Two Hunter Locals Join Regional Youth Taskforce

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Two young leaders from the Hunter have been selected as members of this year's Regional Youth Taskforce. 

Comprised of 18 members from across the state, the Taskforce will meet throughout the year to drive for policy change within the state government, and advocate for real outcomes for young people. 

The Hunter representatives are Jorji Taaffe from Merriwa, and Jessica Patman from Warners Bay. 

They're both seeking to tackle youth mental health in the region, and will drive policy change around their own special interests. 

Taaffe said she will be focusing on advocating for rural health. 

"I just believe we're lacking resources compared to our urban counterparts, and that's what I really want to change this year," she said. 

"If we have more resources here, it's going to be easier to get people back into the health system and address the lack of resources." 

Jessica Patman wants to bring mental heath and LGBTQI+ health to the forefront. 

"Research shows 75% of mental health concerns emerge before the age of 25, and currently within society, stigma and lack of  access to appropriate and affordable services is preventing a lot of young people from actually accessing support when they need it," Patman said. 

"I think there's also a lack of understanding around gender and sexuality and that's increasing narratives around stereotypes and is increasing discrimination further." 

"It would be amazing if LGBTQI+ youth could have more safe spaces within the Hunter where they could connect and socialize." 

Jorji Taaffe added how important it is to give back to the Hunter community. 

"I'm really excited to have been given this opportunity, not just for myself but for my community. By encouraging my peers and fellow students, I really hope I can make a change." 

Man suffers serious burns in Warners Bay gas bottle explosion

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Two people have been injured at a hotel on Hillsborough Road in Warners Bay on Thursday morning, after a gas bottle explosion.  

A man turned on the portable gas bottle to start up a deep fryer, around 11:30am, when it exploded. 

The 40-year-old suffered serious burns to 40 percent of his arms.  

A second person also received burns to their hands.  

Fire and Rescue crews quickly rendered the property safe.  

They've been taken to the John Hunter Hospital, while paramedics assessed TWO other people.  

Warners Bay pair charged after drug supply investigation

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Two people have been charged after a three-month investigation into drug supply across Lake Macquarie.

Detectives with the Lake Macquarie Police District began their inquiries in March, focusing on methylamphetamine and GHB supply in Warners Bay and nearby suburbs.

Detectives executed a search warrant at a home on Yorston Street in Warners Bay, about 1pm on Tuesday, where they spoke with and arrested a 40-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman.

During the search, police located and seized methylamphetamine, cannabis leaf, vials of steroids, GHB, buprenorphine strips, and other drug paraphernalia. 

The man and woman were taken to Belmont Police Station. 

The man was charged with eight offences, relating to drug supply, drug possession, and allowing the property to be used as a drug premises, and will appear in court on Wednesday.

The woman was issued with a field court attendance notice for the offence of drug possession, and is due to appear at Belmont Local Court next Friday.

CCTV Footage Released Following Armed Robbery At Warners Bay

 

 Detectives investigating an armed robbery at a licensed premise near Newcastle earlier this year have released CCTV images and are appealing for public information that may assist their inquiries.

Just after 3am on Sunday 28 June 2020, two men – both armed with firearms – entered the storage area of a licensed premises on Hillsborough Road at Warners Bay and threatened a male staff member.

The men allegedly forced the employee to the ground, stealing his phone and wallet, as well as cash from the premises, before leaving the area.

The employee was not physically injured during the incident and officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were contacted.

With assistance from the Dog Unit, an extensive search of the area was conducted; however, the men were not located.

Initial inquiries were conducted by local police, before detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Milleara.

As part of ongoing inquires, Strike Force Milleara detectives conducted a secondary canvass of the licensed premises and surrounding areas earlier this month.

A section of North Creek was also searched with assistance of police divers from the Marine Area Command.

As inquiries continue, police are appealing to the public for information and have released CCTV of two men who may be able to assist with ongoing inquiries.

The men depicted in the CCTV footage are described as being about 170cm tall with a slim to medium build.

Both men are depicted wearing black pants, black jumpers and black face coverings. One of the men is seen to be carrying a black and white sports bag.

Robbery and Serious Crime Squad Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Grant Taylor, said investigators are urging the community to look closely at the CCTV images to help officers identify the men.

“Police believe this premises was specifically targeted by those involved, as there appears to have been a level of planning and familiarity with the area and surrounding streets,” Det A/Supt Taylor said.

“Investigators have made a number of inquiries to establish the movements of these individuals prior to the offence and immediately after and are calling on the community to assist.

“This offence is extremely serious and frightening, and we would urge anyone with information, or who may recognise the men in these images, to come forward,” Det A/Supt Taylor said.

Investigations under Strike Force Milleara are continuing.

