A fourth man has been charged following investigations into a series of armed robberies across the Lake Macquarie region earlier this year.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Bergs to investigate eight armed robberies at bowling clubs and a golf club, which occurred between February and May 2019.
As part of their inquiries, three men – aged 24, 27 and 36 – were arrested and charged by strike force detectives last month. They remain before the courts.
Following further investigations, police arrested a 29-year-old man at a home in Tamworth about 10am today (Thursday 25 July 2019).
He was taken to Tamworth Police Station and charged with two counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon.
Police will allege in court this was in connection with an armed robbery at a club in Toronto on Friday 24 May 2019.
The man was refused bail to appear before Tamworth Local Court today (Thursday 25 July 2019).
Investigations under Strike Force Bergs continue.
Category: Newcastle News
All the news happening in the Newcastle and Hunter Region
Park and Ride locked in
Newcastle’s popular Park and Ride will continue with a family friendly tweak, starting the afternoon service to McDonald Jones Stadium earlier to support parents who need to pick their kids up from school or childcare.
Keolis Downer Hunter has been awarded the contract to continue operating Park and Ride until at least 30 June 2020, beginning Monday 29 July 2019 with a new fee of $4.60.
City of Newcastle has kept the service running since Transport for NSW pulled its funding earlier this year and during that time surveyed current and prospective passengers on cost, preferred running times, and barriers to use.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Park and Ride plays an important role in freeing up around 200 car parks in the city centre each day by giving commuters a convenient and affordable alternative to driving and paying for all day parking.
“Since taking over Park and Ride in April, the City has assessed passenger feedback, running times and patronage to determine whether the service should continue and how it could be improved,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We’ve heard from the community, city businesses and major employers, and the message is clear; Park and Ride is making the daily commute easier for more than 1,000 regular weekly users, keeping cars out of the CBD, and should be continued.
“For a person who switches from parking in the city each day to using the Park and Ride express bus from Broadmeadow, they will be on average $900 a year better off.”
New Lambton resident Jenni Payne, a graphic designer who works in the city, takes Park and Ride three days a week and said the earlier afternoon return service would make her life easier.
“I’m always in a mad rush to get back to the car and pick the kids up from school,” said the mother of two New Lambton Public School students. “So, getting the return bus at 2.25pm will definitely take the pressure off and make Park and Ride a more convenient option for me.”
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City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said the price increase, along with in-kind support from Venues NSW and McDonald Jones Stadium, and a competitive agreement with the operator, made continuing the service viable for the City.
“The return price of $4.60 for an express service is substantially cheaper than the $7-return Opal bus fare or the $8.50 all-day city parking,” Mr Bath said.
“Venues NSW must be thanked for throwing its support behind Park and Ride by agreeing to waive the parking fee it previously charged City of Newcastle to locate the Park and Ride at McDonald Jones Stadium.
“There have been more than 120,000 passenger trips on Park and Ride since it commenced in November 2017, and with the future of the service now secured, the City of Newcastle is committed to further increasing passenger numbers by ensuring the service is convenient and reliable and saves its users time and money.”
Venues NSW CEO Paul Doorn said Venues NSW was keen to continue its support for the park and ride.
“Venues NSW is happy to work with the City of Newcastle to deliver Park and Ride and ensure assets like McDonald Jones Stadium benefit the Newcastle community outside of event days,” he said.
Park and Ride continues from Monday 29 July. For more information visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/parkandride
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New Lambton’s Jenni Payne boards the Park and Ride bus before embarking on the busy school run
Lambton commuter Jordan May loves how afforadable the service is
Keolis Downer Hunter has been awarded the contract to continue operating Park and Ride until at least 30 June 2020, beginning Monday 29 July 2019 with a new fee of $4.60.
City of Newcastle has kept the service running since Transport for NSW pulled its funding earlier this year and during that time surveyed current and prospective passengers on cost, preferred running times, and barriers to use.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Park and Ride plays an important role in freeing up around 200 car parks in the city centre each day by giving commuters a convenient and affordable alternative to driving and paying for all day parking.“Since taking over Park and Ride in April, the City has assessed passenger feedback, running times and patronage to determine whether the service should continue and how it could be improved,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We’ve heard from the community, city businesses and major employers, and the message is clear; Park and Ride is making the daily commute easier for more than 1,000 regular weekly users, keeping cars out of the CBD, and should be continued.
“For a person who switches from parking in the city each day to using the Park and Ride express bus from Broadmeadow, they will be on average $900 a year better off.”
New Lambton resident Jenni Payne, a graphic designer who works in the city, takes Park and Ride three days a week and said the earlier afternoon return service would make her life easier.
“I’m always in a mad rush to get back to the car and pick the kids up from school,” said the mother of two New Lambton Public School students. “So, getting the return bus at 2.25pm will definitely take the pressure off and make Park and Ride a more convenient option for me.”
