Police are advising motorists that the New England Highway, south of Singleton in the Hunter Valley, has been closed to traffic in both directions following a serious motor vehicle crash.
The two-car collision occurred around six o’clock tonight (Thursday 20 June 2019), near the intersection of Racecourse Road at Whittingham.
Police advise that as a result, there are significant delays for traffic heading north and south.
Drivers are being urged to consider taking alternative routes around the crash, including Putty and Glendon Roads; and the Golden Highway, until the scene is cleared.
For further information, motorists can refer to www.livetraffic.com.
Month: June 2019
Man charged over alleged sexual assault of teenage boy – Hunter region
A man has been charged after allegedly engaging a teenage boy online and meeting with him for sex in the Hunter region.
Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a 14-year-old boy had been sexually assaulted by a man he met on a social media application in December 2018.
The incident was reported to local police before being referred to the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad for further investigation.
Following inquiries, detectives arrested a 27-year-old man at a home in Buttai about 9.30am yesterday (Thursday 20 June 2019).
The man was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with two counts of sexual intercourse with child between the ages of 14 and 16.
Police will allege in court that the man sexually assaulted the boy, then aged 14, in a vehicle in the Hunter region.
He was refused bail and appeared at Maitland Local Court yesterday, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at Cessnock Local Court today (Friday 21 June 2019).
Meanwhile, police are urging parents and carers to speak with their children about staying safe online.
Safe internet use – tips for parents:
• Be aware of how much time your child spends on the internet.
• Spend time talking to your child about the dangers associated with online conversations, particularly when communicating with someone that they have only ever met online.
• Spend time exploring the internet with your children and let them teach you about their favourite websites and applications.
• Keep computers or internet-enabled devices in a room the whole family can access, not in your child’s bedroom; monitor internet access on those devices.
• Consider installing filtering and/or computer blocking software provided by your internet service provider.
• Ensure you are able to access your child’s email and social media accounts and randomly check the contents.
• Check your phone bill for unusual outgoing calls and consider using ‘caller ID’ to identify incoming calls.
• Consult your telephone company for options designed to ensure privacy and security.
• Enquire with your child’s school, public library, and places they frequent to find out what internet safety measures they have in place.
• Information on internet safety is available on the NSW Police website at: http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/safety_and_prevention/safe_and_secure/online_safety
Tips for children:
• Do not send a picture of yourself to anyone you don’t know and never place a full profile and picture anywhere on the internet.
• Never give out your personal information, including full name, home address, phone number or school, over the internet.
• Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone that you have only ever chatted with on the internet.
• Tell your parents or another adult you know of any contact that makes you feel uncomfortable.
• Think carefully before uploading or sending images or videos to people over the internet. Once you press ‘send’ it’s definite and final – you can’t get it back or take it down.
• Information on youth issues, including online safety is available on the NSW Police website at:
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/safety_and_prevention/safe_and_secure/young_people
More information and educational packages for parents and children are available from ThinkUKnow, a multi-agency program designed to educate and promote cyber safety: https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.
Charges laid after girl sexually and physically assaulted
A man will face court today charged after allegedly sexually assaulting a girl in the Newcastle area.
Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation, after a 15-year-old girl presented to John Hunter Hospital with injuries to her neck and reported she had been sexually assaulted by a man known to her earlier this month.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives arrested a 21-year-old man at Waratah Police Station just after 6pm yesterday (Thursday 20 June 2019).
He was charged with aggravated sexual assault – inflict actual bodily harm on victim, and two counts of aggravated sexual assault – victim under the age of 16 years.
Police will allege in court that the man supplied the girl with alcohol and prohibited drugs before choking her and sexually assaulting her in a car in the Newcastle area on Wednesday 5 June 2019.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 21 June 2019).
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.
Baby's mother found – Newcastle
The mother of a newborn baby whose body was discovered at Stockton earlier this week has been located.
As a result of inquiries by police from Newcastle City Police District, the 18-year-old woman, has been identified and was located at Penrith.
The woman has spoken with police about the birth of her child.
Investigators have ruled out the involvement of any third party.
Police will await the results of a post-mortem examination and forensic testing to determine the direction of any future inquiries.
Due to the volume of forensic evidence involved, inquiries are expected to be prolonged.
Detectives attached to Newcastle City Police District will continue inquiries on behalf of the Coroner.
Police would like to thank the community for their assistance. At this time, no further information is available.
NSW BUDGET: RECORD $10.1 BILLION HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE SPEND
One of the largest health projects in NSW is on track to deliver world-class care to local communities for decades to come following the 2019-20 Budget’s commitment to a record $26.7 billion investment in health.
This includes a $2.7 billion spend on health infrastructure in 2019-20, up 27 per cent on last year. This brings the Government’s health capital spending over the next four years to a record $10.1 billion – a 25 per cent increase on last year’s Budget.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian joined Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazzard at Westmead to mark a major milestone for the Central Acute Services Building.
