Category: Newcastle News

Police are appealing for public assistance following a public place shooting in Stockton last night.
Just after 7pm (Tuesday 9 June 2020), police responded to reports of an alleged road rage incident on Fullerton Street, Stockton.
Police have been told two vehicles – a blue Mitsubishi ASX and a Toyota Hilux utility – were involved in a driving incident before the Mitsubishi driver produced a firearm and discharged it at the Toyota.
The Mitsubishi drove away and was last seen turning onto King Street.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District were notified and have commenced an investigation.
As inquiries continue, police are appealing to anyone who may have seen or heard any of the above incident, or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage to contact Newcastle Police Station on 4929 0999 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A teenager who went missing in the Port Stephens area has been found safe and well in the Blue Mountains.
The 13-year-old boy was last seen on the Pacific Highway, Heatherbrae, about 9.15pm yesterday (Tuesday 9 June 2020).
He was reported missing when he walked away from his mother and failed to return.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and commenced an extensive search of the surrounding area with assistance from Police Rescue, Police Transport Command, the Dog Unit and the State Emergency Service.
Following inquiries and a public appeal, the teen was found after attending a high school on Martin Street, Katoomba, about 8.30am today (Wednesday 10 June 2020).
The boy is now in the care of relatives.
Police would like to thank the media and the community for their assistance.

The search continues to locate a missing teenager in the Port Stephens area.
Darshan Sigel, aged 13, was travelling from the North Coast to the Blue Mountains with his mother, when they stopped in a carpark at the intersection of Pacific Highway and Masonite Road, Heatherbrae, for a rest about 8.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 9 June 2020).
Police were notified just after 10.30pm, after Darshan, who is on the Autism spectrum, walked off about 9.15pm and failed to return.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended; however, despite an extensive search of the area with the assistance of the Dog Unit, police have been unable to locate him.
The search is continuing with assistance from Police Rescue, Police Transport Command, the Dog Unit and the State Emergency Service today (Wednesday 10 June 2020).
Assistance has also been requested from PolAir, however, the search is being hampered by poor weather conditions.
Darshan is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, of thin build, with blue eyes and sandy blonde hair.
He was last seen wearing a pink hooded jumper covered by a black jacket, black pants, and yellow shoes.
He was seen walking on the Pacific Highway at Heatherbrae and is known to like public transport.
Anyone who sights Darshan or has information about his whereabouts, is urged to contact Triple Zero (000) or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenager missing in the Port Stephens area.
Darshan Siegel, aged 13, was travelling from Sydney to the north coast with his mother, when they stopped in a carpark at the intersection of Pacific Highway and Masonite Road, Heatherbrae, for a rest.
Police were notified just after 10.30pm (Tuesday 9 June 2020), after Darshan, who has Autism, walked off and failed to return.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended; however, despite an extensive search of the area with the assistance of the Dog Unit, police have been unable to locate him. Further resources are attending to assist with the search.
Darshan is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, with a thin build, and sandy blonde hair.
He was last seen wearing a pink hooded jumper covered by a black jacket, black pants, and yellow shoes.
Anyone who sights Darshan or has information about his whereabouts, is urged to contact Triple Zero (000) or 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 crime via NSW Police social media pages.

The community is invited to play a part in the revitalisation of the Newcastle Harbour Foreshore, which envelops Foreshore Park and the Joy Cummings Promenade in Newcastle’s iconic East End.
City of Newcastle today commenced community engagement on the Harbour Foreshore Masterplan, which will help shape the blueprint to reinvigorate this important community hub with an inclusive playspace and improved recreation opportunities between Merewether Street, Newcastle and Foreshore Park.
In addition to having their say through online information sessions and workshops, surveys and an online mapping tool, Novocastrians are encouraged to submit an application to join the Community Reference Group (CRG). The role of this group is to provide input on the project and achieve a shared, community-owned vision that respects the foreshore’s history and paves its future.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Expressions of Interest (EOIs) in the CRG were now open, marking a significant milestone.
“The Community Reference Group will play an important, collaborative role in shaping and informing community outcomes, offering valuable insights into how this space might be used,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Together we can transform the Harbour Foreshore into an even more liveable and accessible recreational space to enjoy all that our picturesque coastline has to offer, which is paramount as our City grows.”
The CRG will consist of community members and stakeholders, including, but not limited to:

• Residents;
• Families;
• Students;
• Businesses;
• Government bodies;
• Indigenous groups; and
• Accessibility advisories.

