Category: Newcastle News

Projects that attract people to public places, enhance community well-being and strengthen the city’s reputation as a tourism, business and events destination are set to share in almost $1 million from City of Newcastle (CN).

Applications are now open across 12 grants and sponsorship funding categories to support social, cultural, environmental and economic initiatives.

Initiatives ranging from a learn to swim program for refugee women, and an indigenous and disability sports clinic, through to workshops teaching Auslan to the community using popular songs are just some of the programs delivered under CN’s community support grant funding last year.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said grants and sponsorship funding is vital to enhancing community well-being and contributing to building a welcoming, liveable and inclusive city.

“City of Newcastle’s annual grants and sponsorships program has seen amazing initiatives come to life, from programs that help engage our culturally and linguistically diverse communities in local sport to major events like SailFest, which welcomed thousands of people to our harbour city,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We provide funding to a wide variety of activities, projects and events annually, including recreation facilities, community initiatives, arts, culture and heritage, as well as environmental and social inclusion projects.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said social inclusion, recreation participation and economic development were at the heart of CN’s grants and sponsorships program.

“Last year, City of Newcastle funded upgrade projects for local clubs who use our sporting and recreation facilities right across the city, whilst event sponsorship provided a great way to increase visitation to the city,” Cr Clausen said

“We’re looking forward to seeing a range of new applications come through this year for projects and initiatives that benefit the community and create a vibrant city for all.”

Grants that target minor infrastructure improvements for recreational facilities and sustainability upgrades are also available under the infrastructure grants category.

Event sponsorship grants are available for events that promote active and vibrant spaces, attract local and out of region visitation and enhance Newcastle’s profile as an events city, while economic development sponsorships will be provided for activities that enable skills and innovation, and are considered city-shaping initiatives.

Applications for grants and sponsorship funding are open from tomorrow until 30 June 2023. Further details can be viewed on City of Newcastle’s website by visiting newcastle.nsw.gov.au

Students from across the Hunter, Central Coast and Central West received scholarships at the 2023 Proudly Public! Awards night at Sydney Town Hall on Monday.

They are among over 700 public school students and educators from across Australia to receive scholarships administered by the Public Education Foundation in 2023.

Since the launch of PEF’s scholarships program in 2009 over 3,000 students and more than 120 educators have been supported with greater than $8.5 million in life-changing scholarships administered by the Foundation.

A list of Hunter, Central Coast and Central West student and teacher recipients is attached below, with full details in the link.

Department of Education Acting Secretary Murat Dizdar thanked the Public Education Foundation for its ongoing support of public education in NSW.

He said the scholarships helped to remove barriers to achievement created by social and economic disadvantage.

“These scholarships are about recognising student excellence, potential and ability and rewarding students so they can continue to reach their potential,” Mr Dizdar said. 

“Behind many of these awards are extraordinary stories of resilience and a commitment to learning against the odds, especially during the pandemic, bushfires and floods. 

“I am proud of our students, teachers and leaders who have attained scholarships. It is their efforts that combine to create the extraordinary public education system we have in NSW, one that believes in the individual no matter your postcode and as part of its DNA is determined that every individual connects, succeeds and thrives in public schools.”

Public Education Foundation CEO David Riordan said the awards celebrate the enduring values of Australian public education. 

“Every student deserves the opportunity to achieve their full potential, and these scholarships will help make that possible,” Mr Riordan said.

The Public Education Foundation is a charity dedicated to enhancing the value and reputation of public education by providing life-changing scholarships to its students, teachers and principals. 

