Category: Newcastle News

City of Newcastle’s proposal for mass-offshore sand nourishment and immediate minimal buried seawall extension works in the draft Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP) has received broad support through public exhibition, with 162 community and 19 agency submissions in total.
The City completed the 28-day public exhibition period on Tuesday. Seventy four percent of submissions were supportive of the Stockton CMP.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the high number of submissions showed how important a positive outcome for Stockton Beach was to the community.
“The level of feedback on the draft Stockton CMP is appreciated given the community engagement occurred during COVID-19 restrictions,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Staff had to work around typical face-to-face engagement activities in order to ensure the community’s voice was heard in the review of the CMP.
“Within days of the draft Stockton CMP going on public exhibition, more than 2,000 information packs including a summary of the plan, frequently asked questions and a reply paid feedback form and envelope were sent to each property in Stockton to ensure everyone had a chance to have their say,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The City also presented comprehensive information on the draft CMP on its website, including an animation, videos featuring Stockton Community Liaison Group Members, and the full report, together attracting more than 3,000 visitors and 436 downloads of the report over the exhibition period.
“The response from the community has been truly impressive and widely supportive, including well-informed, constructive feedback on the draft CMP and its recommendations.
“Two thirds of the total feedback received was from Stockton residents, while other submissions were received from as far afield as North Narrabeen.
“Half of all submissions showed specific support for mass, offshore sand nourishment as the preferred option for beach amenity and coastal protection, while other key points included identifying other sand sources and options for fast tracking the process.”
Stockton Community Liaison Group (CLG) Chair Barbara Whitcher said the CLG was supportive of City of Newcastle’s management actions detailed in the CMP.
“City of Newcastle has worked closely with our CLG and delivered an outcome which we broadly support, being mass sand nourishment and minimal buried seawalls,” Ms Whitcher said.
“While we remain vitally interested in exploring in more detail the causal effect of Stockton’s erosion, and funding sources, we generally support the Stockton CMP.”
City of Newcastle’s CMP team will now review the community feedback as well as that from industry stakeholders, and finalise the document including a summary of the issues raised during the public exhibition period, for Council consideration on 23 June 2020. It will then be submitted to the NSW State Government for certification review.
Coastal Councils across NSW are developing CMP’s in line with the Coastal Management Act 2016 with a deadline of December 2021.

MEETING OF THE CITY TASKFORCE
The City Taskforce, a collaboration of 17 leading organisations and employers, chaired by Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes City of Newcastle, held its fourth meeting today via Zoom. The Taskforce was formed to develop a collaborative approach to the City’s response to COVID-19, from crisis to recovery and beyond. City leaders focused their discussion on the first edition of The Newcastle Response, which highlights the challenges facing the community sector, as well as the forecasted impacts of the end of Government supplements, such as JobSeeker and JobKeeper, legislated to 27 September 2020. The Taskforce was also briefed on the Affected Industries Roundtable, facilitated by City of Newcastle on 4 June 2020, at which representatives from industries such as retail and hospitality, tourism, live music and arts and culture shared their experiences and local insights.
The Newcastle Response – Community Sector
City leaders endorsed the first Newcastle Response, forging their support as joint signatories to this powerful advocacy framework. The document presents case studies of the hardship and disadvantage Novocastrians have faced as a result of COVID-19, particularly vulnerable groups such as the elderly and temporary visa holders, with many turning to emergency relief services for the first time during the COVID-19 crisis. The community sector is bracing for further demand if Federal Government social security payments fall back to an inadequate level. The Newcastle Response calls upon State and Federal decision-makers, to whom it is addressed, to develop policy measures that support the financial sustainability of the community sector and establish dedicated engagement with First Nations and disability organisations.
In addition to The Newcastle Response being circulated to State and Federal decision-makers, Director Regional NSW, Ms Alison McGaffin, will act as a conduit between the City Taskforce and State Government Taskforces to facilitate discussions and form recommendations.
Future issues of The Newcastle Response will cover the tourism sector, affordable housing, arts sector, mental health and international student advocacy. An immediate need to support the containerisation work of the Port, and its subsequent impact on other sectors across the city, was also identified.
Affected Industries Roundtable
Among the industries that participated in City of Newcastle’s Affected Industries Roundtable, including retail and hospitality, hotels, live music, tourism, arts and culture, and Business Improvement Associations, there was a strong appetite to use the City Taskforce’s joint advocacy as a springboard for collaboration and policy action.
City leaders heard how these industries expressed concerns for what lay beyond September, when support measures end. For example, licensed venues, if still unable to operate at full capacity by then, anticipate a second jobs crisis, which would have a flow-on effect to local supply chains. With the retail and hospitality industry being a large employer of young people in the region, and the youth unemployment rate for Newcastle and Lake Macquarie climbing to 18.7% as a direct result of the pandemic, this has the potential to impact young workers at the start of their careers for years to come.
Industry Response Program
City leaders received an update on City of Newcastle’s Industry Response Program, which opened today. Expressions of interest are being sought from industry groups, businesses, community organisations and collaboratives for funding that will enable city-shaping outcomes that target the hardest-hit industries and population groups.
The University of Newcastle and the Hunter Business Chamber, both of which have representatives on the City Taskforce in Professor Alex Zelinsky and Mr Bob Hawes, have volunteered to sit on the Assessment Panel.
Infrastructure remains a priority
Infrastructure projects remain a key priority and focus of the Taskforce, not only in terms of job retention, but also job creation. Collective support exists for a large and diverse range of infrastructure projects across the City, as indicated in The Newcastle Response. This includes the Newcastle Airport expansion, complementing the recent announcement of a Special Activation Precinct at Williamtown; Newcastle Art Gallery expansion; as well as the containerisation of the Port of Newcastle to unlock trade and retail opportunities.

