Police have released images of two men they believe can assist with inquiries into the death of another man during a home invasion in Lake Macquarie earlier this week.
Emergency services were called to the home on Lonus Avenue, Whitebridge, about 2.30am on Monday (17 December 2018), and found a 60-year-old man with a serious injury to his arm.
The man was treated at the scene by Ambulance paramedics; however, he died at John Hunter Hospital a short time later.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and commenced inquiries.
Police will allege in court that three people – with their faces covered and armed with baseball bats and knives – broke into the home and attacked the man in his bedroom.
The man’s two brothers were home at the time but were not injured.
As inquiries continue, police have released images of two men who they believe may be able to assist with inquiries.
One man is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander or Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, aged in his mid-20s, about 165cm tall, with brown eyes. He is believed to have dark-coloured short/shaved hair, possibly with a long ponytail.
The second man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, also aged in his mid-20s, about 175cm tall, with a thin build, fair complexion and blond hair. He is believed to have tattoos on his chest, left forearm, right arm and left thigh.
As inquiries into the incident continue, anyone with information, is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers immediately.
Five charged over alleged drug supply syndicate across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie
Five men have been charged following investigations into alleged large-scale drug supply in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie regions.
Strike Force Castlestead was established in September 2018 to investigate and dismantle an alleged drug supply syndicate operating across both police districts.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested two men – aged 33 and 28 – at a service station on Gateway Boulevarde in Morisset about 3.30pm yesterday (Thursday 20 December 2018).
During a search of the men, police located and seized a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, believed to be cocaine, and cash.
The men were taken to Belmont Police Station where they were both charged with multiple offences, including supplying a prohibited drug (commercial quantity), and knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime.
The 33-year-old man was also charged with manufacture or produce a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and expose a child to the process.
They were bail refused to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 21 December 2018).
Following the arrests, multiple search warrants were executed at homes in Cameron Park, Mayfield, Wangi Wangi, and Rose Bay.
Large quantities of cocaine, GHB and cash was seized from the homes.
At the home in Wangi Wangi police discovered a clandestine drug laboratory. Officers from the NSW Police Chemical Operations Unit attended to dismantle and process the scene.
A 35-year-old man was arrested at the Cameron Park home and taken to Belmont Police Station.
He was charged with 10 offences, including supply a prohibited drug of large commercial quantity, importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drug, and manufacture prohibited drug. He was bail refused to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 21 December 2018).
A 40-year-old man was arrested at the Mayfield home and taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with knowingly take part in the supply of a large commercial quantity of prohibited drug, and knowingly participate in criminal group.
He was bail refused to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 21 December 2018).
A 28-year-old Rose Bay man was arrested in Sydney’s CBD and taken to Surry Hills Police Station where he was charged with six offences relating to the supply of prohibited drugs.
He was bail refused to appear at Central Local Court today (Friday 21 December 2018).
Investigations by Strike Force Castlestead continue and further arrests are anticipated.
Concerns held for missing Newcastle woman
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman missing from Newcastle.
Cecilia Devine, who turns 42 today (Friday 21 December 2018), was last seen in Waratah on Wednesday 5 September 2018.
Police from Newcastle City Police District were alerted when her family and friends could not locate or contact her.
Concerns are held for her welfare.
Cecilia is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall, with a large build, long blonde hair with undercut sides, and blue eyes.
It’s believed she may have travelled to Sydney and there was reported sightings of her in the Hornsby and Blue Mountains area shortly after she was last seen.
Anyone who sees Cecilia, or believes they know her whereabouts, is urged to contact police immediately.
City keeps boarding house residents safe
A boarding house at 86 Waratah Street Mayfield will shortly re-open following successful regulatory action to address serious planning and fire safety breaches.
City of Newcastle (CN) served Emergency Development Control Orders on the owners of the boarding house in September 2018, requiring the removal of all residents due to serious fire safety risks and to address significant unauthorised works at the premises.
The owner of the Mayfield boarding house, Mr Aaron Buman, contacted CN on 17 December advising that various works to remove unauthorised structures, and improve fire safety as required by the Emergency Orders, had been undertaken.
CN’s Director of Governance David Clarke said following a request from the owner, CN’s investigation officers inspected the Mayfield premises to assess compliance with the Orders.
Subject to the owner addressing several outstanding minor matters and issuing a final fire safety certificate, CN will remove the Emergency Orders enabling the Mayfield premises to be occupied again,” Mr Clarke said.
“The safety of residents in this boarding house is a priority. CN was left with no choice but to take regulatory action to close the boarding house due to the serious fire safety risks caused by the owner undertaking unauthorised works and failing to comply with fire safety standards.
“The owner purchased and converted an adjoining three-bedroom residential property at 84 Waratah Street into a ten-bedroom boarding house without any planning approvals, and joined that property to his existing boarding house at 86 Waratah Street via a series of unauthorised awnings and structures, resulting in an unacceptable fire safety risk, which was compounded by a lack of fire exits and other safety requirements.
