Police will TOMORROW launch a high-visibility operation for this year’s Coates Hire Newcastle 500.
Operation Newcastle Supercars 2019 will commence tomorrow (Thursday 21 November 2019), until Monday 25 November 2019, to ensure the safety and security of competitors, officials, the local community and tens of thousands of spectators expected to attend throughout the event.
General duties officers from Newcastle City Police District and across Northern Region, will be assisted by specialist police, from the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), Operations Support Groups (OSG), Dog Unit, PolAir, Licensing Police, Bicycle Unit, Youth Command (PCYC), Police Transport Command and Traffic & Highway Patrol Command throughout the operation.
Author: admin
Off-duty officer assaulted – East Maitland
An off-duty police officer has been injured following an alleged assault in the state’s Hunter region overnight.
About 8pm yesterday (Tuesday 19 November 2019), a 43-year-old man was walking his dogs on Park Street, East Maitland when he observed a white BMW driving at high speed.
The vehicle stopped a short distance away and the off-duty officer – a detective senior constable attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District – called out to the driver, a 32-year-old man.
The younger man approached the off-duty officer before he allegedly threatened and assaulted him.
Bystanders attempted to intervene as the 43-year-old announced his appointment as an officer and attempted to arrest him.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter PD arrived a short time later and arrested the man.
He was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with common assault, assault police, affray, resist arrest, drive whilst suspended, drive under the influence of alcohol and negligent driving.
He was refused bail to face Maitland Local Court today (Wednesday 20 November 2019).
The officer suffered minor grazes and bruising however he did not require hospital treatment.
Foreign Aid Review Must Prompt Reset In Budget And Priorities: Greens
Greens Foreign Aid Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has responded to the Government’s announcement of a review of Australia’s foreign aid.
Senator Faruqi said:
“The Government must take this review as an opportunity to reset their approach to foreign aid to one that puts social, economic and climate justice at the heart of all our aid programs.
“At an irresponsibly low 0.2% of GNI, Australian aid has shrunk dramatically to well below the average for OECD countries. Our aid budget must be raised to at least meet our UN obligation of 0.7% of GNI.
“We know the Liberals’ political repurposing of aid for Australia’s self-interest and budget cuts have decimated our foreign aid program. The goal of aid should be to make the world a more equal and just place for all.
“Aid should never be used purely as a tool to further national interest. At the heart of our foreign aid program should be poverty reduction, climate resilience and social justice for our neighbours and other recipient communities,” she concluded.
Australia no different to Saudi Arabia when it comes to the treatment of two Saudi journalists
Greens Senators Janet Rice and Nick McKim have condemned the treatment of two Saudi journalists by the Australian government.
Quotes attributable to Senator Janet Rice, Greens LGBTIQ+ spokesperson
“Since being gay is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia, Sultan and Nassar* had no choice but to flee and seek asylum here.
“It’s unconscionable that Australia is treating them like criminals when the supposed ‘crime’ was loving each other. What values does our purportedly fair and diverse country stand for?
“These men were fleeing a country that would lock them up, in appalling conditions, for an indefinite period of time, only to arrive in Australia to find even worse treatment here.
“When these journalists liken their treatment in Saudi to the violence they have experienced here in Australia, it should be a wake-up call to our government.
“These two journalists are also being punished for telling the truth about their intention to seek asylum here. What message does the Morrison government think that sends to people who are entitled to seek refuge in Australia?”
Quotes attributable to Senator Nick McKim, Greens Immigration and Citizenship spokesperson
“These men must be released in Australia while their claims for asylum are assessed.
“Australia’s co-operation with the Saudi regime on immigration matters is deeply troubling.
“This case shows Australia desperately needs immigration reform, with human rights front and centre.”
*Names have been changed
Greens Senator Calls on Banks to Join NAB in Animal Welfare Standards
Australian Greens Animal Welfare Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has welcomed National Australia Bank’s release of their Animal Welfare Principles as an important step forward in corporations acknowledging their responsibility to protect animals. She has said that banks need to go even further to protect animals.
“National Australia Bank’s release of these principles is an important step toward banks beginning to acknowledge the huge impact their lending practices have on animals. Other banks should immediately get on board.
“While I welcome NAB’s initiative in establishing animal welfare principles, we need banks to go further. Any business involved in morally suspect industries like greyhound and horse racing, factory farming and live exports are complicit in animal abuse. We need all banks to bring their lending standards in line with the community expectation that all animals will be protected and treated as sentient beings.
“More and more Australians are deeply concerned about the way animals are treated. We cannot rely on corporations to take voluntary action. The Government must take leadership and enact the Greens’ plan for national animal cruelty laws, end factory farming and outlaw the cruel greyhound racing industry,” she concluded.
City centre to come alive with new events and activations
Fifteen events and promotions ranging from a street basketball tournament to a public art festival will share in more than $820,000 in the first round of funding aimed at activating the city centre and other commercial areas.
The funding is delivered through City of Newcastle’s Special Business Rate, which uses a business levy paid by property owners in the CBD and Darby Street to drive visitation and vibrancy.
.JPG.aspx "sbrf2-(1).JPG")
“Newcastle is set for a jampacked schedule of events, activations and promotional initiatives intended to attract tens of thousands of people to the city centre,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“From music and street art festivals, to a new interactive app showcasing our city’s iconic heritage buildings, this round of funding will inject regular and varied activity to the CBD, and help deliver two events in Hamilton and Wallsend.
“The second round of expressions of interest for local business districts, such as Wallsend, New Lambton and Hamilton, will open in the New Year and we’re looking forward to seeing what innovative and unique ideas are out there.”
