An unlicensed driver will face court today charged over two alleged police pursuits through the Lake Macquarie region.
About 11.50pm yesterday (Friday 31 January 2020), officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were conducting proactive patrols in Chisholm, following reports a construction site in the area had been broken into several times between Monday (27 January 2020) and Thursday (30 January 2020).
During their patrols, officers pulled over a Holden Commodore SS utility and approached the vehicle to talk with the driver, when the utility allegedly sped off.
A police pursuit commenced through several suburbs – including Hexham, Charlestown, and Belmont – before it was terminated in Summerland Point – Gwandalan.
Just before 1am today (Saturday 1 February 2020), the utility was spotted again in Kanangra Road, Summerland Point – Gwandalan, and allegedly failed to stop for officers.
A second police pursuit commenced but was terminated shortly after due to safety concerns.
The utility was later found dumped in Murrays Beach. During a search of the vehicle, officers seized several items, including bolt cutters, screw drivers, hammers and gloves, to undergo forensic examination.
Following a search of nearby bushland, police arrested a 42-year-old Fern Bay man about 1.20am.
He was taken to Belmont Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, never licensed person drive vehicle on road, possess prohibited drug, and possess housebreaking implements.
The man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.
Investigations are continuing.
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$1 million in funding open to activate city
More than $1 million in funding will be made available to attract people to the City’s business precincts this year under City of Newcastle’s Special Business Rate Expenditure policy.
Businesses, not-for-profits and community groups in Hamilton, New Lambton and Wallsend are invited to apply for funding for events and activations under the first round, which is open until Sunday 8 March.
Funds will range from $4,000 to $15,000 for successful applicants in these precincts and be followed by two additional rounds later in the year, with the second focused on the inner city and the third open to Wallsend, New Lambton, Hamilton and city centre.
“The City of Newcastle welcomes all creative and innovative ideas to activate local business precincts,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“We know that competition among applicants results in the best possible outcomes for our businesses and commercial centres. Last year, the Special Business Rate program dispersed more than $820,000 for a bumper schedule of 15 events, activations and promotional initiatives.
“We’ve already seen a three-on-three street basketball competition bring hundreds of kids, open and veteran players to Wheeler Place, a City Sparkles activation for retailers held across the CBD in the lead up to Christmas, and Hamilton created some fantastic street art.
“This year, I’m delighted that more than $1 million will be available.”
3×3 Street Hustle in Wheeler Place
The City Sparkles event drew hundreds of evening shoppers into the CBD to enjoy the wares and offerings of a range of creative businesses in December.
“It was wonderful to have over 25 businesses play together as part of the newly formed Makers and Traders group,” Makers and Traders spokesperson Anne Kempton said.
“The funding helped us to market the event and provide musical entertainment.
“The vast majority of these businesses do not open in the evenings so it was a major change and a huge success.”
Information sessions on the latest funding round will be held in each of the local business precincts at Duke of Wellington Hotel, New Lambton, on Tuesday 11 February at 12 noon; at the Olive Branch Café in Hamilton on Wednesday 12 February at 7.30am; and Wallsend Library on Thursday 13 February at 6pm.
All sessions will be open to representatives from all the precincts. Register your interest online at the City’s website:
Special Business Rates are collected for the promotion, beautification and development of the SBR precincts of City Centre/Darby Street, Hamilton, Mayfield, New Lambton and Wallsend.
Novel Coronavirus
City of Newcastle is following advise from the NSW Government on the recent outbreak of Novo Coronavirus.
The NSW Government has requested that:
- Children and staff who have visited China in the last two weeks not attend school or childcare services until 14 days have lapsed from their date of departure from China
- People who have visited Hubei Province in China in the last two weeks should isolate themselves at home for 14 days after leaving the Province
Council is committed to our community’s safety and whilst the risk is currently very low, we ask residents to take precautions.
Residents can access up to date information on the NSW Health website.
Axes, baton, firearms seized; man charged – Lake Macquarie
A man has been refused bail after several prohibited weapons were located at two Lake Macquarie homes.
About 7am yesterday (Thursday 30 January 2020), officers attached to the Lake Macquarie Police District Target Action Group attended a home on Newport Road, Cooranbong, and spoke with a 55-year-old man.
During a search of the home, police located and seized a pistol, ammunition and methylamphetamine.
The search was suspended, and police applied for and executed a search warrant later in the day, where officers located and seized a vehicle, a motorbike, NSW Police insignia, knuckle dusters, a baton and homemade weapons.
