Category: Newcastle News

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the Newcastle area.

Glen Haines, aged 70, left the Maitland Hospital on Metford Rd, Metford, about 11am yesterday (Sunday 5 May 2024.

When he failed to return and could not be contacted or located, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Glen lives with dementia and concerns are held for his welfare.

It has since been established; Glen was captured on CCTV walking west along Mitchell Drive at East Maitland at 12.18pm today and a search has been conducted of the area.

Glen is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall, with a medium build, and brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a checkered red/blue shirt, blue denim jeans and brown boots, as depicted.

Glenn resides in the Maitland area and is believed to be on foot.

Anyone who may have seen Glenn or has information into his whereabouts is urged to call police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Raptor Squad officers have discharged a firearm during the arrest of a man for alleged drug and firearm offences under Strike Force Stranraer.

Strike Force Stranraer was established in May 2023 by State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad to investigate the alleged supply of drugs and firearms in the Maitland and West Ryde areas.

To date, 12 people have been charged and remain before the courts.

Following extensive inquiries, about 6.25am yesterday (Tuesday 30 April 2024), strike force detectives executed a crime scene warrant in Gillieston Heights.

On arrival, police were confronted by the occupant of the home – a 26-year-old man – armed with two hunting style knives, prompting an officer to discharge their firearm.

No one was injured and the man was arrested.

The man was taken to Maitland Police Station, where he was charge with supply pistol to person unauthorised to posses, use etc offensive weapon with intent to commit indictable offence, use etc offensive weapon to prevent police investigation, supply prohibited drug >= commercial quantity, and participate in a criminal group.

The man was refused bail and appeared in Maitland Local Court yesterday, where he was formally refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 19 June 2024.

A review into the discharge of the firearm has commenced.

Investigations under Strike Force Stranraer continue.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman missing from the Lake Macquarie area.

Vicki Davey, aged 63, was last contacted about 11.30am yesterday (Wednesday 1 May 2024).

When she could no longer be contacted or located, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold serious concerns for her welfare as she lives with conditions which require treatment.

Vicki is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150cm tall with slim build, and has blonde/grey hair in a bob.

She was last seen wearing jeans, a jumper and joggers.

Police believe she may have gone for a walk in the Glenrock nature reserve at Kahibah.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to call police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

City of Newcastle has secured more than $75,000 in funding to help residents aged 15 to 24 deliver urgent climate change solutions for our city.

City of Newcastle was invited to apply to the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) following Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes’ visit to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai in December last year.

Tree planting is just one of the ways young Novocastrians can deliver a climate change solution.Alongside Melbourne and Hobart, Newcastle was one of only three Australian cities to be chosen for the funding by the YCAF, which will provide technical assistance to support up to 100 cities worldwide in delivering youth-led climate action.

Cr Nelmes said young City of Newcastle staff and the City of Newcastle Youth Advisory Council will review applications to make sure the priorities of young residents are captured.

“This funding gives our young residents the chance to design and deliver urgent climate solutions,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Microgrants of between $1500 and $7500 will be available for individuals 15 to 24 years, or organisations who represent them, to deliver youth-led climate projects, from tree planting to policy proposals.

“Any city that fully allocates the initial round of funding within six months can apply for a further $150,000 to distribute to more projects over the following year.

“With more than 80 per cent of youth around the world reporting they’re worried climate change threatens people and the planet, this is a great chance for our youth to make a difference in their own backyard.”

Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and the 108th mayor of New York City said climate change is an all-hands-on-deck challenge.

“It’s critical that young people, who have the most at stake help lead the way. This new fund will help mayors mobilize and empower tomorrow’s leaders to take action today,” Mr Bloomberg said.

Emilia Sáiz, Secretary General for United Cities and Local Governments, said youth today are the guardians of our future.

“Bringing them together with local governments through this groundbreaking initiative, we will see cities reach newfound progress in shaping more resilient and regenerative communities that can act on the climate emergency in entirely new ways,” Ms Sáiz said.

James Anderson, who leads the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies said the Youth Climate Action Fund will provide a springboard for mayors worldwide to put these lessons to work.

