A man will appear in court today charged with intentionally causing a fire and other offences in the Lake Macquarie area.
About 8.15am yesterday (Friday 6 December 2029), a white Ford Falcon Utility was allegedly stolen from Freemans Drive, Freemans Waterhole.
Shortly after 10am, police were alerted to a vehicle, alleged to be the stolen Ford, being driven in a dangerous manner along Renshaw Drive towards Buchanan, north-west of Newcastle.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle and observed another car that had allegedly been hit by the Ford on Buchanan Road, however, the driver had failed to stop.
Shortly after, about 10.15am, police located the Ford well alight on a property on Buchanan Road, Buchanan.
Officers attached to the Rural Fire Service attended and extinguished the fire in the vehicle, as well as a small grass fire that had started only metres from bushland.
A 32-year-old man was arrested nearby and was taken to Maitland Hospital for assessment and treatment to injuries to his legs.
Upon release from hospital, the man was taken to Cessnock police station and charged with enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, not give particulars to other driver, damage property by fire, intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread and steal motor vehicle.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 7 December 2019).
Police investigate attempted armed robbery – Singleton
Police are investigating an attempted armed robbery at Singleton early this morning.
About 4am today (Thursday 5 December 2019), a 32-year-old male employee was inside a newsagency on John Street, Singleton, when two men entered through the rear door armed with a tomahawk and an iron bar.
The men demanded cash before the 32-year-old became involved in a struggle with the pair and forced them out the door.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended a short time later and established a crime scene.
The man was taken to Singleton Hospital for treatment to minor cuts and grazes to his arms and forehead.
Investigations into the incident are continuing.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have noticed any suspicious behaviour in the area at that time or who may have CCTV or dashcam vision to contact Singleton Police on 6578 7499 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Man charged after allegedly lighting fire – Telarah
A man will appear in court today charged with allegedly lighting a grass fire in the Hunter yesterday.
About 9.20pm on Thursday 5 December 2019, police will allege a 40-year-old man was on Elizabeth Street, Telarah, when he allegedly poured accelerant on a vacant block of land and ignited it.
The fire quickly spread towards nearby rail lines, before neighbours and a passing motorist managed to extinguish most of the blaze.
About 10 minutes later, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District and NSW Fire and Rescue arrived at the scene and spoke with the 40-year-old.
He was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread.
He was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Friday 6 December 2019).
I Was Attacked, Facebook Profited: Faruqi
Senator Mehreen Faruqi has reacted to the revelation that she was a target of an organised far right network of Facebook pages that are profiting from thousands of hateful posts a week that have targeted high profile Muslim women across the world. Senator Faruqi was the first Muslim woman to sit in an Australian parliament.
Senator Faruqi will refer the investigation and attacks on her to the Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media established by the Senate this week.
She said:
“This is a new level of far right organisation and coordination which platforms Islamophobia, division and hatred towards Muslims and directs it at individuals.
“These far right pages demonstrate just how pervasive racism has been allowed to become, and how disturbingly far it can reach via social media through concerted campaigns.
“This is clearly coordinated and the use of social media to spread racist fake news to attack me is something we should all be concerned about. I will be making a submission to the newly established Senate committee investigating foreign interference via social media and call on investigate and hold Facebook to account.
“The crap these pages are publishing sounds like the hateful far right talking points that have found a home, willing ears and loud voices in parliament’s and sections of the media.
“We know the far right relies on social media to legitimise their hate and recruit. Muslim women politicians tick both of their misogyny and racism boxes, so I end up as a target of a lot of their racist content.
“I’ve experienced a huge increase in racist and abusive social media comments, emails, phone calls and even hand written letters since I’ve been in the public eye. There’s no doubt in my mind that many of the people behind these vile messages are emboldened by others on social media and Facebook pages like this.
“Social media has become a really toxic place. This kind of coordinated abuse causes real harm and is designed to silence me and other muslim women. The comments on these posts are a horrific feeding frenzy of racism, fake news and hate towards Muslims.
“By allowing racist and misleading posts, social media giants like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, are profiteering from the proliferation of hate speech and abuse. Facebook could shut these pages down, forgo the profit they make from these pages and strengthen their policies on hate speech, but so long as they continue to profit from the reach and engagement, they don’t seem to be interested in decisive action.
“Facebook and other social media companies should be accountable for hate speech and threats that occur on their platforms. Online hate speech has real world consequences for people, their safety, mental health and families. Platforms are not doing enough to combat hate, harassment and intimidation.
“Platforms should take responsibility but Governments must also make and enforce laws that hold these big money-making platforms to account for publishing hate speech and allowing harassment,” she concluded.
Million Dollar Doping Shows Need To Shut Down Greyhound Racing: Greens
Greens Spokesperson for Animal Welfare, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has reacted to Million Dollar Chase “consolation winner” Nangar Jack testing positive for EPO.
