Appeal to locate man missing – Muswellbrook

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the upper Hunter region.

Dale Charlesworth, aged 32, was last seen riding his black Harley Davidson bike, number plate GSZ59, on Thomas Mitchell Drive, Muswellbrook about 9.25am on Wednesday 25 September 2024.

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police Area Command were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for his welfare.

Dale is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 170cm tall, of medium build and brown hair in a mullet hairstyle.

He was last seen wearing a hi-vis orange work shirt, black helmet, black jeans, black jacket and tanned work boots.

Police believe he may have been Gunnedah, Tenterfield and Warwick in Queensland.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to call Muswellbrook Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Man and woman charged following shooting at West Wallsend

A man and a woman have been charged following a shooting near Newcastle yesterday. 

About 5.30pm yesterday (Thursday 26 September 2024), officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were called to O’Donnelltown Road, West Wallsend, following reports of a shooting.

Police arrived to find a man, who was located in bushland, had been shot in both legs.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the 39-year-old at the scene, before he was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

Officers were told, the 39-year-old had allegedly met a 26-year-old man at the location – both men are known to each other – with the 26-year-old driving off before police arrived.

Police established a crime scene and commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A short time later, two men, aged 23 and 33, were arrested at Seaham Street, Holmesville.

They were taken to Belmont Police Station and questioned, before later being released.

About 7:15pm, the 26-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman attended Toronto Police Station.

They were arrested and the man was charged with discharge firearm etc intend cause grievous bodily harm and possess loaded firearm public place.

The woman was charged with being an accessory after the fact to discharge firearm etc intend cause grievous bodily harm.

Both were refused bail to appear before Toronto Local Court today (Friday 27 September 2024).

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Community win: monster seismic blasting proposal withdrawn!

One of the largest seismic blasting proposals ever in Australian history has been withdrawn by proponent TGS following immense community pressure.  

The monster seismic blasting proposal off the Victorian and Tasmanian coasts was grossly unpopular from the get-go. TGS repeatedly reduced the size of the blasting area from 75,000 sq km back in 2022, to 45,000 sq km in 2023, to 31,500 sq km in 2024; before finally announcing the project’s end today. 

Greens spokesperson for Healthy Oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson: 

“This win belongs to all the people who have rallied hard for years to protect marine ecosystems and avoid irreversible changes to the Earth’s climate.

“This is a historic moment. Community pressure works!! 

“Increasingly people from all walks of life are waking up to the dangers of seismic blasting in our oceans – there’s no plausible excuse for it! 

“This is a siren call to all the fossil fuel companies eyeing off our oceans: your time is up. 

“It’s unforgivable that our government continues to allow big oil and gas corporations to blast our marine environment for more fossil fuels at this time in history. 

“People want their leaders to start taking bold and radical climate action, and today’s news is welcome proof that with enough sustained pressure people power and protest action works.”

Acting Leader of the Victorian Greens, Sarah Mansfield: 

“This is a huge win for people power. First Nations and local communities have been fighting to protect Southern Sea country from seismic blasting for years. 

“While Labor and the Liberals continue to support new coal and gas projects in a climate crisis, what this shows is that when people come together to fight for our climate, we can win. 

“We need to put an end to all new oil and gas projects. The community won’t give up the fight for our oceans and our climate, and The Greens will be right there with them.”

Greens call for independent oversight body for children with disability after Auditor-General’s damning report exposing Department of Education failures

The Auditor-General has today handed down a scathing performance audit report, Supporting students with disability, which exposes a decades-long failure to adequately fund and deliver targeted supports, monitor school practice and track outcomes for students with disability.

The Auditor-General’s report has been described as damning by Greens NSW MP Abigail Boyd, who chaired the recent parliamentary inquiry into the Experiences of children and young people with disability in NSW educational settings. The report from that inquiry was tabled just last month, and reinforces the Auditor-General’s findings that children with disability and their families are seeing no real improvement in their experiences within NSW’s education system, despite stated government policies and commitments.

The Auditor General’s report found the Department of Education failed to implement their own inclusive education policies and procedures, monitor outcomes and ensure targeted supports for students with disability, despite being aware of these gaps for almost two decades.

