Category: Newcastle News

Police are investigating a suspicious house fire in Lake Macquarie early this morning.
About 4.15am (Thursday 16 April 2020), emergency services were called to a property on Livingstone Street, Belmont, after reports the home was well alight.
Crews from Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the blaze a short time later.
All occupants of the home escaped without injury.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District have established a crime scene and have commenced inquiries into the cause of the blaze.
Anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious around the area in the early hours of Thursday morning, who may have CCTV or dashcam footage, or who may have other information which may help investigators is urged to contact 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.

An investigation is underway after two people were coughed on by an unknown man in the state’s Hunter Region yesterday.
Just before 2pm (Sunday 12 April 2020), a 73-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman were walking along Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay, and as they approached the pedestrian crossing, a white Nissan Navara slowed and pulled up beside them.
Police have been told that a man leaned his head and shoulders out of the passenger window and coughed – making a retching sound – over the couple.
He and the other occupants in the vehicle started laughing before the vehicle drove off.
The couple contacted police and officers from Port Stephens/Hunter Police District commenced an investigation.
As their inquiries continue, police are appealing for information from the community to locate the vehicle and identify the occupants at the time of the incident.
In particular, investigators would like to speak with a man who they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance with tanned skin, aged in his late teens or early 20s, with short, dark, curly hair. He was last seen wearing a red and dark-coloured checkered top.
Police are urging anyone with information, including dash cam from the area around the time of the incident, to contact Nelson Bay police as soon as possible.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 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.

Police will be issuing Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) to 19 adults caught gathering for an illegal street-racing ‘meet’ west of Newcastle yesterday.
Highway Patrol officers from Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle were called to the Stockrington Conservation Area in Haul Road about 4pm (Saturday 11 April 2020), and saw up to 40 vehicles gathered within a closed area.
Drivers attempted to leave the scene when police arrived; however, 19 vehicles were stopped, the rest escaping into surrounding bushland.
Police will be alleging the group had gathered for the purpose of street racing and burnouts, with two vehicles brought to the site on trailers; police allege these had been specifically modified to conduct burnouts.
These 19 people will now be issued with PINs for breaching the Public Health Order, with 13 of those also being fined for being in the Conservation Area unlawfully.
Three children were found to be accompanying the adults – one aged nine years and two aged 18 months – and officers will be making notifications to Family and Community Services.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Command’s Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said this was exactly the kind of incident his officers had been working to prevent.
“Gatherings of virtually any kind are breaching the current Public Health Order but gathering to conduct street racing and burnouts in a park is illegal, irresponsible and beyond my understanding,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
“I am appalled at the fact that up to 40 drivers were willing to put themselves and others at risk on so many levels.
“And I am even more appalled by the fact three children – who have no choice in the matter – were also exposed to risk; my officers will be alerting the relevant authorities to the actions of their parents and caregivers.
“We have identified 19 people who will be getting Infringement Notices (PINs), and we will be working to identify the other drivers who fled.
“Anyone with information about this incident, or any other illegal gatherings such as this, is urged to alert police.
“My officers will continue to monitor the situation and, if breaches are found, they will take action,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
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.

A man has been charged after a fatal crash at Newcastle yesterday.
Just after 9.30am (Sunday 12 April 2020), a Nissan Navara was travelling east on Park Avenue, Kotara, when it allegedly failed to negotiate the bend and collided head-on with a white Toyota Camry, travelling in the opposite direction.
The Toyota driver, a 58-year-old woman was trapped in the vehicle for a short time, before being freed by emergency services.
She was treated by NSW Ambulance Paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, where she later died.
The Nissan driver, a 27-year-old man, suffered minor injuries and was taken to John Hunter Hospital as a precaution, where he also underwent mandatory testing.
Following his release from hospital, he was taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death-drive manner dangerous, negligent driving (occasioning death), not keep left of dividing line, and negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm).
The man was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 13 April 2020).

