Category: Newcastle News

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 25 August 2020. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions, please see the Council Meeting Minutes and/or webcast archive for more information.

Lord Mayoral Minutes

A Lord Mayoral Minute received support after it called on the NSW Government to commit to building the state’s vital transport infrastructure in NSW. The Minute also congratulated Novocastrian Cory Wright and ex-Novocastrian Steve Murphy on their respective elections as the NSW and Federal Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, and committed to seeking their input into protecting and strengthening manufacturing and supporting Newcastle manufacturing workers through the COVID recovery and transition to a net-zero carbon economy.
A second Lord Mayoral Minute to ask the Public Accountability Committee to establish a consistent geography and classification across all NSW Government funding sources that enables equitable access for all LGAs was supported. The minute also called for the creation of a Gateway City classification to recognise that LGAs like Newcastle and Wollongong are major regional economic centres that sit between a metropolitan and regional classification.

Ordinary business

King Street, Stockton – Marine Rescue Land Only Lease
Council resolved to enter into a 21-year Land Only Lease with Marine Rescue NSW to allow them to construct a new operations centre on the Stockton site.
Tabling of pecuniary interest returns – 1 May to 31 July 2020
Council noted the tabling of pecuniary interest returns received from designated persons between 1 May and 31 July 2020 in accordance with the City of Newcastle’s Code of Conduct for Staff.
Public exhibition of the Draft Section 7.12 Newcastle Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan 2019 (Update August 2020)
Council voted to place the draft Section 7.12 Newcastle Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan 2019 (Update August 2020) on public exhibition for 28 days.
Variations to Development Standards 32
Council received the report on development variations approved between January 2020 and July 2020.
Emergency egress for high-rise occupants with a disability
Council voted to write to the Council of Australian Governments’ Building Ministers’ Forum, the Australian Building Codes Board and the NSW Minister representing the State on the Council of Australian Governments’ Building Ministers’ Forum to seek support for the creation of provisions that improve emergency egress for people with a disability, particularly with respect to emergency egress from high-rise buildings.
Council will also write to the NSW Building Commissioner to seek support for the creation of formal administrative arrangements that marry in with the Commonwealth’s disability discrimination provisions, and investigate amending City of Newcastle’s Development Control Plans / Planning Guidelines to include consideration of emergency egress from high-rise buildings for people with disabilities.
Young Road, Lambton – intersection realignment and pedestrian refuge at Durham Road and intersection realignment at Wallarah Road
Council voted to approve the realignment of the intersection of Durham Road at Young Road Lambton.
Adoption of Asset Management Policy 2020
Council voted to adopt the revised Asset Management Policy.
Public exhibition of Draft Strategic Sports Plan
Council resolved to place the draft Strategic Sports Plan on public exhibition for 42 days and requested that a report on submissions received be brought back to the Council following the public exhibition.
Authorisation for signing of the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2020
Council noted that the preparation of City of Newcastle’s Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2020 is underway and upon completion they will be referred to the NSW Audit Office. Council voted to authorise the Lord Mayor, a Councillor, the Chief Executive Officer and the responsible Accounting Officer to sign the Statements by Councillors and Management at the conclusion of the external audit.
Investment and borrowing policy annual review
Council voted to adopt the updated Investment and Borrowing Policy.
Executive monthly performance report
Council received the Executive Monthly Performance Report for July 2020.
Appointment of Deputy Lord Mayor
Council reappointed Cr Declan Clausen as Deputy Lord Mayor for the period 13 September 2020 until the day before the next ordinary election.
Transfer of Civic Hotel liquor licence
Council voted to endorse running an Expression of Interest for the transfer of the former Civic Hotel liquor licence. The Chief Executive Officer or his delegate was granted authority to execute all relevant documentation to enact the transfer to a successful proponent for an amount that meets or exceeds the current valuation of the licence. The proceeds will be transferred to City of Newcastle’s ‘Works Program: Specific Projects’ internally restricted reserves.

Notices of Motion

Newcastle Inner City Bypass
A notice of motion to engage with the University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Health, and write to various NSW Government Ministers and the Member for Wallsend, seeking to include a rapid transport connection between John Hunter Hospital and the University of Newcastle on the Newcastle Inner City Bypass, was supported.

A man will appear in court today charged over the alleged sexual assault of a young girl in the state’s Hunter region two years ago.
In June this year, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a young girl had been sexually abused by a man known to her.
Following inquiries, investigators arrested a 41-year-old man at Campbelltown Police Station just after 5pm yesterday (Tuesday 25 August 2020).
He was charged with one count of sexual intercourse with a child under age of 10.
Police will allege in court that the man sexually assaulted the girl – then aged nine – while staying in the Newcastle area in 2018.
The man was refused bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court today (Wednesday 26 August 2020).
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.
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.

