Category: Newcastle News

City of Newcastle has temporarily closed the Mall Car Park on King Street to allow for a detailed structural engineering assessment on the 59-year-old building.
The Car Park is currently operating at less than 20 per cent capacity due to the escalating impact of COVID-19. We apologise to those people who were still intending to use the car park this week.
All permanent customers will be contacted by City of Newcastle to advise of the change.

A man will face court today after allegedly pointing a loaded speargun towards police near Morisset yesterday.
Police will allege a 43-year-old man attempted to gain entry to a neighbouring property on Mooranga Road, Mirrabooka, about 8.40pm (Sunday 29 March 2020), and began yelling at the owner.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District arrived to find the man in the front yard of the property, when he allegedly pointed a loaded speargun towards police.
After a short struggle, the man was arrested and the speargun was seized.
The man was taken to Toronto Police Station where he was charged with affray, armed with intent to commit indictable offence, assault officer in execution of duty, and resist officer in execution of duty.
He was refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court today (Monday 30 March 2020).

A man will appear at court today charged over an alleged armed robbery in Newcastle at the weekend.
About 4.30pm on Saturday (28 March 2020), a 17-year-old boy attended a unit on Smith Street, Elermore Vale, where he spoke with a 22-year-old man.
Police will allege the older man threatened the teenager with a firearm before the 17-year-old handed over cash and left the unit.
Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were alerted and commenced investigations.
About 7am today (Monday 30 March 2020), officers from Newcastle City PD, with assistance from police negotiators and the Tactical Operations Region Support (TORS) Group attended a unit on Smith Street, Elermore Vale, and spoke with a 22-year-old man.
The man peacefully surrendered to police and was arrested about 7.40am.
He was taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with robbery armed with an offensive weapon and possess a firearm in breach of a firearm prohibition order.
He was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 30 March 2020).

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man reported missing from the Lake Macquarie region.
Anthony (Tony) Maybury, aged 23, was last seen at his home on Exford Avenue, Macquarie Hills, about 10.30am on Monday 23 March 2020.
It is believed Mr Maybury was in contact with his girlfriend around 1.40pm on the same day, but has not returned to his home, or made any contact with family or friends since.
Lake Macquarie Police District are appealing for public assistance to locate Mr Maybury after he was reported missing at Toronto Police Station about 12.15pm on Friday 27 March 2020.
Mr Maybury is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm to 180cm tall, of a solid build, with brown hair.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to call Toronto Police Station on 02 4088 1099 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Construction is complete on the new $3.3 million Tyrrell Street Bridge, marking an important milestone in addressing flooding in Wallsend.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the finished project is part of a multi-million-dollar program of work underway in Wallsend with the City of Newcastle commencing a series of projects to improve public amenity and the suburb’s resilience to floods.
“The replacement of Tyrrell Street Bridge is an important piece of work in an ongoing process of flood mitigation and renewal in Wallsend.
“The Wallsend community has been hit hard during the past decade from flash flooding. This is why we prioritised this $3.3 million project in what is a long term, generational change project in Wallsend.
“This project saw the demolition of the former smaller and lower structure which was built in 1930. In its place is a 26.6-metre-long two-span, two-lane concrete plank road bridge, allowing more water to flow through Hunter Water’s drain during storm events.
“I thank the community for their patience and cooperation during the construction of the new bridge and am pleased the City is making progress in improving the suburbs resilience to flooding.”
Replacing Tyrrell Street Bridge forms part of the Ironbark Creek Flood Mitigation Plan, which proposes another two bridges at Boscawen Street and Nelson Street be replaced, increasing the flow capacity at the Cowper Street Bridge, and planning for how Hunter Water’s channel can be widened to allow better water flow during heavy rainfall.
Ward Four Councillor Jason Dunn said the project was also the starting point of a larger program of work to benefit residents, businesses, property owners and visitors to the suburb.
“A long-term vision for the renewal of the Wallsend local centre is starting to take place following the adoption of the Wallsend Local Centre Public Domain and Traffic Plan,” Cr Dunn said.
“The plan aims to increase safety for pedestrians, cyclists and traffic as well as improve amenity, accessibility and connectivity for the community.
“We’ll be having a conversation with the community about how the plan takes shape and what the ideal future for Wallsend looks like including heritage preservation, more seating and shade, greener streets and public access to technology like Wi-Fi.
“We’ll also be restoring aging infrastructure including roads, footpaths, lighting and drainage throughout the town centre.
“Wallsend’s flood mitigation project and public domain plan form one long term vision to allow the town centre to thrive as the population grows in our western suburb.”

Hunter Valley police have released images of a vehicle they believe a missing man and child may be travelling in, as they continue to appeal for public assistance.
Police have been told 57-year-old Michael Lantry and four-year-old Conner Lantry were last seen boarding a bus on Wollombi Road, Millfield, headed for Cessnock about 8.30am on Tuesday 24 March 2020.
After the pair failed to return home that afternoon, relatives contacted police and inquiries commenced.
Following extensive inquiries, police believe the pair have left the Hunter Valley and have travelled interstate.
Police have released images of a vehicle which they believe the pair may be travelling in – a white Toyota Camry with QLD registration plates 444-YMX.
Family and police hold serious concerns for the welfare of the pair due to health conditions of the 57-year-old and the age of the child.
Michael is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 170-175cm tall, with a thin build, blue eyes, grey hair and a beard. He was last seen wearing jeans, a grey jumper and joggers.
Conner is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 100cm tall, with a thin build, blonde hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a ‘Ben 10’ backpack.
Anyone with any information into their whereabouts is urged to contact Triple 000 immediately.

