Category: Newcastle News

Yesterday officers from Newcastle City Police District formed Strike Force Tuohy as they continue proactive operations to actively prevent and disrupt illegal protests in the Hunter/Newcastle region.

The ongoing protests are placing public safety at risk and endangering the lives of all those who use the rail network. They will not be tolerated.

Accordingly, I have sought further legal advice today and am warning anyone who intends on behaving in the manner we’ve seen over the past week that they could be charged with offences under Section 211 of the Crimes Act 1900, which carry a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.

This is in addition to the various trespass and rail disruption offences numerous protestors have been charged with since Friday 5 November.

Officers from Strike Force Tuohy, with the assistance of Police Rescue, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Public Order and Riot Squad, PolAir and intelligence resources, stand ready to target anyone engaging in this dangerous and criminal behaviour, and will not hesitate to take the appropriate action.

Police have formed Strike Force Tuohy as they continue proactive operations to actively prevent and disrupt illegal protests in the Hunter/Newcastle region.
Newcastle City Police District and Police Transport Command have been dealing with ongoing protest activity aimed at disrupting sections of the rail network, with commuter and coal trains again affected today.
Since Friday 5 November 2021, officers have arrested 17 people – including eight men and nine women – who are all members of same group.
Those people have been charged with various trespass and rail disruption offences. An additional man received a penalty infringement notice.
Officers attached to Strike Force Tuohy will be conducting proactive patrols and targeting anyone engaging in suspicious behaviour.
Officers from Police Rescue, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Public Order and Riot Squad and PolAir, as well as intelligence resources, will also assist as required.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott, said police have increased security and surveillance along the rail corridor to prevent further disruption to commuter and freight trains in the area.
“This government will not tolerate protestors undermining commuter activities and causing significant damage to these local industries which employ people from across the region,” Mr Elliott said.
“Specialist and local police officers are patrolling the area to ensure any illegal protest activity is disrupted. Already local police have arrested 17 people and brought them before the courts.”
Northern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna, said police were targeting protestors as a priority and their activities would not be tolerated.
“The actions of this group and individuals involved are placing lives at risk,” Assistant Commissioner McKenna said.
“Illegally entering rail corridors and expecting trains that are over 1.5km in length to stop for people placing themselves in front of them is outrageous and incredibly dangerous behaviour.
“We will continue to use the full force of the law to locate and arrest any persons involved in this criminal activity.”
Police will continue to work with Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and other members of the coal supply network to prevent further disruptions.
Additional security, surveillance and lighting have also been instigated at high-risk access points.
Police will continue to monitor and respond to any ongoing unauthorised protest activity and anyone who breaks the law or engages in antisocial behaviour will be dealt with accordingly.
 

Police issue warning as a large industrial fire continues to burn in the Hunter region.
About 10.40am today (Sunday 14 November 2021), emergency services were called to an industrial complex on Mitchell Avenue, Kurri Kurri, following reports of a large fire.
Fire and Rescue NSW have multiple crews on scene and are continuing efforts to extinguish the blaze. There is currently no risk to residential properties
The building is believed to have been unoccupied at the time, and no injuries have been reported.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District are on scene assisting with traffic management with local traffic diversions in place.
Members of the public suffering from respiratory conditions are advised to avoid the area.
Delays are expected and motorists are urged to avoid the area where possible and check www.livetraffic.com for updates.
At this stage, the cause of the fire is not known.

A woman and her newborn who were reported missing from Lake Macquarie yesterday have been located.
Concerns were raised for the 20-year-old woman after she failed to keep a medical appointment.
She was reported missing to officers from Lake Macquarie Police District yesterday (Saturday 13 November 2021), and police commenced inquiries to locate her.
About 8pm today (Sunday 14 November 2021), the woman and her newborn were located in Medowie and have been taken to hospital for assessment.
Police would like to thank the public and media for their assistance.

