Category: Newcastle News

A driver has died after a single-vehicle crash in the state’s Hunter region today.
About 2.20am (Sunday 5 July 2020), emergency services were called to Wine Country Drive, North Rothbury, following reports a car had caught fire after leaving the road and hitting a tree.
The driver and sole occupant died at the scene, however they have not been formally identified.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District along with Fire and Rescue NSW attended scene and commenced investigations.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Winter sports return today after City of Newcastle staff worked with sporting associations, clubs and neighbouring councils to support the resumption of competition and ensure a safe and consistent approach.
Around 140 sportsgrounds are hosting players in adherence to each sporting association’s COVID-19 safety plan.
Maryland Fletcher FC come back to two vastly improved fields at Kurraka Reserve, thanks to new turf and a $160,000 irrigation and drainage upgrade delivered by the City with the help of a $100,000 Federal sporting grant.
Regeneration of the two playing surfaces also included relevelling, top dressing and over sowing with ryegrass.
^{Federal member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon with Maryland Fletcher FC President Dave Carter and City of Newcastle Councillor Matthew Byrne on Kurraka Reserve’s new playing surface.}
“We are delighted to welcome all sports back from this weekend and especially happy for the young Maryland-Fletcher players returning to a picture-perfect playing surface,” City of Newcastle Councillor Matthew Byrne said.
“The new drainage system will prevent Kurraka becoming waterlogged in winter while the irrigation system will dramatically improve the turf quality and playability for both soccer and cricket year-round.
“The past summer’s drought and water restrictions, which turned many sporting grounds into dust bowls around the country, underline the importance of efficient irrigation systems.
“Better grounds encourage greater participation while minimising labour and maintenance costs, and the City’s parks and recreation staff do a fantastic job maintaining and upgrading fields.”

Maryland Fletcher FC President Dave Carter said the club’s youngsters were eager to play on the newly improved fields.
“The result of the upgrade is a vastly improved and sustainable playing surface that’s going to save us hundreds of volunteer hours and ongoing maintenance costs every year,” Carter said.
“It’s been a great example of what can be achieved with cross-government and local community cooperation. We’re grateful for Council for managing the installation and the support of our Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon MP in obtaining a Federal grant.”
Where sporting activities involve more than 20 participants, organisers must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan. The City will continue to liaise with clubs to ensure they meet requirements.

Newcastle is ready to accommodate an influx of new event bookings as the City reopens the doors for functions at its key venues.
Function rooms located within City Hall and the Fort Scratchley Function Centre are now available for hire, with COVIDSafe plans in place to ensure the safety of attendees.
The guidelines will be determined by the one person per four square metre rule and allow seated functions and events only.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the reopening of venues was a positive step as the city recovers from COVID-19 restrictions.
“The City of Newcastle has a well earnt reputation for delivering first-class events, from small scale local functions all the way though to international events.
“While business tourism, family celebrations and community events had to be put on hold in recent months in the interests of public health and safety, we can now welcome people back into our wonderful function spaces within City Hall and Fort Scratchley.
“Allowing bookings for functions and events at these venues will also have a positive flow-on effect for local businesses such as caterers, accommodation providers, event organisers and florists, who rely heavily on the events industry to survive, while traders in surrounding precincts such as Darby Street will also benefit from increased visitation to the city.
“The past week has seen the phones running hot from people wanting to book the City’s venues.”
A comprehensive COVID-19 Safety Plan has been developed for all City of Newcastle venues to protect the health of the community and staff, including enhanced hygiene measures and distancing measures.

 
A man is in a stable condition after a domestic-related stabbing in Muswellbrook overnight.
About 12.30am (Friday 3 July 2020), a 22-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were at a home on Wollombi Road, Muswellbrook, when a 48-year-old man and a teenage boy attended the home.
Police have been told the 48-year-old man became aggressive towards the 22-year-old man before there was a struggle between the pair and the older man was stabbed in the shoulder and abdomen.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended a short time later and established a crime scene, which will be examined by specialist forensic police.
The older man was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.
The younger man suffered minor injuries and was taken to Muswellbrook Hospital for treatment.
He has since been released and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station where he was charged with contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO and breach of bail.
He was refused bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court today (Friday 3 July 2020).
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are continuing.

