Calls for New Performing Arts Centre at Lake Macquarie

 BY JACK HODGINS

With a growing population across the Hunter Region, a Change.org petition calling for a new Lake Macquarie Performing Arts Centre has been started.

The petition calls for the building of a new 500 seat theatre to better meet growing patronage.

Organisers argue the region’s Warners Bay Theatre which has a seating capacity of 300 does not have the capacity for an increase in demand.

President of the Lake Macquarie Music Society Mercia Buck says a dedicated centre will provide an economic boost.

“When we have visitors for productions they increase the businesses for accommodation, they go to all the restaurants.

The benefits will huge, people will come from everywhere as they do now but they will increase their tourism,” she said.

The petition has garnered over 500 signatures.

Warners Bay Theatre. Credit: Lake Macquarie Council

Man Assaulted During Home Invasion At Warners Bay

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man has been taken to hospital after a home invasion at Warners Bay.

Police say two men forced their way into a Queen Street home at about 7.30pm on Wednesday September 17 armed with a pole and a knife.

It's alleged they assaulted a 48-year-old man before leaving on foot.

The man was taken to Belmont Hospital where he was treated for a gash to his head.

Police say the alleged assailants and the victim were not known to each other - it's believed the incident relates to the purchase of an item.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

 

HILLSBOROUGH ROAD – Tenders Called for Stage One

BY ISSY KULPER

The State Government says the Hillsborough Road upgrade has hit an important milestone with construction tenders being called for stage one of the project.

The $35 million build will include improvements stretching from the Inner-City Bypass roundabout to the west of Crockett Street.

Transport for NSW says it’s looking to grant the contract for construction to begin early next year. The project is predicted to take 18 months to duplicate the road on a 700 metre stretch and put in new traffic lights at Crockett Street.

Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison says it should improve travel times.

“The 36,000 motorists who use Hillsborough Road daily can look forward to more reliable journeys, with improved traffic flow, safety, and accessibility for all road users,” she said.

Credit: Transport for NSW

WARNERS BAY – House Fire Treated As Suspicious

 BY PETER HYSLOP

 Police have confirmed a house fire at Warners Bay overnight may have been deliberately lit as fire investigators examine the cause.

Emergency services were called to Margaret Street just after 11pm to reports of flames coming from the two-storey residence. It took multiple crews to bring the blaze under control but the home suffered extensive damage.

There were initial reports of a smell of fuel and the dog squad was brought in.

All occupants were evacuated, a crime scene has now been established.

House on Margaret Street overnight. Credit: Media Response Newcastle

 

P-Plater Tests Positive to Cannabis Driving Almost 40 Kilometers Over Speed Limit at Warners Bay

BY ISABEL EVERET

Newcastle City Highway Patrol say they were disappointed in driver behavior during the state wide Australia Day road safety operation. Around 5.25am on Monday, Police were performing speed enforcement duties on the Inner City Bypass at Warners Bay. Police detected a Toyota Yaris travelling at 129km/h in the sign posted 90km/h zone. The vehicle was being driven by a 23-year-old man from Belmont South who was the holder of a P1 Provisional Licence. Police subjected the man to roadside testing which returned a positive reading to cannabis. He was issued with an infringement notice for exceeding the speed limit by more than 30km/h and had his licence suspended on the spot for 3 months. Police are awaiting the analysis of the oral fluid sample before taking action in relation to the positive cannabis reading.
In a second incident, around11:15am on Tuesday on the Newcastle Link Road at Wallsend, a P2 Provisional driver was detected at 131kmh in a 90kmh speed zone. He was also travelling in the right hand lane with no other traffic preventing him from occupying the left lanes and was also not displaying his P plates. The penalty notices issued to this driver totaled 14 demerit points, double the threshold for a P2 Licence holder. His driving privileges have been suspended for 3 months.

High Capacity Drive-Through Covid Testing Clinic Opening at Warners Bay, No Booking or GP Referral Required

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A high capacity drive-through Covid-19 testing clinic, which patients can attend without an appointment or doctors referral is opening in Warners Bay.

Local Newcastle family owned business Medtech, and 4Cyte Pathology have worked with Hunter New England Health, to open the clinic on Thursday 30th July.

The clinic will operate at Central Church, 290 Hillsborough Road, Warners Bay.

The clinic will be open from 8am - 4pm on weekdays, and from 8am -11am on Saturdays, and will be closed on Sundays.

"The Warners Bay drive-thru is the first of its kind in the region where patients can attend without either an appointment or a Doctor’s referral. Patients can simply attend at their convenience," Medtech and 4Cyte said in a statement.

This drive through clinic aims to reduce the number of patients attending GP clinics, before they have been cleared of COVID 19.

It also aims to reduce crowding at local hospital testing centers and increase regional testing capability.

Patients will received their negative testing results via a direct-to-patient SMS.

Testing is available for all ages including infants.

For more information please visit: www.medtechservices.net.au

Woman Arrested Over Charity Shop Break-In At Warners Bay

BY IAN CROUCH

A charity shop at Warners Bay is counting the cost after an early-morning break-in.

Lake Macquarie police responded to an intruder alarm at the Salvos Store on Medcalf Street just after 12.30am on Friday.

They arrived to find the front window had been smashed and a 29-year-old woman inside the store.

Police suspect she may have been looking for a place to sleep for the night.

The woman's been charged with malicious damage and trespass and has been refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today.

Crash Blocks Hillsborough Road At Warners Bay

BY IAN CROUCH

Emergency services have cleared the scene of a single car crash at Warners Bay.

The crash has occurred on Hillsborough Road near the KFC about 500 metres from the King Street roundabout just before 5.00am, blocking all eastbound lanes.

Ambulance paramedics treated a passenger at the scene, police say the driver fled after the crash.