Category: Newcastle News

The Liberals have shown we can’t risk another term of them in Government, by approving a destructive uranium mine on the eve of an election being called, and trying to hide it.
“The Liberals are trashing the environment behind voters’ backs. They have tried to hide this destructive uranium mine decision from voters. They do not deserve another term of government,” Greens environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“Melissa Price as Environment Minister has been an environment wrecker. Days after she signed off on the Adani coal mine, she’s sold out our environment again to her mining mates in WA by approving a uranium mine.
“We need stronger environmental laws enforced by a national Environmental Protection Authority that back nature, our communities and traditional owners who have raised serious concerns and objections to mines such as this. The Western Australian EPA advised against it, yet is powerless to stop it.
“The environment can’t handle another three years of the Liberal Government looking after their mining mates rather than looking after the planet. The Liberals cannot be trusted to put our environment first.
“We need Greens in the Senate to stand up to governments who side with their mining industry mates. We will always fight for restoring and protecting nature over opening up another destructive uranium mine.”

A motorcyclist who died in the Lake Macquarie region has been identified, as inquiries into the incident continue.
Just after 7.30am today (Thursday 25 April 2019), emergency services were alerted after the body of a man, and his motorcycle, were located down an embankment off George Booth Drive at Seahampton.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended and established a crime scene, which continues to be examined by specialist officers.
An investigation into the crash is continuing and police would like to speak with anyone who may have witnessed it, or who may be able assist with establishing the rider’s movements.
It’s believed the incident occurred overnight.
The rider has now been identified as a 46-year-old Stockrington man. He was riding a black Harley Davidson cruiser-style motorbike.
Motorists who were travelling in the area overnight are urged to review their dashcam footage and provide any vision of relevance to local police.

An investigation is underway following a fatal motorcycle crash in the Lake Macquarie region this morning.
Just after 7.30am today (Thursday 25 April 2019), police and emergency services were contacted after the body of a man, and his bike were located down an embankment off George Booth Drive, Seahampton.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended the location and commenced inquiries.
A crime scene has been established and is being examined by specialist forensic officers.
Investigators would like to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may be able assist with establishing the rider’s movements.
Motorists who were travelling in the area overnight are urged to review their dashcam footage and provide any vision of relevance to local police.
Further information will be made available once the man has been formally identified.

A man has been charged after a police officer was assaulted near Port Stephens overnight.
A Toyota Soarer was pursued for a short distance along Richardson Road at Campvale about 5pm yesterday (Wednesday 24 April 2019), but the pursuit was terminated due to safety concerns.
The same vehicle was seen about 5.30pm in nearby Finnan Park; however, during the driver’s arrest a struggle ensued during which an officer was allegedly struck in the head by a metal torch, knocking him unconscious.
OC spray was deployed and the 24-year-old man was taken into custody by other officers.
He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with

• Police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly
• Drive while licence cancelled
• Wound police officer executing duty reckless as to actual bodily harm
• Resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty
• Possess prohibited drug (four counts), and
• Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.

The man, from Waratah, was refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 25 April 2019).
The injured officer – a Senior Constable who is attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District – was taken to hospital where he’s had a head wound stitched; he was kept under observation until shortly after 11pm when he was allowed to leave.

A man will appear in court next month following the alleged assault of a paramedic in Newcastle yesterday.
About 1.20pm (Monday 22 April 2019), NSW Ambulance paramedics attended a call for assistance from a male patient at a unit on Bull Street, Mayfield.
Two paramedics arrived and assessed a 32-year-old man resulting in the patient being transported to Calvary Hospital, Waratah.
One paramedic was driving the ambulance, the other, a female, was in the back with the patient when he became abusive toward her.
As the driver pulled over on route to the hospital to assist, the patient punched the paramedic in the ribs knocking her over in the back of the ambulance.
She managed to get to her feet and opened the door of the ambulance and get out, the patient following behind her continuing his verbal abuse before walking away.
Both paramedics reported the matter to police from Newcastle City Police District who attended the Bull Street residence that afternoon and arrested the man.
He was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with obstruct or hinder ambulance officer by act of violence.
He was given conditional bail and is due to appear in Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 16 May 2019.

