Category: Newcastle News

A driver has died in a single-vehicle crash in the Hunter region overnight.
About 11:55pm (Friday 13 November 2020), emergency services were called to Anambah Road, near the New England Highway at Rutherford, after reports a vehicle had left the road and crashed.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and found the vehicle alight. NSW Fire and Rescue extinguished the blaze.
The driver and sole occupant was confirmed deceased. They are yet to be formally identified.
A crime scene was established, and an investigation has commenced into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
As inquiries continue, any witnesses or anyone who may have dash cam vision is urged to contact Maitland Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A woman has been charged following an alleged road-rage incident in Newcastle earlier today.
About 6.20am (Friday 13 November 2020), officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to Hunter Street, Newcastle, following reports a pedestrian had been hit and several vehicles had damaged by a white Ford utility.
Police will allege in court a 29-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man had been involved in an earlier argument nearby before the man left in a golden Holden Barina.
It’s further alleged the Ford utility rammed the Holden several times in surrounding streets before hitting the mand on Hunter Street and fleeing the scene.
He was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment for a minor arm injury.
No one else was injured during the incident.
The Ford utility was located abandoned on King Street and it has been seized for forensic examination.
Following extensive inquiries, officers from the Newcastle City Proactive Crime Team attended licensed premises on Hunter Street and arrested a 29-year-old woman.
She was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, not give particulars to other driver and possess prohibited drug.
The Newcastle woman has been refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court later today (Friday 13 November 2020).
As police continue their inquiries, officers are urging anyone who may have dashcam or mobile phone footage of the incident to contact police.

Detectives investigating an armed robbery at a licensed premise near Newcastle earlier this year have released CCTV images and are appealing for public information that may assist their inquiries.
Just after 3am on Sunday 28 June 2020, two men – both armed with firearms – entered the storage area of a licensed premises on Hillsborough Road at Warners Bay and threatened a male staff member.
The men allegedly forced the employee to the ground, stealing his phone and wallet, as well as cash from the premises, before leaving the area.
The employee was not physically injured during the incident and officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were contacted.
With assistance from the Dog Unit, an extensive search of the area was conducted; however, the men were not located.
Initial inquiries were conducted by local police, before detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Milleara.
As part of ongoing inquires, Strike Force Milleara detectives conducted a secondary canvass of the licensed premises and surrounding areas earlier this month.
A section of North Creek was also searched with assistance of police divers from the Marine Area Command.
As inquiries continue, police are appealing to the public for information and have released CCTV of two men who may be able to assist with ongoing inquiries.
The men depicted in the CCTV footage are described as being about 170cm tall with a slim to medium build.
Both men are depicted wearing black pants, black jumpers and black face coverings. One of the men is seen to be carrying a black and white sports bag.
Robbery and Serious Crime Squad Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Grant Taylor, said investigators are urging the community to look closely at the CCTV images to help officers identify the men.
“Police believe this premises was specifically targeted by those involved, as there appears to have been a level of planning and familiarity with the area and surrounding streets,” Det A/Supt Taylor said.
“Investigators have made a number of inquiries to establish the movements of these individuals prior to the offence and immediately after and are calling on the community to assist.
“This offence is extremely serious and frightening, and we would urge anyone with information, or who may recognise the men in these images, to come forward,” Det A/Supt Taylor said.
Investigations under Strike Force Milleara are continuing

Two police officers have been injured after a police vehicle was rammed at Lake Macquarie yesterday.
About 5.00pm (Thursday 12 November 2020), plain clothes officers from Lake Macquarie Police District driving an unmarked police vehicle attempted to stop a Nissan Patrol 4WD on Lake Street, Windale.
Once both vehicles stopped, the driver of the Nissan Patrol allegedly reversed and crashed into the front end of the police vehicle before driving away.
Officers followed the Nissan into nearby Belar Avenue, where the Nissan stopped in the middle of the roadway and again allegedly reversed into the front of the police vehicle, causing an extensive amount of damage, thus disabling the police vehicle. The Nissan Patrol then drove off.
Both officers received minor injuries and were treated at the scene by Ambulance paramedics before being transported to John Hunter Hospital for treatment. They have both since been released from hospital.
Detectives from the Lake Macquarie Police District commenced an investigation and later located a white Nissan Patrol at Belmont North. The vehicle has been seized for forensic examination.
Police later conducted a search warrant on a unit in Belmont North and seized a number of items which will be subject of further investigation.
Inquiries are continuing.

