Category: Newcastle News

Concept designs for Stage 1 of the Newcastle Ocean Baths upgrade will soon get underway, with GHD named as the principal design consultant.
The Baths upgrade is a staged project that will begin with the restoration of the pool and its promenades, while consultation and assessments continue for the upper concourse and pavilion.
City of Newcastle will fully fund the renewal of the Baths, with the $9.5 million proceeds from the sale of three City of Newcastle-owned buildings including the Frederick Ash Building, directed towards the project, while any additional funds will come from City of Newcastle.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Stage 1 design contract had been awarded to GHD following an official tender process, with the firm set to complete final site investigations before developing initial options and concept designs for the pools and promenade for community feedback.
“Engagement with the Newcastle Ocean Baths Community Reference Group and broader public is an important aspect of revitalising this iconic community asset,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Our discussions to date have provided an insight into what the community values most about the pools, such as retaining the iconic boardwalk and improving accessibility.
“This feedback will help inform the upcoming design process, with initial concepts to be provided to the Newcastle Ocean Baths community reference group for feedback.
“This will be followed by a detailed design process, which is expected to be completed by April 2021, with construction works scheduled to begin in the new financial year following further community consultation.”
Stage 2 of the project will address the renewal of the pavilions and surrounding upper level public domain space. A multi-criteria needs analysis will be undertaken on the site to guide conversations with the community and ensure the upgrade meets the needs of future generations.
“Newcastle Ocean Baths is treasured by our community, which is why we are moving ahead with the upgrades to the pools while continuing conversations with the community to ensure they have input into the improvements to the iconic pavilions,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Prioritising a refurbishment of the pools and their surrounds will allow us to improve the site’s safety and accessibility while ensuring adequate time to work with the community on a plan for the pavilion that respects the heritage and integrity of the site.”

Detectives are appealing for information as part of an investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a young girl near Port Stephens almost two years ago.
Earlier this month, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a young girl had been sexually assaulted by an unknown man at Nelson Bay last year.
Investigators have been told the girl – then aged 11 – was at Dutchmans Beach Reserve when she was approached by an unknown man, before being taken to nearby bushes and sexually assaulted.
The incident is believed to have occurred between 11am to late afternoon on Sunday 27 January 2019.
The man has been described as being aged in his 60s or 70s, with an olive complexion, grey hair below his ears and a moustache.
He is believed to have been wearing a black t-shirt.
As investigations continue, detectives are appealing for public information – including any photographs, video recordings or dashcam footage – from Dutchmans Beach Reserve on Sunday 27 January 2019.
Anyone who has information about the incident is urged to come forward immediately.
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and serious cases of neglect.
Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

13 people were charged with numerous offences ranging from assault to stealing following an operation conducted across Sydney’s railway and transport network.
On Saturday 19 December 2020, officers attached to the Police Transport Command North / Central sector conducted Operation Disrupt, an intelligence driven policing operation around the transport network.
A total of 42 officers were deployed across the Sydney CBD, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, North Shore, Central Coast and Newcastle areas.
As a result of the deployment 13 people were charged, 4 warrants executed, 7 knives seized, 2 prohibited drugs seized, 28 person searches conducted and 24 move-on directions issued.
Of note;
About 5.30pm yesterday, police arrested a 34-year-old man on Baker Lane, Gosford. He was charged with breaching bail and possessing an electric bike and jewellery suspected of being stolen. He was also charged for offences committed on Friday 18 December 2020 in Wollongong, including entering a vehicle without consent, stealing, fraud offences and possession of stolen goods. He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Sunday 20 December 2020.
About 6:30pm, two 17-year-old youths were arrested at the Chalmers Street Light Rail Stop at Surry Hills. They were taken to Surry Hills Police Station where one was charged for having a stolen bank card in their possession. The other was charged with offensive behaviour, resisting arrest and possessing four knives. They were both refused bail to appear before a Children’s Court on Sunday 20 December 2020.
About 3:20 pm, a 37-year-old woman was arrested at Railway Square, Chippendale and charged with assault, malicious damage, breaching an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order and breaching bail. She was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Sunday 20 December 2020.
About 6:30pm a 20-year-old male was arrested at Tuggerah Railway Station and charged for possessing two knives. He will appear before court in the New Year.

