Hunter man faces Parramatta court for using a carriage service

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Hunter man arrested by detectives from the State Crime Command's Sex Crimes Squad in Sydney yesterday will face court today.

In July Strike Force Trawler detectives began engaging online with the 31-year-old in a bid to catch him out.

Police will allege in court the man believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in sexually-explicit conversations the child and made arrangements to meet in person.

Yesterday (Thursday 7th September 2017) at about 10:20am strike force officers cornered the man on Church Street in Parramatta and arrested him.

Officers search the man and his backpack finding a large knife and also seizing a mobile phone.

He was taken to Paramatta Police Station and charged with using a carriage service to procure persons under 16 and also with carrying a knife upon apprehension.

The man was refused bail and faces Parramatta Local Court today.

(Images supplied by NSW Police Force)

Roadworks ramping up in Newcastle

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Construction works in Newcastle are being taken up a gear with night work going through until Wednesday this week.

The work is underway on Watt Street between Chruch and Scott Streets with the removal of asphalt and then the laying of the new road surface to be done through the night.

The noisy removal of asphalt will stop at 11pm.

It's all in preparation for the Newcastle 500, and Supercars Australia says it will be short-term pain for long-term gain with the upgrades set to benefit the city well into the future.

Supercars Event Manager Kurt Sakzewski said some of the underground infrastructure which is being replaced is more than a century old.

In addition, driveway and footpath upgrade works will continue during the day and Supercars Australia says they'll notify affected residents and businesses in advance if any access changes occur.

Supercars bring roadworks to Watt Street

BY MARISSA ALEXIOU

Watt Street traffic will be diverted between Scott Street and Church Street from this Thursday due to proposed construction works.

Working hours will be between Monday to Friday 7am - 5pm and 8am - 1pm on Saturdays.

The works are associated with the Newcastle 500 and Newcastle City Council renewal works occurring across multiple locations in the east end of Newcastle.

Watt Street will remain open for local traffic only, maintained via King Street.

The diversion will enable works including the erection of temporary security fencing, utility relocations, electrical works and pipe laying

Events Manger for Coates Hire Newcastle 500, Kurt Sakzewski said the main bodies of the work will be completed by the end of August.

Traffic control and detour signage will be in place, ensuring the safety of residents, the public and workers.

Road closures across the east end of Newcastle.
 Source: Jarrod Melmeth

Signage, traffic control and detours will ensure safety of residents.
Source: Jarrod Melmeth