The Sturt Highway remains closed near Wagga Wagga after a single vehicle accident early this morning.
About 1.20am today (Friday 7 August 2015), police located a Mitsubishi Magna on its roof on the Sturt Highway, west of Wagga Wagga.
The 34-year-old male driver was found with serious spinal and internal injuries and was taken to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital in a serious condition.
The Sturt Highway remains closed at Yarragundry and motorists are asked to use alternative routes.
Motorists and residents are reminded of changes to traffic conditions in Sydney’s CBD and Eastern Suburbs for this weekend’s City2Surf.
More than 80,000 people have registered to take part in one of the world’s largest runs from the city to Bondi Beach on Sunday (9 August 2015).
Police will launch Operation Northcove to ensure the safety and security of City2Surf participants, spectators and volunteers, and minimise the impact of the event of the community.
The high-visibility operation will be in place at the start and finish areas and along the race route, and involves officers from across Central Metropolitan Region, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Dog Unit, Mounted Unit, and Police Transport Command.
Operation Northcove Commander, Superintendent Allan Sicard, said police and other Government agencies have been working closely with event organisers to ensure a safe and secure event.
“City2Surf has been one of Sydney’s favourite winter events for more than 40 years and our priority is to ensure it is safe for the tens of thousands of runners this year,” Supt Sicard said.
“There will be significant road closures in Sydney’s CBD and throughout the Eastern Suburbs, but we are striving to minimise the impact on residents and the wider community.
“There will be road closures from 3.30am in Sydney’s CBD at the start lines on College, William, and Park Streets, and from 4.30am on Macquarie Street and Prince Albert and St James Roads.
“The roads on the rest of the race route through to Bondi Beach will close from 7am.”
The route follows William Street to New South Head Road; right onto Old South Head Road; left into Military Road and onto Campbell Parade; and left into Queen Elizabeth Drive, before finishing at Bondi Beach.
Roads should start reopening in the CBD, Kings Cross, Darlinghurst and Edgecliff about midday, while all other roads in the Eastern Suburbs will remain closed until 4pm.
City2Surf participants and spectators are also reminded Bondi Beach and Bondi Park are alcohol-prohibited areas, which will be enforced by police.
“In addition, we will have officers in around the finish line at Bondi throughout the day to reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related crime,” Supt Sicard said.
Motorists are also reminded to carefully check signage before parking their car – particularly late on Saturday night.
“Special event clearways will be in place in the CBD between 1am and midday and between 1am and 4pm in the Eastern Suburbs on Sunday,” Supt Sicard said.
“Vehicles left in special event clearways – even those with local parking permits – will be towed and fees apply.”
For all special event traffic information, including road closures, clearways and cycleway closures, visit www.livetraffic.com or call 132 701.
“Don’t forget, travel on the public transport network is free for competitors, and it is the best option to get to and from the City2Surf,” Supt Sicard said.
“While road closures are in place, there will be changes to a number of bus services between the CBD and Eastern Suburbs, so allow a little extra time and check to make sure your stop is still on the route.
“Sydney Buses are running additional services from Bondi Beach to Bondi Junction at the end of the race to help get everyone home.
“We will have officers from Police Transport Command patrolling the Bondi Junction public transport interchange to keep the area safe,” Supt Sicard said.
Visit www.transportnsw.info to plan your trip on trains, buses, ferries and light rail. There are also a number of real-time apps to track your service.
Supt Sicard also reminded runners to avoid the crowds at the City2Surf Fitness & Health Expo, by attending today, or expect delays tomorrow.
“Our best advice is to arrive at the Expo early to pick-up your bib and drop off your finish line gear,” Supt Sicard said.
“This year, the gear drop-off service will be limited on the day of the race, but it can easily be checked-in with event staff at the Expo for delivery to the finish line.
“By planning ahead, you can make your trip to the expo and the lead-up to the race less stressful,” Supt Sicard said.
