'Dangerous eyesore': council calls for end to Horseshoe beach stalemate
Horseshoe beach car park and the nearby dunes have become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and are apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there.
The council stopped all regulatory action in the Horseshoe beach area about 12 months ago.
Liberal councillors Jenny Barrie and Callum Pull have put forward a motion to Tuesday's council meeting calling on Transport for NSW (TFNSW) to come to the table on a solution.
The report acknowledges residents' concerns and said the "unkept state" of the area has turned one of the best locations in Newcastle into a "dangerous eyesore".
A report to councillors said City of Newcastle (CN) had not been able to resolve a service agreement with TFNSW, which would ensure maintenance and management of the precinct, since the end of Newcastle 500.
With no signposted parking restrictions in place, the car park is being used for short and long-term parking and has become home to rough sleepers living out of their vehicles.
The motion to councillors argues that if proper parking restriction signs are in place, the council will have the authority to enforce the rules in the car park.
TFNSW told the Newcastle Herald last week it planned to replace "no overnight camping" signs, which were removed by unknown persons. The new signs will permit four-hour parking and the towing away of vehicles as required.
A TFNSW spokeswoman said it is acting to ensure the safety of locals and visitors following reports of antisocial behaviour from people overstaying at the car park.
"Transport has worked with NSW Police to identify owners of some personal belongings at the carpark and ensure their return," she said.
"Transport prioritises the amenity and cleanliness of our assets. Transport crews cleaned the site Friday, including the removal of items from a former camper.
"Transport has always been responsible for cleaning the beach and has spent an average of $20,000 per annum in doing so."
Last month, a man was arrested at a caravan parked at Horseshoe beach after it was alleged that he chased another man with a loaded speargun, struck him with a golf club and damaged his car with a shovel.
In May, fisherman Shane Ross said he was violently assaulted after an altercation at the car park.
Mr Ross said he was punched through the window of his car and had his keys smashed before the assailant ran off.
On Tuesday, councillors will decide whether to formally call on TFNSW to address safety issues at around Horseshoe beach, signpost parking restrictions, and finalise a service agreement with the council.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said he has approached the minister on the issue and is aware TFNSW has been negotiating with the council for some time.
"CN has made it clear that they would not come to an agreement until those in vans and those living rough have been moved on," he said.
Mr Crakanthorp said TFNSW, NSW Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers.
"I have been working with TFNSW and police, and I understand that the gazetting of new signage is imminent and signs will be erected following the required notification time," he said.
"TFNSW has started a progressive clean-up of waste in the area.
"This is a complex matter where we need to support those experiencing homelessness and also resolve the ongoing issue of management. I have met with the minister and asked her to escalate this."
"This included maintenance of the car park, the surrounding assets, and included reduced regulatory presence in the TFNSW area," the report to councillors said.
"Due to safety becoming an unacceptable risk to our staff and with no direction on applicable controls or resourcing from TFNSW, CN ceased all regulatory action in the area approximately 12 months ago."
The report said cleaning Horseshoe beach and the northern end of Camp Shortland costs Newcastle ratepayers about $400,000 each year.
If approved, the council will write to Mr Crakanthorp, Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Jenny Aitchison and TFNSW asking for the matter to be resolved.
The council claims it has contacted TFNSW on multiple occasions, as far back as January 2024, about the issue.
The report said meetings have been held during the past year, but more recently had been "cancelled by TFNSW for unknown reasons".
"TFNSW and the state member for Newcastle have been informed by CN that its parking officers will not undertake parking patrols until the car park is safe and a service agreement is in place for the HBP [Horseshoe Beach precinct]," the report said.
The council said it has made recommendations to TFNSW to address long-term parking in the area and has offered to make and install signage once TFNSW decides what actions it wants to take.
A STALEMATE between the City of Newcastle and Transport for NSW has seen one of the "best locations in Newcastle" become a "dangerous eyesore".
Horseshoe beach car park and the nearby dunes have become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and are apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there.
The council stopped all regulatory action in the Horseshoe beach area about 12 months ago.
Liberal councillors Jenny Barrie and Callum Pull have put forward a motion to Tuesday's council meeting calling on Transport for NSW (TFNSW) to come to the table on a solution.
The report acknowledges residents' concerns and said the "unkept state" of the area has turned one of the best locations in Newcastle into a "dangerous eyesore".
A report to councillors said City of Newcastle (CN) had not been able to resolve a service agreement with TFNSW, which would ensure maintenance and management of the precinct, since the end of Newcastle 500.
With no signposted parking restrictions in place, the car park is being used for short and long-term parking and has become home to rough sleepers living out of their vehicles.
The motion to councillors argues that if proper parking restriction signs are in place, the council will have the authority to enforce the rules in the car park.
TFNSW told the Newcastle Herald last week it planned to replace "no overnight camping" signs, which were removed by unknown persons. The new signs will permit four-hour parking and the towing away of vehicles as required.
A TFNSW spokeswoman said it is acting to ensure the safety of locals and visitors following reports of antisocial behaviour from people overstaying at the car park.
"Transport has worked with NSW Police to identify owners of some personal belongings at the carpark and ensure their return," she said.
"Transport prioritises the amenity and cleanliness of our assets. Transport crews cleaned the site Friday, including the removal of items from a former camper.
"Transport has always been responsible for cleaning the beach and has spent an average of $20,000 per annum in doing so."
Last month, a man was arrested at a caravan parked at Horseshoe beach after it was alleged that he chased another man with a loaded speargun, struck him with a golf club and damaged his car with a shovel.
In May, fisherman Shane Ross said he was violently assaulted after an altercation at the car park.
