Supercars will return to the city in 2022 when Newcastle hosts the season opener of the Repco Supercars Championship series.
The major motorsport event will be back on the Newcastle street circuit after a two-year hiatus caused by COVID-19, shifting from its previous position as the final race of the series to become the much-anticipated season opener.
The Newcastle 500 will also mark the start of what is expected to be a fierce racing rivalry between the Chevrolet Camaro and a new-look Ford Mustang, which will be adapted to suit a new ‘Gen3’ control chassis.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the return of the biggest event on Newcastle’s annual calendar, which provides a multi-million fiscal injection into the local economy and helps put the city on the world stage.
“The Newcastle 500 has been shown through independent research to benefit Newcastle’s economy by more than $30 million over the three-day event, contributing to up to 124 full-time jobs,” Cr Nelmes said.
“As part of the Supercars Australia Championship series, the Newcastle 500 also brings widespread exposure for our city. The 2019 event weekend recorded 344 media stories, reaching a domestic audience of more than 14 million people, with an estimated value of over $2 million.
“Our wider community also recognises the benefits of hosting such a landmark event, with 81 per cent of respondents previously indicating in a Hunter Research Foundation Centre survey that they believe Newcastle and the region benefit from hosting the Supercars Newcastle 500.
“We look forward to welcoming Supercars and their fans back to Newcastle in 2022.”
While the dates for the event are still to be finalised, it is expected to take place in early March 2022. As a result of the new timing, no road closures will take place prior to February 2022. City of Newcastle has also stipulated there will be a shortened timeframe for the dismantling and removal of event-related structures and equipment.
Cr Nelmes said the new timing of the Newcastle 500 was a boon for the city’s major events calendar.
“Moving the Newcastle 500 from November/December to March will diversify our major events calendar, drawing new visitors to the city in autumn while freeing up the CBD during the busy Christmas shopping period,” she said.
“The return of the Newcastle 500 cements our city’s reputation as a destination known for hosting major Australian and international events.
“No city anywhere in Australia offers what Newcastle does in terms of providing stunning aerial pictures of some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches. The Newcastle 500 street circuit traces both the City’s coastline as well as its working harbour.
“In recent years the shots of Supercars racing in the foreground while our working harbour operates in the background are images that are embedded into the minds of tens of millions of motor racing fans around the world.”
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said the five-year agreement to host the Newcastle 500 comes to an end next year.
“The City has varied its agreements with Supercars Australia and the NSW Government to host the 2022 event, with discussions around a longer-term arrangement to be finalised mid 2022,” Mr Bath said.
“As part of the agreement, Supercars has committed to providing a locally based community engagement manager for the event.
“City of Newcastle’s commercial terms with Destination NSW remain unchanged.”
Author: admin
Motorcyclist dies following crash – Lake Macquarie
A motorcyclist has died following a crash in the Lake Macquarie District earlier today.
About 2.35pm (Thursday 3 December 2020), emergency services were called to Caves Beach Road, Caves Beach, after reports a motorcycle had left the road and hit a fence after colliding with a turning vehicle.
The rider, believed to be an 18-year-old man, was treated by Ambulance paramedics, however he died at the scene.
The female driver of a Ford Territory wagon involved in the crash was taken to Belmont Hospital for mandatory testing.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police Distrct have commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dash-cam footage or CCTV footage which might assist police with their investigation is asked to call Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Dog from Yass reunited with owner – Sydney CBD
A woman has been reunited with her dog after she was found nearly 300km from home in Sydney’s CBD this week.
About 11am on Wednesday 2 December 2020, officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command were called to a carpark on Elizabeth Street after reports a dog had been found in a vehicle.
Upon arrival, police located a black and white cattle dog cross in a Toyota RAV 4 and later spoke to the vehicle owner, a 28-year-old woman.
The woman told police she was travelling through Yass – in the state’s south – earlier that morning when she found the dog on the side of the road, before continuing to Sydney.
The dog was in good spirits when police found her and was examined by vets, with no injuries reported.
After extensive inquires to locate the owner, police were contacted by a woman who had heard from a neighbour via social media that her dog, Speck, had been located and was waiting for her in Sydney.
Police were told Speck had dug her way under a fence and escaped before she was found alone, on the side of the road and was driven three hours to Sydney.
Speck and his owner, a 21-year-old woman, were reunited at Day Street Police Station today (Friday 4 December 2020).
“This little pup has had quite the adventure this week and we want to thank the public for their help in reuniting Speck with her very worried owner,” Detective Inspector David El-Badawi, Crime Manager, Sydney City Police Area Command said.
The one-year old dog will return to Yass with her owner later today.
Motorcyclist dies – Lake Macquarie
Police are at the scene of a fatal motorcycle crash in Lake Macquarie.
About 2.35pm today (Thursday 3 December 2020), emergency services were called to Caves Beach Road, Caves Beach, after reports a motorcycle had left the road and hit a fence.
The rider died at the scene.
Local traffic diversions are in place, as police commence inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
No further information is available at this stage.
Aggravated break and enter – Birmingham Gardens
Police are investigating an aggravated break and enter at a Newcastle home overnight.
About 3.45am (Thursday 3 December 2020), officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to a home on Moore Street, Birmingham Gardens, after reports the home had been ransacked.
Police have been told a 20-year-old male resident was asleep in his room when he was woken by a man armed with a knife.
The armed man threatened him before taking several items from the room.
The man left through a back door.
It’s believed a mobile phone, a wallet and a silver Nissan Pulsar with NSW registration plates DAT 46B were taken.
Police established a crime scene and have commenced an investigation into the incident.
The man is described as being aged in his mid to late-20s, with a medium build and an olive complexion. He was last seen wearing dark clothing and a cap.
