A man has died when a motorcycle crashed in the state’s Lake Macquarie region.
Just after 6.15pm (Monday 2 March 2020), emergency services were called to Mandalong Road, Mandalong, after reports of a crash.
Police believe the motorcyclist was travelling south when he left the roadway and crashed into trees.
The rider was treated by passing motorists until NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived but he died at the scene.
The man is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be aged in his 30s.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended and established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist police.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Category: Newcastle News
All the news happening in the Newcastle and Hunter Region
Woman charged with murder – Raymond Terrace
A woman will appear in court today charged with murder following the death of a man at Raymond Terrace at the weekend.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Watt and Payton streets about 5.45am Saturday (29 February 2020), after the body of a 27-year-old man was found in the middle of the road.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist forensic police.
Following inquiries, officers attached to Manning/Great Lakes and Mid North Coast Police Districts attended a motel in North Haven yesterday (Monday 2 March 2020), and arrested a 21-year-old woman on an outstanding warrant.
Detectives from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District have travelled to Port Macquarie Police Station and charged the woman with murder.
She has been refused bail to appear before Port Macquarie Local Court today (Tuesday 3 March 2020).
The man and woman are believed to have be known to each other.
Unlicensed driver in court over 29 traffic offences – Hunter Valley PD
An unlicensed driver will face court today charged with 29 offences, following a police pursuit in the state’s Hunter Region.
About 6pm yesterday (Sunday 1 March 2020), officers from Hunter Valley Police District were patrolling on the New England Highway at Blanford, about 60km north of Muswellbrook, when they attempted to stop a Great Wall X240 utility.
When the utility failed to stop, a police pursuit was initiated. It was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.
The vehicle was later located parked in a carpark in Little Street, Murrurundi, and the driver, a 27-year-old woman, was arrested nearby.
She allegedly refused to undergo a roadside breath test and was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station.
The woman was charged with 29 offences, including:
- four counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception,
- five counts of use unregistrable motor vehicle on road,
- five counts of use uninsured motor vehicle,
- five counts of licence expired 2 years or more before,
- two counts of use vehicle displaying misleading number plate,
- two counts of use vehicle displaying altered number plate,
- police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously,
- drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous,
- motor vehicle exceed speed > 30 km/h,
- overtake vehicle when unsafe,
- refuse or fail to submit to breath test, and
- goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen.
Police will allege in court that the woman, who is an unlicensed driver, had altered her number plates by attaching mailbox stickers, purchased from a hardware store.
The Broken Hill woman was refused bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court today (Monday 2 March 2020).
Investigations are continuing.
Stolen puppy returned to happy owners; alleged dog-napper charged
Police have reunited a stolen puppy with its owners in Newcastle today.
About 2.30pm on Wednesday 26 February 2020, police were called after ‘Athena’, an 11-week-old American Staffordshire Terrier, was stolen from the balcony of a home on Parry Street, Cooks Hill.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District commenced inquiries and appealed to the community for assistance.
Acting on information from the community, officers from Lake Macquarie Police District stopped a 34-year-old man with the alleged stolen puppy on Court House Lane in Toronto about 11.20am yesterday (Saturday 29 February 2020).
The man was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station, where he was charged with steal dog and possess stolen dog.
Police will allege in court that the man saw the dog when walking past the home and stole it.
He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear in Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 10 March 2020.
The dog was taken to Belmont Police Station, where she was given water and playtime, before being taken back to her very happy owners.
Investigation underway after body of man found – Raymond Terrace
Investigations are underway after the body of a man was found in the state’s Hunter region today.
About 5.45am (Saturday 29 February 2020), emergency services were called to the intersection of Watt Street and Payton Street, Raymond Terrace, after the body of a man was found in the middle of the road.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The man is yet to be formally identified.
As investigations continue, anyone with information or who may have seen anything suspicious in the area are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Man charged over possession of pistol on Belmont street
A man will appear in court today after being found in possession of an unregistered firearm yesterday.
