Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp and Shadow Minister for Local Government Greg Warren have called on the NSW Government to urgently intervene and expedite a coastal management program for Stockton Beach.
Mr Crakanthorp and Mr Warren met with locals on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after the situation reached crisis point when the town’s only childcare centre was permanently closed after the building was deemed unsafe due to continued coastal erosion.
At the same time Council workers were moving an exclusion zone significantly closer to the road, with recent erosion now coming within metres of the childcare centre’s back door.
Last August Mr Crakanthorp collected 10,000 signatures on a petition and debated the issue in NSW Parliament. He had also invited the previous minister, Gabrielle Upton, to visit Stockton several times, and has met with the new responsible minister, Shelley Hancock, to highlight the significance of the issue and extend the same invitation.
The Government needs to come to the table with money and resources to assist the City of Newcastle to fast-track the development of their coastal management program.
Greg Warren, Shadow Minister for Local Government said:
“It’s disgraceful that the NSW Liberals and Nationals continue to drag their feet regarding this urgent and serious issue.
“Erosion at Stockton Beach has now forced the closure of Stockton’s only childcare centre. That has created chaos for local parents and their children.
“What more needs to happen for this Government to take this issue seriously?”
Tim Crakanthorp, Member for Newcastle said:
“To see the childcare centre be forced to close its doors is devastating for local families who now have to make alternate arrangements. It should never have got to this stage.
“After I received the news about the childcare centre I asked Greg to come have a look and he jumped at the opportunity, but years of invitations to Government ministers have declined.
“The people of Stockton have been abandoned by this Government. We know the Government has money they can spend – they need to spend it.”
Category: Newcastle News
All the news happening in the Newcastle and Hunter Region
Swords, crossbows, tasers, batons seized; man charged – Cardiff
A man will face court today after several prohibited weapons were seized from a home at Cardiff yesterday.
About 3.45pm on Monday 13 January 2020, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District attended a unit on Macquarie Road, Cardiff, in relation to a concern for welfare.
Upon arrival, police spoke with an 11-year-old boy and a 36-year-old man.
Police were granted entry to the premises where they located a gel-blaster rifle and pistol, pellets, swords, knives, and drug paraphernalia.
A 36-year-old man was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station.
Later that evening, police executed a search warrant at the home where they seized more than 60 items, including gel-blasters, 11 sling shots, four extendable batons, three tasers, three knuckle dusters, two crossbows, a number of knives including machetes, throwing knives and swords, fireworks and a white substance believed to be cocaine.
The man was charged with 32 offences including possess prohibited weapon without permit, possess unauthorised firearm, and possess ammunition without permit.
He was refused bail to face Toronto Local Court today (Tuesday 14 January 2020).
Man charged over alleged sexual abuse of young girl – Hunter region
A man will face court today charged over the alleged sexual abuse of a young girl in the state’s Hunter region.
In January 2020, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a young girl was sexually abused by a man known to her.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives arrested a 60-year-old man at a home in the Hunter region about 4pm yesterday (Monday 13 January 2020).
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with three counts of sexual intercourse with child under the age of 10 years, intentionally sexually touch child under 10 years, and intentionally incite child under 10 years to sexually touch them.
Police will allege in court that the man sexually abused the girl – aged eight – numerous times at a home in Raymond Terrace between 2019 and 2020.
He was refused bail and will appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today (Tuesday 14 January 2020).
Reward announced for information into disappearance and suspected murder of Steven Fenwick – Strike Force Kummari
Police will address the media to announce a NSW Government reward for information regarding the disappearance and suspected homicide of a man who went missing near Newcastle early last year.
Steven ‘Feno’ Fenwick, aged 33, was last confirmed seen exiting a bus on Nelson Bay Road, Fern Bay, about 1pm on Wednesday 30 January 2019; he hasn’t been heard from since.
Numerous searches and public appeals have been conducted since then, with detectives from Newcastle City Police District establishing Strike Force Kummari to investigate the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
As their inquiries continue, a NSW Government reward will be announced for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Steven’s disappearance and suspected murder.
Development heralds revival of Hunter St Mall
City of Newcastle has welcomed another milestone in the City’s revitalisation, with work beginning today on a major residential and retail development in Hunter Street Mall as part of Iris Capital’s $700 million East End project.
Bounded by Hunter, Wolfe, King and Thorn streets, the multi-storey stage two development will feature 116 residential apartments atop retail and commercial space in buildings standing between three and seven storeys tall.
Under the Hunter Street Newcastle East End Stage One Streetscape Plan, bluestone footpaths, cobblestone laneways and new outdoor eating and retail opportunities will add to the character of the Mall.
Similar to preservation work on the former David Jones building, which marked stage one of the East End development, Iris will retain the facades of the former Lyrique Theatre, Masonic Hall, Royal Exchange Hotel and Soul Pattinson Chemist buildings.
“The redevelopment of the Hunter Street Mall is now well and truly underway,” Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said.
