Category: Newcastle News

A body has been found at Cardiff, believed to be that of a man reported missing from Lake Macquarie.
A 27-year-old man was reported missing to officers from Lake Macquarie Police District when he failed to return to his home on Cedar Street, Cardiff, on Tuesday (2 June 2020).
An investigation commenced, and following inquiries, the body of a man was located in bushland in Cardiff on Wednesday (3 June 2020).
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
The death is not being treated as suspicious.

Newcastle residents can now apply online for digital parking permits as the City transitions to a more efficient and effective permit system.
The move to digital permits means annual email and mail applications, or visits to the City’s customer service centre, will no longer be needed to renew either resident or resident-visitor permits.
The whole process can be completed online and will no longer require residents or their visitors to stick permits on windscreens or dashboards – numberplates will indicate vehicles covered by a permit from Wednesday 24 June 2020.
All existing permit holders will receive an email from the City notifying them that they need to register for the digital permit system.
“This streamlined digital parking permit process is great news for the holders of around 2,500 permits across the city,” City of Newcastle Governance Director David Clarke said.
“Digital parking permits are the latest customer service we’re taking online after transitioning rates and on-street parking payments, library memberships and other services with great success over the past few years. Digitising permit renewals will save residents and our staff a huge amount of time and resources.
“The digital permit system will generate email reminders a month and two-weeks before permits are due to expire each year, giving residents an opportunity to update their residential, payment and vehicle details prior to permit renewal.”
Instructions on how to register and apply for permits are available on our Parking Permits page.
Enquiries can be made by contacting the Parking Operations team for assistance on 4974 2000
The resident parking permit, visitor and pensioner parking permits will be valid for 12 months from the date of approval.
Existing permits will no longer be valid from Wednesday 24 June 2020.

An app that allows everyday people to help local businesses struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic has been launched today.
‘Lean In Newy’ connects organisations that need support, with people wanting to help, while providing added encouragement through $50,000 in vouchers and discounts redeemable at local businesses.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Novocastrians have been brimming with community spirit in response to COVID-19 and Lean In Newy would direct people’s desire to help where it’s most needed.
“COVID-19 has had an unprecedented effect on our community, with older people experiencing increased isolation and businesses suffering a downturn in trade, while other people have found themselves suddenly with more time on their hands,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We have been hearing from many people in the community wanting to help but not knowing how. Lean In Newy is the answer to those asking, ‘How can I help?’.
“Charitable organisations like OzHarvest, Dog Rescue Newcastle and Take 3 For The Sea have registered with Lean In Newy to put out a call for volunteering opportunities, and those who put their hand up will be rewarded with incentives like a free coffee at a local café.
“There are already 23 businesses and 11 not-for-profits signed up, with more in talks, and City of Newcastle is funding the discounts or incentives offered through businesses during the COVID-19 recovery phase.
“Lean In Newy is a fantastic way for us to play our part in helping local businesses and community organisations get back on their feet.”
^{(L-R): Family Support Newcastle CEO Sue Hellier, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Zebra Finch owner Kate McNally assemble kids’ activity packs.}
Family Support Newcastle is one of those community organisations. CEO Sue Hellier said the organisation’s role in promoting the wellbeing of children and their families, individuals and communities was more vital than ever in light of recent hardship caused by COVID-19.
“Many of our activity groups and face-to-face support services have been impacted by COVID-19, but our mission remains the same. There are still ways the community can assist, like purchasing items and assembling kids’ activity or sanitisation packs at home and dropping them off at our Waratah centre,” Ms Hellier said.
“Lean In Newy will be a great help for organisations like us that need more support during this challenging time, and we’re very thankful to City of Newcastle for developing this initiative.”
Likewise, local business owner Kate McNally, who operates Zebra Finch at Marketown and Kotara, said she was grateful for the helping hand to encourage customers back to the stores.
“As a small business, we have felt the impacts of COVID-19 closures and social distancing measures quite profoundly, with a significant downturn in trade,” Mrs McNally said.
“It’s a relief to have the City’s support to help get back on track.”
Download Lean In Newy from the App Store or Google Play or visit leaninnewy.com.au.