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said the price increase, along with in-kind support from Venues NSW and McDonald Jones Stadium, and a competitive agreement with the operator, made continuing the service viable for the City.
“The return price of $4.60 for an express service is substantially cheaper than the $7-return Opal bus fare or the $8.50 all-day city parking,” Mr Bath said.
“Venues NSW must be thanked for throwing its support behind Park and Ride by agreeing to waive the parking fee it previously charged City of Newcastle to locate the Park and Ride at McDonald Jones Stadium.
“There have been more than 120,000 passenger trips on Park and Ride since it commenced in November 2017, and with the future of the service now secured, the City of Newcastle is committed to further increasing passenger numbers by ensuring the service is convenient and reliable and saves its users time and money.”
Venues NSW CEO Paul Doorn said Venues NSW was keen to continue its support for the park and ride.
“Venues NSW is happy to work with the City of Newcastle to deliver Park and Ride and ensure assets like McDonald Jones Stadium benefit the Newcastle community outside of event days,” he said.
Park and Ride continues from Monday 29 July. For more information visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/parkandride
New Lambton’s Jenni Payne boards the Park and Ride bus before embarking on the busy school runLambton commuter Jordan May loves how afforadable the service is
Cycleways and green space for the West End
Separated cycle ways, new dedicated green spaces and wider streets to improve pedestrian and traffic flows will be built in the City’s emerging CBD following the adoption of the West End Stage 2 – Streetscape Plan.
The West End improvements were given the green light from Councillors last night after 85 per cent of those surveyed during the 28-day public exhibition period put forward their support for the plan.
How Denison Street could look under the new urban streetscape designs
Of those surveyed, 93 per cent said they supported an increase to green spaces, while 89 per cent agreed that better cycleways and public domain improvements – such as an increase in public art – were important to them.
Traffic improvements, alfresco dining options and the creation of ‘rain gardens’, self-watering, low-maintenance gardens designed to protect our rivers and creeks by capturing stormwater that runs off hard surfaces when it rains, also received support across the nine survey questions.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the results showed the public was behind the City’s vision for the future.
“It shows that there is a strong appetite for people to see our vision to create a vibrant, connected and liveable city, realised,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Together with our plans to upgrade Birdwood and Little Birdwood Park as part of Stage 1, we will create a safe, accessible precinct around the Newcastle Interchange where vibrant streetscapes will encourage more public and active transport use.
“Both plans will support the growth of Newcastle’s new CBD in the west and cultural precinct in the east.”
Steel Street, looking north, with wider streets and new-look paving
Five green spaces totalling an area larger than a football field will be built in the west to reduce the risks of a ‘heat island’ effect, which see built-up urban areas become significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas.
A safe, separated east-west cycleway in the Stage 2 plan will stretch from Wickham Park to Union Street along Hunter Street’s southern edge, running between the footpath and a new island bus stop with greenery outside the “Spotlight” corner.
Another separated cycleway will run north from National Park to Honeysuckle along the western side of Steel Street better connecting the Junction and Merewether with the harbour foreshore.
New crossings will also be created for pedestrians along Hunter Street as part of the Stage 2 upgrades.
The City will update the community when the construction timetable is determined.
The West End improvements were given the green light from Councillors last night after 85 per cent of those surveyed during the 28-day public exhibition period put forward their support for the plan.
How Denison Street could look under the new urban streetscape designsOf those surveyed, 93 per cent said they supported an increase to green spaces, while 89 per cent agreed that better cycleways and public domain improvements – such as an increase in public art – were important to them.
Traffic improvements, alfresco dining options and the creation of ‘rain gardens’, self-watering, low-maintenance gardens designed to protect our rivers and creeks by capturing stormwater that runs off hard surfaces when it rains, also received support across the nine survey questions.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the results showed the public was behind the City’s vision for the future.
“It shows that there is a strong appetite for people to see our vision to create a vibrant, connected and liveable city, realised,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Together with our plans to upgrade Birdwood and Little Birdwood Park as part of Stage 1, we will create a safe, accessible precinct around the Newcastle Interchange where vibrant streetscapes will encourage more public and active transport use.
“Both plans will support the growth of Newcastle’s new CBD in the west and cultural precinct in the east.”
Steel Street, looking north, with wider streets and new-look pavingFive green spaces totalling an area larger than a football field will be built in the west to reduce the risks of a ‘heat island’ effect, which see built-up urban areas become significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas.
A safe, separated east-west cycleway in the Stage 2 plan will stretch from Wickham Park to Union Street along Hunter Street’s southern edge, running between the footpath and a new island bus stop with greenery outside the “Spotlight” corner.
