Newcastle News – Page 311

City of Newcastle begins construction on Tyrrell Street Bridge Replacement

City of Newcastle has started the $3.3 million replacement of Tyrrell Street Bridge in a major step towards combatting flooding which has plagued the local centre.
The new higher and longer bridge will allow more floodwater to pass through the Hunter Water-owned channel during rain events. The existing Tyrrell Street road pavements adjacent to the bridge will also be raised to match the higher bridge level.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the replacement of Tyrrell Street Bridge is just one part of a wider plan to revitalise Wallsend.
“The start of construction on the Tyrrell Street Bridge is an important milestone in an ongoing process of flood mitigation and renewal in Wallsend,” the Lord Mayor said.
“This is the starting point of a larger program of work to benefit residents, businesses, property owners and visitors to the suburb.
“Wallsend is on the cusp of being transformed with significant streetscape improvements, free Wi-Fi in the town centre and safer pedestrian and cycle routes to be rolled out in the coming years.”
Replacing Tyrrell Street Bridge forms part of the Ironbark Creek Flood Mitigation Plan, which proposes another two bridges at Boscawen Street and Nelson Street be replaced, increasing the flow capacity at the Cowper Street Bridge, and planning for how Hunter Water’s channel can be widened to allow better water flow during heavy rainfall.
“Wallsend is a high-flood-prone area, so this project aims to prevent the damaging impacts caused by major rain events that we’ve see in the past,” the Lord Mayor said.
“While City of Newcastle is pleased to be investing over $3 million into the replacement of Tyrrell Street Bridge, we continue to advocate to the NSW and Commonwealth governments to assist us to deliver the full Ironbark Creek Flood Mitigation Plan in the most timely manner.
“Unfortunately, the City is yet to receive assistance to deliver this important project for the Wallsend community.”
The Tyrrell Street Bridge replacement was identified as a priority and is the first project implemented as part of the recommendations of the Wallsend Floodplain Risk Management Plan (FRMP).
City of Newcastle will continue to work with Hunter Water on long-term flood mitigations solutions in Wallsend.
The work complements other planned remediation as part of the Wallsend Public Domain and Traffic Plan.
The existing Tyrrell Street Bridge was built in 1930 and is 17.5 metres long and 2.6 metres high. The new bridge will be 26.6 metres long between abutments and approximately 3 metres high.
The bridge reconstruction project is expected to be completed in 2020.

Police release images as they investigate string of robberies – Hamilton

Police have released images of three men they would like to speak with as they continue to investigate several robberies in Hamilton, which they believe are linked.
About 3.30am on Saturday 14 September 2019, a 21-year-old man was at the intersection of May Street and Maitland Road, Islington, when he was approached by two unknown men.
He was then assaulted by the pair, before they stole his wallet and mobile phone.
A similar incident was reported about 1am the following morning (Sunday 15 September 2019) when two men – aged 27 and 55 – were walking home through Gregson Park, Hamilton. They reported being approached by two unknown men, before being threatened and assaulted. The younger man received a significant wound to the head and was taken to the Mater Hospital for treatment. The older man was unconscious for a short period of time.
Three additional incidents were reported in the early hours on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September.
About 1.30am on Saturday 21 September, a 29-year-old man was leaving work at a licensed premises on Beaumont Street, Hamilton, when he was approached by four unknown men and was assaulted.
About an hour later, two men – aged 21 and 22 – were walking through Gregson Park, Hamilton, when three unknown men assaulted them before stealing property.
Then about 1.30am on Sunday 22 September, a woman was walking at the intersection of Cleary and Samdon Streets, Hamilton, when two unknown men approached her from behind and attempted to steal her handbag. They were unsuccessful and fled the scene.
Detectives from Newcastle City Police District are investigating each incident and believe all are linked.
As inquiries continue, detectives have released three images of men who may be able to assist with their investigation.
They are all described as being Caucasian in appearance, aged between 18-25 and were wearing dark clothing.
Newcastle City Police District Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Scott Parker, said it was concerning these incidents occurred in such a short period of time.
“These crimes appear opportunistic in nature, and we intend to find those responsible in a swift manner.
“Anyone who may have information which could help track down these thieves is urged to contact Newcastle Police Station on 4929 0999 or to call Crime Stoppers,” Det Ch Insp Parker said.

