Category: Newcastle News

Police are appealing for public assistance as they continue to investigate the fatal stabbing of a man in Newcastle last week.
About 8.20pm on Sunday (7 March 2021), a man attended a home on Broadmeadow Road, Broadmeadow, where the female occupant observed a stab wound to his stomach.
The woman and a neighbour rendered assistance prior to the arrival of emergency services.
He was taken to John Hunter Hospital where later died on Tuesday (9 March 2021).
The man has since been identified as 56-year-old Christopher Ward.
As inquiries continue, police are now treating the death as a homicide.
Detectives from Newcastle City Police District have established Strike Force Mailey to investigate the circumstances surrounding Chris’ death and are being assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.
Anyone who may have seen or heard anything in the nearby area between 7pm and 8.30pm or who may have dashcam footage from the nearby Nineways Broadmeadow vicinity between these times is urged to contact Newcastle Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Investigations are ongoing.

The surge in people continuing to work from home following last year’s COVID-19 restrictions has generated an extra 850 garbage trucks of waste since July last year.
A review of the rubbish collected by City of Newcastle shows total general waste (red lid bins) tonnage has jumped by more than 8 per cent, while recyclable waste (yellow bin) is up 2 per cent and green waste collections 21 per cent.
Kerbside bulk waste collections have also risen by 3 per cent. This follows a 19 per cent spike in 2019/20, when Newcastle first went into lockdown to combat the spread of COVID-19.
The increase in people working from home as well as surging food home deliveries has generated almost 37,000 tonnes of domestic, bulk and green waste this financial year. This is an increase of more than 5,000 tonnes, or around 850 trucks loads, compared to the same period last year.
City of Newcastle Waste Manager Troy Uren said an increase in time spent at home during the pandemic and the restrictions around dining out had caused the huge increase in domestic waste. Analysis of the figures show there was no significant change in the tonnage of commercial waste taken to the Summerhill Waste Management Centre over the same period.
“12 March will mark one year since the official declaration of the coronavirus pandemic. The lockdowns and restrictions driven by COVID-19 have affected every aspect of our lives, including the amount of time spent at home during the work week and on weekends, as well as our shopping behaviours and food consumption patterns,” Mr Uren said.
“A report by Infrastructure Australia has confirmed that domestic waste volumes have increased nationally by 20%, the largest single year rise ever. The report highlights soaring food waste levels and sizeable increases in paper and plastic packaging waste on the back of panic buying, takeaway food deliveries and increased online shopping. Single-use product waste has also risen as a direct result of COVID-19.”
Research published earlier this year forecasts a continuing explosion in home delivered food over the coming years. By 2024, the number of deliveries is projected to increase to 65 million from 27 million two years ago.
Bulk waste levels have also jumped as community members have used the lockdown periods to undertake clean-ups and carry out DIY projects around their homes, while green waste tonnages recorded a dramatic increase as a break in drought conditions and increased rain periods created ideal growing conditions.

A man will face court today following a police pursuit and crash in the Hunter Valley yesterday.
Shortly before 7am (Thursday 11 March 2021), officers received reports regarding a white Holden Commodore travelling north on the New England Highway, allegedly being driven in a dangerous manner and crossing onto the incorrect side of the road.
Police attached to the Newcastle-Hunter Traffic & Highway Patrol located the vehicle and initiated a pursuit, about 5km north of the Liddell Power Station.
A short time later, the Commodore allegedly lost control and collided with a B-Double truck travelling southbound.
The driver of the truck – a 28-year-old man – was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for minor injuries.
The 30-year-old male driver of the Commodore suffered minor injuries and was taken to Muswellbrook Hospital for mandatory testing.
The older man was later charged with nine offences, including drive while licence suspended, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle) and possess prohibited drug.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 12 March 2021).
Inquiries are continuing into the incident.

Police will address the media this afternoon to appeal for public assistance as they continue to investigate the fatal stabbing of a man in Newcastle last week.
About 8.20pm on Sunday (7 March 2021), a 56-year-old man attended a home on Broadmeadow Road, Broadmeadow, where the female occupant observed a stab wound to his stomach.
The woman and a neighbour rendered assistance prior to the arrival of emergency services.
He was taken to John Hunter Hospital where later died on Tuesday (9 March 2021).

