Category: Newcastle News

Two men will face court today after allegedly damaging a police vehicle during a brawl in the Hunter Valley overnight.
About 1am (Thursday 18 February 2021), officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were called to Clarence Way, Muswellbrook, following reports of a brawl.
Upon arrival, police located several people on the street and inside a premises.
Officers entered the home and broke up the brawl before a 19-year-old man exited the property and approached the marked police vehicle.
Police will allege in court the man threw a beer bottle at one of the rear windows, causing it to smash.
He was arrested a short time later, before a 26-year-old man exited the home – allegedly armed with a knife – and threatened people on the street.
He was arrested, with additional resources called upon to disperse the remaining persons at the scene.
Both men were taken to Muswellbrook Police Station and charged with affray.
The younger man was also charged with malicious damage, while the older man was charged with armed with intent to commit an indictable offence.
Both men were refused bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court later today (Thursday 18 February 2021).
Inquiries are continuing.

A fourth man has been charged as investigations continue into an alleged break and enter and shooting in Newcastle last month.
About 8.10pm on Thursday 14 January 2021, two 19-year-old men attended an apartment on Newcastle Road, Jesmond, where they spoke with a 36-year-old man.
Police will allege in court the pair forced entry to the home and threatened the man with a fire extinguisher, before discharging a firearm towards him a short time later.
Detectives from Newcastle City Police District established Strike Force Waradgery to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Three men have been arrested in relation to this matter. They remain before the courts.
Following further inquiries, strike force investigators executed a search warrant at a home in Shortland yesterday (Wednesday 17 February 2021) and arrested a 32-year-old man.
He was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with shoot at with intent to murder and aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 18 February 2021).

A man has been charged over the alleged attempted murder of a baby in the state’s Hunter region last year.
On Saturday 12 December 2020, police received reports that a then aged five-month-old girl had been taken to a local hospital suffering critical injuries. She was later transferred to John Hunter Hospital for ongoing treatment.
The matter was referred to detectives at the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad who commenced an investigation.
Following extensive inquiries, investigators attended a home in Cessnock and arrested a 26-year-old man just before 9am today (Wednesday 17 February 2021).
The man, who is known to the child, was taken to Cessnock Police Station where he was charged with attempted murder.
He was refused bail and appeared before Cessnock Local Court today, where he was formally refused bail to reappear before the same court on Wednesday 14 April 2021.
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 extreme cases of neglect.

A man has been charged after a police officer was assaulted during an arrest in Lake Macquarie overnight.
About 8pm (Monday 15 February 2021), a man entered the backyard of a home on King Street, Hillsborough, where it’s alleged he damaged sporting equipment.
The homeowners confronted him a short time later before he fled and ran through several nearby properties, continuing to damage homes.
A second homeowner confronted the man on Percy Street when it’s alleged the man tackled him and punched him in the face several times.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended a short time later and a female senior constable attempted to arrest the 20-year-old man.
Police will allege the man punched the officer to the side of the head and pulled at her hair before he was arrested with assistance from other officers.
The female officer sustained bruising and swelling to her face and was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment, while the 20-year-old man was also taken to hospital under police guard for treatment to injuries sustained during the incident.
The 20-year-old Charlestown man was released from hospital this morning (Tuesday 16 February 2021) and taken to Belmont Police Station.
He was charged with nine offences including two counts of destroy or damage property, two counts of enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm, and three counts of resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty.
He was refused bail to appear at Belmont Local Court today (Tuesday 16 February 2021).

City of Newcastle is seeking community feedback on a new concept for Foreshore Park which sees the site’s community playspace increase by almost eight times.
The new concept shows a fenced regional-level accessible and inclusive playground the size of eight basketball courts and a significant waterplay space that links back to Newcastle’s Indigenous heritage including representation of the original shoreline of the harbour foreshore.
The concept has been developed based on consultation with the community over the past year and delivers a versatile space including community gardens, open areas for children to skate, scoot and splash, and designed to allow a variety of major events in the city centre.
A headline feature of the preliminary concept for Foreshore Park is the inclusive ‘Variety Livvi’s Place’ playspace which is being delivered in partnership with Variety the Children’s Charity.
The design will include a cultural heritage walk that provides the opportunities to tell both Awabakal stories like Mulubinba, the place of many sea ferns, Awabakal canoe hunting on the harbour, as well as recognising post 1880 stories and the redevelopment of Newcastle as we know it.
These stories are intended to replace the 1988 pond which represented the original fresh water source and one of three man-made wells known as “The Frog Pond”.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said that the local community’s valuable feedback has been reflected in the draft plans.
“It’s wonderful to have an incredible regional scale inclusive playground based on input from our community as the cornerstone of the preliminary concept for our city’s iconic Foreshore Park.
“Now more than ever, we value our open spaces and parks, and this project is a great collaboration between City of Newcastle, Variety the Children’s Charity and our community which will transform the Harbour Foreshore into a more inviting recreational space and major event venue for everyone to enjoy.
“We have consulted with our Indigenous stakeholders on the key heritage elements of the concept including the removal of the Frog Pond and provision of an exciting water play area linked to our heritage.”
The addition of the new cultural elements at Foreshore Park was strongly supported by Luke Russell from Guraki Aboriginal Advisory Committee.
“I’m really pleased there is a significant increase in the representation of Guuri culture in the Foreshore Park concept with the plan reflecting equal parts Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage. City of Newcastle’s engagement on this project has resulted in a positive outcome for the community,” Mr Russell said.
Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Declan Clausen, who sits on the Foreshore Park Community Reference Group said the level of community feedback already received has been fantastic, and has encouraged all Novocastrians to now have their say about City of Newcastle’s plans.
“I encourage community members to view the designs which pay tribute to Newcastle’s history, culture and environment, as well as the origins of trade and exchange in the city, and provide feedback via our online mapping tool, or in person at a drop-in session.
“Our Community Reference Group has been a great way to understand the different uses of Foreshore Park, and to also gain the valuable views of key stakeholders and user groups of such an important public space. Now we want to hear from the broader Newcastle community about the things they would love to see and do in Foreshore Park.”
The ‘Variety Livvi’s Place’ playspace which will be great for kids of all ages and all abilities is being delivered in partnership with Variety and has been bolstered by $500,000 from the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund and announced on 5 February by Deputy Premier Hon John Barilaro.
Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT Inclusive Play Manager, Kim Becherand, said “Variety believes all kids deserve a fair go, including the opportunity to play.”
“Variety is pleased to partner with City of Newcastle in the creation of a truly inclusive playspace where all kids will play together, feel welcome, safe and that they belong.”
The concept also considers the interrelationship between the different spaces within the park and their connections to the harbour.
Community engagement is open until Friday 26 February 2021. The community can view the concept and have their say at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay
Feedback will assist in the finalisation of the draft masterplan, which will be placed on public exhibition later in 2021.
Summary of community engagement to date:

• Project announced in December 2019 and community engagement on the Foreshore Precinct Masterplan begins.
• Large scale community engagement occurred in July 2020 including a survey and social pinpoint plus Variety undertook additional engagement with schools and other key stakeholders regarding the playground. Engagement included questions about what people love about the area, what they want to see in the future and how they use the park.
• Community Reference Group (CRG) was formed and includes community members, stakeholders and representatives from community groups. First meeting was held in August 2020 about the visions and principles guiding the masterplan.
• CRG meeting occurred in December 2020 for feedback on an early draft concept.
• Drop in session for adjacent residents occurred on 13 February at Foreshore Park.
• Community engagement begins on concept designs in February 2021 including social pinpoint, drop in sessions, free texts submissions and survey.
  

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has backed the call from local veterans for face-to-face services to resume at the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) office in Newcastle’s CBD.
The DVA Veterans Access Network (VAN) office was closed in March last year in response to COVID-19 and still hasn’t reopened its doors to the public.
Ms Claydon said she was contacted by tireless veterans’ advocate and DVA-sponsored volunteer, Gerry Bailey, about the impact the ongoing closure was having on veterans and their families.
“Mr Bailey has let me know about the distress that local veterans and their families have experienced at not being able to access this office during this exceptionally difficult time,” Ms Claydon said.
“He has also told me that the ongoing closure has led to anxiety in the veterans’ community that these important services may be suspended indefinitely.
“Many veterans rely on this drop-in service, especially those with physical, mental or social issues or disabilities which make face-to-face service delivery the most appropriate and comfortable form of contact for them.
“Indeed, the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) own website says the Veteran Access Network and Veteran Support Officers (VSOs) are two of its most important access points for clients.”
Ms Claydon said she believed the office could open in a COVID-safe way.
“The Newcastle Open Arms Veterans and Families Counselling office, which shares a back-office space with the VAN Office, returned to normal face-to-face services many months ago. Similarly, the NDIS offices, along with my own, are located only metres away and we both resumed walk-in constituent services many months ago.
“I understand the need to exercise caution, but this mustn’t be at the expense of access or service quality.”
Ms Claydon said wrote to the Minister after being told by the Department that there was no timeline for the reopening of the office.
“I’ve asked the Minister to put in place a firm plan for the imminent reopening the Newcastle DVA drop-in service,” Ms Claydon said.
“I’ve also asked him for his assurance that there is no plan to permanently close the Newcastle VAN office, change staffing arrangements or suspend services indefinitely.”

The Morrison Government has failed the people of Newcastle by not delivering a decision on the future of PEP-11 oil and gas exploration permit by the project’s scheduled expiry date today.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said the Government’s failure demonstrated ‘grave contempt’ for the Newcastle community.
“The Minister has long known that this permit is due to expire today and he is well aware of the great community concern about its extension,” Ms Claydon said.
“He’s had every opportunity to fulfil his basic responsibilities, but instead he’s decided to prolong the anxiety for coastal communities from Newcastle to Sydney.”
Ms Claydon said it wasn’t good enough for the Minister to blame his NSW State Government counterpart for his failure to do his job.
“The Minister was on radio this morning saying he’s still waiting to hear from the New South Wales State Government about their formal position, even though the Deputy Premier has been utterly unambiguous about his opposition to PEP-11.
“My community shouldn’t have to pay the price because these Liberal Governments can’t seem to communicate with each other.”
Ms Claydon said it’s well past time for the Morrison Government to heed the community’s wishes and reject the extension.
“From day one, the message from the Newcastle community to the Minister has been crystal clear: Oil and gas rigs have no place in our beloved coastal waters.
“The community has rejected the project. The New South Wales Government has rejected the project. Federal Labor has rejected the project. Now it’s time for the Minister to do the right thing and put an end to PEP-11 once and for all!”

A woman missing from the state’s Hunter Region has been located safe and well.
The 20-year-old was reported missing to officers from Hunter Valley Police District yesterday (Saturday 13 February 2021).
Following inquiries and a public appeal, the woman was located about 1pm today (Sunday 14 September 2021).
Police would like to thank the media and community for their assistance.