Man Accused of Mail Theft in Charlestown

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Police investigating a series of break-ins around the Lake Macquarie region earlier this month have arrested and charged a Windale man.

The charges relate to three break and enters at Charlestown, one at a tavern and the other two at commercial premises between July 7th to 12th.

Officers have also received reports of mail being stolen from over 20 letterboxes belonging to Charlestown businesses.

Following inquiries, police arrested a 33-year-old man on South Street, Windale before he was taken to Belmont Police Station.

He's facing 10 charges, including the Commonwealth offence of appropriating postal messages, and will face Toronto Local Court today.

Image: Telegraph. 

DA Lodged for Significant Black Hill Project

BY JARROD MELMETH

New subdivision plans for two industrial estates at Black Hill have been lodged with Newcastle City Council and are hoped to drive development in the Lower Hunter.

The two parcels of land, with a combined area of almost 400 hectares, are owned by Central Coast company, The Stevens Group and the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

The lodgement of the development application follows protest from surrounding residents who believe the proposal will have day-to-day impacts such as visual, traffic and habitat loss as well as posing a threat to the rural and recreational nature and character of the Black Hill area.

Stevens Group Director, Brett Harrod said the company is committed to ensuring environmental standards are met.

"If you look at any of our projects, we take a great deal of time, effort and energy to ensure that everything that we do is compliant with all of the codes.

"We also have an underlying philosophy in all of our projects that our sites and developments are something that we can be proud of," Mr Harrod said.

State Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery said while she welcomes the economic advantages the development will bring to the region, State and Federal governments must ensure the appropriate infrastructure is in place before proceeding.

Nine Mile beach 4WD restrictions

BY KYLE CARROLL

An inspection took place last week at Belmont's Nine Mile beach to decide whether future restrictions to 4WD's will occur.

Representatives of council’s coastal management committee underwent the inspection to determine whether the use of 4WDs on the beach are degrading the sand dune system.

4WD enthusiasts across the Hunter are rallying to prevent these restrictions from occurring, with Councillor John Gilbert establishing a Facebook page titled, 'Keep Nine Mile Beach Open'.

It has over 1000 members following, within 48 hours of being established.

The popular beach saw 870 vehicles on Australia Day this year, all paying permit fees to maintain the condition of the beach for future beach-goers.

Councillor John Gilbert says this is a power-play against passionate four-wheel drivers.

"Obviously, they are making plenty of money from permits which should be enough to enforce existing conditions.”

The inspection report is due by the end of the year and depending on the findings 4WD may be limited to certain strips of the beach.

"It's going to happen unless we fight it".

9 Mile Beach. Image: Newcastle Herald

Cyclist Injured in Hit and Run, Tighes Hill

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A cyclist has suffered multiple fractures after being clipped by a car at Tighes Hill yesterday afternoon.

Around 4:40pm, the 41-year-old cyclist was riding down Maitland Road when he was hit by a car whose driver, a 36-year-old Raymond Terrace man, failed to stop.

The driver continued down Maitland Road for about a kilometre before colliding with a parked car near the Church Street intersection.

Newcastle Police say the man has undergone mandatory blood and urine testing and has been charged with dangerous driving, while the cyclist is now recovering in the John Hunter Hospital.

Ask For Angela Campaign Rolling Out Across State

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

It's hoped the new 'Ask for Angela' safety campaign being rolled out by the State Government will soon make its way to the Hunter.

The campaign encourages patrons at participating venues to ask staff for 'Angela' if they feel unsafe, triggering an automatic response from staff who will discreetly assist the patron by escorting them to safety or contacting authorities.

'Ask for Angela' was launched in venues across the Sydney CBD over the weekend and University of Newcastle Criminology lecturer, Dr Xanthe Mallett, would like to see it rolled out in the Hunter.

Dr Mallett says the key to the program's success is that worried patrons won't feel pressured to explain the details of their situation, and venue staff will be correctly trained in how to respond.

"It gives people a really quick, simple way of expressing concern that other people can understand," Dr Mallett said.

"Even if it's just one person, even that is better than the current situation that we have."

Originating in England, the 'Ask for Angela' campaign has already been trialled successfully across New South Wales in Wagga Wagga, Albury, Orange and Byron Bay.

Picture: Liquor & Gaming NSW

Man Struck on Head During Cardiff Home Invasion

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Police are on the hunt for a trio of robbers who assaulted a man during a Cardiff home invasion early yesterday morning.

Just after 1am, the 77-year-old was woken by knocking at the front door of his home in Penylan Street.

Moments later, three men forced their way inside and confronted the occupant before hitting him about the head with a firearm.

The men demanded money before fleeing with the man's wallet and mobile phone - a neighbour then came to the occupant's assistance and called police.

He was taken to the John Hunter with a minor head injury, while police established a crime scene and are appealing to the public for information about the break-in.

Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.

Two Charged After Stolen Car Pursuit Around Newcastle

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A man and woman are set to face court after leading Newcastle Police on a land and sky pursuit over the weekend.

Following reports an Audi had been stolen from Charlestown around 10:30 on Saturday morning, the PolAir helicopter spotted the vehicle in New Lambton, monitoring it travelling through Lambton, Rankin Park and Wallsend before it was abandoned in Tyrell Street.

PolAir crews then spotted the Audi's three occupants steal a Suzuki Swift, driving it through Minmi, Lenaghan and eventually exiting off the motorway onto Wallsend Link Road.

The Swift was driven into bushland as the occupants fled.

Police on land, with help from the Dog Unit, tracked down a 27-year-old man and 18-year-old woman, arresting them and taking them to Newcastle Police Station.

The man was charged with multiple offences and the woman with being carried in conveyance.

They'll face court later this month, while police are still searching for the third man involved.