Category: Newcastle News

Unsolved Homicide Squad detectives and Police Divers have returned to the state’s Hunter Region as inquiries continue into the murder of Melissa Hunt nearly 27 years ago.
The body of Melissa Hunt, then aged 22, was found near the weir wall of Burrenjim Dam, Bluegum Creek via Stockrington, on Monday 25 April 1994.
A post mortem examination revealed she died from severe head injuries.
Strike Force Impey, comprised of detectives from the Lake Macquarie Police District and the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, was formed to investigate her death; however, no arrests have been made.
Following a Coronial Inquest in 1998, the matter was sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for review and referred to the Unsolved Homicide Unit.
A formal review of the investigation was conducted under the new unsolved framework and is now under re-investigation by detectives attached to Strike Force Circulo.
In December last year, the NSW Government, together with the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, announced a $1 million reward for information and renewed their appeal to the community to come forward with any information that may assist detectives.
Following the reward announcement, police received information relating to the investigation and have subsequently returned to the state’s Hunter Region today (Tuesday 20 April 2021).
Unsolved Homicide Squad detectives, assisted by the Forensic Evidence and Technical Services Command (FETS), executed a crime scene warrant at a home at Lambton Road, Waratah, while Police Divers conduct a secondary search of the Burrenjim Dam.
Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, said Strike Force Circulo detectives are specifically looking to locate any remaining forensic evidence that could assist the investigation.
“This Sunday marks the 27^th anniversary of Melissa’s murder and detectives are hopeful that the new information we have received, together with today’s searches, will progress the investigation,” Det Supt Doherty said.
“Police are exploring a number of new lines of inquiry, including whether Melissa regularly attended a home at Waratah and if a domestic incident took place at the residence prior to her death.
“Detectives are also continuing to liaise with interstate law enforcement partners to make contact with associates and witnesses, who are now residing in other states – including South Australia, Queensland and Victoria – to ensure no stone is left unturned.
“As our investigations into Melissa’s death continue, we are urging anyone with information to contact police so we may provide much-needed answers to Melissa’s family,” Det Supt Doherty said.
Investigations under Strike Force Circulo are continuing.

Police are appealing for assistance as they investigate an attempted armed robbery in the Hunter overnight.
About 7.50pm yesterday (Sunday 18 April 2021), a man entered a service station on Metford Road, Metford, where he threatened a male attendant with a knife.
He demanded cash before the attendant refused and the man left the store; he was last seen running towards Turton Road.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and established a crime scene.
The man was seen wearing a hooded jumper, a red baseball cap, dark pants and shoes with his face covered.
As inquiries continue, anyone who may have information which could assist detectives is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam vision as investigations continue into a crash in Maitland last week.
About 6.55pm on Wednesday 14 April 2021, a collision has occurred involving a, white Husqvarna dirt bike, a blue Mitsubishi Pajero and a marked police vehicle on the New England Highway, Maitland.
The 19-year-old male rider and police officer were treated at the scene by paramedics from NSW Ambulance before the police officer was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition. The rider was conveyed by road to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
The driver of the Pajero was not injured.
Officers from Crash Investigations Unit (CIU) attended the scene and established a crime scene.
As investigations continue, police are appealing to the public, for anyone that may have witnessed the crash to come forward.

City of Newcastle is inviting local youth to come together and enjoy street art, skateboarding and song-writing as part of NSW Youth Week.
The creation of a community mural will kick off a suite of youth-led activities supported by the City during the state-wide event, which runs until 24 April with the theme ‘Together more than ever’.
Image Caption: Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen with Newcastle Youth Council representatives, members from Hunter Futurepreneurs, and young local First Nations women with Yolngu music group The Illume Girls at City Hall yesterday for the launch of Youth Week in Newcastle.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Youth Week was an important way to engage with and acknowledge the talents of young people.
“As part of Newcastle Youth Week celebrations, the City is supporting events and activities that promote Newcastle as a community that welcomes and celebrates young people from all backgrounds,” Cr Nelmes said.
For the past eight years, City of Newcastle has been working with the Newcastle Youth Council to coordinate a grants program for the delivery of Youth Week initiatives.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said three projects had been funded through the program this year, with the City supporting another two collaborative projects that showcase and recognise local First Nations talent and promote positive use of public space.
“Newcastle Youth Week is planned and delivered by young people for young people and provides opportunities for local youth to connect with each other and their local communities,” Cr Clausen said.
Newcastle Youth Week Events and Activities
Young Artisans Marketplace
Saturday 17 April, 2pm – 5pm, Hunter Multicultural Communities Hall
Come and support Newcastle’s local creative youth at the artisan market. Spend the afternoon shopping for a variety of handmade products including artwork, candles, scrunchies, jewellery and other amazing products, while enjoying fun, food and entertainment by local performers.
Aero-Soul Activism
(not open to the public)
Local street artists UP&UP are taking their unique brand of placemaking and street-art activism into local high schools this year, running workshops with students about the history of street art and activism in Newcastle.
Tidda’s at Muloobinba
Sunday 18 April, 2pm – 4pm, Civic Theatre Playhouse
This event is the culmination of a three-day intensive song-writing workshop as local young First Nations women present their own unique musical performance. With mentoring provided by Yolngu music group The Illume Girls, a group of up to 12 young women will spend three days crafting a unique musical performance for the public. Following on from the performance, there will be an opportunity to meet the performers and hear about their journey to the stage.
Youth Week Out West
Saturday 24 April, 1pm – 5pm, Wallsend Skate Park
A skate event held at Wallsend Skate Park including live music, a free barbecue and games. The event is hosted by City of Newcastle and supported by Northlakes Youth Projects and will feature skate demonstrations from Laate, a free-skate competition and entertainment by local emerging bands.

