Beresfield Golf Course Now Open To The Public

 BY OLI GOELDNER

Beresfield Golf Course will open its doors to the public tomorrow morning, after its closure in September last year. 

The site has remained closed for the past five months following the end of it's previous lease, with a new 15-year contract now signed between leisure service providers ClubLinks Management and City of Newcastle. 

The Victoria-based company operates a suite of other sites across the country, including Moore Park in Sydney and Bundoora Park in Victoria. 

During its closure City of Newcastle conducted a series of key upgrades on the site to restore previous damages. 

Several failed bridges were replaced, and multiple on-course buildings and facilities underwent repairs as well. 

ClubLink outlined a suite of plans they intend to enact for the site, including a multi-bay driving range and the city's first dedicated courts for Padel, a sport incorporating elements of tennis and squash. 

National Relationships Manager Thomas Zappulla said the developments are expected to be completed this year. 

"In terms of the developments and upgrades, we will go through a process with Council to get the approvals," he said. 

"But, we're hoping to have the driving ranges, Padel courts and other improvements as per our plan completed in the next three to six months once we start to get going." 

City of Newcastle Ward 4 councillor Deahnna Richardson said ClubLink's involvement is exciting for the community. 

"I know the community here in Beresfield has really been wanting the golf course to reopen and I'm really excited to hear about the improvements that are going to be made to the course which will provide enormous benefits to the community," she said. 

Pedestrian Killed In Crash At Beresfield

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash at Beresfield overnight.

Emergency services were called to the M1 Pacific Motorway just south of the Beresfield Industrial Park just after 7.00pm on Tuesday to reports a pedestrian had been hit by a truck.

Police and paramedics treated a 22-year-old man, however he died at the scene.

The truck driver, a 60-year-old man, was taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory testing.

Police have set up a crime scene and a report is being prepared for the Coroner. 

 

Police Appeal For Help To Locate Missing Man From Beresfield

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Port Stephens Hunter Police have issued an appeal for help in locating a missing man from Beresfield. 

Samuel hasn't been heard from since 7:30pm on Wednesday the 22nd of November, 2023, and police and his family would like to make contact with him to make sure he's okay. 

He's described as Caucasian, about 170-180cm tall, with a medium complexion, brown hair, brown eyes, and a beard. 

Anyone who's seen Samuel or knows where he is, is being urged to call Maitland Police or Crime Stoppers. 

Sonia Hornery Calls for Action in Beresfield Lifeguard Job Losses

BY HOLLY FISHLOCK

Twelve lifeguards from Beresfield Pool have been sacked following the Council's privatisation deal with BlueFit Aquatics.

The move has been heavily criticised by Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery, who has called the job losses and privatisation disappointing.

"I have been, as a Labor member, a long-term opponent of privatisation because it ends up not benefiting the community, it benefits the private companies," Ms. Hornery says.

It comes after City of Newcastle stated any changes to the pool management would not result in job losses.

"It's sad that we read documents and pledges from Labor councillors that say there would be no job losses. And yet, we know twelve qualified, experienced, long-term staff at Beresfield pool have lost their job," she says.

She is now calling for council to offer re-employment to the twelve staff, and to apologise to them.

"There have been no steps to right the wrong. I am asking the councillors to do right by the Beresfield and Tarro community and by the twelve employees that they sacked; to reinstate those experienced, qualified employees, and take them back to the pool."

Police Appeal For Help To Find Elderly Man Missing From Beresfield

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fears are growing for the welfare of an elderly man who's gone missing from Beresfield.

85-year-old Raymond Peterson was last seen at his home in Yarrum Avenue about 2.00pm on Monday.

Police hold serious concerns for Raymond as he lives with dementia.

He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, bald with a medium build and a grey moustache and goatee.

Raymond was last seen wearing a navy long sleeve shirt, dark grey jeans, a cap, and prescription glasses.

His family has told Police Raymond took their dog out for a walk and failed to return.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Missing Man Raymond Peterson

UPDATE! Missing Woman Last Seen In Nulkaba

BY OLIVIA DILLON

UPDATE:

After making enquiries, Police say Sharny was found safe and well at Byron Bay.

Police have thanks the public and the media for their assistance.

EARLIER:

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman reported missing from the Cessnock area.

