Category: Newcastle News

A man has been charged with murder following the death of a teenage boy in Lake Macquarie earlier today.
About 12.30am (Tuesday 16 March 2021), police were called to a unit on Charlestown Road, Charlestown, following reports a teenage boy was found unresponsive.
Upon arrival, police located the body of a 16-year-old boy inside the unit.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.
Following inquiries, a 24-year-old man was arrested in a carpark on Weakleys Drive, Thornton, about 2.10am.
The man was taken to Maitland Police Station, before being transferred to the Mater Hospital.
He was subsequently released and taken to Belmont Police Station, where he was charged with murder.
The man was refused bail to appear at Belmont Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 17 March 2021).
The pair are known to each other.
Investigations are ongoing.

Two people have been arrested in relation to 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 on Honeysuckle Drive, Honeysuckle, about 3pm today (Tuesday 16 March 2021).
The pair have been taken to Newcastle Police Station as inquiries continue.

A man has been arrested following the suspicious death of a teenager in Lake Macquarie overnight.
About 12.30am (Tuesday 16 March 2021), police were called to a unit on Charlestown Road, Charlestown, following reports a teenage boy was found unresponsive.
Upon arrival, officers located a 16-year-old boy deceased inside the unit.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the teen’s death.
As a result of inquiries, a 24-year-old man was arrested in a restaurant carpark on Weakleys Drive, Thornton, about 2.10am.
He was taken to Maitland Police Station before being transferred to the Mater Hospital for treatment.
Upon his release, he was taken to Belmont Police Station where he is currently assisting police with their inquiries.
Investigations are ongoing.
The pair are known to each other.

Storytime sessions at Newcastle Libraries are helping to introduce Newcastle families to Indigenous perspectives on early learning.
Newcastle Libraries collaborated with Rainbow Crow Cultural Collective on an innovative program that transforms its popular Storytime and Babytime sessions into an Aboriginal-led early literacy program.

The free Wayapa Babytime and Storytime programs are being delivered by qualified Aboriginal Health Practitioner and Cultural Consultant Sarah Corrigan, with around 20 families taking part in the booked-out trial running at the City Library during March. A four-week term will begin at Wallsend Library from 4 May, with bookings opening in early April.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the new addition to the Libraries’ stimulating suite of Early Literacy programs
“City of Newcastle is committed to supporting initiatives that encourage social inclusion and community connections,” she said.
“The Wayapa programs are open to all families, fostering knowledge sharing and community building.”
Councillor Carol Duncan said the program was an important addition to the Libraries’ programming.
“This program will help embed Aboriginal perspectives into our early literacy programs, providing an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous families to experience cultural connections and early learning experiences in a welcoming and inclusive space,” Cr Duncan said.

Wayapa is an earth, mind, body, spirit practice that promotes wellbeing. It is based on ancient Indigenous knowledge about living in harmony with the environment and connection with the world’s oldest living continual culture.
Wayapa Babytime provides an opportunity for carers to slow down and connect inwards with themselves, their baby and the environment, while Wayapa Storytime uses storytelling, movement and nature-based craft to introduce children to Aboriginal-based earth mindfulness, promoting sustainability, connection and community.
Ms Corrigan said the program introduced parents to Aboriginal ways of learning, showing them how they can use easily accessible household and natural resources to stimulate their child’s development.
“Wayapa connects everyone, regardless of background or age, to Indigenous Australians’ deep, spiritual connection to Country,” she said.
“For children the natural environment is the best playground and for parents it’s the cheapest. Wayapa offers a way for parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, grandies and carers to use the natural environment as a starting point for sensory play.
“The collaboration with Newcastle Libraries has been a wonderful opportunity share and show the strength and value of Aboriginal culture with everyone.
“It makes me happy that the families who come along are growing up bubs and little ones who will have a greater respect and understanding of First Nation Australians’ beliefs and culture. The future generations will hopefully be able to walk together to care for Country in partnership.”

City of Newcastle is continuing its support for the live music industry with a further $20,000 injection to encourage gigs during the upcoming bumper event month of April.
The second instalment of Live Music Grants follows the success of earlier this year, where incentives of up to $500 per event were provided to venues for hosting live acts during the New Annual festival.

City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said after a successful initial program, the convergence of multiple events in April was the perfect time to bring live music back to the city.
“City of Newcastle is committed to a creating a vibrant city and supporting our cultural sector, and we know live music is key to achieving these goals,” the Lord Mayor said.
“During the New Annual festival, there were over 40 live music events at 16 venues across Newcastle because of our Live Music Grants, giving a much-needed boost to our home-grown talent and the local hospitality ecosystem needed to nurture the future Trophy Eyes, Muzzy Pep, Silverchair, Screaming Jets, Amy Vee, Raave Tapes, and Gooch Palms.
“Live Music Grants is one of the many City of Newcastle initiatives providing support and promotion of the city’s unique creative scene as part of our commitment to delivering the Live Music Strategy.
“Live music events funded by the second-round of the program will take place between 6 and 20 April to coincide with other significant events across the city, including the Rip Curl Newcastle Cup World Tour surfing, Sailfest Regatta, Women’s Rugby 7s, New Run and Newcastle Food Month.”
Newcastle Councillor Carol Duncan said April is shaping up to be an exciting month.
“With an influx of visitors set to flock to Newcastle over April, we’re activating the city by helping local venues to host a wide range of live music,” Cr Duncan said.
“A vibrant live music scene is vital to ensuring Newcastle continues to develop its bustling arts and culture scene, and provide a lively, diverse and safe night-time economy to benefit the entire community.
“April is going to be an exciting month for the city and we look forward to welcoming new and returning visitors to experience the Newcastle difference.”
Live Music Grants applications are now open and close on 22 March 2021.
Visit City of Newcastle’s Grants and Sponsorship’s webpage for more information.

Police are appealing for public assistance following a reported child approach at Scone.
About 1.45pm yesterday (Friday 12 March 2021), a 14-year-old girl was walking along Susan Street when an SUV stopped near her.
The driver called out to the girl and asked if she would like a lift; however, she declined, and the man continued driving.
The girl went to a nearby home and alerted family members, who then contacted police.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended and commenced inquiries.
An investigation into the incident is underway and police are appealing for assistance to identify the man and clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He’s described as being of African appearance, about in his 40s or 50s, with a medium build and wearing a dark green shirt.
The vehicle is described as being a grey or silver SUV with Queensland registration plates.

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).