Category: Newcastle News

Planning certificates provided by the City of Newcastle to people considering buying a property will now include reference to strategies supporting live music and the night time economy.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the new planning certificate notification informs prospective property purchasers that Newcastle supports live-music and advises that the City has a vibrant night time economy.
“This is a key action from our After Dark and Live Music strategies to support our local live music and creative industries while raising awareness among residents,” The Lord Mayor said.
“Newcastle boasts almost 100 live music venues, with many operating in mixed uses areas with residential neighbours.
“Placing information about live music and night time activities on planning certificates will assist in managing the expectations of those who move into the city and are surprised by the levels of background noise.”
City of Newcastle Councillor Carol Duncan said the addition of a planning certificate notice demonstrates a strong commitment to developing an activated and vibrant City.
“This initiative recognises that Newcastle is increasingly a creative and global city that must be shared by its residents in order for our night time economy to be strong, which in turn makes the city safer and economically stronger” Cr Duncan said.
“The new notification provides greater transparency for purchasers on the importance and significance City of Newcastle gives to our live music and creative industries.
“The new notification supports a vibrant City with a growing night time economy by acknowledging that noise can be experienced from live music venues and events.
“While the right of residents to not be unduly impacted by noise late at night remains in place, this is a way we can support Newcastle’s rich creative scene which is a major contributor to our local economy.
“A truly thriving and diverse night time economy will play a part of the city’s growth and success moving forward.”
City of Newcastle’s Live Music Strategy (2019) and Newcastle After Dark: Night Time Economy Strategy (2018) were unanimously supported by Council and support live music and the night-time economy which play a key role in accommodation, events, cultural and business uses in the City Centre and Town Centres.

Final preparations for the inaugural million-dollar New Annual festival are almost complete as City of Newcastle prepares to kick off its flagship cultural event this Friday.
With a massive pop-up installation known as The Hangar creating a theatrical-style carnival atmosphere in Civic Park and the Pavilion of Sand installation providing a base for indigenous cultural expression in Wheeler Place, Newcastle’s Civic precinct is putting on a new look for the 10-day event.

But it’s not just the city’s cultural heart undergoing a transformation for New Annual, with dozens of cultural shows to play their part throughout the city extending as far away as the Summerhill Waste Management Centre. Other locations include the Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle Museum, The Station, the Carriage Sheds at Foreshore Park, Miss Porter’s House, The Lock Up and Timeless Textiles.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said New Annual was a transformative, citywide event that would enhance Newcastle’s reputation as a hub of art and culture.
“After months of planning, it’s wonderful to see this amazing infrastructure taking shape,” Cr Nelmes said.
“By transforming well-known sites across Newcastle and using both traditional and non-traditional venues to deliver the artistic program, New Annual gives locals and visitors the opportunity to see the city in a new light as they discover new work, fresh perspectives and unexpected performance spaces.
“Over time the festival will grow to become a significant generator of cultural tourism, positioning Newcastle as an innovative and creative community with a vibrant cultural history, an amazing depth of talent within its performing and visual arts sector and a bright future as a smart, liveable and sustainable global city.”
New Annual provides a much-needed opportunity for local and touring artists to get back on stage and in front of audiences following COVID-19’s debilitating impact on the performing arts sector.
More than 100 visual and performing artists will take part in over 50 free and ticketed events during New Annual, which runs from 12 – 21 February. It will include dance, live music, art displays, exhibitions, presentations, talks, and activation events.
New Annual’s program has been designed with the flexibility to operate as a COVID-19 Safe event depending on Public Health Orders. To find out more visit www.newannual.com.

A man will face court next month after alleged stolen goods were found at a Hunter property yesterday.
In December 2020, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District commenced an investigation into three break and enter offences which occurred between Sunday 20 December and Wednesday 23 December 2020 at a commercial premises on Junction Street, Telarah.
During the alleged offences, a large amount of equipment and tools were taken from the business.
Following extensive inquiries, about 10am yesterday (Tuesday 9 February 2021), police attended a home on Cessnock Road, Maitland, where they spoke with a 53-year-old man.
During a subsequent search of the property, officers located and seized a large amount of tools believed to be stolen from the Telarah business.
He was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of break and enter house steal value <= $60,000, and one count each of break and enter dwelling with intent to steal and goods suspected stolen in/on premises.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 10 March 2021.

