Category: Newcastle News

A woman appeared in court today charged over the alleged supply of synthetic cannabis from a tobacconist near Newcastle.
Officers from the Police Transport and Public Safety Command attached to Newcastle commenced an investigation after receiving information regarding prohibited drugs in Mayfield.
Following inquiries, a search warrant was executed at a tobacconist on Hanbury Street, Mayfield, about 10am yesterday (Thursday 17 October 2019).
During the search, police located and seized 1.25 kilograms of cannabis, 52 glass water pipes, cash and documentation.
A 56-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and taken to Waratah Police Station where she was charged with supply prohibited drug, knowingly supply psychoactive substance for human consumption, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and display waterpipe in shop.
The woman was refused bail and appeared before Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 18 October 2019), where she was granted conditional bail to appear before the same court on Thursday 19 December 2019.

A man will face court today charged over an alleged armed robbery in West Wallsend.
About 10.50am yesterday (Wednesday 16 October 2019), a 28-year-old man entered a store on Carrington Street, West Wallsend.
Police will allege the man – armed with a knife – threatened a 31-year-old female employee and demanded cash.
He then fled the scene in a Toyota Camry with alleged stolen number plates.
While officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were responding to the initial call, a Traffic & Highway Patrol vehicle noticed the Toyota Camry allegedly travelling at speed.
Officers stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver.
A subsequent search of the vehicle allegedly located clothing and cash.
He was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station.
He was charged with robbery whilst armed, goods in custody and two counts of fraud.
He was refused bail to face Toronto Local Court today (Thursday 17 October 2019).

A man will face court next month after allegedly defrauding a Newcastle business of close to $40,000 over a one year period.
In September 2019, detectives from Newcastle City Police District commenced an investigation into several alleged fraudulent transactions at a business on Lang Road, Broadmeadow between September 2018 and September 2019.
Following extensive inquiries, yesterday (Wednesday 16 October 2019), a 48-year-old man presented to Newcastle Police Station where he was arrested.
Police will allege the man, who was an employee at the time, fraudulently obtained $38,620.30.
He was charged with steal property as clerk/servant more than $15,000 and dishonestly obtain property by deception. He was granted conditional bail to face Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 28 November 2019.
Investigations are continuing.

A man has been charged with alleged sexual assault offences in the Lake Macquarie region.
In September 2019, detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District commenced an investigation after reports a 14-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted by a man known to her.
Following extensive inquiries, yesterday (Wednesday 16 October 2019) a 44-year-old man was arrested at a Gateshead address.
He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with three counts of aggravated sexual assault under 16 years of age.
He was refused bail to face Belmont Local Court today (Thursday 17 October 2019).
Investigations are continuing.

A fourth man has been charged following an investigation into an armed robbery that occurred late last year in the Hunter Valley.
About 4.50am on Saturday 22^nd December 2018, three men allegedly forced entry into a licence club in the town of Greta, near Maitland.
The club was closed at the time, when the trio, allegedly armed with a firearm, a baseball bat and a sword, approached an employee, who was the only staff member present.
The group allegedly attacked the employee before collecting a number of items and leaving the location in a car driven by a fourth man.
Strike Force Timbrell was established by State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime squad to investigate the incident.
About 9.15am (Wednesday 16 October 2019) a 26-year-old man was conveyed from a correctional facility in Cessnock to Newcastle Police Station.
He was charged with robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon and refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 16 October 2019).

Sporting clubs and the broader community will take part in planning this week to ensure the supply of sporting infrastructure keeps up with Newcastle’s growing population.
Ongoing consultation for City of Newcastle’s Strategic Sports Plan will help determine the needs of 13 different sports up to and beyond 2031, when the number of residents is expected to top 188,000, up from around 162,000 today.

_{^{A Twenty20 match at a packed No.1 Sportsground in 2007.} 
Research by the Otium Planning Group found just 27 per cent of the City’s sporting fields were currently utilised at or over capacity, and that more than half were underutilised. It also found that the highest participation rate was in soccer (27.5 per cent) followed by touch football (21.1 per cent) and cricket (13 per cent).
“Understanding and planning for sports and recreation is essential to ensure everyone has sufficient and equal opportunities to live an active lifestyle,” City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said.
“Early research by Otium has found Newcastle will need another seven netball courts by 2031 and that we’ll need to secure additional land for new sporting grounds in the western growth corridor.
“Otium has also raised potential for more partnerships with the City to upgrade grounds, similar to the Mitchell Park grandstand overhaul with Merewether Carlton Rugby Club, and proposes investigation into modern synthetic turf as a potential solution for surfaces prone to damage.”
Other regional plans and neighbouring facilities, including the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan 2036 and the draft Hunter Sport and Recreation Plan (2018-2023) for Broadmeadow’s Hunter Sports and Entertainment precinct, are being considered as part of the process.
Club representatives have been invited to information sessions on the preliminary discussion paper at information sessions today, tomorrow and Thursday, before another is opened to the community at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday from 12 noon.
“Feedback from the discussion paper will be considered by Otium and not the City, with a draft plan not expected to be considered by Council for public exhibition before March next year,” Mr Bath added.
“The discussion paper is the result of preliminary independent research and stakeholder engagement. Ongoing community engagement will be essential in determining the final plan.”
Sports under consideration in the plan include: athletics, Australian Rules, baseball, cricket, croquet, equestrian, football (soccer), netball, rugby league, rugby union, softball, tennis and touch football/Oztag.}