City of Newcastle is kicking off work on its transformation of James Street Plaza to revitalise the space and attract more visitors, families, and shoppers to the popular spot on Beaumont Street.
Following community engagement on concept designs the Hamilton community will be able to enjoy the revitalised space sooner than first planned, with work now underway.

The upgrade will see an overhaul of paving, new street furniture and landscaping, and new artworks and ground etchings acknowledging Hamilton’s rich history.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the upgrade will transform the plaza into a more safe, inclusive, and inviting place for local businesses and the community.
“James Street Plaza is an important space in the Beaumont Street shopping area, and this upgrade will improve the look and feel of the plaza as well as create a safer space for the community to enjoy,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Throughout our community engagement and regular discussions with business owners we have heard lots of ideas of how to improve the space, and in particular address concerns about safety at night.”
Upgrades to the plaza designed to improve activity in the space include an interactive lighting display developed in collaboration with the University of Newcastle, intended to create interest and celebrate Hamilton’s unique character and heritage.
Councillor Carol Duncan said the design reflects the broad feedback from the community, as well as contributions from local historian Ruth Cotton, author of Hidden Hamilton.
“Etchings on ground paving and signage in the plaza have been informed by Ruth’s extensive research of Hamilton’s history – from its traditional owners, through the suburb’s history as a mining settlement, its rich European influence from the Lettopalena Italian migrant community, and the impact of the 1989 earthquake,” Cr Duncan said.
“Upgrades to seating, paving and landscaping will better facilitate activation of the space for markets and live music.
“Once this valuable upgrade is complete, the design of James Street Plaza will reflect the rich culture of the suburb of Hamilton and will be an attractive central meeting place for people.”
Community feedback on the lighting concept options will be sought towards the end of the construction period.
Works are underway and are expected to be completed by mid 2021.

City of Newcastle has launched a new one-stop-shop for local community services, making it easier for residents to find the right service and access the latest information.
The digital channel, My Community Directory, features important up-to-date information on community organisations that provide services in the Newcastle local government area, and can be searched by location, services category or keyword.

Refreshed daily, the directory makes it easier for residents to carry out the previously complex and time-consuming task of finding the most appropriate service.
City of Newcastle has been working with local community services to list important service information, as well as any events or volunteering opportunities.
The directory includes 28 services categories including Crisis and Emergency Services to Community Clubs and Interest Groups, Ageing Services, Disability Services, Self Help and Education.
Another feature is a downloadable Newcastle Homelessness Directory, created by Hunter Homeless Connect with $10,000 support from City of Newcastle’s Boost Our City grant as part of its COVID-19 response package.
City of Newcastle officially launched My Community Directory today as part of the NSW Seniors Festival event hosted by Hunter Multicultural Communities.

A police officer has been injured when he was struck by a trail bike during a pursuit in the Hunter this evening.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District had initiated a pursuit of the trail bike rider shortly before 7pm (Wednesday 14 April 2021), on the New England Highway at Maitland.
The officer was on foot when he was struck by the trail bike and has suffered serious leg fractures, as well as suspected arm, head, pelvic and spinal injuries.
The male constable has been airlifted to John Hunter Hospital where his condition is reported to be serious but stable.
The trail bike rider – a man believed to be aged in his 20s – has been arrested and taken to John Hunter Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He remains there under police guard.
Officers attached to the Crash Investigation Unit (CIU) are now inquiring into circumstances surrounding this incident.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

A man will appear in court tomorrow charged over an alleged armed robbery in the Lake Macquarie region last week.
Just after 7.30am on Wednesday 7 April 2021, a man entered a grocery store on Cowlishaw Street, Redhead, and approached the counter.
Police will allege the man threatened an employee with a knife, before stealing cigarettes and running away.
No one was physically injured during the incident.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation.
Following inquiries, police arrested an 18-year-old man at a home at Windale about 2pm today (Monday 12 April 2021).
He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with robbery armed with offensive weapon.
The Windale man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Tuesday 13 April 2021).