A woman who allegedly refused a police breath test has been charged after being arrested while attempting to pick up a young girl from a school in the Port Stephens area.
About 3.20pm yesterday (Wednesday 10 June 2020), a 60-year-old woman driving a Peugeot attended a school in the Port Stephens area to collect a nine-year-old girl who is known to her.
It’s alleged she hit bushes and small trees when parking, before exiting the vehicle to meet the girl.
School staff noticed the woman and attempted to stop her from driving away.
It’s further alleged she became aggressive and verbally abusive towards staff and police were called.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and requested the woman undergo a breath test.
When she allegedly refused, the woman was arrested and while being placed in the police vehicle, she kicked out towards a male senior constable. He was not injured.
The woman was taken to Nelson Bay Police Station, where she refused to submit to a further breath analysis.
She was charged with harass/intimidate school staff member attending school, refuse or fail to submit to breath analysis and assault police.
The Nelson Bay woman was granted conditional bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 31 August 2020.

Three men have been arrested following an investigation into the supply of firearms and drugs in the Newcastle region.
In May 2020, detectives from Newcastle City Police District and the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Bassy to investigate the supply of methamphetamine and firearms in Newcastle.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators and Newcastle City detectives – with the assistance of officers attached to Operation Utah – executed five search warrants in New Lambton, Mayfield, Hamilton and Sandgate from about 8.30am yesterday (Wednesday 10 June 2020).
During the search warrants, police seized almost $30,000 cash, cannabis, LSD, MDMA, prescription medication, a laptop, mobile phones and other items.
A 24-year-old man was arrested at a home on Turton Road, New Lambton, and was taken to Waratah Police Station. He was charged with possess unauthorised firearm and deal with the proceeds of crime.
A 49-year-old man was arrested at a unit on Beaumont Street, Hamilton, and was taken to Waratah Police Station. He was charged with possess unauthorised firearm and deal with the proceeds of crime.
A 49-year-old man was arrested at a unit on Carrington Street, Mayfield, and was taken to Newcastle Police Station. He was charged with supply prohibited drug.
All three were refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 11 June 2020).
Newcastle City Police District Commander, Detective Superintendent Brett Greentree, said this is a fantastic example of a joint operation between local police and State Crime Command.
“The collaborative effort between our detectives and the Drugs and Firearm Squad has been exceptional – working together to remove a large number of drugs and firearms off the streets.
“These arrests will dismantle some of the local supply chains throughout the Newcastle area.
“Newcastle City officers will continue to target those offenders who are determined to disrupt our community,” Det Supt Greentree said.
Investigations into Strike Force Bassy are continuing with more arrests expected.

The parliamentary committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has adopted a new inquiry into family, domestic and sexual violence in Australia.
Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon MP, who will Deputy Chair the inquiry, said it was an important step towards ensuring survivors have their voices heard on an issue that shows no sign of improving.
“It is heartbreaking that, despite so much genuine commitment and ongoing efforts to stop this scourge, rates of domestic violence aren’t going down,” Ms Claydon said.
“Every two minutes, police are called to a domestic and family violence matter and every nine days, a woman is killed by a current or former partner. This can’t go on.”
Ms Claydon said the inquiry would examine local and international evidence to assess both immediate and long-term measures to prevent violence against women and children.
“We’ll be looking at all forms of violence again women including coercive control and technology-facilitated abuse,” Ms Claydon said.
“We’ll also consider the broader context including the role of government, business and the community sector; as well how health, housing, access to services, and women’s economic independence impact on women’s ability to escape.
“We’ve also expanded the terms of reference to include consideration of access to family law support services, Legal Aid and legal assistance providers.”
Ms Claydon said the Committee would also review the increase in the incidence of domestic violence as social restrictions were implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
“The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the brutal reality that for many women home is not a safe place to be,” Ms Claydon said.
“This incredibly stressful time has led to many women and children being trapped at home with their abusers, with little opportunity to seek help or access services or support to escape.”
Ms Claydon encouraged Novocastrians to participate in the inquiry.
“For the best results, we’re going to need to look at the scourge of domestic violence from new and different perspectives with fresh eyes.
“We want to consider the experiences of women, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, LGBTQI women, CALD women, rural women, women on temporary visas, and women with disabilities.
“I encourage people with insights into this diabolical problem to have their say by making a submission to the inquiry.”
The closing date for submissions is Friday, 24 July 2020. For more information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference, and to find out how to contribute, please visit: www.aph.gov.au/familyviolence

