Category: Newcastle News

Skating and Parkour activities for kids along with a smorgasbord of entertainment and a variety of tasty food will feature in Australia Day celebrations to be capped off with an evening fireworks display over Newcastle Harbour.
A range of fun family activities will be staged from 10am-2pm in the amphitheatre at the eastern end of Foreshore Park with Parkour lessons, skate boarding activities on mobile ramps and giant inflatables to keep youngsters occupied (see full line up below).

“Food, fun and entertainment will make up the Australia Day celebrations at Foreshore Park,” City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said.
“In addition to the Parkour, skate boarding and giant inflatables, the lunch time amphitheatre event will feature Brazilian dance by Capoeira Newcastle, the energetic youth band called – “Twisted Tongues” from Newcastle’s School of Rock and African Beats by ‘Bakoomba’.”
At 8.30pm, the fireworks postponed from New Year’s Eve will be let off from Stockton, offering a clear view right along the Newcastle Foreshore and from higher vantage points such the Obelisk.
“As soon as it is dark we will set off the fireworks which we had to postpone due to the wild winds and lightning that hit on New Year’s Eve,” Mr Bath added.
“Because we have only just received the necessary approvals for the fireworks, there isn’t time to develop an associated event. However, Honeysuckle, Queens Wharf and Darby Street businesses will be trading so there will still be plenty of locations where people can grab a bite to eat prior to the fireworks display.
Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody said the revised date of 26 January would enable the fireworks display above the working harbour to still go ahead.
“This is a significant year for the port, marking 220 years since the first commercial shipment in 1799,” Mr Carmody said.
“The port has grown to become an internationally-significant trade gateway integral to the economic prosperity of our region, state and nation.
“In the Lower Hunter alone, activity within the Port of Newcastle contributes $1.6 billion and 9,000 jobs per annum.”
Public transport is recommended on Australia Day, but the Wright Lane, Throsby carpark and The Mall carpark will all be free.
Earlier in the day, the City will welcome more than 120 new Australians in the annual Australia Day citizenship ceremony at City Hall, when Australia Day award winners will also be announced.

The City will mark 70 years since the Australian Government first introduced Citizenship into Commonwealth law in 1949.
Just seven men were sworn in as new legal citizens that year, swearing their allegiance to Australia from Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Greece, Norway, Spain and Yugoslavia.
Today, Australia is one of the most successful multicultural nations in the world, having welcomed more than five million new Australian citizens to our shores.

A woman is in a critical condition after a crash near Newcastle this afternoon.
About 1.40pm (Wednesday 16 January 2019), emergency services were called to Cabbage Tree Road, Williamtown, after reports of a two-vehicle crash.
It’s believed the occupants of one vehicle – a female driver and male passenger, believed to be aged in their 60s, and the male driver of another vehicle collided head-on, causing the drivers of each vehicle to become trapped.
They were extricated and treated at the scene, before all three were taken to John Hunter Hospital.
The woman remains in a critical condition, and both men are stable.
Officers from Newcastle Crash Investigation Unit are conducting inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
As emergency services clear the scene, the road has been closed – for the latest information motorists are advised to check Live Traffic NSW.

A second man has been charged by detectives investigating aggravated break-ins at supermarkets in the Hunter region last year.
In April 2018, detectives from the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Tilyard to investigate six aggravated break-ins at supermarkets in the Hunter region between March 2017 and April 2018.
On Wednesday 31 October 2018, a 28-year-old man was arrested and charged in relation to the break-in at a Tea Gardens’ supermarket on Monday 5 March 2018. He remains before the courts.
Following further inquiries, Strike Force Tilyard detectives arrested a 20-year-old man at Raymond Terrace Police Station about 3pm yesterday (Tuesday 15 January 2019).
The Tanilba Bay man was charged with aggravated break and enter in company.
Police will allege in court that the man was part of a group who stole cash after forcing their way into the store using sledge hammers, block splitters and jemmy bars.
He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Tuesday 29 January 2019.
Investigations under Strike Force Tilyard are ongoing.

Police have appealed for information from the community to locate a man who disappeared from a medical facility at Morisset last week.
Jackson Melrose is 25-years-old and requires medication regularly for his condition.
Police have been told that Mr Melrose was last seen at Morisset Railway Station about 5pm on Wednesday 9 January 2019.
Jackson is described as being of Caucasian appearance with a fair complexion and short dark hair.
He is about 170cm to 175cm tall with a goatee beard and brown eyes.
When last seen he was wearing, shorts, t-shirt and thongs.
It is believed that Jackson will not have access to money or a mobile phone.
He is known to frequent the Wakefield and Edgeworth areas.
Police from Lake Macquarie Police District are urging anyone who sights Mr Melrose not to approach him, but to contact officers immediately on Triple Zero (000).

A report will be prepared for the Coroner after a fatal house fire at East Maitland.
Emergency Services were called to the unit on Thompson Street about 2am today (Saturday 12 January 2019).
The premises was extinguished and the body of a 53-year-old man was located inside.
Inquiries into the fire continue, however it does not appear to be suspicious.
 