A man has been charged as part of an investigation into the alleged theft of a boat worth $280,000 and a ute valued at $135,000.
At 4.30am on Saturday 14 March 2020, a black Ford F150 and a Super G23 boat were stolen from outside a house at Swansea Heads, Lake Macquarie.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District commenced an investigation and identified the vehicle as being associated with fraud offences that were committed in the Newcastle suburb of Jesmond.
Later the same day, the truck and boat were recovered at Caves Beach.
About 5.00am today (Friday 27 March 2020), Lake Macquarie Police received information that two men had been disturbed allegedly breaking into a parked car at Catherine Hill Bay and had driven off in a blue Holden Astra sedan.
Police attended and located three men trying to fix a flat tyre, on a vehicle parked next to a Holden Astra at Flowers Drive, Catherine Hill Bay.
A search of the men discovered items police believe to be stolen or otherwise illegally obtained.
The three men were arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station.
In relation to the Swansea Heads theft and frauds, a 19-year-old Tingira Heights man was charged with take and drive conveyance and dishonestly obtain a financial advantage by deception. He was also charged with goods in custody and possessing house breaking implements arising from his arrest today.
He was refused bail and appeared at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 27 March 2020). He has since been granted conditional bail, to re-appear at the same Court on Thursday 4 June 2020.
The two other men aged 24 and 28 were released, pending further inquiries.

City of Newcastle will suspend its commuter bus Park and Ride service from Monday in response to a decline in patronage of more than 85 per cent since COVID-19 began affecting the Hunter.
Patronage of the commuter service has dropped significantly over the past month, with buses running close to empty to and from the city following the shutdown of non-essential services and many businesses implementing work-from-home arrangements.
All registered Park and Ride users will receive notifications of the change via message to their registered mobile phone number and email address.
Blackbutt Reserve has also been closed to the public in line with the Public Health Order of 25 March limiting all non-essential services. This follows last week’s suspension of wildlife shows and other entertainment and services that required close contact between members of the public and Blackbutt staff.
The closure of Blackbutt has become more urgent with staff continuing to locate large public gatherings in the sheltered areas despite pleas from the Federal and State Governments for the community to practise social distancing.
While public access is now restricted, City staff will continue to tend to Blackbutt Reserve and care for the animals on site as per usual.
City of Newcastle has also closed community halls until further notice, following Wednesday’s Federal Government directive to close all community facilities.
While non-essential services have ceased at these facilities, services such as mental health, childcare and crisis support continue under strict social-distancing practises and current health advice.
City of Newcastle staff are reviewing the capacity of these sites to become available for local emergency facilities and other essential services if required.
Meanwhile, the City is installing signage across open space areas including beaches, baths and parks to encourage visitors to practise safe social distancing and refrain from gathering in groups in line with the Public Health Order.
For further information on the City’s response to COVID-19, please see  newcastle.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19  

Police are appealing for public assistance after a man deliberately coughed on a supermarket employee at a Hunter region store earlier this week.
About 7.30pm on Tuesday (24 March 2020), a 35-year-old female employee was working inside a supermarket on Glenelg Street, Raymond Terrace, assisting customers to adhere to social distancing rules.
Police have been told a man and woman approached the register before a verbal altercation occurred between the man and the female employee and he deliberately coughed on her.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
As inquiries continue, police have released images of a man they wish to speak to who may be able to assist with their investigation.
The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 170-180cm tall, with a shaved head, and goatee-style facial hair. At the time, he was wearing cream shorts and black thongs.
Anyone who knows the man or has information which may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A number of COVID-19 ministerial directions been announced to date, covering incoming travellers, diagnosed persons, mass gatherings and social distancing rules, and the closure of social gathering places.
The Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) provides NSW Police with the power to enforce these orders. It is an offence for a person to fail to comply with an order, and severe penalties apply.
NSW Police can now issue Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) to anyone found to be in contravention of a ministerial direction. PINs carry on-the-spot fines of $1000 for individuals and $5000 for businesses.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott, urges anyone with information to come forward.
“This kind of dangerous behaviour needs to stop immediately. It’s potentially putting the lives of workers and their families at risk.
“This isn’t a time to practice poor hygiene habits.
“For a disgusting act like this, you could find yourself charged with common assault and jailed for up to two years,” Mr Elliott said.

Hunter Valley police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a man and a four-year-old boy missing in the state’s Hunter region.
Police have been told 57-year-old Michael Lantry and four-year-old Conner Lantry were last seen boarding a bus on Wollombi Road, Millfield, headed for Cessnock about 8.30am on Tuesday 24 March 2020.
After the pair failed to return home that afternoon, relatives contacted police and inquiries commenced.
Family and police hold serious concerns for the welfare of the pair due to health conditions of the 57-year-old and the age of the child.
Michael is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 170-175cm tall, with a thin build, blue eyes, grey hair and a beard. He was last seen wearing jeans, a grey jumper and joggers.
Conner is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 100cm tall, with a thin build, blonde hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a ‘Ben 10’ backpack.
Anyone with any information into their whereabouts is urged to contact Triple 000 immediately.