It also found serious gaps in the Department’s complaints management process which is neither student-centric nor accessible, and called for independent advice and disability expertise to be provided to parents and guardians of students with disability.

Abigail Boyd, Greens NSW MP and Spokesperson for disability rights and inclusion:

“The message coming through in this and previous reports is loud and clear – when it comes to disability rights and inclusion, the NSW Government is all words and no action.

“The NSW Department of Education has knowingly and persistently underfunded measures that would deliver greater inclusion for people with disability, and then chosen not to measure what they know will be the harmful outcomes of their decisions. This is a shocking abrogation of responsibility, and cannot stand.

“With such limited oversight of our education system, it’s no wonder that students with disability continue to experience exclusion, discrimination and neglect in our schools. The latest suspension data from the Department reveals that year on year, students with disability continue to make up half of all suspensions.

“In light of this and multiple other audit reports, parliamentary inquiries and the Disability Royal Commission, it is clear that the Department is unable to oversee itself and its performance under its legal obligations under anti-discrimination legislation.

“We can no longer leave the Department to its own devices. We need an independent oversight body for children with disability in our education system — as unanimously recommended by all members in the recent multi-partisan parliamentary inquiry report — with the primary purpose of advocating for students with disability and their families at its core, with the ability to oversee all issues from enrolments and adjustments to exclusionary discipline and allegations of discrimination.

“The NSW Government must commit to implementing in full all recommendations of this report, our parliamentary inquiry, and the Disability Royal Commission. Anything less than this will constitute a tragic failure of leadership and serve to perpetuate the cycle of disadvantage experienced by disabled people in this state.”

Action against Afghanistan over violations of human rights of women and girls

Australia will join Germany, Canada and the Netherlands to take unprecedented action to hold Afghanistan to account under international law for the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls.

This action is being brought against Afghanistan for violations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, to which Afghanistan is a party.

We urge Afghanistan to participate in negotiations, as provided for under the Convention.

Australia is strongly committed to protecting and promoting the rights of women and girls at home and around the world.

Today we were united with partners from all regions of the world on the importance of strong international action in response to the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls.

The Taliban has demonstrated contempt for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls in Afghanistan, through a campaign of sustained and systematic oppression.

This includes denying girls their right to education and attempting to erase women from public life.

We will not stand by and allow the situation in Afghanistan to become a ‘new normal’.

We have heard the calls of Afghan women and we are committed to defending their human rights and amplifying their voices.

The participation of women and girls in society is essential to achieving peaceful societies and sustainable development.

New Annual delivers hands-on festival experience

City of Newcastle is giving Novocastrians the chance to become part of the performance and immerse themselves in this year’s New Annual experience.

Fifteen local dancers took part in a masterclass today, learning new skills with members of the internationally renowned Dancenorth Australia ensemble.

New Annual Senior Producer and Curator Adrian Burnett and Dancenorth’s Associate Artistic Director Amber Haines with members of the Dancenorth Australia ensemble and local dancers at the professional development workshop.New Annual Senior Producer and Curator Adrian Burnett and Dancenorth’s Associate Artistic Director Amber Haines with members of the Dancenorth Australia ensemble and local dancers at the professional development workshop.The professional development workshop was held in the lead-up to New Annual, which officially kicks off on Friday with 10 days of art, culture and creativity.

New Annual Senior Producer and Curator Adrian Burnett said the immersive program is packed with opportunities to get involved in City of Newcastle’s flagship cultural event.

“Last year Dancenorth blew us away with their performance of Noise, which involved 60 local drummers coming together to accompany their dancers in a powerful, unified performance,” Mr Burnett said.

“This experience became a catalyst when curating this year’s program to build on the aspects of community engagement and participation.

“It is fantastic to once again collaborate with Dancenorth, who delivered today’s professional masterclass and an additional workshop with young up-and-coming dance students, ahead of their official New Annual performance of Wayfinder at the Civic Theatre this weekend.

“I’m also looking forward to seeing Novocastrians join in with a range of other of performances and events, from sharing their stories of hope, power and resilience through Truth to Power Café and Belongings, to becoming truly hands-on through the Scrub Club at artist Megan Cope’s Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House.

“By incorporating a range of fun, interactive opportunities into New Annual, we ensure our community becomes engaged and invested in the program, which encourages them to explore more of what the festival has to offer.”