Mr Ross said he was punched through the window of his car and had his keys smashed before the assailant ran off.
On Tuesday, councillors will decide whether to formally call on TFNSW to address safety issues at around Horseshoe beach, signpost parking restrictions, and finalise a service agreement with the council.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said he has approached the minister on the issue and is aware TFNSW has been negotiating with the council for some time.
"CN has made it clear that they would not come to an agreement until those in vans and those living rough have been moved on," he said.
Mr Crakanthorp said TFNSW, NSW Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers.
"I have been working with TFNSW and police, and I understand that the gazetting of new signage is imminent and signs will be erected following the required notification time," he said.
"TFNSW has started a progressive clean-up of waste in the area.
"This is a complex matter where we need to support those experiencing homelessness and also resolve the ongoing issue of management. I have met with the minister and asked her to escalate this."
"This included maintenance of the car park, the surrounding assets, and included reduced regulatory presence in the TFNSW area," the report to councillors said.
"Due to safety becoming an unacceptable risk to our staff and with no direction on applicable controls or resourcing from TFNSW, CN ceased all regulatory action in the area approximately 12 months ago."
The report said cleaning Horseshoe beach and the northern end of Camp Shortland costs Newcastle ratepayers about $400,000 each year.
If approved, the council will write to Mr Crakanthorp, Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Jenny Aitchison and TFNSW asking for the matter to be resolved.
The council claims it has contacted TFNSW on multiple occasions, as far back as January 2024, about the issue.
The report said meetings have been held during the past year, but more recently had been "cancelled by TFNSW for unknown reasons".
"TFNSW and the state member for Newcastle have been informed by CN that its parking officers will not undertake parking patrols until the car park is safe and a service agreement is in place for the HBP [Horseshoe Beach precinct]," the report said.
The council said it has made recommendations to TFNSW to address long-term parking in the area and has offered to make and install signage once TFNSW decides what actions it wants to take.
A STALEMATE between the City of Newcastle and Transport for NSW has seen one of the "best locations in Newcastle" become a "dangerous eyesore".
Horseshoe beach car park and the nearby dunes have become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and are apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there.
The council stopped all regulatory action in the Horseshoe beach area about 12 months ago.
Liberal councillors Jenny Barrie and Callum Pull have put forward a motion to Tuesday's council meeting calling on Transport for NSW (TFNSW) to come to the table on a solution.
The report acknowledges residents' concerns and said the "unkept state" of the area has turned one of the best locations in Newcastle into a "dangerous eyesore".
A report to councillors said City of Newcastle (CN) had not been able to resolve a service agreement with TFNSW, which would ensure maintenance and management of the precinct, since the end of Newcastle 500.
With no signposted parking restrictions in place, the car park is being used for short and long-term parking and has become home to rough sleepers living out of their vehicles.
The motion to councillors argues that if proper parking restriction signs are in place, the council will have the authority to enforce the rules in the car park.
TFNSW told the Newcastle Herald last week it planned to replace "no overnight camping" signs, which were removed by unknown persons. The new signs will permit four-hour parking and the towing away of vehicles as required.
A TFNSW spokeswoman said it is acting to ensure the safety of locals and visitors following reports of antisocial behaviour from people overstaying at the car park.
"Transport has worked with NSW Police to identify owners of some personal belongings at the carpark and ensure their return," she said.
"Transport prioritises the amenity and cleanliness of our assets. Transport crews cleaned the site Friday, including the removal of items from a former camper.
"Transport has always been responsible for cleaning the beach and has spent an average of $20,000 per annum in doing so."
Last month, a man was arrested at a caravan parked at Horseshoe beach after it was alleged that he chased another man with a loaded speargun, struck him with a golf club and damaged his car with a shovel.
In May, fisherman Shane Ross said he was violently assaulted after an altercation at the car park.
Mr Ross said he was punched through the window of his car and had his keys smashed before the assailant ran off.
On Tuesday, councillors will decide whether to formally call on TFNSW to address safety issues at around Horseshoe beach, signpost parking restrictions, and finalise a service agreement with the council.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said he has approached the minister on the issue and is aware TFNSW has been negotiating with the council for some time.
"CN has made it clear that they would not come to an agreement until those in vans and those living rough have been moved on," he said.
Mr Crakanthorp said TFNSW, NSW Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers.
"I have been working with TFNSW and police, and I understand that the gazetting of new signage is imminent and signs will be erected following the required notification time," he said.
"TFNSW has started a progressive clean-up of waste in the area.
"This is a complex matter where we need to support those experiencing homelessness and also resolve the ongoing issue of management. I have met with the minister and asked her to escalate this."
"This included maintenance of the car park, the surrounding assets, and included reduced regulatory presence in the TFNSW area," the report to councillors said.
"Due to safety becoming an unacceptable risk to our staff and with no direction on applicable controls or resourcing from TFNSW, CN ceased all regulatory action in the area approximately 12 months ago."
The report said cleaning Horseshoe beach and the northern end of Camp Shortland costs Newcastle ratepayers about $400,000 each year.
If approved, the council will write to Mr Crakanthorp, Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Jenny Aitchison and TFNSW asking for the matter to be resolved.
The council claims it has contacted TFNSW on multiple occasions, as far back as January 2024, about the issue.
The report said meetings have been held during the past year, but more recently had been "cancelled by TFNSW for unknown reasons".
"TFNSW and the state member for Newcastle have been informed by CN that its parking officers will not undertake parking patrols until the car park is safe and a service agreement is in place for the HBP [Horseshoe Beach precinct]," the report said.
The council said it has made recommendations to TFNSW to address long-term parking in the area and has offered to make and install signage once TFNSW decides what actions it wants to take.
