Newcastle Ocean Baths will be closed for the rest of this week with challenging surf conditions and large tides making it unsafe for our staff to access the water channel between the baths and the ocean.
There is currently a large amount of sediment which washed-up from last Wednesday’s large storm event, which means the baths cannot be refilled nor pumps operate effectively.
With current forecasts not predicting favourable conditions until early next week, the baths will remain closed until it is safe for the work to be completed.
Merewether Ocean Baths will not be cleaned Thursday 5 March to allow people to use the pool in lieu of Newcastle’s closure. Signs have been erected at Newcastle Ocean Baths advising of its closure and lifeguards will also remain on duty to supervise the site and advise the community.
Category: Newcastle News
All the news happening in the Newcastle and Hunter Region
MORRISON GOVERNMENT DUMPS AGED CARE PRIVATISATION PLAN
The Morrison Government has dumped the tender that would start the privatisation of aged care assessment in Australia after significant pressure from the states and in Parliament.
Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon, who tabled a motion against the privatisation plan in Parliament last week, said she had met with local ACAT representatives in Newcastle who warned of the risks.
“Aged-care assessment teams (ACAT) staff are the first interaction that older Australians have with the aged-care system and a critical first step in getting a home care package or moving into residential aged care,” Ms Claydon said.
“These are important roles which are filled by qualified people who know what they’re doing. No private provider would be capable of offering the breadth of skills to assess the complex needs of hundreds of thousands of older Australians.”
Ms Claydon said privatisation would have only added to the problems in aged care.
“This backdown is a win for older Australians, their loved ones and aged care workers,” Ms Claydon said.
“If this service was sold off to the highest bidder, there would be a very real risk that the more expensive parts of the service would be shut down or indeed pushed back onto government.”
Ms Claydon said she had also been ‘gravely concerned’ about potential conflicts of interest.
“When the profit motive conflicts with service standards or the need to save public money, as they inevitably would, how could we be sure that older Australians’ interests and responsible use of public money would prevail?
“I was particularly worried that the companies that run the nursing homes could have secured the contracts to conduct these assessments. That’s like handing out licences to print publicly funded money.”
Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon, who tabled a motion against the privatisation plan in Parliament last week, said she had met with local ACAT representatives in Newcastle who warned of the risks.
“Aged-care assessment teams (ACAT) staff are the first interaction that older Australians have with the aged-care system and a critical first step in getting a home care package or moving into residential aged care,” Ms Claydon said.
“These are important roles which are filled by qualified people who know what they’re doing. No private provider would be capable of offering the breadth of skills to assess the complex needs of hundreds of thousands of older Australians.”
Ms Claydon said privatisation would have only added to the problems in aged care.
“This backdown is a win for older Australians, their loved ones and aged care workers,” Ms Claydon said.
“If this service was sold off to the highest bidder, there would be a very real risk that the more expensive parts of the service would be shut down or indeed pushed back onto government.”
Ms Claydon said she had also been ‘gravely concerned’ about potential conflicts of interest.
“When the profit motive conflicts with service standards or the need to save public money, as they inevitably would, how could we be sure that older Australians’ interests and responsible use of public money would prevail?
“I was particularly worried that the companies that run the nursing homes could have secured the contracts to conduct these assessments. That’s like handing out licences to print publicly funded money.”
NEWCASTLE APPRENTICE NUMBERS PLUMMET
New local data has revealed that apprentice and trainee numbers in Newcastle are appallingly low.
We now have 1,165 fewer apprentices and trainees in Newcastle than we did when the Liberals came to power. That means we have lost almost a third of the 3,500 apprentices we had in 2013.
This leaves Newcastle, like the rest of the country, desperately short of critical trades that are vital to the healthy functioning of our regional economy.
The Morrison government has robbed Australians of employment opportunities and forced the country into a tradie crisis by ripping $3 billion out of vocational training and education.
Nearly two million Australians are out of work and employers are crying out for skilled staff.
The Liberals like to brag about their economic credentials, yet they starve the very sector that delivers the skilled staff that we need to grow the economy and stem unemployment.
Investment in skills, education, training is Economics 101 if you want to drive economic growth and maintain a high standard of living. But all the Liberals know is to cut, cut, cut.
By locking Australians out of education and training, the Liberals are locking Australians out of jobs.
The Morrison Liberal government is a do-nothing government with no agenda for jobs, training or a better Australia.