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal head-on collision at Maitland this morning.
About 7:45am (Saturday 11 April 2020), police and emergency services were called to Cessnock Road, near Dagworth Road, Maitland, following reports of a head-on collision between a car and a truck.
Motorists stopped at the scene and rendered first aid to a man, believed to be aged in his 30s, who was found unconscious inside the car.
They rendered CPR to the man before police and paramedics attended.
The man, who was the sole occupant of the car, was taken to the John Hunter Hospital by paramedics but was unable to be revived. He is yet to be formally identified or his next of kin notified.
The driver of the truck was not injured as a result of the collision and has been taken to hospital to undergo mandatory testing.
A crime scene has been established and Cessnock Road is closed while investigations of the scene are conducted.
Diversions have been put in place and motorists are advised to avoid the area or delay their travels. For full information on road closures, please visit www.livetraffic .com.
Anyone who witnessed the collision and has not yet spoken to police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Two men will appear in court today after allegedly spitting at police in two separate incidents yesterday.
In the first incident, officers attached to Liverpool City Police Area Command’s Proactive Crime Team were patrolling when they noticed a man and woman seated in a vehicle in a carpark on Sadlier Avenue, Ashcroft, about 2.45pm(Friday 10 April 2020).
After speaking with the man in the driver’s seat, he was issued a warning in regards to not complying with ministerial directions and issued a move on direction.
The 24-year-old an allegedly became aggressive towards police, verbally abusing and threatening them while driving through the carpark.
Police approached the vehicle and arrested him, before he allegedly spat at a male sergeant and made a comment regarding Coronavirus.
He was taken to Liverpool Police Station and charged with not comply noticed direction (COVID-19), fail to comply requirement public health order (COVID-19), intimidate police officer in execution of duty, assault officer in execution of duty, and issued a $5000 fine under the Public Health Act.
The man was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Bail Court today (Saturday 11 April 2020).
The woman was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station and charged with contravene AVO (domestic). She was granted conditional bail to appear before Liverpool Local Court on Tuesday 21 April 2020.
It has since been confirmed the man does not have COVID-19.
In a separate incident, officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended a home on Eucalyptus Crescent, Metford, about 6.45pm yesterday, following reports of a domestic-related intimidation incident.
Two men – aged 36 and 62 – spoke to police, before the younger man was arrested.
As officers attempted to put the man in the caged vehicle, he allegedly punched a male senior constable in the head.
During the incident, the older man approached the officers and after being moved away, he allegedly pushed, hit and spat at a female constable in the chest, before he was also arrested.
The men were both taken to Maitland Police Station where the older man was charged with assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm (x2), resist officer in execution of duty (x2), and issued a $5000 fine under the Public Health Act.
The younger man was charged with stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm, assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm (x2), and resist officer in execution of duty (x2).
They were both refused bail to appear at Newcastle Bail Court later today.

Three people have been charged following after a stolen vehicle was involved in police pursuit at Newcastle last night.
About 11pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), officers from Newcastle Police District noticed a Holden Commodore traveling at speed on Minmi Road, Minmi.
The vehicle had been reported stolen from an Ashtonfield home on Tuesday 7 April 2020.
A pursuit was initiated after the Holden failed to stop; however, it was terminated due to safety concerns.
With the assistance of Polair, the vehicle was monitored and was seen to stop on Hall Crescent in Tarro. The three occupants were seen to get out and run, hiding under a nearby house.
Officers located and arrested the trio before taking them to Waratah Police Station.
The driver, a man aged 21 from Broadmeadow, was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously and take and drive conveyance.
A 19-year-old passenger, from Evans Head, was charged with being carried in a conveyance and breaching his bail.
Both men will appear in Newcastle Bail Court today (Friday 10 April 2020).
A 16-year-old male passenger, from Blackalls Park, was also charged with being carried in a conveyance and breaching his bail.
He will appear in a children’s court today (Friday 10 April 2020).

