Category: Newcastle News

Police are investigating following a serious assault in Maitland overnight.
About 10.40pm (Wednesday 31 March 2021), officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to Anne Street, East Maitland, after reports a man had been found lying in the middle of the road.
Upon arrival, police located a 51-year-old man with serious injuries to his head, face and back.
He was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
Police established a crime scene and have commenced an investigation into how the man sustained his injuries.
As inquiries continue, police are urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious between 9pm and 10.40pm in the nearby area or that may have CCTV or dashcam footage to contact Maitland Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police remain at the scene of a suspected hit and run in Newcastle this morning.
About 5.45am (Thursday 1 April 2021), emergency services were called to Douglas Street, Wallsend, after reports a motorcyclist had been knocked from his bike.
The rider – a man aged in his late teens – was assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital; he is reportedly in a serious condition.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and police from the Crash Investigation Unit have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
As inquiries continue, police are appealing for members of the public to keep a look out for a black SUV vehicle with significant damage to the front driver’s side of the vehicle.
Anyone who may have seen the vehicle or who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact police.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on a revocation of parole warrant.
Kalib Toko, aged 21, is wanted on a revocation of parole warrant for an assault offence.
Officers attached to the Northern Region have commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
He is described as being of Pacific Islander appearance, between 190cm to 195cm tall, with a medium build, brown hair and brown eyes.
He is known to frequent Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast and Western Sydney.
Anyone who sees Kalib or knows of his whereabouts is urged not to approach him but call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

The services and facilities required in 2040 are being explored as City of Newcastle prepares a new Community Strategic Plan on behalf of the community.
The new Community Strategic Plan, Newcastle 2040, is the city’s contract between the community and City of Newcastle. It is important that residents, ratepayers, businesses and community groups from across Newcastle work with the City in planning for the next decade and beyond.
Over the coming months, the City will lead face-to-face and online engagement asking the community to consider what they want Newcastle to look like in 2040.
Newcastle 2040 will be used by the City to develop its investment priorities, whether it be how much to spend building footpaths through to the types of festivals the City hosts and attracts.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said that Newcastle 2040 will reflect the community’s values and will guide the City’s project delivery plans and annual budgets.
“Now is the time for the community to have their say in developing a blueprint for the future of our city,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Everyone is encouraged to give feedback, from large and small business operators, not-for-profit organisations, parents, newly arrived citizens and university students.
“While City of Newcastle takes the lead role in driving the city towards our shared vision, we all play a part in making Newcastle a place we love now and into the future.
“It’s important that we hear from as many people as possible from all areas of Newcastle so that the priorities we identify match the future everyone in our community wants.
“Newcastle 2040 will define the community’s vision for Newcastle and we’ll look to it for everything we deliver, at every stage, from planning through to investment.”
The City’s current Community Strategic Plan, Newcastle 2030, was developed in 2010, a time when the iPhone 4 was the latest technology, and Eminem was on the top of Australia’s music charts. A lot has changed and there are new and emerging megatrends that must be considered.
City of Newcastle looks forward to listening and learning from the community and have already received ideas from school students at Callaghan College Waratah.
Engagement opportunities will be hosted in a range of locations over the coming months including various community events and throughout Youth Week (16-24 April).
To stay up-to-date with opportunities for community feedback, visit City of Newcastle’s Have Your Say page, and share your ideas on the digital vision wall.

Newcastle’s identity as a cycling friendly city continues to evolve with construction scheduled to commence mid-year on a cycling path along Hunter Street in the city’s west end.
The construction is in addition to the new cycleway bypass at Queens Wharf which was also funded by NSW Government’s Streets as Shared Spaces initiative.

The Hunter Street West End Cycleway received $525,000 and will trial a range of features between National Park Street and Worth Place, including two single direction cycleways which will be considered as an option in the City Centre Revitalisation West End Stage Two development.
The Hunter Street West End Cycleway follows the successful completion of the Queens Wharf Cycleway Bypass last month, which received $100,000 in funding from the program and provides cyclists with a safe 3m wide shared pathway one block behind the high-traffic main street to provide safe access through the area.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said funding support for projects like these allows cycling to play an important role within Newcastle’s transport mix.
“Cycling is a genuine transport option for families, commuters and recreational users, which is why expansion and improvement of the cycleway network is essential and why it stands as one of the City’s priority projects.
“The Streets as Shared Spaces initiative has allowed us to trial a solution that makes it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to get around the Queens Wharf precinct and the Hunter Street cycleway trial will provide connections to several key north and south links, which will enhance Newcastle’s inner-city cycleway network.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said he was glad to see new cycleway infrastructure in Newcastle.
“Active transport is something I am passionate about and it’s wonderful to see City of Newcastle using our Streets as Shared Spaces funding to create these types of public spaces,” Mr Stokes said.
“The $15 million Streets as Shared Spaces program was designed to enable the creation of safe and enjoyable public spaces in the wake of the pandemic and will make a positive difference to our cities and suburbs for years to come.”
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said quality cycling and transport infrastructure would benefit residents and visitors to Newcastle.
“Creating safer ways for cyclists to get around our city will ensure that people who want to use active transport are able to,” Mr Martin said.
The Streets as Shared Spaces initiative has provided funding to 48 projects across the state and encourages new and improved pedestrian and active transport links.
Works on the Hunter Street West End Cycleway trial are scheduled to start in mid-2021 and take several months to complete. To follow its progress visit our Works page.

