Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 18 January 2022. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.
Lord Mayoral Minutes
Congratulating new and returning Councillors
A Lord Mayoral Minute (LMM) congratulated all successful candidates from the 4 December Local Government election and welcomed them to the Chamber as City of Newcastle Councillors. Councillors were also given an opportunity to address the Chamber.
COVID-19 Omicron Variant
An amended Lord Mayoral Minute was passed that noted the significant public health and economic consequences to Newcastle of the current national outbreak of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. It expressed deep concern that NSW Health is no longer publishing daily COVID statistics for the Hunter-New England region, including the Newcastle LGA and called for Council to write to the NSW Premier and Minister for Health urging the reinstatement of reporting of daily case numbers for Newcastle. It also called for an assessment of the specific public health risks of the upcoming Newcastle 500 Supercars event, and a review of the Supercars COVID-19 Safety Plan.
Ordinary business
Appointment of Deputy Lord Mayor
Councillors voted to elect Cr Declan Clausen as Deputy Lord Mayor for the duration of current the Council term.
Countback election
Council determined that casual vacancies occurring in the office of a councillor within 18 months of the election on 4 December 2021 are to be filled by a countback of votes cast at that election.
Appointment of Councillor representatives to external committees and City of Newcastle committees
Council resolved to appoint Councillors as members of various external committees for the current Council term. This includes the Fort Scratchley Historical Society Incorporated, the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel, Hunter Sports Centre Incorporated, the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation Board, the Newcastle City Traffic Committee and the NSW Public Libraries Association. Council also resolved to appoint Councillors to a number of City of Newcastle committees for the current Council term.
Appointment of a Councillor representative to the Hunter Water Customer and Community Advisory Group
Council resolved to appoint a Councillor representative and an alternative to the Hunter Water Customer and Community Advisory Group for the current Council term.
Endorsement of motions for submission to the 2022 Local Government NSW Special Conference
Council voted to endorse three motions to be submitted to the 2022 Local Government NSW Special Conference, which will be held in Sydney from Monday 28 February to Wednesday 2 March 2022. This included a motion to amend the Local Government Act to prohibit property developers and real estate agents from running for elected local government positions; a motion to advocate for the removal of universal rate pegging in NSW, allowing elected Councils to set rates in consultation with their communities; and a motion to re-establish a fixed four-year term for Council, with the next Council elections to be held in September 2025.
Public exhibition of draft Community Strategic Plan
Council unanimously voted to publicly exhibit the draft Community Strategic Plan (Newcastle 2040) for 28 days. The Plan provides the basis for ongoing alignment of CN’s decision-making processes, strategies and activities with the vision of the Newcastle community and has been informed by extensive community and stakeholder engagement.
Category: Newcastle News
All the news happening in the Newcastle and Hunter Region
Motorcycle rider dies in crash – Hunter Valley
An investigation is underway after a motorcyclist died in a two-vehicle crash in the Hunter Valley region yesterday.
About 3.15pm (Friday 14 January 2022), emergency services were called to Richmond Vale Road, Mulbring, about 20km east of Cessnock, after a Suzuki GSX motorcycle and Toyota Camry sedan collided.
Both the car and motorcycle caught alight.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, the rider – a 39-year-old man – died at the scene
The male driver of the Camry, and his female passenger – both aged 66 – sustained minor injuries and were taken to John Hunter Hospital. The woman suffered a suspected broken hand.
The NSW Rural Fire Service attended and extinguished the blaze.
A crime scene was established by officers from Hunter Valley Police District, who are making inquiries into the cause of the collision.
Fatal pedestrian crash – Thornton
A pedestrian has died after being hit by a car at Thornton this morning.
Just after 2.30am (Friday 14 January 2022), emergency services were called to the New England Highway near Weakleys Drive, Thornton, following reports a pedestrian had been hit by a Ford Falcon sedan.
Despite efforts to revive the man, he died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.