Once again, City of Newcastle has 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.
One location where the ‘Holiday Time; Slow Down, Kids Around’ signage has been installed is along Wharf Road, at Newcastle Harbour.
On Friday 18 December, Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz visited the location 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. Newcastle will be a popular holiday destination over the coming weeks and months, so 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 65 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

Visitors will be able to explore multiple truths in Newcastle Museum’s latest exhibition, 1X4, which turns the traditional museum experience on its head.
The innovative 1×4 exhibition was conceived by Newcastle Museum as a way of highlighting the role of curators and historians in shaping how we perceive the significance of things.

Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said visitors would be presented with four diverse “stories” for each object, reflecting a range of different but valid perspectives that can be used to interpret the displays.
Ms Baird said the radical concept could change the way museums create exhibitions and had already attracted state-wide and international interest. Even the way the stories are presented is different, on your own phone or device instead of labels on the walls.
“By using their own phones, visitors can read or listen to each object’s stories plus listen to its accompanying song, in an accessible and COVID Safe way, so when you come, don’t forget to bring your mobile or device,” Ms Baird said.
“1X4 breaks the power that museums have when they choose what to collect and how to interpret.
“An object as simple as a child’s dress can tell of the Baby Boom generation, the symbolism of the colour pink, an individual’s childhood or the science of the Nylon revolution.
“The exhibition begins as many conversations as it concludes, allowing visitors to enjoy deeper engagement and a more philosophical view on rare, beautiful and ordinary objects. We are hoping visitors leave the show and go home to explore the links, songs and stories more after the have visited in person.”
“While 1×4 is currently on exhibition at Newcastle Museum it will also travel to other local government-funded museums in NSW.
“The approach is considered so ground-breaking that local government funded museums in Canada have been in contact and are interested in creating their own version of the 1X4 concept.”
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the interest generated by the self-curated exhibition reflects the quality of exhibitions, collections and programming produced by the Museum.
“Newcastle Museum is on the cutting edge of contemporary museum practice, creating insightful and immersive ways to interpret and preserve our city’s fascinating history,” Cr Nelmes said.
“As a vibrant, award-winning cultural attraction, its collection and exhibitions also add to the rich diversity of experiences that help attract visitors to our city.”
Visitors will need to use a phone or device to experience the audio or written labels, links and songs for every object. 1×4 opens at the Museum tomorrow and will remain on display until May 31, with free entry. Visit the Newcastle Museum website for more information.
Newcastle Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm, and Mondays during NSW public and school holidays.

Cementing a long-standing partnership, City of Newcastle has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Newcastle, outlining their shared commitment to providing leadership and solidarity for the city on issues of regional significance and impact.
The MoU was signed today by Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and the University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky.

With a focus on projects that build economic and social resilience, the MoU sets out a framework for how the joint partners will collaborate towards developing a globally connected, innovative, equitable and sustainable city.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the City is focused on working collaboratively with other progressive organisations like the University, to deliver world class urban innovation outcomes through joint activities for the city.
“Newcastle is a sustainable and liveable global city, anchored by a world-leading University which shares a mutual interest in exploring opportunities which enhance innovation through sharing knowledge, research, and data,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Of particular interest to both partners is exploring opportunities for student engagement, with a view to creating a welcoming experience, so students go on to be lifelong ambassadors for our region.
“Collaboration will focus on our strategic alignment between the City and University in; research; industry engagement and exchange; student engagement, City and University Alumni; specialist scholarly advice; learning and cultural events; and data sharing.
“Cooperation will also further our shared Reconciliation agenda and be embedded in the values of equity, excellence, engagement and sustainability.
“City of Newcastle looks forward to strengthening our relationship with the University and utilising this important partnership to the benefit of the city whilst reflecting the spirit and intent of collaboration, transparency, respect, and innovation.”
University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky said a stronger partnership between the University and City of Newcastle will benefit our community.
“We are a University of our region, for our region.  Indeed, City of Newcastle and the community have been pivotal in the establishment of the University as a leading city institution.  I’m very pleased to cement our University’s ongoing partnership through this MoU,” Professor Zelinsky said.
“This MoU is a commitment to work together on shared priorities, to find ways to tackle challenges in our communities together and to make sure that our region benefits from the strength and knowledge of a world-class university.
“Novocastrians have told us that they want us to provide leadership on issues that impact our regions, such as entrenched inequality and a transitioning economy. By working hand in hand with the City of Newcastle, we’ll better understand the needs and together be able to address the challenges.”