A STALEMATE between the City of Newcastle and Transport for NSW has seen one of the "best locations in Newcastle" become a "dangerous eyesore".
Horseshoe beach car park and the nearby dunes have become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and are apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there.
The council stopped all regulatory action in the Horseshoe beach area about 12 months ago.
Liberal councillors Jenny Barrie and Callum Pull have put forward a motion to Tuesday's council meeting calling on Transport for NSW (TFNSW) to come to the table on a solution.
The report acknowledges residents' concerns and said the "unkept state" of the area has turned one of the best locations in Newcastle into a "dangerous eyesore".
A report to councillors said City of Newcastle (CN) had not been able to resolve a service agreement with TFNSW, which would ensure maintenance and management of the precinct, since the end of Newcastle 500.
With no signposted parking restrictions in place, the car park is being used for short and long-term parking and has become home to rough sleepers living out of their vehicles.
The motion to councillors argues that if proper parking restriction signs are in place, the council will have the authority to enforce the rules in the car park.
TFNSW told the Newcastle Herald last week it planned to replace "no overnight camping" signs, which were removed by unknown persons. The new signs will permit four-hour parking and the towing away of vehicles as required.
A TFNSW spokeswoman said it is acting to ensure the safety of locals and visitors following reports of antisocial behaviour from people overstaying at the car park.
"Transport has worked with NSW Police to identify owners of some personal belongings at the carpark and ensure their return," she said.
"Transport prioritises the amenity and cleanliness of our assets. Transport crews cleaned the site Friday, including the removal of items from a former camper.
"Transport has always been responsible for cleaning the beach and has spent an average of $20,000 per annum in doing so."
Last month, a man was arrested at a caravan parked at Horseshoe beach after it was alleged that he chased another man with a loaded speargun, struck him with a golf club and damaged his car with a shovel.
In May, fisherman Shane Ross said he was violently assaulted after an altercation at the car park.
Mr Ross said he was punched through the window of his car and had his keys smashed before the assailant ran off.
On Tuesday, councillors will decide whether to formally call on TFNSW to address safety issues at around Horseshoe beach, signpost parking restrictions, and finalise a service agreement with the council.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said he has approached the minister on the issue and is aware TFNSW has been negotiating with the council for some time.
"CN has made it clear that they would not come to an agreement until those in vans and those living rough have been moved on," he said.
Mr Crakanthorp said TFNSW, NSW Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers.
"I have been working with TFNSW and police, and I understand that the gazetting of new signage is imminent and signs will be erected following the required notification time," he said.
"TFNSW has started a progressive clean-up of waste in the area.
"This is a complex matter where we need to support those experiencing homelessness and also resolve the ongoing issue of management. I have met with the minister and asked her to escalate this."
"This included maintenance of the car park, the surrounding assets, and included reduced regulatory presence in the TFNSW area," the report to councillors said.
"Due to safety becoming an unacceptable risk to our staff and with no direction on applicable controls or resourcing from TFNSW, CN ceased all regulatory action in the area approximately 12 months ago."
The report said cleaning Horseshoe beach and the northern end of Camp Shortland costs Newcastle ratepayers about $400,000 each year.
If approved, the council will write to Mr Crakanthorp, Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Jenny Aitchison and TFNSW asking for the matter to be resolved.
The council claims it has contacted TFNSW on multiple occasions, as far back as January 2024, about the issue.
The report said meetings have been held during the past year, but more recently had been "cancelled by TFNSW for unknown reasons".
"TFNSW and the state member for Newcastle have been informed by CN that its parking officers will not undertake parking patrols until the car park is safe and a service agreement is in place for the HBP [Horseshoe Beach precinct]," the report said.
The council said it has made recommendations to TFNSW to address long-term parking in the area and has offered to make and install signage once TFNSW decides what actions it wants to take.
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Needles reportedly spotted at Horseshoe beach amid ongoing clean-up
Needles have been spotted on Horseshoe beach amid the ongoing clean-up of the surrounding area. Novocastrians reportedly stumbled upon what looked like discarded needles along the waterfront last week. While Transport for NSW said they weren't aware of needle waste specifically, they were working with Maritime Environmental Services to arrange a clean-up of the beach and surrounding waterfront areas around Newcastle Harbour as soon as possible. A spokesperson for TfNSW said they planned to alert the appropriate authorities about needle wastage in the area. "The amenity and cleanliness of Transport assets is a top priority," the spokesperson said. "Horseshoe beach was impacted by recent severe weather, resulting in debris, such as logs and sticks, washing up on the sand," they said. "Members of the public are reminded not to touch or pick up needles." TfNSW has been cleaning up the beach car park and nearby dunes after the area had become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and was apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he was aware of the community's concerns and was pushing for the clean-up of the area to be expedited. "TfNSW have been conducting a progressive clean of this area, with officers making multiple trips to the site this week and very regularly over the last few months," Mr Crakanthorp said. Following the removal of some vans and the relocation of others who have been long-term in the car park, TfNSW has completed a clean-up in the car park and is progressively working through adjacent spaces," he said. In a Facebook post last week, Mr Crakanthorp said the issue was complex, as many of the people occupying Horseshoe beach were homeless. "Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers at Horseshoe Beach with appropriate housing," he said. The federal MP encouraged people to report all needle waste to the Needle Clean up Hotline at 1800 633 353. Needles have been spotted on