For a full list of scholarship recipients visit: https://www.publiceducationfoundation.org.au/

Walter and Eliza Hall Trust Opportunity Scholarship

Isla Farr                                   Oxley High School

NSW Teachers Federation Primary Scholarship

Charlie Palmer                        Gwandalan Public School

Kua Swan                               Glendore Public School

Public Education Foundation Primary Scholarship

Levi Nicholson                        Scone Public School

Felicity Samuel                       Wadalba Community School

Levi Nicholson                        Scone Public School

Felicity Samuel                       Wadalba Community School

Niyahla Wright                        Glendore Public School

Waratah Education Foundation Primary Scholarship

Dhakota Hodges                     Glendore Public School

Kaitlyn Mulligan                       Woodberry Public School

Alana Newland                        Glendore Public School

Lily Nguyen                             Glendore Public School

Waratah Education Foundation Secondary Transition Scholarship

Eliza French                            Glendore Public School

Jakeisha-Lee McBride            Glendore Public School

Aboriginal Education Council Scholarship

Hannah Baillie-Angeles          Bulahdelah Central School

Kailee Good                            West Wallsend High School

Jie Matthews                           West Wallsend High School

Nakiesha Vickery                    Northlakes High School

Andrew Casey Indigenous Scholarship

Charlie Deacon                       West Wallsend High School

Connected Communities Scholarship

Destyni Bight                           Coonamble High School

Jordan Briar                            Coonamble High School

Braydon Dodd                         Coonamble High School

Madie Hodgson                       Coonamble High School

Rihanna McBride                    Coonamble High School

Public Education Foundation Indigenous Scholarship

Beau Hinton                            Coonabarabran High School

Yooralla Samuel                     Wadalba Community School

Una May Smith Scholarship

Ashlee Dawson                       West Wallsend High School

Tae-Lani Gordon                     Glendore Public School

NSW Teachers Federation Refugee Scholarship

Maryam Hossein Zadeh         Callaghan College Waratah Campus

Friends of Zainab Senior Secondary Scholarship

Maryam Hossein Zadeh         Callaghan College Waratah Campus

Narges Eftekhari                     Callaghan College Jesmond Campus

Madina Khanzada                   Callaghan Collage Waratah Campus

Unions NSW Jeff Shaw Memorial Scholarship

Caitlin Blanch                          Peel High School

VET in Schools Scholarship

Chloe Lund                              Denison College of Secondary Education, Kelso High Campus

Woodcock Family Scholarship

Harry Brown                            Singleton High School

Katie King                               Singleton High School

Hunter Mcloughlin                   Scone High School

Koby Newman                        Singleton High School

NSW Teachers Federation Award for HSC Excellence

Rebecca Oewns                     Gosford High School

Lara White                              Newcastle High School

NSW Cookery Teachers Association Scholarship

Emilie Coe                              Dunedoo Central School

Rilee Perry                              Whitebridge High School

Nurses and Midwives Health Scholarship

Anastasia Walsh                     Nyngan High School

Public Education Foundation Tertiary Scholarship

Dinara Jayarathna                  Taree High School

Alishea Rankin                        Coonabarabran High School

Hugh Shadwell                       Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School

Teachers Health Early Career Scholarship

Jessica Burg                           Oxley High School

Following an investment of $28.7 million from the Albanese Labor Government the GP Access After Hours Clinic at the Calvary Mater will re-open tomorrow.

The re-opening of the Calvary Mater clinic is the first stage of a rollout of restoration of the Hunter GP Access Clinics – the hours at the GP Access Clinics at Belmont Hospital, John Hunter Hospital, Maitland Hospital and Westlakes Community Health Centre in Toronto will be fully restored over the coming months.

The Albanese Government has provided a record $28.7 million to the Hunter New England Central Coast PHN to commission Hunter Primary Care to reopen the Calvary Mater Clinic and restore full after-hours services at all GP Access clinics.

The Former Liberal Government cut funding to GP Access services, forcing the GP Access clinic at the Calvary Mater Hospital to close permanently and four other clinics to significantly reduce their hours from Christmas Eve 2021.

It is a significant milestone that after 16 months of having their doors closed, the GP Access After Hours service at the Calvary Mater Hospital will reopen tomorrow.

GP Access clinics offer face to face and telehealth primary care services outside business hours. These services are bulk billed to anyone with a Medicare card, and delivered by GPs and Registered Nurses, reducing the barrier to access care, and preventing visits to the Emergency Department.

The Calvary Mater clinic will be open weekdays from 6pm – 10pm, Saturdays from 1pm – 8pm and Sundays from 9am – 4pm. Appointments must be booked via the GP Access call centre on 1300 130 147.

