Category: Newcastle News

Police are appealing for information to identify a motorbike rider after a fatal crash on the M1 at Killingworth, about 25km west of Newcastle this morning.
Police have been told that about 1.05am (Wednesday 28 August 2019), two motorbikes were travelling south on the M1 Motorway when one rider came off his Kawasaki Ninja, before he was hit by a car also travelling south after coming to a stop in the roadway.
The car’s driver – a 25-year-old woman – contacted emergency services, before she was taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory testing.
The rider was unable to be revived and died at the scene. He is yet to be identified.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended the scene of the crash, and inquires are now being conducted by Newcastle Crash Investigation.
Investigators are urging anyone who may have been driving along the M1 around the time of the incident and witnessed or captured dashcam footage of the motorbikes to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
Police would particularly like to speak with the rider who was riding with the deceased man.

Following is a summary of the Ordinary Council Meeting for Tuesday 27 August 2019. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.
Lord Mayoral Minutes
Revocation of Freeman of the City and Citizen of the Year awarded to Graeme Lawrence
A Lord Mayoral Minute to formally revoke the 2004 Citizen of the Year accolade and the Freeman of the City award on Graeme Lawrence was endorsed at tonight’s council meeting.
City of Newcastle Organics Recycling
A Lord Mayoral Minute requesting City of Newcastle explores opportunities to promote organic waste recycling within the community, was supported.
Population projections for the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Area
A third Lord Mayoral Minute requesting the City write to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces asking for a review of the population projections for the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Area, to ensure that appropriate planning is undertaken for service and infrastructure delivery for the community, was supported.
Infrastructure Priority List 2020 update
Lastly, councillors supported a fourth Lord Mayoral Minute requesting City of Newcastle prepares a submission for consideration for the 2020 Infrastructure Priority List publication, outlining projects of significance to the City of Newcastle, and the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Area (as outlined in the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan 2036).
Ordinary business
Ward Boundary amendments on public exhibition
Councillors voted to place the proposed ward boundary map on public exhibition for a 42-day period, with a further report to be prepared for the council following the consultation period.
Newcastle Writers Festival sponsorship
Councillors approved a three-year sponsorship deal for the Newcastle Writers Festival (NWF). Annual contributions of $40,000 will also go towards the delivery of the festival, which will result in almost all of the NWF events being staged within the City’s cultural facilities.
Adoption of Special Business Rate Expenditure Policy
Councillors voted to approve the new SBR framework, which will guide the development of projects and events in the City Centre, Hamilton, Mayfield, Wallsend and New Lambton.
Electricity Tender
City of Newcastle will set its sights on a 100 per cent renewable energy target after councillors endorsed a report tonight to tender for a new electricity contract.
ANZAC Day Sponsorship 
An annual contribution of $75,000 will go towards City of Newcastle Returned Services League (RSL) Sub-branch to deliver the region’s major ANZAC Day commemorative events. The funds will be used to support the delivery of the Dawn Service at Camp Shortland, Newcastle East, the ANZAC Day March, Newcastle; and the United Service of Remembrance at Civic Park, Newcastle, for the next three years.
Notices of Motion
Outdoor Dining Policy
City staff will investigate opportunities to waive the application fees paid to the City by outdoor dining traders. A report will be prepared for the Council in response to the NOM that reiterated support for changes to the State Government’s Outdoor Dining Policy, which aims to streamline and simplify outdoor dining approvals, cut red tape for small business and local Councils.
Youth Mock Council
A motion congratulating the work of the Newcastle Youth Council on the Youth Mock Council held in May 2019, was supported. The Youth Mock Council, comprising of people aged 15 to 25-years-old, aims to provide strategic advice on issues relevant to young people to the Council.
Sexism and homophobia   
A procedural motion to lay a Notice of Motion regarding sexism and homophobia on the table until the next council meeting, was supported.
Inner-city and Newcastle East cycleway
A NOM requesting the City undertake a detailed investigation, planning and design process to identify an appropriate route from the Hunter/Union Streets intersection to Newcastle East for the construction of a separated cycleway, was supported.