We now have 1,165 fewer apprentices and trainees in Newcastle than we did when the Liberals came to power. That means we have lost almost a third of the 3,500 apprentices we had in 2013.
This leaves Newcastle, like the rest of the country, desperately short of critical trades that are vital to the healthy functioning of our regional economy.
The Morrison government has robbed Australians of employment opportunities and forced the country into a tradie crisis by ripping $3 billion out of vocational training and education.
Nearly two million Australians are out of work and employers are crying out for skilled staff.
The Liberals like to brag about their economic credentials, yet they starve the very sector that delivers the skilled staff that we need to grow the economy and stem unemployment.
Investment in skills, education, training is Economics 101 if you want to drive economic growth and maintain a high standard of living. But all the Liberals know is to cut, cut, cut.
By locking Australians out of education and training, the Liberals are locking Australians out of jobs.
The Morrison Liberal government is a do-nothing government with no agenda for jobs, training or a better Australia.
Former foster carer charged over alleged indecent assaults of young girl
A former foster carer has been charged following an investigation into the alleged indecent assaults of a girl in the Newcastle region.
Last month, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a young girl had been indecently assaulted by a man while she was in his care.
Following extensive investigations, detectives arrested a 42-year-old man at a home on the Central Coast just before 8am on Wednesday 19 February 2020.
He was taken to Wyong Police Station and charged with aggravated indecent assault- victim under authority of offender (x4) and commit act of indecency with person under 16 years.
Police will allege in court that the man indecently assaulted the girl – then aged nine – on several occasions while she was in his care in 2017.
The man was refused bail to appear at Wyong Local Court on 19 February 2020 where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 4 March 2020).
Bumper weekend of events may attract thousands
The City will come alive this weekend with Newcastle hosting multiple major events including world class sport, live music and family entertainment.
There will be no shortage of things to do from Friday, with the Newcastle Show, Matildas versus Vietnam, Surfest final, The Drop music festival and Barrelled Food and Wine Festival expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors.
.jpg.aspx "Crowd-(1).jpg")
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the bumper weekend would provide an economic boost for the city while demonstrating Newcastle’s growing reputation as an ‘event city’.
“As thousands of visitors stream into Newcastle for the weekend, we’re poised to show-off our spectacular natural coastline, outstanding sporting facilities, and showstopping entertainment and cultural scene,” the Lord Mayor said.
The Matildas Australian women’s football team will vie for a ticket to Tokyo on Friday as they take on Vietnam at McDonald Jones Stadium in the first of two Olympic qualifying matches.
“City of Newcastle has been a strong supporter of women’s football, and we can’t wait to host the Matildas again at McDonald Jones Stadium,” Cr Nelmes said.
“I encourage all Novocastrians to show their support by turning out to the match to cheer on our hometown star Emily van Egmond and the team as they shoot for Olympic glory.
“Internationally, we’re attracting more major events, as showcased by the recent Asian Cup, Wallabies announcement and yet another Matildas fixture.”
Merewether Beach will be a hive of activity as the iconic Surfest celebrates its 35th year on Newcastle’s sporting calendar. The event is the largest surfing festival in the southern hemisphere with over 850 national and international male and female competitors taking to Merewether Beach’s world-renowned waves.
Across town The Newcastle Show is set to deliver family fun from Friday to Sunday with rides and amusements, livestock parades, show jumping and various attractions such as speedway and motocross cars at Newcastle Showground. The long running event offers three days of entertainment with marching bands, fireworks, an agriculture pavilion, exhibition centre, a mini cinema and sideshow alley.
Surfest affiliated event Barrelled Food, Wine and Beer Festival will feature a fantastic line up of Hunter Valley wine producers, food from quality local restaurants as well as craft brewers in Jefferson Park alongside the action at Merewether Beach.
The good vibes will continue with The Drop Festival attracting hit Aussie artists to Empire Park for an event dedicated to the community, culture and a shared love of the ocean. The all ages annual music festival follows the World Surf League Championship League.
For more information about the weekend’s events, visit www.visitnewcastle.com.au/whats-on
| Newcastle Show 6,7,8 March Newcastle Showground |
Surfest Friday-Sunday 6-8 March Merewether Beach |
Barrelled Food Wine and Beer Festival Saturday-Sunday 7-8 March Jefferson Park Merewether |
| Matildas v Vietnam Friday 6 March McDonald Jones Stadium |
The Drop Music Festival Saturday 7 March Empire Park, Bar Beach |
Appeal for information after theft and ram raid – Lake Macquarie
Police are investigating after three cars were stolen and used during two break and enters in Lake Macquarie.
