Category: Newcastle News

One of Newcastle’s best-known exercise routes, the Fernleigh Track, is now giving outdoor enthusiasts another way to keep fit thanks to a new workout station built just north of the City Road tunnel at Adamstown Heights.
The open-air exercise station, funded by the City of Newcastle with the support of State MP Jodie Harrison, is the first of six to be built in the next few years as part the Outdoor Exercise Facility Plan to help keep Novocastrians in shape.
^{Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison and Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes at the Fernleigh Track fitness station}
Camp Shortland, South Newcastle Beach, Cooks Hill’s Nesca Park, National Park in Newcastle West and Stockton’s Griffith Park are among coastal locations being considered for fitness stations, while Wallsend, Beresfield and Maryland are the other possible options located further west.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the provision of new exercise parks would help meet the City’s population growth targets and reduce obesity and health risks.
^{Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison and Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes at the Fernleigh Track fitness station}
“It’s a priority of this council to provide quality parkland and recreation facilities that are diverse, accessible and responsive to these changing needs,” the Lord Mayor said.
“By building these new parks we are also increasing our commitment to supporting the community to be physically active, contributing to improved health outcomes and lowering obesity levels. Research has found that exercise outdoors is considered to be refreshing, gives a sense of wellbeing and reduces tension and depression.
“I’m pleased that we’ve been able to identify park sites for outdoor exercise facilities in locations right across the City of Newcastle, with new equipment proposed for each of the four wards of the Newcastle Local Government Area.”
The facilities will be funded through a partnership between Council and local and state grant providers.

A large search was underway for a boy missing in Newcastle.
Liam BATES, aged 10, was last seen at his home on Stapleton Street at Wallsend about 11pm yesterday (Saturday 17 November 2018).
Police were alerted Sunday morning when his family woke and discovered he was missing.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District conducted a large search of the area for Liam, with assistance from the Dog Squad and PolAir.
Liam’s disappearance is out of character and concerns were held for his welfare due to his young age.
He has speech difficulties and may find it hard to communicate.
Liam is described as being of Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander appearance, approximately 152cm tall, with a thin build and black hair.
It’s believed he was wearing black shorts and black shoes.
He is now been located safe and well.
The boy was located a short time ago in Wallsend after members of the public spotted him and contacted Triple Zero (000).
Police wish the thank the public and media for their assistance.