If you have ever taken a toddler to a playgroup, met in a community hall, joined a local yoga class, kicked a ball in the park with friends, or borrowed a book, then you know firsthand the importance our city’s community spaces.
Newcastle’s ‘social infrastructure’, comprising community centres and halls, libraries, cultural facilities, parks and gardens, are valued community assets that support social cohesion and well-being.
City of Newcastle is developing a Social Infrastructure Strategy to ensure Novocastrians have better access to community assets now and into the future.
City of Newcastle plays an important role in providing facilities and spaces for the community.  We recognise the importance of planning for growth and investing in the right infrastructure to meet the needs of our growing community.
We want to capitalise on opportunities to ensure Newcastle continues to be a thriving community and an enjoyable place to live, work, stay, and play.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said social infrastructure benefits the entire community and plays a significant role in enhancing the lives of people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
“People with access to great community places are healthier and happier than those who don’t. Our public spaces are vital to maintaining the physical and mental health of our community” the Lord Mayor said.
“We know how important community spaces are to our community, so we’re working on a plan to make sure everyone has access to the spaces and facilities they need.
“Quality community spaces support our health and well-being, build a stronger community and local economy, and are at the heart of our everyday life.
“We want people to tell us what they value; what community, recreational, and cultural spaces they use; and what they think Newcastle needs into the future.”
The community is invited to shape the Social Infrastructure Strategy by sharing what they value about community spaces and what the community’s needs are for the next 20 years.
People are encouraged to have their say via an online survey and an interactive map where pins can be dropped on a mapping tool to share ideas for better community places, spaces, programs and services across our neighbourhoods.
The community survey and interactive map closes 5pm Monday 30 November 2020.

A new ‘container kiosk’ is set to open near the Stockton Ferry Wharf by Christmas, with onsite works beginning this week.
As agreed earlier this year, City of Newcastle will lease the container to Lexie’s on the Beach owner Nick Sovechles for the first 12 months, who plans to call the kiosk ‘Whispers on the Wharf’.
Initially, it was going to be a temporary home for the popular Stockton café, which vacated its beachside location following an erosion event earlier in the year. Lexie’s has since reopened at the beach in addition to taking on the lease of the container.
City of Newcastle’s Director Infrastructure & Property Ken Liddell said the wharf will be an ideal location for the new business, with Stockton’s Ferry servicing around 50,000 passengers per month and the nearby Active Hub attracting thousands each week.
“It has been pleasing to see our staff work towards getting this container on site and operational as soon as possible. It’s a great location and will service commuters, playground visitors and park-runners,” he said.
Mr Sovechles said the new location will provide a different offering, which will help foster resilience in the community, stimulate the local economy, and promote Stockton as a unique place to live and visit.
“We want the menu to reflect the breezy feel of the wharf and we will be catering to early morning commuters, users of the Stockton cycleway, and families enjoying the new park facilities and Active Hub.
“We are very mindful of complementing and not competing with existing Stockton businesses. We’ll have ice creams, milkshakes, gourmet toasted sandwiches, picnic packs and of course the same delicious coffee you have come to expect from Lexie’s.”
During this initial 12-month lease, CN will complete its Community Land Plan of Management, which will help determine the long-term plans for the kiosk. It is anticipated that the container will be installed in the coming weeks before Whispers on the Wharf opens in time for Christmas.