Two men will face court today after an alleged aggravated break and enter at a Newcastle home yesterday.
Shortly before 2.10pm (Tuesday 9 February 2021), two men attended a home on Lake Road, Elermore Vale, and allegedly attempted to force entry to the home.
A woman opened the door and the pair allegedly threatened her and a 17-year-old man with baseball bats.
The two men left the home, smashing several windows around the property and continuing to hit and smash several vehicles along Lake Road.
An unmarked police car attached to Newcastle City Police District was conducting patrols nearby when they located and arrested the two men – aged 18 and 16 – and took them to Waratah Police Station.
The older man was charged with aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence in company-not steal, and two counts of destroy/damage property. He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 10 February 2021).
The teenage boy was charged with aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence in company-not steal and destroy/damage property more than $15,000. He was refused bail to appear at a children’s court today (Wednesday 10 February 2021).
As inquiries are continuing, police are urging anyone whose vehicle may have been damaged to please contact Newcastle Police. Police are also urging anyone who may have dashcam footage or CCTV from the nearby area to come forward.

Police are renewing their appeal for public assistance to find a Lake Macquarie man – who’s been missing for more than two months – after receiving new information.
Patrick Thaidy, aged 60, was last seen at his home on Delasala Drive in Macquarie Hills about 12am on Sunday 6 December 2020.
Family members reported him missing to police later that day and officers from Lake Macquarie Police District commenced inquiries into his whereabouts; despite extensive searches and inquiries into his movements since then, Mr Thaidy remains missing.
Police and family members hold grave concerns for his welfare due to medical conditions.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District have today (Wednesday 10 February 2021), renewed their appeal for assistance from the public after receiving information Mr Thaidy may have been in the Sydney region, including the Redfern and Waterloo areas.
Mr Thaidy is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 175cm tall, with a medium build, short black hair, facial hair and brown eyes. He is not currently wearing his dentures.
He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, light-grey tracksuit pants tucked into black socks, and white slides.
Anyone who may have seen Mr Thaidy, or has information about his whereabouts, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

Police are seeking public assistance to locate a man wanted on outstanding warrants in the Newcastle and Mid North Coast regions.
Clint Ivan Morris, aged 31, is wanted on four outstanding warrants for breach of Community Corrections Orders for traffic and assault offences.
He is known to frequent the Jesmond, Wallsend, Newcastle, Cameron Park and Kempsey areas.
He is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, between 165cm to 170cm tall, with a medium build and black hair.
Anyone who has information about his whereabouts is urged not to approach him and to contact Triple Zero (000) or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Newcastle will launch the Australian leg of the world pro surfing tour, with 52 of the best surfers from across the globe set to converge on the city in April.
City of Newcastle in partnership with the NSW Government through tourism and major events agency Destination NSW has secured the new event kicking off at Merewether Beach from the start of April as the first Australian stop on the World Surf League (WSL)’s revamped 2021 Championship Tour (CT).
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the WSL event was a massive coup for Newcastle, providing a major boost to the tourism sector by promoting the city and our coastline on the world stage.
“It’s been wonderful to work collaboratively with the NSW Government, Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres to attract the premier international world surfing league event back to NSW and Newcastle,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Their support and advocacy were vital as we worked alongside the great team at Destination NSW to secure what is a massive coup for our state and our city, and we thank them for their expertise and assistance.
The WSL event will be fantastic, not only for the region’s sports lovers, but for its potential flow-on effects for our visitor economy.
“The event will bring a major influx of competitors, media representatives, event officials and fans to our city throughout April, delivering an estimated benefit of more than $15 million to Newcastle’s economy.
“It will also provide invaluable promotion for future tourism by showcasing Newcastle to a global audience of more than 10 million viewers, with the event to be livestreamed across various platforms and broadcast on Channel 7 and Fox Sports.”
Cr Nelmes said City of Newcastle has a long and proud history of supporting top level international surfing contests, having been heavily involved in the establishment of Surfest in 1985 (then known as the BHP Steel International), which was the world’s richest professional surfing event at the time.
In the last decade, Newcastle has cemented its reputation for hosting a variety of prominent Australian and international events across various sporting codes.
“Newcastle has become a destination of choice for major sporting events, including Surfest, the recent SAANZAR Rugby Championship, Supercars Newcastle 500, the 2015 Asian Cup Football tournament, the A-League Grand Final and various rugby union and league Test Matches,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Newcastle is highly regarded in international surf circles as the home of Surfest, the largest surfing festival in the southern hemisphere, which includes WSL qualifying series events.
“With a prize pool of over $1 million across the men’s and women’s contests, this new championship event will elevate Mereweather’s popular break even further, joining an international pro touring schedule stacked with the top surfing destinations across the globe in a sport that is new addition to the Olympics.”
“We’re pleased the WSL event will tap into the local expertise of Surfest organiser Warren Smith and look forward to welcoming athletes and surfing fans from across Australia to Newcastle for this COVID Safe event in April.”