Later in the morning, officers executed a second search warrant at a home on Bushells Ridge Road, Wyee, where police located and seized further prohibited weapons, ammunition, drug paraphernalia and vehicles believed to be stolen.
The man was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station and charged with nine offences, including possess prohibited weapon, supply prohibited drug, unauthorised handle explosives, possess ammunition without permit and breach weapons prohibited order.
He was refused bail to face Toronto Local Court yesterday (Thursday 30 January 2020), where he was refused bail again to face the same court on Tuesday 4 February 2020.
Further charges are expected to be laid.
Two arrested after public place shooting – Cessnock
Two men will face court today charged following an investigation into a public place shooting in the Hunter Valley earlier this week.
About 3am (Wednesday 29 January 2020), police were called to Mills Crescent, Cessnock, following reports of shots fired.
Following inquiries, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District stopped a Holden Commodore sedan on Doyle Street, Cessnock, a short time later.
Four men exited from the vehicle, with two allegedly fleeing the scene by foot.
The two remaining men were arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station.
They were released later that day, pending further inquiries.
Following further inquiries, two men – aged 27 and 21 – were arrested in Cessnock and taken to Cessnock Police Station about 12pm yesterday (Thursday 30 January 2020).
Both men were charged with fire firearm at dwelling with disregard for safety, fire firearm in a manner likely to injure persons/property, possess loaded firearm in a public place and destroy/damage property.
They were both refused bail to face Cessnock Local Court today (Friday 31 January 2020).
Armed robbery – Aberdare
Police are investigating an armed robbery at a service station in the Hunter yesterday.
Shortly before 6am (Wednesday 29 January 2020), a man entered a service station on Aberdare Road, Aberdare, and threatened a 31-year-old attendant with a knife.
The man took cash and cigarettes before fleeing out the front entrance onto a dirt bike with a second man waiting. The bike was last seen headed west along Aberdare Road.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were called a short time later and established a crime scene.
Police are now appealing for anyone who may have seen or heard anything to come forward.
Both men were last seen wearing motorbike helmets, with dark clothing and their faces covered.
Appeal for information after elderly couple assaulted – Scone
Police are appealing for public assistance as investigations continue into an assault on an elderly couple in the state’s Hunter Valley region yesterday.
About 10pm (Sunday 26 January 2020), a man and woman – aged 84 and 86 – were putting rubbish in the bin outside their home on Guernsey Street, Scone, when an unknown woman began verbally abusing them from across the road.
The woman then crossed the road and assaulted the pair – the man was punched to the ground and kicked in the head and body and the woman was pushed to the ground – before fleeing the scene on foot.
They were treated at the scene before being taken to Maitland Hospital in a stable condition suffering cuts, grazes and bruising.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Investigators are urging anyone who may have information, dashcam footage or CCTV from the area and its surrounds to contact Muswellbrook Police Station on (02) 6542 6999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Inquiries continue.
Australia Day award winners honoured
A dedicated and passionate community fundraiser has been named City of Newcastle’s 2020 Citizen of the Year.
Michelle Faithfull coordinates the highly successful Hunter Homeless Connect Day, which links people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of it with essential services, helpful advice and other assistance.
Michelle Faithfull coordinates the highly successful Hunter Homeless Connect Day, which links people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of it with essential services, helpful advice and other assistance.
The annual event has connected thousands of people with accommodation and housing providers, health and wellbeing services, legal and financial assistance, employment, study, and general support.
Faithfull, from Bar Beach, also organises the annual all-women ‘Divas on the Green’ golf day at Merewether Golf Club for Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2020.
Over the past decade, she has raised $180,000 for local charities, including more than $90,000 for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, almost $65,000 for the Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation and $20,000 for the new Ronald McDonald House Family Room at John Hunter Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. This amazing effort followed earlier volunteer work for children’s charities in the Hunter with which she felt aligned, following a personal tragedy.
“Losing my first-born daughter Jessica over 30 years ago at four months of age opened my eyes to the importance of community and supporting each other,” Ms Faithfull said.
“Bringing people together for a common cause has certainly become a passion of mine, and apart from honouring my daughter’s legacy, it has taken me on the most amazing journey of connection.
“The people of Newcastle have been very supportive of my activities here over the years and I am absolutely honoured to receive this award in a community I adore. I hope that I can inspire others to bring their communities together, because the rewards are priceless.”
