Category: Newcastle News

Newcastle will launch the Australian leg of the world pro surfing tour, with 52 of the best surfers from across the globe set to converge on the city in April.
City of Newcastle in partnership with the NSW Government through tourism and major events agency Destination NSW has secured the new event kicking off at Merewether Beach from the start of April as the first Australian stop on the World Surf League (WSL)’s revamped 2021 Championship Tour (CT).
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the WSL event was a massive coup for Newcastle, providing a major boost to the tourism sector by promoting the city and our coastline on the world stage.
“It’s been wonderful to work collaboratively with the NSW Government, Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres to attract the premier international world surfing league event back to NSW and Newcastle,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Their support and advocacy were vital as we worked alongside the great team at Destination NSW to secure what is a massive coup for our state and our city, and we thank them for their expertise and assistance.
The WSL event will be fantastic, not only for the region’s sports lovers, but for its potential flow-on effects for our visitor economy.
“The event will bring a major influx of competitors, media representatives, event officials and fans to our city throughout April, delivering an estimated benefit of more than $15 million to Newcastle’s economy.
“It will also provide invaluable promotion for future tourism by showcasing Newcastle to a global audience of more than 10 million viewers, with the event to be livestreamed across various platforms and broadcast on Channel 7 and Fox Sports.”
Cr Nelmes said City of Newcastle has a long and proud history of supporting top level international surfing contests, having been heavily involved in the establishment of Surfest in 1985 (then known as the BHP Steel International), which was the world’s richest professional surfing event at the time.
In the last decade, Newcastle has cemented its reputation for hosting a variety of prominent Australian and international events across various sporting codes.
“Newcastle has become a destination of choice for major sporting events, including Surfest, the recent SAANZAR Rugby Championship, Supercars Newcastle 500, the 2015 Asian Cup Football tournament, the A-League Grand Final and various rugby union and league Test Matches,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Newcastle is highly regarded in international surf circles as the home of Surfest, the largest surfing festival in the southern hemisphere, which includes WSL qualifying series events.
“With a prize pool of over $1 million across the men’s and women’s contests, this new championship event will elevate Mereweather’s popular break even further, joining an international pro touring schedule stacked with the top surfing destinations across the globe in a sport that is new addition to the Olympics.”
“We’re pleased the WSL event will tap into the local expertise of Surfest organiser Warren Smith and look forward to welcoming athletes and surfing fans from across Australia to Newcastle for this COVID Safe event in April.”

Three men have been charged over an alleged aggravated 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 at 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. The 36-year-old ran from the apartment to a nearby home in William Street.
The pair followed the man before one of the men allegedly discharged a firearm towards the older man.
The two men fled the scene in a waiting Toyota Camry, allegedly being driven by a third 19-year-old man.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District were notified and established a crime scene a short time later.
Detectives commenced Strike Force Waradgery to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following extensive inquiries, Newcastle City detectives – assisted by Northern Region Tactical Operations Unit – executed three simultaneous search warrants at properties in Jesmond and Fletcher about 7am yesterday (Friday 5 February 2021).
Three 19-year-old men were arrested during the warrants – two in Jesmond and one in Fletcher and taken to Waratah Police Station.
A 19-year-old Jesmond man was charged with;
• Agg B&E & commit serious indictable offence-people there
• Shoot at with intent to murder
• Affray
• Possess prohibited drug
• Supply prohibited drug >indictable & <commercial quantity
• Deal with property proceeds of crime < $100000
• Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit (x 3)
A second 19-year-old Jesmond man was charged with;
• Shoot at with intent to murder
• Agg B&E & commit serious indictable offence-people there
• Affray
• Possess unauthorised firearm
A 19-year-old Fletcher man was charged with;
• Shoot at with intent to murder
• Possess prohibited drug
• Agg B&E & commit serious indictable offence-people there
• Owner not disclose identity of driver/passenger
• Affray
All three were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Saturday 6 February 2021.

A man has been charged after police seized a firearm and drugs following a pursuit in the Hunter region yesterday.
About 3.15am, Saturday 6 February 2021, officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were conducting routine patrols on Tathra Street, Raymond Terrace, when they attempted to stop a Toyota Kluger for the purposes of a random breath test.
When it allegedly failed to stop, a pursuit commenced.
It’s alleged the Toyota also reversed into the front of the marked police vehicle, before driving through a large steel gate at a property on Sabre Close, causing extensive damage.
Police arrested a 26-year-old man at the scene, and a 27-year-old man after a short foot pursuit.
Following a search of the vehicle, police seized a handgun, methylamphetamine and cannabis.
No one was injured.
The 27-year-old driver has been charged with:

• Police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly
• Destroy or damage property
• Possess unauthorised pistol
• Not keep firearm safely-prohibited firearm
• Possess prohibited drug
• Receive property stolen outside NSW
• Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen m/v
• Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period – first offence.

