Category: Newcastle News

A motorcyclist has died after a single-vehicle crash in the Hunter Valley this morning.
Shortly after 4am (Wednesday 27 January 2021), emergency services were called to the intersection of Wollombi Road and Kendall Street, Bellbird, about 6km south-west of Cessnock, after reports a motorcycle had hit with a barrier.
The rider, a man believed to be aged in his 30s, was ejected from the bike and located a short distance away.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District commenced CPR prior to the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics, however he died at the scene.
The man is yet to be formally identified.
A crime scene has been established and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash has commenced.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Newcastle Jets forward Roy O’Donovan has found a permanent home in the region, with the Irish import and his young family set to become Australian citizens at one of City of Newcastle’s online citizenship ceremonies on Tuesday.
O’Donovan and his wife Ellen relocated to Australia in 2015, initially for a change of scenery, but when their son Alfie was born less than 12 months later, the O’Donovans soon fell in love with Newcastle and the unparalleled lifestyle it had to offer.
^{Roy O’Donovan with his wife Ellen and son Alfie at Dixon Park Beach.}
“I always had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to play in Australia or America because I fancied the change from living in England,” O’Donovan said.
“We came to Newcastle and really felt like we had found a home here. I’d travelled elsewhere for football but never for more than two or three years at a time. You can’t beat the lifestyle here, especially for raising a family, with so many beautiful parks and beaches at your doorstep.
“We’re extremely honoured and proud to become Australian citizens and be part of Newcastle’s future.”
As for Alfie’s favourite thing about Newcastle? “I love swimming at the beaches and also seeing all the dogs walking around,” he said.
The O’Donovans will share their special day with Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, who is presiding over their citizenship ceremony via Zoom, before tucking into a backyard barbecue, sending their love to family and friends in hard lockdown in Ireland and enjoying some family time before Alfie starts kindergarten later this week.
Cr Nelmes said City of Newcastle had adapted its traditional Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony, which in the past has been one of the largest in the state, to allow our newest citizens to take the pledge in a COVID safe environment.
“While the COVID-19 pandemic has meant we have had to do things a little differently to keep the community safe, it’s an historic moment as Lord Mayor to welcome City of Newcastle’s newest citizens in a more intimate, one-on-one setting, joining them virtually in their lounge rooms and kitchens.”
The Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Declan Clausen will preside over simultaneous ceremonies, accompanied by the Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon, who will read the Minister’s Message.

Police are appealing for information about a home invasion in which a shot was fired inside a house in Lake Macquarie overnight.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were called to a home on Railway Street, Teralba, shortly after 11pm (Saturday 23 January 2021), responding to reports of a gunshot.
Police have been told three people – one armed with a firearm and one with a baton – entered the house and threatened a 26-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman.
The woman was struck in the head with the baton before the group ransacked the lounge stealing cash and phones, leaving a short time later in an older-model blue hatchback.
The injured woman was treated at the scene for a head laceration.
A crime scene was established and a canvass of the street conducted.
Police are would like to speak to three people – two men and a woman – they believe may be able to assist them with inquiries.
The first man is described as being about 188cm tall with a medium build. At the time the man was carrying a firearm.
The second man is described as being about 175cm tall with a thin build.
The woman is described as being about 167cm tall with a stocky build and may have shoulder-length dark hair. She was carrying a baton or similar.
All are believed to be of Caucasian appearance, aged in their 30s and were dressed in black clothing with their faces covered.
As inquiries continue, anyone who has information about this incident, or who may have CCTV or dashcam vision from the area and its surrounds about the time described, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.

An investigation is underway after a man’s body was found in Newcastle Harbour overnight.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to Wharf Road about 8.50pm Saturday (23 January 2021), after the body of a man was found by a two people who had been fishing.
The body was retrieved by Water Police and has been taken for a post-mortem examination to confirm identity and cause of death.
Police are also investigating reports that a 25-year-old man went missing after leaving a hotel on Wharf Road late Wednesday evening(20 January 2021).
Anyone with information about either incident is urged to contact Newcastle City Police or Crime Stoppers.

A man will undergo surgery after being bitten on the arm in the Lake Macquarie area this afternoon.

About 6.30pm (Saturday 23 January 2021), emergency services were called to Yoorala Road, Lake Macquarie, following reports of a shark attack.
NSW Ambulance paramedics treated a 58-year-old man at the scene for injuries to his left arm before he was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital, where he will undergo surgery.
Police were told the man and a woman was swimming in the lake when he was bitten on his arm. The woman, aged 56, helped pull him to shore.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District are working with NSW Fisheries to identify the species.

With high temperatures and hazardous sea conditions forecast today through until Tuesday 26 January, City of Newcastle is encouraging the community to stay safe around Newcastle’s beaches and coastal areas.
Community members are reminded to only visit patrolled beaches, avoid crowded areas or opt to visit the local pool, always swim between the red and yellow flags, practice sun safe measures and stay hydrated.
With COVID restrictions still in effect, additional City of Newcastle COVIDSafe beach marshals will be patrolling the city’s beaches.
Tips to stay safe at the beach across summer:
Avoid crowded areas and peak times – If you notice an area is already crowded, consider another beach, local pool or leisure option, and try to avoid peak times of the day.
Stay safe around the water – Swim between the red and yellow flags, put your hand up if you get into trouble, never swim alone, and if you are unsure ask a lifeguard.
Keep your distance – Stay 1.5 metres, or approximately a towel length apart from others.
Look out for our COVIDSafe Beach Marshals – During busy periods such as weekends and school holidays, additional lifeguards will be onsite as COVIDSafe Beach Marshals to patrol our beaches and baths, to educate the community about requirements under the Public Health Order, monitor crowd sizes and promote water safety.
Do not gather in large groups – Do not gather in large groups and all group members must ensure they can physically distance with people outside their own household.
Make decisions in the best interest of yourself and others – Make sure you stay home if you are unwell and download the COVID Safe app.
View lifeguard patrol times at our beaches.