Minister Butler said:

“The Albanese Government has delivered on its commitment to restore the GP Access After Hours clinic, after the former Liberal government cut funding forcing the service to close its doors.

“The much-needed service will again be able to provide individuals and families the care they need, when they need it – and reduce pressure on local hospitals.”

Sharon Claydon MP said:

“After an incredible community campaign, more than 11,000 Novocastrians signed the petition to save this essential service. It was your strong advocacy that saw the Albanese Labor Government’s record investment to restore GP Access to its full capacity.

“The re-opening of the Calvary Mater After Hours Clinic means Novocastrians will once again have access to free quality primary healthcare outside business hours, where the only card you need is your Medicare card.”

Pat Conroy MP said:

“Following the cuts to the beloved GP Access After Hours service by the former Liberal government, I was proud to work with the community, alongside my Hunter Labor colleagues, to campaign to restore this service. The Albanese Labor Government is listening to the Lake Macquarie and broader Hunter community and restoring this vital service.

The re-opening of Calvary Mater is the first tranche in the rollout to restore this service and I look forward to working with Primary Health Network over the next few weeks as services are restored at Belmont Hospital and the other GP Access After Hours services.”

Meryl Swanson MP said:

“I’m proud to work alongside my Hunter colleagues as a team delivering for our region as part of the Albanese Labor Government.

“Together we are making good on a commitment to reverse the bad decisions of the former Liberal Government, restoring this vital service that should never have been cut.”

Dan Repacholi MP said:

“Restoring the hours for the Toronto GP Access After Hours Clinic was one of the biggest commitments I took to the election, and I am pleased we’ve been able to deliver it.

“The full hours will be restored in coming weeks, and this will mean residents can see a doctor while they are sick and will reduce our overcrowded Emergency Departments.”

A man who was reported missing from Lambton in the Newcastle area has been found safe and well.

The 19-year-old was last seen at an address on Albert Street, Lambton, about 12.00pm today (Monday 29 May 2023).

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were notified and immediately commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Following a public appeal through social media and a geo-targeting alert sent to the Lambton area, police were advised the man returned home about 7.20pm.

Police and family would like to thank the community and media for their assistance.

More than $25.7 million will be invested into maintaining and enhancing the city’s roads, bridges and footpaths as part of a record Budget unanimously adopted by Council last night.

City of Newcastle is significantly boosting its investment in essential community infrastructure in 2023/24, pouring $7.5million into its road resurfacing program and more than doubling its spending on road rehabilitation projects as part of the largest annual capital works program to date.

More than $137 million has been earmarked for investment into local facilities and infrastructure, with almost 270 projects planned across the local government area during the next financial year.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said this was a financially prudent Budget balancing community needs with a forecast $6.9 million surplus.

“This Budget is focussed on providing real benefits for our community in their everyday lives, whether it’s investing more than $15 million into improving our roads, spending $1.2 million to extend our city’s footpath network or making it easier for people to get around Newcastle with $3.6 million for new cycleways,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We recognise the important role our recreational facilities and open spaces play in the lives of our community, so we’re investing $19.7 million into new and improved parks, playgrounds, sporting and aquatic facilities, including $5 million towards the new all abilities playground at Foreshore Park and $1.9 million for the playspace at Gregson Park.

“We’re also committed to caring for our natural environment, with $13.5 million for environmental sustainability initiatives including $8 million towards planning and protecting our coastline, estuaries and wetlands, $1.5 million towards street tree planting projects and $1 million for upgrades at Blackbutt Reserve.

“City of Newcastle’s 2023/24 Budget will meet the expectations of our community while still following a path of financial stability to ensure our city remains an attractive and inclusive place to live, work and visit, now and into the future.”

Other highlights of the 2023/24 Budget include:

• $41.2 million to be invested in four City Shaping projects including the expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery, remediation of the former landfill at Sandgate, and construction of waste diversion facilities at Summerhill Waste Management Centre
• $7.5 million to improve our inland pools and ocean baths, including the Newcastle Ocean Baths stage one upgrade and the Lambton Pool grandstand upgrade in time for the swim season
• $6.9 million for urban and city centre revitalisation projects including the next stage of the East End upgrade in the Hunter Street Mall, and Local Centre upgrades at New Lambton
• $4.9 million to improve our stormwater network to address localised flooding
• $4.4 million to support our waste management
• $4.2 million towards the replacement of the Boscawen Street Bridge as part of plans to reduce the risk of flooding in the Wallsend CBD
• $2 million to continue works to beautify and improve access along Bathers Way.