Civic Park will feature an illuminated night-time attraction next month thanks to a City of Newcastle project that will see a local technology start-up deliver an interactive light display in the popular CBD park.
The new Luna light display, which will be tested from May 6-10 during the Hunter Innovation Festival, will form part of the “Catapult” trial to harness the potential of start-ups to achieve several strategic Smart City objectives.
Luna’s illuminated night-time display will activate Civic Park after dark
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle was the perfect testing ground for companies – like Luna – looking to launch ideas in a progressive and emerging Smart City landscape.
“Creative lighting adds a whole new layer of interest to the public domain and we’re delighted to be able to support Luna to test their technology for the first time in a real-world environment,” the Lord Mayor said.
“What is great about Luna is that it allows people to become active participants in the light display, rather than just passive spectators, by giving them the ability to change the colour and intensity of the lights.
“In our increasingly digital age, cities need to look towards new approaches, innovative technologies and smart infrastructure to create an environment that supports economic growth and diversification.
“So, we’ve called upon the visionary ambitions of four very exciting new companies to help achieve that.”
An online mapping platform called Accessibility in the City joins Luna as part of the Catapult trial.
When launched later this year, Accessibility in the City will offer users verified information about where to locate accessible features, such as disabled parking and toilets, and help them navigate busy, cluttered and visually oriented environments.
Accessibility in the City founder Chad Ramage 
Both companies have the capabilities to better understand resource utilisation, and in turn, make improvements to help the City reduce its energy costs.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the opportunity for Newcastle to be used as a testing ground.
“The city has been working hard with our stakeholders over a number of years to establish Newcastle and the Hunter as an internationally recognised centre for technology innovation,” Councillor Nelmes said.
“Cities around the world are facing the challenge of improving liveability for their residents while reducing resource consumption, and the companies selected as part of this trial will to help us tackle these challenges head on.
“Our award-winning Smart City Strategy includes clear objectives around making our buildings more energy efficient, around piloting inclusive smart technology to increase equity of access to the city, and around deploying interactive technologies into the public domain to create active and safe places of interest and discovery.
“The Catapult program is one of the many ways that we are delivering on our strategy and our vision to be a smart, liveable and sustainable global city.”
The Catapult program is part of the $13 million Smart Moves Newcastle project, which received $5 million through the Australian Government’s Smart Cities and Suburbs program in 2017.

Newcastle City Police are appealing for public assistance, after an armed robbery at Newcastle this morning.
Around 9.30am (Thursday 18 April 2019), officers were called to a licensed premises on Station Street, Waratah.
Police have been told an unknown male entered the premises threatening patrons with a firearm.
He then fled the scene with a sum of cash.
Thankfully, no one was injured during the incident.
Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen a male acting suspiciously in the area between 9 and 10am this morning.
He is described as being approximately 180cm tall, with a solid build and dressed in dark clothing. His face was covered by a dark balaclava.
If you can assist with inquiries please contact Newcastle Detectives on 4929 0999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A 35-year-old woman has been charged following an alleged armed robbery earlier this week.
About 3pm on Tuesday (16 April 2019), a woman entered a chemist on Maitland Road, Mayfield.
Police will allege the 35-year-old approached a store attendant and threatened her with what’s believed to be a knife.
The woman then demanded a quantity of prescription drugs, before fleeing the scene.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended the scene and searched the area but were unable to locate the woman.
Following inquiries, around 3pm yesterday (Wednesday 17 April 2019) police executed a search warrant at a home on Douglas Street, Stockton, where they seized several items.
A 35-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with robbery armed with offensive weapon.
She was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 16 May 2019.

City of Newcastle will open a major $2 million playground and skate plaza attraction on the Stockton foreshore on Friday, just in time for the Easter long weekend.
The South Stockton Active Hub next to the ferry terminal will activate Griffith Park by offering families and recreational skaters a place to relax and enjoy the harbour surrounds.



The facility runs in two parallel lengths of around 40m, with the skate plaza on one side and the playground on the other flanking BBQ facilities and a shelter in the middle. Local skaters have already given the thumbs up by breaking through construction fences before their scheduled removal tomorrow
“This is a great development for Stockton that will give youngsters and families the perfect option to enjoy on the northern side of the harbour. Set against a backdrop of the city skyline on a site perfect for Instagram, the facility will also help boost Stockton’s profile as a place to visit,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said after cutting a ribbon today.
“I look forward to coming back in a couple of weeks after the school holidays to celebrate the Active Hub with some of the kids from St Peter’s Primary School who first wrote to us in 2016 to invite us to see their plans and models for the park.”



From Friday morning, some of those kids will be enjoying the new playground’s flying foxes, slides, climbing nets and swings, while skaters relish handrails, angled ledges, an A-frame kicker, zig zag ledge and a half pipe.
Merewether skateboarder George Richards said he was impressed with the new facility.
“It’s great to have a street-style skate plaza,” he said. “I don’t think there is another one in the area, and there are some really unique aspects of the park which makes it interesting.”
The Active Hub was one continuous length of around 100m in the original design but was split to be sit closer the harbour after residents of Hunter Street Stockton expressed their concerns.
The facility has been part funded by a $450,000 Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund and Section 94 contributions by both City of Newcastle and Port Stephens.