Police remain at the scene of a suspected hit and run in Newcastle this morning.
About 5.45am (Thursday 1 April 2021), emergency services were called to Douglas Street, Wallsend, after reports a motorcyclist had been knocked from his bike.
The rider – a man aged in his late teens – was assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital; he is reportedly in a serious condition.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and police from the Crash Investigation Unit have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
As inquiries continue, police are appealing for members of the public to keep a look out for a black SUV vehicle with significant damage to the front driver’s side of the vehicle.
Anyone who may have seen the vehicle or who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact police.
Man wanted on outstanding warrant – Hunter region
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on a revocation of parole warrant.
Kalib Toko, aged 21, is wanted on a revocation of parole warrant for an assault offence.
Officers attached to the Northern Region have commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
He is described as being of Pacific Islander appearance, between 190cm to 195cm tall, with a medium build, brown hair and brown eyes.
He is known to frequent Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast and Western Sydney.
Anyone who sees Kalib or knows of his whereabouts is urged not to approach him but call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
City calls on the community to shape 2040 vision
The services and facilities required in 2040 are being explored as City of Newcastle prepares a new Community Strategic Plan on behalf of the community.
The new Community Strategic Plan, Newcastle 2040, is the city’s contract between the community and City of Newcastle. It is important that residents, ratepayers, businesses and community groups from across Newcastle work with the City in planning for the next decade and beyond.
Over the coming months, the City will lead face-to-face and online engagement asking the community to consider what they want Newcastle to look like in 2040.
Newcastle 2040 will be used by the City to develop its investment priorities, whether it be how much to spend building footpaths through to the types of festivals the City hosts and attracts.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said that Newcastle 2040 will reflect the community’s values and will guide the City’s project delivery plans and annual budgets.
“Now is the time for the community to have their say in developing a blueprint for the future of our city,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Everyone is encouraged to give feedback, from large and small business operators, not-for-profit organisations, parents, newly arrived citizens and university students.
“While City of Newcastle takes the lead role in driving the city towards our shared vision, we all play a part in making Newcastle a place we love now and into the future.
“It’s important that we hear from as many people as possible from all areas of Newcastle so that the priorities we identify match the future everyone in our community wants.
“Newcastle 2040 will define the community’s vision for Newcastle and we’ll look to it for everything we deliver, at every stage, from planning through to investment.”
The City’s current Community Strategic Plan, Newcastle 2030, was developed in 2010, a time when the iPhone 4 was the latest technology, and Eminem was on the top of Australia’s music charts. A lot has changed and there are new and emerging megatrends that must be considered.
City of Newcastle looks forward to listening and learning from the community and have already received ideas from school students at Callaghan College Waratah.
Engagement opportunities will be hosted in a range of locations over the coming months including various community events and throughout Youth Week (16-24 April).
To stay up-to-date with opportunities for community feedback, visit City of Newcastle’s Have Your Say page, and share your ideas on the digital vision wall.
Streets are shared spaces in Newcastle
Newcastle’s identity as a cycling friendly city continues to evolve with construction scheduled to commence mid-year on a cycling path along Hunter Street in the city’s west end.
The construction is in addition to the new cycleway bypass at Queens Wharf which was also funded by NSW Government’s Streets as Shared Spaces initiative.
The Hunter Street West End Cycleway received $525,000 and will trial a range of features between National Park Street and Worth Place, including two single direction cycleways which will be considered as an option in the City Centre Revitalisation West End Stage Two development.
The Hunter Street West End Cycleway follows the successful completion of the Queens Wharf Cycleway Bypass last month, which received $100,000 in funding from the program and provides cyclists with a safe 3m wide shared pathway one block behind the high-traffic main street to provide safe access through the area.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said funding support for projects like these allows cycling to play an important role within Newcastle’s transport mix.
“Cycling is a genuine transport option for families, commuters and recreational users, which is why expansion and improvement of the cycleway network is essential and why it stands as one of the City’s priority projects.
“The Streets as Shared Spaces initiative has allowed us to trial a solution that makes it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to get around the Queens Wharf precinct and the Hunter Street cycleway trial will provide connections to several key north and south links, which will enhance Newcastle’s inner-city cycleway network.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said he was glad to see new cycleway infrastructure in Newcastle.
“Active transport is something I am passionate about and it’s wonderful to see City of Newcastle using our Streets as Shared Spaces funding to create these types of public spaces,” Mr Stokes said.
“The $15 million Streets as Shared Spaces program was designed to enable the creation of safe and enjoyable public spaces in the wake of the pandemic and will make a positive difference to our cities and suburbs for years to come.”