In conjunction with the Harbour Foreshore Masterplan, the City is working on the design of a ‘Variety Livvi’s Place’ inclusive playspace, for which Variety – The Children’s Charity has provided grant funding and will play a key part in its delivery.
“At Variety we believe that all kids deserve a fair go, including the ability to play,” Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT Inclusive Play Manager, Kim Becherand, said.
“Variety is proud to work alongside the City of Newcastle to create a truly inclusive playspace in the heart of Newcastle that will engage all children, parents, grandparents and friends in play. Variety Livvi’s Place playspaces are a key element of our broader mission to make sure no child misses out on what they need to join in and attain their full potential.”
Expressions of Interest in the Community Reference Group can be submitted via the City of Newcastle website. Submissions close on 26 June 2020.

Detectives have charged a man in the state’s Lake Macquarie region following investigations into alleged threats made online.
On Sunday (7 June 2020), detectives from the Fixated Persons Investigated Unit commenced an investigation, following reports a 49-year-old man had received threatening messages online.
Following inquiries, investigators executed a search warrant at a home at Belmont about 3.30pm yesterday (Monday 8 June 2020).
During the search, detectives located cannabis, medication without a prescription, two gel blasters and ammunition.
These items were seized to undergo forensic examination.
A 25-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Belmont Police Station.
He was charged with use carriage service to threaten to kill, possess prohibited drug, possess prescribed restricted substance, possess unauthorised firearm, and possess unauthorised prohibited firearm.
The man was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Belmont Local Court on Monday 20 July 2020.
 

Plans for a staged reopening of Newcastle’s libraries will progress from 15 June after home library services resumed last week.
“The City has developed a staged approach to reopening our libraries’ doors to its members that prioritises public and employee safety,” Manager Libraries and Learning Suzie Gately said.
“We’ll start with reopening the Newcastle and Wallsend branches to library members on 15 June, limiting the number of customers inside to allow for social distancing and we will monitor browsing and attendance time using a ‘Library Express’ model.”
“We have modified our opening schedule to allow for adequate cleaning of the facilities. The City’s libraries have also expanded their online offerings during the COVID-19 pandemic which has led to an increase in downloads of the Library app of 233 per cent. Our expanded online program will continue.”
The Libraries’ membership has increased by more than 1,000 during the pandemic to 93,640 after the City invested $60,000 in 5,800 additional e-book and audiobook titles, plus a new video streaming platform ‘Medici TV’.
This follows a 213 per cent increase in usage of an online learning package offered through Newcastle Libraries, with 2,291 sessions streamed free of charge in April alone.
The Library has continued to engage its audience through 52 online programs such as Facebook Live story times, stop motion Lego clubs, kids online crafternoons, podcasts, author talks and creative workshops.
In May, almost nine hours of video content was published and more than four hours of Facebook Live kids’ programs were delivered receiving 11,433 views during the month.
Newcastle Museum will reopen to the public on 23 June, however the facility’s interactive attractions will remain closed for safety in line with State guidelines.
Blackbutt Reserve’s animal exhibit boardwalk reopened last week.