Horseshoe beach amid the ongoing clean-up of the surrounding area. Novocastrians reportedly stumbled upon what looked like discarded needles along the waterfront last week. While Transport for NSW said they weren't aware of needle waste specifically, they were working with Maritime Environmental Services to arrange a clean-up of the beach and surrounding waterfront areas around Newcastle Harbour as soon as possible. A spokesperson for TfNSW said they planned to alert the appropriate authorities about needle wastage in the area. "The amenity and cleanliness of Transport assets is a top priority," the spokesperson said. "Horseshoe beach was impacted by recent severe weather, resulting in debris, such as logs and sticks, washing up on the sand," they said. "Members of the public are reminded not to touch or pick up needles." TfNSW has been cleaning up the beach car park and nearby dunes after the area had become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and was apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he was aware of the community's concerns and was pushing for the clean-up of the area to be expedited. "TfNSW have been conducting a progressive clean of this area, with officers making multiple trips to the site this week and very regularly over the last few months," Mr Crakanthorp said. Following the removal of some vans and the relocation of others who have been long-term in the car park, TfNSW has completed a clean-up in the car park and is progressively working through adjacent spaces," he said. In a Facebook post last week, Mr Crakanthorp said the issue was complex, as many of the people occupying Horseshoe beach were homeless. "Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers at Horseshoe Beach with appropriate housing," he said. The federal MP encouraged people to report all needle waste to the Needle Clean up Hotline at 1800 633 353. Needles have been spotted on Horseshoe beach amid the ongoing clean-up of the surrounding area. Novocastrians reportedly stumbled upon what looked like discarded needles along the waterfront last week. While Transport for NSW said they weren't aware of needle waste specifically, they were working with Maritime Environmental Services to arrange a clean-up of the beach and surrounding waterfront areas around Newcastle Harbour as soon as possible. A spokesperson for TfNSW said they planned to alert the appropriate authorities about needle wastage in the area. "The amenity and cleanliness of Transport assets is a top priority," the spokesperson said. "Horseshoe beach was impacted by recent severe weather, resulting in debris, such as logs and sticks, washing up on the sand," they said. "Members of the public are reminded not to touch or pick up needles." TfNSW has been cleaning up the beach car park and nearby dunes after the area had become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and was apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he was aware of the community's concerns and was pushing for the clean-up of the area to be expedited. "TfNSW have been conducting a progressive clean of this area, with officers making multiple trips to the site this week and very regularly over the last few months," Mr Crakanthorp said. Following the removal of some vans and the relocation of others who have been long-term in the car park, TfNSW has completed a clean-up in the car park and is progressively working through adjacent spaces," he said. In a Facebook post last week, Mr Crakanthorp said the issue was complex, as many of the people occupying Horseshoe beach were homeless. "Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers at Horseshoe Beach with appropriate housing," he said. The federal MP encouraged people to report all needle waste to the Needle Clean up Hotline at 1800 633 353. Needles have been spotted on Horseshoe beach amid the ongoing clean-up of the surrounding area. Novocastrians reportedly stumbled upon what looked like discarded needles along the waterfront last week. While Transport for NSW said they weren't aware of needle waste specifically, they were working with Maritime Environmental Services to arrange a clean-up of the beach and surrounding waterfront areas around Newcastle Harbour as soon as possible. A spokesperson for TfNSW said they planned to alert the appropriate authorities about needle wastage in the area. "The amenity and cleanliness of Transport assets is a top priority," the spokesperson said. "Horseshoe beach was impacted by recent severe weather, resulting in debris, such as logs and sticks, washing up on the sand," they said. "Members of the public are reminded not to touch or pick up needles." TfNSW has been cleaning up the beach car park and nearby dunes after the area had become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and was apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he was aware of the community's concerns and was pushing for the clean-up of the area to be expedited. "TfNSW have been conducting a progressive clean of this area, with officers making multiple trips to the site this week and very regularly over the last few months," Mr Crakanthorp said. Following the removal of some vans and the relocation of others who have been long-term in the car park, TfNSW has completed a clean-up in the car park and is progressively working through adjacent spaces," he said. In a Facebook post last week, Mr Crakanthorp said the issue was complex, as many of the people occupying Horseshoe beach were homeless. "Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers at Horseshoe Beach with appropriate housing," he said. The federal MP encouraged people to report all needle waste to the Needle Clean up Hotline at 1800 633 353.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
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'Just a little lie': the costly Jeremy Bath rumour Allan Robinson started
IT was the fib that sparked a bitter feud between councillors, a formal investigation, and set back City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath's employment by six months. Nine years on, in a colourful eulogy about former lord mayor and development titan Jeff McCloy, former councillor Allan 'Robbo' Robinson confessed: he made it up. Mr Bath's recruitment was thrown into turmoil in December 2016 when then Cr Robinson claimed a mystery man in Belmont told him Mr Bath had the job, two days before interviews. At Mr McCloy's packed City Hall funeral, Mr Robinson told an enraptured crowd he "made up some shit story" that was "just a little lie". "Jeremy Bath was coming on, and the whispers were, you know, 'He's not up for it, he's not up for it, he's not doing this, he's not doing this'," Mr Robinson said. "So I made up some shit story, just a little lie, it didn't hurt anyone. "I just made up this story, and it held Jeremy up for I think eight weeks I kept him out of a wage." Mr Robinson went on to say Mr McCloy approached him to ask what