City of Newcastle is working with Worimi Land Council and local elders to develop a Plan of Management for Rawson Park Reserve in order to protect Aboriginal heritage, including an onsite meeting Wednesday with the Lord Mayor, senior staff, and the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the meeting with Worimi Land Council CEO Andrew Smith and local elder Len Anderson involved productive discussions on managing the site and its Indigenous heritage following recent emergency works to relocate cabins from the threat of erosion.
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“It’s very important that Andrew and Len gave their time to talk through the history of this site and how we can protect its cultural heritage,” Cr Nelmes said.
“It’s clear there is an amazing history going back a significant amount of time on this site that is important for not only local Indigenous people but for the whole community.
“We want to make sure that although Stockton is a natural disaster zone and emergency works have taken place, that they are only done in recognition of this being an Aboriginal place and that any artefacts found are protected and our cultural heritage is preserved.”
Andrew Smith Worimi Aboriginal Land Council CEO said a positive outcome could be reached on the site and that the Worimi Land Council would work in partnership with the City to preserve cultural history.
“I’m really thankful for City of Newcastle’s commitment to meet us here on site and to go over the issues we see in the abundance of occupational heritage and cultural evidence of artefacts. I think through their understanding and awareness of what this site represents, moving forward it’s a great outcome,” Mr Smith said.
“Our plan now is to salvage any artefacts, objects and items that have been exposed. In partnership with Council we will work towards lodging an Aboriginal Place Nomination which will allow a collaboration between Council and the Aboriginal community to develop a plan for this site that makes sure that we don’t compromise the world’s oldest living culture.”
Worimi elder Lennie Anderson was also determined to reach a positive outcome on the site.
“I feel that Council is endeavouring to walk forward with us and to come up with an amicable decision on what has been done here. We have to work out something that benefits the whole community.”
City of Newcastle has commenced work to secure a number of the relocated cabins for public safety reasons. The City will continue to work with the Department of Planning Industry and Environment and Worimi Land Council to tie down the remaining unsecured cabins before a medium to long term solution can be resolved.
Category: Newcastle News
All the news happening in the Newcastle and Hunter Region
LOCAL SCHOOLS LOCAL DECISIONS TO BE FINE TUNED
Local Schools Local Decisions will be improved with schools earning the autonomy to make decisions around the allocation of funds and learning programs by hitting a range of numeracy and literacy targets.
There will also be changes to alleviate the administrative burden for principals as a matter of priority. This will allow schools to focus on what they do best – educating children.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said there is room for improvement when it comes to our student’s performance across NSW.
“To ensure students receive the best education we must be able to enforce best teaching practice consistently across our schools,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Local Schools Local Decisions is a sound policy but we need to make sure it works as it was intended. Adjustments will make it easier for the NSW Government to provide support to schools that are underperforming.”
Schools will earn the autonomy to make funding, and educational decisions by hitting a range of targets, using criteria such as Bump It Up, HSC results and NAPLAN results.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the NSW Government is investing a record amount in education and the improvements to Local Schools Local Decisions will strike the right balance between autonomy, accountability and support for schools.
“Improving Local Schools Local Decisions is unashamedly about lifting performance in NSW through supporting evidence based best practice teaching and learning, Ms Mitchell said.
“It is fantastic that many schools have been able to excel under Local Schools Local Decisions, but other schools need more attention when it comes to improving outcomes. These changes to the policy will enable us to provide the support that these principals and teachers need.
“We want to help principals by removing unnecessary administration burdens and allowing them to spend more time leading their schools and supporting their students.”
The NSW Government will consult with education stakeholders on the reforms and will agree on targets with schools by the end of Term 4 2020. The changes will be implemented on Day one Term 1 2021.
Strike Force Raptor North seize $12,000 cash and pistols; man charged
A man will appear in court today after Strike Force Raptor North investigators seized more than $12,000 cash and two firearms near Newcastle.
