Category: Newcastle News

A third person has been charged in relation to the suspicious death of a New Zealand man in the Hunter region two years ago.
Just after 5.30am on Saturday 29 September 2018, emergency services were called to Carrington Street, Glenridding, after a man’s body was located on the side of the road.
The man was later identified as 43-year-old New Zealand firefighter, Ian Pullen, who had arrived in the Hunter region to assist local volunteers fighting bushfires.
Detectives from Hunter Valley Police District established Strike Force Awabakil to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Pullen’s death.
A man and a woman have since been charged over the death; they remain before the courts.
Following further inquiries, about 9.10am today (Monday 23 November 2020), detectives attended a Whittingham home and arrested a 21-year-old woman.
She was taken to Singleton Police Station and charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
She was refused bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court later today (Monday 23 November 2020).

A disqualified driver will face Court after she was allegedly detected travelling nearly twice the speed limit in the Hunter Region.
About 11.30am this morning (Sunday 22 November 2020), officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were conducing speed enforcement duties on John Renshaw Drive at Black Hill, when they detected a Hyundai Elantra sedan allegedly travelling at 116km/h in a 60km/h road work zone.
A short time later, police stopped the driver, a 29-year-old woman. Checks conducted by police showed she was a disqualified driver.
It will be alleged in Court the road surface where the offence took place was loosely laid newly paved surface with no lane markings and was driving with a two-year-old child secured in the back seat.
The woman was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station where she was charged with driving at a speed dangerous, exceed speed by more than 45km/h and drive whilst disqualified – 2^nd offence.
The woman from Dungog was refused bail and is due to appear before Maitland Local Court on Monday 23 November 2020.

An elderly man has died a day after being rescued from a creek when he crashed his mobility scooter in the Lake Macquarie area yesterday.
Passers-by went to the aid of an 87-year-old man when his scooter ran off a footpath, rolled 6m down an embankment and into the creek below Freemans Drive at Cooranbong, about 3pm (Saturday 21 November 2020).
Emergency services arrived to find passers-by supporting the man in waist-deep water.
Fire and Rescue NSW officers carried the man to the roadway where he was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics then taken to John Hunter Hospital suffering hip and rib injuries.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District have been advised the man died in hospital about 11.30am today (Sunday 22 November 2020).
Inquiries continue.

A teenager has been charged as investigations continue into the destruction of a school bus in Maitland last week.
Officers attached to the Port Stephens Proactive Crime Team commenced an investigation following reports of damage at a school on Chelmsford Drive, Metford, on the night of Sunday the 15th November 2020.
Police will allege a group of youths were seen on CCTV to scale a security fence about 8pm before approaching a bus, which was locked and parked on the premises.
The group broke into the bus, causing extensive damage, estimated to be in excess of $30,000, by allegedly smashing the dashboard and windows with the vehicle’s emergency hammer, and releasing the contents of a fire extinguisher.
Following inquires, a 13-year-old boy was arrested at a Metford home about 4.30pm yesterday (Thursday 19 November 2020. He was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with 11 offences, including;
– Enter prescribed premises of any person without lawful excuse (six counts)
– Enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence
– Behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school
– Destroy or damage property (three counts)
He was granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Wednesday 16 December 2020.
Investigations are continuing.

City of Newcastle honoured a relationship steeped in history and culture on Thursday ahead of the 40^th anniversary of the Sister City declaration between Newcastle and Ube, Japan.
On 21 November 1980, the City’s first female Lord Mayor, the late Joy Cummings, turned a new page in history as she joined the Mayor of Ube, the late Mr Hideo Futatsugi, to sign the Sister City agreement.
Built upon the burgeoning port harbour cities’ shared industrial backgrounds in coal exports and steel manufacturing, the declaration was and remains today a sign of goodwill, mutual understanding and friendship.
^{Mayor of Ube, Mr Hideo Futatsugi, and Newcastle Lord Mayor Joy Cummings sign the declaration while Town Clerk Barrie Lewis looks on. Image courtesy Newcastle Libraries Local History Collections.}
Over the decades, Newcastle and Ube have developed strong connections in education, youth exchange, economics, sport and art, which were celebrated when the City hosted Consul-General Mr Kiya Masahiko and Consul in Charge of General Affairs and Information and Culture, Mr Shinichi Murata on a diplomatic visit to Newcastle.
Mr Masahiko and Mr Murata were presented with a commemorative book, titled Sister Cities Newcastle and Ube: celebrating 40 years, produced by the City to mark the auspicious occasion.
The Consuls also received a demonstration of a curated, interactive digital story-wall exhibition showcasing the Sister City history at the City Administration Centre’s Digital Library.
^{Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes presents the commemorative book to the Consul-General of Japan in Sydney, Mr Kiya Masahiko, in front of the digital story-wall exhibition at the City’s Digital Library.}
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes recognised the ongoing significance of this mutually beneficial relationship as both Newcastle and Ube continue to undergo growth and transformation.
“It was Lord Mayor Joy Cummings’ vision, when the declaration was signed, for our two great cities to enjoy lasting friendship, good health and prosperity, and I am proud to say our Sister City ties remain as strong as ever,” Cr Nelmes said.
“While we are living through an unprecedented time due to the many challenges posed by the COVID-19 global pandemic, it is but another chapter in the history book of our Sister City relationship, as we rise together to overcome adversity as we have done in the past.
“City of Newcastle congratulates Ube City on achieving this joint milestone and looks forward to the continuation of our cities’ relationship over the years to come.”
Sister Cities Newcastle and Ube: celebrating 40 years is available for loan from Newcastle Libraries. A digital version is accessible via the website.