City of Newcastle has joined forces with six other leading Hunter organisations to champion the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to create a better, more sustainable future for all.
The SDGs are a universal call to action to end poverty, fight inequality, protect the planet and ensure peace and prosperity for future generations. There are 17 Goals addressing global challenges, from clean energy and climate action to human rights advocacy and gender equality.
The City has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Compass Housing, CIFAL – University of Newcastle, Kumalie, Port of Newcastle, Hunter Water and Port Waratah Coal Services to grow and improve the implementation of the SDGs within the Hunter Region.
^{Representatives of the Hunter Region SDG Memorandum of Understanding signatories meet via Zoom.}
In addition, City of Newcastle has joined the Hunter Region SDG Taskforce, launched in May. As a key member, the City will host a webinar as part of a monthly program on Goal 15 (Life on Land) to coincide with Biodiversity Month in September.
Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Declan Clausen said City of Newcastle was committed to achieving each Goal by 2030, underpinned by their integration in the City’s Annual Reporting in 2019 and Community Strategic Plan in 2018, and welcomed the opportunity for further collaboration across the region.
“City of Newcastle is already leading the local government sector on climate action, making great strides in the field over the past five years and becoming the first NSW Council to become powered by 100% renewable energy,” Cr Clausen said.
“Our 2025 Climate Action Plan, currently in development, will set our goals and priorities for the next five years to build on these achievements.
“Signing the MOU and gaining a seat at the table on the Hunter Region SDG Taskforce continues our transformation into a more sustainable city and fosters a strong, collaborative approach to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals locally.”
In another coup, City of Newcastle has become the 11^th city in the Oceania and Asia-Pacific Region to join the 2020 SDGs Cities Challenge.
Facilitated by Melbourne University’s Connected Cities Lab, the 2020 SDGs Cities Challenge is a 10-month action research project designed to support participating cities in working towards implementing the targets and indicators. Expertise is provided by local government, academia and business, including the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia and the Banksia Foundation, to identify the best approach for cities to deliver on the SDGs.
City of Newcastle joins Davao City (Philippines), Alor Gajah Municipal Council (Malaysia), City of Dehradun (India), Port Vila (Vanuatu), City of Honiara (Solomon Islands), City of Melbourne, City of Warrnambool, City of Whitehorse, University of Melbourne Student Precinct, and City of Woollahra in participating in the Challenge.

A man has been charged after prohibited drugs and explosive devices were located at a home in the Hunter region yesterday.
Officers attached to the Hunter Valley Police District Proactive Crime Team conducted a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) search at a home on Fifth Street, Weston, about 10.30am (Wednesday 1 July 2020).
During the search, police located and seized an amount of methylamphetamine, cannabis, more than $10,000 cash, drug paraphernalia, and explosive detonators.
Police arrested a 36-year-old man at the scene and he was taken to Cessnock Police Station.
He was charged with seven offences including:

• Possess prohibited drug (x4)
• Possess, supply or make explosive for unlawful purpose
• Goods in custody suspected being stolen (x2)

He was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 2 July 2020).
Specialist police were called to the station to safely destroy the explosive materials.

Two teenagers have been charged following an alleged aggravated robbery in Newcastle yesterday.
About 7.20pm (Wednesday 1 July 2020), a 31-year-old man parked his vehicle near the intersection of Merewether and Hunter Streets, Newcastle, when he was approached by two juveniles.
The pair – a teenage boy and a girl – allegedly threatened the man with a knife, demanding his car keys and phone before attempting to open the vehicle. They were unsuccessful and fled east along Hunter Street.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and commenced inquiries.
A short time later, a 14-year-old boy and 16-year-old girl were arrested after being stopped by officers on Darby Street, Cooks Hill.
During a search, police allegedly located a knife, the man’s car keys and cannabis.
Both were taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with robbery in company and custody of knife in public place.
The girl was also charged with possess prohibited drug.
Both were refused bail to appear at a children’s court today (Thursday 2 July 2020).

A man has been charged following a siege at Newcastle earlier today.
About 9.20am (Thursday 2 July 2020), officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to Warkworth Street, Maryland, following reports of a domestic dispute.
Upon arrival, police were confronted by a man, allegedly armed with a knife, while two women and two children also remained inside the home.
A perimeter was established and during negotiations, the man allegedly armed himself with an air pellet gun and fired several rounds at police, with two officers – a sergeant and constable – hit. Both suffered minor injuries and did not require further treatment.
Specialist police units – including Negotiators, Tactical Operations Regional Support and Police Rescue – were deployed a short time later.
Negotiators spoke to the 30-year-old man for a short time before he surrendered to police about 11.15am and was arrested.
He was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with common assault (DV), destroy or damage property (DV), discharge firearm with intent to resist arrest, fire firearm manner likely injure persons/property, use unauthorised prohibited firearm, not keep firearm safely-prohibited firearm, armed with intent commit indictable offence, assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm, and assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm.
The man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Friday 3 July 2020).

Strike Force Trawler detectives have charged a man from the Hunter Valley following an investigation into the alleged online grooming of a child.
In May, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from Kurri Kurri.
Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in conversations about sexually-explicit acts he wished to perform with the child and sent her explicit material.
About 9.40am (Wednesday 1 July 2020), following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators arrested a 47-year-old man at a caravan park in Singleton.
The man was taken to Singleton Police Station and charged with use carriage service to solicit child abuse material and use carriage service to groom child under 16 years for sex.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.