Daily Archives: 15/04/2015

New Goulburn-based supercharger facility to be up and running by mid-year.

Tesla says its Australian owners will soon be able to travel between Sydney and Canberra on free electricity after confirming a new supercharger station at Goulburn in New South Wales.

The electric car maker has also re-affirmed its desire to link the main thoroughfare between Brisbane and Melbourne with supercharger stations by 2016 as part of its broader Australian strategy.

Speaking with Drive, Tesla Australia spokesman Heath Walker said the Goulburn recharging station was due for completion in June and would feature eight separate recharging bays. The new facility will be based in Goulburn’s main centre, bringing potential tourism benefits for the NSW town.

“It’s self-serve, basically,” Walker said. “The car does a handshake with the supercharger, so they can talk to each other.

“You get free charge, so within 20 minutes you’ll have a half charge and within an hour you’ll have a full charge.”

The Goulburn supercharger is based next door to the town’s tourism centre and will be open at anytime.

Tesla is now on the lookout for more potential townships along the busy Hume corridor, flagging another site near Albury-Wodonga. The by-product is an unlikely tourism boost for such centres.

“There could be occasions where we go into town, there could be occasions where we stay on the Hume,” Walker said.

“It’s great because it will get Tesla owners going back into these towns and exploring Australian townships, it’s a good opportunity.”

Goulburn has been bypassed by the Hume Highway since 1992. Nowadays, many motorists that stop at Goulburn only visit a service centre and fast food restaurant located on the fringe of the town.

“[The bypass] did affect the city initially, but we’re glad we don’t have the highway through town anymore. We’re very happy with the way it is,” Goulburn mayor Geoff Kettle said.

“We had discussions with Tesla earlier in the year. They came and had a look at the city and identified a spot that would suit them for a re-charging station. We’re very, very happy to be part of the charging network.”

While Goulburn doesn’t miss the endless parade of trucks grunting down its main street, Cr Kettle welcomed the potential trickle in tourism from the Tesla site.

“It means people can come into the city and enjoy what’s on offer, rather than a hurried stop,” he said. “It’s a welcome reprieve from what I call the three Ps of typical highway travelling: a piss, a pie and some petrol.”

Inquiries continue after father, daughter assaulted and robbed – Charlestown

A teenager will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act as police continue investigating the alleged assault and robbery of a father and daughter in Charlestown.

Yesterday afternoon (Sunday 12 April 2015), a 14-year-old girl and her 41-year-old father were leaving a shopping centre on Pearson Street, when a number of people approached them.

Police have been told an altercation ensued between the man and a number of males, in which the man was assaulted a number of times.

The girl went to the assistance of her father, when she was assaulted.

During the altercation, the man’s car keys, mobile phone and wallet were taken.

Emergency services were called and the group fled the scene.

The father and daughter were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and commenced investigating the incident.

Detectives from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command located a 15-year-old boy this morning at a local shopping centre.

He will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act

As they continue their inquiries, any witnesses, or anyone with information is urged to come forward and contact police via Crime Stoppers.

Residents invited to stop in for a chat at Port Stephens Community Engagement Day

The Port Stephens community is invited to a special engagement day this week.

Hosted by Port Stephens Local Area Command – in conjunction with the Port Stephens Council – the Community Engagement Day will be held between 10am and 2pm on Thursday (16 April 2015), at Barnett Fields at Raymond Terrace.
In addition to local police, the day will showcase specialist commands within the NSW Police Force, including PolAir, Marine Area Command, Mounted Unit, Police Rescue, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Tactical Operations Unit and PCYC.

Acting Port Stephens Local Area Commander, Acting Superintendent Tony Townsend, said the event is a great opportunity for the community to learn more about day-to-day policing.

“The Community Engagement Day provides an opportunity for the community to interact directly with officers from a variety of units and gain an insider perspective of the different work that we undertake on a daily basis,” A/Supt Townsend said.

“It also gives us the opportunity to talk directly with members of the community in a relaxed, informal environment.

“We will also be joined by local Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, RAAF Dog Unit and other agencies, including Port Stephens Council Ranger Ralph, who will have displays, conduct demonstrations, provide advice, or chat about their experiences.

“All are welcome to come along, meet your local police and emergency services, and learn more about what we do, especially within the Port Stephens community,” A/Supt Townsend said.

Motorists can also pop into the car park of the Raymond Terrace Netball Courts (off Port Stephens Street), where members of the Raymond Terrace Men’s Shed will replace their number plate screws with special irreversible screws free of charge.
Raymond Terrace Athletics Club and the PCYC are catering for the event and kids can play on the jumping castle.

The event is free and all are welcome. Parking will be available at King Park off Newline Road opposite Barnett Fields and in the Raymond Terrace CBD.