to just 45 minutes. From Sydney to Gosford would take only half an hour.
Given that this is a staged project with a long-term focus, the new High-Speed Rail Authority would work collaboratively with the NSW Government to determine the best way of delivering the project, whether that be a phased faster rail approach or an immediate provision of High Speed Rail services.
Either way, it will deliver shorter journey times to the people of Newcastle and the Central Coast.
What sections will come next?
The Phase 2 report commissioned by the last Labor government identified this Sydney-Newcastle route as the first stage of the eventual Sydney to Brisbane line.
We will take that advice and make this a priority for the new High-Speed Rail Authority.
While this route is a priority, the High-Speed Rail Authority would continue work on advancing other sections of the line, eventually connecting Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane.
Labor Will Save the Hunter’s GP Access After Hours Service
An Albanese Labor Government would reverse over $500,000 of annual Liberal cuts to the Hunter’s GP Access After Hours service, securing the future of these crucial after hours healthcare clinics.
After two years of Liberal cuts to the service, operating hours have been reduced at the GP Access After Hours clinics at Belmont Hospital, Maitland Hospital, John Hunter Hospital and the Toronto Polyclinic, while the clinic at Calvary Mater Newcastle closed its doors on Christmas Eve.
The Prime Minister has refused to rule out supporting a recommendation for a further funding cut, which if approved would end this vital service.
This is a devastating blow to the Hunter community, especially in the middle of a global pandemic. Almost every Hunter family has used this vital service.
This service sees 50,000 patients a year and provides 70,000 telephone consultations, alleviates pressure on overstretched hospitals and has been estimated to save the broader health system almost $22 million per year.
For example, when the Belmont After Hours Clinic was forced to close temporarily, waiting times at the Belmont Hospital Emergency Department blew out from 2.5 hours to six hours.
Like so many Liberal decisions about funding health services, cutting funding to the Hunter’s GP Access After Hours service just doesn’t make sense.
Reduced hours of operation and closure of services have led to an incredible local campaign to get services restored, led by the local community, the Hunter GP Association and the four Labor MPs and candidates who have fought passionately to retain their treasured after hours care service.
Unlike Mr Morrison, Labor has heard the message loud and clear and an Albanese Labor Government will restore cut funding as a priority.
Labor built Medicare, we protect Medicare and we’ll strengthen Medicare if the Australian people elect an Albanese Labor Government.
Two people located deceased in submerged vehicle – Port Stephens
Two people have been located deceased during the recovery of a submerged vehicle at Port Stephens today.
Just after 4.30am (Sunday 02 January 2022), emergency services were called to Soldiers Point boat ramp following reports of a vehicle in the water.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and located a white hatchback fully submerged.
Initial inquiries indicated a person was deceased within the vehicle.
A crime scene was established and during the recovery of the vehicle, the bodies of two people – a man and woman – were located inside. They are yet to be formally identified.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District are being assisted by Police Rescue, Marine Area Command divers, PolAir and SES volunteers.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident has commenced.
The Soldiers Point boat ramp remains closed.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Woman missing from state's Hunter Region located safe and well
A woman missing from the state’s Hunter Region has been located safe and well.
The 74-year-old was last seen at a home at Raymond Terrace Road, Millers Forest, about 11am (Monday 27 December 2021).
She was reported missing to officers attached to Port Stephens Hunter Police District after she failed to return.
Following inquiries, the woman was located safe and well today (Wednesday 29 December 2021).
Police would like to thank the community and media for their assistance.
Appeal for man wanted on an outstanding warrant – Maitland
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on an outstanding warrant in the state’s north.
Daniel Truswell – aged 36 – is wanted on an outstanding warrant for break and enter offences.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District have commenced inquiries to locate the man.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, of solid build, with brown hair and blue/grey eyes.
He is known to frequent the Newcastle, Maitland, and Singleton areas.
Anyone with information relating to his whereabouts is urged not to approach him but to contact Triple Zero (000).
Police appeal to locate missing elderly woman – Hunter Region
Police are appealing for public information to locate an elderly woman missing from the state’s Hunter region.
Lynette Robson – aged 74 – was last seen at a home at Raymond Terrace Road, Millers Forest, about 11am yesterday (Monday 27 December 2021).
She was reported missing to officers attached to Port Stephens Hunter Police District after she failed to return.
Police and family hold serious concerns for Lynette as she lives with a medical condition that requires medication.
Lynette is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall, of slim build, with a tanned complexion and short grey hair.
She was last seen wearing a red and white sleeveless dress and sandals.
Lynette may be driving a 2018 silver Suzuki Vitara with NSW registration plates – LR 445.
Anyone with information about Lynette’s whereabouts, or who sights Lynette, is urged to contact Raymond Terrace police on 4983 7599immediately.
Keeping our kids safe over the holidays
City of Newcastle has again teamed up with Little Blue Dinosaur to promote safety and reduce child pedestrian injuries and fatalities across the city.
Over the coming weeks, road users will start to notice unique signage at local beaches, parks and other popular spots which urge people to slow down and take care during the holiday season.
The ‘Holiday Time; Slow Down, Kids Around’ signage has been installed along Wharf Road, at Newcastle Harbour, and at key locations along the Bathers Way.
Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz visited the locations of the sign and spoke about the importance of keeping our kids safe when they are out and about.
Founders of Little Blue Dinosaur Michelle and David McLaughlin tragically lost their son Tom at age four to a roadside accident on the Central Coast, and now work tirelessly with organisations like City of Newcastle to prevent further tragedies from occurring on our roads.
The signs are colourful and highly visible, and incorporate simple messaging reminding drivers to slow down, and children and families to take care as pedestrians. It is crucial we work together to ensure we have an incident-free Christmas period.
The Holiday Time; Slow Down, Kids Around campaign is supported by many councils across four states in Australia.
To read more about Michelle and David’s story, or the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation, visit http://www.littlebluedinosaur.org