43-year-old Sharny Cavanagh was last seen at a home on Occident Street at Nulkaba at about 6:30pm on Sunday the 20th of August, 2023. 

Her family says her disappearance is out of character.

Sharny is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall, of a medium build, with blonde hair, and brown eyes.

She was last seen driving a silver 2019 Honda HRV station wagon with the NSW registration EBK-88P.

Sharny is known to frequent the Nulkaba, Beresfield and Cessnock areas 

If you've seen her or her car or know where she is, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.  

Brother Of NRL Star Arrested At Beresfield For Drug Trafficking

 BY IAN CROUCH

The brother of NRL star Payne Haas has allegedly been caught at Beresfield trying to traffick more than a million dollars worth of the drug ice into NSW from Queensland.

Police stopped a ute on Apprentice Close at about 11.45am on Tuesday.

A search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered 1.8kg of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $1,080.00.

News Limited reports 19-year-old Zeda Haas and another man, 20-year-old Kaharau Beer were arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station.

Both have been refused bail to face Maitland Local Court today (Wednesday 16 August 2023) charged with drug trafficking and supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.

Inquiries are continuing.

One Nation Candidates Call for the Re-Opening of Hunter Police Stations

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The One Nation Candidate for Wallsend is remaining strong in his push to re-open the Wallsend and Beresfield Police Stations.

Pietro Di Girolamo, is still seeking accurate data from local and state authorities on crime rates across the electorate. 

He said, despite reaching out to officers at the Waratah local command on three occasions, he's been unable to get a hold of any specific statistics for the Hunter region.

"It seems clear to me that the bureaucracy, the police command, is not prepared to provide information to me as the local candidate. I don't know why; they haven't given me a reason." 

He also said after a string of break-ins and harassments in the Wallsend area in particular, residents are looking for something to be done. 

"The incumbent (Sonia Hornery MP) says having more cops on the street is the way to go. I disagree with that statement. I believe having a point of presence right in the heart of Wallsend is a deterrent for someone who wants to cause malicious damage or attempt break-and-enters," Mr Di Girolamo said.

The Candidate added almost everyone he's spoken to in the community has been in favour of re-opening the facilities. 

The party's candidate for Kurri Kurri Quintin Blake, is also fighting to re-open the police station at Kurri Kurri, and is set to issue a public statement on it's progress tomorrow. 

Image: NBN

Union Assures Baiada Workers That Jobs Are Safe

 BY IAN CROUCH

The meat workers union is reassuring 1000 workers at the Baiada chicken processing plant at Beresfield their jobs are safe.

A letter from the company to farmers last month hinted at the possible closure of the plant as one option being considered in the future rationalisation of production in the wake of the COVID pandemic.

Union secretary, Justin Smith says the Beresfield factory will not close any time soon.

Baiada won approval for a huge processing plant at Tamworth last year which could replace some or all of the output from Beresfield, but the company has not made a final investment decision on whether to proceed with the new facility.  

Teenage boy sparks police pursuit across the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A 14-year-old boy has seen court on Tuesday after being charged following an alleged break and enter and pursuit in a stolen vehicle across the Hunter.

About 2.50pm on Monday, a 78-year-old woman was inside a home on Kookaburra Parade at Woodberry, when a teenage boy entered the home through an unlocked rear door.

Police will allege in court the teenager threatened the woman with a rock and took her car keys.

The woman attempted to grab the keys from the young person before a brief struggle where she was pushed to the ground.

The teenager fled the scene a short time later in a silver Nissan Tiida.

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified and commenced inquiries in the area.

A short time later, Traffic and Highway Patrol police were patrolling the nearby area when they observed the Nissan driving on Anderson Drive, Beresfield, before the vehicle mounted a pedestrian footpath towards Beresford Avenue.

Police activated warning sirens however the vehicle failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit continued through several suburbs, with road spikes successfully deployed southbound on the M1 near the Wallsend exit.

The Nissan continued onto Link Road where the pursuit was terminated due to safety concerns.

Police continued to patrol the nearby area before the vehicle was sighted at Harper Avenue, Edgeworth, where three people fled into nearby bushland.

Two teenage girls, both aged 14, were located hiding under a house on Neilson Street.

A perimeter was established, and with assistance from the Police Dog Unit, a 14-year-old boy was located a short time later in bushland near Harper Avenue.

