Category: Newcastle News

Police are investigating after a man presented to a Hunter hospital with gunshot wounds early this morning.
Just after 4am (Tuesday 24 November 2020), a 43-year-old man presented to Scone Hospital with gunshot wounds to his leg and ankle – he is currently being transported to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition with non-life threatening injuries.
Police have been told the injured man was driving north on the New England Highway, near Wingen, about midnight, when he pulled over after a white sedan approached from behind.
The injured man was involved in an altercation with two men from the white sedan, before a number of shots were fired and the pair fled. He reportedly drove to friend’s home in Blandford before being taken to Scone Hospital.
Officers from the Hunter Valley Police District have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding how the man sustained his injuries.
As police continue their inquiries, they are urging anyone who may have information to contact Scone Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

City of Newcastle intends to transition to a fleet of electric vehicles, build operational resilience through additional renewables and battery storage, and switch all city lighting to LED over the next five years under a new Climate Action Plan.
The Plan covers both City of Newcastle operations and Newcastle as a whole to accelerate emission reduction across the City through a suite of sensible and prudent action and initiatives.  Working collaboratively with other progressive organisations, the Plan takes advantage of the economic opportunities that arise from a clean energy and low-emissions industry landscape.
The Climate Action Plan is listed for consideration at Tuesday’s Ordinary Council Meeting and replaces the 2020 Carbon and Water Management Action Plan (CWMAP).  The Plan sets new targets and outlines innovative and sustainable programs to achieve net zero emissions by 2030.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Climate Action Plan would build upon the achievements of recent years that has led to Newcastle being recognised as one of Australia’s leading Cities in sustainability.
“City of Newcastle has formally committed to the Paris Climate Agreement and we accept there is a global climate emergency.  We owe it to our children to prioritise concrete action on climate change.
As Novocastrians, we have seen firsthand the impacts of climate change, be it the erosion of Stockton Beach or increasingly severe storms that beached the Pasha Bulka,” Cr Nelmes said.
“The Climate Action Plan sets ambitious goals and priorities for the next five years and follows the successful delivery of our previous Plan which included the transition to 100 percent renewable electricity.
“The City, in developing this Plan, has worked closely with the community, business and industry, while assessing global best practice and applying it in a local context.
“Over the next five years we’ll take advantage of emerging technology and utilise more recycled and low-emissions materials in our operations.
“We’ll also look to our large fleet of vehicles and will work on a transition to electric vehicles as they become more prevalent, diverse and economically competitive.  City of Newcastle, in collaboration with other city partner organisations, has been slowly investing in the rollout of vehicle charging infrastructure to support the international shift to electric vehicles.”
“We’re proud to be one of the most progressive cities in the country when it comes to tackling climate change and are confident this new Plan will keep us moving down this path of sustainability.  It’s important that as a city leader we respond to the increasing calls from our community to tackle what is this generations most important challenges.”
In the next five years under the Climate Action Plan, City of Newcastle will:
·       Reduce fuel use by 50% through transitioning CN’s fleet to electric options
·       Reduce electricity use by 30% by switching all lighting to LEDs (or equivalent)
·       Increase renewable energy and battery storage
·       Support development of sustainable infrastructure
·       Encourage new community renewable energy projects
Under the previous climate plan, City of Newcastle has: 
·       Reduced electricity usage by 21 per cent
·       Upgraded 31 per cent of streetlights to LEDs
·       Secured 100 per cent of electricity from renewable sources
·       Reduced potable water usage by more than 14 per cent
·       Slashed the City’s carbon footprint by 77 per cent for all operations other than waste
·       Reduced liquid fuel use by 7 per cent
City of Newcastle is a founding member of Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), a founding member of the Business Renewables Centre, a member of the Cities Power Partnership, a member of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, and recently became a Pioneer City for ICLEI’s CitiesWithNature program.

A third person has been charged in relation to the suspicious death of a New Zealand man in the Hunter region two years ago.
Just after 5.30am on Saturday 29 September 2018, emergency services were called to Carrington Street, Glenridding, after a man’s body was located on the side of the road.
The man was later identified as 43-year-old New Zealand firefighter, Ian Pullen, who had arrived in the Hunter region to assist local volunteers fighting bushfires.
Detectives from Hunter Valley Police District established Strike Force Awabakil to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Pullen’s death.
A man and a woman have since been charged over the death; they remain before the courts.
Following further inquiries, about 9.10am today (Monday 23 November 2020), detectives attended a Whittingham home and arrested a 21-year-old woman.
She was taken to Singleton Police Station and charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
She was refused bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court later today (Monday 23 November 2020).

