Category: Newcastle News

A police officer has been charged following a critical incident investigation after a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash at Lake Macquarie last year.

About 4.40pm on Monday 4 October 2021, emergency services were called to Mandalong Road near Deaves Road, Mandalong, after reports two motorcycles – including a marked New South Wales Police motorcycle – had collided.

A 69-year-old man was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital with serious leg injuries, while a 36-year-old male senior constable – who was on-duty at the time – also suffered serious injuries and was taken to John Hunter Hospital.

A crime scene was established by Lake Macquarie Police District officers, with a critical incident investigation launched by Tuggerah Lakes Police District.

Following extensive inquiries, the senior constable – attached to Traffic & Highway Patrol Command – was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice today (Tuesday 15 March 2022), for the offence of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

He is due to appear at Toronto Local Court on Monday 2 May 2022.

Islington Park has been re-opened to the public this morning following clearance by independent assessors yesterday.

The park been closed since 2 March due to contamination generated by the recent fire at the Wickham wool stores. Multiple specialist asbestos crews were deployed last week to clean the park. These crews removed fragments of asbestos containing materials (ACM) from grassed areas, gardens, the sporting oval, the carpark, bike paths, the playground, skate bowl and around the amenities building.

High traffic areas such as footpaths and the playground were also cleaned with HEPA (high efficiency particulate arrestance) vacuums.

Following the clean-up, an independent Licenced Asbestos Assessor inspected all areas of the park and found no visible asbestos remaining, allowing for a clearance certificate to be issued on Sunday 13 March.

Air monitoring was undertaken during the clean up and also as part of the clearance inspection – with all results coming back clear of airborne asbestos fibres.

It is important to remember that as with other areas that have been cleaned and given clearance, it is possible for the occasional fragment to be introduced into the area from vehicles or falling from trees. Further findings of fragments should be reported to the EPA’s environment line on 131 555 so that the area can be listed for inspection and re-cleaning if necessary.

Now that clearance has been issued, City of Newcastle will plan for the safe resumption of services such as mowing and ongoing park maintenance.

Waratah Park has also been inspected and cleaned and is open to the public.

For the latest updates visit www.newcastle.gov.au/wickhamfire

An 87-year-old man reported missing from Cooranbong overnight has been found and is safe.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District began searching for the man when he could not be located overnight (12 March 2022).

The man was found Watagan Park about 7.30am (Sunday 13 March 2022).

He is being checked by NSW Ambulance paramedics as a precaution but appears to be well.

Police thank the local community and the media for their assistance in sharing our appeals.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate an elderly man missing from Lake Macquarie.

Constantin Ionita, aged 83, was last seen his home on Kennedy Close, Cooranbong, about 9.30pm last night (12 March 2022).

Constantin was reported missing to officers from Lake Macquarie Police District when he could not be located, who commenced inquiries to locate him.

Police and family hold concern for Constantin’s welfare as he lives with dementia and due to his age.

Constantin is described as being of Caucasian appearance, of slim build, with short white hair.

He was last seen wearing a red and blue jumper, dark trousers and was holding pyjamas.

Anyone who may have information regarding Constantin’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

City of Newcastle (CN) will invite expressions of interest for the collection and processing of its recyclable waste as it continues to plan towards the construction of a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) at Summerhill Waste Management Facility.

Recycling from Newcastle residents’ yellow-lid bins is currently collected by Solo Waste Pty Ltd and taken to the Summerhill site before being transferred to iQ Renew’s processing facility on the Central Coast.

With both contracts due to expire in November, CN will open an EOI for the services on 12 March ahead of a selective tender process mid-year. The EOI includes a range of options for CN to consider for the processing of recyclables at the Summerhill Waste Management Facility.

CN is conscious about the need to cater for additional growth in the recyclables markets into the future and the EOI will ensure all processing options are given due consideration.

CN is seeking to ensure facilitation, development and support of the local circular economy along with the maximising economic benefit from recyclable materials. The EOI seeks to provide options to consider the processing of recyclable waste from not only the Newcastle community but from across the Hunter and also includes a separable portion allocated to the design, construction and operation of a new MRF facility at Summerhill as well as kerbside recycling services to process the yellow bin.

The project received a $5 million boost from the Federal and NSW Governments in August last year and CN has prepared concept designs in conjunction with site master planning to ensure the optimal location of the facility alongside other waste diversion projects, such as the organics facility. The MRF is planned to be scalable, designed in a manner which allows for flexibility to cater to changes in the way we recycle, and the growth in recycling efforts.