“In order for cities to catalyse ever broadening, ever more ambitious efforts, they’ll need to continue to shift away from traditional, top-down models to those that solicit ideas and crowd in energy from across the community, including and especially from young people who are so vested in solving the climate crisis,” Mr Anderon said.

As an active member of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, Cr Nelmes has led a concerted effort to create an environmental legacy for future generations.

The youth-led climate projects will align with our 10-year Newcastle Environment Strategy, which was adopted last year with the key priorities of action on climate change, nature-based solutions and the circular economy.

Some of the initiatives already underway include transitioning City of Newcastle’s vehicles, plant and equipment to electric-powered or low emission alternatives and expanding our urban forest to create connected green corridors for iconic, threatened and pollinator species.

Applications for the Youth Climate Action Fund open on 1 June and close on 30 June 2024.

For more information on how to apply contact sustainability@ncc.nsw.gov.au

About Bloomberg Philanthropies:

Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2023, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3 billion.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a girl reported missing near Newcastle.

Shayarnika Brown, aged 13, was last seen at a home on Sandgate Road, Wallsend, about 11am on Saturday 27 April 2024. 

Unable to be located since, she was reported missing to officers attached to Newcastle City Police District, about today (Tuesday 30 April 2024). 

Police and family hold concerns for Shayarnika’s welfare, due to her young age. 

Shayarnika is described as being of Aboriginal/ Torres Strait Islander appearance, of medium build, about 165cm tall, with long brown hair. She was last seen wearing a black Tupac jumper and black torn jeans. 

She is known to utilise public transport and frequents railways stations in Sydney and Albert Street, Werrington. 

Anyone with information in relation to Shayarnika’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Passmore Oval at Wickham has become a venue of choice for rugby union players and cricketers thanks to a $2.6 million collaboration with City of Newcastle.

The redevelopment of the grandstand has delivered dedicated female home and away changerooms for the Hamilton Hawks Rugby Union Club (HHRUC) and Hamilton-Wickham Cricket Club, as well as their rivals.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes joins CN staff, President of Hamilton Hawks Rugby Union Club Lesa Mason, Hawks players and officials, Hamilton-Wickham Cricket Club secretary Paul Rodgers and EJE Architecture representatives at the new-look Passmore Oval grandstand.The changerooms are housed within a new two-storey building constructed at the back of the existing grandstand, which also provides accessible amenities and viewing areas for both Passmore Oval and its adjacent Hawkins Oval.

A community meeting room, shared exercise training area and storage rooms were also included in the upgrade.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the project aligns with City of Newcastle’s 10-year Strategic Sports Plan.

“We’re aiming to provide facilities that support universal access and meet the future demands of the Newcastle community,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Specially designed female changerooms will be housed on the ground floor of the new building and the upper level will feature an accessible balcony overlooking Hawkins Oval.

“The redevelopment ensures the spectator facilities cater to all members of our community with the existing grandstand also featuring a lift and viewing space for wheelchair users overlooking Passmore Oval.”

HHRUC successfully secured $1 million in funding from the NSW Government’s Greater Cities Sport Facility Fund to go towards the project, with City of Newcastle providing more than $1.6 million.

Club President Lesa Mason said the new facilities mean women’s teams will no longer have to play second fiddle to their male counterparts.

“We have a vision, alongside Rugby Australia, to see more women and girls in rugby. We want to provide opportunities for women teams to be established across all levels,” Ms Mason said.

“Participation rates in women’s rugby are booming and these purpose-built dressing rooms are certain to encourage more girls to get involved.

“Our men’s Premier One side is already the most successful team since the turn of the century, winning nine premierships, and these improvements can only help make it even more formidable.”

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said the NSW Government understands the vital role community sport plays in keeping people healthy, active and connected.

“This investment will deliver well-designed, new and improved sport facilities that will allow increased participation across all sporting codes,” Minister Kamper said.

“The delivery of fit for purpose change rooms enables women and girls of all ages to feel comfortable, safe and welcome.”

Hamilton-Wickham secretary Paul Rodgers said the redevelopment will provide great benefits for the cricket club.

“We were one of the four original clubs in the women’s T20 competition when it started in 2019 so it’s great our players will now have their own changeroom,” Mr Rodgers said.