She said:
“This incident confirms that greyhound racing has not and cannot clean up its act. The trainer should be punished and banned, but this is not remotely an isolated incident. To protect greyhounds, this cruel industry must be shut down once and for all.
“This race is nothing but a million dollar farce with Government funding propping up a failing, abusive industry.
“Our analysis shows that in the three months to June this year there were 26 investigations, including drugging of greyhounds, some with arsenic, unauthorised export of greyhounds, extreme animal cruelty and live baiting.
“It’s no exaggeration to say that thousands of dogs have died and been seriously injured since the Labor, Liberal and National parties combined to overturn the ban on greyhound racing.
“I’ve been keeping track of the racing statistics and since Baird backflipped on the ban almost 200 dogs have died on track and more than 4000 have been injured. This is just the tip of the iceberg because the industry doesn’t release the stewards reports for a large number of greyhound racing tracks in New South Wales. These figures also don’t include greyhounds killed off track for injuries or because they are supposedly unable to be rehomed.
“Greyhound racing must be shut down,” she concluded.
Harbour Foreshore Precinct Masterplan consultation to begin in early 2020
City of Newcastle will commence community engagement in the new year to develop a masterplan for the Harbour Foreshore Precinct, including an inclusive, regional level playground, water-themed play space and improved cycle amenities along Wharf Road.
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The precinct masterplan includes prime community spaces east from Merewether Street and includes the Harbourfront parkland and Joy Cummings Promenade stretching along Wharf Road, former rail sheds, and Foreshore Park’s amphitheatre and parkland near Nobbys Beach.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Foreshore Precinct Masterplan was the next step in revitalising the space as part of the Foreshore Plan of Management, and will be developed in close consultation with the community over the next 12-18 months.
“The community will be involved throughout the process to ensure what is delivered meets community expectations for this important community space,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Foreshore Park and the surrounding harbour precinct is a key attraction among locals and visitors and has important links to the City’s history, so it’s important that people have the opportunity to have their say from the outset.
“As Newcastle continues to evolve as a world-class destination, we must continue to invest in quality, accessible public facilities and event spaces within the heart of the city.
“We must maintain this area as a thriving destination, particularly in light of the accessibility upgrades to Nobbys Beach and Bathers Way.”
Stakeholder engagement and community consultation will be key in the successful delivery of the masterplan project. CN will work with interest groups, schools, residents and local businesses to provide valuable input into the design of the project
“A design reference group will also be established to provide input around technical elements of the playground and water-themed play space, as well as other important features including pedestrian and cylcleway connections and heritage aspects.
The City has received grant funding from Variety – the Children’s Charity, to help fund the design of a ‘Livvi’s Place’ accessible playground for kids of all ages and all abilities. The City has also applied for grant funding from the NSW Government to contribute to a water-themed play space.
Tenders will open Saturday 7 December and close 4 February 2020 for a specialist agency with significant expertise and experience in community engagement practices to develop a comprehensive masterplan for the long-term revitalisation of the Newcastle Foreshore.
Trucked sand to start arriving at Stockton next week
Five-and-a-half-thousand tonnes of sand will begin arriving at Stockton Beach on Monday as City of Newcastle commences the anticipated beach nourishment project.
The project is in response to severe erosion at the southern end of Stockton Beach and is also a pilot sand and wave-monitoring project to inform future management of the beach.
City of Newcastle has been planning for the $350,000 project for more than a month after having applied to the NSW Government for funding in early October.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the City had worked quickly to finalise approvals and start trucking sand to Stockton Beach to complete Stage 1 of this project prior to the Christmas holidays.
“It is our priority to have this work completed before the busy Christmas period so locals and holiday makers can enjoy the beach and to limit the disruption caused by hundreds of truck movements and heavy machinery,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Trucking sand to the beach is only a short-term response providing recreational amenity at Stockton Beach, and we’re continuing to work with the NSW Government to prepare the long-term plan for management of the beach.”
Stockton Surf Life Saving Club President Callan Nickerson said the start of the project was good news for his members.
“The Christmas holidays are a big part of our season with volunteer patrols and club members all using the beach so, while it may be short-term, we are looking forward to seeing the results and getting sand back on this stretch of the beach,” Mr Nickerson said.
“While we welcome the start of the project, we are committed to fighting for a long-term solution for Stockton’s erosion problem.”
A second stage involving placement of sand north of the Lexie’s Café accessway, adjacent to the Surf Club, is expected to be undertaken in early 2020 subject to further funding and approvals by the NSW Government in conjunction with maintenance works on the SLSC seawall that have protected Lexie’s café and car park from the impact of coastal erosion.
The Lord Mayor said during the project the southern sections of Stockton Beach will become a work zone and restrictions need to be put in place to ensure public safety and the safety of staff and contractors.