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said quality cycling and transport infrastructure would benefit residents and visitors to Newcastle.
“Creating safer ways for cyclists to get around our city will ensure that people who want to use active transport are able to,” Mr Martin said.
The Streets as Shared Spaces initiative has provided funding to 48 projects across the state and encourages new and improved pedestrian and active transport links.
Works on the Hunter Street West End Cycleway trial are scheduled to start in mid-2021 and take several months to complete. To follow its progress visit our Works page.
Man missing from Newcastle located
A man missing from Newcastle has been located safe and well tonight.
The 71-year-old man had not been seen since about 5.30pm today (Wednesday 31 March 2021), when he was observed walking west on Wharf Road, Newcastle.
Following inquiries from Newcastle City Police District, the man was found safe and well on Darby Street at about 9.30pm.
Police would like to thank the community and the media for their assistance.
Queensland pays the price for Morrison’s flawed vaccine rollout
The Greens have laid the blame for Brisbane’s three-day COVID lockdown at the Morrison government’s door, saying its failure to ensure all frontline healthcare workers are vaccinated has triggered a necessary public health response that will damage already struggling businesses and force more workers into unemployment.
The more than 130,000 people currently receiving JobSeeker in Brisbane will have their safety net slashed to below the poverty line on Thursday after the Coalition and Labor refused to support the Greens’ proposal for an $80 a day payment.
Queensland Senator and Greens leader in the Senate Larissa Waters said:
“The people of Brisbane and Queensland can thank the Morrison government for this lockdown.
“The PM promised us that four million Australians would be vaccinated by early April. But with two days until April less than 15% of that number – 550,000 people – have received a dose. In Queensland that number is only 65,000.
“The PM must explain why there are still unvaccinated frontline healthcare workers treating COVID patients in Queensland hospitals.
“Not only has this government failed the people of Queensland and Australia with its flawed vaccine rollout, it’s abandoned businesses and workers by pulling away the safety nets that have allowed hundreds of thousands to remain employed and kept millions above the poverty line.
“By ending JobKeeper the government consigned 150,000 to unemployment nationally, right at the time when the JobSeeker unemployment benefit is being slashed to $43.57 a day. The Brisbane lockdown will guarantee that more people will be forced out of work and into poverty.
“It’s unconscionable that this government can leave thousands of businesses and millions of workers to fend for themselves knowing full well that their failure to bring COVID under control leaves them vulnerable.”
New lights to boost cricket and AFL numbers at Marrara
The Morrison Government is helping deliver more sporting opportunities for Northern Territory clubs with Darwin’s first night cricket venue now ready for competition.
The installation of new light towers at Marrara’s TIO Stadium is expected to significantly boost participation in cricket and AFL competitions, allowing night matches and training across all levels.
The Federal Government contributed $500,000 to the $1.54 million project as part of its Community Sport Infrastructure grant program.
Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said the upgrade will provide increased opportunities for cricketers to train and play.
“Installing lighting at the venue not only allows players to escape the heat and humidity in the north but will support female and junior participation in social and competitive cricket”, Minister Colbeck said.
Lighting the oval will support game and training fixtures and open up new timeslots to accommodate junior and women’s games during the week, increasing participation and helping to attract and retain players.
The installation of floodlights will also benefit AFL who use the facility to train and play during the football season, resulting in almost full-time use of the facility year-round. The lighting can also be adjusted to accommodate various sports, training, general event lighting and senior cricket matches.
Senator for the Northern Territory Dr Sam McMahon said in addition to increasing grassroots participation in sport, it’s also hoped the new lighting will see the Marrara cricket ground attract teams and host further domestic and international matches in Darwin.
“This is a wonderful facility for NT Cricket and the wider Darwin community, and it has taken a real team effort to deliver this project, bringing together the support of the Australian Government and Northern Territory Government,” Senator McMahon said.
Minister Colbeck said the Australian Government’s $100 million Community Sport Infrastructure grant program is a valuable investment in building community spirit and pride.
“This program is not just about building better sporting facilities, it is about building stronger, healthier communities by promoting physical activity, social connection, and economic vitality.”
Labor’s Electric Car Discount and Community Battery Plan to Cut Household Bills and Emissions
An Albanese Labor Government will deliver an Electric Car Discount and Power to the People – Community Battery Plan that cuts taxes, unlocks consumer choice, reduces power and fuel costs for families, and cuts emissions.
Under Labor, electric vehicles will be cheaper.
Just 0.7 per cent of cars sold in Australia are electric, compared to a global average of 4.2 per cent, and 75 per cent in Norway.