Police have charged a man as part of a critical incident investigation into a serious crash in the state’s Northern Region earlier this week.
Just after 11.10am on Thursday (11 November 2021), officers attached to the Northern Region High Visibility Policing Unit were conducting proactive patrols at Everton Street, Hamilton, when they observed an unregistered red Suzuki Swift.
The driver allegedly failed to stop as directed and a pursuit was initiated, before being terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.
Officers continued patrolling the area and located the Suzuki rolled on its side after colliding with a Toyota Hilux at the intersection of Lawson and Denison Streets.
A rear seat passenger of the Suzuki – a 27-year-old woman – was trapped in the vehicle before being freed by emergency services. She was taken to John Hunter Hospital where she remains in a critical but stable condition.
The driver and two other passengers of the Suzuki fled the scene on foot; however, were located and arrested by police a short distance away.
The two passengers – a 29-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man – were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and have since been released.
The driver of the Suzuki – a 38-year-old man – was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition under police guard.
The driver of the Toyota Hilux – a 40-year-old man – and his passenger – a 21-year-old man – were not injured during the incident.
A crime scene was established and examined by specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit.
Following extensive investigations, officers attended John Hunter Hospital and charged the 38-year-old man with 12 offences including;

• Dangerous driving occasion grievous bodily harm – drive manner dangerous,
• fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing grievous bodily harm,
• cause bodily harm by misconduct, in charge of motor vehicle,
• not stop at/before stop line/stop sign,
• negligent driving (occasions grievous bodily harm),
• police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously
• not comply P2 licence condition not display P plates,
• not give particulars to other driver,
• use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on road,
• use uninsured motor vehicle,
• driver fails/refuses to disclose his/her identity, and,
• fail to stop and assist after impact cause injury.

The Morisset man was refused bail to appear via AVL at Newcastle Bail Court today (Saturday 13 November 2021).
A critical incident team from the Hunter Valley Police District will continue investigations.

A critical incident investigation is underway after a woman was seriously injured following a crash in the state’s Northern Region.
Just after 11.10am yesterday (Thursday 11 November 2021), officers attached to the Northern Region High Visibility Policing Unit were conducting proactive patrols at Everton Street, Hamilton, when they observed an unregistered red Suzuki Swift.
The driver allegedly failed to stop as directed and a pursuit was initiated, before being terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.
Officers continued patrolling the area and located the Suzuki rolled on its side after colliding with a Toyota Hilux at the intersection of Lawson and Denison Streets.
A rear seat passenger of the Suzuki – a 27-year-old woman – was trapped in the vehicle before being extracted by emergency services. She was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition, where she remains.
The driver and two other passengers of the Suzuki fled the scene on foot; however, were located and arrested by police a short distance away.
The driver – a 38-year-old man – was also taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition, where he remains under police guard.
The two passengers – a 29-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man – were also taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the Toyota Hilux – a 40-year-old man – and his passenger – a 21-year-old man – were not injured during the incident.
A crime scene was established and examined by specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit.
A critical incident team from the Hunter Valley Police District will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.
That investigation will be subject to an independent review.
No police officers were injured during the incident.

A third man has been charged over his alleged involvement in a fatal shooting in Port Stephens in August this year.
About 1.45pm on Sunday 29 August 2021, emergency services were called to Hideaway Drive, Salt Ash, following reports a white Ford Ranger utility had hit a tree.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended along with NSW Ambulance paramedics and located a male driver suffering a fatal gunshot wound.
He was later identified as 45-year-old David King.
A short time later, officers located a burnt-out white Santa Fe located on Masonite Road, Heatherbrae, which police believe is allegedly linked to the shooting.
Detectives established Strike Force Breve to investigate the incident, with assistance from State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.
On Friday 5 November 2021, two men – aged 27 and 39 – were arrested and charged. They are currently before the courts.
Following further inquiries, about 9am today (Friday 12 November 2021), police arrested a 26-year-old man at Grafton Police Station.
He was charged with murder, take/detain person in company without to obtain advantage, possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority and aggravated sex assault- offender in company with other person/s.
Police will allege in court that after shooting David King, the men fled the scene in a white Santa Fe, where the 26-year-old man allegedly sexually assaulted a woman in the car without her consent. The car was then allegedly set on fire and destroyed.
The 26-year-old appeared in Grafton Local Court today where he was refused bail, to reappear in Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 20 December 2021.