Another separated cycleway will run north from National Park to Honeysuckle along the western side of Steel Street better connecting the Junction and Merewether with the harbour foreshore.
New crossings will also be created for pedestrians along Hunter Street as part of the Stage 2 upgrades.
The City will update the community when the construction timetable is determined.
Council Update Tuesday 23 July 2019
Following is a summary of the Ordinary Council Meeting for Tuesday 23 July 2019. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.
Lord Mayoral Minutes
A LMM requesting that a submission be made to the Joint Select Committee regarding Sydney’s night-time economy, was endorsed. The submission will refer to information relating to the City’s own progress in this area through the Newcastle After Dark Strategy.
A LMM congratulating former Newcastle MP Jodie McKay’s election as NSW leader of the Opposition, was endorsed.
Ordinary Business
Supplementary report – Public Exhibition of the Code of Meeting Practice
Council resolved to place a new Code of Meeting Practice on public exhibition for 42 days. The key change to the Code is to allow for an extension of time for Councillor speeches from three minutes to five minutes.
Exhibition of Draft Community Participation Plan
Councillors voted to place the Draft Community Participation Plan on public exhibition for a period of 28 days. The plan will outline how and when City of Newcastle (CN) will engage with the community across the planning functions it performs under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
Adoption of Amendment to Newcastle DCP 2012 – section 6.02 Heritage Conservation Areas
Councillors supported a motion to amend Newcastle’s Development Control Plan. The amendments address matters relating to the classification of buildings within Heritage Conservation Areas (HCAs). The new provisions will provide guidance on Development Application submission requirements when the development is within an HCA.
Special Business Rate Expenditure Policy
A new financial incentive scheme, known as the Special Business Rate expenditure policy, which allows businesses, not-for-profit organisations and community groups to apply for around $900,000 to attract more people into the City’s business areas, was supported.
Adoption of the West End Streetscape – Stage 2 Plan
Councillors voted to adopt the West End Stage 2 – Streetscape Plan which will deliver Safe, separated cycle ways, new dedicated green spaces and wider streets ensuring improved pedestrian and motorist traffic flows in West End.
Notices of Motion
Urban Heat Island Research Project
A NOM requesting City of Newcastle holds a public forum on research projects into the Urban Heat Island effect across Newcastle, and outlines possible actions that City of Newcastle may be able to take to mitigate urban warming, was supported.
Rehabilitation of Throsby Creek
A NOM requesting councillors be afforded a public briefing from a member of the Throsby Creek Government Agencies Committee and City Staff in relation to actions outlined in the Throsby Creek Catchment Plan, was supported.
Pollinator Planting Program
Councillors supported a NOM to receive a report on the options for amending the City of Newcastle Urban Forestry Policy and Street Tree Selection Manual. The report will help improve the provision of pollinator forage on City-managed land in Newcastle, including bees and native pollinators.
Public access audit of Automated External Defibrillators
A NOM requesting staff conduct and publish an audit of publicly accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the LGA to determine the extent of current availability, and future needs, for AEDs at City of Newcastle facilities, was supported.
Gregson Park plan of management and enhancements
A NOM requesting a workshop for Councillors to outline the Plan of Management process for Gregson Park, including opportunities for the community to provide feedback regarding upgrades and future uses of Gregson Park, was supported.
Man charged over alleged sexual acts on public transport – Operation Artemis
Police attached to Operation Artemis have charged a man after alleged sexual offences were reported to police on two separate occasions earlier this year.
It will be alleged a man performed sexual acts in front of passengers on two occasions; the first incident being about 5pm on Thursday 25 April 2019 on a Hornsby to Strathfield service, and the second about 2.30pm on Saturday 22 June 2019 on a Wyee to Fassifern service.
Following inquiries, police from the Police Transport Command North/Central, arrested a 53-year-old man at a home in Glebe about 12pm yesterday (Tuesday 23 July 2019).
He was taken to Newtown Police Station and charged with two counts of committing sexual act without consent.
The man was refused bail, to appear before Newtown Local Court today (Wednesday 24 July 2019).
Operation Artemis is an ongoing operation targeting sexual offences on the public transport network.
Police renew appeal to locate missing man Steven Fenwick – Stockton
Detectives from Newcastle City Police District are renewing their appeal for information to locate a man missing near Newcastle earlier this year.
Steven ‘Feno’ Fenwick, aged 33, was last seen about 2.30am on Thursday 31 January 2019, when he was walking with a woman near the intersection of Fullerton and Meredith streets, Stockton.
Several searches were conducted at the time, with detectives from Newcastle City Police District establishing Strike Force Kummari to investigate the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
This month will mark six-months since Steven was last seen; his mother, Debbie, has put out an emotional plea to the wider Newcastle and Stockton communities to help find her son.
“Steven has always been the type of person who would go out of his way to help his friends, family and even strangers in need.