“The owner installed 14 timber “cubby house” style cabins at the rear of 86 Waratah Street without any planning approvals and with serious fire safety deficiencies compromising the safety of residents.
“These actions created an unacceptable fire safety risk to the residents and resulted in the boarding house being closed.
“Earlier this month, Mr Buman submitted a draft Fire Safety Report for 86 Waratah Street, Mayfield. It concluded, in part, that a sprinkler and alarm system in the building would provide levels of safety within the building that will afford the buildings’ occupants an acceptable level of protection in the event of fire.”
“CN intends to issue fresh orders requiring the owner to install a sprinkler system in the Mayfield boarding house and meet other recommendations contained in the Fire Safety Report.
“Despite taking legal action (which was subsequently withdrawn) and mounting a vigorous public relations campaign against CN, the owner has now complied with the Emergency Orders, enabling the boarding house at 86 Waratah Street Mayfield to re-open.”
“CN’s boarding house compliance program has improved the safety of residents at the Mayfield boarding house. The owner showed a flagrant disregard for planning and fire safety requirements and it has only been through our regulatory action that the owner has now complied to ensure the safety of his residents.
“The owner has restored the adjoining residential property at 84 Waratah Street to a three- bedroom residential property. It will not be able to be used as a boarding house until and unless appropriate planning approvals are obtained.
“A boarding house at Carrington owned by the same owner remains closed due to fire safety risks.
“CN expect that all local boarding house operators now recognise that they must take action in response to compliance matters identified by our current audit program. Last year a boarding house in Crebert Street Mayfield and not owned by Mr Buman, was similarly shut down due to fire safety concerns. In that case, the owner chose to sell the property rather than undertake the required safety work.”
Old-growth logging must stop according to Victorian environment department, but Daniel Andrews is allowing the continued destruction of our forests, say Greens
“The Andrews government is defying its own environment department to allow Victoria’s old-growth forests to continue to be logged. This is a government that applauds its own action on renewable energy with one hand, while continuing to log forests and burn polluting brown coal with the other,” said Ellen Sandell, Victorian Greens environment spokesperson.
“Why isn’t the Premier listening to his own environment department?”
“Old-growth logging pushes rare and endangered animals to the brink of extinction,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens forests spokesperson and Chair of the Senate Inquiry into Australia’s animal extinction crisis.
“Old-growth logging should stop immediately, and the logging laws which allow it, the Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) should be scrapped. They are a death warrant for threatened species like Leadbeater’s Possums and Greater Gliders.”
“Daniel Andrews has the chance to turn over a new leaf. He needs to stop the games, protect our native forests and shift to 100% sustainable plantations. We’re already at 88% – it’s entirely feasible.”
“Why isn’t the Premier listening to his own environment department?”
“Old-growth logging pushes rare and endangered animals to the brink of extinction,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens forests spokesperson and Chair of the Senate Inquiry into Australia’s animal extinction crisis.
“Old-growth logging should stop immediately, and the logging laws which allow it, the Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) should be scrapped. They are a death warrant for threatened species like Leadbeater’s Possums and Greater Gliders.”
“Daniel Andrews has the chance to turn over a new leaf. He needs to stop the games, protect our native forests and shift to 100% sustainable plantations. We’re already at 88% – it’s entirely feasible.”
Statement from Richard Di Natale on Greens NSW Review
Last night the Australian Greens National Council resolved to work with the NSW Greens to help it undertake a formal and independent review of Greens NSW structures and processes, including complaints processes and the Greens NSW Constitution. It also reaffirmed, that in the best interests of the party, Jeremy Buckingham should stand aside from the Upper House ticket at the next election.
This significant response is an opportunity for a constructive resolution to the issues in NSW, so that we can refocus on our mission of keeping the Liberal and Labor parties honest and putting forward a genuine alternative to politics as usual at the NSW election in March.
In the past, we’ve seen parties argue over perceived differences, talking about themselves and forgetting what they’re elected to do.
As Greens, we’ve been elected to push for better essential services, stronger protection for the environment, improved housing affordability and genuine action on climate change – and with so many of the odds stacked against us, we must work together if we’re to succeed in our mission.
As a people driven movement, it’s important that our incredible supporters know we all stand together. Last night’s unanimous approval of the Greens NSW resolution for an independent review shows that we all acknowledge there’s work to be done, and we are committed to doing it.
Through this review, we have an incredible chance for everyone to come together over the coming months to build a stronger party and a stronger movement..
The process will empower both MPs and grassroots Greens members – bringing everyone to the table to improve our internal processes, to be better organised and to deal with complaints and disputes better. With last night’s consensus agreement, we will now come together do the hard work of implementing the review.
Thanks to people coming together in good faith over recent days, we now have a path forward, and can show the community that we are the only party who will take on vested interests and create a better future for all of us.
– Leader of the Australian Greens, Dr Richard Di Natale
Prepare for delays on Christmas road trip police warn – Operation Safe Arrival
Delays on your Christmas road trip are inevitable, and police are encouraging drivers travelling to the state’s far north to factor extra time into Christmas road trip planning
Operation Safe Arrival, the Christmas/New Year road safety enforcement operation, starts at 12.01am tomorrow (Friday 21 December 2018) and concludes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 1 January 2019.