A majority of Australians say they would consider buying an electric model as their next car, but because of scaremongering and the policy vacuum under the Morrison government, electric vehicles remain unaffordable for most Australians.
Labor will cut government taxes on non-luxury electric vehicles, including import taxes and fringe benefits tax, to give people choice and ensure that more Australians who want electric cars can afford them.
By reducing upfront costs, Labor’s Electric Car Discount will encourage uptake, cutting fuel and transport costs for households and reducing emissions at the same time.
Labor’s Electric Car Discount will encourage car makers to supply more affordable electric vehicles to Australia which will in turn increase competition, drive down price and give consumers more choice.
An Albanese Labor Government will also develop Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy.
Labor will pursue policy settings to encourage Australian manufacturing of EV components, and consider leveraging existing Commonwealth investments in its fleet and infrastructure spend to increase electric vehicle stock.
An Albanese Labor Government will also deliver Power to the People – the community battery plan to cut power bills, support the grid and reduce emissions.
Australian households have been voting with their feet on rooftop solar.
Our 1 in 5 solar households is world-leading.
But without battery storage, solar households are still reliant on the grid when the sun isn’t shining.
Only 1 in 60 households have battery storage, because the upfront costs are still just too high.
Labor’s Power to the People is a $200 million investment to install 400 community batteries across the country.
It will support 100, 000 households by storing energy from solar households during the day, and drawing on it at night – reducing power bills, reducing demand on the grid at peak times, and cutting emissions.
Households that can’t install solar (like apartments and renters) can participate by drawing from excess energy stored in community batteries.
The technology of the future to cut household bills and emissions is already here, we just need the policy settings to unleash it.
When it comes to lower power bills and reducing fuel costs for families, Labor is on your side.
That’s exactly what an Albanese Labor Government will deliver.
Under Labor, electric vehicles will be cheaper.
Just 0.7 per cent of cars sold in Australia are electric, compared to a global average of 4.2 per cent, and 75 per cent in Norway.
A majority of Australians say they would consider buying an electric model as their next car, but because of scaremongering and the policy vacuum under the Morrison government, electric vehicles remain unaffordable for most Australians.
Labor will cut government taxes on non-luxury electric vehicles, including import taxes and fringe benefits tax, to give people choice and ensure that more Australians who want electric cars can afford them.
By reducing upfront costs, Labor’s Electric Car Discount will encourage uptake, cutting fuel and transport costs for households and reducing emissions at the same time.
Labor’s Electric Car Discount will encourage car makers to supply more affordable electric vehicles to Australia which will in turn increase competition, drive down price and give consumers more choice.
An Albanese Labor Government will also develop Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy.
Labor will pursue policy settings to encourage Australian manufacturing of EV components, and consider leveraging existing Commonwealth investments in its fleet and infrastructure spend to increase electric vehicle stock.
An Albanese Labor Government will also deliver Power to the People – the community battery plan to cut power bills, support the grid and reduce emissions.
Australian households have been voting with their feet on rooftop solar.
Our 1 in 5 solar households is world-leading.
But without battery storage, solar households are still reliant on the grid when the sun isn’t shining.
Only 1 in 60 households have battery storage, because the upfront costs are still just too high.
Labor’s Power to the People is a $200 million investment to install 400 community batteries across the country.
It will support 100, 000 households by storing energy from solar households during the day, and drawing on it at night – reducing power bills, reducing demand on the grid at peak times, and cutting emissions.
Households that can’t install solar (like apartments and renters) can participate by drawing from excess energy stored in community batteries.
The technology of the future to cut household bills and emissions is already here, we just need the policy settings to unleash it.
When it comes to lower power bills and reducing fuel costs for families, Labor is on your side.
That’s exactly what an Albanese Labor Government will deliver.
Labor Leader Anthony Albanese said:
“Only Labor is on your side when it comes to reducing power bills and fuel costs for families.”
“Labor’s Power to the People will invest in Australia’s future and help Australia catch up to the rest of the world when it comes to electric vehicles.”
Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said:
“Labor’s Power to the People will unlock the full potential of rooftop solar for Australian households – lower power bills, cut emissions, and help stabilise the grid.”
“Labor’s Electric Car Discount will cut government taxes on electric vehicles, and reduce day-to day transport costs and emissions for Australian families.”
Discover space and future jobs in Adelaide
Young Australians will be inspired to dream big and consider a space career, with the launch of the Australian Space Discovery Centre in Adelaide.