he'd heard. "I said 'Oh nothing, I've made it up'," Mr Robinson said. "Jeff went berserk at me for lying, I thought, 'f***, you're not me [sic] dad.'" In 2016, Mr Robinson said a man had approached him in Belmont and revealed a former Hunter-based executive had been given the job two days before interviews were due to take place. At the time, Mr Robinson said he did not know the mystery man's name, where he lived, and did not probe where the information had come from. The lie led to Cr Andrea Rufo, who died in November 2024 following a battle with acute myeloid leukemia, resigning from his position on the CEO recruitment panel. Councillors walked out of a confidential vote on the election of a new interim CEO, and the NSW Office of Local Government later launched an investigation. It found nothing "improper or unethical" in the recruitment process. Mr Robinson told the Newcastle Herald he did not remember the particulars of the conversation, that a bloke from Belmont did tell him something, but he "might have added fuel to it" to put a stop to Mr Bath's recruitment until an investigation could be held. "I know with what I'd said I made up the best part of it to stop it and start an investigation, and then the investigation started," he said. Despite the fall-out, Mr Robinson said he does not "have any regrets". "They had to look into it ... and did I tell a white lie to stop it? I must have," he said. "I'm telling you now it's a better thing for the district for the fact what I done [sic] to Jeremy." Mr Robinson admitted he told Mr Bath at the time he "might have had something to do with it" and the pair have been "mates ever since". "I think he called me a name, my grandkids say f***, they don't say that one, right?" he said. "Let the people know how lucky they are to have Jeremy Bath at the helm. "He gives his guts to that joint, yeah, he gets a fortune for it, but he's worth every f****** cent he gets." Mr Bath was offered the role in March 2017. Several weeks before he started at City of Newcastle, Mr Bath said he called Mr Robinson about the "old man in Belmont" and the impact of the lie. "It was probably a more colourful conversation than I care to repeat now, but I made clear that I was willing to move forward on the condition that there were no more made-up stories about me," he said. Mr Bath said the story, the resulting council walk-out and Mr Rufo's resignation damaged his reputation and saw him start on the back foot with staff, councillors and the community. "Fortunately, several months before he passed away, Andrea called me to tell me that he no longer believed the story, and that he regretted believing it at the time. It was a lovely moment between us," Mr Bath said. "They say mud sticks, and it probably has to some degree. The 'old man in Belmont' reference still comes up every now and then, but I learnt a long time ago most people judge me based on how the city is performing rather than what other people tell them about me." Mr Bath said he did not speak publicly about Mr Robinson's admission at the time because he knew it was a lie. "The timeline of his story was based on a supposed conversation that took place before I'd even spoken with the recruiter about the job," he said. "I told Robbo when we spoke for the first time that I was willing to move forward. That meant putting it behind us." Four years on from Mr Robinson's tenure, Mr Bath said he still answers his calls. "In terms of going forward, it's nice to have the story put to bed and the truth known," he said. 'Robbo' was not eligible to stand for council in the 2024 elections because he was banned from holding civic office for two years, for misconduct the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal deemed "grossly homophobic" and "discriminatory". The tribunal found Mr Robinson had made a series of abusive comments towards fellow councillors between 2019 and 2020. IT was the fib that sparked a bitter feud between councillors, a formal investigation, and set back City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath's employment by six months. Nine years on, in a colourful eulogy about former lord mayor and development titan Jeff McCloy, former councillor Allan 'Robbo' Robinson confessed: he made it up. Mr Bath's recruitment was thrown into turmoil in December 2016 when then Cr Robinson claimed a mystery man in Belmont told him Mr Bath had the job, two days before interviews. At Mr McCloy's packed City Hall funeral, Mr Robinson told an enraptured crowd he "made up some shit story" that was "just a little lie". "Jeremy Bath was coming on, and the whispers were, you know, 'He's not up for it, he's not up for it, he's not doing this, he's not doing this'," Mr Robinson said. "So I made up some shit story, just a little lie, it didn't hurt anyone. "I just made up this story, and it held Jeremy up for I think eight weeks I kept him out of a wage." Mr Robinson went on to say Mr McCloy approached him to ask what he'd heard. "I said 'Oh nothing, I've made it up'," Mr Robinson said. "Jeff went berserk at me for lying, I thought, 'f***, you're not me [sic] dad.'" In 2016, Mr Robinson said a man had approached him in Belmont and revealed a former Hunter-based executive had been given the job two days before interviews were due to take place. At the time, Mr Robinson said he did not know the mystery man's name, where he lived, and did not probe where the information had come from. The lie led to Cr Andrea Rufo, who died in November 2024 following a battle with acute myeloid leukemia, resigning from his position on the CEO recruitment panel. Councillors walked out of a confidential vote on the election of a new interim CEO, and the NSW Office of Local Government later launched an investigation. It found nothing "improper or unethical" in the recruitment process. Mr Robinson told the Newcastle Herald he did not remember the particulars of the conversation, that a bloke from Belmont did tell him something, but he "might have added fuel to it" to put a stop to Mr Bath's recruitment until an investigation could be held. "I know with what I'd said I made up the best part of it to stop it and start an investigation, and then the investigation started," he said. Despite the fall-out, Mr Robinson said he does not "have any regrets". "They had to look into it ... and did I tell a white lie to stop it? I must have," he said. "I'm telling you now it's a better thing for the district for the fact what I done [sic] to Jeremy." Mr Robinson admitted he told Mr Bath at the time he "might have had something to do with it" and the pair have been "mates ever since". "I think he called me a name, my grandkids say f***, they don't say that one, right?" he said. "Let the people know how lucky they are to have Jeremy Bath at the helm. "He gives his guts to that joint, yeah, he gets a fortune for it, but he's worth every f****** cent he gets." Mr Bath was offered the role in March 2017. Several weeks before