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Faithfull’s commitment to improving the lives of others had earned her the City’s top Australia Day honour at today’s Civic Theatre citizenship ceremony.
“Until today, Michelle was one of Newcastle’s unsung heroes, so the City of Newcastle is thrilled to recognise her tireless efforts to assist those in our community who are doing it tough,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Michelle embodies everything that is good about the human spirit. Resolutely committed to improving the lives of others, she has contributed to many great organisations including Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation, Hunter Homeless Connect, Vinnies, Got Your Back Sista, Ronald McDonald House, Hunter Medical Research Institute, CanTeen, Camp Quality and the Starlight Foundation.
“The Citizen of the Year award is a fitting honour for her dedication to bettering our society and I hope the recognition helps her continue that endeavour.”
The City’s 2020 Young Citizen of the Year has been instrumental in the national Student Strike 4 Climate (SS4C) action.
New Lambton High’s Alexa Stuart, 16, has collaborated with peers, senior climate campaigners and SS4C’s national organising team since attending her first rally as a 15-year-old in 2018.
Alexa Stuart and the Lord Mayor.
The Year 11 student has variously liaised with police, spoken with media, delivered speeches, created banners and performed all manner of tasks behind the scenes to promote the SS4C movement.
“Alexa is an inspiring young person who has maintained excellent academic grades while leading her peers amid the climate emergency that the recent bushfires have brought to national and world prominence,” the Lord Mayor said.
“At such a young age she has represented the SS4C at meetings with local members of parliament, unions, university staff, local businesses, and spoken about climate change at her High School and local church.
“At last September’s global strike she gave an inspiring speech in front of 10,000 people and has played a major role in writing the national SS4C constitution.”
Newcastle Pride, the organisers of the highly successful Newcastle Pride Festival, was named the Community Group of the Year.
After two instalments of their annual event, which the City of Newcastle sponsors, Newcastle Pride will move to develop a Youth Pride Tribe this year to focus on events for LGBTIQ young people, featuring a 2020 Queer Youth prom.
Newcastle Pride’s Ed Abbott, Leanne McDougall and Ivan Skaines with the Lord Mayor after receiving the Community Group of the Year award.
“I’d like to congratulate Newcastle Pride on their fantastic festival and for providing an inclusive, vibrant and fun environment for all LGBTIQ residents to build social connections and experience a community free of discrimination,” Councillor Nelmes said.
“The festival fosters a sense of community inclusion and participation, as well as benefits to the broader economy of Newcastle through tourism and event attendance, and its success owes to the hard work of the committee members.”
The Newcastle Citizen of the Year awards are decided by a panel consisting of:
Faithfull, from Bar Beach, also organises the annual all-women ‘Divas on the Green’ golf day at Merewether Golf Club for Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2020.
Over the past decade, she has raised $180,000 for local charities, including more than $90,000 for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, almost $65,000 for the Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation and $20,000 for the new Ronald McDonald House Family Room at John Hunter Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. This amazing effort followed earlier volunteer work for children’s charities in the Hunter with which she felt aligned, following a personal tragedy.
“Losing my first-born daughter Jessica over 30 years ago at four months of age opened my eyes to the importance of community and supporting each other,” Ms Faithfull said.
“Bringing people together for a common cause has certainly become a passion of mine, and apart from honouring my daughter’s legacy, it has taken me on the most amazing journey of connection.
“The people of Newcastle have been very supportive of my activities here over the years and I am absolutely honoured to receive this award in a community I adore. I hope that I can inspire others to bring their communities together, because the rewards are priceless.”
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Faithfull’s commitment to improving the lives of others had earned her the City’s top Australia Day honour at today’s Civic Theatre citizenship ceremony.
“Until today, Michelle was one of Newcastle’s unsung heroes, so the City of Newcastle is thrilled to recognise her tireless efforts to assist those in our community who are doing it tough,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Michelle embodies everything that is good about the human spirit. Resolutely committed to improving the lives of others, she has contributed to many great organisations including Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation, Hunter Homeless Connect, Vinnies, Got Your Back Sista, Ronald McDonald House, Hunter Medical Research Institute, CanTeen, Camp Quality and the Starlight Foundation.
“The Citizen of the Year award is a fitting honour for her dedication to bettering our society and I hope the recognition helps her continue that endeavour.”
The City’s 2020 Young Citizen of the Year has been instrumental in the national Student Strike 4 Climate (SS4C) action.
