UPDATE! West Wallsend Shooting: Man and Woman Charged

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man and woman are due to face court today (Friday 27 September, 2024) following a shooting at West Wallsend.

Police were called to reports of a shooting on O'Donnelltown Road at about 5.30pm on Thursday, arriving to find a 39-year-old man with gunshot wounds to both legs.

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

Police have been told the alleged victim met a 26-year-old man at the location, with the second man driving off before officers arrived.

A short time later, two men, aged 23 and 33, were arrested at Seaham Street in Holmesville.

They were taken to Belmont  Police Station and questioned, before later being released.

Then around 7.15pm, the 26-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman attended Toronto Police Station.

They were arrested and the man was charged with discharge firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing a loaded firearm in a public place.

The woman was charged with being an accessory after the fact.

Both have been refused bail to face Toronto Local Court today.  

Investigations into the incident are continuing.

EARLIER:

Three men and a woman are in police custody after an alleged shooting incident at West Wallsend.

Lake Macquarie police were called to O'Donnelltown Road just after 5.30pm on Thursday where they located a man in bushland with gunshots to both legs.

The 39-year-old was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

A short time later, police arrested four people - they are assisting officers with their inquiries.

Police say there is no ongoing threat to the public.

A crime scene has been set up as investigations continue. 

Police Investigate E-Scooter Fatality At West Wallsend

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an e-scooter rider at West Wallsend.

Emergency services were called to Appletree Road at about 12.15pm on Sunday to reports of a crash.

Police arrived to find the rider, a man in his 30's, had fallen from his electric scooter onto the roadway.

Despite the efforts of first responders and paramedics, the man died at the scene.

The man is yet to be formally identified.

The driver of a Toyota Hilux was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Anyone with information or who has CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

BREAKING! Emergency Services Called To Fatal Crash At West Wallsend

 BY IAN CROUCH

Emergency services are at the scene of a fatal crash at West Wallsend.

It's understood a vehicle ran off the road on George Booth Drive at about 4.40am on Wednesday and crashed down an embankment.

Police say the driver, who was the sole occupant, died at the scene.

A crime scene has been established as investigations get under way in the cause of the crash.

Bushfires Threaten Homes In The Lower Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

More strike teams are heading to the Lower Hunter on Friday morning to relieve weary firefighters battling a huge bushfire near Cessnock.

Three separate fires joined to create a dangerous fast-moving fire which threatened the townships of Abermain, Kurri Kurri, South Weston and Pelaw Main.

The fire has burnt through more than 600 hectares leaving Teasdale Tyres at Weston in ruins along with a number of homes.

Although the fire is listed at Advice level, work is continuing to bring the blaze under control.

Inspector Ben Shepherd from the Rural Fire Service says the exact number of properties lost is yet to be determined.

"We have what we call building impact assessment teams. They'll move across the fire ground today just trying to establish what exactly has been lost," he said.

Six schools are closed on Friday due to the fire threat.

They include Abermain, KurriI Kurri, Edwards, Pelaw Main and Weston Public Schools as well as Stanford Merthyr Infants School.

Almost 1600 properties remain without power around Abermain, Weston, Sawyers Gully and Neath. Ausgrid hopes to have complex repairs competed by 10.00am on Friday.

Meanwhile, a fire which threatened homes at West Wallsend has also been downgraded to Advice level overnight and is now under control after burning through more than 60 hectares.

Many residents were forced to flee their homes but there are no reports of property damage.

Both the M1 Pacific Motorway and Leggetts Drive at Richmond Vale have re-opened to traffic.

Crews will again be on alert on Saturday, with an elevated fire risk expected.

Teasdale Tyres and a car on fire at the height of the blaze. Picture Sky News

Police release CCTV in public appeal after West Wallsend armed robbery

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Police have released CCTV images in an appeal to the public for information, after an armed robbery in West Wallsend earlier this year. 

About 11.20pm on Sunday 15 May 2022, a man wearing a mask and armed with a firearm and knife, entered a service station on Withers Street. 

The man approached the counter and allegedly threatened an employee behind the counter, before demanding money and cigarettes. 

The man fled the store on foot, before the 27-year-old male employee, who was uninjured, notified police. 

Investigators have released CCTV images of a man who may be able to assist with inquiries. 

The man depicted is described as being approximately 170 to 175cm tall, of medium to large build, wearing a black hooded jumper with a ‘Tommy Hilfiger’ motif on the front, black tracksuit pants, black shoes, wearing blue medical gloves and a Guy Fawkes mask. 

Lake Macquarie Crime Manager Detective Chief Inspector Scott Parker says the incident was brazen and posed a significant danger to the employee as well as the community.

"While it’s fortunate no one was physically injured, the trauma inflicted on victims in incidents like this, especially when firearms are involved, can cause long-term damage," he said. 