A plan to source 100 per cent of City of Newcastle’s power from renewable generation could save ratepayers millions in energy costs over the next 25 years, a feasibility study has found.
The study, commissioned by the City following a Council resolution in April indicates cost savings of between $3.8 million and $4.8 million to ratepayers by sourcing power either directly, or via a retailer, from renewable sources.
The Council report also reveals widespread community support for a potential move to 100 per cent renewables following a survey of almost 1,000 Novocastrians.
With the City’s current electricity contracts due to expire on 31 December, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was the right time for the City to implement more sustainable, cost-efficient and eco-friendly forms of electricity generation from 2020 and beyond.
“It’s City of Newcastle’s aim to be a leader in renewable energy as part of our strategy to be a global smart city,” the Lord Mayor said
“Around 70 per cent of the respondents to our Winter Community Survey supported the City moving towards a 100 per cent renewable energy target, which sends us a strong message.
“The survey also identified increasing the use of renewable energy as one of the community’s highest ranked measures to reduce impacts on the environment.
“Our City is well positioned to take the next step towards achieving a 100 per cent renewable electricity target and we are already using half a megawatt of solar to power ten of our sites, including the Newcastle Museum.
“There’s an additional five megawatt of renewable energy generation that will soon be available via the Summerhill Waste Management Centre solar farm.
“Combined, this will provide for between 50-65 per cent of the City’s renewable electricity supply, which puts us on track to meet the 100 per cent goal we’re aiming towards.
“While it will be sometime before the national electricity grid fully transitions to 100 per cent renewable energy, the City will be looking to purchase enough renewable electricity to meet 100 per cent of its operational electricity requirements.”
As part of City of Newcastle’s operational activities, contracts for the supply of electricity for large sites, street lighting and small sites expire on 31 December 2019 and the recommendation proposed is that the City enter into a long-term agreement that provides for 100 per cent renewable electricity supply.
If adopted, City of Newcastle would follow the lead of other Australian organisations that have moved to 100 per cent renewable electricity supply including the University of Newcastle, University of NSW, CBA, Westpac, Monash University, Melbourne University, and also City of Sydney which is currently out to market.

A woman has been arrested and taken to hospital following an incident at Salamander Bay in the states Hunter Region today.
About 5.40pm (Tuesday 27 August 2019), a 26-year-old woman – who was allegedly armed with a knife – was walking along Soldiers Point Road, Salamander Bay with her 5-year-old daughter.
Near the intersection of Scott Circuit, the woman got into the back-seat of a car that was stopped and occupied by a man and his 15-year-old daughter.
The woman allegedly stabbed the man with the knife – that was covered by a protective sheath – causing minor lacerations to his shoulder.
The woman got out of the car and walked with her child towards the shopping precinct where she entered a supermarket. A number of staff and customers at the store ran outside and locked the doors while calling police.
The woman caused minor cuts and abrasions to a number of customers inside the store with the sheath-covered-knife before turning it on her child causing lacerations to her head.
Police arrived and arrested the woman without incident. She was taken to Mater Hospital under police guard where she is being treated for lacerations to her fingers and head and will undergo a mental health assessment.
Her daughter was taken to John Hunter Hospital where she is being treated for lacerations to her scalp which are considered non-life-threatening.
Three men attended a local clinic for superficial injuries.
Investigations continue.

A motorcyclist has died after coming off his bike on the M1 between West Wallsend and Ryhope early this morning.
Shortly after 1am (Wednesday 28 August 2019), police have been told two motorbikes were travelling southbound on the M1 expressway at speed when one rider has come off his bike.
He was thrown from the bike onto the road before being hit by a car also heading south.
The rider died at the scene.
The female driver of the vehicle was taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory tests.
The rider of the second motorbike did not stop.
Officers from the Crash Investigation Unit are attending to assist Lake Macquarie officers with a full investigation and are calling for any witnesses, or anyone who may have dash-cam vision of the two motorbikes just prior to the crash to come forward.
Motorists heading southbound on the M1 near the crash scene are being diverted; motorists are encouraging to check livetraffic.com for the latest traffic updates.
 

A man has been charged with drug supply after an operation in Newcastle yesterday.
On Friday (23 August 2019), officers from the Police Transport and Public Safety Command were conducting a drug dog operation between Broadmeadow, Hamilton and the Wickham interchange.
A 20-year-old male was searched by Police who located 27 MDMA tablets inside his bag.
He was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station.
He was charged with supply prohibited drug and granted conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local court on Thursday 12 September 2019.

Diversions are in place after a fatal crash on the Central Coast.
About 7.20pm (Saturday 24 August 2019), a vehicle was travelling north on the M1 Pacific Motorway at Cooranbong when it left the road, rolled, and caught fire.
The driver and sole occupant died at the scene.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District are in attendance. A crime scene has been established and will be forensically examined.
Diversions are in place on the M1 between Freemans Drive and Palmers Road.
For the latest on traffic information visit www.livetraffic.com.
 