A woman will face court next month after being charged with alleged bushfire-related fraud offences in Lake Macquarie.
Strike Force Roche was established by several police districts within the Northern Region to investigate alleged fraudulent claims for bushfire disaster relief and small business grants through government agencies.
Following extensive inquiries, police attended a home in Killingworth about 8.30am today (Wednesday 11 November 2020), where they arrested a 28-year-old woman.
She was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with one count of dishonestly obtain financial benefit by deception.
Police will allege in court the woman fraudulently obtained a $10,000 grant through a bushfire small business support scheme.
She was granted conditional bail to appear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 1 December 2020.
To date, Lake Macquarie detectives have charged five people under Strike Force Roche.
Investigations under the strike force are ongoing across multiple police districts in the Northern Region.

Police are appealing for public assistance as they continue to investigate a robbery in Lake Macquarie earlier this year.
About 3am on Thursday 9 July 2020, a 61-year-old woman was returning home on Plane Street, Gateshead, when she was approached by an man.
The man demanded the woman’s handbag before he pushed her to the ground, grabbed the bag and fled the scene in a northerly direction to a waiting vehicle.
The woman sustained a minor injury but did not require medical assistance.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were called a short time later and commenced an investigation.
As inquiries continue, detectives have released CCTV footage of a man and a woman who may be able to assist with their inquiries.
The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, wearing a white cap, dark coloured jumper and dark coloured pants.
The woman is described as being of Caucasian appearance, with blonde hair, wearing a grey hooded jumper and blue tracksuit pants.
The pair were seen leaving in a silver Nissan Navara utility displaying red P-plates, with a bull bar and aerials.
Anyone who may have information which could assist investigators is urged to contact Belmont Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A podcast series exploring the storytelling traditions of our local Aboriginal communities will be launched today as part of City of Newcastle’s NAIDOC Week celebrations.
Produced through the City’s Libraries in support of this year’s NAIDOC Week theme, Newcastle’s First Storytellers: Always Was, Always Will Be highlights our region’s rich Indigenous culture and history.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said through the contributions of contemporary and well-known Newcastle identities, the podcast beautifully articulates how local Aboriginal communities share and tell stories.
“NAIDOC Week is an important opportunity to acknowledge that our nation’s story didn’t begin with European settlement and recognise that First Nations peoples have occupied and cared for this continent for more than 65,000 years,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first storytellers.
“Our NAIDOC Week podcasts provide the perfect opportunity to showcase the region’s rich cultural history and long tradition of Indigenous storytelling.”
The podcast series includes six compelling episodes, which can be accessed by searching for ‘Newcastle Libraries REAL’ on your favourite podcast app, with a new episode added each day.
It features local author and member of the Stolen Generation Donna Meehan; John Maynard, Professor of Indigenous Education and Research (Indigenous History) at the University of Newcastle and one of the world’s most respected voices on Indigenous history; Jake Ridgeway, a young singer, songwriter and performer based in Newcastle; Ray Kelly Jnr, a member of a local family synonymous with the Aboriginal community of Newcastle and Aboriginal Elder William Smith.
Artist, entrepreneur and activist Saretta Fielding, who is a member of the Wonnarua Nation, will share her story in the second episode of the podcast, while a selection of her acclaimed artwork, design prints, fabrics and fashion items will be on display at Wallsend Library from 8-30 November.
Newcastle Art Gallery is also celebrating NAIDOC Week with a filmed performance of local Torres Strait Islander artist and singer Toby Cedar, which will be shared on their website and Facebook page, while Newcastle Museum has a permanent exhibition that allows you to learn about the history and technology of a traditional punnah (stringy bark) canoe, which was built onsite and is on display at the museum.
To find out more about our NAIDOC Week activities visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/explore/things-to-do/naidoc-week or to listen to some of our other podcast series visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/library/experience/digital-programs/library-podcasts

A missing elderly woman from the Hunter and her dog have been located safe and well this morning.
The 82-year-old was last seen about 6.20pm yesterday (Sunday 8 November 2020), at her home in Abermain, when she told her husband she was walking the dog.
Following extensive inquiries, she and her Maltese terrier, Susie, was located near Neath about 9.35am today (Monday 9 November 2020), both safe and well.
Police would like to thank the public and media for their assistance.