Category: Newcastle News

A woman has been charged following an alleged hit and run crash at Newcastle last week.
About 5.45am (Thursday 1 April 2021), emergency services were called to Douglas Street, Wallsend, after reports a motorcyclist had been knocked from his bike by a black SUV.
The rider – aged 18 – was assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital suffering a fractured pelvis and femur.
Officers from the Hunter Crash Investigation Unit attended and commenced an investigation.
Following inquiries, a 28-year-old woman attended Waratah Police Station yesterday (Wednesday 7 April 2021), where she was arrested.
She was charged with six offences including negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and fail to stop and render assistance.
She was granted conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 5 May 2021.

Police are appealing for public assistance after an elderly man was injured in an incident in the Hunter region yesterday.
About 4.40pm (Thursday 8 April 2021), officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to Lawson Avenue, Woodberry, following reports of a man with facial injuries.
Upon arrival, police located a 78-year-old man with abrasions to his nose and cheek.
Officers were told the man was walking along the footpath when he observed two young males in front of him.
One of the boys rode across the street on a black or dark blue bike, before the other boy allegedly demanded money and the 78-year-old man’s mobile phone.
When the man declined, the boy allegedly picked up a large stick and swung it at the man, causing him to fall to the ground.
The boy left the scene a short time later.
As inquiries continue, police have released a description of two boys who may be able to assist with their inquiries.
The first boy is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged 12 to 14 years and about 155 to 160cm tall. He was riding a black BMX bike.
The second boy is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged 12 to 14 years, about 150 to 155cm tall, with a slim build and short brown hair. He was wearing a light-coloured T-shirt and dark long pants. The boy was riding a black or dark blue scooter.
Police are appealing for anyone with information, or dashcam footage from the area, to contact Maitland Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are appealing for assistance to locate a man missing from the Lake Macquarie area.
John Barrett, aged 51, was last seen at Belmont on Wednesday 4 November 2020.
Lake Macquarie Police were notified in January 2021 and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Police and family members hold concerns for his welfare due to a medical condition; John also hasn’t made contact with family since November and hasn’t used his bank account.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 175cm to 180cm tall, with a thin build, light brown shoulder-length hair, a beard and blue eyes.
He is known to frequent areas of Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Port Stephens; he is also known to use the public transport network and other public facilities.
Anyone who may have seen John or that may know of his whereabouts is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A woman and two children – who’d been reported missing from The Children’s Hospital at Westmead at the weekend – have been found safe.
The 26-year-old woman and her children – aged four and one ¬– were found a short time ago at a home in Metford (Thursday 8 April 2021).
Police thank the community and media for their assistance in sharing our message

City of Newcastle is seeking feedback from the community on erosion management options for the northern area of Stockton Beach as part of work underway on the Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP) 2021.
The land to the north of Meredith Street is owned and managed by Defence Housing Australia, Hunter Water, Crown Land and the Department of Communities and Justice, and City of Newcastle is working closely with these stakeholders during development of the 2021 CMP.
A long list of coastal management options for the Stockton CMP 2021 has been assessed with four schemes identified to best complement the mass sand nourishment agreed on in the Stockton CMP 2020 while also providing a buffer from erosion and considering the environment, social amenity and recreational use of the beach.
The four schemes that have progressed for further investigation for the northern end of Stockton Beach from Meredith Street to the Port Stephens Local Government Area boundary include maintenance nourishment, an artificial reef, an artificial headland and sand back passing.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said work is underway on the Stockton CMP 2021, with an aim of identifying additional coastal management options to extend the life of mass sand nourishment.
“We’re investigating the feasibility of these schemes to ensure each is possible and would provide consideration to the entire Stockton Bight,” Cr Nelmes said.
“During this early phase we are gathering feedback from the community on the schemes that have been developed to help prolong mass sand nourishment.
“The Stockton Community Liaison Group has provided feedback on the positives and drawbacks of each scheme, allowing the designs to progress to this point.
“We would now like to hear from the wider community about what people like or don’t like about the options we’re considering, and why.”
City of Newcastle Director Infrastructure Ken Liddell said that following community consultation, the proposed schemes would then be put through rigorous technical tests.
“For schemes that are considered feasible, we will then carry out a viability assessment, which will take the cost of each scheme into account and allow us to carry out a cost-benefit analysis,” Mr Liddell said.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the community will have another chance to provide feedback on viable projects before implementation.
“There will be further opportunities for the community to have their say on the schemes being considered for Stockton CMP 2021 later in the year, and we look forward to continuing to work with the local community towards another positive outcome for the beach and the community,” Cr Clausen said.
The Stockton CMP 2021 will update the Stockton CMP 2020 to include the northern end of Stockton Beach beyond Meredith Street, with the City reiterating that this land is owned and managed by Defence Housing Australia, Hunter Water, Crown Land and the Department of Communities and Justice.
City of Newcastle is working closely with these stakeholders during development of the 2021 CMP.
“These stakeholders must agree to the coastal management actions in the Stockton CMP 2021 to allow it to be sent for certification from the State Government. Without agreement, the CMP cannot progress,” Cr Nelmes said.
The community is encouraged to learn more about the management options and provide feedback at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Stockton or by accessing a paper survey at Stockton Library.
Stockton Beach (north) Coastal Management Program options
Maintenance Nourishment
This involves replacing the sand that currently moves north from Stockton Beach along the Stockton Bight each year – about 112,000m3 or 45 Olympic swimming pools. The aim of this scheme is to actively ‘keep the sand moving’ by mimicking/reinstating the natural sand flow, something that has been limited at Stockton.
The benefit of this approach is that the northward movement of sand would provide a buffer for the Stockton Bight coastline. For this to go ahead, we still need to identify a source for the sand and identify the long-term environmental impacts of retrieving and depositing this additional sand on a regular basis. Work on this has started.
Artificial Headland
This involves building an artificial headland that would extend into the ocean by around 150 to 200 metres. The aim of this scheme is to ‘keep sand in the system’ as the headland will slow the northern movement of sand along Stockton Bight. There will also be recreational benefits.
As part of this scheme, sand will build up on the southern side of the headland. Once it has built up, sand will bypass the headland and then feed the beach to the north. Once construction is complete the shoreline to the north of the structure will realign landward.
For this to go ahead, we still need to confirm exactly how the headland will work. Specific scientific modelling will determine sand volumes held by the structure and sand volumes bypassing the structure. Work on this has started.
Artificial Reef
This involves building a submerged artificial reef. The artificial reef would slow the northward movement of sand along Stockton Bight by reducing wave energy reaching the beach, providing a surfing benefit. With the aim to ‘keep sand in the system’ the sand will build up on the southern side of the reef. The reef would not stop sand movement to the north as the artificial headland option initially does. Once construction is complete, the shoreline to the north of the structure will realign.
For this to go ahead, we need to find out if we have the ability/need to build more than one reef and learn exactly how it would work. Specific modelling will determine sand volumes held by the structure and sand volumes by passing the structure. Work on this has started.
Sand Back Passing System
This involves re-circulating sand using machinery that will collect sand, feeding it via a pipe network to the south, to outlets placed along Stockton Beach. This scheme aims to ‘keep sand in the system’ by re-circulating sand, following mass nourishment.
It would be powered by a pump station, allowing wet sand to flow from the outlets onto Stockton Beach. The pumping rate will allow for the water to run into the ocean leaving the sand to fall out, building the beach up during a campaign. During operation, small sections of the beach would be closed to the public, however most of the beach would remain open.
For this to go ahead, we still need to determine the exact location for the infrastructure and run scientific modelling around the volumes of sand that will be used. We are also yet to determine how frequently the system would need to operate. Work on this has started.

A man has been arrested following an alleged armed robbery and pursuit near Maitland.
About 1.30pm (Tuesday 6 April 2021), police were called to a takeaway shop on Lawson Avenue, Beresfield, following reports a man – armed with a firearm – entered the store and threatened an employee.
The man fled the scene a short time later in a Mazda 3; no one was injured during the incident.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified and commenced a large-scale search for the man.
Police patrolling the area spotted the Mazda 3 on Woodberry Road and initiated a short pursuit.
The Mazda stopped and a 42-year-old man was arrested without incident.
Officers conducted a search of the vehicle, where they located and seized a gel blaster gun. The vehicle has also been seized for forensic testing.
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station, where inquiries are continuing.
A crime scene has been established.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A man has been charged over an alleged armed robbery and pursuit in the Hunter region yesterday.
About 1.30pm (Tuesday 6 April 2021), police were called to a takeaway shop on Lawson Avenue, Beresfield, following reports a man – armed with a firearm – entered the store and threatened two female employees.
The man demanded cash before leaving the store along Beresford Avenue.
Police will further allege the man threatened a 21-year-old man with the firearm a short time later and demanded his phone and wallet.
The man fled the scene in a Mazda 3; no one was injured during either incident.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified and commenced a large-scale search for the man.
Police patrolling the area noticed the Mazda 3 on Woodberry Road and initiated a short pursuit.
The Mazda stopped and a 43-year-old man was arrested without incident.
Officers conducted a search of the vehicle, where they located and seized a weapon. The vehicle has also been seized for forensic testing.
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was subjected to a breath analysis, which returned an alleged reading of 0.244.
He was charged with five offences including two counts of robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon, and one count each of possess unregistered firearm, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period and high-range PCA.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 7 April 2021).
He was later taken to the Mater Hospital for treatment, where he remains under police guard.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on an outstanding warrant in the Hunter.
Jason Soars, aged 50, is wanted by virtue of an outstanding arrest warrant for an assault offence.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District have commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 185cm to 195cm tall, with a medium build, brown hair and green/hazel eyes.
Anyone who may have seen Jason or may know of his whereabouts is urged not to approach him and to call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Police are investigating following a serious assault in Maitland overnight.
About 10.40pm (Wednesday 31 March 2021), officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to Anne Street, East Maitland, after reports a man had been found lying in the middle of the road.
Upon arrival, police located a 51-year-old man with serious injuries to his head, face and back.
He was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
Police established a crime scene and have commenced an investigation into how the man sustained his injuries.
As inquiries continue, police are urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious between 9pm and 10.40pm in the nearby area or that may have CCTV or dashcam footage to contact Maitland Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police remain at the scene of a suspected hit and run in Newcastle this morning.
About 5.45am (Thursday 1 April 2021), emergency services were called to Douglas Street, Wallsend, after reports a motorcyclist had been knocked from his bike.
The rider – a man aged in his late teens – was assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital; he is reportedly in a serious condition.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and police from the Crash Investigation Unit have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
As inquiries continue, police are appealing for members of the public to keep a look out for a black SUV vehicle with significant damage to the front driver’s side of the vehicle.
Anyone who may have seen the vehicle or who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact police.