Category: Newcastle News

Police will address the media this morning after two men were stabbed near Cessnock overnight.
About 1.50am (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 were fighting and had been stabbed.
On arrival, police found a 23-year-old man with stab wounds to the chest and head. He was treated at the scene before being taken to John Hunter Hospital. He remains in a stable condition.
Police were then told a second man left the scene prior to their arrival.
A short time later, police were notified when the 27-year-old man attended Maitland Hospital suffering stab wounds to the chest and neck. He was later taken to John Hunter Hospital where he is reported to be in a critical condition.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A motorcyclist has died following a two-vehicle crash in Lake Macquarie this morning.
About 11.40am today (Friday 5 March 2021), emergency services were called to the intersection of Mitchell Road and Ranton Street, Cardiff, following reports a motorcycle travelling north and a truck travelling south had collided.
The motorcyclist, a man believed to be aged in his 70s, was ejected before being trapped underneath a stationary vehicle until the arrival of emergency services; where he was pronounced deceased.
The 46-year-old male truck driver and the female driver of the vehicle were uninjured and taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory testing.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have dashcam footage is urged to come forward.

Media are invited to Raymond Terrace Police Station tomorrow (Friday 5 March 2021), as the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District dedicates its multi-purpose training room facilities in honour of Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson.
Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson from the Port Stephens Local Area Command was killed when the police car he was driving crashed into a tree on Lovedale Road, Allandale, around 11.50pm five years ago tomorrow (Saturday 5 March 2016).
At the time, Sergeant Richardson had been driving to assist colleagues who were engaged in a pursuit. He was the only person in the car at the time of the crash.
On the fifth anniversary of his passing, Sergeant Richardson will be remembered by his final command, with the station’s multi-purpose training room at Raymond Terrace Police Station being dedicated in his name.

With over 30 events and activities across the city, City of Newcastle’s Count Us In Newcastle festival, is a celebration of Newcastle’s inclusiveness and accessibility.
The month-long festival, delivered in partnership with local businesses and community groups, highlights the city’s disability inclusive community. A suite of curated events and activities in the festival program include a Goal Ball day facilitated by former Australian Paralympians, immersive art and dance experiences, as well as activations focused on education and awareness exploring topics such as discrimination in the workplace.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Count Us In is all about highlighting and celebrating the benefits of disability inclusion for the whole community.
“City of Newcastle prides itself on helping to make our city a more liveable and inclusive community for all people who live, visit and work here, by increasing social inclusion and community connections,” said Cr Nelmes.
“Count Us In is just one way we’re striving towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society. We want to be known as a disability confident city.
“The festival effectively and respectfully links people with disabilities to the broader community and breaks down the barriers to inclusion.”
A not-to-be-missed event will be the Stand Up Speak Up community mural painting event at 194 Maitland Road Islington, to be held on 13 and 14 March and delivered by Community Disability Alliance Hunter.
Community Disability Alliance Hunter executive director Andrew Vodic says the mural will empower those in our community living with a disability and create community conversation.
“The mural symbolises our experiences as people living with a disability in our community promoting inclusion,” Mr Vodic said.
“Pop by on 14 March to learn more about the meaning behind the mural and join in a community conversation around disability inclusion.”
Diversity is reflected in the broad range of activities on offer in the festival program, which have been curated to establish Newcastle as an inclusive community for people living with a disability, their families, carers and friends.
Newcastle Councillor Matthew Byrne and Chair of City of Newcastle’s Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee, said the festival is for everyone and encouraged Novocastrians to come and join in the many events and activities on offer throughout March.
“The broader community is encouraged to join in the festival, as inclusion is everyone’s business and the entire community benefits when we celebrate all our abilities,” Cr Byrne said.
“Thank you to all our partners and members of the community who were part of the previous program and we look forward to delivering another exciting festival program throughout the entire month of March.”
Count Us in Newcastle will be held from 4 to 31 March 2021. For a full program of events and activities, visit City of Newcastle’s website.

Police are investigating after a suspicious fire at a building in Kurri Kurri overnight.
About 8.15pm (Wednesday 3 March 2021), emergency services were called to an abandoned building on Lang Street, Kurri Kurri, following reports the structure was well alight.
Crews from Fire and Rescue New South Wales attended and extinguished the blaze about two hours later.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended and established a crime scene, which has been held overnight.
An investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire.
Anyone with information or who may have seen or heard anything in the near vicinity between 7.30pm and 8.30pm last night is urged to come forward.
 

Two people have been arrested and another remains outstanding following a police operation in Kotara this morning.
About 3.50am today (Wednesday 3 March 2021), officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to a home on Park Avenue, Kotara, following reports a 24-year-old woman had been held against her will.
Police have been told two women – aged 24 and 30 – and two men – aged 29 and 36 – were inside the home before the younger woman managed to escape and contact police.
The two men and woman then threatened an 88-year-old male resident, who was asleep at the time.
A perimeter was established, and specialist units were deployed to assist in the operation – including police negotiators and the dog unit.
The 88-year-old man was able to leave the home and was taken into police care about 5.50am; he was uninjured.
A 36-year-old man fled the home on foot a short time later, before he was arrested near Howell Street.
He was taken to Waratah Police Station.
A 30-year-old woman was also arrested at the property a short time later.
She was taken to Newcastle Police Station.
Both the man and woman are assisting police with their inquiries.
A 29-year-old man escaped the home and remains outstanding; officers attached to Newcastle City PD, Northern Region Operational Support Group (Op Utah) and other police resources are conducting extensive inquiries to locate the man.
An investigation into the circumstances leading up to and during the incident is now underway, including allegations the younger woman had been held against her will in the days prior to today’s incident.