he started at City of Newcastle, Mr Bath said he called Mr Robinson about the "old man in Belmont" and the impact of the lie. "It was probably a more colourful conversation than I care to repeat now, but I made clear that I was willing to move forward on the condition that there were no more made-up stories about me," he said. Mr Bath said the story, the resulting council walk-out and Mr Rufo's resignation damaged his reputation and saw him start on the back foot with staff, councillors and the community. "Fortunately, several months before he passed away, Andrea called me to tell me that he no longer believed the story, and that he regretted believing it at the time. It was a lovely moment between us," Mr Bath said. "They say mud sticks, and it probably has to some degree. The 'old man in Belmont' reference still comes up every now and then, but I learnt a long time ago most people judge me based on how the city is performing rather than what other people tell them about me." Mr Bath said he did not speak publicly about Mr Robinson's admission at the time because he knew it was a lie. "The timeline of his story was based on a supposed conversation that took place before I'd even spoken with the recruiter about the job," he said. "I told Robbo when we spoke for the first time that I was willing to move forward. That meant putting it behind us." Four years on from Mr Robinson's tenure, Mr Bath said he still answers his calls. "In terms of going forward, it's nice to have the story put to bed and the truth known," he said. 'Robbo' was not eligible to stand for council in the 2024 elections because he was banned from holding civic office for two years, for misconduct the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal deemed "grossly homophobic" and "discriminatory". The tribunal found Mr Robinson had made a series of abusive comments towards fellow councillors between 2019 and 2020. IT was the fib that sparked a bitter feud between councillors, a formal investigation, and set back City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath's employment by six months. Nine years on, in a colourful eulogy about former lord mayor and development titan Jeff McCloy, former councillor Allan 'Robbo' Robinson confessed: he made it up. Mr Bath's recruitment was thrown into turmoil in December 2016 when then Cr Robinson claimed a mystery man in Belmont told him Mr Bath had the job, two days before interviews. At Mr McCloy's packed City Hall funeral, Mr Robinson told an enraptured crowd he "made up some shit story" that was "just a little lie". "Jeremy Bath was coming on, and the whispers were, you know, 'He's not up for it, he's not up for it, he's not doing this, he's not doing this'," Mr Robinson said. "So I made up some shit story, just a little lie, it didn't hurt anyone. "I just made up this story, and it held Jeremy up for I think eight weeks I kept him out of a wage." Mr Robinson went on to say Mr McCloy approached him to ask what he'd heard. "I said 'Oh nothing, I've made it up'," Mr Robinson said. "Jeff went berserk at me for lying, I thought, 'f***, you're not me [sic] dad.'" In 2016, Mr Robinson said a man had approached him in Belmont and revealed a former Hunter-based executive had been given the job two days before interviews were due to take place. At the time, Mr Robinson said he did not know the mystery man's name, where he lived, and did not probe where the information had come from. The lie led to Cr Andrea Rufo, who died in November 2024 following a battle with acute myeloid leukemia, resigning from his position on the CEO recruitment panel. Councillors walked out of a confidential vote on the election of a new interim CEO, and the NSW Office of Local Government later launched an investigation. It found nothing "improper or unethical" in the recruitment process. Mr Robinson told the Newcastle Herald he did not remember the particulars of the conversation, that a bloke from Belmont did tell him something, but he "might have added fuel to it" to put a stop to Mr Bath's recruitment until an investigation could be held. "I know with what I'd said I made up the best part of it to stop it and start an investigation, and then the investigation started," he said. Despite the fall-out, Mr Robinson said he does not "have any regrets". "They had to look into it ... and did I tell a white lie to stop it? I must have," he said. "I'm telling you now it's a better thing for the district for the fact what I done [sic] to Jeremy." Mr Robinson admitted he told Mr Bath at the time he "might have had something to do with it" and the pair have been "mates ever since". "I think he called me a name, my grandkids say f***, they don't say that one, right?" he said. "Let the people know how lucky they are to have Jeremy Bath at the helm. "He gives his guts to that joint, yeah, he gets a fortune for it, but he's worth every f****** cent he gets." Mr Bath was offered the role in March 2017. Several weeks before he started at City of Newcastle, Mr Bath said he called Mr Robinson about the "old man in Belmont" and the impact of the lie. "It was probably a more colourful conversation than I care to repeat now, but I made clear that I was willing to move forward on the condition that there were no more made-up stories about me," he said. Mr Bath said the story, the resulting council walk-out and Mr Rufo's resignation damaged his reputation and saw him start on the back foot with staff, councillors and the community. "Fortunately, several months before he passed away, Andrea called me to tell me that he no longer believed the story, and that he regretted believing it at the time. It was a lovely moment between us," Mr Bath said. "They say mud sticks, and it probably has to some degree. The 'old man in Belmont' reference still comes up every now and then, but I learnt a long time ago most people judge me based on how the city is performing rather than what other people tell them about me." Mr Bath said he did not speak publicly about Mr Robinson's admission at the time because he knew it was a lie. "The timeline of his story was based on a supposed conversation that took place before I'd even spoken with the recruiter about the job," he said. "I told Robbo when we spoke for the first time that I was willing to move forward. That meant putting it behind us." Four years on from Mr Robinson's tenure, Mr Bath said he still answers his calls. "In terms of going forward, it's nice to have the story put to bed and the truth known," he said. 