Police are investigating after an attempted armed robbery in the Hunter overnight.
About 8.35pm (Wednesday 3 June 2020), a 34-year-old male employee was inside a takeaway shop on Ferodale Road, Medowie, when a man entered the store and threatened him with a knife.
The armed man demanded cash before fleeing empty handed after the attendant grabbed a nearby kitchen utensil and challenged him.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended a short time later and established a crime scene.
The man is described as being aged in his late teens, between 160cm-170cm tall, with his face covered.
Anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage from the nearby area between 8pm and 9pm yesterday, or who may have information which could assist detectives is urged to contact Raymond Terrace Police on 4983 7599 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

An app that allows everyday people to help local businesses struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic has been launched today.
‘Lean In Newy’ connects organisations that need support, with people wanting to help, while providing added encouragement through $50,000 in vouchers and discounts redeemable at local businesses.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Novocastrians have been brimming with community spirit in response to COVID-19 and Lean In Newy would direct people’s desire to help where it’s most needed.
“COVID-19 has had an unprecedented effect on our community, with older people experiencing increased isolation and businesses suffering a downturn in trade, while other people have found themselves suddenly with more time on their hands,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We have been hearing from many people in the community wanting to help but not knowing how. Lean In Newy is the answer to those asking, ‘How can I help?’.
“Charitable organisations like OzHarvest, Dog Rescue Newcastle and Take 3 For The Sea have registered with Lean In Newy to put out a call for volunteering opportunities, and those who put their hand up will be rewarded with incentives like a free coffee at a local café.
“There are already 23 businesses and 11 not-for-profits signed up, with more in talks, and City of Newcastle is funding the discounts or incentives offered through businesses during the COVID-19 recovery phase.
“Lean In Newy is a fantastic way for us to play our part in helping local businesses and community organisations get back on their feet.”
Family Support Newcastle is one of those community organisations. CEO Sue Hellier said the organisation’s role in promoting the wellbeing of children and their families, individuals and communities was more vital than ever in light of recent hardship caused by COVID-19.
“Many of our activity groups and face-to-face support services have been impacted by COVID-19, but our mission remains the same. There are still ways the community can assist, like purchasing items and assembling kids’ activity or sanitisation packs at home and dropping them off at our Waratah centre,” Ms Hellier said.
“Lean In Newy will be a great help for organisations like us that need more support during this challenging time, and we’re very thankful to City of Newcastle for developing this initiative.”
^{(L-R): Family Support Newcastle CEO Sue Hellier, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Zebra Finch owner Kate McNally assemble kids’ activity packs.}
Likewise, local business owner Kate McNally, who operates Zebra Finch at Marketown and Kotara, said she was grateful for the helping hand to encourage customers back to the stores.
“As a small business, we have felt the impacts of COVID-19 closures and social distancing measures quite profoundly, with a significant downturn in trade,” Mrs McNally said.
“It’s a relief to have the City’s support to help get back on track.”
Download Lean In Newy from the App Store or Google Play or visit leaninnewy.com.au.

Blackbutt Reserve’s animal exhibit boardwalk will reopen to the public today.
Animal encounters, wildlife exhibits and shows remain on hold under the current social distancing and public gathering restrictions, while the kiosk also remains closed.

“Blackbutt Reserve is one of our City’s most popular attractions and we’re pleased people can once again enjoy the boardwalk and see some of the 60 species of animals that live there,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“Safety is our priority and when you visit Blackbutt Reserve, you can expect social distancing measures in place to protect visitors and our staff.
“Novocastrians have done a fantastic job of limiting the spread of COVID-19, and as we reopen facilities to the public, we encourage everyone to keep up the good work including practising good hygiene and staying home if you’re unwell.”
During the Reserve’s closure, Blackbutt’s koalas became social media stars with a 360-degree live stream of feeding time, allowing young and old to join them daily for lunch.
“Over seven days, the stream of feeding time with koalas attracted 30,000 views on Facebook proving just how popular and loved our animals are.”
Adding to the experience at Blackbutt Reserve, playgrounds, walking trails, open spaces, shelters and barbecues are open.