About 3.30am today (Tuesday 3 March) three people driving the stolen vehicles attended a service station at Wyee.
The three forced entry through an external toilet door, smashed through a wall and into the service station, where they took a safe containing a large sum of money and a large number of cigarettes.
One of the vehicles was left at the Wyee service station, with the three people continuing to another service station at Fennell Bay.
About 4.20am the two vehicles were used to smash a glass wall at the service station, before the three people attached a rope to an ATM and unsuccessfully tried to pull it from its location.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District have established crime scenes at both locations and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
The vehicles involved were stolen between Saturday 29 March and today (Tuesday 3 March) from Cessnock, West Gosford and Scone.
The vehicles are a silver Toyota utility with the number plate CQ21JZ, a white Mitsubishi Pantech truck with the registration BT73PL and a white Mitsubishi Canter flatbed truck with the number plate CE78NR.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police on (02) 4922 8899 or Crime Stoppers.
Man dies after motorcycle crash – Mandalong
A man has died when a motorcycle crashed in the state’s Lake Macquarie region.
Just after 6.15pm (Monday 2 March 2020), emergency services were called to Mandalong Road, Mandalong, after reports of a crash.
Police believe the motorcyclist was travelling south when he left the roadway and crashed into trees.
The rider was treated by passing motorists until NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived but he died at the scene.
The man is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be aged in his 30s.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended and established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist police.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Woman charged with murder – Raymond Terrace
A woman will appear in court today charged with murder following the death of a man at Raymond Terrace at the weekend.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Watt and Payton streets about 5.45am Saturday (29 February 2020), after the body of a 27-year-old man was found in the middle of the road.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist forensic police.
Following inquiries, officers attached to Manning/Great Lakes and Mid North Coast Police Districts attended a motel in North Haven yesterday (Monday 2 March 2020), and arrested a 21-year-old woman on an outstanding warrant.
Detectives from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District have travelled to Port Macquarie Police Station and charged the woman with murder.
She has been refused bail to appear before Port Macquarie Local Court today (Tuesday 3 March 2020).
The man and woman are believed to have be known to each other.
Unlicensed driver in court over 29 traffic offences – Hunter Valley PD
An unlicensed driver will face court today charged with 29 offences, following a police pursuit in the state’s Hunter Region.
About 6pm yesterday (Sunday 1 March 2020), officers from Hunter Valley Police District were patrolling on the New England Highway at Blanford, about 60km north of Muswellbrook, when they attempted to stop a Great Wall X240 utility.
When the utility failed to stop, a police pursuit was initiated. It was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.
The vehicle was later located parked in a carpark in Little Street, Murrurundi, and the driver, a 27-year-old woman, was arrested nearby.
She allegedly refused to undergo a roadside breath test and was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station.
The woman was charged with 29 offences, including:
- four counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception,
- five counts of use unregistrable motor vehicle on road,
- five counts of use uninsured motor vehicle,
- five counts of licence expired 2 years or more before,
- two counts of use vehicle displaying misleading number plate,
- two counts of use vehicle displaying altered number plate,
- police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously,
- drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous,
- motor vehicle exceed speed > 30 km/h,
- overtake vehicle when unsafe,
- refuse or fail to submit to breath test, and
- goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen.
Police will allege in court that the woman, who is an unlicensed driver, had altered her number plates by attaching mailbox stickers, purchased from a hardware store.
The Broken Hill woman was refused bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court today (Monday 2 March 2020).
Investigations are continuing.
Stolen puppy returned to happy owners; alleged dog-napper charged
Police have reunited a stolen puppy with its owners in Newcastle today.
About 2.30pm on Wednesday 26 February 2020, police were called after ‘Athena’, an 11-week-old American Staffordshire Terrier, was stolen from the balcony of a home on Parry Street, Cooks Hill.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District commenced inquiries and appealed to the community for assistance.
Acting on information from the community, officers from Lake Macquarie Police District stopped a 34-year-old man with the alleged stolen puppy on Court House Lane in Toronto about 11.20am yesterday (Saturday 29 February 2020).
The man was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station, where he was charged with steal dog and possess stolen dog.
Police will allege in court that the man saw the dog when walking past the home and stole it.
He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear in Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 10 March 2020.
The dog was taken to Belmont Police Station, where she was given water and playtime, before being taken back to her very happy owners.