Martine is a local radio personality who is being recognized for her significant contribution as advocate for our community on radio shows: “Lake Mac Life” & “The Saturday Sports Edition” with feature “Polly Waffle”.
Since Feb 2017 Martine has produced and presented both Lake Mac Life Show as well as The Saturday Sports Edition on a weekly basis with local community radio station Lake Macquarie FM.
Whilst most programs consist of a great line up of music within a theme, Martine fashioned her 2 shows to be interactive within the community,
making her stand out from her colleagues.
Each weekly show runs for 3 hours with at least 3 community groups being interviewed alongside weekly contributors. She then spends many hours weekly scheduling in various community / sporting groups &
individuals to interview on the shows, as well as promote their services/ events.
Martine is also active in attending these groups/ services events, volunteering time to MC as well as hand out awards etc and speak to
groups.
Martine demonstrates leadership with a voice, where she is not afraid to discuss sensitive topics and approach difficult issues, always looking for solutions to assist the community. Martine is tireless in attending local events and community groups to lend support and assist in promoting their causes.
As well as being an excellent interviewer, Martine is compassionate and passionate about many causes. Martine was happy to be signed up for raising $5000 in the Big Freeze Newcastle and sliding into ice water to raise much needed money and awareness for MND following interviews with those affected by MND.
This local cause has now raised a quarter of a million dollars and celebrity status. Martine is a strong advocate of homelessness and its associate issues of mental illness and domestic violence. She raised $1000 for Sleep Out for Soul, sleeping rough in a local car park and broadcasting live into the night whilst interviewing participants, and learning more about their stories and plights.
Martine is currently actively raising $5000 for 5 local groups in the area identifying the following recipients thus far: ARAFMI ( Carers of Mental Illness), Southlakes Market Place (community support), Cystic Fibrosis Research at JHH.  The other 2 local groups will be announced very soon.
Polly Waffle is the first local show on local community radio providing a platform for all politicians and community leaders to engage with the community. In this, Martine has been able to bring issues in the community to the forefront of residents and promote action. Further, this is also an opportunity to for politicians and community leaders to communicate to the community is a safe forum to listeners who would otherwise may not be
interested. It also provides a humanistic side to community leaders by involving their music favourites.
Martine has been approached to interview high profile Australians such as Rosie Batty, domestic violence advocate and Australian of the Year; Manuel Whitford CEO of Friends with Dignity and Australian Charity of the
Year, to discuss issues in our community such as homelessness, domestic violence and promote local services, encouraging the community to be educated and come together to assist.
Further, Martine has raised the profile of the only community radio station in Lake Macquarie by bringing in a range of sponsors (local businesses) as well as increased listenership given the nature of her Shows and
community presence. The local tune-in population could be as large as half a million- with many more streaming the shows across the world as well as accessing the interviews on You Tube.
Martine has also promoted local artists whether they be musicians, performers, bands, actors, writers/ authors, poets, as well as building engagement in these arts and attendance at events. She invites them in to showcase their talent, assisting them increase confidence and staging.
Also, Martine has promoted local sporting talents, young and old such as golfers, futsal players, roller darby skaters, rugby league payers, cricketers, encouraging involvement in sport and community. Martine has also
involved local schools and school children in promoting achievements as well as fundraisers…
Further to these 2 weekly radio shows, Martine promotes the community again through Social Media bring groups to a larger community that would otherwise not be aware of their presence. This has not only promoted
many groups but also enabled those requiring their services connect with them.
Martine is a strong advocate of volunteering and promotes these opportunities as a way of refreshing skills, learning new skills so as to progress into paid employment. Martine promotes new start ups in the area, liaising with local services supporting local business.
Through FM97.3, Martine allows sponsorship of her shows, events as well as segments to promote local businesses at affordable rates. Martine encourages parochialism and using local business and services to
strengthen our district.
When not interviewing on her 2 shows, Martine continues to work in the local community as a Vocational Psychologist. Martine has worked in this area for over 20 years, assisting those injured or following sickness/
disability transition back into the workforce. Martine specialises in the military with returned service men and women and is inspired by their amazing stories. She enjoys working with those who has been injured regain their lives, particularly in a return to meaningful work.
Martine and her husband have 5 children ranging from 3 years old to 18 years old and are dedicated to ensuring this region is the best possible for their kiddies to grow up in. Martine loves the beach with her kiddies, gardening, cooking and watching her kiddies enjoy our amazing area.
 

A man will face court today after being charged by Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad over the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl on the Central Coast.
Last month, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation after receiving reports a teenage girl had been sexually assaulted earlier this year by a man known to her.
Following investigations, detectives made numerous attempts to locate the man, without success.
Just after 3pm yesterday (Thursday 15 November 2018), officers from Gosford Target Action Group arrested a 21-year-old man at a home at Woy Woy.
He was taken to Gosford Police Station, where he was met by detectives and charged with two counts of have sexual intercourse with person aged 14-16.
Police will allege in court the man had sex with the 14-year-old girl on a number of occasions at a home at Umina Beach in May 2018.
The man has been refused bail to appear at Gosford Local Court today (Friday 16 November 2018).

The City invites locals and visitors to share their love of Newcastle for a chance to win a framed illustration of the dearly departed Queens Wharf Tower.
The social media competition is open now, and entering is easy. Simply comment on Mitch Rev-designed artwork on the Newcastle, Australia Facebook page with the names of your three most loved locations across of our City.