A trip to the beach is simply part of Australian life. But for Newcastle man Joseph Popov, a visit to the beach is far from simple.
As someone who lives with disability, comfortably making his way to and around the changerooms to enjoy Newcastle’s iconic Nobbys beach has always been impossible.
Now, thanks to City of Newcastle upgrades, the new change rooms include a specialised hoist and bench to cater for mobility-impaired beach goers as well as a new ramp to the lower promenade of the beach as part of a multimillion-dollar coastal revitalisation priority project.
Joseph says these upgrades are a game changer as summer approaches.
“As a Novocastrian, I count myself among the many locals who love going to the beach. You can’t compete with the views and what Mother Nature offers at Nobbys Beach,” the Bachelor of Social Science/Laws student and Community Disability Alliance Hunter (CDAH) Vice President said.
“The new upgrades will definitely encourage me to go to the beach more frequently, whether I need to go to the bathroom or change into Speedos.”
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, representatives of Surf Life Saving NSW and the Lions Club of Newcastle officially opened the Nobbys Accessible Change Facilities today.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the project includes a new amenities block with a dual-purpose room containing an accessible toilet and baby change facility. A second room provides an assisted change room with accessible toilet, shower, basin, bench and hoist.
“It’s important that our beaches can be enjoyed by all of our community and these upgraded facilities significantly improve the accessibility of Nobbys Beach,” the Lord Mayor said.
“These most recent upgrades to Nobbys Beach may go unnoticed for many people, however for those with a disability they mean the difference between getting sand between your toes and watching from the car park.
“I sincerely thank our partners, Surf Life Saving NSW, and the Lions Club of Newcastle. By building on partnerships, we create a better community.”
The opening event also incorporated the launch of the Access in the City (AiTC) app, an initiative created by a local startup aimed to improve the city experience for people utilising mobility devices.
Because AiTC has a strong inclusion focus, the platform will benefit people by enabling them to access the city in their own way with information and guidance on their device.
AiTC was the winner of the City’s first ever online mobility challenge. Out of 35 applications from across the globe which proposed ideas for addressing an urban mobility issue in Newcastle, the winning entry was created by a local company.

A man will re-appear in court today charged over the alleged sexual abuse of a five-year-old girl in the Hunter region.
In August 2019, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a five-year-old girl had been sexually abused by a man known to her.
Following extensive investigations, a 45-year-old man was arrested at a home at Cooranbong about 10.30am on Thursday 10 October 2019.
The man was taken to Toronto Police Station and charged with intentionally carry out sexual act with child under 10 years, intentional incite child under 10 years to do sexual act to them, and intentionally sexually touch child under 10 years.
The man appeared at Toronto Local Court last Thursday, where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at the same court today (Tuesday 15 October 2019).
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.

Police are investigating after a letter box was destroyed by explosives at Hamilton North early this morning.
Just before 5am (Tuesday 15 October 2019), police attended Boreas Road, following reports of an explosion heard in the area.
Police canvassed the area and located a damaged letterbox.
No one was injured, and no other property was damaged.
A crime scene was established and has been forensically examined.
Newcastle City Police District have commenced an investigation and are appealing for anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in Boreas Street to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Newcastle are the pride of regional NSW after winning the 2019 Regional State Cup at Netball Central in Sydney Olympic Park at the weekend.
The competition brings the best regional teams from across the state together to determine the standout regional Association in the Opens age category.
Newcastle were ranked the top Association at the conclusion of the weekend, bringing well-earned honours back to the Hunter.
One hundred players from 10 Associations, from as far and wide as Lismore and Wagga Wagga, took part over two days – Saturday and Sunday, 12-13 October – with the top four making the Finals Series.
Newcastle put in a 100 per cent effort, winning 11 from 11 – including a 26-16 Grand Final win over Orange – to be crowed regional NSW’s best, ahead of their rivals from the West Central West.
The North Coast was also well represented at the business end with Hastings Valley claiming third place, and Ballina (Far North Coast) rounding out the top four.
Netball NSW Competitions Manager Claire Dale thanked the players, coaches, team managers and supporters for a brilliant weekend in Olympic Park.
“We had about 50 games of netball over the course of the weekend with almost 2,150 goals scored,” she said.
“That is a testament to the standard of netball we have in our regional areas and it was wonderful to host them at the home of Netball NSW.
“Newcastle have been very successful in the previous version of the State Cup, and the really showed their champion qualities again over the weekend.
“These teams have had long seasons in the BING LEE Regional League, and now the Regional State Cup, so I’d like to wish them the best for their break, and look forward to seeing them back in 2020.”
2019 Regional State Cup Final placings
Newcastle Netball Association
Orange Netball Association
Hastings Valley Netball Association
Ballina Netball Association
Queanbeyan Netball Association
Wagga Wagga Netball Association
Lismore & District Netball Association
Quirindi Netball Association
Great Lakes Netball Association
Goulburn & District Netball Association