Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has called on the Liberal Government to issue emergency travel documents to a young Saudi woman trapped in Bangkok, so she can travel safely and urgently to Australia where she has a visa.
“Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun fears for her life and is facing deportation to Saudi Arabia, but we can help. We understand she has a visa and needs emergency travel documents to be brought safely here,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“I have called on the Liberal Government to act urgently to ensure Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun has safe travel to Australia. She has denounced Islam and is fleeing a forced marriage.
“Time is of the essence. Rahaf could be sent back to Saudi Arabia within hours without our intervention. The Liberal Government must act swiftly and bring her here to safety.”
Author: admin
Teen charged over Lake Macquarie fires – Strike Force Kurla
A teenaged boy has been charged after police surveilled him allegedly setting bush alight in the Lake Macquarie area last week.
Strike Force Kurla – which is a joint investigation team comprising officers from the Financial Crimes Squad’s Arson Unit and Lake Macquarie Police District – has been investigating suspicious fires within the district.
Investigators from NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) also assisted with the investigation.
Police will allege in court that the 17-year-old boy lit a fire in bushland on Archery Road at Wakefield, about 12.30pm last Friday (4 January 2019).
The youth was arrested during a vehicle stop on Rose Avenue, Glendale, about 8.15pm, and taken to Toronto Police Station, where he was charged with three counts of light fire and be reckless to its spread.
The charges relate to fires at Weir Road, Teralba, on Thursday 22 November 2019; Current Avenue, Teralba, on Saturday 8 December 2018, and the fire at Wakefield last Friday.
The teen, who is a volunteer for NSW RFS, has been granted strict conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Monday 4 February 2019.
Investigations under Strike Force Kurla are continuing.
Police are also reminding people that they could face penalties if found responsible for the lighting of bushfires – accidental or otherwise.
Penalties relating to bushfires under the NSW Crimes Act, the Rural Fires Act, and Rural Fires Regulation include:
– Damaging property with the intention of endangering life – up to 25 years imprisonment;
– Manslaughter – up to 25 years imprisonment;
– Starting a bushfire and being reckless as to its spread – up to 14 years imprisonment;
Police investigate after men stabbed – Newcastle
Police have appealed for information from the community after two men were seriously injured during an incident at a home unit near Newcastle overnight.
Between 12.15am and 12.30am (Monday 7 January 2019), a physical altercation has taken place between three men in a unit, in Light Street at Bar Beach.
Following the altercation, a 50-year-old man and a 46-year-old man were both located in a hallway with stab wounds and emergency services were contacted.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and located the injured men at another home, a short distance away in Nickson Street.
The men were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being conveyed to John Hunter Hospital. Both men were in a serious but stable condition.
Inquiries continue and officers have appealed for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
Woman dead, three injured in crash – Port Stephens
Police are investigating after a woman died and three people were injured in a single-vehicle crash at Port Stephens today.
Just after 5pm (Sunday 6 January 2019), emergency services were called to Tomago Road, near Tomago, after a sedan had left the road and hit a tree, trapping the occupants.
A female passenger was freed from the vehicle. Despite attempts to resuscitate her, she died at the scene.
The male driver and two passengers were freed and taken to John Hunter Hospital, all in a serious condition.
Officers from Port Stephens – Hunter Police District, with the assistance of the Newcastle Crash Investigation Unit, are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Tomago remains closed with local traffic diversions in place.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
New stadium for NSW Swifts & GIANTS from 2020
Netball NSW has welcomed today’s announcement by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres that will see a major upgrade carried out on the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre and a new roof installed on the Ken Rosewall Arena.
The project will create an all-weather high-performance environment for both tennis and netball, with an upgraded canopy roof structure to be placed over the Arena and Show Court 1.
It means Netball NSW’s two professional franchises, the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball, will have a new permanent home venue to play Suncorp Super Netball games at from 2020.
Netball NSW CEO Carolyn Campbell was delighted by the announcement and said that by providing access to a purpose-built facility, netball would continue to see strong growth.