 

A still image of the wanted men

Yacht Destroyed By Fire At Warners Bay

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed a yacht at Warners Bay overnight.

Crews from Cardiff and Teralba along with the Hazmat Unit from Newcastle were called to the Jetty off The Esplanade and Lake Street at 1.30am on Thursday to find the yacht hitched to the pier well alight.

They took about 90 minutes to fully extinguish and mop up the scene.

The yacht sank and will be salvaged today.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire.

Fire crews arrived to find the yacht engulfed in flames Picture; Fire & Rescue Cardiff

State COVID-19 Support Funds Start Flowing In Lake Macquarie

BY IAN CROUCH

Work is about to begin on landscaping work and pedestrian improvements at Swansea and Warners Bay.

The NSW Government is providing $300,000 to landscape the Pacific Highway roundabout to improve visual amenity when entering Swansea and to rebuild the footpath between Peel Street and the Swansea Bridge.

A further $50,000 is being spent to landscape The Esplanade and King Street roundabout at Warners Bay to improve visual amenity and enhance the line of sight by removing some larger shrubs.

The money is coming from the government's $2.3 billion Health and Economic Stimulus Package aimed at addressing the health and economic impacts associated with COVID-19.

Transport for NSW has engaged Lake Macquarie City Council to carry out the work, which starts today ( 9 June, 2020) at Warners Bay for four nights and at Swansea on Sunday 14 June for two weeks, weather permitting.

Work will be carried out Sundays to Thursdays between 7pm and 5am, weather permitting.

Transport for NSW Regional Director North, Anna Zycki said the government has provided Transport for NSW with funding to bring forward the delivery of projects and activities to support employment, boost business and strengthen communities across the state.

Ms Zycki said the safety of workers and the community would continue to be a priority.

"Efforts have increased to ensure construction workers comply with Australian and NSW public health directions in response to the COVID-19 outbreak," Ms Zycki said.

"Transport for NSW has proactively introduced processes on construction sites, including those being delivered by our local government partners, to reduce the risk of workers being exposed to COVID-19," she said.

Transport for NSW Regional Director North Anna Zycki

  

UPDATE! Three Arrested After Wild Pursuit Through Lake Macquarie

BY IAN CROUCH

Police have now arrested a fourth person allegedly involved in three separate pursuits in a stolen car around Lake Macquarie and Newcastle last Friday April 3.

Following further inquiries, officers went to a home in Norfolk Street at Cardiff just after 10.00pm on Friday and arrested a 19-year-old man.

He's been charged with eight offences, including two counts of be carried in a conveyance taken without consent of owner, two counts of obtain property by deception, receive stolen property - goods in custody suspected of being stolen, possess prohibited drug, and possess housebreaking implements.

EARLIER:

Three young men have been arrested after a wild pursuit around Lake Macquarie in a stolen car.

Patrolling police observed a VW Polo reported stolen from Cardiff on Myall Road at about 12.25am on Friday and began following the car when it failed to stop.

The chase was called off for safety reasons - another 2 pursuits in the Warners Bay and Cardiff areas were also called off for safety reasons.

Police say the car then ran a red light on Thomas Street at Wallsend and collided with a Subaru Liberty.

4 males ran from the car - 3 were arrested with the help of a police dog, while one remains on the run.

The males aged 20, 19 and 16 have been charged with a range of offences.

Anyone with dashcam footage of the car or the occupants is urged to call Belmont Police.

The crashed VW Polo On Thomas Street at Wallsend early Friday morning

Crews Battle Fire At Warners Bay Indian Restaurant

BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters are mopping up a fire an Indian restaurant at Warners Bay.

5 fire engines were called to the Bay Of India on the corner of King and John Street just before 6.30am on Monday to find a fire in the rear storage area.

They've managed to contain the blaze to restaurant and prevent it spreading to nearby shops.

Warners Bay Traffic Safety Tabled in Parliament

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A petition has been tabled in the NSW Legislative Council calling for a busy Warners Bay intersection to be assessed.

It comes after a 9-year-old girl was hit by a vehicle at a pedestrian crossing in the suburb on July 6, sustaining abdominal injuries.

Members of the Mount Hutton and Windale Residents Action Group have collected 722 signatures in the hopes of getting the crossroad of Warners Bay, Tennent and Progress Roads as well as Dunkley Parade assessed by traffic safety engineers.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald represented the Residents Group to his colleagues and says even though they're well below the 10,000 signature threshold for parliamentary debate, the petition represents good progress.

"There's not a debate at this stage," he said, "but I don't think that's a bad thing...in fact, there's no argument about the need to review this so even if there was a debate there'd be furious agreement."

Greg Foster from the Mount Hutton group agrees it's a very pleasing step forward.