“This redevelopment is just one of 200 health projects completed or in progress since 2011 that the Liberals & Nationals Government has funded, and the 2019-20 Budget will ensure the cranes keep moving,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This Government has a strong track record when it comes to delivering new and upgraded hospitals and health facilities, and this year’s Budget is no exception.”
Mr Perrottet said the building, due for completion in 2020, was an investment in the future health of the people of NSW.
“The $1 billion-plus Westmead precinct redevelopment provides NSW with a cutting-edge health, innovation and education precinct,” Mr Perrottet said.
“When the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government promises to deliver world-class health services we do it and our record speaks for itself.”
Mr Perrottet said $10.1 billion, including hospital redevelopments and lease acquisitions, will be invested over four years to continue current works and commence upgrading and building a further 29 health infrastructure projects.
Within the next term, funding will ensure the delivery of four new hospitals on greenfield sites for communities at Maitland, Macksville, Mudgee and in the Tweed.
Mr Hazzard said the record investment in health infrastructure mirrors the never-before-seen funding in services and the frontline health workforce, with 8,300 additional frontline staff over the next four years.
“Whether you’re in the Tweed or in Tumut, Westmead or Wyong, Macksville or Mona Vale, all across NSW, direct and indirect jobs are being created through health builds,” Mr Hazzard said.
“We are future-proofing the health system to ensure no matter where you live in this vast State, you and your loved ones have access to care and support close to home.”
The record $2.7 billion health infrastructure investment in 2019-20 will enable the following works:
- Commencement of new works John Hunter Hospital ($780 million), the Children’s Hospital at Westmead ($619 million) and Tumut Hospital ($50 million)
- Continuing works at Griffith Hospital, Goulburn Hospital, Hornsby Hospital and Mona Vale Hospital
- New hospital car parks at Liverpool, Shellharbour and Wagga Wagga
- Planning for major projects including Sutherland Hospital, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network at Randwick and the Comprehensive Children’s Cancer Centre, and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Other highlights of the health capital works investment for 2019-20 includes continuing work on the Nepean Hospital and Integrated Ambulatory Services redevelopment, the Randwick campus reconfiguration and expansion, the Concord Hospital upgrade and the Campbelltown Hospital redevelopment.
The new Westmead building, a collaboration between Westmead Hospital, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and the University of Sydney, will transform healthcare in western Sydney and provide a base for ground-breaking health research to benefit every Australian.
Key features of the new building include:
- Two new emergency departments – one for adults and one for children
- Digital operating theatres
- Expanded imaging, pharmacy and logistics
- Additional patient rooms, and
- Education, training and research embedded into every floor.
NSW BUDGET: BUILDING SAFER COMMUNITIES OF THE FUTURE
The NSW Government has committed a record $4 billion for the NSW Police Force in the 2019-20 NSW Budget and will deliver five new world-class stations and a new education and training centre.
Police infrastructure will get a $100 million boost, with new stations to be built in Bega, Goulburn, Jindabyne, Perisher and Thredbo, and significant upgrades for police stations in Bathurst and Bourke. A new state of the art training and education facility in Dubbo will ensure police officers receive the very best training as they put their lives on the line every day to prevent and disrupt crime.
The NSW Government will also commit $16.6 million over four years to continue preventative health and wellbeing initiatives for police officers as part of the Workforce Improvement Program.
A $5 million CCTV grant scheme for small businesses and community organisations in Western and South-Western Sydney will help clamp down on street crime and anti-social behaviour while gathering intelligence for investigators. A commitment of $1.6 million for 800 MobiPol devices will expand on the field access to police systems and databases and will support the state-wide rollout of the Digital Driver Licence.
“There has never been a Government with such a relentless determination to assist police as they work to protect our communities. These new and upgraded stations and a new training centre are examples of the vital infrastructure required to ensure officers have the right support,” Minister for Police David Elliott said.
The NSW Government’s $100 million investment in NSW Police Force infrastructure includes:
- $13 million for Bega Police Station;
- $25 million for Goulburn Police Station;
- $13 million for Jindabyne Area Police Stations Program, including Perisher and Thredbo;
- $7 million for major upgrades to Bourke Police Station;
- $7 million for major upgrades to Bathurst Police Station; and
- $35 million for the Dubbo Regional Education and Training Centre.
“Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has the frontline officers, new infrastructure and advanced technologies to combat and reduce crime in both regional and metropolitan NSW. Only the Liberals & Nationals have an economic record which can deliver the funding to support police on the ground as they work to keep us safe, no matter where you live in NSW,” he said.
NSW BUDGET: DELIVERING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS
The 2019-20 NSW Budget will deliver total funding of $1.7 billion for emergency services agencies, including Fire and Rescue NSW, Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service and the Office of Emergency Management, to ensure optimum response to disasters and accidents across the State.