All three teenagers were arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station.

The teenage boy was charged with armed aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly and take & drive conveyance without consent of owner.

He was refused bail to appear at a children’s court today on Tuesday.

The two teenage girls were dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

Man Facing Court Over Brutal Bashings At Woodberry & Beresfield

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to face Maitland Local Court today (Monday 7 June 2021) accused of viciously assaulting two men in separate incidents at Woodberry and Beresfield.

Police say a 23-year-old man pulled into the driveway of his Woodberry home on Friday night where he was assaulted by a man wielding a baseball bat and treated in hospital for a broken elbow.

A 24-year-old man was found with serious head injuries on the rail overpass at Beresfield Railway Station in the early hours of Saturday morning - he's in a stable condition in the John Hunter Hospital.

Inquires led officers to a home on Fairfield Street, Lambton on Saturday afternoon where a 22-year-old man was arrested.

He's been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, wounding with intent and malicious damage.

Police say the men are all known to each other.  

BREAKING! Man Flown To Sydney Hospital After Fiery Crash At Beresfield

 BY IAN CROUCH

A 21-year-old man has been flown to Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital with burns to his arms and legs after a fiery crash at Beresfield overnight.

Police say he was driving a white Toyota HiLux westbound on Addison Street at about 11.30pm on Tuesday when the vehicle left the road and hit a fence and a tree before coming to rest against a garage.

The vehicle then burst into flames - thankfully the young man managed to free himself before the HiLux became fully involved in fire.

He's reported to be in a stable condition.

Firefighters from Tarro and East Maitland took 3 hours to extinguish and mop up the fire.

Police are investigating the circumstances leading up to the crash.

Man Suffers "Gruesome" Hand Injury During Workplace Accident at Beresfield Chicken Factory

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man has suffered a "gruesome" hand injury during a workplace incident at the Baiada Chicken Processing Factory, at Beresfield. 

Just after 8:45am on Tuesday morning, NSW Ambulance were called to Hawthorne Street, Beresfield.

Three crews and a specialist medical team were dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, paramedics treated a man for a significant injury to his hand.

 He was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

“This was a very gruesome injury," says NSW Ambulance Inspector Mark Gardiner. 

“We have been responding to a lot of workplace incidents of late, we need everyone to be more vigilant when at work and look out for their colleagues.”

Safe Work NSW has launched an investigation, and say "no further comment is available at this time."

                                                                       Image Credit: Sydney Morning Herald

Newcastle Set to Host Air Quality Review Forum

BY LILLY HAINES

Newcastle is set to host an air quality forum next week to discuss proposed new standards for toxic air pollutants in the region.

A government committee reviewing national air pollution standards is visiting the area to hear from people affected by exposure to toxic gas air pollutants.

The review process is looking at the levels of oxides of nitrogen and related gases sulphur dioxide and ozone.

The review of ambient air pollutants is occurring 21 years after national air pollution standards were introduced.

Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) issued a report in February showing coarse particle pollution had worsened in many parts of NSW over the past 12 months, including areas in the Hunter.

The report showed coarse particles exceeded the annual standard at nine locations, up from 2 locations in 2017 and none in previous years.

Eight of these locations were located in the Hunter at sites including Mt Thorley, Singleton, Muswellbrook, Mayfield, Carrington, and Beresfield.

"The Hunter region has quite high levels of particle air pollution both for coarse particles which are mostly coming from coal mines and for finer particles which are coming from fires and coal-fired power stations," Dr Ben Ewald from DEA said.

Dr Ewald said there is also a problem with sulphur dioxide air pollution, which he says is mostly emitted by the power stations but can also come from aluminium smelting.

"Nitrogen dioxide tends to be more of a problem down in Sydney because it's mostly a traffic related thing, but sulphur dioxide is a problem in places like Muswellbrook with exposure to power stations," said Dr Ewald.

"And that shows up also in the monitors close to the Tomago aluminium smelter."

Dr Ewald also said there are serious health risks linked to exposure to ambient gases, with fine particle pollutants increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes as well as having an association with lung cancer.

Respiratory irritations, like triggering asthma attacks, have been linked to suplhur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide exposure with statistics showing a greater proportion of people experience respiratory irritations in the Upper Hunter than other parts of the state.