Dancenorth’s Associate Artistic Director Amber Haines said the dance experiences offered as part of New Annual presented an opportunity for dancers to dive deeper into the richly textured world of Wayfinder.

“Wayfinder is all about reminding people about our capacity for connection, joy and optimism,” Ms Haines said.

“Our dance experiences in Newcastle invited dancers to experience that love and positivity in a more physical way.

“While we hope engaging with dancers will encourage them to come and see our show, it’s also a beautiful way to connect with the communities we visit.

“Dancing and moving with others helps us deepen connection, broaden expression, strengthen communities and bask in the sense of wellness and positivity that can be very easy to overlook in the hustle of everyday life.”

New Annual will run from 27 September to 6 October, offering a vibrant mix of dance, music, circus, visual art and theatre. Visit https://newannual.com/ for more details about the full program. Dancenorth Australia will perform their groundbreaking production, Wayfinder, at the Civic Theatre on Friday 27 September, with tickets on sale now.

Orange community canvassed on potential rail service improvements

The Minns Labor Government has launched engagement to understand community views on future passenger rail services for Orange, with a forum to be held on 31 October 2024.

The forum, hosted by Transport for NSW, will hear from the Orange and Central West community about transport connections in the region.

The forum, to be held in the Greenhouse function room at Orange Ex-Services Club, will bring together around 80 key stakeholders including local government, rail groups, Aboriginal bodies and representatives from the education, business and health sectors.

The forum will be followed by a drop-in session in the afternoon that will be open to members of the community.

Details will be announced closer to the date.

Feedback will also be sought from the wider community with around 130 other stakeholders from Orange and the Central West asked to complete a survey about passenger rail services.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“We are aware there is broad community support for improved rail services to Orange. The NSW Government has listened and is now responding with the next step.

“Through this targeted consultation process, including a forum at the end of October, we want to gather specific information on community needs, expectations and potential viability of options, to help inform decision making.

“We know the existing Bathurst Bullet train service provides an important and popular daily return train connection and we are considering all the possible options for Orange and the wider Central West.

“We are committed to safe and affordable public transport that allows regional people access work, education, health appointments and connect with other transport modes and networks.”

Independent Member for Orange Phil Donato said:

“More than 10,000 people signed Orange Rail Action Group’s petition, seeking to improve passenger rail services between the Central West and Sydney.

“Minister Aitchison has taken active interest in the proposal to initiate a daily return passenger rail service between Orange and Sydney, to meet transport needs of our growing community.

“I am pleased to see further consideration of the proposal, including vital community consultation to ensure future transport plans and services meet the needs and expectations of the community.

“I encourage all stakeholders and interested residents to participate in Transport for New South Wales’ consultation event at Orange Ex-Services Club on October 31.”

Fast facts:

  • Sydney Trains operates a twice daily Intercity service between Sydney and Bathurst on the Blue Mountains Line, which is commonly referred to as the Bathurst Bullet.
  • Sydney Trains Intercity train services are part of the Opal network, where customers can turn up and go and tap on and off to travel. Since 1 July 2024 the Bathurst Intercity train service has been operated by Sydney Trains.
  • NSW TrainLink operates a daily XPT train service between Sydney and Dubbo via Orange and a weekly Xplorer train service between Sydney and Broken Hill via Orange.
  • There are daily NSW TrainLink coach connections to and from Orange to Bathurst that provide connections with Bathurst Intercity services. There are also several coach connections from Orange to Lithgow daily, where passengers join Intercity train services to Sydney.
  • NSW TrainLink operates all regional train and coach services, including those that serve Orange. Advance booking is required on all NSW TrainLink services, including those that connect with Bathurst Intercity services.

Condobolin upgrades completed through Roads to Home

Aboriginal communities in  Condobolin are celebrating completion of $2.8 million in essential infrastructure upgrades funded by the NSW Government to support social, economic and employment benefits for the area.

The Roads to Home program in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) has funded Condobolin Local Aboriginal Land Council to upgrade infrastructure at the Willow Bend village in Condobolin.

Infrastructure improvements have included upgraded roads and guttering, footpaths, an amenities block, stormwater drainage and sewerage infrastructure, new streetlighting, new house fencing, upgrades to the community basketball and tennis courts and public gardens, landscaping, a community yarning circle, and a new village entrance sign.