Double demerits will be in force throughout the period for speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.
During the 2017/2018 Operation Safe Arrival period, 10 lives were lost in crashes on northern NSW roads.
Far North Region Traffic Tactician, Inspector Peter McMenamin said police would focus on main and backroads leading to key coastal areas such as Grafton and Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Taree/Foster and the Gold Coast
“In particular I would like to encourage our overseas visitors to take some time and get to know our road rules and the laws surrounding drink driving,“ Insp McMenamin said
“What we want to do is combat the belief that you can have a few drinks in a small community and not be pulled over for a RBT.”
Insp McMenamin said delays on long journeys are inevitable and people should factor additional time into their planning process.
“When people were impatient they sometimes took risks in their vehicles that placed them, and their loved ones, more at risk of being in a crash.
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said it wasn’t worth taking the risk this holiday season.
“With Christmas and New Year just days away, there are plenty of people out on the roads enjoying celebrations and travelling to see friends and family,” Minister Pabey said.
“If you’re one of them, make sure you plan, get a good night’s sleep, drive to the conditions, stick to the speed limit and never ever risk driving if there’s a chance you could be affected by drugs or alcohol.
Motorists are also being reminded that from 17 September 2018 an extra demerit point was added to the penalty for illegally using a mobile phone while driving. This will add an additional two demerit points in double demerit periods resulting in a total of 10 demerit points for this offence.
"Your trip is our trip this Christmas" – Operation Safe Arrival begins
This Christmas, it won’t be a question of which rural road in NSW police will be on, but when they will be on it.
Operation Safe Arrival, the Christmas/New Year road safety-enforcement operation, starts at 12.01am on Friday 21 December 2018 and concludes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 1 January 2019.
Double demerits will be in force throughout the period for speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.
As Friday is a designated school day, an additional demerit point on top of double demerits will also apply to all relevant school zone offences committed on that day.
During the 2017-2018 Operation Safe Arrival period, 31 lives were lost in 26 fatal crashes on NSW roads. Of the 31 lives lost, 19 were drivers, seven were passengers, two were motorcyclists and three were pedestrians.
About 42 per cent of fatal crashes during this time occurred between 11am and 5pm.
During operation Safe Arrival 2017-2018, police conducted 700,200 random breath tests and charged 1585 people with drink driving.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Command’s Assistant Commissioner, Michael Corboy, said back roads in rural areas will be a main target for police random breath testing.
“We will be travelling the same roads that you will this Christmas. Your trip is our trip.
“It will be those feeder roads that lead to our major arterial roads such as the Pacific, Newell and Princes highways,“ Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
“Generally over Christmas we have looked at major thoroughfares getting in and out of Sydney, where a lot of crashes occur.
“This year it won’t be a question of which road will we be on, it will be a matter of when will we be on that stretch of road?”
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Mrs Melinda Pavey said while November had the lowest road toll recorded on record (since 1936) it’s important not to become complacent.
“If you’re on the roads this holiday season, I encourage everyone to be their best self behind the wheel, whether you’re driving in the city or travelling in the country, so you can return home to loved ones,” Mrs Pavey said
Motorists are also being reminded that from 17 September 2018, an extra demerit point was added to the penalty for illegally using a mobile phone while driving. This will add an additional two demerit points in double demerit periods resulting in a total of 10 demerit points for this offence.
Man charged with murder after alleged fatal stabbing – Belmont
A man has been charged with murder following an alleged fatal stabbing at Belmont yesterday.
About 1.30pm (Wednesday 19 December 2018), police were called to Beach Street, Belmont South, after reports of a crash between a Holden Commodore and a 4WD utility.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended and found the 4WD driver, a 50-year-old man, suffering stab wounds to his neck.
The injured man was treated at the scene before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, where he later died.
Police will allege the man was involved in a verbal altercation with another man, known to him, before the crash.
Following inquiries by detectives from State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and officers from Lake Macquarie Police District, a 32-year-old man was arrested at a home on Marriot Street, Belmont, just before 2pm.
He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with murder.
The man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 20 December 2018).
Man charged with murder over Lake Macquarie home invasion death
A man has been charged with murder after the death of another man during a Lake Macquarie home invasion earlier this week.
Emergency services were called to the home on Lonus Avenue, Whitebridge, about 2.30am on Monday (17 December 2018), and found a 60-year-old man with a serious injury to his arm.
The man was treated at the scene by paramedics; however, he died at John Hunter Hospital a short time later.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and commenced inquiries.
Police will allege that three people – with their faces covered and armed with baseball bats and knives – broke into the home and attacked the man in his bedroom.
The man’s two brothers were home at the time but were not injured.
Following inquiries by detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District, assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, officers arrested a 19-year-old man at a home on Warners Bay Road, Charlestown, about 8.45am yesterday (Wednesday 19 December 2018).
He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with murder.
The man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 20 December 2018).
Investigations are continuing and police are still seeking two men in relation to the incident.