“Netball is one of the top sports in NSW when it comes to participation, and is the market leader for women and young girls,” she said.
“Sydney requires a fit-for-purpose indoor venue to accommodate our professional franchises, the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball.
“I think today’s announcement is a wonderful development which will provide us with a much more cost-effective venue, with priority scheduling, that also
allows us to raise the number of people who will be able to see our game at the elite level live and up close.
“I would like to thank the Premier, the Minister for Sport, Tennis NSW, the Office of Sport and the Sydney Olympic Park Authority for their efforts and cooperation in helping make today’s announcement happen.”
Premier Berejiklian said upgrading the Centre would create another international level sporting facility in Sydney and continue to increase grassroots sport participation.
“This upgrade will provide better facilities for netball and tennis athletes, and provide opportunities for both sports to meet growing demand for more content,” she said.
“Netball and Tennis are market leaders in growth and participation and the NSW Government is committed to continuing to support these sports.”
Minister Ayres echoed these sentiments.
“Investing in renewing our sporting infrastructure allows NSW to attract a wide range of events, keeping Sydney the number one when it comes to events,” he said.
“NSW netball teams continue to dominate national competition while Tennis NSW athletes flourish both nationally and internationally. Both of these sports have proven they mean business and aspire to be our nation’s best.”
The project will be undertaken by Tennis NSW with funding and oversight from the state government, under an agreement that will ensure netball and other sports have access to the facility once the upgrade is complete.
Work on the Tennis Centre upgrade is expected to commence in early 2019 and the first stage will be complete in November 2019.
Major upgrades include the following:
• The construction of canopy roof structure over Ken Rosewall Arena and Show Court.
• Upgrades to player and media facilities.
• Additional lighting, seating and public amenities.
• A new sprung floor to allow for multi-sport use.
New live music strategy open for comment
Providing more opportunities to break into the all-age music industry, improving night-time transport and promoting live music online are part of a live-music strategy now on public exhibition.
The plan to help grow and nurture Newcastle’s live music scene over the next four years and beyond is on public exhibition right now.
The City’s Live Music Strategy 2019-23 has set out a number of key targets to achieve a safe and sustainable live music scene following consultation with key stakeholders, the community and music professionals.
“Live music is an invaluable part of our city’s cultural make up, and we’ve undertaken a significant body of research and community engagement to develop an action plan that will help grow this important industry in Newcastle,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“We continue to foster new local talent, venues and audiences against a backdrop of social change and urban renewal and this document, together with other important strategies, such as the After Dark Strategy, seeks to strengthen our night time economy by making live music as viable for musicians and their audiences as possible.
“We want to make live music as accessible, affordable and available to the community as possible.”
The Lord Mayor said the plan also seeks to strike a balance between promoting a vibrant night time economy and responding to the needs of those calling the city home.
“While we believe that live music is a great way to promote social cohesion, public space activation and community well-being, we also want to ensure that rights of existing residents are protected.”
The Live Music Strategy 2019-23 will be available for comment until 25 February, here.
The plan to help grow and nurture Newcastle’s live music scene over the next four years and beyond is on public exhibition right now.
The City’s Live Music Strategy 2019-23 has set out a number of key targets to achieve a safe and sustainable live music scene following consultation with key stakeholders, the community and music professionals.
“Live music is an invaluable part of our city’s cultural make up, and we’ve undertaken a significant body of research and community engagement to develop an action plan that will help grow this important industry in Newcastle,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“We continue to foster new local talent, venues and audiences against a backdrop of social change and urban renewal and this document, together with other important strategies, such as the After Dark Strategy, seeks to strengthen our night time economy by making live music as viable for musicians and their audiences as possible.
“We want to make live music as accessible, affordable and available to the community as possible.”
The Lord Mayor said the plan also seeks to strike a balance between promoting a vibrant night time economy and responding to the needs of those calling the city home.
“While we believe that live music is a great way to promote social cohesion, public space activation and community well-being, we also want to ensure that rights of existing residents are protected.”