A man will face court today, charged after a commercial quantity of anabolic steroids was allegedly seized at a Maitland home yesterday.
Last month, officers from the Port Stephens-Hunter Drug Unit commenced an investigation into the supply of anabolic steroids in the Maitland area.
Following extensive inquires, investigators executed a warrant at a home on Lapwing Street, in the Maitland suburb of Aberglasslyn, yesterday (Monday 1 June 2020).
During a search of the home, officers allegedly located and seized 233 vials, containing 2.3 litres of anabolic steroids, along with 5.2 litres of liquid believed to be anabolic steroids, glassware and chemicals.
These items will be forensically examined.
A 31-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Maitland Police Station, where he was charged with supply prohibited drug – commercial quantity.
The man has been refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 2 June 2020).

A man has been charged following two pursuits through several Hunter suburbs overnight.
Shortly before 11pm yesterday (Monday 1 June 2020), officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attempted to stop a blue Holden Cruze for the purpose of a random breath test on Trafalgar Street, Nelson Bay.
When the vehicle failed to stop, police commenced patrolling for the vehicle, eventually locating it in Fingal Bay.
Police attempted to stop the Holden a second time on Rocky Point Road, Fingal Bay, before the vehicle allegedly drove off at speed.
Police initiated a pursuit which continued through several suburbs including Shoal Bay, Nelson Bay, Corlette, Salamander Bay and Anna Bay, allegedly reaching speeds in excess of 150 km/hr in a sign-posted 50km/hr zone.
Officers lost sight of the vehicle and terminated the pursuit.
Further police were deployed when they located the vehicle on Marsh Road, Salt Ash, and initiated a second pursuit.
Road spikes were successfully deployed on Nelson Bay Road, Salt Ash, with police continuing to pursue the Holden along Richardson and Medowie Roads, before the vehicle stopped on the Pacific Highway north of Six Mile Road.
A man and a woman both exited the Holden and fled into nearby bushland.
A short foot pursuit ensued with the assistance of the Dog Unit before police arrested a 31-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman.
Police will further allege they located methylamphetamine during a person search of the man.
Both were taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where the 31-year-old man was charged with six offences, including police pursuit, supply prohibited drug, drive whilst disqualified and breach of bail.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 2 March 2020), where he was formally refused bail to appear at the same court on Monday 15 June 2020.
The 29-year-old woman was released due to medical reasons and inquiries are continuing.

A woman has been charged with driving offences following inquiries by Crash Investigators into a collision in Lake Macquarie earlier this year.
Two women were critically injured when the cars they were driving collided at the intersection of Ntaba Road and the Pacific Highway, Jewells, about 10.20am on Wednesday 25 March 2020.
A 73-year-old woman, from Jewells, and a 60-year-old woman, from Chain Valley Bay, were taken to John Hunter Hospital.
A crime scene was established by officers from Lake Macquarie Police District, with officers from the Hunter Crash Investigation Unit (CIU) undertaking inquiries.
The younger woman has since been released from hospital and was yesterday (Saturday 30 May 2020), arrested when she attended Newcastle Police Station.
She has now been charged with five offences;
* Dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – drive manner dangerous
* Negligent driving (occasions grievous bodily harm)
* Driver use mobile phone when not permitted
* Drive vehicle, illicit drug present in blood, and
* Not stop at stop line at red light.
She has been granted conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 30 July 2020.
The older woman remains in hospital in a serious condition, where she continues to be treated for spinal fractures, head and internal injuries.

Newcastle Libraries will resume its home library outreach and begin inviting members to pick up items reserved before COVID-19 restrictions limited operations to digital services.
Resumption of the home library service will help vulnerable members access library items once again, while those who reserved collection items prior to the March closure of branches will be able to collect them after being notified by the library.
Staff will first contact those members awaiting reserved items to advise of the collection point and time.
“Starting with our outreach services only, we are taking a cautious, phased approach to re-opening our libraries to ensure we are able to meet the Public Health Order requirements, which include changes to service delivery and preparing our spaces with additional measures to keep everyone safe,” Manager Libraries and Learning Suzie Gately said.
“We will resume our home library service on Monday for existing members while adhering to public health orders that require returned books to be quarantined for 24 hours.”
Libraries staff have made and received more than 6,500 support phone calls over the past two months, produced a host of online programming podcasts and activities and welcomed more than 1,000 new members on the back of a $60,000 e-library expansion.
“We are looking forward to welcoming the public back to our branches very soon, which we hope to announce in the next couple of weeks,” Ms Gately added.
Newcastle Museum remains temporarily closed to the public while a plan for its safe re-opening, mindful of the facility’s interactive attractions and popularity with children, is developed.