Category: Newcastle News

Police have located and seized dozens of items believed to be stolen from the Lake Macquarie region.
On Wednesday 25 September 2019, officers from Lake Macquarie Police District executed a search warrant at Arlington Street, Belmont in relation to several alleged copper thefts in the area.
During the search, police located and seized more than 50 items alleged to have been stolen.
The property seized includes a field line marker, floor polisher, floor sander, concrete cutter, high pressure cleaner and ceiling projector.
It’s estimated the value of the stolen goods is approximately $50,000.
Police are now looking to locate the owners of the stolen property.
Anyone with information can contact Belmont Police Station on (02) 4922 8899 or call Crime Stoppers.

Police are appealing for assistance to help locate a woman missing from the Lake Macquarie region.
Skye Conway, aged 37, was last seen leaving a property in Cooranbong about 11.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 9 October 2019).
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and commenced an investigation.
Police and family hold concerns for her welfare due to medical reasons.
She is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall, with a thin build, blonde hair and brown eyes.
She was last seen wearing a black singlet, grey track pants and polka dot socks.
Skye is also known to have connections in the Cronulla area in Sydney’s south.
Anyone who has seen Skye or knows of her whereabouts is urged to contact police.

City of Newcastle has answered a call from businesses to extend the existing one-hour limits on Darby Street, giving customers more time to both enjoy a meal and retail therapy on the popular strip.
The new two-hour, unmetered, parking limits will be introduced between Bull and Queen streets this week, operating from Monday-Saturday, 9am-7pm.
A four-hour, unmetered, parking limit will also be introduced on Sundays between 9am and 4pm to encourage more parking turnover on the traditionally quieter day, which wasn’t previously subject to time restrictions.
Makers and Traders of Newcastle City representative Tim McPhee said local businesses welcomed the new arrangements and the City’s response to their concerns.
“The Darby Street business community went to Council and asked for help with the time limits for parking – to be extended from one to two hours and also to make it consistent,” Mr McPhee said.
“City of Newcastle have been fantastic and worked closely with us to make sure it is easier for visitors to spend more time exploring the ever-many wonderful stores and eating places on Darby Street.”
City of Newcastle Governance Director David Clarke said the changes, which were being implemented in response to traders’ requests, will also benefit those visiting the popular shopping and dining precinct.
“We consulted with businesses in the area to develop this plan to streamline parking zones, responding to traders’ preference for a two-hour parking limit,” Mr Clarke said.
“Darby Street is an icon of the City’s retail and hospitality economy, so it’s important that we get the balance right in a rapidly changing City environment.
“We believe these revised parking arrangements will be welcomed by both consumers and businesses. Shoppers and diners can enjoy the strip’s relaxing, social atmosphere for longer while providing businesses with the opportunity to benefit from their increased stay.”
In addition to the timed parking changes, existing motorcycle parking will be moved clear of café outdoor dining areas to a quieter location further south, with future additional spaces under consideration for Council Street.

Talented local musicians and the resonant tones of a Steinway grand piano are providing the perfect recipe for a lively lunch during a month-long series of free concerts being held at City Hall.
The performances will showcase a range of musical genres, with today’s concert featuring some of the world’s finest classical compositions performed by accomplished music students from across Newcastle.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the free lunchtime performances provided a fantastic opportunity for the community to engage with one of the city’s iconic cultural assets.
“Newcastle is blessed to have such a wonderful cultural heart, with the art gallery, library, Civic Theatre, City Hall and museum all within walking distance of each other within the Civic precinct,” the Lord Mayor said.
“These concerts encourage locals and visitors to explore beyond the stunning sandstone façade of one of the architectural jewels in our crown to enjoy the unique acoustics and stunning 1920s architecture of City Hall’s magnificent concert hall.”
Civic Theatre Manager Leonie Wallace said the free performances were also designed to support the wealth of local talent within the city.
“The concert hall has a history of live music events and is a renowned classical music venue, however it was also a popular venue for dances, big band events and other performances,” Ms Wallace said.
“We hope to continue these past traditions by inviting our communities to access the space, while also furthering our commitment to support artists within in our community by giving local musicians the opportunity to perform at our magnificent venue.”
Following this week’s recital of Chopin, Beethoven, Brahms and others, the Steinway will be put through its paces on 16 October with a performance by mezzo-soprano Kathryn Dries and pianist Michael Power, before the free concerts come to a close on 23 October with the next generation of classical musicians from Newcastle Grammar School.
Ms Wallace said if the initial series of concerts proved popular, there was an opportunity to establish a twice-yearly program with autumn and spring recitals coinciding with the relevant school holiday periods.
All performances run from 12.30pm to 1.15pm, with audiences invited to bring along their lunch and enjoy the free musical entertainment.
Image: Frenchman St Jazz Band

A man has been charged following a confrontation with police yesterday, leaving two officers hospitalised with stab wounds.
Just before 1pm (Sunday 6 October 2019), a man was involved in a road rage incident at the intersection of The Boulevarde and Carey Street, Toronto, and is alleged to have used a knife to slash a tyre of the vehicle.
Witnesses attended nearby Toronto Police Station and notified police.
Two officers confronted the man, armed with knives, at a nearby service station, before he immediately attacked them.
The two senior constables used OC spray and a baton in an attempt to disarm the man, however, both suffered stab wounds – one to leg and the other to the hand.
The 25-year-old man pursued the officers before a number of shots were discharged by police; however, the man was uninjured, and charged at police. He was detained by officers with the assistance of witnesses and arrested.
Both officers were taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition for further treatment. One of the officers has since been released from hospital.
The man was taken to Toronto Police Station where he was charged with two counts of wound with intent to resist arrest, destroy/damage property, common assault, and breach of bail for drug related offences.
The Bronte man has been refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 7 October 2019).
Multiple crime scenes have been established with The Boulevarde and Carey Street remaining closed as inquiries continue.