A man has died in a two-vehicle crash in Muswellbrook yesterday.
About 6.30pm (Tuesday 16 December 2020), emergency services were called to Thomas Mitchell Drive, Muswellbrook, after reports a Hyundai Getz and a Nissan Pulsar had collided.
The Hyundai driver and sole occupant, a 28-year-old man, died at the scene.
The driver of the Nissan, a 20-year-old woman, was freed by Fire and Rescue NSW and airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition. A 10-year-old girl, who was travelling in the back seat, was also flown to hospital suffering suspected fractures.
A seven-week-old boy in the same vehicle escaped injury but was taken to hospital to be checked as a precaution.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene which is being forensically examined and have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Anyone with information about this incident, or dashcam vision, 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.

A man will appear in court next month after crashing his car into a parked vehicle while allegedly intoxicated earlier today.
Police will allege that, about 4.50am (Thursday 17 December 2020), a 35-year-old man was driving his Mazda 6 west along Sandy Point Road, Corlette, when he lost control and crashed into a parked car.
His vehicle rolled and landed on its roof near Foreshore Drive.
Emergency services were called and officers from Port Stephens – Hunter PD attended and spoke with the driver who was not injured.
He was breath tested and provided a positive result. He was arrested and taken to Nelson Bay Police Station where he submitted an alleged breath analysis reading of 0.176 – in the high-range category.
He was charged with high range PCA, and his licence was suspended.
He is due to appear in Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 25 January 2021.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the Hunter Region since last week.
Vainenooroa Tuaratini (known as ‘Scotty’), aged 25, was last seen about 3am on Saturday 9 December 2020, on Bridge Street, Muswellbrook.
He hasn’t been seen since.
Officers from the Hunter Valley Police District were notified of his disappearance later that morning and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Police and his family have concerns for Vainenooroa’s welfare due to a medical condition.
Vainenooroa is described as being of Pacific Islander appearance, about 175cm tall, of solid build, with brown eyes and short black hair.
When last seen, he was wearing green camouflage cargo shorts and a faded green t-shirt.
Vainenooroa is known to frequent the Belmore and Lakemba areas.
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.

With Newcastle to grow to around 187,000 residents by 2030, City of Newcastle has invested $24 million into the construction of a new landfill site at Summerhill Waste Management Centre.
The Cell 9 project will cater for the city’s waste disposal needs for the next 10 years and is complemented by the work of the Resource Recovery Centre, which has already diverted more than 3,100 tonnes of recyclable product from landfill in its first 12 months of operation.

The new landfill cell will take almost three million cubic metres of waste materials that are unable to be recycled, with the equivalent of 280 Olympic swimming pools of earth and rock excavated during its construction.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Cell 9 project was delivered on time and under budget, allowing the City to continue to deliver low-cost waste services while focusing on increasing the amount of waste diverted from landfill.
“This massive project is just one of a suite of waste-related initiatives we are undertaking to future proof our city and prepare for our growing population,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The landfill will work in conjunction with the Resource Recovery Centre, which since opening at Summerhill in September 2019 has already diverted over 3,100 tonnes of waste destined for landfill, including chemicals contained in paints and batteries.
“Our plans for the site also include a state-of-the-art organics recycling facility, which will divert food waste from landfill and transform it into compost, redirecting 900,000 tonnes of food and garden organics from landfill over 25 years.”

Manager Waste Services Troy Uren said the cell has been constructed with a focus on protecting the local environment.
“Cell 9 has been engineered with a high-tech protective synthetic clay liner to prevent any seepage into the ground,” Mr Uren said.
“The material from the cell’s excavation has also been put to good use, with the City’s Bushland Regeneration team repurposing sandstone to restabilise bush and creeks in rehabilitation works.
“Once Cell 9 is operating, the landfill gas extraction system will be extended to capture methane, a harmful greenhouse gas. This is converted to electricity at the on-site power plant and fed into the grid, currently powering 2500 homes and saving around 8000 tonnes of greenhouse gas every month.”