Bashed Bike Thief and Drug Den Raid Highlight Growing Issues in Newcastle Public Housing

19 August 2024

A notorious bike thief allegedly linked to Newcastle’s inner-city drug scene has been brutally assaulted in what locals describe as a vigilante-style beating, highlighting the escalating tensions in parts of the city. The man, alleged to be behind the theft of hundreds of bicycles, was found unable to walk after the attack at a Cooks Hill residence. Paramedics attended the scene and transported him to hospital on a stretcher.

The alleged thief had been staying at a unit occupied by a woman in her late 20s, where he was allegedly running a bicycle theft operation. Neighbours reported seeing unwanted bikes and excess stock dumped near the garage, where it’s claimed parts were stripped and sold. This came to a head when NSW Police raided the premises, seizing clothing, mountain bikes, prohibited drugs, and mobile phones, which are now undergoing forensic analysis.

The beating, believed to be linked to an drug deal gone wrong, has resulted in freshly blacked-out windows as the occupants go into hiding. While the woman who leased the unit was not charged, the injured man is due to appear at Newcastle Local Court on the 22nd August 2024. Neighbours describe living near the premises as “living in hell,” with a local woman in her 70s saying she has been forced to sleep at her family’s home for weeks to escape the ongoing noise, harassment, and foot traffic.

This incident is just one example of a broader problem in Newcastle’s public housing, where theft and drug operations extend across multiple Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) housing units. Newy 87.8 spoke with a staff member from DCJ, who stated that it is largely out of their hands, urging residents to report suspicious activities directly to the police. While some residents involved in criminal activities have been evicted after multiple warnings, the issue persists as they are often relocated to motels or half-way-houses in suburbs like Belmont at taxpayer expense, allowing them to continue their illegal operations from new locations.

Meanwhile, mismanagement of public housing has sparked frustration among residents who have been struggling to get basic repairs addressed. One resident spoke anonymously, saying, “My 87-year-old mother has been waiting over a year for DCJ to fix a broken fence that allows junkies to access her veranda. They only acted after we threatened to go to the media.” Concerns have also been raised over the safety of elderly residents due to buildings not meeting minimum fire safety standards, particularly in relation to emergency lighting in stairwells and hallways. Residents report that the lights, installed over a decade ago, fail to stay on during blackouts, leaving vulnerable elderly tenants at risk of falls.

An electrician sent out by DCJ reportedly told one resident that the ongoing issues were due to changes in contracting companies, advising that the new contractor would eventually handle the repairs. In the meantime, residents have been forced to install and monitor their own CCTV systems, purchase additional lighting and regularly share footage with police. While the installation of CCTV and front-door intercoms offers some hope of reducing crime, many believe more needs to be done to address the underlying issues plaguing public housing in Newcastle.

This situation illustrates the systemic issues within Newcastle’s public housing sector, where crime continues and vital safety concerns are neglected by the Department of Communities and Justice. As the city grapples with these challenges, residents are left questioning when real action will be taken to ensure their safety and quality of life.