Three men have been charged over an alleged aggravated break and enter and shooting in Newcastle last month.
About 8.10pm on Thursday 14 January 2021, two 19-year-old men attended an apartment at Newcastle Road, Jesmond, where they spoke with a 36-year-old man.
Police will allege in court the pair forced entry to the home and threatened the man with a fire extinguisher. The 36-year-old ran from the apartment to a nearby home in William Street.
The pair followed the man before one of the men allegedly discharged a firearm towards the older man.
The two men fled the scene in a waiting Toyota Camry, allegedly being driven by a third 19-year-old man.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District were notified and established a crime scene a short time later.
Detectives commenced Strike Force Waradgery to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following extensive inquiries, Newcastle City detectives – assisted by Northern Region Tactical Operations Unit – executed three simultaneous search warrants at properties in Jesmond and Fletcher about 7am yesterday (Friday 5 February 2021).
Three 19-year-old men were arrested during the warrants – two in Jesmond and one in Fletcher and taken to Waratah Police Station.
A 19-year-old Jesmond man was charged with;
• Agg B&E & commit serious indictable offence-people there
• Shoot at with intent to murder
• Affray
• Possess prohibited drug
• Supply prohibited drug >indictable & <commercial quantity
• Deal with property proceeds of crime < $100000
• Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit (x 3)
A second 19-year-old Jesmond man was charged with;
• Shoot at with intent to murder
• Agg B&E & commit serious indictable offence-people there
• Affray
• Possess unauthorised firearm
A 19-year-old Fletcher man was charged with;
• Shoot at with intent to murder
• Possess prohibited drug
• Agg B&E & commit serious indictable offence-people there
• Owner not disclose identity of driver/passenger
• Affray
All three were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Saturday 6 February 2021.

A man has been charged after police seized a firearm and drugs following a pursuit in the Hunter region yesterday.
About 3.15am, Saturday 6 February 2021, officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were conducting routine patrols on Tathra Street, Raymond Terrace, when they attempted to stop a Toyota Kluger for the purposes of a random breath test.
When it allegedly failed to stop, a pursuit commenced.
It’s alleged the Toyota also reversed into the front of the marked police vehicle, before driving through a large steel gate at a property on Sabre Close, causing extensive damage.
Police arrested a 26-year-old man at the scene, and a 27-year-old man after a short foot pursuit.
Following a search of the vehicle, police seized a handgun, methylamphetamine and cannabis.
No one was injured.
The 27-year-old driver has been charged with:

• Police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly
• Destroy or damage property
• Possess unauthorised pistol
• Not keep firearm safely-prohibited firearm
• Possess prohibited drug
• Receive property stolen outside NSW
• Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen m/v
• Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period – first offence.

He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Sunday 7 February 2021).
The 26-year-old passenger was released, pending further inquiries.

City of Newcastle has completed a $6 million upgrade of Council Street with 8,000 new street plants, 18 new trees, additional parking spaces, public art and stormwater improvements at the heart of Cooks Hill’s eat-street.
The project included replacing aged underground drainage with a new stormwater drain, almost three-metres wide, taking rainwater from the local area to Cottage Creek.
Council Street has regularly experienced severe localised flooding during major storms, as it lies at a critical stormwater drainage juncture. The Cottage Creek catchment covers large sections of the city from The Junction and The Hill, as well as Merewether and Hamilton.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the upgrade helps to mitigate stormwater flooding in the local area while delivering streetscape improvements and a fun new ‘selfie’ wall mural by local artist Trevor Dickinson.
“City of Newcastle has been working with local residents and businesses on this project for years given the historic flooding issues in the area and it’s fantastic to see this major $6 million upgrade complete,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The community and local business-owners’ input has been critical in making a range of improvements to the area, including stormwater issues, pedestrian safety, vehicle movements and car parking, while creating an appealing, well-functioning streetscape to support local businesses.”
Improved traffic management flow has also been created by removing the roadblock on Council Street to allow one-way traffic to flow through, enhancing the functionality of the street for motorists, pedestrians and to facilitate more active modes of transport with a cycleway.
The new traffic arrangements will improve safety by discouraging illegal U-turns being made at the Darby Street and Council Street intersection and significantly reduce the street crossing distances for pedestrians while delivering seven additional parking spaces.
“Construction of the new drainage was accelerated when COVID-19 led to quieter traffic conditions and restrictions on local businesses. The project team reprogrammed and brought forward the most disruptive works to enable businesses to maximise earning potential when restrictions eased,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Trevor Dickinson’s interactive’ selfie’ mural wall wraps up the project, bringing the new space to life by injecting fun with his use of bold use of colour whilst capturing the character and charm of the area. We look forward to seeing the community and visitors interacting and engaging with the ‘selfie’ mural wall on social media and this new public space.
Anthony Strachan, owner of Darby Street business Three Monkeys Cafe said he has already begun to see the benefits of the $6 million project.
“The renewal of this area is a great thing for local businesses. The better it looks, the more people who are going to come here.
“It’s unreal to see people already enjoying the new street furniture and interacting with the street art.”