Police are appealing for public assistance after a teenage girl was allegedly assaulted and inappropriately touched in the Hunter Valley last month.
About 9:40pm on Monday (15 February 2021), a 16-year-old girl was walking along Macauley Street in Denman, with an infant in a pram, when she was approached from behind by three people – believed to be a woman and two men – near the intersection of Hunter Street.
Police have been told the teen was pulled to the ground by her hair and kicked several times before a male touched her inappropriately.
The teen managed to free herself, fleeing the scene with the infant before being assisted by a resident.
Emergency services were contacted, and the teenage girl was taken to Muswellbrook Hospital for treatment to cuts and bruises; the infant was uninjured.
Detectives from Hunter Valley Police District have commenced an investigation into the incident.

City of Newcastle is incentivising talented and community-minded Australians to relocate to the city with a $10,000 grant available for up to 30 innovative and accomplished entrepreneurs.
‘New Move’ was launched today as an economic development initiative to attract people from Australia’s capital cities to relocate and invest in Newcastle, with independent economic modelling estimating the program could create up to 75 new jobs and $25 million in local economic output.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said New Move is an Australian first, adapted from the highly successful US Tulsa Remote initiative, that will help attract new skills and talent to Newcastle through the initial incentive of a financial grant, whilst also raising long-term awareness of the city’s diverse economic opportunities.
“Newcastle is an economic hub driven by innovation and skills and we want to share this fact with all of Australia,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Attracting talented people as an economic stimulus strategy provides great value for money, with independent modelling showing that attracting 30 entrepreneurs to the city through New Move will help create new local jobs and millions of dollars in economic output.
“The grant is one great reason to consider a move to Newcastle, however there are 10,000 more reasons why Newcastle is the perfect place for entrepreneurial, community-minded and innovative people to create impact.
“The global labour market is changing. COVID-19 has shown that people can work from anywhere in the world. Increasingly young professionals are choosing smaller, but well-connected cities, like Newcastle due to their superior lifestyle.
“We know people can be apprehensive about moving cities. New Move and the 10,000 Reasons campaign promotes Newcastle as a safe, welcoming location for Australia’s top entrepreneurial talent.
“Newcastle is home to world-class education, healthcare, and aerospace hubs, and an innovation ecosystem that supports start-ups. There’s no shortage of opportunities for talented and skilled people.
“Significant investments have recently been delivered that underpins Newcastle’s transformation, along with a pipeline of future city shaping projects including the reimagination of Broadmeadow sporting and entertainment precinct, John Hunter Hospital Innovation Precinct, University of Newcastle’s increasing presence in the CBD and the international expansion of Newcastle Airport.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, who chairs the City’s Strategy Committee, said that with technology evolving so rapidly, the business community needs people with specific skills.
“The injection of new skills and innovation brought by new talent attracted by New Move will help generate new economic opportunities with a flow-on-effect into increased local employment and opportunities for Novocastrians,” Cr Clausen said.
“Through an advertising campaign focused on Sydney and the nation’s capital cities, Newcastle will be showcased as a smart city and innovation hub supported by a vibrant culture and modern infrastructure.
“Newcastle is a gateway city – small enough to provide the charms of regional life but big enough to attract international investment and the best domestic and global talent.
“Talent attracts talent. New Move recipients will be asked to commit to be city ambassadors, helping further develop local skills, and activate our community to create future economic opportunities. In return, recipients will have access to co-working spaces, and networking events to build local business and community connections.”
The New Move program is targeted at a metropolitan audience and will provide 30 successful applicants, who meet the eligibility criteria, with a $10,000 relocation grant to be spent within the Newcastle local government area, in addition to a tailored program of ongoing networking opportunities and support.
The New Move program is funded by City of Newcastle within its existing economic development budget and was supported by a unanimous resolution of Council in December 2020.
Unlike previous regional relocation grants offered by other levels of Government, New Move is highly targeted and includes ongoing networking to ensure new residents have the best opportunity to deliver economic and social returns to the City.
Expressions of Interest are now open with an opportunity for applicants to explore and experience the local community, industry and culture at a weekend event taking place 9-11 April.
To find out more about New Move, visit New Move website and FAQs page.

Police are appealing for public assistance following a car fire in Edgeworth last year.
About 3am on Monday 23 November 2020, a 33-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman were awoken by a large banging noise before they exited their home on Ridley Street, Edgeworth, and located their Ford Falcon utility well alight.
Emergency services were called and crews from Fire and Rescue New South Wales extinguished the blaze a short time later.
A second vehicle – a Hyundai Elantra – received minor smoke damage, while the Ford was completely destroyed.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District commenced an investigation into the incident.
As inquiries are continuing, police have released CCTV footage of a man who may be able to assist with their inquiries.
The man is wearing a hooded jumper, shorts and black joggers.

A man has died following a crash near Singleton.
About 1.45pm today (Sunday 28 February 2021), emergency services were called to Putty Road, Putty, after two cars crashed head-on.
The driver and sole occupant of one of the vehicles died at the scene. The man has not yet been formally identified.
The three occupants of the other car have been taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.