The air quality forum will be held at Newcastle Town Hall on Tuesday 23rd July beginning at 5:30pm.

Liddell Power Station near Muswellbrook. Image: AAP. 

Charges Laid Over Alleged Carjackings At Beresfield

Police have charged a man with numerous offences following two alleged carjacking incidents at Beresfield yesterday.

Just after 2pm, a 21-year-old man approached a 51-year-old woman as she was entering her car in a carpark in Anderson Drive.

The man allegedly pushed her against the car, before taking the keys and driving away.

As he drove through the roundabout at Anderson Drive and Glenwood Drive, the car collided with the gutter and crashed, and the man left the car.

He then allegedly approached another car which had stopped at the crash site and attempted to remove the driver from the car. When the driver refused to leave the car, it is alleged he punched him several times through the open window.

The driver was able to drive away from the scene and the man ran into nearby swampland, where several witnesses chased him and restrained him until police arrived.

As police were arresting the man, several other people attempted to intervene, and a struggle commenced with the officers.

Police deployed OC spray and two men, and two women were arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station.

During the struggle two officers were injured, one with a suspected fractured wrist.

The 21-year-old man was charged with aggravated assault to take and drive motor vehicle, assault with intent to take and drive motor vehicle, resist police, destroy property, intimidate police, and drive unlicensed.

The men aged, 24 and 27, were each charged with resist arrest, assault police and hinder police.
The three men were refused bail to appear in Maitland Local Court today (Monday 6 May 2019).

The women aged, 25 and 27, were charged with resist arrest and were both granted conditional bail to appear in Maitland Local Court on 29 May 2019.

Evacuation at Beresfield Warehouse

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A chemical spill has occurred at a warehouse in Balbu Close, Beresfield this morning, forcing the evacuation of 25 people.

Crews are on scene in fully covered Hazmat suits, as they decant around 600 litres of liquid-form Sodium Hydroxide into safe bins.

Fairfax reports a vehicle has ruptured the storage container the substance was being stored in.

A spokesperson for Newcastle Fire and Rescue says he expects cleanup efforts will take another 2 to 3 hours.

An exclusion zone of 200 metres has been put in place until further notice.

Fairfax Facing Backlash Over Beresfield Closure

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Fairfax Media is facing backlash following yesterday's revelation it will close its Beresfield printing plant and share printing networks with Newscorp.

With up to 70 local workers set to be made redundant as a result of the closure, the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union is calling on the media giant to treat its printing staff with respect.

According to AMWU's National Secretary Lorraine Cassin, the Union last week received a document outlining a Deloitte study which showed closures would occur, but when Fairfax and Newscorp were approached by the Union regarding the rumours both companies vehemently denied the information.

"They've forgotten there are actually people behind those numbers," Ms Cassin told 2NURFM News.

"They're employees, and they're part of a community, and if they want their paper out there and to be read by the community then they should show respect for the workers and for the community."

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery has also responded to the news and is calling on Fairfax to reconsider its decision.

The MP says the already-struggling area doesn't deserve to lose another industry and she's concerned potential flow-on effects may further harm other local industries.

"Our local papers should be printed locally," Sonia Hornery said.

"It's time to support local jobs and our local economy."

Lorraine Cassin says Fairfax, in correspondence with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, claimed consultation was underway, but the Union is disappointed this consultation didn't take place before the final decision was made.

"It's not consultation when you've announced you're closing the site, but now we'll come and talk to you about what that actually means," she said.

"I'm really disappointed on behalf of our members."

Fairfax has indicated to the AMWU that all employees affected by the closure will receive appropriate support and will be paid their full entitlements.

The Printing Plant at Beresfield. Image: Fairfax

Probe Launched Into Baiada Ammonia Leak At Beresfield

BY IAN CROUCH

An investigation is under way into an ammonia leak at the Baiada Chicken Factory at Beresfield on Friday night which has left nine people in hospital.

350 workers were evacuated and 11 taken to hospital following the incident.

In a statement, the company says the leak occurred during the installation of a new refrigeration equipment outside the plant by a specialist service provider.

It's not the first time an incident like this has occurred at the plant.

In March 2016, 43 employees were overcome by Chlorine Dioxide fumes - the company was subsequently fined $15,000 by the Environment Protection Authority, while 1 employee was taken to hospital in December that year after a minor ammonia leak.