He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Sunday 7 February 2021).
The 26-year-old passenger was released, pending further inquiries.

City of Newcastle has completed a $6 million upgrade of Council Street with 8,000 new street plants, 18 new trees, additional parking spaces, public art and stormwater improvements at the heart of Cooks Hill’s eat-street.
The project included replacing aged underground drainage with a new stormwater drain, almost three-metres wide, taking rainwater from the local area to Cottage Creek.
Council Street has regularly experienced severe localised flooding during major storms, as it lies at a critical stormwater drainage juncture. The Cottage Creek catchment covers large sections of the city from The Junction and The Hill, as well as Merewether and Hamilton.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the upgrade helps to mitigate stormwater flooding in the local area while delivering streetscape improvements and a fun new ‘selfie’ wall mural by local artist Trevor Dickinson.
“City of Newcastle has been working with local residents and businesses on this project for years given the historic flooding issues in the area and it’s fantastic to see this major $6 million upgrade complete,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The community and local business-owners’ input has been critical in making a range of improvements to the area, including stormwater issues, pedestrian safety, vehicle movements and car parking, while creating an appealing, well-functioning streetscape to support local businesses.”
Improved traffic management flow has also been created by removing the roadblock on Council Street to allow one-way traffic to flow through, enhancing the functionality of the street for motorists, pedestrians and to facilitate more active modes of transport with a cycleway.
The new traffic arrangements will improve safety by discouraging illegal U-turns being made at the Darby Street and Council Street intersection and significantly reduce the street crossing distances for pedestrians while delivering seven additional parking spaces.
“Construction of the new drainage was accelerated when COVID-19 led to quieter traffic conditions and restrictions on local businesses. The project team reprogrammed and brought forward the most disruptive works to enable businesses to maximise earning potential when restrictions eased,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Trevor Dickinson’s interactive’ selfie’ mural wall wraps up the project, bringing the new space to life by injecting fun with his use of bold use of colour whilst capturing the character and charm of the area. We look forward to seeing the community and visitors interacting and engaging with the ‘selfie’ mural wall on social media and this new public space.
Anthony Strachan, owner of Darby Street business Three Monkeys Cafe said he has already begun to see the benefits of the $6 million project.
“The renewal of this area is a great thing for local businesses. The better it looks, the more people who are going to come here.
“It’s unreal to see people already enjoying the new street furniture and interacting with the street art.”

A man has been charged following investigations into a public place shooting at Wallsend earlier this week.
Just before 2am on Tuesday 2 February 2021, officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to home on Platt Street, Wallsend, after a shot was fired through the front window.
Police attended and established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist forensic officers.
Three adults and three children were home at the time; however, no injuries have been reported.
About 12.50am yesterday (Wednesday 3 February 2021), officers stopped a stolen Toyota Camry on Lambton Road, Broadmeadow and arrested a 25-year-old male driver and his 22-year-old female passenger.
Officers searched the vehicle and allegedly located a shortened shotgun and ammunition, as well as a small amount cannabis.
The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with fire firearm at dwelling-house with disregard for safety, possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority (x2), use unauthorised firearm, not keep firearm safely, intimidate intend fear physical harm (personal), receive property stolen outside NSW, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner (x2), drive motor vehicle during disqualification period – 2nd offence.
He was refused bail and will appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 4 February 2021).
The woman was taken to waratah Police Station where she was issued with a cannabis caution and released.