"There are people in the community who would know who this man is. Whether you are a friend or family member, we urge you to do the right thing and contact police."

Anyone with information in relation to this incident is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police Called To Three Serious Crashes In Lake Macquarie

BY IAN  CROUCH

Lake Macquarie Police have been kept busy overnight with three serous crashes in the region.

Just after 8.30pm on Tuesday, a Holden Rodeo left Violet Town Road at Tingira Heights, crashing down an embankment, through a fence and coming to rest beside a large tree in the front yard of a home.

The occupants raced outside to find a man sitting in the driver's seat moments before he ran off.

Meanwhile, a woman in her mid 20's had to be freed from her overturned Nissan X-Trail after it was struck by a Hyundai I-Max on the Myall Road and Newcastle Street roundabout at Cardiff just before 9.30pm.

The woman was taken to the John Hunter Hospital with minor injuries.

Police say it's likely the young man driving the Hyundai will be issued a ticket for negligent driving.

And, a 28-year-old Holmesville man is due to face court next month accused of high range drink driving and other traffic offences after a crash at West Wallsend.

It's alleged the man was doing burnouts in a white Ford Falcon on Steam Close just before 10.30pm when he lost control and crashed through a fence into the front yard of a home.

No-one was injured.

Hendra Virus Detected At West Wallsend

BY IAN CROUCH

The NSW Chief Vet has confirmed a horse at West Wallsend has tested positive to the potentially deadly Hendra virus.

The virus is usually spread from flying foxes to horses, but it can also infect humans.

This case is the furthest south a positive result for the virus has been diagnosed and it appears to be a new strain.

Health authorities are assessing anyone who may have had contact with the infected horse.

A horse at West Wallsend has tested positive
 to the Hendra virus

Investigation Launched Into Fatal Motorbike Crash At West Wallsend

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are appealing for dash cam footage after a motorcyclist was killed in a crash at West Wallsend.

Emergency services were called to Boundary Street at about 3.30pm on Saturday afternoon to reports a motor bike had left the road and crashed into trees just south of Bridge Street.

Members of the public and Paramedics attempted CPR on the 18-year-old male rider, however he couldn't be revived and died at the scene.

A crime scene was established and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is underway.

A report is being prepared for the Coroner.

Anyone who can assist Police with their investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Plan To Revitalise West Wallsend By Celebrating Areas Rich History

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

A new heritage trail would guide visitors through West Wallsend’s rich history, cycleways would link to nearby networks and trees would line key streets under a new blueprint for the suburb.

The draft West Wallsend Master Plan will guide Council's public investment over the next 10-15 years, aiming to revitalise public spaces in West Wallsend’s town centre by using heritage as a key point of difference.

West Wallsend’s coal mining history dates back to 1888, when the first coal was extracted from West Wallsend No.1 Colliery.

By 1910, when a steam tram service commenced, the town was home to 6000 residents, two schools, a railway station and at least five hotels.

“West Wallsend is unique in Lake Macquarie for its location, its concentration of heritage buildings and its importance in our region’s mining history,” Lake Macquarie City Council Principal Strategic Planner Iain Moore said.

“Capitalising on these attributes will help the suburb thrive in years to come.”

Council was awarded a $100,000 NSW Government grant in 2018 under its Heritage Near Me program to help develop the Master Plan.

The plan includes a number of potential projects, including a central community park and facilities, a ‘Golden Mile’ heritage interpretive trail and restored heritage assets.

Other potential improvements outlined in the Master Plan include:

·         New on and off-road cycleway linking with key facilities and surrounding networks

·         Street trees on all roads within the central precinct

·         Upgraded pedestrian infrastructure to connect with community facilities

·         Speed limits reduced and measures put in place to increase pedestrian safety.

The draft West Wallsend Master Plan is on public exhibition until 7 July at  shape.lakemac.com.au/west-wallsend.

The community can provide feedback by completing an online survey or commenting on an interactive map.

Carrington Street in 1920

                                                              Carrington Street Today

Withers Street in 1910

Withers Street Today

Northumberland Hotel in 1940

Northumberland Hotel Today

Man To Face Court Over Alleged Kidnapping At West Wallsend

BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to front Maitland Local Court today accused of kidnapping and assaulting a woman.

Police say the 28-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman who are known to each other, were travelling in a Holden Commodore on Monday morning when he assaulted her at the intersection of the Pacific Highway and Northcott Drive, Adamstown Heights.

She managed to escape when the car stopped in King Street, Newcastle and raised the alarm at the court house.

It's alleged the man spotted her later that day at West Wallsend and forced her into his car before he eventually released her at a Cessnock Hotel.

Police arrested the man at the hotel yesterday.


He's been refused bail to face Maitland Local Court charged with two counts of common assault, contravene apprehended violence order and take/detain person with intent to obtain advantage.