City of Newcastle is moving ahead with the next stage of its $20 million commitment to reduce flooding across Wallsend, calling tenders for the replacement of the Boscawen Street Bridge.
The project is one of the key elements of the Ironbark Creek Flood Mitigation Plan, which is designed to improve water flow and reduce the impact of flooding during major rain events.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was pleasing to see work progressing on City of Newcastle’s (CN) long-term, multimillion investment into improving the bridge infrastructure in Wallsend.
“The Boscawen Street Bridge replacement plays a key role in our $20.7 million commitment to addressing flooding across Wallsend through the Ironbark Creek Flood Mitigation Plan,” Cr Nelmes said.
“We’ve already delivered significant upgrades through the construction of the $3.3 million Tyrrell Street bridge, which will be augmented by the replacement of both the Boscawen and Nelson Street bridges, as well as planned stormwater improvement upgrades at Cowper Street Bridge.
“These upgrades are critical to ensure we properly address the issue of flooding in Wallsend and will pave the way for our planned program of traffic improvements and amenity upgrades to the Wallsend town centre, which will support businesses and residents.”
Tenders for the construction of Boscawen Street Bridge replacement opened on 8 October 2022, with works scheduled to commence by mid-2023, while detailed design of the replacement of the Nelson Street Bridge is also underway.
City of Newcastle (CN) is inviting the community to have their say on how to address housing affordability, social isolation and access to public spaces.
The draft Local Social Strategy 2030, which has been placed on public exhibition, sets out a framework for CN and the community to remove barriers to inclusion and equal opportunity, encourage connection and participation, and strengthen community health and wellbeing.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle has a leadership role to play in achieving a shared vision of a socially just and inclusive city for all.
“We’ve heard from the community about their ideas and opinions on social justice and inclusion issues such as community participation, satisfaction with wellbeing, and access to services, safety and inclusion in the Newcastle area,” Cr Nelmes said.
“The draft Local Social Strategy is based on one of the most heavily participated engagement programs in City of Newcastle’s history, with underrepresented groups such as people with a disability or from diverse cultural backgrounds providing key feedback.
“We’re now eager to hear what the wider community thinks about the draft strategy to help us further shape this important plan.”
In addition to the draft Local Social Strategy, CN is also seeking feedback on the draft Social Infrastructure Strategy, which aims to ensure Novocastrians have better access to community assets in their neighbourhoods.
The Strategy will plan for and support an equitably distributed network of community hubs, improve the amenity and activation of existing public facilities, parks and open spaces, and facilitate increased opportunities for valuable community inclusion and connection opportunities.
CN launched the exhibition period for both draft strategies amid the recent celebrations of Hamilton South Community Centre’s 42nd anniversary.
Newcastle Councillor Carol Duncan said it was a fitting way to start the consultation process.
“Hearing from a diverse cross-section of our community is critical to ensuring these strategies reflect everyone, so the planning decisions we make support all Novocastrians,” Cr Duncan said.
“Individually, we may be very different but, together, we can all call Newcastle home.”
Both strategies are available on City of Newcastle’s website for the community to provide feedback on through to 26 October 2022.
A man has been charged following a house fire in East Maitland this morning.
About 5.30am (Sunday 9 October 2022), emergency services were called to Lawes Street following reports of a house fire.
Fire and Rescue NSW officers extinguished the blaze a short time later; however, the home was significantly damaged.
A 28-year-old man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene for smoke inhalation and minor burns, before being taken to Maitland Hospital in a stable condition.
Officers from Port Stephens Hunter Police District attended and established a crime scene.
Following a search of the premises, the bodies of two cats – who were in the home at the time of the incident – were located.
Detectives commenced investigations into the incident and, following inquiries, a 44-year-old man was arrested on Raymond Terrace Road, Millers Forest.
He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with damage property by fire/explosion >$1500 and breach bail.
He was refused bail and will appear at Maitland Local Court tomorrow (Monday 10 October 2022).
