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.
Author: admin
Charges laid after replica firearm produced during road rage incident -Tighes Hill
Police have charged a man with one count of intimidation and one count of possessing an unauthorised pistol after a road rage incident near Newcastle yesterday.
About 4.40pm (Thursday 18 July 2019) a 19-year-old woman, driving a white Suzuki Swift, turned out of Bryant Street onto Union Street, Tighes Hill.
Shortly after this, a green Honda CRV pulled in closely behind her and started beeping its horn.
The Honda, containing three males, then pulled up along-side the Suzuki and started making threatening gestures to her, with one man brandishing what appeared to be a handgun. The Honda followed her for a further three minutes before turning into a petrol station at Islington.
Following the incident, police from the Newcastle City Police Area Command made inquiries and located the vehicle.
As a result a 19-year-old man presented himself to detectives at Newcastle Police Station today (Friday 19 July 2019) where he was interviewed, arrested and charged.
The man was granted conditional bail and is set to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 22 August 2019.
NSW CYBER SECURITY NODE OPEN FOR BUSINESS
The Morrison and Berejiklian Governments are continuing to invest in cyber security, with the launch of a new hub to drive innovation and economic growth in the sector.
The NSW Cyber Security Innovation Node joins five other state and territory nodes created in partnership with AustCyber.
Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the new node was another important step in developing an industry that would boost Australia’s economy and create jobs.
“This new node in Sydney, backed by AustCyber and the NSW Government, will bring together startups, corporations, universities, researchers and government agencies to share expertise and create new ideas,” Minister Andrews said.
“The Morrison Government is determined to reap the rewards of the rapidly growing global cyber security market which is expected to be worth US$250 billion by 2026.
“We want to generate more investment and more jobs for Australians.”
NSW Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said NSW was Australia’s leading user of cyber security products and services and home to the nation’s largest fintech industry.
“A cyber security network without NSW would not truly be a national network.
“Together with our launch of the NSW Cyber Security Industry Development Strategy last year, the establishment of the node is a further important step taken by the NSW Government towards strengthening our cyber capabilities,” Mr Tudehope said.
The NSW Cyber Security Innovation Node will be co-located with and complement the Joint Cyber Security Centre in Sydney, which has a focus on threat information sharing.
It joins a network of nodes backed by AustCyber and state/territory governments already established in Victoria, the ACT, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.
Growing the cyber security sector is part of the Morrison Government’s broader plan to grow the economy and create 1.25 million new jobs over the next five years.
Climate Justice Must Be Central to Foreign Aid Program
Australian Greens Senator and Spokesperson for International Development, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has said that climate justice must be central to Australia’s development assistance program following reports that the Foreign Minister, Senator Marise Payne, received the climate change strategy six months ago but is yet to release it.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Climate change is an existential threat to our neighbours and must be front and centre of our foreign aid program. The poorest, who contribute the least to climate change, are often the hardest hit by rising sea levels, extreme weather events and environmental damage.
“Given our dirty hands in producing climate changing emissions, we have a special responsibility to deliver climate justice.
“I urge Senator Payne to urgently release the climate strategy and provide funding to support action on climate change, particularly for our neighbours in the Pacific and South-East Asia.
“The reality is Australia exports climate change. Once our coal exports are counted, we are the world’s sixth largest contributor to climate change. Every tonne of coal we ship out brings us and our neighbours one step closer to the climate precipice,” she concluded.
Federal Government must Intervene to Reverse the Decline in Public Housing
Australian Greens Senator and Spokesperson for Housing, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has responded to today’s Australian Institute of Health and Research report which shows Australia has lost 20,000 public housing units in the last decade. She welcomed the increase in community housing, but said public housing must be a bigger part of the housing mix.
Senator Faruqi said:
“It is time for the Federal Government to step in and show leadership on the housing crisis. We know that social housing in general has not kept pace with demand.
“It is a national shame that 140,000 people are still on public housing waiting lists.
“The reality is that Government-owned public housing is an essential part of the housing mix, but State Governments have increasingly been shirking their responsibility to build it. Public housing is a crucial part of our social safety net that has been eroded over time. We need to reverse this.
“I am particularly disturbed to see waiting times for people classified as being in the greatest need increasing, rather than decreasing. The most vulnerable in our society shouldn’t be forced to wait over a year for the basic right of a roof over their heads.
“The Greens have a plan to build 500,000 new public and community homes through a Federal Housing Trust. Everyone has the right to a safe, secure and permanent home,” she concluded.
Break-in at registered club – Muswellbrook
Police are appealing for public assistance for information after a break-in at a registered club at Muswellbrook early this morning.
About 2am (Thursday 18 July 2019), a man gained access into the Sydney Street club and entered the office area. He then went to the safe and removed an amount of cash, before leaving the club.
Police from Hunter Valley Police District attended and established a crime scene.
Anyone who noticed anything suspicious during the evening of Wednesday 17 July and the early hours of Thursday 18 July 2019 in Sydney Street is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Man charged with multiple domestic violence offences – Newcastle
A man will face court today after an investigation revealed he allegedly contravened apprehended violence orders 44 times.
About 9am today (Thursday 18 July 2019), a 29-year-old man was charged at Newcastle Police Station after officers attached to the Central Metropolitan Domestic Violence High Risk Offenders Team identified numerous instances of alleged threats made to a 35-year-old woman.
The man was charged with contravene prohibition / restriction in AVO (44), do act with intent to pervert the course of justice (14 years), act with intent to influence witness (3), prevent potential witness from attending proceedings (3) and outstanding warrant (breach of community release order).
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 18 July 2019).
Man charged following alleged break-in at registered club – Muswellbrook
Police have arrested a man following an alleged break-in at a registered club in the Hunter Valley this morning.
