Category: Newcastle News

A spearfisherman has re-united with the officers who saved him from the ocean after being separated from his boat and circled by a bull shark in Port Stephens.
On Saturday 26 December 2020, Matty Smith was spearfishing off his boat with a friend near Broughton Island, Port Stephens, when they surfaced to find the boat missing.
After experiencing an engine problem, the boat drifted from the spearfishermen before the skipper on board – a friend of the pair – let off a flare.
Senior constables Glen Young and Nick Leach from the Port Stephens Marine Area Command found the boat and picked up the skipper before commencing a search for the stranded spearfishermen.
Senior Constable Nick Leach said they were searching for the men in difficult conditions.
“The wind had got up so there were whitecaps on the water, so finding a couple of divers in the water was pretty hard, like finding a needle in a haystack. They’re dressed in camouflage gear,” said Senior Constable Leach.
The men, aged 36 and 28, were attempting to swim about five kilometres to shore and had been circled by a bull shark before being found by police about 4.25pm.
“I looked up and saw the red and blue lights and the relief and gratitude I had then. I thought I need to get on that boat, especially after seeing the shark,” said Matty Smith.
“Had the officers not arrived, the thoughts I was having were either: with it being dusk and the sun going down, potentially a shark attack or probably one of us potentially drowning,” he said.
Senior Constable Glen Young said it was lucky they found the men when they did.
“They were quite exhausted when they got on the boat. I think they only would have had another hour in the water before they maybe would have possibly drowned,” said Senior Constable Young.

Building on six years of stable and consistent progressive Budgets that have protected services and local jobs while ensuring long-term financial sustainability, City of Newcastle is forecasting a $23.5 million turnaround in its financial performance just 12 months on from the peak of the economic impact caused by COVID-19.
The draft Budget forecasts a $1.2 million surplus over the next year, while still delivering a near record $90.4 million infrastructure program that includes the restoration of the Newcastle Ocean Baths, the revitalisation of the Wallsend Town Centre, a commercial standard organics facility to recycle residential food waste and the continued delivery of the Bathers Way project from Merewether to Nobbys Beach.
Importantly, the accompanying Long Term Financial Plan indicates that the Budget will remain in surplus for the next 10 years at least, allowing the City to continue to support existing services and invest in new and upgraded infrastructure.
The $330 million Budget, which outlines the City’s planned actions for 2021/22, will be tabled at Tuesday’s council meeting, with Councillors voting to place it on public exhibition for community feedback for four weeks from 26 March.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the draft Budget has been carefully balanced to allow the City to continue supporting the community’s recovery from COVID-19 while also providing the services and infrastructure needed to support the economic and population growth of the city.
“During COVID-19, Council made brave decisions to provide financial relief and support for vulnerable groups and business, and to expand existing services, while increasing investment in projects to stimulate the local economy and support jobs,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Those efforts allowed us to deliver a $5.5 million Community Economic and Resilience Package in March last year, weeks before either the NSW or Federal Governments were in a position to respond with support programs and stimulus measures.
“These crucial decisions were only possible due to our strong financial sustainability, a legacy of six consecutive surplus Budgets prior to COVID-19 sending the national economy into recession last March.
“This year, we will spend $330 million in what is a commitment to deliver services and infrastructure that support our city and natural environment as an inclusive and sustainable place to live and work, now and into the future.
“Investment in services across the city is a key priority under the Budget, with $13.7 million for upgrades to local roads, bridges and footpaths and $9.1 million for new and improved parks, playgrounds, sporting and aquatic facilities including the much anticipated Wallsend active hub.
“The City will continue to upgrade local town centres, with $8.1 million marked for projects including the Wallsend CBD and along Orchardtown Road in New Lambton.
“A strong focus on environmental sustainability will see $10.5 million allocated to a range of projects including $2 million for Stockton Beach sand renourishment to protect property and maintain beach amenity, while the NSW Government continues to test the quality of sand mined offshore for the purpose of rebuilding Stockton Beach.”
Other highlights of the 2021/22 budget include:

• $11 million for waste management, including $8 million for the construction of an organics facility to compost food and green waste to reduce the city’s environmental footprint
• $7.7 million on stormwater upgrades to address flooding to property and businesses
• $5 million for transport initiatives including $1.5m on cycleways and $3.1 million on local traffic management and pedestrian safety and access
• $5 million for initiatives to mitigate economic and social impacts of climate change
• $4.3 million on strategic projects including $2.4 million on Smart Cities and $1.1 million to improve customer experience
• $4 million on the Newcastle Ocean Baths Upgrade Project
• $3.3 million towards the expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery
• $2.2 million on Bathers Way
• $1.5 million for street and park trees to address urban heat island impacts.