New Lambton High’s Alexa Stuart, 16, has collaborated with peers, senior climate campaigners and SS4C’s national organising team since attending her first rally as a 15-year-old in 2018.
Alexa Stuart and the Lord Mayor.The Year 11 student has variously liaised with police, spoken with media, delivered speeches, created banners and performed all manner of tasks behind the scenes to promote the SS4C movement.
“Alexa is an inspiring young person who has maintained excellent academic grades while leading her peers amid the climate emergency that the recent bushfires have brought to national and world prominence,” the Lord Mayor said.
“At such a young age she has represented the SS4C at meetings with local members of parliament, unions, university staff, local businesses, and spoken about climate change at her High School and local church.
“At last September’s global strike she gave an inspiring speech in front of 10,000 people and has played a major role in writing the national SS4C constitution.”
Newcastle Pride, the organisers of the highly successful Newcastle Pride Festival, was named the Community Group of the Year.
After two instalments of their annual event, which the City of Newcastle sponsors, Newcastle Pride will move to develop a Youth Pride Tribe this year to focus on events for LGBTIQ young people, featuring a 2020 Queer Youth prom.
Newcastle Pride’s Ed Abbott, Leanne McDougall and Ivan Skaines with the Lord Mayor after receiving the Community Group of the Year award.“I’d like to congratulate Newcastle Pride on their fantastic festival and for providing an inclusive, vibrant and fun environment for all LGBTIQ residents to build social connections and experience a community free of discrimination,” Councillor Nelmes said.
“The festival fosters a sense of community inclusion and participation, as well as benefits to the broader economy of Newcastle through tourism and event attendance, and its success owes to the hard work of the committee members.”
The Newcastle Citizen of the Year awards are decided by a panel consisting of:
- Nuatali Nelmes, Lord Mayor of Newcastle
- Carol Duncan, Councillor City of Newcastle
- Andrea Rufo, Councillor City of Newcastle
- Jeremy Bath, CEO City of Newcastle
- Pastor Sue Irwin from Grainery Church
- Bahavi Ravindran, Newcastle’s Young Citizen of the Year 2019
- Luisa Amosa, representing The Y Project, Community Group of the Year 2019
City welcomes cheerful Brazilian among 270 new Aussies
A joyful South American woman set to become a naturalised Australian credits our country’s streamlined bureaucracy as the reason for her big move, perhaps surprisingly to many homegrown citizens.
Sibele Lima from Curitiba city in the southern Brazilian state of Parana “loves everything” about her adopted country and will pledge her allegiance at City of Newcastle’s annual Australia Day citizenship ceremony in the Civic Theatre on Sunday.
The 33-year-old IT worker will be among 270 new citizens from 40 different nations to receive citizenship certificates at one of NSW’s largest citizenship ceremonies.
Lima in the Blue Mountains
Each will receive their certificate confirming their citizenship from Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, who rates welcoming people from diverse backgrounds among the job’s greatest honours.
“Hearing the stories of many of these people really opens your eyes to how lucky we are in Australia, particularly in Newcastle,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We are so fortunate to enjoy a safe, secure life as part of an advanced, pluralist society in a nation blessed with natural attractions and abundant resources. Sunday’s ceremony and two other annual citizenship ceremonies are, for mine, the best way to celebrate that good fortune.”
Lima, who lives in Wickham, was bitten by the travel bug on a road trip to Brazil’s north with her family aged 11, but could easily have been making a different oath in colder climes.
“My first plan was Canada because I went on an exchange there when I was 18 and it’s on the same time zone as Brazil and closer to home,” recalled the Computer Science graduate, who moved to Australia on a skilled migration visa five years ago.
“I was learning French and filled out pages and pages of hard copy documents to get a Canadian visa but I got no reply. I had friends in Australia who said it was just beautiful and that the process was very straightforward because it was all online. I applied for a skilled visa and got permanent residency, all in eight months.
“Officially becoming a citizen is going to be special because I feel very welcome here and I thank Australia for providing a way for immigrants like me to work.”
Lima travelled much of the world before a soft landing on Sydney’s North Shore was followed by a move to Newcastle in 2018.
When not practising Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, she enjoys going to the beach and walking or bike riding through the bush, especially along the Fernleigh Track on her way to work in Charlestown.
Brazil is also spoiled with natural wonders but can’t provide Lima the same sense of security and order as Australia.