Minister for Emergency Services David Elliott said Marine Rescue NSW will receive funding of $37.6 million over the next four years to enhance its rescue capabilities with 38 new rescue vessels, an upgraded operational centre and improvements to the marine radio network to eliminate black spots along the South Coast of NSW and the Hawkesbury River.
As part of this investment, the NSW Government will deliver a new rescue unit on Lord Howe Island, as well as new or upgraded bases and boat buildings at Tweed Heads, Ballina, Narooma, Lake Macquarie, Middle Harbour, Newcastle and the Central Coast.
“Many of our emergency services organisations in NSW exist because volunteers take time out of their lives to respond in an instant to an accident or disaster. The whole community appreciates their strength and efforts,” Mr Elliott said.
The Volunteer Rescue Association will receive $18.8 million over four years to deliver 30 new rescue trucks, including 18 medium rescue trucks and 12 quick response trucks, to help volunteers respond to road crashes, land searches and even ski-related rescues.
Surf Life Saving NSW have embraced a technology boom supported by the NSW Government’s $16 million investment to fund new jet skis and vehicles, additional emergency response beacons, community engagement officers and an innovative new beach Wi-Fi project to educate tourists.
Emergency Management will be strengthened with $6.6 million over four years to guarantee the operation of an Emergency Alert System, which is a warning system used by emergency services to issue voice messages to landlines and texts to mobile phones.
Surfing NSW will receive $1 million over four years to deliver training in life saving board rescue methods and CPR to around 10,000 beachgoers. Finally, the Government will provide funding to build a new fire station in Kingscliff as well as planning funding for a new co-located Fire & Rescue NSW and ambulance station in Lismore.
New Spy Powers Unjustified
Peter Dutton’s plan to allow the Australian Signals Directorate to spy on Australians is a dangerous and unjustified attack on fundamental rights, Greens Justice Spokesperson Nick McKim says.
“For the Liberals to try to push this through just days after raids on journalists shows how little they respect basic rights and freedom of the press,” Senator McKim said.
“For two decades the major parties have endorsed wave after wave of increased surveillance powers for security agencies which have undermined Australians’ privacy and civil liberties.”
“This has been done without a case being made for the loss of rights, and we are risking the same if Mr Dutton proceeds with his new plans.”
“No further powers should be granted to security agencies without a thorough review of existing laws, and until our rights are properly enshrined and protected in a Charter of Rights.”
Woman charged with drink-driving with children in car – Merewether
A woman has been charged with high-range drink driving after being stopped with her two young children in the car in the Newcastle suburb of Merewether yesterday.
About 3.10pm (Monday 17 June 2019), police stopped a white Toyota RAV4 on Frederick Street and subjected the 42-year-old female driver to a breath test, which returned a positive reading.
It is alleged the woman had just picked up her two young children from a nearby primary school.
She was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station, where a subsequent breath analysis returned a reading of 0.239.
The woman was charged with driving with high range PCA and her NSW driver’s licence was suspended.
She was granted conditional bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on 18 July 2019.
Police lodged a child at risk report with the Department of Family and Community Services regarding the matter.
NSW BUDGET: $141 MILLION TO KEEP NSW AUSTRALIA’S TOP TOURISM EARNER
Tourism delivered $38.8 billion in visitor spend into the State’s economy last year with NSW Government investing another $141 million to consolidate record visitation to regional NSW from domestic and international visitors.
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said it’s no accident that 38.9 million international and domestic overnight visitors spent in excess of 203 million nights in NSW last year.
“The NSW Government worked hard last year to ensure this beautiful state stays on the top of the dream destination list for tens of millions not only for its magnificent coastline, iconic harbour, top notch wine regions and stunning outback but for its ability to attract world class events” Mr Ayres said.
“Not only do we stage the events the other states want, but we develop our own big, bright ideas like Vivid Sydney which is the largest festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere with 2.25 million visitors who spent $173 million in 2018.
“We have secured or retained a total of 780 major events since March 2011, just over 200 of these were in Sydney with the rest shared between regional NSW and Western Sydney, ensuring the $3.5 billion generated by visitor spend for events is shared across the state.
“This Budget will ensure we can deliver the best visitor experience possible for those who attend the major events already in the pipeline and will help us keep 171,000 people employed, that’s one in every 22 people, across the state as we work towards our goal of reaching $55 billion in overnight expenditure by 2030.”
“Regional tourism plays a big part in getting us closer to that goal and already contributes $19.5 billion to the state, directly employing over 90 000 people.”
Strong marketing campaigns and a reputation for rolling out world class events to the highest standard has helped secure a raft of unique and exclusive events to NSW in 2019-20 including Disney’s Frozen, the HSBC Sydney Sevens, NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final and the musical Hamilton.
Destination NSW will continue to support Business Events Sydney’s operations to build on the 448,000 overnight international business visitors who spent an average $249 a night – almost double the spend of an overnight leisure visitor.