All City2Surf information can be found on the official website: www.city2surf.com.au.
City2Surf participants are being urged to make a plan for to pick up their bibs and drop-off their gear ahead of this weekend’s fun run.
Event organisers are expecting large crowds at Royal Hall of Industries at Moore Park, from today (Thursday 6 August 2015) through Saturday (8 August 2015), as participants prepare for the race at the City2Surf Fitness & Health Expo.
With more than 80,000 people registered to take part in the world’s largest run from Sydney CBD to Bondi Beach on Sunday (9 August 2015), runners are urged to attend the Expo early or expect delays.
Police will launch Operation Northcove on Sunday to ensure the safety and security of City2Surf participants, spectators and volunteers.
Operation Northcove Commander, Superintendent Allan Sicard, said planning your trip to the expo will make the lead-up to the race less stressful.
“Like any major event, our best advice to participants is to plan ahead, which includes arriving at the Expo early to pick-up your bib and drop off your finish line gear,” Supt Sicard said.
“This year, the gear drop-off service will be limited on the day of the race, but it can easily be checked-in with event staff at the Expo for delivery to the finish line.”
Supt Sicard said part of the plan should include public transport, as it is the best way for participants to get to the Expo.
“With more than 80,000 people registered for the City2Surf, we are expecting large crowds to make their way to Moore Park over the three days, which will impact traffic in the area,” Supt Sicard said.
“Sydney buses have regular services to the area from Sydney CBD, Circular Quay and the Eastern Suburbs and on Saturday, taking the stress out of travel.
“On Saturday, there will be free shuttle services from Central Station to Moore Park – participants just need to show the driver a copy of their Expo registration confirmation to board.”
For more information on travelling to and from the Expo and to plan your trip, visit www.transportnsw.info.
“Anyone who must drive to Moore Park is urged to attend on Thursday or Friday or expect delays,” Supt Sicard said.
“We are anticipating it will be busiest on Saturday and can become congested quickly, so motorists should arrive early to avoid disappointment.
“In addition, there will be special event clearways in place from 6am to 6pm, so motorists should check signage before parking. Vehicles left in clearways will be towed and a fee applies,” Supt Sicard said.
For all City2Surf traffic information, including the Fitness & Health Expo and race day, visit www.livetraffic.com.
Visit the official website for all City2Surf information: www.city2surf.com.au.
Police are appealing for information after several firearms were stolen during three break-ins in Tamworth yesterday.
Between 11am and 12pm yesterday (Wednesday 5 August 2015), three houses on Semillion Drive were broken into.
During the incidents, a number of items were stolen, including several silver coins, four rifles and ammunition.
Officers from Oxley Local Area Command attended and established several crime scenes, which were examined by specialist forensic officers.
Witnesses have told police they saw two men run from one of the premises and get into the rear of a white-coloured late model Holden Commodore sedan, which then left the scene.
Detectives are appealing for anyone with information which may assist the investigation to contact Tamworth police on (02) 6768 2999 or Crime Stoppers.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding an aggravated break-in at a home at Cooks Hill earlier today.
About 3am (Thursday 6 August 2015), a 75-year-old man was at his Tooke Street home with his 68-year-old wife.
The man heard a noise at the rear glass sliding door and went to investigate.
He walked into the back room of the premises and saw a man attempting to force entry.
The offender was unsuccessful and was seen to walk around the front of the home and force entry through the front door.
He confronted the two occupants in the hallway of the home and demanded their wallets while threatening them with a screwdriver.
He walked into the couple’s bedroom and stole a mobile phone and a wallet before running from the premises.
A handbag belonging to the 68-year-old woman was located in the driveway.
Police from Newcastle Local Area Command attended the home and an investigation was commenced.