About 2.20pm on Thursday 27 February 2020, a 21-year-old was walking south along the Pacific Highway, Belmont, when passing police allegedly noticed a man in possession of what was believed to be a pistol.
Officers approached the man where he resisted arrest for a short time.
He was arrested shortly after before police searched the man and located a pistol.
Following an inspection of the weapon, it was determined to be a modified gel blaster.
The man was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with possess unregistered firearm in public place, possess unregistered prohibited firearm and resist arrest.
He was refused bail to face Belmont Local Court today (Friday 28 February 2020).
Lake Macquarie Commander, Superintendent Danny Sullivan APM, said police will always treat instances with imitation weapons as if they real firearms to ensure the safety of the community.
“Imitation firearms can often be hard to distinguish from the real deal, as they are modelled closely on real weapons.
“If a weapon looks real, officers will treat it as authentic until such a time that the weapon can be analysed – public safety will always come first,” Supt Sullivan said.
Council gives outdoor dining fees the chop
Newcastle’s restaurants and cafes will no longer pay fees for outdoor dining after Council scrapped the charges right across the city last night.
Aimed at encouraging more outdoor dining and activating commercial centres, the amendment to the City’s Outdoor Trading Policy will save inner-city businesses $115 a year for every square metre they host patrons outdoors, and $65/sqm for businesses elsewhere in Newcastle.
“Waiving outdoor trading fees will hopefully encourage cafes, restaurants and other eateries to expand trading onto footpaths,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“We hope this will give the local dining scene and surrounding businesses a boost.
“The City is doing more than its fair share to support businesses amid major changes to the city and the challenges posed by online and digital competitors to traditional businesses. Whether it be scrapping fees, offering rate relief or making better use of business rates through grants programs, we are doing all we can as a local government while remaining financially sustainable.
“At current outdoor trading levels, small businesses will save a total of around $130,000 a year, money they will no doubt invest back into their businesses to making their offerings even more appealing to customers.”
The City issued 129 approvals for people or organisations to trade outdoors in 2018/2019, drawing $129,421 in revenue.
Happy customers: Ground Floor cafe owners Jordan Mizrahi and Alicen Lewis
The abolition of fees amounts to a substantial saving for restaurateurs and couple Jordan Mizrahi and Alicen Lewis, who own Ground Floor Café on Hunter Street and the Basement bar on Market Street in Newcastle.
“This is very rewarding for businesses and very welcome as we will save around $4,000 across the two businesses,” Mizrahi, 33, said.
“We will spend it on improving the outdoor area by buying new tables and chairs to make it more appealing to customers.”
The fees will be scrapped from 1 July after Council voted to scrap them at last night’s ordinary meeting.
This follows a recommendation in the 2019 NSW Outdoor Dining Policy by the State’s Small Business Commissioner to waive Council or State Government fees for businesses seeking a permit to trade outside.
A notice of motion supported by council at its August 2019 meeting – to receive a report on the NSW Outdoor Dining Policy – resulted in last night’s amendment to the City’s 2018 Outdoor Trading Policy.
Fees for the installation of permanent footpath markers indicating outdoor trading areas will remain in place.
This is a one-off cost of $170 for new applicants hoping to open areas not previously approved for dining.
Council update Tuesday 25 February 2020
Lord Mayoral Minutes
StudyNSW website update
A Lord Mayoral Minute to write, in partnership with the University of Newcastle, to the NSW Government Minister responsible for the StudyNSW website requesting promotion of regional cities like Newcastle as study destinations, was supported.
National Communciations Charter: A unified approach to mental health and suicide prevention
A Lord Mayoral Minute to sign Everymind’s National Communications Charter and take a leadership role on removing the stigma of mental illness and suicide, both for our staff and across the broader community, was supported.
Stockton Beach erosion natural disaster update
A Lord Mayoral Minute commending the Stockton community and committing to a range of actions to help it endure strains posed by ongoing erosion issues was supported.
Audit and Risk Committee 2018/19 Annual Report
Council voted to receive its Audit and Risk Committee’s Annual Report for the 2018/2019 financial year.