A man has died following a single-vehicle crash in the state’s Lake Macquarie district this afternoon.
About 4.15pm (Saturday 8 October 2022), emergency services were called to Macquarie Road, Cardiff, following reports a Holden sedan had left the road and hit a power pole.
The male driver, and sole occupant of the car, died at the scene.
He is yet to be positively identified.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene as inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash continue.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Police remain at the scene of a fatal helicopter crash in the Hunter this afternoon.
About 4.20pm (Thursday 6 October 2022), emergency services were called to Campbells Road, Maitland Vale – about 10km north of Maitland – after reports a helicopter had crashed.
Upon arrival, crews located a Bell ‘Jet Ranger’ helicopter crashed on a nearby riverbank.
One male occupant was located deceased; he is yet to be formally identified.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District have established a crime scene.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) have been notified and will conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Hundreds of Knights fans lined King Street outside City Hall last night to celebrate the Newcastle Knights’ historic 2022 NRLW Premiership win.
Bringing home the trophy for the first time since the men’s side took out the 2001 NRL Premiership, the 24-woman squad finished grand final winners on Sunday with a 32-12 victory over the Parramatta Eels.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes hosted a civic reception at City Hall, congratulating the team and club officials on their efforts throughout the season. The team was also presented with a Key to the City in front of a huge crowd of adoring Knights supporters who lined King Street and Civic Park.
“These women are fantastic role models, showing women and girls everywhere that anything is possible, even in a sport like rugby league traditionally played by men,” Cr Nelmes said.
The Key to the City was accepted by team captain Millie Boyle, who, alongside teammate Caitlan Johnston, picked up Prop of the Year at the recent Dally M Awards, while halfback Jesse Southwell, at just 17 years of age, won the Rookie of the Year Award. Boyle and Johnston were also named alongside Tamika Upton and Yasmin Clydesdale in the Australian Jillaroos squad for the World Cup from 15 October to 22 November, although Boyle and Upton have since withdrawn due to work commitments and injury respectively.
Sharing the moment with co-captain Hannah Southwell, who ruptured her ACL in round 1 against the Brisbane Broncos, Boyle said the team had gone from strength to strength this season under the guidance of coach Ron Griffiths.
“On behalf of the entire team, I’d like to thank the Lord Mayor for opening the doors to City Hall to celebrate the team’s victory,” Boyle said.
“It means so much to the players, captains and coaches to have such strong support from Novocastrians, which has kept us buoyed throughout the season. It’s wonderful to share this celebration with the city.”
Following a light-hearted challenge suggested by the Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Donna Davis, where the Lord Mayor of the losing team’s city had to wear the winner’s jersey to the next Council meeting, Cr Davis will be sporting the Knights jersey this month.
Newcastle cricketers will take to the pitch for the first round of their district cricket season this weekend to celebrate the reopening of Newcastle’s No.1 Sportsground following its $8 million upgrade.
The players will benefit from the ground’s extensive refurbishment, which included the construction of seven turf cricket wickets, new sight screens and oval perimeter fencing.
The playing surface has also been completely rebuilt, with a new sub-soil irrigation and drainage system providing a high quality, consistent playing surface, while the increased field size achieves the minimum standard for high level AFL and cricket fixtures.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said No.1 Sportsground’s redevelopment will allow Newcastle to attract first class cricket and pre-season AFL fixtures while also benefitting those locals who utilise it regularly for grassroots and regional level sport.
“No. 1 Sportsground was designed and constructed in 1921 and was officially opened 100 years ago last month,” Cr Nelmes said.
“In that time the venue has hosted a variety of sporting and non-sporting events, including the 1931 Mayor’s Relief Fund and Newcastle Ambulance Round, in which cricket legend Don Bradman captained a female cricket team at No.1 Sportsground.
“The redevelopment delivers significantly upgraded facilities for regular users of the ground while also providing our city with a potential economic boost through the attraction of major sporting events.