Located in the innovation precinct of Lot Fourteen, the Australian Space Discovery Centre will showcase hands-on interactive space exhibits and provide practical advice for those wanting to pursue a career in the growing space sector.
There is also a state-of-the-art Mission Control Centre on site, which will simultaneously inspire people who visit, while also making it easier for local start-ups to control satellites and space missions.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Australian Space Discovery Centre will be the number one place to visit for those interested in Australia’s space industry.
“The Australian Space Discovery Centre will be the go-to destination for curious minds to learn about the wonders of space and to see themselves as part of Australia’s space story,” the Prime Minister said.
“But the Discovery Centre isn’t just for the young and the young at heart – the cutting-edge Mission Control Centre will enable our local space businesses to track and control their very own missions and satellites, providing critical new capability here on home soil.”
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said the Australian Space Discovery Centre and Mission Control cemented South Australia as the space capital of Australia.
“The Federal Government has an ambition to grow the size of the Australian space economy to $12 billion by 2030 and create an additional 20,000 jobs,” said the Premier.
“South Australia will lead this charge – and that’s a coup for our state. Young South Australians should have stars in their eyes.”
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter said the exciting national facilities are an investment in Australia’s future – including future jobs in space and other industries.
“Careers in space aren’t all about being an astronaut. From manufacturing, to engineering, space medicine, geology, AI and computing, there are thousands of opportunities being created in this rapidly-growing sector – and we want to inspire the next generation to consider one of these exciting jobs,” Minister Porter said.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said that space was at the heart of a 10-year agreement to grow Adelaide as an innovative and vibrant city.
“The Adelaide City Deal sets out a plan to boost the economic and social vibrancy of Adelaide. The Discovery Centre and Mission Control Centre at Lot Fourteen will be an important part of this plan,” Minister Fletcher said.
Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo said the Mission Control Centre was part of the Agency’s Space Infrastructure Fund, targeting investment in common-user platforms to allow Australian businesses and researchers to focus on space-related solutions.
“We are establishing infrastructure for critical space flight and engineering capability. Companies and researchers at university will be able to utilise the Mission Control Centre for pre-flight testing, launch support, as well as communications during flight,” Mr Palermo said.
The Australian Space Discovery Centre will open to the general public in May following rigorous testing with community groups and other organisations throughout April. The Centre is being delivered in partnership between the Australian Space Agency and Questacon.
Since 1 July 2018, the Morrison Government has invested over $700 million into the Australian civil space sector as part of our goal to triple the sector’s size to $12 billion and create up to an extra 20,000 jobs by 2030.
The Station set for live site as world’s best surfers drop-in to Newcastle
A ‘live site’ for the community to soak up the festival atmosphere of the World Surf League (WSL)’s Newcastle Cup has been created at The Station.
Thousands of spectators are expected to descend on Merewether Beach each day to watch the world’s best 52 pro-surfers face off from this Thursday.
For those who can’t get beachside for the action at Merewether, City of Newcastle is creating a live Newcastle Cup hub with big screen projection of the live action taking place on Merewether Beach, complete with food trucks and live entertainment.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the live site will be a family-friendly way for locals to enjoy the festival atmosphere brought through the Championship Tour event.
“The anticipation for WSL’s Newcastle Cup is building with vision of superstars like Carissa Moore, Gabriel Medina and Italo Ferreria sampling the swell off Merewether and Dixon Park beaches last week being shared all over social media,” the Lord Mayor said.
“WSL has had a huge response to its free ticket ballot being run through Ticketek, and it’s looking like each surfing day will be at capacity at the Merewether Beach event precinct.
“City of Newcastle’s live site will be the place to catch the action for anyone who missed out on tickets or simply looking for a fun, family-friendly atmosphere to watch the surfing while having a drink and a bite to eat.
“With Job Keeper ending this week, the Newcastle Cup is expected to deliver a timely $15 million-plus injection into our region’s economy, with many businesses still on the road to economic recovery following COVID-19 disruptions.
“Already, the event is proving to be a major economic driver with our city’s hotels bursting over the next two-week period, some at 100% occupancy, accommodating the influx of WSL competitors, media representatives, event officials and fans.
“We look forward to welcoming athletes and avid surfing fans to Newcastle and encourage locals to join in the atmosphere and excitement of the Newcastle Cup at The Station.”
Visit City of Newcastle’s new What’s ON website to discover what else is happening across Newcastle during an ‘Action-Packed April’ in the city.
City of Newcastle, in partnership with the NSW Government through tourism and major events agency Destination NSW secured Merewether Beach as the first Australian stop on the World Surf League’s revamped 2021 Championship Tour.