The driver of the Ford – a 30-year-old man – was uninjured and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Local traffic diversions are in place and motorists are urged to avoid the area.
As inquiries continue, police are urging anyone with information, or dashcam vision from the area, to come forward.
Officer charged – Northern Region
An officer has been charged with further offences following an investigation in the state’s north.
In November last year, an off-duty probationary constable attached to the Northern Region was charged following an alleged traffic-related incident.
Following further inquiries, the 39-year-old man was charged today (Wednesday 12 January 2022) with not keep firearm safely–not pistol/prohibited firearm and handle/use firearm under the influence of alcohol/drug.
He is due to appear before Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 18 January 2022.
The officer’s duty status is currently under review.
Man charged with murder – Jesmond
A man will appear in court today charged following an investigation into the fatal stabbing of a man in the state’s Hunter Region last week.
About 3.45pm last Thursday (6 January 2022), emergency services were called to a home on Michael Street, Jesmond, following reports a man had been stabbed.
Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and located a 34-year-old man suffering a stab wound to his chest.
The injured man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition, where he later died.
Local police established Strike Force Mantillus to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
Following extensive inquiries, a 37-year-old man was arrested at Newcastle Police Station about 4pm yesterday (Wednesday 12 January 2022), where he was charged with murder.
Police will allege in court that the two men were involved in a physical altercation, before the younger man was stabbed.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 13 January 2022).
Surge in development to inject $1.8 billion into local economy
Newcastle’s revitalisation and transformation continues with a record $1.8 billion of development approved over the past 12 months set to generate approximately 3,500 direct jobs and buoy the local economy.
City of Newcastle recorded a 20% increase in the number of development applications (DAs) lodged during 2021, in addition to state significant projects.
Development in Newcastle is showing no signs of slowing, with over 1600 DAs lodged with City of Newcastle in 2021 (compared to 1361 in 2020). The value of lodged DAs increased by a staggering 89% highlighting the significant nature of development unfolding in the city, including The Store redevelopment ($118 million), former Dairy Farmer’s site ($100 million), and a 133-lot industrial subdivision at Black Hill ($33 million).
City of Newcastle Manager Regulatory, Planning and Assessment Michelle Bisson said low interest rates and a booming property market is helping to drive development activity in the city.
“Newcastle is surging ahead when it comes to injecting cash into bricks and mortar, despite the pandemic, reflecting high levels of optimism amongst homeowners, investors and developers,” Ms Bisson said.
“The highest value DAs are predominantly in Newcastle West, Adamstown, Beresfield, and Merewether but we’ve also seen a surge in residential development in the suburbs such as Wallsend, Fletcher and New Lambton for residential alterations, additions and single dwellings.
“The construction associated with this level of development generates approximately 3,500 direct jobs and buoys Newcastle’s economy which is a positive as we come up against the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and look to the future.”
Newcastle recently announced a design competition for the $100m redevelopment of the former ‘Spotlight and Anaconda’ site at 711 Hunter Street in the city’s revitalised West-end, meaning the pipeline of significant future development applications expected in 2022 is strong.
“Newcastle is transforming into a modern metropolitan city with significant large redevelopments in the pipeline, showing developer confidence in our city is at an all-time high,” Ms Bisson said.
“Ongoing revitalisation and development is continuing to transform Newcastle, and 2022 is set to be another exciting and busy year for our city.”
City of Newcastle recorded a 20% increase in the number of development applications (DAs) lodged during 2021, in addition to state significant projects.
Development in Newcastle is showing no signs of slowing, with over 1600 DAs lodged with City of Newcastle in 2021 (compared to 1361 in 2020). The value of lodged DAs increased by a staggering 89% highlighting the significant nature of development unfolding in the city, including The Store redevelopment ($118 million), former Dairy Farmer’s site ($100 million), and a 133-lot industrial subdivision at Black Hill ($33 million).
City of Newcastle Manager Regulatory, Planning and Assessment Michelle Bisson said low interest rates and a booming property market is helping to drive development activity in the city.