‘Hardworking man’s softer, gentler side’ wins Kilgour Prize 2019 People's Choice

Joshua McPherson has won the KILGOUR PRIZE 2019 People’s Choice Award for a portrait capturing the death of a beloved pet.
The resoundingly popular portrait commanded a staggering 23.4 per cent of votes – from a total pool of more than 1,500 votes since the KILGOUR PRIZE 2019 exhibition opened Saturday 3 August. McPherson has won $5,000 in recognition of the popularity of his work.

“We had arranged our painting sessions to begin and unfortunately day one happened to fall on the day he lost his precious Blue Heeler,” explains artist Joshua McPherson.
“We decided to continue with our session, and I endeavoured to capture Pete’s feeling and emotions that day as it shows this tough, hardworking man’s softer, gentler side,” McPherson said.
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton reinforced the merit of the public’s decision, “McPherson has captured the inner and outer qualities of his sitter in equal measure – this is an excellent portrait demonstrating the power of painting,” she said.
Anonymous comments taken during the voting process illustrate the community clearly identified with both the sitter of this portrait and his personal circumstances. Comments include:
“Can really sense the loss and softness in a very strong man who has experienced a lot.”
“I feel like I know this man …. It is so real.”
“It addresses me wherever I stand in the room, with a life force of character. The artist has worked magic into this one.”
“A modern Rembrandt with great feeling and emotion.”
The 42-year-old Sydney-based artist will receive $5,000, generously funded by the bequest of artist Jack Noel Kilgour. The KILGOUR PRIZE 2019 exhibition will remain on display at the Gallery until 13 October 2019.

KILGOUR PRIZE 2019 People’s Choice ($5,000)
Joshua McPherson “Dog Day” – Portrait of Pete 2018
Artist statement, Joshua McPherson:
“Dog Day” portrait of my mate Pete was begun on a particularly tough day for him. We had arranged our painting sessions to begin and unfortunately day one happened to fall on the day he lost his precious Blue Heeler. We decided to continue with our session and I endeavoured to capture Pete’s feeling and emotions that day as it shows this tough, hard working ma’s softre, gentler side. It was painted outdoors in the late afternoon on cold days during winter which contributes to the overall feeling I sought to capture of the moment.

KILGOUR PRIZE 2019 FINALISTSPeter Barker, Anthony Bartok, Michael Bell, Eva Beltran, Karen Black, Leeroy Chapman, Tamara Dean, Blak Douglas, David Fairbairn, Sebastian Galloway, Peter Gardiner, Ben Gavin, Craig Handley, Jacqueline Hennessy, Tom Keukenmeester, Richard Lewer, Michael Lindeman, Robert Malherbe, Marie Mansfield, Siân McNabney, Joshua McPherson, Nigel Milsom, Lori Pensini, Stephen Pleban, Jordan Richardson, Melissa Ritchie, Jenny Rodgerson, Paul Ryan, Nick Santoro.
More information:
http://nag.org.au/Exhibitions/Current/KILGOUR-PRIZE-2019
http://nag.org.au/Kilgour-Prize
Related Special Event: Blak Douglas & Ursula Yovich in conversation and performance
A rare opportunity to hear two of Australia’s strongest Indigenous voices in conversation and performance.
Sunday October 13 2019, 2–3:30pm
Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/BFQYQ

On the final weekend of the exhibition, join KILGOUR PRIZE 2019 Winner Blak Douglas and his subject Ursula Yovich for a special closing event.
Ursula Yovich is an award-winning singer, writer and actor whose career has spanned across TV, film and stage productions. She is known for her roles in films such as Top End Wedding and Australia, as well as televisions series such as Redfern Now and Rake. Ursula has written and performed in productions such as Magpie Blues, The Man With the Iron Neck and Barbara and the Camp Dogs.
Blak Douglas is a self–taught painter with a social justice-inspired style influenced by the study of graphic design. His culturally and politically charged works often bring with them a sense of irony or sarcasm. Douglas is a regular finalist in the Archibald and Wynne Prize.

Letterboxes destroyed – Merewether

Police are investigating after property was damaged by explosions near Newcastle earlier today.
About 4.20am (Sunday 22 September 2019), Newcastle City Police District received phone calls in relation to reports of explosions heard around Merewether and Bar Beach.
Three letterboxes were destroyed, one each on Dent Street, Mitchell Street and Livingstone Street.
Windows of cars and two houses on Dent Street and Livingstone Street were also damaged. No injuries have been reported.
About 6.15am, residents of a house on Kilgore Street, Merewether, discovered a suspicious item in their letterbox this morning and reported it to police.
The item has been safely removed by Police Rescue and rendered safe.