Upgrades have also occurred to a levee bank at the village which has been reinforced in sections and new flood gates and drainage flaps installed to help control flooding from the nearby Lachlan River.

The delivery of infrastructure upgrades to normal standards enhances quality of life for residents and improves access to services, including household waste collection, postal delivery, emergency vehicles and community transport.

A key feature of Roads to Home projects is ensuring there are employment and training opportunities for local Aboriginal communities. The Condobolin project provided training for 10 residents and work for 8.

The Minns Labor Government has so far committed a total of $173.8 million through the Roads to Home program to enable upgrades in 34 discrete Aboriginal communities.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“It’s fantastic to see these upgrades delivered to bring infrastructure up to acceptable standards to benefit the residents of the Willow Bend village in Condobolin.

“Infrastructure upgrades such as these are very important for Aboriginal communities as they improve quality of life and empower residents by supporting better health and safety and facilitating improved access to community services.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The Roads to Home program is correcting an historic injustice where Aboriginal communities on former missions and reserves across NSW were left to fend for themselves without the types of infrastructure and services that communities in the rest of the state take for granted.

“It is a unique program that takes a partnership approach to empower Aboriginal landowners to make decisions about essential infrastructure upgrades in their communities to improve social outcomes while providing training and employment opportunities.

“We know there are better Closing the Gap outcomes when local Aboriginal communities and people drive shared decision-making and self-determination.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:

“Its always great to see investment in Barwon communities.

“Things like reinforcing the levee to prevent inundation from the Lachlan river, along with upgrading the roads and building an amenities block, are not luxury items but they bring residents some much needed improvements that make Willow Bend a much better place to live.

“It has a net benefit to peoples wellbeing when they see investment and improvement in their community”

Condobolin Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Louise Davis said:

“The infrastructure upgrades have made a big difference. The village looks a lot better than it did before and the improvements have given residents ownership and pride in the community.

“As part of the project, local residents got work and training with machinery including excavators and backhoes, and in fencing. and concreting.”

Commissioners appointed to lead consultation with Aboriginal people on agreement making

The NSW Government is delivering on its election commitment to consult with Aboriginal people about their desire for a treaty process, with the appointment of three commissioners to lead a process with Aboriginal people and communities across NSW.

The commissioners will lead a 12-month consultation to hear from Aboriginal people. This will include asking whether Aboriginal communities want an agreement-making process with government, and if so, what form that process could take.

NSW is home to the largest Aboriginal population in Australia. The commissioners will engage with Aboriginal communities across metropolitan, rural, regional and remote parts of NSW, before delivering a report on their findings to the Government.

The appointees bring with them experience, expertise and connections to Aboriginal people and communities.

The Government has appointed former senator Aden Ridgeway, academic Todd Fernando and Koori Mail newspaper CEO Naomi Moran to the roles.

The commissioners have been appointed for a fixed term of two years following an open, competitive process led by an independent Aboriginal advisory panel.

Consultation about agreement making aligns directly with NSW’s bipartisan commitment to the 2020 Closing the Gap National Agreement signed by then prime minister Scott Morrison and then premier Gladys Berejiklian.

The Closing the Gap Agreement includes a commitment to formal partnerships and shared decision-making with Aboriginal people to help close the gap faster in areas such as life expectancy, health and education.

Aboriginal people and communities hold answers to issues they face. When Aboriginal people have a direct say in these issues, the whole community gets better outcomes.

Over coming months, the commissioners will develop a detailed consultation plan, with consultations to commence in 2025.

Interstate treaty and agreement-making processes have not been simple nor fast. This is the first step in work that could drive improved outcomes for Aboriginal people, and all NSW taxpayers, so the NSW Government will not be rushing.

The NSW Government allocated $5 million for this work in the September 2023 budget.

Find out more about the consultation

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The appointment of the treaty commissioners is central to the process of listening to Aboriginal people on treaty and agreement-making.

“The commissioners have been appointed following a rigorous process that attracted strong candidates.

“We get better outcomes when we listen to the needs of Aboriginal people and communities. We must ensure Aboriginal people have a direct say on matters that affect them.”