City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said prudent financial management will deliver a second consecutive surplus budget without compromising the Council’s capacity to maintain services and meet community commitments.

“During 2023–2024, we will invest almost $377 million into our city, delivering key services and infrastructure that ensure Newcastle is a liveable, sustainable, inclusive global city,” Mr Bath said.

“Our record $137 million infrastructure program continues to deliver essential projects for the benefit of our community, yet despite the economic challenges of inflationary pressure and the high cost of living, we are continuing to build on our past financial management to deliver an improved Budget surplus of $6.9 million in 2023/24.”

The Albanese Government has delivered on its commitment to cancer patients in the Newcastle region, thanks to a $1 million injection to the Kaden Centre.

The funding, which has been delivered through the Hunter, New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network, will ensure the Kaden Centre can continue its unique services for cancer patients through specialised exercise physiology care.

The Kaden Centre is a purpose-built facility where people experiencing all stages of cancer can undertake customised, targeted exercise programs, under the guidance of health professionals.

The Centre was established by the inspiring Suzanne Clark Pitrolo as a not-for-profit enterprise as a result of her experiences as a cancer patient. Since opening four years ago it has treated more than 1,200 people from the Newcastle and Hunter region with cancer and chronic illness.

There is strong evidence that exercise provides benefits to cancer patients. Appropriate oncology exercise has been shown to reduce anxiety, depression and fatigue, reduce hospital admissions and length of stay, and moderate the side effects of treatment.

Minister Butler said:

“I’ve spoken firsthand with many patients who have benefited from the Kaden Centre.

“We know exercise is not only safe for cancer patients, its known to help them cope better with their condition and their treatment.

“The Kaden Centre delivers custom, targeted exercise programs, prescribed by allied health professionals to drastically improve the long-term health outcomes for people living with cancer.  

“The Government is committed to helping all Australians diagnosed with cancer to access the best multidisciplinary care, as close to their homes as possible.”

Sharon Claydon MP said:

“I’m delighted that the Albanese Labor Government has kept the Kaden Centre’s doors open to continue their innovative oncology exercise program.”

“The Kaden Centre has helped over a thousand people in the Newcastle area, and it is vital that they are able to continue to do this important work thanks to the Albanese government’s investment.”

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council Meeting of Tuesday 23 May 2023. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.

Lord Mayoral Minutes

Women’s World Cup Live Site – Go Matildas!

A Lord Mayoral Minute was supported acknowledging the incredible success and community support for City of Newcastle’s public screening of the Socceroo’s vs Argentina World Cup Game on 4 December 2022 in Wheeler Place which attracted thousands of attendees.

Council unanimously supported investigating options for hosting live site public screenings in Wheeler Place of all Matilda’s games during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 when they play in Australia from 20 July.

IPART Emergency Services Levy

A Lord Mayoral Minute noted Council’s forced emergency services contribution is manifestly disproportionate to the 2023/24 rate cap, resulting in additional financial stress, with the unexpected cost hit due to absorb almost all IPART-approved rate rise for this year and in some cases absorb more than 100 per cent, for many councils.

Council unanimously supported writing to the Chair of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Authority (IPART), noting the financial sustainability impacts of the Emergency Services Levy on the Local Government sector, and to work towards an appropriate solution to ensure the ongoing financial sustainability of local councils.

Ordinary business

Adoption of Delivering Newcastle 2040

Council unanimously voted to adopt the 2023-2024 Delivering Newcastle 2040 and the 2023-2024 Fees and Charges, following public exhibition.

Adoption of Inland Pools Strategy 2034

Council unanimously voted to adopt the Inland Pools Strategy 2043 – our plan for protecting and improving Newcastle’s public pools for the next 20 years.