Hundreds of basketballers will descend on Newcastle in January to contest an inaugural three-on-three basketball tournament, to be staged by successful applicant Playgrounds Park.
The tournament will see the teams and their entourages rotate between Wheeler Place, Customs House Plaza and Honeysuckle, where quick paced, 10-minute matches will be played on world-class temporary half courts.
“Our event will bring 3 on 3 basketball, which is the largest urban team sport in the world, into the heart of Newcastle’s city centre from January 18 to 19,” Playgrounds Park’s spokeswoman Sally Leacy said.
“We’re planning for Newcastle to become Australia’s home of 3 on 3 basketball, a phenomenon which has taken-off overseas and brought thousands of visitors to host cities across the world.”
Another grant recipient, Big Picture Festival, expects to draw 15,000 people to the city to see large murals painted by world-renowned artists and to enjoy a ‘block party’, tech installations and art projections.
In another drawcard, tourists, students and heritage buffs will explore the city’s history through the History Here initiative, giving smart phone users a look back in time at Newcastle Post Office, Civic Theatre and Bank Corner with an augmented reality experience.
The full list of SBRP funding recipients is available on City of Newcastle’s website here.
ASSISTANCE FOR BUSHFIRE DISASTER CLEANUP
The NSW Government is providing disaster recovery relief to help bushfire affected communities get back on their feet as soon as possible.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro and Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott have committed up to $25 million to facilitate the cleanup of homes and properties damaged and destroyed by the recent fires.
“Having witnessed firsthand the devastation these bushfires have inflicted on local communities, it is vital the Government acts right away to provide assistance as quickly as possible,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Our tremendous volunteers are still on the fire ground battling these blazes, and while this mammoth effort continues, the recovery is already underway.”
Mr Barilaro said the funding will help pay for the cleanup of hazardous materials including the removal of asbestos-contaminated material released as a result of the bushfires, concrete slabs and all dangerous debris including destroyed homes and trees.
“Regional NSW is going through an incredibly difficult time with the drought biting hard and ferocious bushfires across the state and this funding is an important step towards helping communities get back on their feet,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Homes and lives have been destroyed and this Government will do everything we can to help regional families rebuild and recover for the long run.”
The NSW Government will also waive waste levy fees for residents disposing of bushfire-generated waste at nominated facilities saving households thousands of dollars. Building materials, furniture and any other bushfire-generated waste is included.
Mr Elliott said the NSW Government would be part of the disaster recovery for the long term and more support will be made available as the extent of the damage becomes clear.
“Communities are hurting right now and we hear their calls for assistance. We still have fire fighters on the frontline saving lives and property but we are already fighting to save livelihoods,” Mr Elliott said.
“We are in it for the long haul and by your side every step of the way.”
The next step in disaster recovery will involve additional funding for rebuilding and repairing infrastructure but the true of extent of the damage won’t be known until it is safe to enter all affected areas.
WASTE LEVY WAIVED FOR BUSHFIRE AFFECTED AREAS
The NSW Government has waived the waste levy fee for residents disposing of bushfire generated waste in areas across NSW that have been declared bushfire Natural Disaster Areas.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said thousands of people across NSW are reeling from the effects of the November bushfires that are still burning.
“Where the emergency has passed in some areas, residents will face a hard and painful clean-up process,” Mr Kean said.
“To help these communities dispose of their bushfire damaged goods quickly and safely we have waived the NSW Government waste levy in levy-affected areas.
“Building materials, furniture and any other bushfire generated waste is included.
“We know that the effects of these bushfires will be felt for months and even years to come, and we hope that this streamlined waste process can provide a little relief for those coping with the effects of these horrible bushfires.”
The exemption applies until 29 February 2020 on debris and waste created by these bushfires.
The levy will be waived at waste facilities nominated by the councils listed below and local waste facility gate fees may still apply.
Residents should check with their local council for the name and opening status of the nominated facilities, as well as for any specific requirements to dispose bushfire damaged waste, noting that bushfire affected conditions can change rapidly.
Waste facilities will need to ensure the waste is bushfire generated before they can waive the Government’s waste levy.
“We hope this eases some of the pressure people are feeling after these devastating bushfires,” Mr Kean said.
For a full list of all Councils where waste levy exemptions apply click here.
Missing Lake Macquarie woman found safe
An elderly woman reported missing from the Lake Macquarie region has been found safe.
Family of the 99-year-old woman reported her missing to Lake Macquarie Police.
Following inquiries, the woman was found safe around 2.45pm today (Tuesday 19 November 2019).
Lake Macquarie Police thank the community and the media for their assistance in sharing our appeal.
Appeal to find missing woman – Lake Macquarie
Police are asking for public assistance to locate a woman missing from the Lake Macquarie region.
Doris Wheeler, aged 99, was last seen at Gosforth Grove in Lakelands about 11am today (Tuesday 19 November 2019).
Doris’s family and police have concerns for her welfare due to her age and because she lives with dementia.
Doris is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 154cm tall with a slim build, and grey hair.
She was last seen wearing a navy floral top, denim jeans and black shoes.
Anyone who may have seen Doris or who has information about her whereabouts is urged to call Triple Zero (000) or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Police appealing for public assistance to find an elderly woman who is missing from the Lake Macquarie region.
Doris Wheeler, aged 99, was last seen at Gosforth Grove in Lakelands about 11am today (Tuesday 19 November 2019).
Doris’s family and police have concerns for her welfare due to her age and because she lives with dementia.
Doris is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 154cm tall with a slim build, and grey hair.
She was last seen wearing a navy floral top, denim jeans and black shoes.
Anyone who may have seen Doris or who has information about her whereabouts is urged to call Triple Zero (000) or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.