A man missing from Newcastle has been located safe and well tonight.
The 71-year-old man had not been seen since about 5.30pm today (Wednesday 31 March 2021), when he was observed walking west on Wharf Road, Newcastle.
Following inquiries from Newcastle City Police District, the man was found safe and well on Darby Street at about 9.30pm.
Police would like to thank the community and the media for their assistance.

A ‘live site’ for the community to soak up the festival atmosphere of the World Surf League (WSL)’s Newcastle Cup has been created at The Station.
Thousands of spectators are expected to descend on Merewether Beach each day to watch the world’s best 52 pro-surfers face off from this Thursday.

For those who can’t get beachside for the action at Merewether, City of Newcastle is creating a live Newcastle Cup hub with big screen projection of the live action taking place on Merewether Beach, complete with food trucks and live entertainment.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the live site will be a family-friendly way for locals to enjoy the festival atmosphere brought through the Championship Tour event.
“The anticipation for WSL’s Newcastle Cup is building with vision of superstars like Carissa Moore, Gabriel Medina and Italo Ferreria sampling the swell off Merewether and Dixon Park beaches last week being shared all over social media,” the Lord Mayor said.
“WSL has had a huge response to its free ticket ballot being run through Ticketek, and it’s looking like each surfing day will be at capacity at the Merewether Beach event precinct.
“City of Newcastle’s live site will be the place to catch the action for anyone who missed out on tickets or simply looking for a fun, family-friendly atmosphere to watch the surfing while having a drink and a bite to eat.
“With Job Keeper ending this week, the Newcastle Cup is expected to deliver a timely $15 million-plus injection into our region’s economy, with many businesses still on the road to economic recovery following COVID-19 disruptions.
“Already, the event is proving to be a major economic driver with our city’s hotels bursting over the next two-week period, some at 100% occupancy, accommodating the influx of WSL competitors, media representatives, event officials and fans.
“We look forward to welcoming athletes and avid surfing fans to Newcastle and encourage locals to join in the atmosphere and excitement of the Newcastle Cup at The Station.”
Visit City of Newcastle’s new What’s ON website to discover what else is happening across Newcastle during an ‘Action-Packed April’ in the city.
City of Newcastle, in partnership with the NSW Government through tourism and major events agency Destination NSW secured Merewether Beach as the first Australian stop on the World Surf League’s revamped 2021 Championship Tour.

City of Newcastle has delivered its $2 million upgrade of Llewellyn Street, Merewether ahead of schedule and to budget, creating a safe, attractive space for the community to shop and enjoy.
The upgrade includes new street furniture and landscaping, alongside a range of pedestrian safety improvements including three new raised crossings, kerb extensions to reduce road crossing distances and upgraded footpaths.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the project has made the area more accessible for people and has addressed safety and flooding issues along Llewellyn Street.
“This upgrade has completely revitalised this precinct and the improvements will benefit both the businesses and the community now and long into the future,” Cr Nelmes said.
“A highlight is the upgraded space at Dent Street which features new street furniture and an open space for locals and visitors to gather and enjoy a bite to eat and a coffee from the nearby café.”
Councillor Carol Duncan said the project has brought vibrancy and a sense of community to the small precinct.
“I’m really glad the project is now complete as it’s going to benefit a wide range of people. This was a streetscape in need of some love and it’s great to see what City of Newcastle crews have been able to deliver.”
Local business owner Kurt Banks said the upgrades have revitalised the space outside his café, Cuppa Joe’s, and significantly increased the appeal of outdoor dining for his patrons.
“This upgrade is good for the community and businesses and we are looking forward to the positives the new outdoor seating and upgraded footpaths will bring. Both will be great in getting more people to the space and increasing trade.”
The Llewellyn Street upgrade was delivered under the City’s Local Centres program, which is delivering upgrades to suburban centres across the local government area including the recently completed upgrade at Joslin Street, Kotara, the upgrade underway at Mitchell Street, Stockton, and upgrades due for delivery later this year at Shortland and at James Street Plaza, Hamilton.
To find out more about the Local Centres program visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/localcentres

The 12-year-old boy who was missing in the Muswellbrook area has been found.
He is safe and well and has been reunited with his parents.
Thanks to the community for their assistance.

Police are appealing for assistance from the community to locate a boy missing from the Hunter Valley area.
Colin Ghananburgh, aged 12, was last seen playing at a park on Wollombi Road, Muswellbrook, about 4.30pm yesterday (Saturday 27 March 2021).
After he failed to return home last night, officers from Hunter Valley Police District were contacted and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Despite extensive searches of the local area and speaking with known friends, Colin has not been located.
Colin is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 150cm tall, with a solid build, and brown hair and brown eyes.
He was wearing a brown ‘Stash House’ singlet, green shorts and black Nike sneakers, and had been riding around on a black Nitro Circus scooter.
Anyone who sees Colin is urged to contact police immediately, otherwise, information about his whereabouts can be provided to Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.