Council received the Inland Pools Strategy 2043 Engagement Report and endorsed the establishment of the Inland Pools Reserve Fund to set aside funding as part of the annual budget process to enhance the city’s five publicly owned inland swimming centres over the next 20 years.

Public exhibition of draft Community Engagement Strategy

Council unanimously voted to publicly exhibit the draft Community Engagement Strategy for a minimum of 28 days.

Tabling of Register of Disclosures of Interest – 1 February to 30 April 2023

Council noted the tabling of the Register of Disclosures of Interest for the period 1 February to 30 April 2023 by the Chief Executive Officer.

Proposed road closure and sale – road reserve adjoining 34 Robert Street Wickham

Council voted to lay item 8.5 on the table.

Proposed sale of operational land – 55 Cowper Street Wallsend

Council voted to lay item 8.6 on the table.

Adoption of planning proposal, draft Development Control Plan and draft Planning Agreement for 23 Merewether Street and 8 Lingard Street, Merewether, Lingard Planning Proposal

Council voted to endorse the planning proposal, the Local Environmental Plan be made and finalise the Development Control Plan and Planning Agreement for the Lingard Hospital Precinct, Merewether.

Variations to development standards (Reporting From 1 January 2023 To 31 March 2023)

Council received the report on approved development variations between 1 January 2023 and 31 March 2023 in accordance with the Department of Planning and Environment’s concurrence to vary development standards in the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012.

March Quarterly Budget Review

Council received the March Quarterly Budget Review Statement and adopted the revised budget as detailed therein.

Quarterly Performance Report on the 2018-2022 Delivery Program

Council received the 2022-2026 Delivery Program – March Quarterly Performance Report.

Executive Monthly Performance Report

Council received the Executive Monthly Performance Report for April 2023.

Tender report – Lambton Pool Grandstand Upgrade 2023/065t

Council unanimously voted to adopt a tender report for the construction of a new reinforced concrete grandstand beneath the existing grandstand roof at Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre (Lambton Pool).

Tender report – Material Recovery Facility – Construction Works 2023/049t

Council unanimously voted to adopt a tender for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre.

Proposed sale of 16 cabins – Stockton Beach Holiday Park

Council endorsed the sale of 16 cabins at Stockton Beach Holiday Park.

Tender report – Management of Inland Swimming Centres – Contract No 2022/137T

Council delegated the CEO authority to determine the tender for the lease and operation of CNs five owned inland swimming centres.

Notices of Motion

Request to release Climate Security Report

Council noted that the Office of National Intelligence has prepared a Climate Security Report.

Council unanimously supported an amended notice of motion to write to the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence requesting that the government urgently releases the declassified version of the Report.

Newcastle City CBD – Vandalism – Graffiti Attacks – Crime Prevention – Business Retention – Review of Mainstreet Economic Development throughout City Construction – 2023-2026

Council supported an amended notice of motion that notes City of Newcastle staff are reviewing opportunities to focus resources specifically on development of the Hunter Street public domain and welcomes CN’s investment of more than $8.5 million in events and activation programs developed to support local City Centre businesses since 2018.

City of Newcastle (CN) will move forward with its landmark investment into the future of recycling in the region after awarding the contract to build Newcastle’s first Material Recovery Facility (MRF).

Councillors unanimously voted on Tuesday evening to accept a $56.7 million tender from Australian-owned recyclables processor iQRenew to design and construct the MRF at CN’s Summerhill Waste Management Facility.

The Central Coast based company will also be responsible for operating and maintaining the facility, which will be capable of processing up to 85,000 tonnes of recyclables per year.

The MRF will sort recyclables from residents’ yellow-lid garbage bins into separate materials such as paper, cardboard, glass, plastics, steel and aluminium, which can then be on-sold to recyclers for use in the manufacture of new products.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the MRF will deliver a regional recycling solution designed to divert waste from landfill, cut greenhouse gas emissions and create local jobs.

“City of Newcastle is committed to delivering responsible, environmentally sustainable, and commercially feasible waste and recycling operations to manage our current and future waste streams,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The sudden closure of the only MRF in the Hunter in 2020 meant recyclables from Newcastle had to be transported to a processing facility on the Central Coast. For other local councils their recyclables now have to be transported to Sydney at significant expense to their ratepayers.