“Newcastle is surging ahead when it comes to injecting cash into bricks and mortar, despite the pandemic, reflecting high levels of optimism amongst homeowners, investors and developers,” Ms Bisson said.
“The highest value DAs are predominantly in Newcastle West, Adamstown, Beresfield, and Merewether but we’ve also seen a surge in residential development in the suburbs such as Wallsend, Fletcher and New Lambton for residential alterations, additions and single dwellings.
“The construction associated with this level of development generates approximately 3,500 direct jobs and buoys Newcastle’s economy which is a positive as we come up against the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and look to the future.”
Newcastle recently announced a design competition for the $100m redevelopment of the former ‘Spotlight and Anaconda’ site at 711 Hunter Street in the city’s revitalised West-end, meaning the pipeline of significant future development applications expected in 2022 is strong.
“Newcastle is transforming into a modern metropolitan city with significant large redevelopments in the pipeline, showing developer confidence in our city is at an all-time high,” Ms Bisson said.
“Ongoing revitalisation and development is continuing to transform Newcastle, and 2022 is set to be another exciting and busy year for our city.”
Four rescued after ute swept into flooded creek – Hunter Valley
Four people have been rescued after a ute was swept into a flooded creek 20km north of Muswellbrook overnight.
Emergency services were called to Wells Gully Road at McCulleys Gap about 10pm (Tuesday 11 January 2022), after a utility was swept off the spillway into Sandy Creek.
A 49-year-old man, a 16-year-old boy, and two girls aged 14, were forced to climb onto the roof of the utility after it began to sink in strongly-flowing floodwaters.
A multi-agency rescue operation was coordinated by officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District, and involved Fire and Rescue NSW and members from NSW Rural Fire Service and SES, with all four retrieved safely.
There were no injuries; and the ute will be recovered when safe.
Man charged with alleged child grooming offences – Hunter region
A man has been charged over the alleged grooming of two teenage girls in the Hunter Region.
Officers from Newcastle City and Port Stephens-Hunter Police Districts commenced an investigation following reports a man was allegedly grooming two girls, aged 15 and 16.
Folllowing extensive inquiries, detectives attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District stopped a vehicle on Clarence Town Rd, Glen Oak about 12.40pm yesterday (Tuesday 11 January 2022).
A 51-year-old man was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.
A short time later, officers executed a search warrant at a home in Glen Oak, where police seized electronic items, drugs, firearms and ammunition, which will undergo forensic examination.
Following inquiries, the man was charged with groom child for unlawful sexual activity, possess child abuse material, three counts of possess prohibited drug, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit and six counts of holder of Category A or B licence not have approved storage.
He was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today (Wednesday 12 January 2022).
Appeal to locate wanted man – Newcastle
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant.
Kevin Smith, aged 37, is wanted by virtue of an outstanding arrest warrant for murder.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District and specialist units have commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 180cm to 185cm tall, of thin build, with green eyes, brown hair, a beard and a moustache. He has a distinctive tattoo on the right side of his face.
He is known to frequent the Newcastle area, but has ties to several locations including Sydney and Northern NSW.
Anyone who may have seen Mr Smith is urged not to approach him and to call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Driver allegedly caught almost six times over the legal limit – Cessnock
A man has been charged with high-range drink driving after allegedly being caught almost six times over the legal limit in the Hunter region today.
About 1.30pm (Thursday 6 January 2022), officers attached to Hunter Valley Traffic and Highway Patrol Command stopped the driver of a Mitsubishi SUV on Wollombi Road at Bellbird, for the purpose of a random breath test.
Police spoke to the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle – a 41-year-old man – before he was subjected to a roadside breath test, which returned a positive result.
The Cessnock man was arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station, where a subsequent breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.297.
He was charged with high-range PCA, his driver’s licence was confiscated and immediately suspended, and his vehicle was seized.
The man was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Wednesday 9 February 2022.