Category: Newcastle News

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.

A motorcyclist has died following a crash in the Hunter Valley this morning.
About 7.15am today (Monday 8 March 2021), emergency services were called to the Old New England Highway at Liddell following reports a motorcycle had left the road and rolled down an embankment.
Upon arrival, the rider – believed to be a man aged in his 40s – was located deceased; he is yet to be formally identified.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District have established a crime scene and have commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Police have arrested and charged a man on outstanding warrants with serious domestic violence-related offences and firearms offences in the Hunter Region today.
About 5.30am today (Sunday 7 March 2021), officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to Truscott Street, Raymond Terrace, after reports a man was attempting to gain access to a home.
Following inquiries, the officers established the 29-year-old man was wanted on four outstanding arrest warrants for offences relating to domestic violence and firearms offences, and a revocation of parole.
By the time police arrived at the scene, the man had gained access to the home. A 26-year-old woman, who is the occupant of the property and known to the man, was also inside.
Upon seeing police, the man attempted to flee the home through a roof cavity and was stopped by officers. He was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.
The 29-year-old was charged with;
• Stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic)
• Contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic)
• Agg B&E & commit serious indictable offence-people there
• Destroy or damage property
• Take & drive conveyance w/o consent of owner (x 2)
• Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period
• Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not m/v)
He was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court tomorrow (Monday 8 March 2021).

City of Newcastle is moving forward with projects to help mitigate flooding in Wallsend with tenders called to upgrade stormwater infrastructure at Cowper Street, including the installation of a channel bypass adjacent to the existing bridge which will help water flow more easily through Ironbark Creek.
In addition to improving the flow of stormwater, the upgrade will improve the amenity of this section of channel leading into Wallsend Park, with the upgraded creek to be widened, realigned and flanked by sandstone to renew the existing concrete walled channel.
The planned improvements at Cowper Street follow a call for tender in February for the demolition of a vacant building adjacent to the Nelson Street bridge, acquired by the City in 2018 to facilitate the future widening of the Hunter Water Corporation owned Ironbark Creek stormwater channel.
Widening the Hunter Water channel and replacing the Tyrrell Street, Nelson Street and Boscawen Street bridges are key elements of the Ironbark Creek Flood Mitigation Plan.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said these projects are important priorities for the Wallsend community.
“We are committed to delivering both the Ironbark Creek Flood Mitigation Plan and our program of traffic improvements and amenity upgrades to the Wallsend town centre, which will support businesses and residents.”
“By upgrading this section of underground storm water system with larger drains, we hope to see a reduction in damaging flash flooding in the centre of Wallsend.”
The upgrade of the Cowper Street Bridge culvert is a critical first step before the City can proceed with upgrades to the nearby intersection of Cowper and Kokera Street, replacing the roundabout with traffic signals.
Further traffic improvements in Wallsend are planned under the Wallsend Local Centres Program, with detailed design for the upgrade of existing traffic signals at the intersection of Cowper Street and Nelson Street set to commence later in 2021, with blackspot funding from Transport for NSW.
A new Tyrrell Street Bridge was opened in April last year following the City’s $3.3 million replacement of the original 1930 built structure.
Detailed design of the replacement and raising of the Nelson and Boscawen Street bridges is also scheduled to commence later in 2021.
The tender for the upgrade of the Cowper Street culvert is available via https://www.tenderlink.com/newcastle/

A man will face court today after allegedly threatening police with a knife as they responded to a noise complaint in the state’s Hunter Region last night.
Shortly before 11pm (Friday 5 March 2021), officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to a home on Cambridge Avenue, Lemon Tree Passage following complaints of loud music.
Officers spoke to the female occupant of the premises and left the scene only to return thirty minutes later for another complaint of noise. The occupant again turned the music down and officers left.
On receiving the third call to the home, officers issued the occupant with a formal direction to cease the noise. On leaving, police will allege they heard a 24-year-old man threatening the occupant.
The man walked out into the front yard of the home towards police, allegedly armed with a knife.
Officers called on the man to drop the weapon, however, he failed to comply. A taster was deployed, and the man was arrested.
He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with two counts of intimidation, and being armed with intent.
He was refused bail and will appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 6 March 2021).