“Novocastrians love their sport and the completed work at No.1 Sportsground will put us in the running to host pre-season AFL fixtures and regional Big Bash League matches right here in Newcastle.
“We’re also continuing to investigate government funding opportunities to complete the second stage of the project, which will increase the footprint of the existing grandstand with a two-storey addition at the rear of the building to provide upgraded amenities for players, officials and spectators.”
Other features of the stage one works that have been completed include a lighting upgrade to enable evening fixtures, new player dug out benches, and additional bleacher seating to almost double the seated capacity from 400 to 790.
Newcastle District Cricket Association Secretary Aaron Gray said he is excited to see cricket once again being played at the premier facility.
“Our season will commence at No.1 Sportsground with a first grade fixture on Saturday and our new SG Moore Shield under-16 boys’ Twenty20 competition on Sunday,” Mr Gray said.
“It’s a very good position for us to have the best ground back in play for this season, especially now we have swelled to 208 teams across all competitions, while the enhancement of lighting means we can play more day/night events and host female and male cricket at a quality venue.”
No. 1 Sportsground is located on the corner of Parry and Union Streets in the iconic National Park, one of Newcastle’s largest and oldest sportsgrounds and open space reserves. It boasts facilities for a range of sports including netball, AFL, cricket, rugby, football, athletics, and croquet, and caters for casual sport and play through basketball courts and parklands.
Other work recently completed within National Park includes the construction of four additional basketball courts on the former tennis court site near the corner of National Park and Parry Streets, along with playing field upgrades at No. 5 and No. 6 Sportsgrounds, which have improved the playing surface of both grounds and allowed for effective management of the flood storage capacity of National Park.
A man’s been charged with murder as part of ongoing investigations by the Homicide Squad into a fatal fire in the state’s Hunter last year.
Just after 5am on Monday 26 July 2021, emergency services were called to Fullerton Street at Stockton, following reports of a unit fire.
On arrival, officers from Fire & Rescue NSW found the premises well alight; however, managed to extinguish the blaze a short time later.
In a search of the premises, the body of a man was discovered.
He’s since been identified as the unit’s resident and sole occupant; 54-year-old Graham Cameron.
A crime scene was established by officers from Newcastle City Police District and subsequently examined by specialist police who determined the fire had been deliberately lit.
The matter was subsequently referred to detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, who established Strike Force Childowla to further investigate the circumstances of the incident.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives – assisted by Northern Region Operation Support Group (OSG) – executed a search warrant at a home on Pitt Street at Stockton about 6.30am today (Wednesday 5 October 2022).
A 22-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station, where he was charged with murder.
He was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today.
Investigations under Strike Force Childowla continue.
A man has been charged following an alleged armed robbery in Lake Macquarie this morning.
About 7am (Wednesday 5 October 2022), a 46-year-old female attendant and a female customer were inside a service station on Macquarie Drive, Valentine, when a man entered the store.
Police will allege the man threatened the customer with a knife and demanded her wallet, before he threatened the attendant and fled the store in a Mitsubishi Outlander.
No one was injured during the incident.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and whilst responding, police sighted a Mitsubishi Outlander matching the description of the vehicle in James Street, Windale.
Police observed a man flee the vehicle before they engaged in a foot pursuit and arrested a 21-year-old man at a nearby home.
He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with two counts of robbery armed with an offensive weapon, assault with intent to rob armed with offensive weapon, be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, enter vehicle or boat without consent of owner/occupier, and two counts of larceny.
He was refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 6 October 2022).
A man has died following a single-vehicle crash in the state’s Hunter region.
Just after 4.45am (Tuesday 4 October 2022), emergency services were called to Tank Street, near Canterbury Road, Morpeth, after reports a van had crashed into a telegraph pole.
The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle – a 37-year-old man – died at the scene.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the crash.
Local road diversions are in place around the crash site.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
