Appeal Launched To Find Missing Lake Macquarie Teen

 BY IAN CROUCH

Lake Macquarie police are asking for our help to find a teenage girl who's been missing since last Thursday June 26.

14-year-old Starleigh Bates was last seen at about 9.00am on Cary Street at Toronto.

Police and family hold concerns for her welfare due to her age.

Starleigh's described as being of Caucasian appearance, 155cm tall with a medium build and red/brown hair.

She was last seen wearing a black hoodie and black tracksuit pants.

Starleigh is known to frequent the Toronto, Wallsend, Woodberry, Stockton and Metford areas.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers.

Missing teen Starleigh Bates. Picture NSW Police

 

Man Accused Of Firing Shots At Tenambit And Toronto Faces Court

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man accused of firing a sawn-off shot gun from a moving vehicle at Tenambit and Toronto has been ordered to undergo a mental health assessment.

Police allege 26-year-old Brandon Rogan fired the gun on three occasions in a public place including at Toronto where he filmed himself driving through the suburb at about 4.00pm on Sunday when he held the firearm out the window, pulled the trigger and then said "whoops".

Rogan and a 22-year-old woman were arrested at a Coal Point home after a stand-off with police early Monday morning.

It's alleged the sawn-off shotgun and a replica pistol were found following a search of the property

He's been charged with 11 offences including 3 counts of firing a firearm in a public place, possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm and take and drive conveyance without consent of owner.

The woman's been charged with concealing a serious indictable offence and having goods in custody suspected of being stolen.

Accused shooter Brandon Rogan appeared in Toronto Local Court on Monday

 

BREAKING! Police Investigate Ram Raid At Toronto

 BY IAN CROUCH

Lake Macquarie police are investigating an early morning ram raid at Toronto.

Police were called to The Boulevarde at about 2.45am on Thursday.

They were told a white Ford Ranger utility had rammed a storage shed.

During the incident a group of people stole tobacco products from the shed before leaving the scene.

Police have set up a crime scene as investigations continue.

 

Police Investigate Suspicious Fire At Toronto

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police have set up a crime scene as investigations continue into a suspicious fire at Toronto.

More than 30 firefighters and Hazmat crews were called to Victory Parade just after midday on Sunday to find an abandoned two storey building engulfed in flames.

Around 20 people were evacuated  from a neighbouring apartment building and an exclusion zone was set up due to asbestos fears.

Crews took about 3 hours to douses the flames, with council crews called in to clean up debris from the roadway.

Firefighters battle the flames in Victory Parade. Picture: Teralba Fire & Rescue

BREAKING! Burst Water Main Causes Flooding At Toronto

 BY IAN CROUCH

A burst water main is causing major flooding at Toronto.

Newcastle Fire Command says crews were called to Jarrett Street at about 5.15am on Tuesday to find water rushing into a nearby home.

Jarrett Street has been closed to traffic between Excelsior Parade and Oakhampton Court amid fears the road surface could break up.

Hunter Water has been alerted to the incident.

First stage complete in Toronto foreshore facelift

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The first stage of a major redevelopment of the Toronto foreshore has wrapped up.

The waterfront now has a new town green with seating, sandstone walls, and a public square.

The $1.8 million upgrade began last September, with a second stage of works to begin soon, focusing on improving safety and access at the car park next door to the Toronto Amateur Sailing Club.

More works are also on the cards, to improve the playground and cafe area and deliver more shade pavilions and barbecue spots.

Prepoll booths open for business, but some Hunter locals forced to vote outside

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Prepoll booths have opened across the Hunter this week, as voters rush to beat the crowds on May 21.

There were still waits of up to ten minutes at a booth on King Street in Newcastle's CBD.

But some voters in wheelchairs had to have their ballots brought out to them, after they struggled to make it up the stairs at the polling booth.

A centre at the Toronto Amateur Sailing Club told a similar story, with many people with disabilities also finding it difficult to make it up the narrow stairs.

It's understood neither site, both in population centres, has ramp access, Labor's Candidate for Hunter Dan Repacholi writing on social media, there was "heavy machinery travelling along the walkway".

Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon and Mr Repacholi have both written to the Electoral Commission about the issues.

Image credit: Dan Repacholi.

Charity regatta struggling due to lack of Swansea Channel dredge

BY DAKOTA TAIT

There's concern a charity regatta scheduled for Lake Macquarie this weekend won't live up to its full potential, with boaters afraid to get involved because Swansea Channel hasn't yet been dredged.