The City’s draft 2021/22 Budget delivers on a promise by CEO Jeremy Bath to Councillors this time last year that the City’s financial foundations were strong and that the Budget would return to a small surplus the following year.
Mr Bath said the $23.5 million turnaround in the Council’s financial position has been achieved despite an expectation that COVID-19 will continue to cost it many millions of dollars in lost revenue from the impact on domestic flights from Newcastle Airport, in reduced demand for venue hire at the City Hall, and through the significant reduction in interest rates available to its investments.
“Prudent and progressive economic management and our record of financial sustainability has played a significant role in our recovery from COVID-19,” Mr Bath said.
“A key focus of the 2021/22 Budget is to continue on this path of financial sustainability, deliver the many essential services expected of local government and invest $90.4 million in projects to improve the livelihood and wellbeing of our city.
“We know our city and community is not yet completely out of the woods when it comes to the economic impact of COVID-19. That’s why we have made a conscious decision to push our capital works program as hard as is possible this year and next, knowing that the economic return on our $90 million infrastructure program will be hundreds of local jobs.
“When I commenced with City of Newcastle, I made a promise to myself that we would find the money to restore the Newcastle Ocean Baths. With the support of the Lord Mayor and Councillors, this budget is the first in more than 50 years to allocate significant funding to restoring our iconic baths. Simply, the community has waited long enough.
“Similarly, we have allocated $3.3 million towards early works associated with the expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery. Again, the Council has unanimously backed the decision to commit ratepayers’ funds to what is the most valuable art collection anywhere in regional Australia.
“We continue to speak with both the NSW and Federal Governments on addressing the $10 million funding gap that exists to allow the Gallery to be expanded over the next two years. This $3.3 million commitment to the early works of the expansion means when that final $10 million grant is secured, we are ready to close the doors and start building.”

Two men have been charged over the alleged supply of prohibited drugs in Newcastle.
In January 2021, officers attached to the Hunter Region Enforcement Squad commenced Strike Force Wrack to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs – mainly methylamphetamine – from a barber shop in Kotara.
Following extensive inquiries, police attended a store in Kotara about 4.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 17 March 2021), and arrested a 38-year-old man.
A crime scene was established and officers located $5,000 cash within a drawer inside the store.
Police also stopped a 51-year-old man nearby where he was searched and officers allegedly located methylamphetamine.
Officers later executed a search warrant at a unit on Newcastle Beach where they located and seized methylamphetamine.
Both men were taken to Newcastle Police Station, where the younger man was charged with supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, supply commercial quantity prohibited drug and deal with the proceeds of crime, while the older man was charged with supply indictable quantity and supply commercial quantity prohibited drug.
They were both refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 18 March 2021).
As inquiries continue, police executed another search warrant at a Blue Haven property today, where officers seized cannabis, steroids and cash.
Investigations under Strike Force Wrack are ongoing.

Two men will appear in court today charged over the alleged stabbing of a man in the state’s Hunter Region earlier this month.
About 1.50am on Friday 5 March 2021, emergency services were called to a home on Shalistan Street, Cliftleigh, about 20km north-east of Cessnock, following reports two men had been stabbed during a physical altercation.
On arrival, police found a 23-year-old man with stab wounds to his chest and head.
The man was treated at the scene before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, he has since been released.
A short time later, police were notified after a 27-year-old man attended Maitland Hospital suffering stab wounds to his chest and neck.
He was later taken to John Hunter Hospital and has since been released.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District established Strike Force Abapo to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following extensive inquiries, about 1.30pm yesterday (Thursday 18 March 2021), strike force detectives attended a home on Shalistan Street and arrested two men – aged 23 and 66.
Both men were taken to Cessnock Police Station, where the younger man was charged with attempted murder and wound with intent to murder.
The older man was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company and accessory after the face to attempted murder.
Both men were refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court today (Friday 19 March 2021).