A disqualified driver will face Court after she was allegedly detected travelling nearly twice the speed limit in the Hunter Region.
About 11.30am this morning (Sunday 22 November 2020), officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were conducing speed enforcement duties on John Renshaw Drive at Black Hill, when they detected a Hyundai Elantra sedan allegedly travelling at 116km/h in a 60km/h road work zone.
A short time later, police stopped the driver, a 29-year-old woman. Checks conducted by police showed she was a disqualified driver.
It will be alleged in Court the road surface where the offence took place was loosely laid newly paved surface with no lane markings and was driving with a two-year-old child secured in the back seat.
The woman was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station where she was charged with driving at a speed dangerous, exceed speed by more than 45km/h and drive whilst disqualified – 2^nd offence.
The woman from Dungog was refused bail and is due to appear before Maitland Local Court on Monday 23 November 2020.

An elderly man has died a day after being rescued from a creek when he crashed his mobility scooter in the Lake Macquarie area yesterday.
Passers-by went to the aid of an 87-year-old man when his scooter ran off a footpath, rolled 6m down an embankment and into the creek below Freemans Drive at Cooranbong, about 3pm (Saturday 21 November 2020).
Emergency services arrived to find passers-by supporting the man in waist-deep water.
Fire and Rescue NSW officers carried the man to the roadway where he was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics then taken to John Hunter Hospital suffering hip and rib injuries.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District have been advised the man died in hospital about 11.30am today (Sunday 22 November 2020).
Inquiries continue.

A teenager has been charged as investigations continue into the destruction of a school bus in Maitland last week.
Officers attached to the Port Stephens Proactive Crime Team commenced an investigation following reports of damage at a school on Chelmsford Drive, Metford, on the night of Sunday the 15th November 2020.
Police will allege a group of youths were seen on CCTV to scale a security fence about 8pm before approaching a bus, which was locked and parked on the premises.
The group broke into the bus, causing extensive damage, estimated to be in excess of $30,000, by allegedly smashing the dashboard and windows with the vehicle’s emergency hammer, and releasing the contents of a fire extinguisher.
Following inquires, a 13-year-old boy was arrested at a Metford home about 4.30pm yesterday (Thursday 19 November 2020. He was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with 11 offences, including;
– Enter prescribed premises of any person without lawful excuse (six counts)
– Enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence
– Behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school
– Destroy or damage property (three counts)
He was granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Wednesday 16 December 2020.
Investigations are continuing.

City of Newcastle honoured a relationship steeped in history and culture on Thursday ahead of the 40^th anniversary of the Sister City declaration between Newcastle and Ube, Japan.
On 21 November 1980, the City’s first female Lord Mayor, the late Joy Cummings, turned a new page in history as she joined the Mayor of Ube, the late Mr Hideo Futatsugi, to sign the Sister City agreement.
Built upon the burgeoning port harbour cities’ shared industrial backgrounds in coal exports and steel manufacturing, the declaration was and remains today a sign of goodwill, mutual understanding and friendship.
^{Mayor of Ube, Mr Hideo Futatsugi, and Newcastle Lord Mayor Joy Cummings sign the declaration while Town Clerk Barrie Lewis looks on. Image courtesy Newcastle Libraries Local History Collections.}
Over the decades, Newcastle and Ube have developed strong connections in education, youth exchange, economics, sport and art, which were celebrated when the City hosted Consul-General Mr Kiya Masahiko and Consul in Charge of General Affairs and Information and Culture, Mr Shinichi Murata on a diplomatic visit to Newcastle.
Mr Masahiko and Mr Murata were presented with a commemorative book, titled Sister Cities Newcastle and Ube: celebrating 40 years, produced by the City to mark the auspicious occasion.
The Consuls also received a demonstration of a curated, interactive digital story-wall exhibition showcasing the Sister City history at the City Administration Centre’s Digital Library.
^{Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes presents the commemorative book to the Consul-General of Japan in Sydney, Mr Kiya Masahiko, in front of the digital story-wall exhibition at the City’s Digital Library.}
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes recognised the ongoing significance of this mutually beneficial relationship as both Newcastle and Ube continue to undergo growth and transformation.
“It was Lord Mayor Joy Cummings’ vision, when the declaration was signed, for our two great cities to enjoy lasting friendship, good health and prosperity, and I am proud to say our Sister City ties remain as strong as ever,” Cr Nelmes said.
“While we are living through an unprecedented time due to the many challenges posed by the COVID-19 global pandemic, it is but another chapter in the history book of our Sister City relationship, as we rise together to overcome adversity as we have done in the past.
“City of Newcastle congratulates Ube City on achieving this joint milestone and looks forward to the continuation of our cities’ relationship over the years to come.”
Sister Cities Newcastle and Ube: celebrating 40 years is available for loan from Newcastle Libraries. A digital version is accessible via the website.