Multimillion-dollar investment for a smarter, safer Beresfield

Beresfield has received the first free Wi-Fi outside of the Newcastle city centre as part of a $3 million investment to revitalise and beautify the area.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Beresfield upgrades, which include pedestrian-friendly footpaths, outdoor dining spaces, free public Wi-Fi and a more appealing streetscape, were driven by feedback from residents and businesses.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes cuts the ribbon at the official opening of the Beresfield Local Centre works.

“We’re listening to our residents across the City of Newcastle and investing in projects that are important to local communities,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Our local centres program is delivering key infrastructure upgrades that respond to the needs and concerns of the community. In Beresfield, this has included a strong focus on both safety and beautification works by realigning and renewing roads, reducing speed limits, relocating and installing new pedestrian crossings and upgrading street lighting.
“We have also installed a series of smart poles in the Beresfield local centre, providing the first free public Wi-Fi from the City of Newcastle to any area outside of the CBD.
“Extensive tree and ground cover planting and raised garden planters have beautified the local centre while also having a cooling effect on the area in the warmer months.
“We have received positive feedback about the changes to date, with local residents and businesses now looking forward to the next stage of the project, which will include a new community public open space at the intersection of Beresford Avenue and Lawson Avenue.”
Extensive landscaping, new furniture and smart poles delivering free Wi-Fi were among the improvements made in the $3 million renewal project.

Extensive landscaping, new furniture and smart poles delivering free Wi-Fi were among the improvements made in the $3 million renewal project.

A community placemaking project is developing concepts for creative and heat-reducing elements for the space, with the public given the chance to vote for their favourite design later this year.
The work is part of City of Newcastle’s local centres program, which is investing millions of dollars in new and improved public infrastructure across the local government area.
Infrastructure improvements completed to date at the Beresfield local centre include:

A 40km/hr zone and pedestrian-friendly street design
Road and pedestrian lighting upgrade, with additional lighting to the railway station
Drainage renewal and installation of a rain garden, which will improve the quality of water run-off that enters Hexham Wetlands
Street trees
Seating, bike racks and bins
New kerbs, gutters and footpaths
Upgraded road pavement
Free Wi-Fi via the installation of smart poles.

Man charged after shots allegedly fired near Cessnock

A man has been charged after shots were allegedly fired in the Hunter Valley earlier this week.
Just before 3pm (Tuesday 17 September 2019), emergency services were called to Scott Street at Weston, following reports shots had been fired.
Police have been told that a 27-year-old man – accompanied by an 18-year-old man – attended a business on Scott Street, where he was allegedly threatened by three men, armed with a firearm, a tomahawk, and a hammer.
The pair fled the location in a Toyota Land Cruiser after the 27-year-old man was struck through the driver’s side window with a tomahawk, and shots were fired into the driver’s side door.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended and commenced inquiries.
The 27-year-old man suffered minor injuries and did not require hospitalisation.
Following inquiries, a 33-year-old man attended Kurri Kurri Police Station about 4.10pm today (Friday 20 September 2019), where he was arrested and charged with discharge firearm with intent cause grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of others.
The Kurri Kurri man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Saturday 21 September 2019).
Investigations are continuing.

Man charged with array of offences following pursuits ending near Singleton

A man has been charged with multiple offences after police pursuits ending near Singleton last night.
Just after 6pm (Friday 20 September 2019), officers attached to the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were conducting stationary speed enforcement on Putty Road at Mellong, when they attempted to stop a Mitsubishi Outlander which was allegedly travelling at 125km/h in a 100km/h zone.
A pursuit was initiated when the Mitsubishi failed to stop, during which time it allegedly reached high speeds and crossed to the incorrect side of the road multiple times.
The pursuit was terminated due to safety concerns, before another pursuit was initiated on Putty Road at Howes Valley.
Road spikes were deployed on Broke Road near the intersection of Putty Road which caused the vehicle to leave the road and collide with a tree before coming to a stop.
The driver – a 34-year-old man – was arrested and taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard for treatment to minor injuries.
The passenger – a 37-year-old woman – was also taken to John Hunter Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.
The man has been charged by virtue of two outstanding warrants, police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously (x2), exceed speed limit over 20km/h, drive whilst licence suspended, goods in custody, possess prohibited drug, and other traffic-related offences.
He was refused bail to appear via AVL at Newcastle Bail Court today (Saturday 21 September 2019).