Detectives investigating the alleged sexual assault of a young girl near Port Stephens over two years ago have released a COMFIT image of a man they believe can assist with their inquiries.
In December last year, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a young girl had been sexually assaulted by an unknown man at Nelson Bay last year.
Investigators have been told the girl – then aged 11 – was at Dutchmans Beach Reserve when she was approached by an unknown man, before being taken to nearby bushes and sexually assaulted.
The incident is believed to have occurred between 11am to late afternoon on Sunday 27 January
2019.
As investigations continue, detectives have renewed their appeal for information and released a COMFIT image of a man who may be able to assist with ongoing inquiries.
The man depicted in the COMFIT image is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, aged in his 60s or 70s, with an olive complexion, grey hair and a moustache.
He is believed to have been wearing a black t-shirt at the time of the alleged assault.
Anyone who has information about the incident is urged to come forward immediately.
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and serious cases of neglect.
Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
 

Thousands of sports fans will descend on Newcastle this weekend as the city plays host to two major national events, offering a taste of what is to come during an action-packed April.
The harbour will become a hive of activity from Saturday when the Sailing Champions League Asia Pacific brings its qualifying regatta to Newcastle for the first time, with some of the country’s best sailors battling it out over two days of fast-paced action on the water.

Football fans in their thousands will converge on Newcastle when McDonald Jones Stadium hosts a historic A-league double-header on Sunday, with Wellington Phoenix clashing with Brisbane Roar before hometown heroes the Newcastle Jets take to the pitch against heavyweights Adelaide United.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the bumper weekend was just the beginning of what was to come over the next month, providing the city with world class events and generating a welcome economic boost for the city’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
“Newcastle has well and truly become your events city with an action-packed schedule, supported by the City of Newcastle, set to create a buzz across the region throughout the next month,” Cr Nelmes said.
“From all the action of the historic A-League double-header, to the excitement of welcoming the world’s best surfers back to Newcastle for the Rip Curl Newcastle Cup, there will be plenty to keep sports fans entertained, while a host of food festivals are sure to entice and provide a range of diverse culinary options.
“Events and festivals are providing a welcome economic boost for businesses still recovering from the impacts of COVID-19, while also creating an invaluable opportunity to showcase our city’s broader attractions to the visitors on the ground and those watching the televised events across Australia and around the world.”
The schedule kicks off this weekend with elite-level sailing and football, with both events delivered with the support of City of Newcastle’s event sponsorship programs. The Sailing Champions League will return in April for a finals series as part of SailFest on April 10 -11, adding another world class event to the schedule of the Newcastle Regatta.
Sporting stamina will be put to the test for a good cause when the Tour De Cure charity ride for cancer research powers out of Newcastle on 26 March for the 800km journey to Coffs Harbour.
The action-packed April begins with the world’s highest ranked surfers taking to the waves at Merewether Beach to kick off the Australian leg of the World Surf League’s Championship Tour, across an 11-day period from 1 April.
Newcastle Food Month will be cooking up a storm from 1 April, with local chefs, eateries and producers dishing up more than 30 feature lunches, tastings and masterclasses, three festivals and a world-renowned dining experience, Le Dîner en Blanc, during the month-long menu of culinary celebrations.
SailFest, Woman’s University Rugby 7s and Newcastle’s annual running festival, NewRun, will pick up the pace from the middle of April with more sporting spectacles to enjoy from the sidelines or as part of the action. Later that month the next generation of sports stars will put their skills to the test in the second half of the month at the Hunter Academy of Sport Your Local Club Academy Games.
To keep up to date with what’s on every month across the city, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/whatson
Upcoming City of Newcastle sponsored events