Newcastle-based organisations are encouraged to apply for grants for projects that highlight the service and sacrifice of Australian personnel in wars, conflicts and peace operations.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon MP said the Saluting their Service Commemorative Grants Program is designed to preserve Australia’s wartime heritage.
“I encourage community-based organisations to apply to undertake projects that will promote appreciation and understanding of the experiences of service and the roles that those who served have played in shaping the nation,” Ms Claydon said.
“Projects may include the construction or restoration of war or peace memorials, commemorative events, digital content development, publications or public awareness activities.”
Ms Claydon said there are two categories of grants available.
“Grants up to $10,000 are available for community-based commemorative projects and activities,” Ms Claydon said.
“A second category provides grants between $10,001 and $150,000 are available for major commemorative projects and activities that are significant from a regional, state or national perspective.”
Ms Claydon said that if organisations wanted her to provide a letter of support, they should email her a copy of their application at sharon.claydon.mp@aph.gov.au
The closing date for applications is 11pm on Thursday 11 February 2021. For further information and to apply, visit www.communitygrants.gov.au/grants/saluting-their-service-commemorative-grants-program or contact Sharon Claydon’s office on 4926 1555.

A woman has been charged with high-range drink driving after allegedly colliding with an unmarked police car whilst more than four times the legal limit in Lake Macquarie.
About 5.15pm yesterday (Wednesday 21 January 2021), a male senior constable stopped in the breakdown lane of the Pacific Highway, Belmont, in an unmarked police vehicle.
A short time later, a Ford Focus travelling north has veered into the breakdown lane and collided with the rear of the stationary police vehicle.
The officer called for assistance with additional police and emergency services attending. He and the Ford driver, a 42-year-old woman, underwent a roadside breath test, which the woman allegedly returned a positive reading.
She was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station to undergo a breath analysis, which allegedly returned a reading of 0.214.
The Marks Point woman was issued a court attendance notice for the offence of high-range PCA and is due to appear at appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 3 February 2021.
Her licence was also suspended.

Five people – including four teenagers – have been charged in relation to two alleged break and enter offences in the Hunter region.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District have been investigating two separate break and enter offences at a business on the New England Highway at Rutherford.
Police have been told in the early hours of Sunday 27 December 2020, three people attempted to force entry to the premises; however, were unsuccessful and fled the scene.
Then between 2.50am and 4am on Sunday 3 January 2021, police will allege a Nissan Patrol was stolen from a property in Dudley and driven to the Rutherford business, before reversing through and smashing the front doors.
Police will further allege five people exited the vehicle and stole two Kawasaki trail bikes from the business, before all five fled the scene.
It’s estimated the damage caused to the front façade and the stolen property was valued in excess of $60,000.
The Nissan was later found burnt out in nearby bushland.
Following extensive inquiries, officers have arrested five people in relation to the alleged offence:

• About 1.30pm on Thursday 14 January 2021, investigators attended an Aberglasslyn address and arrested a 15-year-old boy. He was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal and goods in custody. He was refused bail to appear at a children’s court the next day, where he was granted conditional bail to reappear at a children’s court on Friday 12 March 2021.
• About 7.45am on Monday 18 January 2021, investigators attended a Telarah address where a 17-year-old boy was arrested. He was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner and aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal. He was granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Friday 12 February 2021.
• About 7.45am on Tuesday 19 January 2021, investigators attended a Tenambit address and arrested a 15-year-old boy. He was charged with steal motor vehicle be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner and two counts of aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal. He was granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Friday 29 January 2021.
• On Wednesday 20 January 2021, a 20-year-old man was issued a court attendance notice for five offences, including aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal, steal motor vehicle, drive motor vehicle while licence suspended, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner. He was remanded in custody to appear at Maitland Local Court on Thursday 21 January 2021, where he was formally bail refused to next appear at the same court on Thursday 4 February 2021.
• Yesterday (Thursday 21 January 2021), police attended a Muswellbrook home and arrested a 14-year-old boy. He was charged with steal motor vehicle and aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal. He was granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Friday 12 February 2021.

The two Kawasaki trail bikes remain outstanding, with police continuing to conduct inquiries to locate them.
Port Stephens-Hunter Police District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Ranald Urquhart, said solving property crime remains a high priority for local police.
“Break and enter offences continue to occur throughout areas such as Rutherford, Aberglasslyn and Maitland, and our local police are continuing to target those crimes.
“These crimes can often be prevented through simple crime prevention tips people can introduce in and around their homes, including security systems, sensor lighting, and keeping all valuables locked inside the home or shed at all times.
“Make sure all doors and windows are locked before leaving your home or leaving your car.
“We will continue to run operations throughout the district – those who choose to continue breaking the law, we will charge you and put you before the courts,” Det Insp Urquhart said.