The Heaven Can Wait Regatta is set to happen over Saturday and Sunday, raising funds for the NSW Cancer Council's Hunter branch.

But Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto have noticed boaters are reluctant to attend, citing an inability to navigate the channel as a major concern.

While the regatta usually attracts around 60 to 65 boats, Vice Commodore Melvin Steiner expects the turnout to fall to around 45 or 50 this year.

He says it's disappointing not only for the community, but for the fundraising goal of half a million dollars.

"It restricts boats from other ports that normally come to the regatta, from getting into the lake," Mr Steiner said.

"We've had inquiries from boats that have done the regatta before, from Sydney, asking what the depth of the channel is." 

"As soon as you say it's down around 1.5 or something, or less, they say we're not coming, we can't get in there."

Swansea MP Yasmin Catley has been pushing the State Government for a solution since December.

It was revealed last week, Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie surpassed last year's 55 vessel escorts through the channel in January alone. 

Transport for NSW says a dredging project will happen in the first half of 2022, but expect environmental approvals and selection of a tender to take months.

Mr Steiner says his club and other organisations had tried to raise their concerns, to no avail.

"It just seems to fall on deaf ears," Mr Steiner said. 

"There's been a change in the organisation, in terms of who's responsible for doing dredging in our waterways, and they've really done nothing since that change and we don't know when they're going to start."

Image credit: Transport for NSW

Residents of Toronto Still in Doubt About Foreshore Plans

 BY CHARLOTTE LLOYD

The revitalisation plan for Toronto Foreshore is still in place despite concerns from residents on the accessibility and need for the foreshore plan to go ahead.

Lake Macquarie Council says the plan was developed in partnership with the community over the past three years with more than 180 responses received during the final round of community consultation.

Councils Asset Manager Brenden Callander says the community was generally supportive of the new Master Plan.

However, one of the main issues identified by the community and the broader Toronto area was the parking supply. 

Royal Motor Yacht Club's Vice Commodore and member of Toronto Foreshore Protection group Mel Steiner says the community aren't satisfied with how the council have attended to their requests. 

"Certainly we're in support of whatever the council do on the foreshore if it will bring people to Toronto.

"The real issue is that they've reduced the parking in the area which makes it difficult for people visiting to get here easily.

"It's disappointing and a haphazard approach," Mr Steiner said. 

The improvements to the foreshore include;

• An expansion of an existing playground
• An expanded café area 
• New barbeque and picnic facilities 
• A new town green 
• New pathways along the lakes edge with pedestrian connections 

Aerial Shot of Toronto 

Council adopts plans to revitalise Toronto’s foreshore

 BY LAURA WILLIAMS

Toronto is set to expect a major overhaul of the foreshore to create a more active lakeside lifestyle for the community. 

Plans for the revitalised foreshore have been developed in partnership with the community over the past three years to turn the area into an attractive recreational destination. 

Macquarie Council Mayor Kay Fraser says the community involvement has been integral to developing a location that will be used and appreciated by the locals. 

"People want a place where they can rest, play, and celebrate. They want a vibrant area," says Mayor Fraser.

The plans include significant additions to the foreshore, including an expanded playground, a continuous waterfront pathway, an expanded café with shaded pavilion, and new barbeque and picnic facilities. 

Another important inclusion will be the community's increased flexibility to host both major and small events, making it a leading choice of destination. 

Consultation with the community has also revealed concerns with parking and traffic in the area, which hasn't been addressed in the recent master plan. 

"We'll be looking at making a plan for these traffic issues in the coming years."

Construction for the plans will begin mid-2021 and will continue throughout the next two years. 

                                                (Image provided)

Hunter Drug Court Celebrates 10 Years Of Turning Lives Around

 BY IAN CROUCH

It's been 10 years since the Hunter Drug Court was officially opened at Toronto.

The court was established to provide a rehabilitation  program for drug offenders as an alternative to a full-time custodial sentence.

Since 2011, the court has helped 660 drug-addicted offenders to address the causes of their criminal behaviour through a comprehensive treatment plan.

Last year, 68 per cent of Hunter Drug Court participants were able to turn their lives around and were not returned to custody. 

Judge Paul Cloran paid tribute to the Drug Court counsellors, caseworkers, Police, Health, Legal Aid and Corrections staff for helping to make the Hunter Drug Court a success.

