A man has been charged with multiple offences after a large-scale search operation in the state’s north which began last week.
Just before 12.45pm on Thursday 1 August, police were called to a property on Pepler Place, Thornton, after concerns for welfare for residents inside a home.
Police will allege that a man was located outside the property armed with a firearm, before he began to pour petrol over the front door, threatening to light a fire.
The man ran from police, jumping over a rear fence and fleeing into bushland.
A search operation was commenced coordinated by officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District – with assistance from the Dog Unit, PolAir, and various police resources – where bushland and numerous residences were searched, however he was unable to be located.
Following extensive inquiries, the 27-year-old man was located and arrested at a property on Cassia Way, Metford about 9.45pm yesterday (Friday 9 August 2019).
He was taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (personal), armed with intent to commit indictable offence, possess unauthorised firearm, and in relation to an outstanding arrest warrant.
The Metford man was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 10 August 2019).
Month: August 2019
COALITION FINGERPRINTS ALL OVER WIND FARM LAWSUITS: GREENS
Greens climate change and energy spokesperson, Adam Bandt, responded to the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) announcement that they will launch legal action against four wind farm operators over the 2016 South Australian blackout, saying the regulator needed to explain why only a few months ago it investigated the blackout, found that breaches of the market rules did not contribute to the event and advised it would not take companies to court.
“The AER shouldn’t be doing the Coalition’s dirty work,” said Mr Bandt.
“In its investigation into the blackout last December, the AER declared that ‘we do not intend to take formal enforcement action in respect of these matters.’ Yet just over six months later they’ve launched legal action.
“Energy Minister Angus Taylor, a known wind-farm opponent, needs to come clean on what role he has played in facilitating this complete about-face from the AER.
“Ageing coal-fired power stations are regularly failing in the heat and they get off scot-free, but wind farms get taken to court by the very same body that investigated and cleared them just a few months ago.
“According to The Australia Institute, Australia has experienced 195 coal and gas breakdowns since December 2017, but the Minister and his regulators turn a blind eye to fossil fuel failures.”
From the official investigation by AER (Black System Event Compliance Report released 14 December 2018):
- “Overall, the investigation found a high level of compliance by market participants with their obligations. However there were instances in which obligations were not complied with. The AER considers the breaches found did not contribute to the state going black, and that all core obligations were met”
- It goes on to say (in the detailed report): “While we have found some areas of non-compliance with administrative requirements in the Rules, we do not intend to take formal enforcement action in respect of these matters, as we consider that it would be more effective to focus on remedial recommendations for improved processes. Further, we have noted the unprecedented circumstances as part of our consideration of all the available information.”
Misguided performance measures not the funding solution unis need: Greens
Australian Greens Senator and Education Spokesperson, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has commented on reported details of university performance-based funding measures. Senator Faruqi is a former academic with the University of New South Wales.
Senator Faruqi said:
“The Government’s plan to tie measly funding increases to misguided performance measures is just the latest episode in their storied history of undermining higher education in Australia. It is just another excuse to not fund higher education properly.
“The Government has completely ignored the university sector and experts’ advice that their plan won’t deliver the amount of funding needed while having unintended consequences that may include incentivising universities to enrol fewer students.
“In particular, the narrow-minded use of graduate employment as a measure of success for universities betrays the purpose of our public universities. We cannot allow their collegial, public-focussed mission to be displaced by the Liberal’s vision of unis as just factories for the workforce. Universities should be much more than this. They are places of learning.
“Universities are desperate for a real funding increase. The Greens have a plan to fund free undergraduate university and TAFE, and boost university funding by 10 per cent to improve learning and teaching conditions, reduce class sizes and enable researchers to pursue solutions to the big problems of our time,” she concluded.
SMART MOTORWAY PROJECT PUT TO THE TEST
A range of new intelligent transport systems will be put to the test along the M4 Motorway from next week.
Drivers will see new technologies in action from Wednesday ahead of the M4 Smart Motorway project’s completion in 2020.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the systems will help to control the flow of traffic between Mays Hill and Penrith.
“These new signals have been installed on a number of on-ramps, including at Reservoir Road. They will help to regulate traffic entering the motorway, as well as vehicles trying to merge at the same time.
“This technology will ensure less stop-start traffic and sudden braking at some of the most congested points along the motorway.”
Mr Constance said crews are also hard at work installing electronic message signs, traffic sensors and lane use signs along a 35 kilometre stretch of the motorway.
“When the project is complete, these systems will talk to each other and automatically adjust to incidents and congestion without a manual operator intervening,” Mr Constance said.
“This testing will measure driver behaviour and reaction to the technology ahead of the project opening to traffic.”
Mr Constance said planning is continuing for technology upgrades to other major motorways, including the M1 Motorway between Gosford and Sydney.
“By introducing these cutting-edge improvements we ensure drivers are spending less time in their vehicles and more time doing what they enjoy most.”
Teen hit by bus has died – Raymond Terrace
A teenager has died after he was hit by a bus in the Hunter this morning.