“Even growing up, when his friends needed help, he would always ask us, his family, if they could stay until they got back on their feet.
“Our family and Steven’s closest friends miss him dearly. Please help us find him, help us find answers,” Mrs Fenwick said.
Newcastle City Police Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Scott Parker, says any piece of information, whether it be big or small, could help find Steven.
“Any information provided to police can become a missing piece of the puzzle, and help find Mr Fenwick.” Det Ch Insp Parker said.
As investigations into Strike Force Kummari continue, anyone who may have information about Steven’s disappearance is urged to contact Newcastle Police Station on (02) 4929 0999 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Five seriously injured after heater explodes – Medowie
Five people have been injured – two critically – after a backyard heater exploded north of Newcastle overnight.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District and NSW Ambulance paramedics were called to a home on Carnouskie Way, Medowie, about 8.30pm (Saturday 20 July 2019), and found five people suffering serious burns.
A 50-year-old man, from Medowie, and a 42-year-old woman, from Corlette, sustained severe burns and were airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition.
Three men, two aged 39 and 54 from Medowie and a 40-year-old man from Raymond Terrace, were treated at the scene for serious burns to their bodies. They were taken by road ambulance to John Hunter Hospital.
Police have been told the diesel heater was being re-fuelled when the explosion occurred.
A crime scene was established, and witnesses are assisting police with inquiries.
Off-duty officer praised for bravery – Port Stephens
An off-duty police officer and a local man are being praised for their bravery after rescuing three people, including two children, who were washed off rocks at Port Stephens yesterday.
About 2.40pm (Saturday 20 July 2019), emergency services were called to Boat Harbour after reports that three people, who had been swimming in rock pools, were washed into the ocean.
Due to high swell and windy conditions an eight-year-old boy, 15-year-old girl and 44-year-old woman – were carried south.
Onlookers alerted a local man, Mr Michael Pascoe, of Boat Harbour, in a small aluminium vessel, who went to their aid.
An off-duty police officer Sergeant Andrew Parker, from the Marine Area Command, entered the water with a rescue board and pulled the three swimmers to the boat.
Officers from Nelson Bay Police Station, Water Police, Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter and Surf Life Saving NSW all attended the scene.
The two children and their mother were pulled from the water with no major injuries; the girl is being checked for a suspected sprained ankle.
“The heroic efforts of Sergeant Parker and Mr Pascoe in rescuing these three people in dangerous surf conditions should be commended,” said Acting Inspector Christine McDonald.
“If not for the quick-thinking and courageous response from these men, the outcome could have been tragic for these three swimmers.”
Police seek public assistance following break and enter – Cardiff
A search is underway for a man police believe can assist with inquiries following an alleged break, enter and steal at a building site this morning.
About 6.30am (Sunday 21 July 2019), police were called to a premise under construction on Macquarie Road, Cardiff following reports of a trespassing offence underway.
When officers from Lake Macquarie Police District arrived, they located a number of tools and a collection of building supplies stacked next to a black Suzuki 4WD.
Soon after police located a man who immediately ran from the building site. A short foot pursuit followed before officers lost sight of the man.
A perimeter was established and Polair and the Dog Unit were engaged. The man was tracked to local bushland but when he was unable to be located, the search for him was suspended at 12.30pm.
Police would like to speak to a man they hope can assist with their inquiries.
The man is described as of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, aged in his 40s, with a medium build and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a blue jacket and grey beanie.
Senior Rebels OMCG member charged with 18 offences after weapons, drugs seized – Rutherford
A senior member of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) has been charged after Strike Force Raptor seized weapons, drugs and diesel suspected of being stolen, from a home in the Hunter region.
As part of ongoing investigations into an alleged criminal network, police from the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor North stopped and spoke to a 45-year-old man on Young Street, Rutherford, about 5.40am yesterday (Thursday 18 July 2019).
The man was arrested and charged for allegedly breaching his bail.
He was refused bail and appeared at Maitland Local Court that morning, where he was released on conditional bail.
A short time later, Strike Force Raptor North conducted a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) search at a home in Rutherford.
During the search, investigators located several items, including a push dagger, a sheath knife, a disguised electronic control device, an extendable baton and Rebels OMCG colours.
Investigators also found a crystal substance suspected to be methylamphetamine, prescribed restricted substances and 20 drums of diesel suspected of being stolen.
All items were seized for forensic analysis.
The 45-year-old man was re-arrested at the scene and taken to Maitland Police Station.
He was charged with possess prohibited weapon without permit (x4), use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order (x4), fail to ensure safe keeping of prohibited weapon (x4), possess prohibited drug (x3), possess prescribed restricted substance (x2) and goods in custody.
The man was refused bail to appear before Maitland Local Court today (Friday 19 July 2019).
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.