The unexpected beauty that can be found in the microscopic elements of the natural world will be on show at Newcastle Art Gallery as part of an exhibition that celebrates the 40-year career of Adelaide artist Angela Valanamesh.
Angela Valamanesh: About being here is an exploration of the interconnectedness of life on earth and the links between humans, animals and plants.

The exhibition is presented by JamFactory as part of their Icon series, which celebrates the achievements of South Australia’s most influential artists working in craft-based media.
While Valanamesh is primarily known for her intriguing biomorphic ceramic sculptures, which use abstract forms to invoke the shapes and patterns of living things, this exhibition will survey the breadth and depth of her artistic practice, including evocative drawings, watercolours, and mixed media works created from the late 1990s until the present.
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton said the touring exhibition will be augmented with works by Valamanesh from the gallery’s own highly regarded collection, giving visitors an even broader appreciation of her art.
“Newcastle Art Gallery is proud to be the custodian one of the most valuable art collections in regional Australia, which presents a comprehensive overview of Australian art from colonial times to the present day and is worth $115 million,” Ms Morton said.
“Our collection includes several works by renowned Adelaide artist Angela Valanamesh, and we are thrilled to be able to showcase these when we welcome this wonderful exhibition to Newcastle.”

Valamanesh’s artworks elicit intrigue and a strong sense of personal investigation as she manipulates seemingly familiar anatomical, botanical and parasitic forms in beguiling and unusual ways.
Her drawings, ceramic objects, and watercolours are the result of an incredible depth of research, referencing complex scientific, historic, and philosophical ideas. The works suggest ambiguity and present a strong sense of personal investigation.
Angela Valamanesh: About being here will be on display at Newcastle Art Gallery from 13 November 2021 – 30 January 2022, with a special online artist talk on Thursday 18 November.
JamFactory ICON Angela Valamanesh: About being here is a JamFactory touring exhibition and has been assisted by the South Australian Government through the Department for Innovation and Skills and the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, Contemporary Touring Initiative.
Angela Valamanesh acknowledges the assistance of the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts. Angela Valamanesh is represented by GAG PROJECTS, Greenaway Art Gallery, Adelaide and Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert, Sydney.

A man reported missing from East Maitland has been located.
The 24-year-old was last seen leaving his home on David Avenue, East Maitland, yesterday (Wednesday 11 November 2021).
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were alerted of the missing man and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Following inquiries, the man was located at Clarence Town about 10.30am today (Thursday 11 November 2021).
Police would like to thank the media and the public for their assistance.

Finding a park near the city’s beaches and baths will soon become easier thanks to smart technology that will allow drivers to view available spaces before leaving the house.
City of Newcastle Interim Director Strategy and Engagement Kathleen Hyland said smart sensors have been installed at almost 800 car parks as part of a plan to make better use of smart parking technology.
“Newcastle is home to amazing beaches, which are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike and we want to make accessing them easier through the use of smart parking technology,” Ms Hyland said.
“By installing smart parking sensors, we’ll be able to provide real time data to the Easypark and City of Newcastle apps to allow motorists to use their smartphone and determine the best location to drive and find a park ahead of their visit to our beaches and baths.”
Smart parking sensors have recently been installed along Scenic Drive, Henderson Drive, Merewether Baths, Merewether Beach, Dixon Park, Bar Beach, Strzelecki Lookout and Newcastle Baths and will be integrated to the Easypark and City of Newcastle apps in the coming months. Smart parking sensors have been trialled at Strzelecki Lookout since 2017.
This approach is in line with City of Newcastle’s Parking Plan and builds upon multiple pieces of smart city infrastructure, leveraging investment in a sensor network, data platforms and apps, which help the community make informed decisions and navigate the city.
Elsewhere in Newcastle, a new car park on Wharf Road across from Scratchleys has recently been completed, which increases the existing car park from 42 to 73 spaces and nine new motorcycle spaces.