About 8.30am (Tuesday 6 August 2019), the boy was riding his bike along on Mount Hall Road, Raymond Terrace before he crossed the intersection at Clyde Circuit where he was hit by a bus.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District arrived and established a crime scene.
Despite best efforts by paramedics, the boy died at the scene.
Road closures were put in place and the Crash Investigation Unit commenced inquiries.
The bus will be taken for further examination and the 41-year-old man driving the bus will undergo mandatory testing.
Inquiries continue.
Man charged over assault of police, security at emergency department – Hunter
Police have charged a man following an investigation into the assault of two security guards and a police officer in the emergency department of a hospital in the Hunter region at the weekend.
About 8pm on Friday 2 August 2019, a 42-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department.
About 11pm the man allegedly started to become agitated and aggressive and has attempted to leave.
Three security guards attempted to restrain the patient resulting in two of the guards being assaulted.
Officers from Port Stephens–Hunter Police District were called to assist and, in an attempt to restrain the patient one male officer was allegedly assaulted.
The patient was eventually subdued and admitted for treatment.
Upon his release from hospital he attended Maitland Police Station where he was served a Court Attendance Notice for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, and assault police officer in the execution of his duty.
He was given bail and will appear in Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 14 August 2019.
Child killed in crash at East Seaham, woman charged
A woman has been charged following a crash north of Newcastle, where a child died, last month.
About 5.50pm on Sunday 21 July 2019, a 29-year-old woman was driving a Mazda sedan north on New Line Road, East Seaham, when the vehicle left the road, hit an electricity pole and rolled.
The woman and a three-year-old girl in the rear passenger seat suffered facial lacerations and were taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.
A six-year-old boy in the rear of the vehicle died at the scene.
Officers from the Crash Investigation Unit commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Following extensive inquiries, a 29-year-old woman was arrested at Raymond Terrace Police Station today (Tuesday 6 August 2019).
She was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, and negligent driving occasioning death, and was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 26 August 2019.
Investigations are continuing.
Suspicious house fire – Muswellbrook
Police are appealing for public assistance after a suspicious house fire at Muswellbrook.
About 8.10pm yesterday (Monday 5 August 2019), emergency services were called to a vacant house alight on Sowerby Street.
The house was extinguished by firefighters and a crime scene established.
Subsequent investigations have revealed the fire to be suspicious.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District are conducting inquiries into the incident and are appealing for anyone with information, or anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
SPEAK UP: EDUCATION WEEK TO FOCUS ON GIVING STUDENTS A VOICE
Empowering students to speak up and be their best will be the focus of Education Week 2019, launched today by Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell.
Ms Berejiklian attended the St Marys North Public School Education Week launch in Penrith and Mrs Mitchell attended the Dubbo College launch with proceedings streamed to both schools via a webcast.
“The focus of the 2019 Education Week, ‘Every Student, Every Voice,’ is about ensuring children across the State feel informed, empowered and supported in their ambitions,” Ms Berejiklian said. “We are unashamedly for lifting standards in our schools and unlocking the massive potential of our young people.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is investing a record amount into education to provide students with state of the art learning facilities, lifting academic standards, as well as ensuring every student is valued and cared for at school.”
The NSW Government is rolling out a number of unprecedented initiatives, including:
- Delivering 190 new and upgraded schools through a $6.7 billion investment
- An expanded Bump it Up program, which is providing all schools in NSW with expanded targets in attendance, wellbeing, equity, numeracy and literacy
- A $120 million program to ensure parent in NSW has access to Before and After School Care for their child
Mrs Mitchell reiterated the Government’s support of regional schools at the event in Dubbo.
“Times are so tough in our regional areas at the moment, so it’s more important than ever to ensure children are still getting the best education possible. Normality and consistency is key even though our communities are struggling,” Mrs Mitchell said.
“This Government is investing an unprecedented amount in Education at the moment, and I am thrilled we are providing more pathways and opportunities for families and students in areas like Dubbo and across the State.”
Education Week, now in its 65th year, is an annual event to celebrate NSW public education and communicate the achievements of schools, their students, staff and families.
Today’s launch will kick off a week of celebration of the achievements of public schools, their students, staff and communities. Among the events planned are open days, special assemblies, performances and principals swapping schools.
For more information, visit: https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/education-week/about-education-wee
Serious motorcycle crash near Singleton
A motorcyclist has been seriously injured following a crash in the state’s Hunter Valley region today.
Just after 1.45pm (Sunday 4 August 2019), emergency services were called to The Putty Road, Howes valley, south-west of Singleton, after a southbound Toyota and a northbound motorcycle collided, ejecting the rider.
The rider, a 73-year-old man, was seriously injured and treated by paramedics. He has been airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
The Toyota driver, a 44-year-old man, has been taken to Singleton Hospital for mandatory testing.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended and established a crime scene with the assistance of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and Traffic Management Control.
The road remained closed for some time while the scene was examined by specialist forensic officers.
Inquiries into the crash continue