City of Newcastle has completed a 400-metre section of new footpath in front of Callaghan College Jesmond Senior Campus, and is on track to deliver over two kilometres of new footpath by the end of the financial year.
The $800,000 Jesmond project has replaced previously unpaved sections of nature reserve, making the trip to and from school safer and easier for Callaghan Jesmond’s 700 students.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the footpath upgrade improves the accessibility and liveability of the city.
“City of Newcastle maintains nearly 1,000 kilometres of footpath across the local government area, which is roughly the distance between Newcastle and Melbourne.
“The City’s annual footpath upgrade and maintenance program will deliver over two kilometres of new paths across Newcastle by the end of this financial year, including a 515-metre footpath on Minmi Road, Maryland, and a 200-metre path on Young Road in Lambton.
“This Janet Street upgrade is a significant project which is going to be great for those at Callaghan College and importantly, many residents in this busy part of Jesmond.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen inspected the works with Callaghan College Principal Roger Macey outside campus today and said these types of works are very beneficial for pedestrians and other road users.
“Our focus is on improving public safety through improved infrastructure such as more pedestrian refuges and crossings particularly in high traffic areas such as school zones,” Cr Clausen said.
“It’s great to see these works now complete at Jesmond and I hope it makes life easier for the students and teachers who walk or ride scooters or skateboards to school every day.”
Principal of Callaghan College Roger Macey said the improvements along Janet Street will make it safer for the broader school community.
“The footpath and pedestrian crossing right in front of the school will no doubt make a difference to everyone who comes to Callaghan College, not just our students and teachers.
“These are significant improvements which will be great for us, and I want to congratulate all City of Newcastle staff involved in getting this project planned and delivered.”
For more about pedestrian and traffic improvement projects in your neighbourhood visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/works

The office of Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon will again be a drop off point for Share the Dignity’s “It’s in the Bag” campaign this year.
Ms Claydon has urged Novocastrians to donate generously to the campaign.
“You can make life better for a woman or girl experiencing homelessness or poverty this Christmas,” Ms Claydon said.
“Just fill a nice bag with sanitary items, hygiene products and everyday luxuries and drop it off to my office at 427 Hunter Street.”
Ms Claydon, who also chairs Federal Labor’s Status of Women Committee, said the donations would be given to women who can’t afford sanitary products.
“Donations will give dignity to homeless women, women who are at risk or women experiencing domestic violence,” Ms Claydon said.
“This is a great opportunity to embrace the spirit of the festive season and give something back.”
Ms Claydon said she wanted to exceed the number of donations she received last year. [pictured with Sharon and Lesley Slevin from Share the Dignity]
“Last year, Novocastrians generously donated more than 50 lovely bags filled with essentials and extra luxury items,” Ms Claydon said.
“I think we can beat this in 2020.”
Ms Claydon said people could make up an adult, a teen or a mum and bub bag.
“Cute small bags or backpacks are great for teen bags, and you can fill them with sanitary items and extras that are more likely to appeal to younger women,” Ms Claydon said.
“For mums and bubs, use a large bag and fill it with things like disposable nappy bags, baby wipes,  along with women’s sanitary items.
“If you like, you can also put in something extra like jewellery, gift vouchers or make up.”
Donations will be accepted until November 27.

A man has been charged after allegedly stealing cowboy hats worth almost $10,000.
About 5.30am on Tuesday 27 October 2020, the man allegedly broke into a business in Kelly Street, Scone. The man was observed loading various brands of ‘country and cowboy’ hats into a wheelie bin, before leaving the scene.
The hats, made of straw and felt, sell for an estimated $250-$300 each.
At 1pm this afternoon (17 November 2020) a 32-year-old man was arrested by officers attached to the Hunter Valley Police District. He was taken to Tamworth police station, where he was charged with break/enter dwelling and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.
The Taminda man was bail refused and appeared today (17 November 2020) at Tamworth Local Court.

A 22-year-old man will face Court tomorrow after being charged following an incident where two police officers were injured when their police vehicle was allegedly rammed at Lake Macquarie.
About 5.00pm (Thursday 12 November 2020), plain clothes officers from Lake Macquarie Police District driving an unmarked police vehicle attempted to stop a Nissan Patrol 4WD on Lake Street, Windale.
Once both vehicles stopped, the driver of the Nissan Patrol allegedly reversed and crashed into the front end of the police vehicle before driving away.
Officers followed the Nissan into nearby Belar Avenue, where the Nissan stopped in the middle of the roadway and again allegedly reversed into the front of the police vehicle, causing extensive damage, thus disabling the police vehicle. The Nissan Patrol then drove off.
Both officers received minor injuries and were treated at the scene by Ambulance paramedics before being transported to John Hunter Hospital for treatment. They have both since been released from hospital.
Detectives from the Lake Macquarie Police District commenced an investigation and later located a white Nissan Patrol at Belmont North. The vehicle has been seized for forensic examination.
Police later conducted a search warrant on a unit in Belmont North and seized a number of items which will be subject of further investigation.
Following inquiries, about 2.50pm this afternoon (Friday 13 November 2020) officers from Lake Macquarie Police District stopped a silver Hyundai Getz on Sparks Road, Warnervale.
Police arrested the front seat passenger in the vehicle, a 22-year-old man from Belmont North.
The man was taken to Belmont Police Station and later charged with four offences, including

• Use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention
• Drive whilst disqualified
• Use unregistered registrable vehicle
• Use vehicle with unauthorised number plate

He was refused bail and will appear before Newcastle Local Court on Saturday 14 November 2020.