"The team deserves applause for the wonderful effort they make to support often hardened offenders who've never had any support in their life, Every success story is remarkable given the lasting positive impacts of the program can have on individuals, their families and the community," Judge Cloran said.

One graduate said if it wasn't for the Drug Court he would be still using, in gaol or dead.

"I has started life anew. I have a family, I have progressed with my career, there is stability in our household, the children are happy," the man said.

Police Looking for Owners of Allegedly Stolen Bikes, Power Tools Found at Bolton Point Home

 BY ISABEL EVERETT 

A man has been charged after allegedly stolen property was recovered from a Lake Macquarie home.

Officers have been investigating alleged break-in at homes and theft from vehicles in the area between January 25th and February 4th 2021. 

Officers attended a home on Quigley Road, Bolton Point, about 4pm on Thursday. 

Police spoke to a 27-year-old male occupant in the shed where a large amount of property – including bicycles, fishing equipment and power tools – was located. 

These items are alleged to have been stolen and were seized.

The man was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station where he was charged with enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence, and four counts of goods suspected stolen in/on premises.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Toronto Local Court on February 23rd. 

Police are now conducting inquiries to identify the owners of the property. 

Anyone who may be able to assist is urged to come forward and contact Belmont Police. However, proof of ownership is required.

Inquiries are continuing.

Images: Lake Macquarie Police District 

Good 'Old Fashioned Police Work' Nabs Would-Be Thief In Toronto Creek

BY IAN CROUCH

Officers have relied on old fashioned police work to arrest a would-be thief at Toronto.

The occupants of a home on Anzac Parade returned just after 1.00pm on Monday to find a man ransacking their residence.

He ran off dropping allegedly stolen items as he went.

Police were called and set up a perimeter, with a police dog tracking the man to a nearby creek.

They commandeered a boat and found the 22-year-old lying in mangroves trying to camouflage himself.

He's been refused bail to face Toronto Local Court today (Tuesday 19 June 2019) charged with break and enter.

A Police Dog Tracked The Alleged Offender To A Toronto Creek

Toronto Residents Balk at Bath Street Budget Allocation

BY LILLY HAINES

Lake Macquarie City Council has allocated $25 million over the next four years  to progress commercial development of the Bath Street site for economic tourism in the latest Draft Operational Plan.

The council-owned site, located at the northern end of the Toronto Foreshore next to the Royal Motor Yacht Club, is set to see a six-storey tourism and residential complex developed if plans go ahead.

The Council has been criticised for their lack of community consultation regarding the site and for the site's exclusion from the Toronto Foreshore Master Plan.

The draft Toronto Foreshore Master Plan cites the need for better access and amenities at recreational areas  to create enticing destination points along the Foreshore where publicly accessible shoreline is limited, but council insists on excluding the Bath Street site from this plan.

Suzanne Pritchard from the Toronto Foreshore Protection Group (TFPG) says community views and ideas for the site have not been acknowledged by the council. 

"We have made hundreds of comments to date and they have been misrepresented, they have been undervalued and they have been ignored," Ms Pritchard said.

"Toronto has the least amount of public accessible foreshore for any town within the city; we have about 500 metres and council wants to take about 10% of that for a commercial development."

Ms Pritchard said the TFGP wants to see the foreshore land used as a community parkland.

"With recreational facilities to support the community getting together, not excluding them by having private interests purchase high-end apartments."

Lake Macquarie City Council's Draft Operational Plan is open for community consultation and comment regarding plans for the site until the 29th of May.

The vacant land between Bath Street and Victory Parade which makes up the "Bath Street site". Photo: Google Maps

Firefighter Injured In Toronto House Fire

BY IAN CROUCH

A firefighter has been taken to hospital after fire engulfed a garage at Toronto.

Crews were called to Oak Street just after 10.30pm on Wednesday to find the garage well alight.

A retained firefighter, who was wearing protective gloves, suffered a minor burn to his hand - he was treated at the scene before being taken by a private vehicle to the John Hunter Hospital for further treatment and observation.

Firefighters took about an hour to extinguish and mop up the blaze.

Meanwhile, about 40 people were evacuated from the Muswellbrook Workers Club at about 9.10pm on Wednesday after the smell of gas was detected in the basement.

However, no leak was found and fire crews gave the all clear after about 15 minutes.

Man Charged Over Alleged Sexual Assault of 13-year-old

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A man's been refused bail and is facing Toronto Local Court today over the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl in Lake Macquarie.

