Man charged over speeding, drink and drug driving offences at Anna Bay

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE 

A 24-year-old man told Raymond Terrace Highway Patrol Officers he was okay to drive and unaffected by alcohol and drugs, during a vehicle stop at Anna Bay overnight. 

Around 10pm Friday, 29 March 2024, police clocked a Ford Falcon sedan allegedly travelling 146km/hr in an 80 zone on Port Stephens Drive, Anna Bay. 

The P2 driver was stopped on Nelson Bay Road and subjected to a roadside breath test which police say returned a positive result. 

The Highway Patrol Officers say the man's girlfriend was in the car with him at the time, as he told officers the effects of alcohol and drugs did not impair his ability to drive. 

The man was arrested and taken to Nelson Bay Police Station for the purpose of a breath analysis, which returned a reading of 0.069. He was also made to do a drug test which allegedly returned a positive result to cannabis. 

Police are awaiting the analysis of the oral fluid sample. 

The man's licence was suspended, with the number plates to his sedan removed and registration suspended for 3 months. 

He will appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on the 6th May 2024 for the offences of exceeding speed over 45km/hr and driving with a low range PCA. 

It comes as police issue a warning to Hunter motorists that those speeding or driving dangerously over the Easter long weekend will be caught. Double demerits remain in force until Easter Monday, 1st April at 11:59pm. 

Teenage boys lead police on pursuit through Lake Macquarie following alleged car theft

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Two 16-year-old boys will face Parramatta Children's Court on a long list of offences after pursuits with police in the Lake Macquarie area overnight. 

Around 11:30pm on Friday, 29 March 2024, a Porsche, alleged to have been stolen, was sighted traveling on Main Road at Glendale. 

Police initiated a pursuit, terminating it shortly after, due to safety concerns. 

The car was monitored by PolAir travelling through local streets when officers successfully deployed road spikes, deflating two tires. 

It didn't stop the 16-year-old unlicenced driver however, with a pursuit again initiated before the Porsche finally stopped on Portland Drive at Cameron Park. 

The passenger, also aged 16, exited the car and fled into nearby bushland. With the assistance of the police helicopter, he was tracked down and the pair were arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station. 

The driver was charged with dangerous driving, not stopping during a pursuit, driving having never held a licence, and driving a car without the consent of the owner. 

Police say the Porsche involved was one of two luxury vehicles allegedly stolen from a property at Valentine on Wednesday, 27 March 2024. 

The passenger was charged with being carried in a car without the consent of the owner. 

The pair were refused bail to face court today. 

 

PM Launches Solar Sun Shot Program At Muswellbrook

 BY IAN CROUCH

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wants the Hunter to be at the forefront of solar panel manufacturing.

He visited the former Liddell Power Station at Muswellbrook on Friday to announce a $1 billion investment into the sector so more panels are made in Australia.

Currently, 99 per cent of solar panels on Australian rooves are made overseas.

The Prime Minister's office says the $1 billion Solar Sun Shot program will help Australia capture more of the global solar manufacturing supply chain through support, including production subsidies and grants.

First stage of Hillsborough road construction announced

 BY OLIVIA GOELDNER

The first stage of a 35 million dollar construction plan for Hillsborough Road at Warners Bay is set to begin construction next year. 

Upgrades to the 1.8 kilometre stretch of road from Newcastle Inner City Bypass roundabout to the existing duplication west of Crockett Street, are expected to take 18 months to complete depending on final staging arrangements. 

Stage one involves upgrades to the Crockett Street intersection, adding a set of traffic lights and duplicating 700 metres of road. 

Charlestown MP, Jodie Harrison has been lobbying for the upgrade since 2016 and says it will improve safety for motorists and pedestrians.

"With population growth, we know that we've had challenges on Hillsborough Road, and not very many years ago we also saw the tragic loss of a young girl. We're really focused on improving the safety and the congestion along Hillsborough Road," she said.

The first stage of the Hillsborough Road Upgrade is due to start next year

Newcastle Council Pushes For High Speed Rail Stop At Broadmeadow

 BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Council will write to the Chief Executive of the High Speed Rail Authority to outline its preferred location for a Newcastle stop.

At Tuesday's meeting, Councillors supported a Lord Mayoral minute urging Tim Parker to make Broadmeadow the Newcastle stop for the High Speed Rail route, saying it's the only viable location in the Greater Newcastle area due to its strategic location and planned redevelopment.

However, this is at odds with a study done for the federal government in 2013 which recommended Cameron Park to the south of the M1 Pacific Motorway as the preferred option, due to it's proximity to the Hunter Expressway and Newcastle Link Road.

The study found it would be too expensive to put the rail line into Newcastle saying it would require long lengths of tunnels or the acquisition of many homes and businesses, which would come at such a great expense as to outweigh the benefits of a closer stop.

A station at Hexham was also considered, but the study said Cameron Park would better serve the population to the south-west of Newcastle's center and the Lower Hunter, once the Expressway opened.

BREAKING! Large Yacht Destroyed By Fire At Nelson Bay

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed a large yacht moored at a Port Stephens marina.

Firefighters were called to the scene at about 7.30pm on Monday where the 70 foot yacht was well alight.

Crews were unable to access the vessel and an RFS boat was brought in to help prevent the fire from spreading to other craft moored nearby.

A boom was also placed around the yacht to contain 1000 litres of diesel onboard.

Police say the yacht has burnt to the water line and has sunk.

A fire crew remains on scene and it's expected a salvage operation will get under way sometime on Tuesday.

The cause of the fire has not been determined and no-one was injured.

Fire has destroyed a luxury yacht at Nelson Bay. Picture: Kearsley Fire & Rescue

 

 

Four Teens Arrested Over Alleged Pursuit In Stolen Car Through Lake Macquarie And Newcastle

 BY IAN CROUCH

Four teens are fronting the children's court today (Monday 25 March, 2024) accused of leading police on a pursuit in a stolen car.

Officers began following the Hyundai Sonata at Argenton just before 11.00pm on Sunday - the vehicle had earlier been reported stolen from Warabrook

Road spikes were deployed on the Newcastle Link Road at Wallsend and the car finally came to a stop on Beaumont Street at Hamilton.

The driver, a 14-year-old boy, and his three passengers - two boys aged 14 and 16, and a 16-year-old girl were arrested.

The driver was charged with drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously, not give particulars to other driver, and breach of bail.

The two male passengers were charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

The female passenger was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, possess prohibited drug, and breach of bail.