'Robbo' was not eligible to stand for council in the 2024 elections because he was banned from holding civic office for two years, for misconduct the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal deemed "grossly homophobic" and "discriminatory". The tribunal found Mr Robinson had made a series of abusive comments towards fellow councillors between 2019 and 2020. IT was the fib that sparked a bitter feud between councillors, a formal investigation, and set back City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath's employment by six months. Nine years on, in a colourful eulogy about former lord mayor and development titan Jeff McCloy, former councillor Allan 'Robbo' Robinson confessed: he made it up. Mr Bath's recruitment was thrown into turmoil in December 2016 when then Cr Robinson claimed a mystery man in Belmont told him Mr Bath had the job, two days before interviews. At Mr McCloy's packed City Hall funeral, Mr Robinson told an enraptured crowd he "made up some shit story" that was "just a little lie". "Jeremy Bath was coming on, and the whispers were, you know, 'He's not up for it, he's not up for it, he's not doing this, he's not doing this'," Mr Robinson said. "So I made up some shit story, just a little lie, it didn't hurt anyone. "I just made up this story, and it held Jeremy up for I think eight weeks I kept him out of a wage." Mr Robinson went on to say Mr McCloy approached him to ask what he'd heard. "I said 'Oh nothing, I've made it up'," Mr Robinson said. "Jeff went berserk at me for lying, I thought, 'f***, you're not me [sic] dad.'" In 2016, Mr Robinson said a man had approached him in Belmont and revealed a former Hunter-based executive had been given the job two days before interviews were due to take place. At the time, Mr Robinson said he did not know the mystery man's name, where he lived, and did not probe where the information had come from. The lie led to Cr Andrea Rufo, who died in November 2024 following a battle with acute myeloid leukemia, resigning from his position on the CEO recruitment panel. Councillors walked out of a confidential vote on the election of a new interim CEO, and the NSW Office of Local Government later launched an investigation. It found nothing "improper or unethical" in the recruitment process. Mr Robinson told the Newcastle Herald he did not remember the particulars of the conversation, that a bloke from Belmont did tell him something, but he "might have added fuel to it" to put a stop to Mr Bath's recruitment until an investigation could be held. "I know with what I'd said I made up the best part of it to stop it and start an investigation, and then the investigation started," he said. Despite the fall-out, Mr Robinson said he does not "have any regrets". "They had to look into it ... and did I tell a white lie to stop it? I must have," he said. "I'm telling you now it's a better thing for the district for the fact what I done [sic] to Jeremy." Mr Robinson admitted he told Mr Bath at the time he "might have had something to do with it" and the pair have been "mates ever since". "I think he called me a name, my grandkids say f***, they don't say that one, right?" he said. "Let the people know how lucky they are to have Jeremy Bath at the helm. "He gives his guts to that joint, yeah, he gets a fortune for it, but he's worth every f****** cent he gets." Mr Bath was offered the role in March 2017. Several weeks before he started at City of Newcastle, Mr Bath said he called Mr Robinson about the "old man in Belmont" and the impact of the lie. "It was probably a more colourful conversation than I care to repeat now, but I made clear that I was willing to move forward on the condition that there were no more made-up stories about me," he said. Mr Bath said the story, the resulting council walk-out and Mr Rufo's resignation damaged his reputation and saw him start on the back foot with staff, councillors and the community. "Fortunately, several months before he passed away, Andrea called me to tell me that he no longer believed the story, and that he regretted believing it at the time. It was a lovely moment between us," Mr Bath said. "They say mud sticks, and it probably has to some degree. The 'old man in Belmont' reference still comes up every now and then, but I learnt a long time ago most people judge me based on how the city is performing rather than what other people tell them about me." Mr Bath said he did not speak publicly about Mr Robinson's admission at the time because he knew it was a lie. "The timeline of his story was based on a supposed conversation that took place before I'd even spoken with the recruiter about the job," he said. "I told Robbo when we spoke for the first time that I was willing to move forward. That meant putting it behind us." Four years on from Mr Robinson's tenure, Mr Bath said he still answers his calls. "In terms of going forward, it's nice to have the story put to bed and the truth known," he said. 'Robbo' was not eligible to stand for council in the 2024 elections because he was banned from holding civic office for two years, for misconduct the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal deemed "grossly homophobic" and "discriminatory". The tribunal found Mr Robinson had made a series of abusive comments towards fellow councillors between 2019 and 2020.
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- The Advertiser
Fatal truck crash: specialist officers to comb crime scene on M1 after man killed
A TRUCK driver has died in a crash on the M1 at Morisset on Tuesday afternoon. Emergency services rushed to reports of a crash between two trucks, including a petrol tanker, in the southbound lanes near Mandalong Road just before 3pm on July 22. Police said the man who had been driving one of the vehicles sadly died before emergency services arrived. He was yet to be formally identified on Tuesday night. The second driver, a 57-year-old man, was not injured in the crash, according to police. Lake Macquarie police established a crime scene and were waiting for specialist officers to arrive and comb the crash site as part of the effort to piece together how the fatal collision unfolded. Both southbound lanes of the M1 were closed to all traffic south of Morisset and no traffic heading from Newcastle to Sydney could get through. A NSW Police spokesperson said the roadway was expected to remain a crime scene for a considerable amount of time and motorists were urged to avoid the area. Southbound traffic north of the crash site was in gridlock on Tuesday afternoon and motorists were warned to expect significant delays. Northbound traffic was also affected, with one of two lanes closed while the emergency response unfolded. Traffic was heavy on the roads surrounding the crash site at Dora Creek, Cooranbong and Morisset, due to diversions. Multiple NSW Ambulance resources were tasked to the scene, including a rescue helicopter, along with police officers and Transport for NSW crews, as part of the major emergency response. Heavy vehicle recovery and the clean-up of the crash site were also expected to take some time, according to Live Traffic NSW updates. A diversion was in place along Mandalong Road, Wyee Road, Doyalson Link Road and the M1 Pacific Motorway. B-doubles had to divert via Newcastle using the Pacific Highway; while light vehicles only could consider using Hue Hue Road from Wyee Road then Sparks Road to