Adoption of outdoor trading policy
Council resolved to abolish outdoor trading fees across the city to encourage more outdoor dining. Aimed at encouraging more outdoor dining and activating commercial centres, the amendment to the City’s Outdoor Trading Policy will save inner-city businesses $115 a year for every square metre they host patrons in outdoors, and $65/sqm for businesses elsewhere in Newcastle.
Newcastle and Merewether ocean baths expressions of interest update
Council resolved to prepare concept-design plans for the upgrade of Newcastle and Merewether ocean baths and investigate funding sources following an unsuccessful expression of interest process to find an investment partner.
Janet Street, Jesmond – proposed upgrade to existing pedestrian crossing
The City will raise a pedestrian crossing on Janet Street, Jesmond, east of Algie Street, and extend the kerb to increase public safety.
Dissolution of community facilities s355 committees
Council resolved to formally dissolve the Carrington Community Centre and Henderson Park Hall committees and formally acknowledge the contributions made by their volunteer members after both groups voluntarily stood down recently.
Live music strategy update
Council received an update on the implementation of the Live Music Strategy 2019-2023. Following extensive research and engagement with both music industry stakeholders and wider community, the City has captured data and feedback that can be summarised under five key themes for which actions can be taken to improve the live music sector: venue management and safety, promotion, development and diversification of the music sector, conflict mitigation between live music venues and surrounding communities and definition, awareness of and expectation management of music precincts.
Six-Monthly Performance Report on the 2018-2022 Delivery Program (our budget 2019/20)
Council received the Six-Monthly Performance Report on the 2018-2022 Delivery Program.
Adoption of the western corridor section 7.11 local contributions plan
Council adopted the Western Corridor Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan 2013
Tabling of pecuniary interest returns – 1 November 2019 to 31 January 2020
Council noted the tabling of pecuniary interest returns by the CEO.
Council Chambers – City Hall
City Hall’s Council Chambers will be opened to the public for commercial hire under a tiered pricing system that encourages both the private sector and community groups to utilise the historic facility.
Quarterly budget review – December
Council received the December Quarterly Budget Review Statement in which our works program for the 2019/20 financial year has been increased to $99.6 million from around $85 million, with our forecasted budget surplus reduced by $3.8 million to $4.1 million.
Executive monthly performance
Council received the Executive Monthly Performance Report for January 2020
Notices of Motion
Ocean baths redevelopment update
A Notice of Motion noting that a Community Reference Group will now be established to inform the upgrade of Newcastle Ocean Baths was supported.
Electric waste management vehicles
Another Notice of Motion, to receive a report on conversion of the City’s waste management vehicle fleet to electric vehicles, was supported.
NSW bushfire emergency response
A third Notice of Motion, to help neighbouring councils affected by recent bush fires with plant equipment and staff hours, was supported.
Community feedback flows for Newcastle Ocean Baths revitalisation
Thousands of Novocastrians have been involved in community engagement on revitalisation of Newcastle Ocean Baths, with consultation forming an integral part of the City of Newcastle’s concept-design phase.
The City has committed to funding the restoration of the Newcastle Oceans Baths and is determined to see the facility become an asset the community can be proud of, while also ensuring they remain a public asset with free entry to swim all year round.
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“Not only have we reached out to the wider community through our online ideas wall which has received more than 5,000 page visits and 890 ideas entries, we have also conducted more than 200 face-to-face interviews and 900 telephone polls to better understand our community’s vision for how this site will look and be used,” City of Newcastle Community Engagement Coordinator Jamie Ferguson said.
“Opening up the conversation to all people in the community has been extremely beneficial and has resulted in a breadth of ideas and concepts to support future improvements. This diversity of views brings better outcomes for current and future users.”
Some of the ideas received to date include shade structures, a community space available for hire, health and wellbeing facilities such as a gym, seating and change room upgrades and a kiosk or restaurant.
Any suggestion that plans for the future use of the site are predetermined is false.
Meanwhile, community consultation will be maintained through a Community Reference Group (CRG) before information sessions and a public exhibition period to present concept plans to the broader community. Councillors will then review and approve any restoration.