City of Newcastle has engaged a local agency with over three decades of experience helping Hunter businesses thrive, under a new Business Improvement Association (BIA) support services contract.
Purser Corporate Communication (Purser) has been appointed in response to independent recommendations made to improve the use of Special Business Rate funds, which are collected to promote, beautify and develop the City’s business precincts.
City of Newcastle Director Strategy and Engagement Brett Smith said Purser would provide a range of support services to BIAs, allowing them to focus on planning and executing projects and events that make vibrant business districts.
“By providing a shared resource for BIAs to manage their administrative and compliance obligations, we are freeing-up their time and resources to focus on delivering great projects and events that will activate, promote and enhance their precincts,” Mr Smith said.
“Purser will act as the key point of contact between the City and each BIA. They’ll be responsible for ensuring that requirements, such as business plans, annual reports and other administrative material is adequately developed and provided as required.
“The City is confident that Purser will help bridge a key gap in the BIA process, ultimately rewarding the community with improved events and projects over the next 12 months.”
Purser Managing Director Meg Purser said that the new BIA model provided opportunity for businesses to support growth and economic opportunity across the city.
“The revised BIA structure has been designed to enable a panel of business people to develop and manage promotional and marketing strategies, as well as beautification projects that enhance their precinct, attract business and encourage visitation.
“It will also provide the opportunity for each precinct to work closely with other BIAs and the City of Newcastle particularly for larger scale initiatives and activations,” Ms Purser said.
Engaging a BIA Support Service is a key outcome from the independent review into the BIA model, which considered concerns about administrative inefficiencies and compliance obligations.
Established in Newcastle in 1984, Purser Corporate Communication provides specialist communication and community engagement services to the business, not for profit and public sectors.
The consultancy has undertaken extensive work across both public and private sectors and more specifically with business representative organisations and economic development projects to develop public affairs, strategic engagement and management plans that add value to corporate objectives and wider community outcomes.

What will Newcastle look like in 20-plus years’ time, with more than 35,000 additional residents and 19,500 new dwellings?
City of Newcastle is asking the community to help shape the future of our growing Local Government Area, which is projected to grow by around 25 percent to a population of 202,000 by 2040.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the opinions and wishes of Novocastrians were essential to the City’s planning process.
“This is a unique opportunity to shape how our city evolves into the future. Newcastle has so many wonderful and unique features, so we want to make sure we maintain and enhance them as we grow,” the Lord Mayor said.
“It’s important our strategic planning allows us to make the most of the exciting opportunities for our city and to manage growth effectively in line with what our community wants to see.”
In March 2018 the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) was amended, which introduced new requirements for councils to develop Local Strategic Planning Statements (LSPS). The Newcastle LSPS will set out the 20-year vision for the land use of our local area, the special characteristics which contribute to our local identity, shared community values, and how growth and change will be managed in the future.
The Lord Mayor said there was a focus on engaging young people, so the future of Newcastle reflected the values of tomorrow’s ratepayers.
“The LSPS community consultation period is open now and aims to speak to a broad cross-section of residents, including the City’s youth, who will be beneficiaries of the strategic planning we do now for our city in 2040,” the Lord Mayor said.
“A ‘Big Picture’ Newcastle activity sheet provides local youth with a chance to offer feedback on what they love about their City, how improvements can be made and what needs to be maintained to ensure the City of Newcastle remains an incredible place to live.”
A series of community sessions will be hosted at the TAFE NSW Tighes Hill campus, Newcastle Pride Fair, the University of Newcastle, Newcastle Library and the Olive Tree Markets.
Community members have until Wednesday, 11 September to have their say. More information about the community consultation period including an online survey can be found here.

Two men have been charged over an alleged aggravated break and enter in the Lake Macquarie region.
About 1.30pm yesterday (Monday 18 August 2019), an aggravated break and enter occurred at a home in Belmont.
The offenders stole jewellery, passports and personal items, and were seen leaving the scene in a Toyota Corolla.
About 3pm the same day, officers from Lake Macquarie Police District sighted the vehicle at a home on Kambora Close, Windale.
About 6pm, officers executed a search warrant at the address. Inside the home, police arrested two men, aged 26 and 27, who were located hiding in a roof cavity.
Proceeds from the break and enter were allegedly located in the home.
The two men were taken to Belmont Police Station.
The older man was charged with fraud and driving offences, as well as aggravated break enter and steal in company.
The younger man was charged with an outstanding domestic violence and prison warrant, as well as domestic violence offences and aggravated break enter and steal in company.
They were both refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 20 August 2019).