A new housing strategy will address a forecast 25% increase in population over the next 20 years.
The draft Local Housing Strategy 2020, which is now on public exhibition, considers demographics, housing supply and demand, as well as land use opportunities and constraints to ensure the provision of affordable, accessible and sustainable housing in the City.
The latest City forecast shows Newcastle’s population is set to grow by 41,150 residents to 202,050 by 2041 – stimulating demand for some 19,450 new dwellings.
Research has shown that one in three Newcastle households have an annual income of less than $48,000 and a further 33 percent suffer housing stress, which is when more than 30 percent of income is spent on housing.
Ward 3 Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz, who chairs the City’s Affordable Living Working Party, says home ownership is out of reach for many people.
“A mix of affordable and sustainable future housing is imperative to meet the diverse needs of our growing community,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.
“Newcastle’s residential areas are experiencing growth and change. It is vital that we provide a path to more affordable and diverse housing types, while complementing the city’s heritage and character.”
City of Newcastle’s housing strategy aims to have a clear set of short, medium and long-term goals based on priorities, including the development of an affordable housing policy, housing diversification and sustainability.
To ensure the goals translate into action, the new strategy has an associated Implementation Plan that will be reviewed every 12 months as actions are completed and to reflect changes in Federal, State or Local priorities as well as resources and budgets.
The housing strategy will be guided by the growth corridors and catalyst areas identified in the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan and the Newcastle LEP.
Residents can have their say until Monday 21 September via the City of Newcastle website.

Police are appealing for public assistance as they investigate an alleged indecent assault in Newcastle last year.
On Saturday 23 November 2019, police have been told a 34-year-old woman was at a hotel with friends at the intersection of Watt and Scott Streets, Newcastle, when an unknown male approached her and touched her inappropriately.
The woman left shortly after and notified police.
Detectives from Newcastle City Police District commenced an investigation into the alleged incident.
As a part of their inquiries, investigators have released a CCTV image of a man that may be able to assist with their inquiries.
He’s described as being of Caucasian appearance with blond hair.
Newcastle City PD Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Scott Parker, said on that weekend in November, tens of thousands of visitors were in town for a major sporting event.
“There were thousands of people here during the Newcastle 500 weekend, all visiting our popular pubs and clubs in the Newcastle CBD.
“We believe there are several people who may have been visiting the Newcastle area that weekend that can assist us with our investigation.
“Anyone who was at that venue on Saturday 23 November, please cast your mind back and see if you have any information which may assist Newcastle detectives,” Det Ch Insp Parker said.

Two men will reappear at court today over the alleged supply and manufacture of a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine in Northern NSW.
Strike Force Delisle was established in May 2020 by detectives from the Coffs/Clarence Police District’s Firearm and Drug Unit to investigate the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs in the Coffs Coast and Hunter Valley regions.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives – assisted by Traffic and Highway Patrol – stopped a white Nissan utility on Waterfall Way at Ebor about 5pm on Friday 14 August 2020.
Police spoke with two men – aged 45 and 47 – before conducting a search of the vehicle, where they allegedly located methylamphetamine, ammunition and chemicals used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs.
The men were arrested and taken to Armidale Police Station.
The 45-year-old Murrurundi man was charged with manufacture a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, while the 47-year-old Billys Creek man was charged with manufacture and supply a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs.
Both men were refused bail and appeared before Tamworth Local Court on Monday 17 August, where they were formally refused bail. They will next appear at Armidale Local Court today (Monday 24 August 2020).
At the same time, police executed a search warrant at a home at Murrurundi, where they located an inactive clandestine lab. A crime scene was established and underwent a forensic examination.
Following further inquiries, about 5pm on Saturday 15 August 2020, a 42-year-old Aberdeen man was arrested at Muswellbrook Police Station.
He was charged with manufacture a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs and refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court on Sunday 16 August 2020, where he was formally refused bail to next appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on Monday 19 October 2020.
On Thursday 20 August 2020, strike force detectives – with assistance from the Coffs/Clarence Target Action Group, Northern and Western Region Operational Support Group officers and AFP officers – executed a search warrant at two properties at Billys Creek.
During the searches, police located and seized glassware used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs, a kilogram of dried cannabis and approximately 10 litres of chemicals believed to be either prohibited drugs or precursors used in their manufacture. The liquids have been sent for further forensic analysis.
Coffs/Clarence Police District Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Guy Flaherty, said these arrests will disrupt the local supply network of methylamphetamine across several regions.
“We will be alleging this illegal activity not only affected the Coffs Coast area, their connections also stemmed into our Hunter Valley and New England regions.
“Through fantastic collaborative work and information sharing with our neighbouring police districts, we have been able to interrupt a cross-region drug network of both manufacture and supply.
“Strike Force Delisle remains ongoing with further investigation and arrests expected,” Det Ch Insp Flaherty said.