• Sailing Champions League Asia Pacific qualifying regatta, 20-21 March, Newcastle Harbour
• A-League double-header, Wellington Phoenix vs Brisbane Roar (4pm), Newcastle Jets vs Adelaide United (6.40pm), 21 March, McDonald Jones Stadium
• Tour De Cure charity ride, 26 March, setting off from Newcastle to Coffs Harbour
• Rip Curl Newcastle Cup, World Surf League Championship Tour event, 1-11 April, Merewether Beach
• Newcastle Food Month, 1-30 April, more than 30 events at various locations
• SailFest Newcastle Regatta and Sailing Champions League finals series, 10-11 April, Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, Newcastle Harbour
• Newcastle Seafood Festival, 10-11 April, Throsby Creek Precincts and Surrounds
• AON Woman’s University Rugby 7s, 10-11 April, No.2 Sportsground Newcastle
• NewRun Newcastle Festival of Running, 11 April, Newcastle Foreshore

Hunter Academy of Sport – Regional Academy Games, 16-18 April, various locations

City of Newcastle’s timely and targeted response to COVID-19 has been praised as best practice crisis leadership delivering clear and measurable benefits to the community and local business.
An independent assessment by the Hunter Research Foundation (HRF) Centre at the University of Newcastle the City “acted quickly and decisively” in developing its Community and Economic Resilience Package (CERP), which was announced on 20 March last year, almost two weeks before NSW went into lockdown.
The $5.5 million package was unanimously endorsed by Councillors on 24 March, a week before the Federal Government announced its own rescue package for workers with the JobKeeper program.
Commissioned by the City of Newcastle, the HRF Centre report said the “well-rounded” nature of the package was one of its key strengths, giving careful consideration to those most likely to be affected by the pandemic including vulnerable populations, the unemployed and small business.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said she was proud of the way the City responded to what was the single largest social and economic crisis since World War Two.
Since adopting the initial support package, City of Newcastle has continued to invest significantly to assist the community’s recovery from COVID-19, with an additional $2.5 million added to a second phase of the CERP. The City pivoted a range of existing programs, grants and sponsorships to best serve the most vulnerable populations affected by COVID-19, while events such as New Annual provided a significant economic boost for the local arts sector and the community.
“Newcastle has a history of pulling together when faced with challenges, from the 1989 earthquake and closure of BHP to the devastation of the Pasha Bulker storms in 2007,” Cr Nelmes said.
“When the threat of COVID-19 began to take shape early last year, we very quickly considered how we could deliver social, economic and well-being outcomes that would support our community through the unknown impacts that were still to come
“It was important to give our community confidence that City of Newcastle was stepping up and leaning in at a time when there was so much social and economic disruption.
“The outstanding efforts of City of Newcastle staff meant that with early planning and quick mobilisation of resources, we were able to put together a meaningful package of actions that could be implemented swiftly to help those who needed it most.”
The CERP included 10 programs across a range of financial relief, business and community support:

• Rapid Response Grants provided urgent funds to assist local organisations servicing the most vulnerable community members with $172,466 for food, care packages and counselling.
• Boost Our City Community Grants provided 32 organisations with $512,172 to assist with increased demand for services including scaling food preparation and distribution, technology assistance for vulnerable communities and increased counselling.
• Rent Relief Program provided $732,000 in rent reductions for 60 local businesses and community organisations.
• Financial Hardship Program provided $1.25M in financial relief to 761 ratepayers.
• Lean in Newy enabled 2,349 members of the community to provide ‘acts of kindness’, with 60 businesses financially benefiting from rewards earned by participants.
• Online training programs provided 149 residents with access to tailored training packages during a time when businesses were unable to operate.

Cr Nelmes said the CERP was the catalyst for calling on 17 city leaders from business, industry, creative arts, social services and government to come together as the City Taskforce.
Meeting monthly to identify critical local issues, the Taskforce developed both immediate interventions as well as detailed analysis shared with State and Federal Government on the local impacts and opportunities for Government to provide meaningful and focused support.
The Taskforce demonstrated how City of Newcastle could provide community leadership by collaborating with institutions and service providers to help them do what they do best for the benefit of the community.
This included $500,000 in targeted support for the hardest-hit industries through the Industry Response Program, as well as the establishment of the Greater Newcastle Youth Employment Charter that provided a symbolic and tangible way for business to signal to our youth, the group most impacted by COVID-19, that we had their backs.
Dr Anthea Bill, HRF Centre Lead Economist and co-author of the report, said the City was an early mover, designing and presenting to Council executive almost two weeks before NSW went into lockdown.
“The approach was two-pronged: broad support for Newcastle residents generally, and targeted support, which anticipated larger impacts for particular parts of the community,” Dr Bill said.
“Targeted support included the City’s rapid roll-out of community grants to assist organisations helping those in urgent need. Feedback from the evaluation shows this enabled select not-for-profits to better meet the needs of their clients during the early-phase of the pandemic.”
Cr Nelmes said the legacy impacts from COVID are real and that the City was continuing to support the economic recovery and growth across the community, with the Economic Development Strategy, currently on public exhibition, outlining 68 actions to support local people and business.
A copy of the HRF Centre can be accessed online via the City of Newcastle website.