More than forty live music events are set to reinvigorate the local COVID-19-disrupted live music industry, during the inaugural New Annual festival in February.
City of Newcastle is investing $20,000 into the Live Music Grant Program (LMGP), which has seen applications from local venues to host live music events across the city during the New Annual festival period between 12-‑21 February.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the City looked forward to providing a significant boost to the live music events industry right across the Local Government Area (LGA) and extending support toward local artists as well as the local hospitality industry.
“The Live Music Grant Program is yet another initiative led by the City of Newcastle, sharply focussed on providing real support and promotion of our amazing, world-renowned live music industry and is delivering directly on key objectives of our Live Music Strategy,” the Lord Mayor said.
“A vibrant local live music scene is vital to ensuring Newcastle continues to offer a bustling arts and culture scene, and a lively, diverse and safe night-time economy.
“With an influx of visitors sure to flock to our local venues for the City’s inaugural New Annual festival, we’re very pleased to provide additionally financial support and encouragement to host live music events right across Newcastle.
Ward 4 Councillor Matt Byrne welcomed the strong support for Newcastle’s live music industry, particularly for popular venues throughout the City’s suburbs.
“The two-pronged approach we’re taking will not only provide a boost to local venues financially hit as a result of COVID-19, but also our city’s local musicians and homegrown artists that rely on live music events for their livelihood,” Cr Byrne said.
“The grant program also ensures that funding extends to venues like the Racecourse Hotel at Wallsend, as it’s important that the festival atmosphere is felt right across the LGA to benefit the entire community.”
Racecourse Hotel Manager Jeremy Lowe said the Live Music Grant Program was well received and hopes the grant will help attract New Annual visitors to his venue at Wallsend for multiple live music events held during the month.
“We are excited to receive this financial boost thanks to the City’s grant program, which allows us to become part of the New Annual festival celebrations with the rest of the city by hosting live music events at our hotel,” Mr Lowe said.
“Our community in Wallsend is set to benefit from experiencing quality, homegrown, live entertainment.
“To see and hear live music performed in a hotel that you frequently patronage, it adds to the rich fabric of our community and ensures we are fostering our local talent.”
Visit the New Annual festival website for a full list of live music events and dates.
BOOST ARTS & CULTURE LIVE MUSIC GRANT PROGRAM RECIPIENTS:
Beach Burrito Co – Cooks Hill
Cambridge Hotel – Newcastle West
Jams Karaoke Bar – Newcastle West
Meet Restaurant – Newcastle East
Oriental Hotel – Cooks Hill
Racecourse Hotel – Wallsend
The Duke of Wellington – New Lambton
The Exchange Hotel – Hamilton
The Kent Hotel – Hamilton
The Lass O’Gowrie Hotel – Wickham
The Lucky Hotel – Newcastle East
The Mark Hotel – Lambton
The Rogue Scholar – Newcastle West
The Stag Inn & Hunter Hotel – Mayfield
Wickham Park Hotel – Wickham
Picture caption (Left to Right): Councillor Matthew Byrne, Publican Holly Bidwell, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Racecourse Hotel manager Jeremy Lowe and local musician’s Dave Javier and Gabe Argiris.

An investigation has commenced following a public place shooting at Wallsend overnight.
Just before 2am (Tuesday 2 February 2021), officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to a home on Platt Street, Wallsend, after a shot was fired through the front window.
Police attended and established a crime scene, which will be examined by specialist forensic officers.
Three adults and three children were home at the time; however, no injuries have been reported.
As part of ongoing inquiries, police are urging anyone who may have information about the incident to contact police at Newcastle Police Station.
 

A man has been charged after a firearm, drugs and cash were located during a vehicle stop in the Hunter overnight.
About 11.15pm (Sunday 31 January 2021), police received information from a member of the public about a grey Ford Ranger with Queensland registration plates allegedly driving erratically on the Pacific Highway south of Taree.
The Ford – allegedly stolen from an address in Burleigh Heads, Queensland, last week – later stopped at a service station on the Pacific Highway at Heatherbrae, where officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and arrested the 44-year-old male driver.
Police conducted a search of the vehicle where they located a loaded shortened rifle underneath the driver’s seat, methylamphetamine, cannabis and cash.
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with nine offences, including take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, possess shortened firearm without authority, possess loaded firearm in public place, not keep prohibited firearm safely, possess ammunition without licence, possess prohibited drug and suspected stolen goods in custody.
He was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today (Monday 1 February 2021).

Novocastrians need not travel interstate to experience the science-based fun offered by the capital’s most popular science museum. Questacon’s Colour exhibition at Newcastle Museum has been extended due to popular demand until 2 May 2021.
Colour is a special touring exhibition developed by Questacon – the National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra, that explores the science of colour and perception through more than 20 different interactive experiences, ranging from coloured bubbles to iridescent insects to colour illusions.
Visitors can explore how light influences colour and compare their perception of colour with family and friends. See glowing quantum nanomaterials that change their colour with crystal size. The exhibition shows the power colour has on the choices we make every day, and on our responses to the environment.
Set up in a COVID Safe space in the Supernova Gallery, tickets for Colour can be purchased through the Newcastle Museum’s website and cost $10 for adult, $5 for children aged three and over and $7 for concession card holders, while a family pass (two adults and two children) is $25.
Visitors should bring a mobile phone to enter the Museum using a QR code.
For more details on the Colour exhibition, visit the Newcastle Museum website.

A man has been charged over alleged fraud relating to bushfire support recovery grants.
Strike Force Roche was established by several police districts within the Northern Region to investigate alleged fraudulent claims for bushfire disaster relief and small business grants through government agencies.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District charged a 28-year-old man with six counts of dishonestly obtain financial benefit by deception and two counts of attempt dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.
Police will allege in court the man fraudulently obtained six NSW Government grants, receiving a total of $60,000 and attempted to obtain a further two NSW Government grants totalling $20,000.
The man is due to appear at Belmont Local Court on Friday 29 January 2021.
Investigations under the strike force are ongoing across multiple police districts in the Northern Region.