A man will face court today after he allegedly attempted to throw prohibited drugs over the fence of a correctional facility in the Hunter.
Police will allege a 31-year-old man and another man were riding on an unregistered Yamaha motorcycle – believed to be stolen from a Dora Creek property in May – when they approached the outer wall of a correctional facility at Cessnock and attempted to throw an object over the wall about 2pm on Sunday (31 May 2020).
Officers from Corrective Services NSW’s Security Operations Group were conducting targeted surveillance at the complex when they sighted the two men.
When they approached the pair, they fled at speed on the motorcycle before colliding with a nearby tree. Neither rider was injured.
The CSNSW officers restrained the 31-year-old man while the other man fled into nearby bushland.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended a short time later and arrested the 31-year-old.
Police seized a tennis ball which he was holding at the time of his arrest, which they will allege contained small amounts of methylamphetamine, and other illicit substances. These items will be subject to further testing.
The man was taken to Maitland Hospital before being conveyed to Maitland Police Station.
He has since been charged with eight offences including:

• Supply prohibited drug (x2)
• Bring etc prohibited drug/plant into place of detention
• Possess prohibited drug
• Goods in custody
• Enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse
• Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner
• Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period

He was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court on Monday (1 June 2020), where he was formally refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court today (Wednesday 10 June 2020).
Inquiries are continuing.

Police are appealing for public assistance following a public place shooting in Stockton last night.
Just after 7pm (Tuesday 9 June 2020), police responded to reports of an alleged road rage incident on Fullerton Street, Stockton.
Police have been told two vehicles – a blue Mitsubishi ASX and a Toyota Hilux utility – were involved in a driving incident before the Mitsubishi driver produced a firearm and discharged it at the Toyota.
The Mitsubishi drove away and was last seen turning onto King Street.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District were notified and have commenced an investigation.
As inquiries continue, police are appealing to anyone who may have seen or heard any of the above incident, or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage to contact Newcastle Police Station on 4929 0999 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A teenager who went missing in the Port Stephens area has been found safe and well in the Blue Mountains.
The 13-year-old boy was last seen on the Pacific Highway, Heatherbrae, about 9.15pm yesterday (Tuesday 9 June 2020).
He was reported missing when he walked away from his mother and failed to return.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and commenced an extensive search of the surrounding area with assistance from Police Rescue, Police Transport Command, the Dog Unit and the State Emergency Service.
Following inquiries and a public appeal, the teen was found after attending a high school on Martin Street, Katoomba, about 8.30am today (Wednesday 10 June 2020).
The boy is now in the care of relatives.
Police would like to thank the media and the community for their assistance.

The search continues to locate a missing teenager in the Port Stephens area.
Darshan Sigel, aged 13, was travelling from the North Coast to the Blue Mountains with his mother, when they stopped in a carpark at the intersection of Pacific Highway and Masonite Road, Heatherbrae, for a rest about 8.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 9 June 2020).
Police were notified just after 10.30pm, after Darshan, who is on the Autism spectrum, walked off about 9.15pm and failed to return.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended; however, despite an extensive search of the area with the assistance of the Dog Unit, police have been unable to locate him.
The search is continuing with assistance from Police Rescue, Police Transport Command, the Dog Unit and the State Emergency Service today (Wednesday 10 June 2020).
Assistance has also been requested from PolAir, however, the search is being hampered by poor weather conditions.
Darshan is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, of thin build, with blue eyes and sandy blonde hair.
He was last seen wearing a pink hooded jumper covered by a black jacket, black pants, and yellow shoes.
He was seen walking on the Pacific Highway at Heatherbrae and is known to like public transport.
Anyone who sights Darshan or has information about his whereabouts, is urged to contact Triple Zero (000) or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenager missing in the Port Stephens area.
Darshan Siegel, aged 13, was travelling from Sydney to the north coast with his mother, when they stopped in a carpark at the intersection of Pacific Highway and Masonite Road, Heatherbrae, for a rest.
Police were notified just after 10.30pm (Tuesday 9 June 2020), after Darshan, who has Autism, walked off and failed to return.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended; however, despite an extensive search of the area with the assistance of the Dog Unit, police have been unable to locate him. Further resources are attending to assist with the search.
Darshan is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, with a thin build, and sandy blonde hair.
He was last seen wearing a pink hooded jumper covered by a black jacket, black pants, and yellow shoes.
Anyone who sights Darshan or has information about his whereabouts, is urged to contact Triple Zero (000) or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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.