Around 1am on Sunday, officers stopped a vehicle at Cardiff and arrested the man driving, taking a 13-year-old girl and 16-year-old boy who were in the car into police care.

Police say the 28-year-old had been speaking to the girl on social media for 12 months before they met up at a home in the Lake Macquarie LGA, and the girl was allegedly sexually assaulted.

He's been charged with aggravated sexual assault and procuring a child for unlawful sexual activity.

Macquarie Radio has revealed the man was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, charged with the sexual assault of another girl in Griffith.

He'd failed to appear in court last month.

Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

Driver Trapped In Crash At Toronto

BY IAN CROUCH

Lake Macquarie Police are investigating the circumstances leading up to a single car crash at Toronto.

A man in his 20's was driving his Ford Falcon sedan along Awaba Road just before 10.00pm on Monday when he lost control and slammed into a power pole.

The crash brought down live power lines on the car, leaving the man trapped in the vehicle for about half an hour before Ausgrid crews arrived.

He was freed and taken to the John Hunter Hospital for treatment and observation.

Neighbours Hear Gunshots At Dora Creek

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A man has been charged with several gun-related offences following an incident at Dora Creek last night.

Around 6:45pm, officers were called out to a home in Dora Street after receiving neighbours' reports of possible shots fired.

Police searched the home, where they located a .22 calibre bolt-action firearm and ammunition.

The man was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station - he's been refused bail on several charges including possession of an unregistered firearm and a quantity of drugs.

Service NSW comes to Toronto

BY OLIVIA WILSON-WHEELER

A new Service NSW office will be built at Toronto, following years of public demand.

More than 11,000 people have signed a petition for a new office since the Toronto and Belmont motor registries closed in 2015 and were replaced by a Wallsend full-scale service.

This new Toronto service centre will bring back the motor services, as well as 40 other agencies including Births, Deaths and Marriages.

The member for Lake Macquarie, Greg Piper MP, led the campaign and says making residents go to other service centres is unreasonable.

"At the moment, Service NSW offices are located at Warners Bay and Toukley, and that's a long way from the many thousands of people living at Morisset, Cooranbong, Wangi, Rathmines, Coal Point and Toronto, especially if they have to rely on public transport."

It comes in the wake of the Service NSW Nelson Bay branch celebrating 50,000 customers served since its opening in 2016.

According to Victor Dominello, Minister for Finance, Services and Property, this reflects the fact the offices are still needed, despite the transition into the digital age.

"Obviously more and more things are going to go online because people want the convenience of doing things at their own time in the comfort of their home but it's also critical that we have a human face for transactions for people that don't like going online."

"The service makes it much easier for people to transact with the government."

Service NSW is looking for possible sites for the office, and Mr Dominello expects the Toronto service to be opened by the end of the year.

Image source: Triple M. 

UPDATE: Fire Crews Called To Lake Macquarie Nursing Home

BY IAN CROUCH

UPDATE:

The operator of the Kilpatrick Court Nursing home at Toronto says there was no fire at the facility last night, despite media reports to the contrary.

In a statement issued this morning, Anglican Care says a member of staff noticed a strange smell in the building at about 7.20pm on Wednesday and emergency services attended the site at about 7.35pm at the request of staff, but no sign of fire was found despite a thorough search of the buildings and grounds.

"No alarm or smoke detectors were activated and no smoke was detected," the statement said.

"Anglican Care's actions were to ensure the safety of our residents, with emergency services called as a precautionary measure," the statement continued.

Fire and Rescue NSW has clarified the circumstances surrounding the incident, confirming a "smoke haze" was present on the 3rd floor of the main building when they arrived and a thorough search was undertaken of the entire facility, but there was no sign if fire.

A Fire Brigade spokesman advised the source of the "smoke haze" was most likely a minor electrical fault, with staff advised to have the air conditioning system checked by maintenance personnel.

EARLIER:

A fire at a Toronto nursing home has prompted a major response from emergency services.

Newcastle Fire Command say they received several Triple-O calls to the Kilpatrick Court Nursing Home in Brighton Avenue just before 8.00pm on Wednesday.

Crews arrived to find smoke issuing from the roof of the main building and called for back-up, with six units attending the call from Toronto, Teralba and Cardiff.

They found the source of the fire in the air conditioning system on the 3rd floor and quickly extinguished the blaze.

None of the residents were evacuated.