The Live Music Strategy 2019-23 will be available for comment until 25 February, here.
Civic operators welcome first five-star hotel
Civic Precinct operators have hailed Newcastle’s first five-star hotel, citing the increased tourism and investment it will bring as huge boosts for the City’s premiere cultural facilities.
The 136-room hotel – which will be built just hundreds of metres from the doorstep of Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle Museum and City Hall – will transform the Civic Precinct into a thriving hub that will increase Newcastle’s reputation as a key cultural and events destination.
“Newcastle Venues are thrilled that the roundhouse has been sold and will be converted into a five-star hotel,” Manager of Civic Services Delia O’Hara said.
“The earmarked date for opening coincides perfectly with the completion of the City Hall refurbishment works, presenting an opportunity to really rebrand City Hall as a five-star conference venue to go alongside the five-star hotel.”
Ms O’Hara said the hotel’s location would open new markets for City Hall, as the residential conference market (conferences where delegates stay and conference in the same venue) is one the City hasn’t been able to target until now.
She said the Newcastle Venues team will spread the word about this in the coming year when speaking with potential customers at trade shows.
News of a new five-star hotel has also delighted Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird and Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton.
Both are enthusiastic about showcasing the City’s collection of exhibitions to a wider audience.
.jpg.aspx?height=800&width=532 "Lauretta-(1).jpg")
“It’s wonderful that investment in new accommodation is happening in the Civic Precinct,” Ms Morton said.
“We are looking forward to sharing the City’s collection and our dynamic exhibitions and programs with new visitors to Newcastle and the Hunter region.”
Ms Baird said: “It will mean more visitors learning about Newcastle’s past, present and future while adding to the rich cosmopolitan mix of our fascinating city.”
Last week the City announced that its administrative headquarters had been purchased by hospitality group Crystalbrook Collection, which will lodge plans to develop a five-star hotel featuring 136 luxury rooms, lobby bar, café with outdoor terrace and a new roof top with restaurant, swimming pool and gymnasium.
Construction and fit out of the new hotel will begin as soon as City of Newcastle staff relocate to their new office on the corner of Hunter Street and Stewart Avenue in the new CBD that is Newcastle West.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the hotel will reinvent the Civic Precinct.”Guests staying in the luxury hotel will now be within just 100 metres walk of the Civic Theatre, The Newcastle Art Gallery, The Newcastle Museum and the Civic Playhouse,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The existence of a five-star hotel complete with a light rail station immediately across from it will finally create the thriving cultural precinct our city has longed for.”Crystalbrook Collection expect the hotel to be operating by November 2020, in time for the Newcastle 500.
Lauretta Norman showcasing an installation from the Olsen Ormandy collection
The 136-room hotel – which will be built just hundreds of metres from the doorstep of Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle Museum and City Hall – will transform the Civic Precinct into a thriving hub that will increase Newcastle’s reputation as a key cultural and events destination.
“Newcastle Venues are thrilled that the roundhouse has been sold and will be converted into a five-star hotel,” Manager of Civic Services Delia O’Hara said.
“The earmarked date for opening coincides perfectly with the completion of the City Hall refurbishment works, presenting an opportunity to really rebrand City Hall as a five-star conference venue to go alongside the five-star hotel.”
Ms O’Hara said the hotel’s location would open new markets for City Hall, as the residential conference market (conferences where delegates stay and conference in the same venue) is one the City hasn’t been able to target until now.
She said the Newcastle Venues team will spread the word about this in the coming year when speaking with potential customers at trade shows.
News of a new five-star hotel has also delighted Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird and Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton.
Both are enthusiastic about showcasing the City’s collection of exhibitions to a wider audience.
“It’s wonderful that investment in new accommodation is happening in the Civic Precinct,” Ms Morton said.“We are looking forward to sharing the City’s collection and our dynamic exhibitions and programs with new visitors to Newcastle and the Hunter region.”
Ms Baird said: “It will mean more visitors learning about Newcastle’s past, present and future while adding to the rich cosmopolitan mix of our fascinating city.”