About 2am (Thursday 18 July 2019), a man allegedly gained access into the Sydney Street club and entered the office area, where he removed an amount of cash, before leaving the club.
Police from Hunter Valley Police District attended and established a crime scene.
About 1.30pm, officers attended Scott Street, Muswellbrook and arrested a 34-year-old man.
He was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station where he was charged with break, enter and steal.
He was refused bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court tomorrow (Friday 19 July 2019).
MAJOR UPGRADE FOR SYDNEY’S CRUISE TERMINAL
Two new giant gangways have arrived at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
The custom-built walkways have been designed to better support visits from larger cruise ships, some which carry over 5,000 passengers.
Arriving fully assembled, the gangways were unloaded by crane and installed on the wharf over two days.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the two new gangways will improve the terminal’s efficiency.
“These new passenger bridges will move over 1,200 people every 30 minutes. The great thing is they increase capacity and speed up boarding and disembarking, making it a much more enjoyable experience for the hundreds of thousands of passengers welcomed at the Overseas Passenger Terminal every year,” Mr Constance said.
Following a period of testing and commissioning, the new gangways will be operational in time for the 2019/20 cruise season.
The installation of the new gangways builds on the NSW Government’s significant investments in Sydney’s cruise terminal facilities to ensure the city is the leading cruise tourism destination in Australia.
Over 1.6 million cruise passengers transit through Sydney’s two cruise terminals: the Overseas Passenger Terminal and White Bay Cruise Terminal, making New South Wales the home of cruise in Australia.
The 300-plus cruise ships visiting New South Wales each year generate $2.75 billion for the state’s economy, support almost 10,000 jobs and generate $800 million in wages.
Business areas to get boost from events funding
Businesses, not-for-profit organisations and community groups are invited to apply for around $900,000 in funding as part of a program designed to attract more people into the City’s business areas.
Funding will be provided through an Expression of Interest process for projects or events in or surrounding the City Centre, Hamilton, Wallsend and New Lambton.
Funding of up to $500,000 for a single project or event in the Newcastle CBD is possible under the new program, with smaller grants of up to $15,000 available for events that are staged in Hamilton, Wallsend and New Lambton.
“It’s going to be very exciting to see what the new funding program generates in terms of ideas for new projects and events in the City CBD and some of our smaller commercial areas,” City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said.
“Newcastle has long been considered the creative capital of Australia, and now we are putting money on the table to turn these ideas into events that activate local business areas.
“The funding is drawn from a special levy that commercial ratepayers in the city and parts of Hamilton, Wallsend and New Lambton pay. For the past decade the community had limited visibility of how the money was being spent.
“Now, instead of money being frittered away on administration and employee costs, it will be invested directly into events and projects that will attract people to local business districts.”
From 2011 to last month, the City provided more than $8 million funded via the special levy to three Business Improvement Associations (BIAs) and two local chambers of commerce.
A review last year revealed major problems with the model, resulting in one BIA voluntarily suspending itself and City of Newcastle terminating the funding agreements of Newcastle Now and Hamilton Chamber of Commerce due to significant governance breaches.
A new model was adopted by Council in May after it decided that BIAs in Newcastle, Mayfield, Hamilton and Wallsend should receive no more than $100,000 annually.
The City is now working with local businesses in Mayfield, Hamilton and the City Centre to form new BIAs, with the aim of entering into 12-month service agreements.
The Wallsend BIA will continue to operate without change.
Council also voted in May to ban special rates from being used by BIAs on employee and administration costs, stipulating that funds should go towards events and projects that activate and promote the business areas.
A new shared resource to manage the administration responsibilities will be appointed in July to ensure previous governance issues within BIAs won’t re-occur.
Expressions of Interest applications for the new funding are open now and close on Friday 9 August 2019.
Funding will be provided through an Expression of Interest process for projects or events in or surrounding the City Centre, Hamilton, Wallsend and New Lambton.
Funding of up to $500,000 for a single project or event in the Newcastle CBD is possible under the new program, with smaller grants of up to $15,000 available for events that are staged in Hamilton, Wallsend and New Lambton.
“It’s going to be very exciting to see what the new funding program generates in terms of ideas for new projects and events in the City CBD and some of our smaller commercial areas,” City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said.
“Newcastle has long been considered the creative capital of Australia, and now we are putting money on the table to turn these ideas into events that activate local business areas.
“The funding is drawn from a special levy that commercial ratepayers in the city and parts of Hamilton, Wallsend and New Lambton pay. For the past decade the community had limited visibility of how the money was being spent.
“Now, instead of money being frittered away on administration and employee costs, it will be invested directly into events and projects that will attract people to local business districts.”
From 2011 to last month, the City provided more than $8 million funded via the special levy to three Business Improvement Associations (BIAs) and two local chambers of commerce.
A review last year revealed major problems with the model, resulting in one BIA voluntarily suspending itself and City of Newcastle terminating the funding agreements of Newcastle Now and Hamilton Chamber of Commerce due to significant governance breaches.
A new model was adopted by Council in May after it decided that BIAs in Newcastle, Mayfield, Hamilton and Wallsend should receive no more than $100,000 annually.
The City is now working with local businesses in Mayfield, Hamilton and the City Centre to form new BIAs, with the aim of entering into 12-month service agreements.
The Wallsend BIA will continue to operate without change.
Council also voted in May to ban special rates from being used by BIAs on employee and administration costs, stipulating that funds should go towards events and projects that activate and promote the business areas.
A new shared resource to manage the administration responsibilities will be appointed in July to ensure previous governance issues within BIAs won’t re-occur.
Expressions of Interest applications for the new funding are open now and close on Friday 9 August 2019.