The man has been described as Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander in appearance, 20-30-years-old with a thin build and average height. At the time of the incident he was wearing a light grey coloured jacket with the hood over his head,
Neither occupant was injured during the break-in, and police are now appealing for anyone with information to contact them at Newcastle Police Station on (02)4929 0999, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police seized prohibited drugs and an electronic stun device disguised as a mobile phone during a search of a home in Windale today.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command executed the search warrant in Myall Street about 10.30am (Wednesday 5 August 2015).
During the search, police seized an electronic stun device disguised as a mobile phone, along with drug paraphernalia.
Officers also searched a 26-year-old man who lives at the residence, during which they allegedly located an amount of methylamphetmine (“Ice”) inside his shoe.
Police arrested the man and took him to Charlestown Police Station, where he was charged with possess drug, possess prohibited weapon, and operate drug house.
He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 6 August 2015).
Also located inside the premises was a 17-year-old male. He was arrested and charged in relation to five outstanding warrants.
He will appear before a children’s court tomorrow.
THE Islamic Society of Albury-Wodonga is proposing a major redevelopment of its Lavington place of worship.
The society has submitted a development application to Albury Council to demolish its existing converted weatherboard house in Wagga Road which has been its base since 2013.
Subject to planning approval, the society will replace the existing property with a 299-square metre mosque.
Other works proposed include replacing see-through fencing and gates on Wagga Road and relocating an existing shed on the property.
The redevelopment will cost around $318,000.
The development application describes the proposed mosque as a “community facility” and will service the 400-plus Muslims who live in Albury-Wodonga.
The 1185 square metre site is zoned general residential under the Albury local environmental plan, but a “place of worship” is permitted with council consent.
Prayer sessions are held daily between 7.30am and 9pm.
Parking is contained within the property and there is minimal noise generated from the site.
The biggest number of people on site is about 50 around noon on Fridays.
The majority of Muslims living in Albury-Wodonga come from Sydney or Melbourne.
They are participating in the immigration visa scheme whereby they have to live in a regional area for two years and work for one before they can obtain permanent residency.
Some opt to return to the bigger cities once they have permanent residency but a growing number are deciding to stay locally which has driven the demand for a larger place of worship.
The original application for the Wagga Road place of worship was approved by council staff in early 2013 under delegated authority.
Society president Yakub Mohammed couldn’t be contacted for comment.
But since being based in Wagga Road the society has made many attempts to have an “open door” policy to the wider public to breakdown misconceptions about its beliefs.
Blueprint Planning has lodged the development application on behalf of the society.
FOUR youths are in custody after their car hit police road spikes on the Hume Freeway near Wodonga.
The white Ford sedan was northbound on the freeway just west of the Melrose Drive bridge when it crashed on Wednesday morning.
Inspector David Ryan, of Wangaratta police, said the officers had been made aware of the Ford driving erratically earlier in the morning and had been patrolling the area at the time the car came through.
He said the police had stopped another car when the Ford went into the right-hand lane of the freeway and struck the spikes, ending up in the centre median strip.
The youths were not seriously injured and taken to Wodonga police station for questioning.
Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command are appealing for information to help locate a woman wanted by virtue of outstanding warrants.
Melissa Hardy, 27, currently has two outstanding warrants for her arrest, for stealing and breach of a good-behaviour bond.
She’s been known to reside in the Mayfield and Hamilton South areas.
Melissa Hardy is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 160 to 165cm tall, 50 to 55kg in weight, with a medium build, brown hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with information about Melissa Hardy’s whereabouts should contact Newcastle Police on 0249 290999 or Crime Stoppers.
A 44-year-old man has been charged with assault causing death after a man died near Newcastle yesterday.
Around 3pm (Tuesday 4 August 2015), emergency services were called to an industrial site on Old Maitland Road at Sandgate where they found a 45-year-old man unconscious.
The 45-year-old was taken to John Hunter Hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.
Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and were told two men had been involved in an argument following a minor collision between a truck and a forklift.
A 44-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Waratah Police Station where he was later charged with assault causing death.
Bail refused, he is scheduled to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 5 August 2015).