“We want to ensure this upgrade does justice to the heritage of this site and that our maintenance and upgrade program protects the site for another 50 years,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“The City of Newcastle seeks to form a Community Reference Group which has 50 percent stakeholder and user-group representation and 50 per cent of members selected from the broader community via an expressions of interest process.
“We have received more than 80 applications from members of the public wanting to be a part of Community Reference Group so far, which is great to see. Our aim is to have people from all around Newcastle and from different walks of life forming this group.”
Expressions of interest for the Newcastle Ocean Baths CRG close on Thursday 27 February.
City provides plan for reopening of Lexie’s café
The City of Newcastle and Lexie’s Cafe are working on a plan to reopen the much-loved Stockton cafe. The process to reopen the café will first require securing insurance for the building leased to Lexie’s Cafe. Prior to this necessary step, Lexie’s Café has committed to the development of a Management Plan.
The City of Newcastle and Lexie’s have also discussed establishing a temporary café in Stockton, beside the Stockton Ferry Terminal, while the necessary work is done to get Lexie’s reopened at its traditional Mitchell Street home.
The Lexie’s Café building was closed following the results of an independent risk assessment, which determined it was at imminent risk of a one-in-two-year storm event.
Following the recent Natural Disaster weather event, a Coastal Risk Assessment Review determined that only a bare 70 cubic metres of sand was left as a buffer in front of the building leased to the café.
Lexie’s Cafe, which was already operating on a month-to-month lease, was indefinitely closed a week ago after a review found that, based on the current erosion scarp location, the building was now within the zone of wave impact, and therefore at risk, in a one-in-two year storm event.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said a meeting today between the leasee and City of Newcastle was positive with both parties agreeing to work together on a solution for re-opening Lexie’s Café.
“While we would have loved for the Lexie’s Café to continue trading at Stockton Beach as it has for many years, once City of Newcastle officers were presented with the Coastal Risk Assessment Review, the responsible action was to act immediately,” Cr Nelmes said.
“City of Newcastle is exploring all available options to secure insurance for the building. While that process is underway, I’ve asked for the construction of a temporary café to the east of the Stockton Ferry Terminal, away from the erosion threat, as an interim measure.
“There are many hoops we need to get through, but we have made it clear to Lexie’s management that we want to work together towards a solution for Lexie’s that will protect local jobs and safeguard the local economy.
“We know that Lexie’s attracts many visitors and tourists to Stockton, just as the nearby Stockton Holiday Park does.”
Lexie’s Café owner Nick Sovechles said today’s meeting had been a positive step forward in re-establishing the much-loved café.
“While reopening Lexie’s remains our preferred option, we understand that the issue of securing insurance for the building must first be resolved. In the meantime, we will work with City of Newcastle on options including a temporary café beside the Stockton Ferry Wharf,” he said.
“What is clear is that the Stockton community cannot take many more financial hits. It needs commercial ventures that attract people to Stockton, and a café near the very popular Children’s Active Play Hub is one way of doing that.
“What is equally clear is that we need the State Government to support City of Newcastle in its development of a Coastal Management Program so that come 30 June, our community has a long-term solution to the erosion of Stockton Beach.”
Background:
An independent engineering report stated that the building is at significant risk from a one-in-two-year storm event. To give some context, a typical risk assessment is based on a one-in-100-year storm event.
The City of Newcastle is unable to secure insurance on the Mitchell Street building, which leaves both the City and ratepayers liable should the building fail without warning.
The City has agreed to commence a nation-wide search for an insurer willing to provide coverage for the building.
This combined, with a Management Plan supported by Lexie’s management, would likely allow the café to reopen in its existing location while a permanent solution to the coastal erosion is determined and delivered.
In the meantime, City of Newcastle will construct a temporary café to the east of the Stockton Ferry Terminal. The location is ideal given more than 50,000 passengers a month use the ferry.