“The decision to start work on the second stage of the development before stage one is complete shows the confidence Iris has in the Newcastle market and will minimise overall disruption to Hunter Street Mall traders.
“Stages one and two of the East End development are game changers as they account for more than half of the Hunter Street Mall.
“I recall the disappointment in the city in 2010 when GPT walked away from its redevelopment.
“What was then a devastating blow to the city and its traders is now a distant memory, with Iris attracting blue chip retailers and a five-star hotel to the Mall.
“Woolworths’ fit out of a boutique grocery store will start in July, marking the first return of a major retailer since David Jones closed in 2011.
“The momentum of this development is unstoppable and provides hope for the mall traders that have done it so very tough for several decades since the rise of Westfield Kotara and Charlestown Square.
“A DA for a five-star hotel in the old David Jones building is likely to go to the Hunter & Central Coast Regional Planning Panel for determination in March, which will be the icing on the cake of the $700 million development.”
Iris Capital CEO Sam Arnaout said he was excited about restoring iconic Newcastle buildings as part of stage two.
“The East End has so many incredible buildings that have formed the fabric of the city and we are very proud to restore these and return them to their former glory,” he said.
“What once was the Lyrique Theatre will once again be a feature in the city’s architecture.
“A laneway linking Wolfe and Thorn streets will unveil the theatre like never before and will see it become a landmark in the East End.”
The project will also trigger capital works that are part of The Hunter Street Newcastle East End Stage One Streetscape Plan.
Under the Council-approved blueprint, bluestone footpaths, cobblestone laneways and new outdoor eating and retail opportunities will help re-invigorate two blocks bound by Perkins, Newcomen, King and Scott streets.
Including a separated two-way cycleway, new furnishings, street plantings and street art, the plan will revive the former commercial centre as a tourism, residential and hospitality hub.
“The streetscape plan is a very exciting plan for Newcastle, and has been brought forward to occur at the same time as the Iris development,” City of Newcastle Director of Infrastructure & Property Ken Liddell said.
“It supports the much-needed growth of residential development, boutique retail, hospitality and tourism in Newcastle.
“It will see Hunter Street revert to a traditional high street with kerb and guttering that better define usages and help attract more residents, students and visitors to the precinct.
“Avenue tree-planting, increased public seating and footpaths with distinctive finishes and historical interpretation will encourage more outdoor dining and create a whole new welcoming feel with vastly improved connections between the harbour foreshore and Cathedral Park.”
The plan will see the 40km/h speed limit for westbound motorists replace the current 10km/h limit, with parking retained along Hunter Street’s northern side, and a new accessible ramp in Market Street replace the Morgan Street laneway ramp.
Bounded by Hunter, Wolfe, King and Thorn streets, the multi-storey stage two development will feature 116 residential apartments atop retail and commercial space in buildings standing between three and seven storeys tall.
Under the Hunter Street Newcastle East End Stage One Streetscape Plan, bluestone footpaths, cobblestone laneways and new outdoor eating and retail opportunities will add to the character of the Mall.Similar to preservation work on the former David Jones building, which marked stage one of the East End development, Iris will retain the facades of the former Lyrique Theatre, Masonic Hall, Royal Exchange Hotel and Soul Pattinson Chemist buildings.
“The redevelopment of the Hunter Street Mall is now well and truly underway,” Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said.
“The decision to start work on the second stage of the development before stage one is complete shows the confidence Iris has in the Newcastle market and will minimise overall disruption to Hunter Street Mall traders.
“Stages one and two of the East End development are game changers as they account for more than half of the Hunter Street Mall.
“I recall the disappointment in the city in 2010 when GPT walked away from its redevelopment.
“What was then a devastating blow to the city and its traders is now a distant memory, with Iris attracting blue chip retailers and a five-star hotel to the Mall.
“Woolworths’ fit out of a boutique grocery store will start in July, marking the first return of a major retailer since David Jones closed in 2011.
“The momentum of this development is unstoppable and provides hope for the mall traders that have done it so very tough for several decades since the rise of Westfield Kotara and Charlestown Square.
“A DA for a five-star hotel in the old David Jones building is likely to go to the Hunter & Central Coast Regional Planning Panel for determination in March, which will be the icing on the cake of the $700 million development.”
Iris Capital CEO Sam Arnaout said he was excited about restoring iconic Newcastle buildings as part of stage two.
“The East End has so many incredible buildings that have formed the fabric of the city and we are very proud to restore these and return them to their former glory,” he said.
“What once was the Lyrique Theatre will once again be a feature in the city’s architecture.
“A laneway linking Wolfe and Thorn streets will unveil the theatre like never before and will see it become a landmark in the East End.”
The project will also trigger capital works that are part of The Hunter Street Newcastle East End Stage One Streetscape Plan.
Under the Council-approved blueprint, bluestone footpaths, cobblestone laneways and new outdoor eating and retail opportunities will help re-invigorate two blocks bound by Perkins, Newcomen, King and Scott streets.