Images of your locations are optional but strongly encouraged and we welcome people to share and like our post to entice more visitors to the city.
The best selected entrant will win a framed poster while two runners up bag unframed copies.
“What better incentive for Novocastrians to proclaim their love for our City than giving away an iconic image of one of Newcastle’s most talked about man-made landmarks,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.
“I look forward with interest to reading and seeing some of the other great places nominated as they’re posted to our Facebook over the next three weeks.”
Entries are open now, and close midnight on 2 December. For more information and to read the competition’s terms and conditions, visit http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/QWT-competition

A man has been charged with drug and firearms offences, which arose from a vehicle stop in the Hunter region last night.
About 8pm (Wednesday 14 November 2018), officers from the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor North stopped a vehicle on Newcastle Road, New Lambton, and spoke with the 23-year-old female driver and a 23-year-old male passenger.
Officers removed the man from the vehicle and located a .22 calibre single-shot revolver in his waistband.
Following a subsequent search of the vehicle, police located and seized a homemade 12-gauge shotgun, 12-gauge cartridges, .22 calibre ammunition, and a shotgun barrel.
The pair was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station, where the man was served a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO).
During a subsequent FPO search of a New Lambton home, investigators seized further ammunition, and methylamphetamine, cannabis, suspected steroids, prescription medications, and cash.
The man was charged with 10 firearms offences, supply prohibited drug, and possess prohibited drug.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 15 November 2018).
The woman was released pending further inquiries.

New South Wales Police will retain policing operation duties when Newcastle Airport begins international operations later this month.
From Thursday 22 November 2018, Newcastle Airport Pty Ltd (NAPL) will introduce Virgin Australia flights between Australia and New Zealand three days a week.
The 13-week arrangement is due to continue until Sunday 17 February 2019.
The Port Stephens-Hunter Police District has been working closely with the airport, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) to prepare for the changes.
Despite the introduction of international flights, Port Stephens-Hunter Commander, Detective Superintendent Craig Jackson, said the responsibility for policing will remain with NSW Police.
“The airport’s classification has moved from category three to category two, but it’s not deemed a “designated” facility, so there’s no requirement for the Australian Federal Police to staff the airport,” Det. Supt Jackson said.
“However, the AFP has started training local NSW officers to deal with international crime detection and the prosecution of offences under state and federal legislation,” he added.
“There are new areas of policing for us to consider, relating to importation, immigration and aviation offences, as well as the airport’s own procedures.”

A man has been charged after police executed a search warrant and located hydroponic cannabis set-ups near Lake Macquarie.
At 8.30am on Wednesday 14 November 2018, officers from Lake Macquarie Police District executed a search warrant at a property on Kahibah Street, Swansea.
Police will allege they located hydroponic set-ups and seized cannabis plants from three rooms in the house.
A short time later, police attended a property on John Fisher Road at Belmont North where they seized cannabis plants before arresting a 37-year-old man and taking him to Belmont Police Station.
He was charged with cultivate prohibited plant and granted conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 28 November 2018.

A man will face court next year after a mobility scooter was used to tow a motorboat along the M1 Pacific Motorway.
On Friday 19 October 2018 police responded to reports of a mobility scooter being used to tow a 17-foot boat along the Pacific Highway at Belmont.
Police attached to the Lake Macquarie Highway Patrol made a number of inquiries in relation to the matter.
Yesterday (Tuesday 13 November 2018), a 35–year-old man was charged by way of a Future Court Attendance Notice for driving whilst disqualified, use unregistered vehicle on road, use uninsured vehicle on road, and use unregistered trailer on road.
The man is due to appear in Belmont Local Court on 9 January 2019.

Strike Force Raptor North have charged a man following a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) search in the state’s Hunter region today.
About 6.30am (Wednesday 14 November 2018), the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor North served an FPO on a 56-year-old man, who is a member of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG), at a home in Kitchener.
During a subsequent FPO search of the home, investigators seized a semi-automatic pistol, a firearm barrel, and a quantity of methylamphetamine and cannabis.
Following inquiries, a 33-year-old man was arrested at the property and taken to Cessnock Police Station.
He was charged with possess unauthorised pistol, possess a barrel for a firearm unless authorised by licence, two counts of possess prohibited drug, and outstanding warrants.
The man was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 15 November 2018).