“The accessible viewing areas will encourage more spectators of all ages and abilities to come and watch men’s and women’s games on both Passmore and Hawkins Ovals.

“The other upgrades will also allow Passmore to become a key venue for hosting major national tournaments, matches and regional carnivals”.

City of Newcastle (CN) is leading the way in gender equity, with recent data showing its employees experience almost no gender pay gap. 

Workplace Gender Equality Agency data on average weekly earnings concluded that the national pay gap between the earnings of women and men is nearly 22 per cent. In comparison, a recent assessment of CN salaries showed there is no significant difference for Council employees – in fact, female employees earn marginally more on average than their male counterparts. 

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it is important to acknowledge this achievement ahead of May Day on 1 May, a day traditionally celebrated by the Australian workers’ movement after a long struggle for their right to an eight-hour day. 

“City of Newcastle has led the way with progressive benefits and conditions for many years now, proving our continuing commitment to inclusion, diversity and equity,” Cr Nelmes said. 

“We were one of the first councils in NSW to include domestic violence leave provisions back in 2018. This was alongside a range of other flexible and female-friendly working conditions such as miscarriage leave as part of our industry-leading Enterprise Agreement.  

“Our continual shift towards pay parity has challenged the rest of the Local Government sector to consider how they too can do better. At CN we listen to what our workers want, and we are proud this May Day of our status as a progressive and female-friendly enterprise.” 

CN CEO Jeremy Bath said the equitable outcome achieved for local government employees statewide should be celebrated. 

“City of Newcastle is a leading organisation when it comes to eliminating the gender pay gap,” Mr Bath said. 

“The reasons for this good result are many. We have built a culture at CN where we focus on the team rather than the individual, and where excellence is rewarded rather than gender, tenure, or an ability to negotiate.  

“Our Enterprise Agreement, developed in partnership with unions, was most recently approved by our employees in 2022 and is something we know sets us apart as an employer.  

“Our challenge now is to continue to strive for gender equality within our organisation and to help support the development and excellence of all our employees.” 

United Services Union (USU) Organiser Luke Hutchinson said the recent pay equity data shows how the USU’s long history of delivering improved pay and conditions for all has made a huge impact at CN. 

“The USU is very pleased that the conditions secured in the City of Newcastle Enterprise Agreement have ensured there are no reported gender pay gaps between any workers at the City of Newcastle,” Mr Hutchinson said. 

“This groundbreaking agreement not only acknowledges but actively incorporates socially progressive conditions. These include vital provisions such as access to miscarriage leave, improved parental leave, enhanced workplace flexibility, and family and domestic violence leave.  

“By fostering these conditions, we ensure workplace protection and facilitate optimal service delivery for our vibrant community. 

“Establishing a uniform classification framework that ensures fair remuneration and equitable structuring of qualifications and skills was incredibly important to the USU.  

“Notably, this framework ensures that traditionally female-dominated professional sectors, like Libraries and Early Childhood Education, are directly aligned with other professions such as engineering or accounting.” 

A teenage girl will face court today charged with murder following the death of a girl at Lake Macquarie yesterday.

About 3.45pm (Monday 29 April 2024), emergency services responded to reports of a stabbing at a home on Thurston Street, Boolaroo, approximately 20km south-west of Newcastle.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated a 10-year-old girl for multiple stab wounds; however, she died at the scene.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District arrested a 17-year-old girl at the home before she was taken to Belmont Police Station

A crime scene was established and local detectives with the assistance of the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad commenced an investigation under Strike Force Upstream.

The teenage girl has since been charged with murder (DV) and refused bail to appear at a children’s court today (Tuesday 30 April 2024).

A girl has been fatally stabbed in the state’s Hunter region.

About 3.45pm today (Monday 29 April 2024), emergency services responded to reports of a stabbing at a home on Thurston Street, Boolaroo, approximately 20km west of Newcastle.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated a 10-year-old girl at the scene for multiple stab wounds; however she died at the scene.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District arrested a 17-year-old girl at the home, and she was taken to Belmont Police Station and is currently assisting with inquiries.

Both girls are believed to be known to one another.

A crime scene has been established as investigations continue.

No further information is available at this stage.