Formalising a long-standing relationship, City of Newcastle has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fort Scratchley Historical Society (FSHS) Incorporated, in a shared commitment to uphold the significant military history and cultural importance of Newcastle’s iconic Fort.
The MoU was signed today by Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and FSHS President Frank Carter in the presence of Newcastle Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz, who represents City of Newcastle on the FSHS Committee.

The MoU sets out to guide the joint partners on how they will work together to uphold Fort Scratchley as a treasured part of Newcastle’s military history as well as being an important city tourist attraction.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the City looked forward to continuing to build on the momentum established over the years with FSHS, in a new shared commitment to jointly uphold the cultural significance of the landmark site to the benefit of the community.
“Fort Scratchley is consistently recognised as one of Newcastle’s premier cultural tourist destinations,” Cr Nelmes said.
“It is important that both the community and visitors can experience one of Newcastle’s most iconic landmarks for generations to come and learn all about the role the Fort has played in our city’s military history.
“City of Newcastle will continue to play a significant role in providing FSHS with financial, promotional and management support in their work toward advocating for one of our City’s most iconic attractions.”
Newcastle Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz, who represents City of Newcastle on the FSHS Committee, said she was delighted to witness the signing of the MoU and to formalise the long-standing relationship.
“Both parties acknowledge the significant historical and cultural importance of Fort Scratchley, and the signing today formally recognises the important work undertaken by the FSHS and its dedicated volunteers,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.
“FSHS are passionate volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the Fort’s museum rooms and offer the community guided tours, conduct tunnel tours, and fire the historic guns each day.
“City of Newcastle’s shared commitment with FSHS to uphold the Fort’s cultural significance will ensure it is preserved for future generations to experience.”

A man will face court next month charged over a serious crash in Lake Macquarie last year.
About 9.15pm on Monday 19 October 2020, emergency services were called to Bareki Road, Eleebana, following reports a Honda Civic travelling north and a Ford Mondeo travelling south collided at the intersection of Eleebana Road.
The driver of the Honda – a 46-year-old man from Abermain – was trapped for a short time before being taken to John Hunter Hospital with serious internal injuries; he has since been released from hospital.
Two children in the Ford – aged five and six-weeks-old – suffered serious head injuries and were taken to John Hunter Hospital. They have since been released from hospital.
The male driver of the Ford, aged 36, and his female passenger, aged 31, were uninjured during the crash.
Officers attached to the Hunter Crash Investigation Unit commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Following extensive inquiries, police attended a home on Cessnock Road, Abermain, and spoke with a 46-year-old man.
He was issued with a future court attendance notice for the following offences:

• Dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – drive manner dangerous
• Cause bodily harm by misconduct in charge of motor vehicle (x2)
• Negligent driving (occasioning grievous bodily harm)
• Negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm)
• Drive vehicle illicit drug present in blood
• Not keep left of dividing line-not class B/C vehicle

He is due to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 21 April 2021.

Two people have been charged over the fatal stabbing of a man in Broadmeadow earlier this month.
About 8.20pm on Sunday 7 March 2021, 56-year-old Christopher Ward suffered a critical stab wound to his stomach.
He was taken to John Hunter Hospital, where later died on Tuesday 9 March 2021.
Detectives from Newcastle City Police District, with assistance from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, established Strike Force Mailey to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested a 46-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman at Honeysuckle Drive, Honeysuckle, about 3pm today (Tuesday 16 March 2021).
The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with murder.
The woman was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
Police will allege in court that the 56-year-old man was fatally stabbed during an altercation with the younger man at a Broadmeadow home earlier this month.
The pair were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 17 March 2021).
All three people were known to each other.