Thousands more people use the sporting facilities at Griffith Park each Saturday morning including the Stockton Parkrun. The incredibly popular Stockton Active Play Hub also attracts a ready-made market of café users seven days a week. The location of the nearby carpark and toilets will also help the commercial success of the cafe.
Typically, City of Newcastle would conduct an expression of interest for the operation of the café.
However, in light of the unfortunate decision to close Lexie’s, the City will waive this requirement.
If City of Newcastle is able to re-open Lexie’s in its existing location, the café at the Ferry Terminal will be re-evaluated as part of a review of the Park Plan of Management.
The City of Newcastle and Lexie’s have also discussed establishing a temporary café in Stockton, beside the Stockton Ferry Terminal, while the necessary work is done to get Lexie’s reopened at its traditional Mitchell Street home.
The Lexie’s Café building was closed following the results of an independent risk assessment, which determined it was at imminent risk of a one-in-two-year storm event.
Following the recent Natural Disaster weather event, a Coastal Risk Assessment Review determined that only a bare 70 cubic metres of sand was left as a buffer in front of the building leased to the café.
Lexie’s Cafe, which was already operating on a month-to-month lease, was indefinitely closed a week ago after a review found that, based on the current erosion scarp location, the building was now within the zone of wave impact, and therefore at risk, in a one-in-two year storm event.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said a meeting today between the leasee and City of Newcastle was positive with both parties agreeing to work together on a solution for re-opening Lexie’s Café.
“While we would have loved for the Lexie’s Café to continue trading at Stockton Beach as it has for many years, once City of Newcastle officers were presented with the Coastal Risk Assessment Review, the responsible action was to act immediately,” Cr Nelmes said.
“City of Newcastle is exploring all available options to secure insurance for the building. While that process is underway, I’ve asked for the construction of a temporary café to the east of the Stockton Ferry Terminal, away from the erosion threat, as an interim measure.
“There are many hoops we need to get through, but we have made it clear to Lexie’s management that we want to work together towards a solution for Lexie’s that will protect local jobs and safeguard the local economy.
“We know that Lexie’s attracts many visitors and tourists to Stockton, just as the nearby Stockton Holiday Park does.”
Lexie’s Café owner Nick Sovechles said today’s meeting had been a positive step forward in re-establishing the much-loved café.
“While reopening Lexie’s remains our preferred option, we understand that the issue of securing insurance for the building must first be resolved. In the meantime, we will work with City of Newcastle on options including a temporary café beside the Stockton Ferry Wharf,” he said.
“What is clear is that the Stockton community cannot take many more financial hits. It needs commercial ventures that attract people to Stockton, and a café near the very popular Children’s Active Play Hub is one way of doing that.
“What is equally clear is that we need the State Government to support City of Newcastle in its development of a Coastal Management Program so that come 30 June, our community has a long-term solution to the erosion of Stockton Beach.”
Background:
An independent engineering report stated that the building is at significant risk from a one-in-two-year storm event. To give some context, a typical risk assessment is based on a one-in-100-year storm event.
The City of Newcastle is unable to secure insurance on the Mitchell Street building, which leaves both the City and ratepayers liable should the building fail without warning.
The City has agreed to commence a nation-wide search for an insurer willing to provide coverage for the building.
This combined, with a Management Plan supported by Lexie’s management, would likely allow the café to reopen in its existing location while a permanent solution to the coastal erosion is determined and delivered.
In the meantime, City of Newcastle will construct a temporary café to the east of the Stockton Ferry Terminal. The location is ideal given more than 50,000 passengers a month use the ferry.
Thousands more people use the sporting facilities at Griffith Park each Saturday morning including the Stockton Parkrun. The incredibly popular Stockton Active Play Hub also attracts a ready-made market of café users seven days a week. The location of the nearby carpark and toilets will also help the commercial success of the cafe.
Typically, City of Newcastle would conduct an expression of interest for the operation of the café.
However, in light of the unfortunate decision to close Lexie’s, the City will waive this requirement.
If City of Newcastle is able to re-open Lexie’s in its existing location, the café at the Ferry Terminal will be re-evaluated as part of a review of the Park Plan of Management.