Including a separated two-way cycleway, new furnishings, street plantings and street art, the plan will revive the former commercial centre as a tourism, residential and hospitality hub.
“The streetscape plan is a very exciting plan for Newcastle, and has been brought forward to occur at the same time as the Iris development,” City of Newcastle Director of Infrastructure & Property Ken Liddell said.
“It supports the much-needed growth of residential development, boutique retail, hospitality and tourism in Newcastle.
“It will see Hunter Street revert to a traditional high street with kerb and guttering that better define usages and help attract more residents, students and visitors to the precinct.
“Avenue tree-planting, increased public seating and footpaths with distinctive finishes and historical interpretation will encourage more outdoor dining and create a whole new welcoming feel with vastly improved connections between the harbour foreshore and Cathedral Park.”
The plan will see the 40km/h speed limit for westbound motorists replace the current 10km/h limit, with parking retained along Hunter Street’s northern side, and a new accessible ramp in Market Street replace the Morgan Street laneway ramp.
Man charged with recording intimate images without consent – Raymond Terrace
Police have charged a man after he allegedly filmed women showering and getting dressed without their consent in the state’s Hunter Region.
About 10pm (Friday 10 January 2020), police were called to an address in Raymond Terrace, after the intimate videos of three women, aged 22, 22 and 24, were allegedly found on the phone of the 23-year-old man.
The man was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station, where he was charged with three counts of intentionally record intimate image without consent, allegedly between April 2018 and January 2020.
The man was also issued with an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order in relation to one of the women.
He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Tuesday 4 February 2020.
Charges after man allegedly steals from stroke victim – Lake Macquarie
A man has been charged after allegedly stealing from a person who had just suffered a medical episode in the Lake Macquarie region this week.
About 4.40pm on Tuesday 7 January 2020, a 58-year-old man suffered a stroke while seated in his car in the car park of a hotel on Wilsons Road at Mount Hutton, south of Newcastle.
Shortly after, a 29-year-old man discovered the older man on the ground beside his vehicle and called Triple Zero (000) for help.
Police will allege the younger man then entered car and stole cash and credit cards before leaving the scene.
NSW Ambulance paramedics attended and took the older man to hospital.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District initiated inquiries after the older man’s wife reported the theft the next day (Wednesday 9 January 2020).
After reviewing CCTV footage, officers attached to the Lake Macquarie Target Action Group attended a home on South Street, Windale, at 3pm yesterday (Thursday 9 January 2020), and arrested a 29-year-old man after a short foot pursuit.
He was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with larceny, escape police custody, and resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty.
He was refused bail to appear in Belmont Local Court today (Friday 10 January 2020).
The 58-year-old man remains in a stable condition in John Hunter Hospital.
Woman injured in unprovoked assault; man charged – Maitland
A man has been charged following an alleged unprovoked assault at Maitland yesterday.
About 4.35pm (Monday 6 January 2020), a 62-year-old woman was walking south along Church Street when she stopped behind a 40-year-old male.
Police will allege in court the man turned around without any provocation and stuck the woman to the face.
Bystanders came to assist the woman while the man fled the scene.
Emergency services were called and officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District arrived shortly after.
The woman was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Maitland Hospital for further treatment; she has since been discharged.
Following inquiries, police attended Maitland Railway Station where they arrested a 40-year-old man.
He was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with reckless wounding.
He was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Tuesday 7 January 2020).
Investigations are continuing.
Body pulled from water off Caves Beach – Lake Macquarie
A body has been recovered from waters off Caves Beach at Lake Macquarie yesterday.
Just after 3.30pm (Tuesday 7 January 2020), police were notified after Lake Macquarie Council lifeguards located the body of a man in the water, about 100m off the southern end of Caves Beach.
The body was retrieved by officers from the Marine Area Command and taken to a nearby boat ramp, where it was examined by specialist forensic officers.
Detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District attended, and the man’s personal belongings and vehicle were later found at the beach.
Initial inquiries suggest the man attended the unpatrolled northern end of the beach for a swim earlier that day. He is yet to be formally identified.
A brief will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
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.
Critical incident investigation underway following fatal crash – Newcastle
A critical incident investigation has been launched after a man died in a motorcycle crash at Newcastle overnight.
Just before 3am (Wednesday 8 January 2020), officers from Newcastle City Police District were patrolling the CBD when they attempted to stop a motorcycle on Hunter Street, near Steele Street.
A pursuit was initiated after the motorcycle allegedly failed to stop, before being terminated shortly after due to safety concerns.
The motorcycle continued to travel along Hunter Street before being found crashed on Scott Street, after hitting a pole.
Officers rendered first aid; however, the male rider died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.
A crime scene has been established, which will be examined by specialist forensic officers.
Scott Street remains closed between Wolf and Watt Streets with the light rail affected. Local traffic diversions are in place.
A critical incident team from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.
That investigation will be subject to an independent review.
All information will be provided for the information of the Coroner.
No further details are available at this time.
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.