“In Curitiba you are walking around with your purse held tightly and always looking over your shoulder, but here you can relax outside and leave your purse on the table when outside enjoying a coffee with friends.
“The news here is always about a shark story or a kangaroo, but in Brazil it’s people died, armed robbery and politics coverage is just corruption – I tell my mum not to watch it when I go back there.
“I hear people complaining in Australia about the train or bus being late and I laugh, because I’m just so pleased to have a map timetable – in Brazil the bus just comes when it does.”
Sunday’s ceremony will also see local Australia Day awards presented before a range of family activities are staged on the Foreshore from 10am-2pm.
For more information about the City’s planned celebrations, visit the City’s Australia Day information page online at https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Explore/Things-to-do/What-s-On/Events/Australia-Day-2020
Sibele Lima from Curitiba city in the southern Brazilian state of Parana “loves everything” about her adopted country and will pledge her allegiance at City of Newcastle’s annual Australia Day citizenship ceremony in the Civic Theatre on Sunday.
The 33-year-old IT worker will be among 270 new citizens from 40 different nations to receive citizenship certificates at one of NSW’s largest citizenship ceremonies.
Lima in the Blue MountainsEach will receive their certificate confirming their citizenship from Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, who rates welcoming people from diverse backgrounds among the job’s greatest honours.
“Hearing the stories of many of these people really opens your eyes to how lucky we are in Australia, particularly in Newcastle,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We are so fortunate to enjoy a safe, secure life as part of an advanced, pluralist society in a nation blessed with natural attractions and abundant resources. Sunday’s ceremony and two other annual citizenship ceremonies are, for mine, the best way to celebrate that good fortune.”
Lima, who lives in Wickham, was bitten by the travel bug on a road trip to Brazil’s north with her family aged 11, but could easily have been making a different oath in colder climes.
“My first plan was Canada because I went on an exchange there when I was 18 and it’s on the same time zone as Brazil and closer to home,” recalled the Computer Science graduate, who moved to Australia on a skilled migration visa five years ago.“I was learning French and filled out pages and pages of hard copy documents to get a Canadian visa but I got no reply. I had friends in Australia who said it was just beautiful and that the process was very straightforward because it was all online. I applied for a skilled visa and got permanent residency, all in eight months.
“Officially becoming a citizen is going to be special because I feel very welcome here and I thank Australia for providing a way for immigrants like me to work.”
Lima travelled much of the world before a soft landing on Sydney’s North Shore was followed by a move to Newcastle in 2018.
When not practising Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, she enjoys going to the beach and walking or bike riding through the bush, especially along the Fernleigh Track on her way to work in Charlestown.
Brazil is also spoiled with natural wonders but can’t provide Lima the same sense of security and order as Australia.
“In Curitiba you are walking around with your purse held tightly and always looking over your shoulder, but here you can relax outside and leave your purse on the table when outside enjoying a coffee with friends.
“The news here is always about a shark story or a kangaroo, but in Brazil it’s people died, armed robbery and politics coverage is just corruption – I tell my mum not to watch it when I go back there.
“I hear people complaining in Australia about the train or bus being late and I laugh, because I’m just so pleased to have a map timetable – in Brazil the bus just comes when it does.”
Sunday’s ceremony will also see local Australia Day awards presented before a range of family activities are staged on the Foreshore from 10am-2pm.
For more information about the City’s planned celebrations, visit the City’s Australia Day information page online at https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Explore/Things-to-do/What-s-On/Events/Australia-Day-2020
Police investigate suspicious bushfires – Glenrock State Conservation Area
Police are appealing for public assistance after three deliberately lit bushfires in Lake Macquarie yesterday.
About 4.40pm (Thursday 23 January 2020), Fire and Rescue NSW crews were called to a bushfire in thick scrub within the Glenrock State Conservation Area. The fire was bordered by Burwood Road, the Fernleigh Track and the Yuelarbah Track.
Whilst crews were in the process of extinguishing the blaze, two additional fires ignited beside the Fernleigh Track.
It took crews several hours to bring the blazes under control, which burnt through approximately five hectares of the Glenrock State Conservation Area.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended the scene and commenced investigations.
Police are appealing to locate a man who may be able to assist with their inquiries.
He’s described as being of Caucasian appearance, 170cm tall, aged in his mid to late 40s, with a solid build and scruffy dark brown hair which was long at the back similar to a mullet haircut.
Anyone who may have seen or heard any suspicious activity in the area is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 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.