City of Newcastle is urging anyone tempted out by this long weekend’s forecast sunshine to heed the advice of police and health officials and stay home instead.
The NSW Government Public Health Order on Gathering and Movement, gazetted 30 March 2020, makes it illegal to congregate in groups of more than two and states people must remain in the home unless they have a reasonable excuse to be out.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the upcoming Easter long weekend was not the time to slip up on social distancing.
“Novocastrians have embraced the need for social distancing and are staying home to protect themselves and others from the spread of COVID-19,” the Lord Mayor said.
“With forecast warm and sunny weather over the Easter long weekend, we are stressing how important it is at this critical point of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic for people to continue to stay home.”
The Lord Mayor echoed the message from NSW Police that unless people were going to the supermarket or pharmacy, going to or from work if they cannot work from home, going to medical appointments, or getting some exercise in their own neighbourhood, they should be at home.
“To help contain and slow the spread of COVID-19, we all have to work together and that means staying in our homes and our neighbourhoods for the time being.
“By working together as a community, we can reduce the spread of COVID-19 to protect each other and be back enjoying ourselves with friends and family as soon as possible.”
City of Newcastle has installed signage at beaches, parks and playgrounds across the local government area advising that the spaces are closed.
Outdoor facilities like BBQs, shelters and picnic tables are also closed, while NSW Police have the power to issue on-the-spot fines to people not complying with social distancing rules.
For the latest on City of Newcastle’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/covid-19 

City of Newcastle has made available grants of up to $30,000 to non-government organisations, not-for-profits, charities and for-profit service providers that directly support community health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Boost Our City Community Sector Grants, which opened on Wednesday, unlock immediate cashflow for eligible projects delivered by organisations already well positioned to provide practical support to those who need it most.
The grants program sits under phase one of the COVID-19 Community and Economic Development Resilience Package, through which the City has pledged $650,000 of financial and in-kind support to the community sector to respond to needs arising from COVID-19.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the grants would enable organisations to develop creative, innovative solutions to COVID-19 challenges faced by the most vulnerable and emerging at-risk groups in our community.
“The aim of our community grants program is to scale and fit the needs identified by the community sector to soften the social impact of COVID-19,” the Lord Mayor said.
“It could make all the difference, for instance, to someone with complex health needs but limited access to technology to ensure continuity of care, or to someone who has lost their job or is struggling with mental health and turns to a charity or service provider for the first time.
“The effects of this pandemic will be far-reaching and felt for some time to come.”
The City has already assisted in the first wave of impact felt by the pandemic, providing urgent Rapid Response Funding to existing service providers, such as OzHarvest, to cope with increased demand for food, welfare, supported living, community transport and more.
Applications for Boost Our City Community Sector Grants are open until 30 June, at which point Council will consider ongoing need under phase two of the package.
Grants of between $2,000 and $30,000 are available for projects that comply with Federal Government guidelines and NSW Health advice regarding COVID-19.
Application forms and information on how to apply are available via the website.
For further to support, email covidresilience@ncc.nsw.gov.au or phone 4974 2000 to speak with a City of Newcastle staff member.

City of Newcastle will provide free residential parking permits to key health care workers and emergency services personnel to help them respond faster to emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Essential Services Temporary Parking Permit will allow doctors, nurses, pharmacists and paramedics who live in commercial zones – in the city centre, Hamilton and Darby Street – to park close to home for free and for an unlimited time.
Similarly, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and paramedics who live in residential zones but are ineligible for a permit for certain reasons, such as having an onsite parking space, will be able to apply for the temporary concession to help them get to work as quickly as possible.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the parking concession was a practical way for the City to support those on the front line of the public health crisis.
“Health care workers are facing great challenges and pressures during this pandemic, so we’re making parking one less thing they have to worry about,” Councillor Nelmes said.
“The temporary permits are for those healthcare workers who typically have a 30-minute window to respond in the event of an emergency.
“On behalf of the City of Newcastle, we are extremely grateful for these frontline workers and their efforts during this unprecedent public health crisis and we extend our thanks to them.”
The City will implement a fast-track service to process permit applications, with an anticipated turnaround of 24 hours.
All permits will remain valid until 30 June 2020, with the expiry date to be extended or brought forward according to the COVID-19 situation.
Applications for an Essential Services Temporary Parking Permit should include contact details, residential address, vehicle details and proof of occupation.
Health care workers and emergency services personnel can apply by emailing parkingservices@ncc.nsw.gov.au
For the latest on City of Newcastle’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/covid-19