"Most of our members have been getting down to Lake Macquarie Fair, getting signatures on the petition, and to get so many is a job well done," Mr Foster said.

The state government will now respond and advise an appropriate path forward including encouraging Council to review the roads.

Scot MacDonald and Greg Foster in parliament on Thursday. 

Warners Bay's New Fitness Trail

BY GRACE LANCASTER

Lake Macquarie Council has unveiled a $100,000 fitness trail at Warners Bay.

At 960 metres long, the trail begins at the Esplanade foreshore and features four exercise stations along the Lake, using funds from local developer contributions.

Residents will be getting fit first at the sit-up bench at the 350-metre mark, then at the 700-metre mark for a step-up station and at the finish line with a combination full-body exercise.

The University of Newcastle also participated with experts weighing in on which equipment to include.

Residents Rally for Hillsborough Road

BY SAM ISAAC AND LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Hillsborough and Warners Bay residents will gather at Hillsborough oval today at 9am, calling on the state government to release funding in the upcoming NSW 2018/19 budget for improvements to Hillsborough Road.

They'll share stories about accidents or near-misses along the stretch, with representatives from Lake Macquarie Council and Charlestown MP, Jodie Harrison to also address the crowd.

It's understood the RMS has been invited to attend but is yet to deliver an RSVP.

The busy arterial road runs through Warner's Bay and Cardiff South and has been a source of controversy for years.

Daily congestion means many residents struggle to enter and exit their own homes, often costing them 15 or 20 minutes in the morning.

They're also concerned about the dangers the road poses to motorists and pedestrians alike, following the tragic 2015 death of 15-year-old Jade Frith.

Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison says the government promised her a study on the road's problems and ways to remedy them back in 2015 but no upgrades have since been completed.

Hillsborough resident, Michael Nolan organised the meeting and says everyone living in the suburb has only two main entrances and exits, so Hillsborough Road needs to be de-congested.

"We've been petitioning the state government for five and a half years to release the Roads and Maritime report [the Lake Macquarie Network Study] to identify the problems along the Road and the solutions to those traffic issues...

"We've now got a draft copy of that report, which identifies that traffic lights will be put at the Chadwick Street and Hillsborough Road intersection," he continued, "so now we're hoping they'll act on the draft plans before...the next election."

Anyone passionate about the cause who can't make it to the meeting is urged to contact the office of Charlestown MP, Jodie Harrison or write to the office of Roads Minister, Melinda Pavey.

Flowers mourn the death of a 15-year-old girl on the busiest section of Hillsborough Rd, 2015.
Image: The Herald.

Hillsborough Road Upgrades

BY ARIANA GATTI

Work currently underway along Hillsborough Road in Warner's Bay now has a date set to be completed, by late June.

Around $4 million has been allocated to complete the upgrades over the next few months, with the aim to improve pedestrian safety around the area.

The changes are long overdue after the fatal accident involving young school-girl, Jade Frith, in 2016 resulting in her death.

Suspected plans will see a new set of traffic lights near the current main round-about along the road, with the induction of wider footpaths and installation of extra traffic lanes.

Member for Charlestown, Jodie Harrison, is expressing her concern for traffic congestion through each connecting road of the main round-about, causing driver frustration.

"There's also the issue of traffic congestion along Hillsborough Road. This pedestrian safety measure does not account for traffic build-up", she says.

"I'm really hoping, that in the future, there will be a set of traffic lights replacing what is currently the round-about".

The work will provide safer crossing measures for the general public, to prevent accidents of all calibres around the busy area.

Image sourced: https://www.theherald.com.au/story/3877856/tributes-flow-for-teenage-swimming-champion-jade-frith/

Man Charged After Girls Approached At Warners Bay

BY IAN CROUCH

A man has been charged with assault after he allegedly approached two schoolgirls at Warners Bay.

Police say the 12-year-old girls were taking part in a school sports activity on The Esplanade yesterday morning when the man called out to them.

It's claimed the 22-year-old touched one of the girls on the arm and tried to pull the other into a nearby arcade.

He was arrested at nearby hotel and is due to face Toronto Local Court next month charged with two counts of common assault and intimidation.

Firies gain upper hand on Warners Bay housefire

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE


UPDATE 1pm:

Firefighters have gained the upper hand on the housefire on Hughes Avenue, which is now contained.

It's understood no one was home at the time the inferno was sparked, however a small dog was rescued from the blaze.

One crew remains on scene to clean-up.

EARLIER:

A significant house fire is burning at a home on Hughes Avenue at Warners Bay.

Seven crews are attempting to contain the blaze, which is emitting a lot of smoke.

House fire on Hughes Avenue in Warners Bay. Video: Luke Taylor pic.twitter.com/AQEwKlqrhr

— Brodie Owen (@Brodie_Owen) February 5, 2018