As part of ongoing targeting and disruption of the illicit activities of criminal networks, police from the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor North executed a search warrant at a home in Belmont South just after 2am today (Thursday 5 March 2020).
During the search, officers seized two pistols, ammunition, electronic equipment and prohibited drugs believed to methylamphetamine.
Police also located $12,380 cash allegedly hidden inside a freezer.
A 38-year-old man allegedly fled from the home before being detained by officers, with assistance from the Dog Unit, a short distance away.
The man and a 23-year-old woman were arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station.
The man was charged with possess unregistered firearm (x2), possess unauthorised firearm (x2), possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority (x2), possess prohibited drug and deal with property proceeds of crime.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.
The woman was released pending further inquiries.
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.
Loaded firearms and drugs seized, two charged – Port Stephens-Hunter PD
Two people will appear in court today charged after prohibited firearms and drugs were seized during a vehicle stop in the state’s Hunter region.
About 2.15am yesterday (Thursday 5 March 2020), officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District stopped a holden viva sedan, believed to be unregistered, while patrolling on Louth Park Road, Louth Park.
After speaking with the driver, a 30-year-old man, officers conducted a search of the vehice.
During the search, officers located two pistols, a loaded rifle, a loaded shotgun, methylamphetamine, cannabis and prescription medication. These items were seized to undergo forensic examination.
The driver and a passenger, a 23-year-old woman, were both arrested at the scene and taken to Maitland Police Station.
The man was charged with possess unauthorised firearm, two counts of possess shortened firearm, possess three unregistered firearms, supply prohibited drug, possess ammunition without licence or permit, drive whilst suspended, drive unregistered and possess prescribed restricted substance.
The woman was charged with possess unauthorised pistol and possess ammunition without licence or permit.
Both were refused bail to appear in Maitland Local Court today (Friday 6 March 2020).
Inquiries are continuing.
Newcastle Ocean Baths closure notice
Newcastle Ocean Baths will be closed for the rest of this week with challenging surf conditions and large tides making it unsafe for our staff to access the water channel between the baths and the ocean.
There is currently a large amount of sediment which washed-up from last Wednesday’s large storm event, which means the baths cannot be refilled nor pumps operate effectively.
With current forecasts not predicting favourable conditions until early next week, the baths will remain closed until it is safe for the work to be completed.
Merewether Ocean Baths will not be cleaned Thursday 5 March to allow people to use the pool in lieu of Newcastle’s closure. Signs have been erected at Newcastle Ocean Baths advising of its closure and lifeguards will also remain on duty to supervise the site and advise the community.
MORRISON GOVERNMENT DUMPS AGED CARE PRIVATISATION PLAN
The Morrison Government has dumped the tender that would start the privatisation of aged care assessment in Australia after significant pressure from the states and in Parliament.
Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon, who tabled a motion against the privatisation plan in Parliament last week, said she had met with local ACAT representatives in Newcastle who warned of the risks.
“Aged-care assessment teams (ACAT) staff are the first interaction that older Australians have with the aged-care system and a critical first step in getting a home care package or moving into residential aged care,” Ms Claydon said.
“These are important roles which are filled by qualified people who know what they’re doing. No private provider would be capable of offering the breadth of skills to assess the complex needs of hundreds of thousands of older Australians.”
Ms Claydon said privatisation would have only added to the problems in aged care.
“This backdown is a win for older Australians, their loved ones and aged care workers,” Ms Claydon said.
“If this service was sold off to the highest bidder, there would be a very real risk that the more expensive parts of the service would be shut down or indeed pushed back onto government.”
Ms Claydon said she had also been ‘gravely concerned’ about potential conflicts of interest.
“When the profit motive conflicts with service standards or the need to save public money, as they inevitably would, how could we be sure that older Australians’ interests and responsible use of public money would prevail?
“I was particularly worried that the companies that run the nursing homes could have secured the contracts to conduct these assessments. That’s like handing out licences to print publicly funded money.”
Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon, who tabled a motion against the privatisation plan in Parliament last week, said she had met with local ACAT representatives in Newcastle who warned of the risks.
“Aged-care assessment teams (ACAT) staff are the first interaction that older Australians have with the aged-care system and a critical first step in getting a home care package or moving into residential aged care,” Ms Claydon said.
“These are important roles which are filled by qualified people who know what they’re doing. No private provider would be capable of offering the breadth of skills to assess the complex needs of hundreds of thousands of older Australians.”
Ms Claydon said privatisation would have only added to the problems in aged care.
“This backdown is a win for older Australians, their loved ones and aged care workers,” Ms Claydon said.
“If this service was sold off to the highest bidder, there would be a very real risk that the more expensive parts of the service would be shut down or indeed pushed back onto government.”
Ms Claydon said she had also been ‘gravely concerned’ about potential conflicts of interest.
“When the profit motive conflicts with service standards or the need to save public money, as they inevitably would, how could we be sure that older Australians’ interests and responsible use of public money would prevail?
“I was particularly worried that the companies that run the nursing homes could have secured the contracts to conduct these assessments. That’s like handing out licences to print publicly funded money.”
NEWCASTLE APPRENTICE NUMBERS PLUMMET
New local data has revealed that apprentice and trainee numbers in Newcastle are appallingly low.
We now have 1,165 fewer apprentices and trainees in Newcastle than we did when the Liberals came to power. That means we have lost almost a third of the 3,500 apprentices we had in 2013.
This leaves Newcastle, like the rest of the country, desperately short of critical trades that are vital to the healthy functioning of our regional economy.
The Morrison government has robbed Australians of employment opportunities and forced the country into a tradie crisis by ripping $3 billion out of vocational training and education.
Nearly two million Australians are out of work and employers are crying out for skilled staff.
The Liberals like to brag about their economic credentials, yet they starve the very sector that delivers the skilled staff that we need to grow the economy and stem unemployment.
Investment in skills, education, training is Economics 101 if you want to drive economic growth and maintain a high standard of living. But all the Liberals know is to cut, cut, cut.
By locking Australians out of education and training, the Liberals are locking Australians out of jobs.
The Morrison Liberal government is a do-nothing government with no agenda for jobs, training or a better Australia.
We now have 1,165 fewer apprentices and trainees in Newcastle than we did when the Liberals came to power. That means we have lost almost a third of the 3,500 apprentices we had in 2013.
This leaves Newcastle, like the rest of the country, desperately short of critical trades that are vital to the healthy functioning of our regional economy.
The Morrison government has robbed Australians of employment opportunities and forced the country into a tradie crisis by ripping $3 billion out of vocational training and education.
Nearly two million Australians are out of work and employers are crying out for skilled staff.
The Liberals like to brag about their economic credentials, yet they starve the very sector that delivers the skilled staff that we need to grow the economy and stem unemployment.
Investment in skills, education, training is Economics 101 if you want to drive economic growth and maintain a high standard of living. But all the Liberals know is to cut, cut, cut.
By locking Australians out of education and training, the Liberals are locking Australians out of jobs.
The Morrison Liberal government is a do-nothing government with no agenda for jobs, training or a better Australia.
Former foster carer charged over alleged indecent assaults of young girl
A former foster carer has been charged following an investigation into the alleged indecent assaults of a girl in the Newcastle region.
Last month, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a young girl had been indecently assaulted by a man while she was in his care.
Following extensive investigations, detectives arrested a 42-year-old man at a home on the Central Coast just before 8am on Wednesday 19 February 2020.
He was taken to Wyong Police Station and charged with aggravated indecent assault- victim under authority of offender (x4) and commit act of indecency with person under 16 years.
Police will allege in court that the man indecently assaulted the girl – then aged nine – on several occasions while she was in his care in 2017.