City of Newcastle is committed to increasing our capabilities for the recycling and reuse of waste products under its new Sustainable Waste Strategy, which is currently being drafted, with the Summerhill Waste Management Facility to play a key role in the region’s move towards a circular economy and its ability to address future NSW and Federal government targets on waste diversion and recycling.

The Sustainable Waste Strategy focusses on increased diversion, circular economy and co-location of waste assets in the Summerhill precinct, localising the supply chain, reducing transport costs, but also ensuring the site offers a place to process recyclables after the current recycling contracts almost failed in 2020, resulting in Council having to step in and vary the recyclables processing arrangements.

Construction of the MRF, in addition to the planned advanced organics recycling facility, would allow Newcastle’s red, yellow and green-bin domestic waste to be processed at the one location.

Due to an Australian Defence Force (ADF) exercise there will be an increase in personnel and aircraft operating from RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales. The exercise will be conducted over land, sea and air throughout March 2022.

The public can expect low-flying aircraft, and increased movement of military personnel and vehicles within the area. Night flying will be conducted between 21 and 25 March, concluding no later than 10:15pm each day.

Training exercises such as this help ensure the ADF remains in a ready state of preparedness to protect Australia and its national interests.

The ADF is unable to provide media access or further information, including specific timings, regarding this training in order to protect operational tactics, techniques and procedures.

City of Newcastle (CN) has implemented safety precautions in preparation for another weather event forecast to impact the Newcastle coastline this week.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for gale force winds, heavy rainfall, and large and powerful surf conditions which may pose a risk to Newcastle’s coastline.

An abnormally high tide and powerful surf conditions impacted all city beaches last week with Stockton Beach suffering further erosion. Large amounts of debris were washed onto Stockton Beach making the area unsafe and forcing the temporary closure of all accessways to the southern end of the beach. A current list of beach accessway closures at Stockton Beach can be viewed here.

CN will continue to monitor its coastal facilities and assets along the Newcastle coastline including areas in Stockton which may be further impacted by coastal erosion this week. Coastal erosion can change beach conditions dramatically and quickly, making them unstable.

With public safety and CN staff safety a key priority, CN will assess the situation at Stockton Beach after this week’s weather event before determining the best approach to commence clearing the beach.

City of Newcastle reminds the community to follow safety warnings, to abide by all road and beach closures and to drive safely in the forecast hazardous weather conditions.

To stay up to date on weather warnings visit the Bureau of Meteorology at www.bom.gov.au and for information about any emergencies visit the State Emergency Service at www.ses.nsw.gov.au or phone 13 25 00.

Last night saw three aspiring young local chefs’ cook their way one step closer to London in the preliminary finals of the Brett Graham Scholarship.

The Hunter Culinary Association, in conjunction with TAFE NSW, host this prestigious annual event, now in its 18th year. Six preliminary finalists cooked for their chance to work under leading Australian chef Brett Graham in his highly acclaimed London based restaurant – The Ledbury. The Brett Graham Scholarship now in its 18th year, aims to recognise and nurture one of the Hunter Region’s most talented young chefs.

Ultimately three young Apprentices will now proceed to the final cook off – Ian Tintero of The George Tavern, Jahri Etteridge from Yellowtail, and Jayden Dann from EXP Restaurant (pictured left to right above). Contestants will all vie for the $10,000 career kick start on Tuesday 15th March. This will assist in covering airfares and accommodation in London, and is sponsored by both the Hunter Culinary Association and TAFE NSW.

Previous winners of the Brett Graham Scholarship have included Troy Rhoades Brown of Muse, Garreth Robbs of Bistro Molines, Chris Thornton of Restaurant Mason, George Mirosevich of the Signal Box, and Josh Gregory of Muse Kitchen.

Judges Tracey Amos from TAFE, Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Publisher, Cornelia Schultz and leading local Chef Shayne Mansfield of The Flotilla fame, all recognised the talent of this years competing Apprentices.

Gus Maher, Chair of Hunter Culinary Association, said his belief was that the competition was particularly close – “The Judges all said that each Apprentice brought a broad range of skills and creativity, and whilst all six finalists were very worthy, their choice of the final three was unanimous.”

Joining them on the Judging Panel for next weeks final will be Andy Wright – long time, well known Hunter Valley Chef, co-founder of The Hunter Culinary Association and now Proprietor of Pokolbin Catering Co with his wife, Janet.

The Hunter Culinary Association is a not-for-profit organisation, led by industry professionals, offering a suite of scholarships and awards that support aspiring young chefs, apprentices and front of house professionals.

As a region, the Hunter offers a culinary destination featuring diverse and abundant dining experiences ranging from quality cafes to hatted restaurants, which proudly showcase passionate and talented industry professionals, regionally sourced produce and award-winning wines from the Hunter Valley’s highly regarded wineries.