A man wanted by police has been arrested and charged with additional ammunition offences in the Port Stephens-Hunter region yesterday.
About 9.30pm (Sunday 23 August 2020), officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended an address on Blackett Close, East Maitland, to speak to a man wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant for a break and enter offence in Wickham during November 2019.
Upon arrival, police observed a man running from the rear of the premises, and after a short foot pursuit, a 35-year-old man was arrested on nearby Mitchell Drive.
Following a search of the area, police located a black satchel bag, allegedly containing 40 rounds of .22 calibre ammunition, a spent shell casing and three air rifle pellets.
The man was taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority. The warrant was also executed for the offence of special aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence-weapon.
He was refused bail to appear in Maitland Local Court today (Monday 24 August 2020).

A man and a teenage girl are in a critical condition after a crash in the Lake Macquarie region today.
About 1.40pm (Sunday 23 August 2020), emergency services were called to Wangi Road, Dora Creek, following reports of a crash involving a Hyundai hatchback towing a box trailer and a Holden Kruse sedan.
Police have been told the Hyundai stopped on the side of the road and the occupants – an 84-year-old man, a 57-year-old woman and a 17-year-old girl – were out of the vehicle when the crash occurred.
The man and teenage girl were taken to John Hunter Hospital where they are both reported to be in a critical condition.
The woman sustained abrasions and was also taken to John Hunter Hospital.
The Holden driver, an 87-year-old woman, was not injured, however, she has also been taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Police are urging any witnesses, or those with dashcam footage, to contact Crime Stoppers.

A woman will face court today charged over an alleged hoax kidnapping in the Hunter overnight.
Police will allege in court about 10.40pm yesterday (Tuesday 18 August 2020), a 20-year-old woman was on a video call with relatives when she was handcuffed and appearing to be held against her will by a man.
Relatives contacted police shortly after the call was terminated.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter and Newcastle City Police Districts commenced inquiries into the whereabouts of the woman.
About 1.30am (Wednesday 19 August 2020), police attended a hotel on High Street, Maitland, and located the 20-year-old and another woman.
She was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with conveying false information that a person/property is in danger.
She was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Wednesday 19 August 2020).
Police are conducting inquiries into the whereabouts of the man.
He’s described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 160cm to 170cm tall, with a solid build, brown hair and brown eyes.

A man has been charged with murder following the death of a man at a rubbish tip in the Hunter Valley last month.
About 5pm on Sunday 5 July 2020, emergency services were called to a waste management facility on Old Maitland Road, after a 54-year-old man was found critically injured. He died at the scene.
Detectives from Hunter Valley Police District, assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, established Strike Force Nargal to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
On Wednesday 8 July 2020, officers attended a property at Lovedale where they arrested a 30-year-old man and seized a Toyota Landcruiser.
Police will allege in court that the man was driving the Toyota Landcruiser when he struck the 54-year-old – who is known to him – at the waste facility.
At that time, the man was taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with dangerous driving occasioning death-driver manner dangerous, negligent driving (occasioning death), fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death and driver not disclose identity of driver/passenger as required.
Yesterday (Thursday 20 August 2020), the same man was served with two additional charges at a correctional facility in Parklea, including murder and aggravated break/enter, and commit serious indictable offence.
The Aberdare man will next appear at Cessnock Local Court on Wednesday 26 August 2020.
Investigations continue.

Drug and Firearms Squad detectives have charged two people after dismantling 12 large-scale industrial grow houses in the state’s Hunter Region and seizing cannabis with a street value of nearly $8 million.
In November last year, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Harthouse to investigate the cultivation and supply of cannabis across NSW.
Their inquiries uncovered a remote property near Muswellbrook being used for the large-scale cultivation of cannabis.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives executed a crime scene warrant at a property on the Golden Highway at Gungal, about 58km south-east of Muswellbrook, from 9am yesterday (Thursday 20 August 2020).
During the search, investigators seized 2628 cannabis plants with an estimated potential street value of $7.8 million.
Officers also located equipment consistent with the cultivation of cannabis within 12 large-scale industrial grow houses, which were subsequently dismantled.
Two men – aged 24 and 29 – were arrested at the property and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station.
The Cabramatta men were both charged with cultivate prohibited plant (large commercial quantity).
Both men were refused bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court today (Friday 21 August 2020).
Investigations by the Drug and Firearms Squad are continuing.