Last week the City announced that its administrative headquarters had been purchased by hospitality group Crystalbrook Collection, which will lodge plans to develop a five-star hotel featuring 136 luxury rooms, lobby bar, café with outdoor terrace and a new roof top with restaurant, swimming pool and gymnasium.
Construction and fit out of the new hotel will begin as soon as City of Newcastle staff relocate to their new office on the corner of Hunter Street and Stewart Avenue in the new CBD that is Newcastle West.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the hotel will reinvent the Civic Precinct.”Guests staying in the luxury hotel will now be within just 100 metres walk of the Civic Theatre, The Newcastle Art Gallery, The Newcastle Museum and the Civic Playhouse,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The existence of a five-star hotel complete with a light rail station immediately across from it will finally create the thriving cultural precinct our city has longed for.”Crystalbrook Collection expect the hotel to be operating by November 2020, in time for the Newcastle 500.
Lauretta Norman showcasing an installation from the Olsen Ormandy collection
Appeal to locate missing girl – Newcastle
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a girl reported missing from a home near Newcastle.
Carly Gibson, aged 11, was last seen at a house in Joslin Street, Kotara, about 8pm on Saturday 29 December 2018.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District were notified when she failed to return home and commenced an investigation.
Police hold concerns for her welfare due to her age and believe she may be in the Newcastle, Edgeworth or Lake Macquarie areas.
Carly is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 145cm-150cm tall, of a medium build and with blonde hair and blue-grey eyes.
Anyone who sees Carly or has any information on her whereabouts are urged to come forward.
A girl reported missing from the Newcastle area has been located safe and well.
The 11-year-old was last seen at a house in Joslin Street, Kotara, about 8pm on Saturday 29 December 2018.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District were notified when she failed to return home and commenced an investigation
Following inquiries, the girl was located safe and well at Edgeworth about 8.30pm yesterday (Thursday 3 January 2019).
Police wish to thank the public and media for their assistance.
Pumps, power tools, buggy seized as man charged over Hunter break-ins
A farm buggy, water tanks, generators, pumps and power tools have been seized after an arrest by Rural Crime Investigators in the state’s Hunter yesterday.
The Rural Crime Prevention team attached to Hunter Valley Police District have been investigating break and enter offences targeting rural properties in Merriwa and surrounding areas over the past month.
When a search warrant was executed at a property on Roma Road, Merriwa, items – alleged to be stolen – were seized including a farm buggy, water tanks, generators, pumps, kitchenware, corrugated iron and power tools.
The items recovered are estimated to be worth approximately $80,000.
About 2.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 2 January 2019), a 57-year-old man was arrested when he attended Muswellbrook Police Station.
He has been charged with 10 offences including break enter and steal (x2), enter building/land with intent commit indictable offence, larceny (x3), enter enclosed lands not prescribed premises without lawful excuse (x2), destroy or damage property (x2).
The man was refused bail to appear in Wyong Local Court today (Thursday 3 January 2019).
Man charged under new legislation over alleged sexual touching of teen at football match
A man has been charged with the newly legislated offences of sexual touching and sexual act following an alleged incident involving a teenaged girl at a football match on the Central Coast.
On Sunday 23 December 2018, police were approached during a football match at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford, by a 15-year-old girl, who reported a man in the crowd had made her feel uncomfortable.
Officers were told a man in the crowd had made inappropriate remarks and gestures toward the girl, before allegedly touching her in a sexual manner.
Local police obtained the man’s details before he was ejected from the stadium. The investigation was then referred to detectives from State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.
Following inquiries, detectives arrested an 83-year-old man at Wyong Police Station just before 9am today (Thursday 3 January 2019).
He was charged with intentionally sexually touch child aged 10-16 and intentionally do sexual act with child aged 10-16.
The man was granted strict conditional bail, which includes him being prohibited from Central Coast Stadium, and is due to appear at Wyong Local Court on Wednesday 13 February 2019).
Inquiries are continuing.