City of Newcastle has completed a 400-metre section of new footpath in front of Callaghan College Jesmond Senior Campus, and is on track to deliver over two kilometres of new footpath by the end of the financial year.
The $800,000 Jesmond project has replaced previously unpaved sections of nature reserve, making the trip to and from school safer and easier for Callaghan Jesmond’s 700 students.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the footpath upgrade improves the accessibility and liveability of the city.
“City of Newcastle maintains nearly 1,000 kilometres of footpath across the local government area, which is roughly the distance between Newcastle and Melbourne.
“The City’s annual footpath upgrade and maintenance program will deliver over two kilometres of new paths across Newcastle by the end of this financial year, including a 515-metre footpath on Minmi Road, Maryland, and a 200-metre path on Young Road in Lambton.
“This Janet Street upgrade is a significant project which is going to be great for those at Callaghan College and importantly, many residents in this busy part of Jesmond.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen inspected the works with Callaghan College Principal Roger Macey outside campus today and said these types of works are very beneficial for pedestrians and other road users.
“Our focus is on improving public safety through improved infrastructure such as more pedestrian refuges and crossings particularly in high traffic areas such as school zones,” Cr Clausen said.
“It’s great to see these works now complete at Jesmond and I hope it makes life easier for the students and teachers who walk or ride scooters or skateboards to school every day.”
Principal of Callaghan College Roger Macey said the improvements along Janet Street will make it safer for the broader school community.
“The footpath and pedestrian crossing right in front of the school will no doubt make a difference to everyone who comes to Callaghan College, not just our students and teachers.
“These are significant improvements which will be great for us, and I want to congratulate all City of Newcastle staff involved in getting this project planned and delivered.”
For more about pedestrian and traffic improvement projects in your neighbourhood visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/works

The office of Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon will again be a drop off point for Share the Dignity’s “It’s in the Bag” campaign this year.
Ms Claydon has urged Novocastrians to donate generously to the campaign.
“You can make life better for a woman or girl experiencing homelessness or poverty this Christmas,” Ms Claydon said.
“Just fill a nice bag with sanitary items, hygiene products and everyday luxuries and drop it off to my office at 427 Hunter Street.”
Ms Claydon, who also chairs Federal Labor’s Status of Women Committee, said the donations would be given to women who can’t afford sanitary products.
“Donations will give dignity to homeless women, women who are at risk or women experiencing domestic violence,” Ms Claydon said.
“This is a great opportunity to embrace the spirit of the festive season and give something back.”
Ms Claydon said she wanted to exceed the number of donations she received last year. [pictured with Sharon and Lesley Slevin from Share the Dignity]
“Last year, Novocastrians generously donated more than 50 lovely bags filled with essentials and extra luxury items,” Ms Claydon said.
“I think we can beat this in 2020.”
Ms Claydon said people could make up an adult, a teen or a mum and bub bag.
“Cute small bags or backpacks are great for teen bags, and you can fill them with sanitary items and extras that are more likely to appeal to younger women,” Ms Claydon said.
“For mums and bubs, use a large bag and fill it with things like disposable nappy bags, baby wipes,  along with women’s sanitary items.
“If you like, you can also put in something extra like jewellery, gift vouchers or make up.”
Donations will be accepted until November 27.