“There will be heavy machinery working on the beach and a stockpile of sand at the end of King Street in addition to the trucks travelling through the area,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We are asking the public to exercise caution while these works are carried out and to comply with directional and safety signage and instructions.”
Up to 50 trucks a day will deliver sand to the eastern part of King Street using Fullerton Street and King Street from Nelson Bay Road. There will be no public access to the southern section of Stockton Beach between the Lexie’s café Accessway and King Street for the duration of the project. King Street will be closed east of the Stockton Swimming Pool carpark.
Interested members of the public may view progress from viewing platform at the SLSC.
HER SPORT HER WAY HAS WINNING FORMULA
Women’s sport in NSW has received a significant funding boost to help increase participation, promote leadership and encourage inclusivity.
Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee today announced $635,000 in grants for 23 sporting organisations as part of the NSW Government’s ‘Her Sport Her Way’ program.
“We are rewarding organisations which are introducing programs to break down participation barriers, promote role models and foster inclusivity,” Mr Lee said.
“Women’s sport is on the rise and the NSW Government is committed to assisting growth at the grassroots, elite and recreational levels. We’re proud to be investing $2.6 million over four years to support this essential program.”
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said ‘Her Sport Her Way’ is breaking new ground.
“Important changes in attitude and awareness will ensure women and girls are valued, recognised and given equal choices and opportunities to perform,” Mrs Taylor said.
Nine-time Paralympic Gold Medalist Louise Sauvage said having a disability should never be considered a barrier to women playing sport.
“In my career I went from being in the newspaper’s human interest pages to the sports pages and that’s where I believe any anthete deserves to be, whether you have a disability or not,” said Ms Sauvage.
Former mixed doubles grand slam champion Casey Dellacqua said women’s sport needs to welcome everyone.
“Sport is such a powerful tool for change in society and if ‘Her Sport Her Way’ can continue to help break down perceptions and barriers surrounding participation and inclusivity for women, then we are onto a winning formula,” said Ms Dellacqua.
Successful grants programs include basketball, triathlon, hockey, AFL, sailing, football, golf, surfing, tennis, swimming, motorsport, deaf sports, disabled winter sport, water polo, diving, rowing, roller skating, wheelchair sports, rugby union, gymnastics, softball, hang gliding and paragliding.
For more details visit www.sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/her-sport-her-way
PLANNING FOR THE AEROTROPOLIS TAKES OFF
Plans for NSW’s newest city will be revealed today with the NSW Government calling on the community to help shape the future Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
The Western Sydney Aerotropolis Plan, which sets the vision for the region and provides a roadmap for the rezoning of individual precincts, will revolutionise NSW.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the chance to plan and build an international airport and its supporting city is a rare privilege.
“The Aerotropolis will be Sydney’s newest economic hub and will be a 30-minute city, where people live close to jobs, schools, health services and high-quality open space,” Mr Stokes said.
“With construction of the airport underway, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a brand new city, and we want the community to be part of the process.
“We’re getting on with the job of planning for a new city to make sure that land around the airport will be ready to build on well before the first plane takes off.”
Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Minister Stuart Ayres said the Aerotropolis will be a thriving economic hub for the region, with thousands of new jobs, homes, infrastructure and services.
“The Aerotropolis will be the beating heart of the Western Parkland City. It’s the most dynamic economic development precinct in Australia and is already attracting significant international interest with 17 global and regional partners ready to move in,” Mr Ayres said.
The next phase of planning paves the way for land to be rezoned by mid next year.
A draft planning package will be on exhibition until 28 February 2020 that includes the Aerotropolis’ overarching strategy, a policy to give statutory effect to the strategy, and a technical guide for the design of future development in the area.
To view the plans visit: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/aerotropolis
Liu scandal shows critical need for donations reform: Greens
The epidemic of scandals involving Liberal parliamentarians continues with Liberal MP Gladys Liu linked to a donor at the centre of a money laundering probe by Australian authorities.
Greens co-deputy leader Larissa Waters said, “It’s time to end cash-for-access and get the influence of big money and dodgy donors out of politics.
“Prime Minister Morrison should stop the protection racket for Ms Liu and his embattled Ministers and stop the rot by capping political donations and election spending.
“Both the Coalition and the Labor Party say they want to tackle undue foreign influence on politics but they won’t clean up political donations, because they are addicted to the money.
“If Australia capped political donations and election spending, we could address all those seeking to interfere in our democracy, whether they are foreign powers, corporate interests or donors with an agenda.
“The Greens want to cap all political donations at $1,000 per year and ban outright political donations from the mining, property development and gambling industries.
“Every member of parliament should act in the best interests of the community, not for their own self-interest and profit.
“It’s time Australia removed the corrupting influence of money in politics and give democracy back to the people,” she said.