“The establishment of a local, Council owned facility will remove around 6,000 tonnes of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions over the next 25 years while also ensuring almost 200,000 tonnes of recyclables from Newcastle homes are diverted from landfill.

“Beyond meeting the needs and expectations of Newcastle residents, the MRF’s scalable processing capacity and optimal location close to the Hunter Expressway and M1 will make it an essential piece of regional infrastructure capable of servicing the entire region. City of Newcastle is progressing the design of a secondary access road as part of its Sustainable Waste Strategy, linking Summerhill Waste Management Centre to the Hunter Expressway and M1 following concept DA approval last year.

“The delivery of the MRF will also provide a major economic boost to our region, creating around 185 jobs during the construction and fit-out phase and up to 28 ongoing jobs when it becomes operational.”

CN’s plans to build the new facility have been overwhelmingly endorsed by the community, with ninety-eight per cent of residents surveyed during development of the project indicating their support.

A development application for the MRF is currently being assessed by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel, with a decision expected in the second half of 2023. Pending approval, preliminary earthworks for the project would begin later this year with construction of the facility expected to get underway in the first quarter of 2024.

The project has received $5 million from the Federal and NSW Governments and plays a key role in CN’s Our Sustainable Waste Strategy, as well as addressing future government targets on waste diversion and recycling.

More shaded seating and an upgraded playground are among the latest projects being delivered by City of Newcastle as part of continued investment to enhance and improve its public swimming pool facilities.

Five of the tiered seating structures temporarily installed at Lambton Swimming Centre in January are being permanently relocated to the Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend Swimming Centres, where the addition of new shade covers will give schools, sporting groups and spectators more seating options when the facilities reopen later this year.

The three remaining temporary grandstands at Lambton will be permanently moved to the northern side of the diving pool, allowing work to continue on the demolition and replacement of the swimming centre’s 60-year-old concrete grandstand.

Families in Newcastle’s booming western suburbs will also benefit from planned upgrades at Beresfield Swimming Centre, with the installation of a new playground featuring a range of equipment including a nest swing, flying fox, inground trampoline and double slide, as well as a new shade sail, wider footpaths and picnic tables.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said whilst City of Newcastle is maximising the winter closure period to continue enhancing its inland pool network, the city is also moving forward with its 20-year strategy for these much-loved community facilities with a range of short, medium and longer-term upgrades proposed.

“City of Newcastle has invested more than $5 million upgrading and $2 million maintaining the city’s public pool network during the past few years,” Cr Nelmes said.

“By repurposing items like Lambton Swimming Centre’s temporary seating structures to our other facilities, community members and visitors that utilise Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend Swimming Centres are also set to benefit from the original investment.

“City of Newcastle is committed to maintaining and investing in our network of inland swimming centres to ensure they continue to meet the expectations and evolving needs of more than 320,000 people who visit them each year.

“That’s why we developed our ‘Inland Pools Strategy 2043’, which sets out an investment plan for Newcastle’s network of public swimming pools to ensure they are fit-for-purpose in the long term and made accessible to all members of the community.

“Key to the draft Strategy is proposed accessibility upgrades in the short term at an estimated investment of $1.25 million. This includes a new platform lift for entry into each of our 50-metre pools, while future redeveloped change room facilities to cater to those with accessibility requirements are proposed for Wallsend and Lambton Swimming Centres.”

Councillors will vote tomorrow night to adopt the ‘Inland Pools Strategy 2043’ following feedback from the community. The tender for the construction replacement of the Lambton Swimming Centre grandstand will also be considered at the Council meeting.

About 11.30am today (Sunday 21 May 2023), emergency services were called to the Pacific Highway at Ferrodale, approximately one km north of the Medowie Road intersection, following reports of a single-vehicle crash.

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and were told an SUV had left the road and hit a tree.

The driver – a 70-year-old man, died at the scene.

A 70-year-old woman was conveyed to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition with suspected spinal injuries.

A crime scene was established and an investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

As police make inquiries, anyone with dashcam footage or information related to the incident are urged to contact Port Stephens-Hunter Police District or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.