Three men have been charged following an investigation into petrol station ram raids in the lower Hunter Region earlier this year.
Strike Force Emirs was established by the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad to investigate ram raids on two petrol stations in the Lake Macquarie area in March.
About 3.30am on Tuesday 3 March 2020, a car was used to force entry into a service station at Wyee, where a safe containing cash and $25,000 worth of cigarettes were stolen. The car was abandoned at the scene.
A short time later, a utility smashed into a second petroleum nearby at Fennel Bay, where several unsuccessful attempts were made to remove an ATM.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives, assisted by Operations Support Group, executed search warrants at three properties at Cessnock from 7.45am yesterday (Thursday 4 June 2020).
During the searches, police seized a number of items relevant to the investigation.
Two men – aged 18 and 23 – were arrested during the warrants and taken to Maitland Police Station.
The younger man was charged with three counts of take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, three counts of aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal, be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, never licensed person drive vehicle on road and enter building/land with intent commit indictable offence.
The second man was charged with four counts of drive while licence cancelled, three counts of aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal, two counts of police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed, two counts drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, enter building/land with intent commit indictable offence, take & drive conveyance without consent of owner, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, steal motor vehicle, aggravated robbery and destroy etc property in company use fire etc.
A third man, aged 25, was arrested at a correctional facility and taken to Maitland Police Station.
He was charged with three counts of aggravated break, enter and steal, two counts of take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, drive conveyance without consent of owner, two counts of drive motor vehicle during disqualification period and enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence.
Police will allege in court that the group stole three vehicles before using the cars to force entry into two service stations and steal cash and goods.
They were all refused bail and appeared at Maitland Local Court today (Thursday 4 June 2020).
The 18-year-old and 25-year-old were both formally refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Thursday 11 June 2020.
The 23-year-old man was also refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Wednesday 5 August 2020.

City of Newcastle will begin upgrading Newcastle Ocean Baths from early next year to improve the safety and accessibility of its two pools while community consultation continues on future improvements to the site’s historic pavilions.
Remediation of the 1920s-era facility’s swimming pools, promenades and pump house are among the first stage works presented to the Newcastle Ocean Baths Community Reference Group (CRG) this week.

“Newcastle Ocean Baths is treasured by our community and we know how important it is to get on with the upgrades to the pools while at the same time ensuring the community has a role in co-designing improvements to the iconic pavilions,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“That’s why we’re prioritising a refurbishment of the pools and their surrounds to improve 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.
“The City will work with the Newcastle Ocean Baths Community Reference Group over the coming year to develop concept designs for the future pavilion upgrades, which will then be available for further community feedback.”
The CRG was formed to help plan the renewal through discussions and co-design workshops.
Concept designs for the upcoming upgrade to the pavilions and surrounds will be developed with CRG input and be presented to the broader community for comment prior to final concept design being placed on public exhibition.
The elected Council will then consider the plan before the project progresses to detailed design.

Preliminary engagement was carried out for the future use of Newcastle Ocean Baths from November 2019 to March 2020 to capture the community’s wishes.
The engagement activities were promoted right across Newcastle to ensure the broadest number of people had a chance to comment, and included:

• An online ideas wall that drew 840 comments on Newcastle Ocean Baths
• 898 telephone surveys
• 129 intercept face-to-face surveys for Newcastle Ocean Baths at locations across the LGA

Results included support for improving shade and access, maintaining the aesthetic of the existing site and enhancing the kiosk offering. The full engagement report can be downloaded here.

An investigation is underway following a two-car crash that left a man in a critical condition in the Hunter region overnight.
Around 8.30pm (Thursday 4 June 2020), emergency services were called to the Hunter Expressway, near Seahampton, following reports of a two-car crash.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended, along with NSW Ambulance paramedics, Fire and Rescue NSW, the Volunteer Rescue Association, Newcastle Rescue and Transport Management Centre.
Police have been told the two cars collided before hitting the dividing barrier on the expressway.
The driver of one vehicle, a 79-year-old man, was trapped for a short time before he was released and taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition. He is now undergoing surgery.
The driver of the second vehicle, a man aged 30, was taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory testing.
A crime scene has been established and the circumstances surrounding the incident will be investigated by officers from the Crash Investigation Unit.
Traffic delays are expected with both eastbound lanes on the Hunter Expressway closed and traffic being diverted onto John Renshaw Drive. Westbound traffic is being diverted into the breakdown lane.
As inquiries continue, police urge anyone with information about the crash, or who may have dashcam footage, to contact police.