The man was refused bail to appear at Wyong Local Court on 19 February 2020 where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 4 March 2020).
Bumper weekend of events may attract thousands
The City will come alive this weekend with Newcastle hosting multiple major events including world class sport, live music and family entertainment.
There will be no shortage of things to do from Friday, with the Newcastle Show, Matildas versus Vietnam, Surfest final, The Drop music festival and Barrelled Food and Wine Festival expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors.
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Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the bumper weekend would provide an economic boost for the city while demonstrating Newcastle’s growing reputation as an ‘event city’.
“As thousands of visitors stream into Newcastle for the weekend, we’re poised to show-off our spectacular natural coastline, outstanding sporting facilities, and showstopping entertainment and cultural scene,” the Lord Mayor said.
The Matildas Australian women’s football team will vie for a ticket to Tokyo on Friday as they take on Vietnam at McDonald Jones Stadium in the first of two Olympic qualifying matches.
“City of Newcastle has been a strong supporter of women’s football, and we can’t wait to host the Matildas again at McDonald Jones Stadium,” Cr Nelmes said.
“I encourage all Novocastrians to show their support by turning out to the match to cheer on our hometown star Emily van Egmond and the team as they shoot for Olympic glory.
“Internationally, we’re attracting more major events, as showcased by the recent Asian Cup, Wallabies announcement and yet another Matildas fixture.”
Merewether Beach will be a hive of activity as the iconic Surfest celebrates its 35th year on Newcastle’s sporting calendar. The event is the largest surfing festival in the southern hemisphere with over 850 national and international male and female competitors taking to Merewether Beach’s world-renowned waves.
Across town The Newcastle Show is set to deliver family fun from Friday to Sunday with rides and amusements, livestock parades, show jumping and various attractions such as speedway and motocross cars at Newcastle Showground. The long running event offers three days of entertainment with marching bands, fireworks, an agriculture pavilion, exhibition centre, a mini cinema and sideshow alley.
Surfest affiliated event Barrelled Food, Wine and Beer Festival will feature a fantastic line up of Hunter Valley wine producers, food from quality local restaurants as well as craft brewers in Jefferson Park alongside the action at Merewether Beach.
The good vibes will continue with The Drop Festival attracting hit Aussie artists to Empire Park for an event dedicated to the community, culture and a shared love of the ocean. The all ages annual music festival follows the World Surf League Championship League.
For more information about the weekend’s events, visit www.visitnewcastle.com.au/whats-on
| Newcastle Show 6,7,8 March Newcastle Showground |
Surfest Friday-Sunday 6-8 March Merewether Beach |
Barrelled Food Wine and Beer Festival Saturday-Sunday 7-8 March Jefferson Park Merewether |
| Matildas v Vietnam Friday 6 March McDonald Jones Stadium |
The Drop Music Festival Saturday 7 March Empire Park, Bar Beach |
Appeal for information after theft and ram raid – Lake Macquarie
Police are investigating after three cars were stolen and used during two break and enters in Lake Macquarie.
About 3.30am today (Tuesday 3 March) three people driving the stolen vehicles attended a service station at Wyee.
The three forced entry through an external toilet door, smashed through a wall and into the service station, where they took a safe containing a large sum of money and a large number of cigarettes.
One of the vehicles was left at the Wyee service station, with the three people continuing to another service station at Fennell Bay.
About 4.20am the two vehicles were used to smash a glass wall at the service station, before the three people attached a rope to an ATM and unsuccessfully tried to pull it from its location.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District have established crime scenes at both locations and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
The vehicles involved were stolen between Saturday 29 March and today (Tuesday 3 March) from Cessnock, West Gosford and Scone.
The vehicles are a silver Toyota utility with the number plate CQ21JZ, a white Mitsubishi Pantech truck with the registration BT73PL and a white Mitsubishi Canter flatbed truck with the number plate CE78NR.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police on (02) 4922 8899 or Crime Stoppers.