A man has been charged following an alleged domestic violence related incident involving a firearm in the state’s Hunter region last night.
It is alleged that at 6.30pm (Sunday 6 October 2019), a man was involved in an altercation with another man at a property on Hinton Road, Osterley.
Following the argument, he retired to the granny flat where he stays, where it is alleged he made threats to the other man through a window while holding a firearm.
A woman who was also in attendance, contacted police and reported that a man was threatening another man with a rifle.
About 10.30pm (Sunday 6 October 2019), police attended and arrested a 57-year-old man.
Officers from the Port Stephens / Hunter Police District conducted a search of the premises and seized two firearms and ammunition.
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with common assault, stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm and holder of category A or B licence not have approved storage.
He was given conditional bail and an apprehended violence order has been put in place. He will appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Tuesday 22 October 2019.
 

Investigators are appealing for information following reports of a child approach in the state’s Hunter region.
Police have been told, four girls aged between five and 16 were at a swimming pool on Cowper Street, Stroud, when they were approached by a man unknown to them about 3pm yesterday (Sunday 6 October 2019).
He made multiple comments towards the girls, to which they did not respond and left the pool. They returned to a nearby campsite and alerted their parents.
The man followed the children back to the campsite before leaving the location in a green hatchback.
Detectives from Port-Stephens Hunter Police District were notified, and an investigation commenced.
The man is only described as being in his mid to late 50s, with short white hair, wearing a dark-coloured check button-up shirt and cream shorts.
Anyone who may have seen a green hatchback in the area at the time are urged to contact Raymond Terrace Police Station on (02) 4983 7400 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
 

A man has been arrested following a confrontation with police today, leaving two officers hospitalised with stab wounds.
Just before 1pm today (Sunday 6 October 2019), police were called to a service station at the intersection of the Boulevarde and Carey Street, Toronto, after reports a man was armed with knives.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended and were confronted by the man, still armed with two knives.
A number of shots were discharged by police; however, the man was uninjured, and two officers suffered stab wounds – one to leg and the other to the hand.
Both have been taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition and will undergo surgery.
The 25-year-old man was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station.
Multiple crime scenes have been established with The Boulevarde and Carey Street currently closed as inquiries continue.
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.

Three people have been charged following a three-month investigation into the supply of prohibited drugs in the Lake Macquarie area.
In July 2019, detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District established Strike Force Birs to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs, predominately ‘ice’ around Lake Macquarie.
Following extensive inquiries, about 9am yesterday (Thursday 3 October 2019), officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District with assistance from Strike Force Raptor North, Operational Support Group officers and the Police Dog unit executed a search warrant at a home on Park Street, Argenton.
A short time later, a 25-year-old man was arrested at an address on Ellesmere Street, Booragul.
Crime scenes were established at both locations.
During search warrants at both of the homes, police allegedly located and seized various quanties of drugs, predominately methylamphetamine and GHB, a slingshot and ammunition.
In total, three people – two men and a woman – were arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station.
A 25-year-old Barnsley man was charged with nine offences, including supply prohibited drug on an on-going basis, supply prohibited drug greater than indictable quantity and supply prohibited drug. He was refused bail to face Toronto Local Court today (Friday 4 October 2019).
A 24-year-old Teralba man was charged with four drug supply offences. He was granted conditional bail to face Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 16 October 2019.
A 27-year-old Argenton woman was charged with three charges, including possess prohibited weapon and possess prohibited drug. She was granted conditional bail to face Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 16 October 2019.
Investigations under Strike Force Birs are ongoing.

Novocastrians will soon have a new flexible transport service at their fingertips to take them between Newcastle’s innersuburbs and the city centre.
City of Newcastle, in partnership with Keolis Downer, will trial an ‘On Demand’ transport service allowing people to book a ride to collect them from a convenient, nearby pick-up point, and take them to a local transport hub or other point of interest in the city.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the service would allow people in Newcastle to explore new ways to get around.
“The trial of the On Demand service is just another way Newcastle is forging ahead as a modern and smart city,” the Lord Mayor said.
“It presents a new and flexible way for commuters to make their journey into the city for work and has the potential to remove cars from the city centre opening up more car spaces in and around the city.
“The trial’s aim is to encourage Novocastrians and visitors to take advantage of public transport options in the City. The service area has been designed to support public transport use by including key transport nodes such as Newcastle interchange and Broadmeadow Station.
“It’s a stress-free way to travel to work, head into the city to shop or attend appointments.”
Transport on Demand is an emerging alternative to fixed route public transport. It is characterised by users being able to request pick-ups at times of their choosing via an app – like Uber, but significantly cheaper. It is regarded as a cost-effective way of connecting people to major transport nodes and routes. It uses smaller vehicles and only runs where there is demand.
Bookings can be made quickly and simply through the Newcastle Transport app with journeys expected to cost a flat fare of $3.20.
Three vehicles, two six-passenger cars and a 11-passenger van with wheel-chair access, will be rolled out to service the trial area, taking in the East End, Civic, Market Town and the Newcastle Interchange from places such as Beaumont Street Hamilton, Broadmeadow Station, Merewether, The Junction, Bar Beach, Hamilton South and The Hill.
The On Demand trial supports the City’s long-term planning and ambition for higher levels of public transport patronage and active travel creating a more pedestrian-friendly city centre.
The On Demand Service trial will operate in peak hours between 6.30am-9am and 3.30pm-6pm Monday to Friday, and is expected to kick off by the end of the year and run for 12-months.
This project is part of the City’s award-winning Smart Moves Newcastle program, which received $5 million in grant funding through the Federal Government’s Smart Cities and Suburbs Program.