access the M1 Pacific Motorway from Warnervale. Investigating police have urged anyone with information about the truck crash, who was in the area at the time, or who had dashcam or mobile phone footage available, to contact Morisset police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A TRUCK driver has died in a crash on the M1 at Morisset on Tuesday afternoon. Emergency services rushed to reports of a crash between two trucks, including a petrol tanker, in the southbound lanes near Mandalong Road just before 3pm on July 22. Police said the man who had been driving one of the vehicles sadly died before emergency services arrived. He was yet to be formally identified on Tuesday night. The second driver, a 57-year-old man, was not injured in the crash, according to police. Lake Macquarie police established a crime scene and were waiting for specialist officers to arrive and comb the crash site as part of the effort to piece together how the fatal collision unfolded. Both southbound lanes of the M1 were closed to all traffic south of Morisset and no traffic heading from Newcastle to Sydney could get through. A NSW Police spokesperson said the roadway was expected to remain a crime scene for a considerable amount of time and motorists were urged to avoid the area. Southbound traffic north of the crash site was in gridlock on Tuesday afternoon and motorists were warned to expect significant delays. Northbound traffic was also affected, with one of two lanes closed while the emergency response unfolded. Traffic was heavy on the roads surrounding the crash site at Dora Creek, Cooranbong and Morisset, due to diversions. Multiple NSW Ambulance resources were tasked to the scene, including a rescue helicopter, along with police officers and Transport for NSW crews, as part of the major emergency response. Heavy vehicle recovery and the clean-up of the crash site were also expected to take some time, according to Live Traffic NSW updates. A diversion was in place along Mandalong Road, Wyee Road, Doyalson Link Road and the M1 Pacific Motorway. B-doubles had to divert via Newcastle using the Pacific Highway; while light vehicles only could consider using Hue Hue Road from Wyee Road then Sparks Road to access the M1 Pacific Motorway from Warnervale. Investigating police have urged anyone with information about the truck crash, who was in the area at the time, or who had dashcam or mobile phone footage available, to contact Morisset police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A TRUCK driver has died in a crash on the M1 at Morisset on Tuesday afternoon. Emergency services rushed to reports of a crash between two trucks, including a petrol tanker, in the southbound lanes near Mandalong Road just before 3pm on July 22. Police said the man who had been driving one of the vehicles sadly died before emergency services arrived. He was yet to be formally identified on Tuesday night. The second driver, a 57-year-old man, was not injured in the crash, according to police. Lake Macquarie police established a crime scene and were waiting for specialist officers to arrive and comb the crash site as part of the effort to piece together how the fatal collision unfolded. Both southbound lanes of the M1 were closed to all traffic south of Morisset and no traffic heading from Newcastle to Sydney could get through. A NSW Police spokesperson said the roadway was expected to remain a crime scene for a considerable amount of time and motorists were urged to avoid the area. Southbound traffic north of the crash site was in gridlock on Tuesday afternoon and motorists were warned to expect significant delays. Northbound traffic was also affected, with one of two lanes closed while the emergency response unfolded. Traffic was heavy on the roads surrounding the crash site at Dora Creek, Cooranbong and Morisset, due to diversions. Multiple NSW Ambulance resources were tasked to the scene, including a rescue helicopter, along with police officers and Transport for NSW crews, as part of the major emergency response. Heavy vehicle recovery and the clean-up of the crash site were also expected to take some time, according to Live Traffic NSW updates. A diversion was in place along Mandalong Road, Wyee Road, Doyalson Link Road and the M1 Pacific Motorway. B-doubles had to divert via Newcastle using the Pacific Highway; while light vehicles only could consider using Hue Hue Road from Wyee Road then Sparks Road to access the M1 Pacific Motorway from Warnervale. Investigating police have urged anyone with information about the truck crash, who was in the area at the time, or who had dashcam or mobile phone footage available, to contact Morisset police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A TRUCK driver has died in a crash on the M1 at Morisset on Tuesday afternoon. Emergency services rushed to reports of a crash between two trucks, including a petrol tanker, in the southbound lanes near Mandalong Road just before 3pm on July 22. Police said the man who had been driving one of the vehicles sadly died before emergency services arrived. He was yet to be formally identified on Tuesday night. The second driver, a 57-year-old man, was not injured in the crash, according to police. Lake Macquarie police established a crime scene and were waiting for specialist officers to arrive and comb the crash site as part of the effort to piece together how the fatal collision unfolded. Both southbound lanes of the M1 were closed to all traffic south of Morisset and no traffic heading from Newcastle to Sydney could get through. A NSW Police spokesperson said the roadway was expected to remain a crime scene for a considerable amount of time and motorists were urged to avoid the area. Southbound traffic north of the crash site was in gridlock on Tuesday afternoon and motorists were warned to expect significant delays. Northbound traffic was also affected, with one of two lanes closed while the emergency response unfolded. Traffic was heavy on the roads surrounding the crash site at Dora Creek, Cooranbong and Morisset, due to diversions. Multiple NSW Ambulance resources were tasked to the scene, including a rescue helicopter, along with police officers and Transport for NSW crews, as part of the major emergency response. Heavy vehicle recovery and the clean-up of the crash site were also expected to take some time, according to Live Traffic NSW updates. A diversion was in place along Mandalong Road, Wyee Road, Doyalson Link Road and the M1 Pacific Motorway. B-doubles had to divert via Newcastle using the Pacific Highway; while light vehicles only could consider using Hue Hue Road from Wyee Road then Sparks Road to access the M1 Pacific Motorway from Warnervale. Investigating police have urged anyone with information about the truck crash, who was in the area at the time, or who had dashcam or mobile phone footage available, to contact Morisset police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