Police arrest driver who fled crash scene – Newcastle

Police have arrested a man following a crash in the state’s mid north coast last night.
Emergency services were called to the Pacific Highway near Tomago Road, Tomago about 11.50pm (Thursday 19 September 2019), after reports of a two-vehicle crash.
Police have been told that a Subaru Impreza and Toyota Camry were travelling in a south-bound direction, when the Toyota collided with the rear of the Subaru, causing the Subaru to lose control before coming to rest, overturned in a culvert.
The Toyota came to a stop a short distance from the Subaru, with the driver getting out and running in a southerly direction along the Hexham Bridge.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District and the Dog Unit arrived and located the driver of the Toyota, a 47-year-old man, hiding within the grounds of a nearby business.
He was arrested and taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment to minor injuries and mandatory testing.
With assistance from Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Ambulance paramedics, the driver of the Subaru, a 59-year-old man, was extricated and taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment for hip and leg injuries.
Officers attached to the Crash Investigation Unit have established a crime scene and will conduct inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The 47-year-old is expected to be charged once he is released from hospital.

Man charged with almost $2-million worth of alleged fraud – Kurri Kurri

A man will face court next month after allegedly defrauding a Hunter Valley business of close to $2-million over a seven year period.
In August 2017, detectives from Hunter Valley Police District launched an investigation into several alleged fraudulent transactions at a licenced premises in Kurri Kurri between 2010 and 2017.
Following extensive inquiries, about 2.45pm yesterday (Thursday 19 September 2019), a 52-year-old man was arrested and taken to Dubbo Police Station.
Police will allege the man, who was an employee at the time, fraudulently obtained approximately $1.9-million.
He was charged with dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Kurri Kurri Local Court on Tuesday 15 October 2019.

City delivers works in face of ongoing Stockton erosion

City of Newcastle will undertake multi-million dollar works at the northern end of the Mitchell Street seawall to protect it from future failure caused by ongoing coastal erosion.
The City has undertaken emergency works at Stockton Beach in response to unprecedented erosion impacts in recent weeks, including protecting sections of the coastline with one-tonne sandbags and closing beach access for public safety.

City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said the City was doing everything it was allowed to do under State Government legislation to protect property and public safety at Stockton.
“City of Newcastle is committed to protecting the Stockton coast and community, including emergency works like sandbagging, and working with the State Government to secure approval and support for a long-term solution for the area,” Mr Bath said.
“While I understand footage of the huge loss of sand immediately in front of Stockton Surf Life Saving Club, the adjacent car park and Lexie’s Café are difficult for the community to see, coastal engineers have confirmed the seawall built by the City in 2017 is working and these assets are safe for the long-term.
“The State Government endorsed the Newcastle Coastal Zone Management Plan in late 2018. This Plan only provides City of Newcastle with approval to undertake short to medium actions, but critically no long-term actions to counter coastal erosion,” he said.
Lord Mayor of Newcastle Cr Nuatali Nelmes said the City and the community want Stockton Beach to be a usable beach enjoyed by the public.
“City of Newcastle’s preferred option is to bring sand back to the coastline. However, this can only be done via the State Government’s Coastal Management Program process.
“We are working with Government agencies on the development of a Coastal Management Program which legislation dictates will come into effect from 31 December 2021. This Program will include a long-term solution to ongoing erosion at Stockton.
“Until then, are hands are tied in terms of what we can do, unless the State Government intervenes.
“The City’s priority right now however is keeping the community safe. We remind people to remain away from the top and bottom of the sand cliffs as they have potential to collapse without warning,” she said.
Meanwhile, due to south easterly swell and tide on the back of limited sand accretion, Stockton Beach has seen further coastal erosion south of the Mitchell Street seawall.
Cabins at the holiday park were vacated this week as a precautionary measure ahead of condition inspections by City of Newcastle Coastal Engineering specialists. The cabins have now been reopened.
City of Newcastle has spent more than $5 million since 2015 on managing erosion at Stockton, including the recent emergency works.