A $3.3 million facelift to Stockton’s Mitchell Street is underway with new footpaths, landscaping, street furniture, increased shade and improved pedestrian and cyclist safety set to be delivered as part of the City’s Local Centres program.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said that upgrading Stockton’s main street will provide a range of benefits for locals and visitors.
“I’m pleased to see our teams commence work on this important upgrade which will create a safer, and more vibrant public space for the Stockton community to enjoy for generations to come,” Cr Nelmes said.
“The feedback from the community highlighted the need for improved spaces to shop, dine, and meet with friends.
“The Mitchell Street upgrade will include significant drainage improvements, new footpaths and street furniture, landscaping, raingardens, 40 new street trees and a reduction in speed limit to 40 km/hr to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.
“In a nod to Stockton’s character and heritage, sandstone from existing kerbs will be retained and reused to frame garden beds and raingardens at three key intersections along Mitchell Street.”
City of Newcastle is delivering the Mitchell Street upgrade as part of its record capital works program designed to support the local economy in response to COVID-19.
The upgrade is one of 26 projects valued at more than $17 million delivered in Stockton over the past five years, including coastal protection works and the much-loved Stockton Active Hub.
The City’s Local Centres program is delivering upgrades to suburban centres across the local government area including those nearing completion at Llewellyn Street, Merewether and Joslin Street, Kotara.
This adds to earlier upgrades completed at Carrington and Beresfield and upgrades due for delivery later this year at Shortland and at James Street Plaza, Hamilton.

An investigation is underway after a man was wounded in a public place shooting in the state’s Hunter Region overnight.
About 10.45pm (Tuesday 9 March 2021), emergency services were called to a property on Golden Whistler Avenue, Aberglasslyn, following reports of a shot fired.
Police have been told a 34-year-old man was outside the home when he became involved in an altercation with three males and was shot in the abdomen.
The males were seen fleeing the scene in a white Mitsubishi Magna which was later located on fire in Railway Parade, Telarah.
The injured man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics and taken to Maitland Hospital before being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Inquiries are continuing.

A man has been arrested following a police pursuit in the Hunter Valley this morning.
Shortly before 7am (Thursday 11 March 2021), officers received reports regarding a white Holden Commodore travelling north on the New England Highway, allegedly being driven in a dangerous manner and crossing onto the incorrect side of the road.
Police attached to the Newcastle-Hunter Traffic & Highway Patrol located the vehicle and initiated a pursuit, about 5km north of the Liddell Power Station.
A short time later, the Commodore allegedly lost control and collided with a B-Double truck travelling southbound.
The 30-year-old male driver of the Commodore suffered minor injuries and has been taken to Muswellbrook Hospital under police guard for mandatory testing.
The driver of the truck – a 28-year-old man – was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for minor injuries.
The New England Highway has just been reopened, however heavy traffic remains – for the latest traffic information visit www.livetraffic.com.
Inquiries are continuing.

A passenger has been seriously injured and police are searching for the driver after a single-vehicle crash near Cessnock.
About 1.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 9 March 2021), a blue Ford Falcon was travelling east on Abernethy Street, Abernethy, about 7km south-east of Cessnock, when the vehicle left the road and hit a tree stump.
A 28-year-old male front seat passenger was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.
Police have been told the driver fled the scene without rendering assistance prior to the arrival of emergency services.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene, with the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit commencing an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

A man has died in hospital after he was located with a stab wound in Newcastle at the weekend.
About 8.20pm on Sunday (7 March 2021), a 56-year-old man attended a home on Broadmeadow Road, Broadmeadow, where the female occupant observed a stab wound to his stomach.
The woman and a neighbour rendered assistance prior to the arrival of emergency services.
He was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition; however he died earlier today (Tuesday 9 March 2021).
Officers from Newcastle City Police District established a crime scene and have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
 

An elderly man reported missing from the Hunter has been located safe and well.
The 78-year-old was reported missing by family members earlier today (Tuesday 9 March 2021).
About 3.45pm, the man was located safe and well near Bolwarra Heights.
Police would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance.