Category: Newcastle News

A man will face court today after allegedly stealing a high-performance vehicle and driving in a dangerous manner throughout Newcastle.
About 2.45pm on Sunday (20 December 2020), an Audi R8 was stolen from a home on Scenic Drive, Merewether.
Police will allege in court that the driver – a 49-year-old man – committed several driving offences throughout Newcastle after stealing the Audi including, but not limited to:

• Crossing double white lines to overtake vehicles
• Driving on the wrong side of the road
• Speeding at approximately 160km/hr in a sign-posted 60km/hr zone

Following extensive inquiries by Newcastle City and Lake Macquarie Police District officers, police attended a home on Nooroo Close, Windale, and arrested a 49-year-old man just before 9pm yesterday (Wednesday 23 December 2020).
He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, drive whilst unlicensed and break and enter house steal value more than $60,000.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 24 December 2020).
Newcastle City PD Commander, Detective Superintendent Wayne Humphrey APM, said the manner of driving in these alleged offences is horrendous and is one of the worst examples of dangerous driving he’s seen.
“It so happens that the vehicle we will allege the 49-year-old stole from the Merewether home had a dash cam which automatically turned on as it left the property.
“It is dangerous driving at an extreme level – speeding through residential areas and stop signs, over pedestrian crossings, travelling in excess of 160 km/hr in built up areas, overtaking other motorists across double unbroken lines, and crossing to the wrong side of the road.
“This manner of driving puts dozens of lives at risk.
“Double demerits are in force until Sunday 3 January 2021, and we are continuing to plead with all motorists to pay attention to your surroundings, don’t drink and drive, don’t speed and don’t have any distractions around you while behind the wheel,” Det Supt Humphrey said.
The state-wide Christmas and New Year road-safety operation started at midnight (12.01am today Thursday 24 December 2020) and concludes 11.59pm on Sunday 3 January 2021.
Double-demerit points are in force throughout for speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.
NSW Police officers will also be targeting other high-risk driver behaviour, including the Four Ds; drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving.

Police have released a new image as they renew their appeal for public assistance to locate a man missing from the Hunter Region earlier this month.
Vainenooroa Tuaratini (known as ‘Scotty’), aged 25, was last seen on Bridge Street, Muswellbrook, about 3am on Saturday 9 December 2020.
Officers from the Hunter Valley Police District were notified of his disappearance later that morning and along with his family have concerns for his welfare due to a medical condition.
Vainenooroa is described as being of Pacific Islander appearance, about 175cm tall, of solid build, with brown eyes and short black hair.
It has since been established that Vainenooroa got off a train at Redfern about 5.45am the same day. In CCTV footage, he is depicted wearing a green t-shirt and camouflage shorts.
He resides in the Belmore area and frequents Lakemba.
As inquiries continue, anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to contact Muswellbrook Police Station or Triple Zero (000).

With the summer holiday period fast approaching, Newcastle Libraries has your holiday reading material sorted, with an exhilarating summer reads program, offering something for everyone from podcasts, events and conversations.
Running until February 2021, Your Summer Stories encompasses a children’s summer reading challenge, with activities and grand prizes, plus, an adult (including young adult) summer reads program, featuring a curated selection of seven must read titles by award winning Australian authors:

• The Cartographer’s Daughter by Tea Cooper
• All our shimmering skies by Trent Dalton
• Sorrow and bliss by Meg Mason
• When She Was Good by Michael Robothom
• The Tolstoy Estate by Steven Conte
• Bluebird by Malcolm Knox
• Honeybee by Craig Silvey

You can borrow or reserve your copy from any Newcastle Libraries branch, the eLibrary, or get your Grab and Go copy at the Digital Library 12 Stewart Avenue, Newcastle West.
Head over to the Newcastle Libraries ‘Real’ podcast channel to listen to our conversational podcast series hosted by Dan Cox from 1233 ABC Newcastle, exploring the themes of resilience, change and love, featuring award-winning Australian authors. Your Summer Stories podcast episodes will be dropping regularly until late January 2021.
Your Summer Stories also Rewards Your Reading and the easiest way to get involved is by registering and using City’s new online reading and activity tracker, Beanstack or by downloading the Beanstack app for Apple or Android.
Once you have registered yourself and your family members with Beanstack, join the Your Summer Stories challenges for adults or the Your Summer Stories – Rewarding your Reading challenge for kids up to 14 years of age. When you have completed a book or an activity, log this in the challenge and see what rewards you release!
Your reading also gets rewarded in the Lean in Newy app. Download now to find out how!
By participating in our reading challenge via Beanstack – kids go in the draw to win one of three Kobo Claras or one of eight $50 vouchers from Maclean’s Booksellers.
For more information on Your Summer Stories, visit
Share your summer story on social media with #YourSummer @NewcastleLibrariesAU

Concept designs for Stage 1 of the Newcastle Ocean Baths upgrade will soon get underway, with GHD named as the principal design consultant.
The Baths upgrade is a staged project that will begin with the restoration of the pool and its promenades, while consultation and assessments continue for the upper concourse and pavilion.
City of Newcastle will fully fund the renewal of the Baths, with the $9.5 million proceeds from the sale of three City of Newcastle-owned buildings including the Frederick Ash Building, directed towards the project, while any additional funds will come from City of Newcastle.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Stage 1 design contract had been awarded to GHD following an official tender process, with the firm set to complete final site investigations before developing initial options and concept designs for the pools and promenade for community feedback.
“Engagement with the Newcastle Ocean Baths Community Reference Group and broader public is an important aspect of revitalising this iconic community asset,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Our discussions to date have provided an insight into what the community values most about the pools, such as retaining the iconic boardwalk and improving accessibility.
“This feedback will help inform the upcoming design process, with initial concepts to be provided to the Newcastle Ocean Baths community reference group for feedback.
“This will be followed by a detailed design process, which is expected to be completed by April 2021, with construction works scheduled to begin in the new financial year following further community consultation.”
Stage 2 of the project will address the renewal of the pavilions and surrounding upper level public domain space. A multi-criteria needs analysis will be undertaken on the site to guide conversations with the community and ensure the upgrade meets the needs of future generations.
“Newcastle Ocean Baths is treasured by our community, which is why we are moving ahead with the upgrades to the pools while continuing conversations with the community to ensure they have input into the improvements to the iconic pavilions,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Prioritising a refurbishment of the pools and their surrounds will allow us to improve the site’s safety and accessibility while ensuring adequate time to work with the community on a plan for the pavilion that respects the heritage and integrity of the site.”

Detectives are appealing for information as part of an investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a young girl near Port Stephens almost two years ago.
Earlier this month, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a young girl had been sexually assaulted by an unknown man at Nelson Bay last year.
Investigators have been told the girl – then aged 11 – was at Dutchmans Beach Reserve when she was approached by an unknown man, before being taken to nearby bushes and sexually assaulted.
The incident is believed to have occurred between 11am to late afternoon on Sunday 27 January 2019.
The man has been described as being aged in his 60s or 70s, with an olive complexion, grey hair below his ears and a moustache.
He is believed to have been wearing a black t-shirt.
As investigations continue, detectives are appealing for public information – including any photographs, video recordings or dashcam footage – from Dutchmans Beach Reserve on Sunday 27 January 2019.
Anyone who has information about the incident is urged to come forward immediately.
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 serious cases of neglect.
Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

13 people were charged with numerous offences ranging from assault to stealing following an operation conducted across Sydney’s railway and transport network.
On Saturday 19 December 2020, officers attached to the Police Transport Command North / Central sector conducted Operation Disrupt, an intelligence driven policing operation around the transport network.
A total of 42 officers were deployed across the Sydney CBD, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, North Shore, Central Coast and Newcastle areas.
As a result of the deployment 13 people were charged, 4 warrants executed, 7 knives seized, 2 prohibited drugs seized, 28 person searches conducted and 24 move-on directions issued.
Of note;
About 5.30pm yesterday, police arrested a 34-year-old man on Baker Lane, Gosford. He was charged with breaching bail and possessing an electric bike and jewellery suspected of being stolen. He was also charged for offences committed on Friday 18 December 2020 in Wollongong, including entering a vehicle without consent, stealing, fraud offences and possession of stolen goods. He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Sunday 20 December 2020.
About 6:30pm, two 17-year-old youths were arrested at the Chalmers Street Light Rail Stop at Surry Hills. They were taken to Surry Hills Police Station where one was charged for having a stolen bank card in their possession. The other was charged with offensive behaviour, resisting arrest and possessing four knives. They were both refused bail to appear before a Children’s Court on Sunday 20 December 2020.
About 3:20 pm, a 37-year-old woman was arrested at Railway Square, Chippendale and charged with assault, malicious damage, breaching an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order and breaching bail. She was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Sunday 20 December 2020.
About 6:30pm a 20-year-old male was arrested at Tuggerah Railway Station and charged for possessing two knives. He will appear before court in the New Year.

Once again, City of Newcastle has teamed up with Little Blue Dinosaur to promote safety and reduce child pedestrian injuries and fatalities across the city.
Over the coming weeks, road users will start to notice unique signage at local beaches, parks and other popular spots which urge people to slow down and take care during the holiday season.
One location where the ‘Holiday Time; Slow Down, Kids Around’ signage has been installed is along Wharf Road, at Newcastle Harbour.
On Friday 18 December, Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz visited the location of the sign and spoke about the importance of keeping our kids safe when they are out and about.
Founders of Little Blue Dinosaur Michelle and David McLaughlin tragically lost their son Tom at age four to a roadside accident on the Central Coast, and now work tirelessly with organisations like City of Newcastle to prevent further tragedies from occurring on our roads.
The signs are colourful and highly visible, and incorporate simple messaging reminding drivers to slow down, and children and families to take care as pedestrians. Newcastle will be a popular holiday destination over the coming weeks and months, so it is crucial we work together to ensure we have an incident-free Christmas period.
The Holiday Time; Slow Down, Kids Around campaign is supported by 65 councils across four states in Australia.
To read more about Michelle and David’s story, or the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation, visit http://www.littlebluedinosaur.org

Visitors will be able to explore multiple truths in Newcastle Museum’s latest exhibition, 1X4, which turns the traditional museum experience on its head.
The innovative 1×4 exhibition was conceived by Newcastle Museum as a way of highlighting the role of curators and historians in shaping how we perceive the significance of things.

Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said visitors would be presented with four diverse “stories” for each object, reflecting a range of different but valid perspectives that can be used to interpret the displays.
Ms Baird said the radical concept could change the way museums create exhibitions and had already attracted state-wide and international interest. Even the way the stories are presented is different, on your own phone or device instead of labels on the walls.
“By using their own phones, visitors can read or listen to each object’s stories plus listen to its accompanying song, in an accessible and COVID Safe way, so when you come, don’t forget to bring your mobile or device,” Ms Baird said.
“1X4 breaks the power that museums have when they choose what to collect and how to interpret.
“An object as simple as a child’s dress can tell of the Baby Boom generation, the symbolism of the colour pink, an individual’s childhood or the science of the Nylon revolution.
“The exhibition begins as many conversations as it concludes, allowing visitors to enjoy deeper engagement and a more philosophical view on rare, beautiful and ordinary objects. We are hoping visitors leave the show and go home to explore the links, songs and stories more after the have visited in person.”
“While 1×4 is currently on exhibition at Newcastle Museum it will also travel to other local government-funded museums in NSW.
“The approach is considered so ground-breaking that local government funded museums in Canada have been in contact and are interested in creating their own version of the 1X4 concept.”
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the interest generated by the self-curated exhibition reflects the quality of exhibitions, collections and programming produced by the Museum.
“Newcastle Museum is on the cutting edge of contemporary museum practice, creating insightful and immersive ways to interpret and preserve our city’s fascinating history,” Cr Nelmes said.
“As a vibrant, award-winning cultural attraction, its collection and exhibitions also add to the rich diversity of experiences that help attract visitors to our city.”
Visitors will need to use a phone or device to experience the audio or written labels, links and songs for every object. 1×4 opens at the Museum tomorrow and will remain on display until May 31, with free entry. Visit the Newcastle Museum website for more information.
Newcastle Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm, and Mondays during NSW public and school holidays.

Cementing a long-standing partnership, City of Newcastle has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Newcastle, outlining their shared commitment to providing leadership and solidarity for the city on issues of regional significance and impact.
The MoU was signed today by Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and the University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky.

With a focus on projects that build economic and social resilience, the MoU sets out a framework for how the joint partners will collaborate towards developing a globally connected, innovative, equitable and sustainable city.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the City is focused on working collaboratively with other progressive organisations like the University, to deliver world class urban innovation outcomes through joint activities for the city.
“Newcastle is a sustainable and liveable global city, anchored by a world-leading University which shares a mutual interest in exploring opportunities which enhance innovation through sharing knowledge, research, and data,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Of particular interest to both partners is exploring opportunities for student engagement, with a view to creating a welcoming experience, so students go on to be lifelong ambassadors for our region.
“Collaboration will focus on our strategic alignment between the City and University in; research; industry engagement and exchange; student engagement, City and University Alumni; specialist scholarly advice; learning and cultural events; and data sharing.
“Cooperation will also further our shared Reconciliation agenda and be embedded in the values of equity, excellence, engagement and sustainability.
“City of Newcastle looks forward to strengthening our relationship with the University and utilising this important partnership to the benefit of the city whilst reflecting the spirit and intent of collaboration, transparency, respect, and innovation.”
University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky said a stronger partnership between the University and City of Newcastle will benefit our community.
“We are a University of our region, for our region.  Indeed, City of Newcastle and the community have been pivotal in the establishment of the University as a leading city institution.  I’m very pleased to cement our University’s ongoing partnership through this MoU,” Professor Zelinsky said.
“This MoU is a commitment to work together on shared priorities, to find ways to tackle challenges in our communities together and to make sure that our region benefits from the strength and knowledge of a world-class university.
“Novocastrians have told us that they want us to provide leadership on issues that impact our regions, such as entrenched inequality and a transitioning economy. By working hand in hand with the City of Newcastle, we’ll better understand the needs and together be able to address the challenges.”