As police continue their inquiries, police are urging anyone in the nearby area who may have CCTV or dashcam footage of surrounding streets or who may have seen or heard anything suspicious between 3.30am and 4.30am today (Thursday 3 December 2020) to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Warners Bay woman charged over alleged bushfire and COVID-19 assistance fraud – SF Roche
Detectives have charged a woman over alleged fraud relating to bushfire support recovery grants.
Strike Force Roche was established in April 2020 by several police districts within the Northern Region to investigate alleged fraudulent claims for bushfire disaster relief and small business grants through government agencies.
It’s alleged that between April and August 2020, a 27-year-old woman fraudulently applied for four Bushfire and COVID-19 Government Grants.
The woman received almost $21,000 in grants.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested the woman at Belmont Police Station about 3pm today (Wednesday 2 December 2020).
The Warners Bay woman was charged with two counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, and two counts of attempt dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.
She was given conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 20 January 2021.
Clandestine lab dismantled in the Hunter; two charged
Two men have been charged with drug offences after officers dismantled a clandestine lab in the Hunter.
Last month, officers attached to the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District commenced an investigation into the alleged manufacture and supply of methylamphetamine in the Maitland area.
Following extensive inquiries, Port Stephens-Hunter Police – assisted by officers from the Northern Region Operational Support Group – executed a crime scene warrant at a home on Hunter Street, Maitland, at 2.30pm on Tuesday (1 December 2020).
Police located a clandestine laboratory at the rear of the property, including equipment and chemicals consistent with the supply and manufacture of prohibited drugs.
Officers from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearm Squad Chemical Operations Unit attended to dismantle the lab and continued yesterday (Wednesday 2 December 2020).
Other items seized during the warrant include liquid believed to be a precursor for the manufacture of prohibited drugs, an electronic stun device, two pistols, a rifle scope, and a set of nunchucks.
Two men – aged 47 and 39 – were arrested at the home and taken to Maitland Police Station.
Both men were charged with possess precursor intend to use in manufacture/production, supply large commercial quantity prohibited drug and possess unauthorised pistol.
They were refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court yesterday (Wednesday 2 December 2020), where they were formally bail refused to reappear at the same court on Thursday 21 January 2021.
CLIMATE EMERGENCY DECLARATION PUT TO BOTH HOUSES: LIBERALS OPPOSE, LABOR SPLIT
The Liberals and Labor have combined forces to block a Climate Emergency declaration in Australia, on the day our closest neighbours have declared a climate emergency at their Labour Prime Minister’s request.
The Australian Greens put Climate Emergency Declaration motions before the House and Senate today, with the Government blocking the vote in the House, and Labor and the Government blocking in the Senate.
Meanwhile, across the Tasman, the New Zealand Parliament today joined the many nations to declare a Climate Emergency, following a long and successful campaign from the NZ Greens.
“The first step to dealing with a problem is admitting you’ve got one. Last summer’s disastrous season of bushfires has made it abundantly clear that we’re rapidly speeding towards a climate cliff,” Mr Bandt said.
“This was a chance for Australia to show it is serious about climate action ahead of next week’s international climate summit. Thanks to the Liberals and Labor, we have failed.
“We are running out of time to stop the climate emergency, and every day counts. When the Australian population is at threat, when there is a threat to the safety and the livelihoods of our people and our country, parliament should drop everything to deal with it. Instead, the government is refusing to accept the truth about our climate.
“Declaring a Climate Emergency forces Scott Morrison to tell the truth that our current targets and the world’s current targets are not enough.
“Current projections from the Bureau of Meteorology confirm that our attempts to limit global warming to just 2 degrees are failing. Australia’s on track for 4 degrees of heating unless we increase our ambition, and do it quickly.
“This government clearly has a problem with this truth and the Greens are trying to hold them to account, but the opposition doesn’t know where it stands on the defining issue of our time. “We’re running out of time to take action. I wish Labor would decide where they stand and join us in holding this government of climate criminals to account instead of siding with the Liberals to protect Scott Morrison.
“The Labor-Green government led by Jacinda Ardern knows where they stand on the climate emergency and we welcome New Zealand joining the declaration club.
National accounts show government spending must continue
Today’s national accounts figures show that government support for people who need it most must continue, Greens economic justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim says.
“These figures show it was government spending that propped up the rest of the economy,” Senator McKim said.
“And even then, we are still way behind where we were before the pandemic hit. Millions of Australians are unemployed or underemployed.”
“As the OECD has made clear, now is not the time for the government to cut spending.”
“Our economy being technically out of a recession means very little for the millions of Australians who are living below the poverty line because of decisions taken by this government.”
“Income support will not only save lives and save people from despair, it will help ensure a fairer, quicker economic recovery.”
Pfizer vaccine emergency approval in the UK
We welcome the emergency approval given to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in the UK. This is particularly so given the over 1.6 million cases and tragic loss of over 59,000 lives in the UK.
I have again spoken to the Australian CEO of Pfizer, they remain on track for vaccine delivery once it is approved for use in Australia by the independent regulator.
Pfizer continues to work with the Therapeutic Goods Administration, providing data for safety and efficacy as part of the approval process.
Our advice remains that the timeline for a decision on approval is expected by the end of January 2021, and our planning is for first vaccine delivery in March 2021.
Pfizer is one of four vaccines the Australian Government has purchased for a total projected supply of 134.8 million units.
In addition we will have access to up to 25.5 million units under the international COVAX facility.
Safety is our number priority and Australia is well placed both for a thorough, but rapid safety assessment and early rollout of a free, voluntary but entirely universally available COVID-19 vaccine program.
Today is an important step for the world.