Category: Newcastle News

Police have released CCTV images and are appealing for public assistance as investigations continue into the theft of ‘smart’ watches from retail stores.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District launched an investigation after three males took 12 ‘smart’ watches from a store at a Charlestown shopping centre on Wednesday 18 September 2019.
Officers from Kuring Gai Police Area Command were notified of a second incident on Wednesday 2 October 2019, after 17 watches were stolen from a store at a Hornsby shopping centre.
Investigators have been told; however, that the items are only display models with very limited functionality despite appearing identical.
They are warning members of the public – who may be offered the watches for sale – to exercise caution and ensure they ask for proof-of-purchase before proceeding with a transaction, online or otherwise.
Initial inquiries suggest the incidents are linked and investigators are now releasing CCTV images of three males who may be able to assist with their investigation.
The first male is described as being Caucasian appearance, about 18-20 years old, of a medium build, and with a dark beard and moustache.
He is depicted wearing a white t-shirt, black hooded jacket, cream coloured pants, and an orange cap.
The second male is described as being Caucasian appearance, about 18-20 years old, of a medium build, and with short brown hair.
He is depicted wearing a black hooded jumper, black pants, and is seen carrying a black backpack.
The third male is described as being Caucasian appearance, 15-17 years old, of a slim build, and with short dark hair.
He is depicted wearing a black hooded jumper, and black pants with white stripes down each leg.

Police are appealing for urgent public assistance to help locate a man missing north of Newcastle.
Gavin McDermott, aged 47, was last seen by his neighbour on Macrae Crescent, East Maitland on Wednesday 9 October 2019.
Officers from Port Stephens/Hunter Police District were recently notified of his absence by a relative and commenced their enquiries.
Family and police hold serious concerns for his welfare due as they believe his behaviour is out of character.
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate Gavin who is described as being of Caucasian appearance, with a thin build, about 180 cm tall with brown eyes and brown hair.
It is believed he could be driving his white 2008 Toyota Prado diesel station wagon with NSW registration CEQ 39Y.

A sustainable swap-meet, art and activism workshop and exciting line-up of local live music are among the highlights of a youth-led community street festival taking over Laman Street tomorrow.
Organised by the Newcastle Youth Council, the Spring Street Festival is a showcase of social and environmental sustainability that is designed to encourage people to talk, learn and think globally by getting involved locally.
Being held in Laman Street and the ground floor of the Newcastle Region Library from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, 12 October, the festival will feature live music, vegetarian food stalls, local artists and workshops on a range of issues like fast fashion, urban farming and climate action.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Spring Street Festival was about empowering young people to come together and connect on issues that matter to them.
“This youth-led event provides an opportunity to discover, connect and celebrate the incredible work that is being done in our community around sustainability,” she said.
“It will explore positive solutions that are happening right now to address issues such as climate change, gender equality and sustainable consumption, encouraging people to think global and act local.”
Sustainability has been used to inform every aspect of the festival, from the clothes, jewellery and book swap designed to combat fast fashion with a more sustainable approach to looking fabulous, through to the Enviro Hub where you can learn how to get involved with local environmental campaigns and maintain the momentum created during September’s School Strike 4 Climate rally.
Well-known local artist Quinn Squires (aka Real Salad) will bring his colourful brand of art and activism to the festival with a workshop on creating issue-focused art, while Newcastle Art Gallery will showcase the incredible talent of Newcastle’s visual artists with an emerging artists market.
Headspace Newcastle will host a chill zone with art, music, food and comfy cushions to sink into, five local bands will keep the festival vibe going with live performances throughout the day while numerous organisations involved in everything from gender equality and climate action to mental health and wellbeing will also host activities across their own stalls.
The Spring Street Festival is being run in conjunction with Newcastle Libraries, Newcastle Youth Council, CIFAL Newcastle, United Nations Society – University of Newcastle and The Y Project.

A woman reported missing from Lake Macquarie yesterday has been located safe and well.
A 37-year-old woman was last seen leaving a property in Cooranbong about 11.30pm on Wednesday 9 October 2019.
Following inquiries, about 9.30am today (Friday 11 October 2019) the woman was located safe and well in Cooranbong.
Police wish to thank the public and the media for its assistance.

The world’s most famous board game now has embraced a unique Novocastrian theme.
A special edition Newcastle Monopoly was launched today by Winning Moves, City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Mr Monopoly at Newcastle Museum. Also in attendance were members of the community keen to be the first to get their hands on the new local version of the classic board game.
“Newcastle is an iconic city so it’s only fitting we have our very own Monopoly board game to celebrate our spectacular built and natural attractions,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We’re certainly spoilt for choice for board game worthy locations to feature, from our renowned beaches to locations like Newcastle Museum, Blackbutt Reserve, and Fort Scratchley, which are all up for grabs for players.
“I’m thrilled our city now has its very own version of Monopoly and know it will be embraced by Novocastrians young and old. It’s wonderful to think people will create memories playing the game based on our very own city.
“It’s the perfect family friendly gift for Christmas or for those looking for something truly unique. It’s also sure to prove popular with visitors to the city,” Cr Nelmes said.
The fast dealing property trading game features special twists like Newcastle locations and themed board design.
“This edition is everything you love about the traditional board, adapted in a way that Novocastrians will enjoy for generations to come,” Winning Moves’ Dale Hackett said.
Monopoly first hit the shelves in 1935 and since then has secured its spot in pop culture and people’s homes as a best-loved game.
Newcastle Monopoly is available at the Newcastle Visitor Information Centre and in selected stores from today.

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.