A man has been charged with 15 offences including assault police and resist arrest in the state’s Hunter Region.
About 6.05am today (Friday 11 January 2019), police attempted to stop an unregistered motorcycle travelling along Cessnock Road, Aberdare.
Police will allege the rider of the motorcycle failed to stop and sped off, before crashing into the front of a police vehicle and fleeing the scene on foot.
The man was arrested after a foot pursuit, where he allegedly assaulted two police officers.
OC Spray was used during the arrest.
Two male senior constables received minor injuries to their upper bodies and were treated by NSW Ambulance Paramedics.
He was taken to Maitland Hospital for treatment to pre-existing injuries before being taken to Cessnock Police Station.
The 38-year-old man was charged with use unregistered registrable class A motor vehicle on road, drive uninsured vehicle, unlicensed for class, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty (x3), use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention (x2), assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm (x2), deal with proceed of crime, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner and not stop vehicle when directed to do so.
He appeared before court today and was refused bail to reappear in Cessnock Local Court Wednesday 16 January 2019.

A man will face court today charged over allegedly deliberately lighting a bushfire in the Lake Macquarie region.
Just after 5.30pm on Thursday 3 January 2019, emergency services were called to a suspicious fire in bushland near Fassifern Railway Station.
The fire was extinguished, and no one was injured.
The Financial Crimes Squad’s Arson Unit commenced an investigation under Strike Force Wollybutt.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives, with assistance of officers from Police Transport Command, arrested a 25-year-old man near Victoria Street Railway Station in East Maitland about 9.30am yesterday (Thursday 10 January 2019).
He was taken to Maitland Police Station, where he was charged with intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread, receive/dispose stolen property, and goods suspected stolen.
Police will allege in court that the man deliberately lit fire, with 22 points of ignition identified across four areas of the fire ground.
Police will also allege in court that the man was in possession of and disposed of stolen bankcards in a bin at Fassifern Railway Station.
The man was refused bail and is due to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Friday 11 January 2019).
Police are also reminding people that they could face penalties if found responsible for the lighting of bushfires – accidental or otherwise.
Penalties relating to bushfires under the NSW Crimes Act, the Rural Fires Act, and Rural Fires Regulation include:
– Damaging property with the intention of endangering life – up to 25 years imprisonment;
– Manslaughter – up to 25 years imprisonment;
– Starting a bushfire and being reckless as to its spread – up to 21 years imprisonment.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a girl reported missing from a home in Lake Macquarie.
Carly Gibson, aged 11, was last seen at a house in Gradwells Road, Dora Creek, just before 6.30pm on Monday (7 January 2019).
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified when she failed to return home and commenced an investigation.
Police hold concerns for her welfare due to her age and believe she may be in the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle or Edgeworth areas.
Carly is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 145cm-150cm tall, of a medium build and with blonde hair and blue-grey eyes.
She was last seen wearing a yellow midriff top, grey cardigan, denim skirt, black hat, blue and pink tie-dye socks and black boots.
Anyone who sees Carly or has any information on her whereabouts are urged to come forward.

A man and a woman have been charged after two pursuits in the Newcastle region this morning.
Just before 9am (Wednesday 9 January 2019), police attempted to stop a Volkswagen Amorok, believed to be stolen, on Beaumont Street, Hamilton.
It’s alleged the vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated. It was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.
A short time later, the car was sighted on Maitland Street, Islington, and a pursuit was initiated, which continued through the suburbs of Tighes Hill, Mayfield and Mayfield West.
Police will allege a 62-year-old woman was struck by the Volkswagen while standing outside a home in Maitland Road, Warabrook. She was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
The pursuit ended when the Volkswagen left the road and stopped in Waratah.
Officers arrested the driver, a 30-year-old man and passenger, a 22-year-old woman, with assistance from the Dog Unit.
The pair were both taken to Waratah Police Station.
The man was charged will 11 offences including take and drive conveyance, police pursuit-not stop-drive recklessly (Skye’s Law) (x2), drive vehicle across railway crossing contrary to sign, fail to stop and assist after impact cause injury, not give particulars (x2), assault police, resist arrest, drive licence suspended and drive recklessly/furiously.
He was refused bail and taken to hospital under police guard for treatment of a prior medical condition.
He appeared via bedside hearing today and was formally refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 17 January 2019.
The woman was charged with being carried in conveyance without consent of owner and released.
She was granted conditional bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 31 January 2019.

A teenaged boy has been charged after police surveilled him allegedly setting bush alight in the Lake Macquarie area last week.
Strike Force Kurla – which is a joint investigation team comprising officers from the Financial Crimes Squad’s Arson Unit and Lake Macquarie Police District – has been investigating suspicious fires within the district.
Investigators from NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) also assisted with the investigation.
Police will allege in court that the 17-year-old boy lit a fire in bushland on Archery Road at Wakefield, about 12.30pm last Friday (4 January 2019).
The youth was arrested during a vehicle stop on Rose Avenue, Glendale, about 8.15pm, and taken to Toronto Police Station, where he was charged with three counts of light fire and be reckless to its spread.
The charges relate to fires at Weir Road, Teralba, on Thursday 22 November 2019; Current Avenue, Teralba, on Saturday 8 December 2018, and the fire at Wakefield last Friday.
The teen, who is a volunteer for NSW RFS, has been granted strict conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Monday 4 February 2019.
Investigations under Strike Force Kurla are continuing.
Police are also reminding people that they could face penalties if found responsible for the lighting of bushfires – accidental or otherwise.
Penalties relating to bushfires under the NSW Crimes Act, the Rural Fires Act, and Rural Fires Regulation include:
– Damaging property with the intention of endangering life – up to 25 years imprisonment;
– Manslaughter – up to 25 years imprisonment;
– Starting a bushfire and being reckless as to its spread – up to 14 years imprisonment;