Newcastle’s vision to be a globally connected smart city is another step closer with the launch of a free public Wi-Fi network in Newcastle’s East End.
The City Wi-Fi network is one initiative of CN’s Smart City program designed to increase connectivity and information sharing between the community, business and the digital world.
L-R: Nick Brown from Countrytell*, Brett Woods from CSA, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Rick Fancourt from Countrytell
From today, people can connect to 60 of the City’s 150 smart poles on their smart devices when they log on along Wharf Road, Watt Street and Shortland Esplanade. Plans are in the pipeline to install more poles across the City, as well as Beresfield and Wallsend, soon.
Speaking at today’s launch on Market Street Lawn, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the roll-out would extend to the new CBD in the West End and parts of Wickham.
“Whether it be for business or leisure, cities the world over are now embracing the ability to offer affordable and accessible internet to residents and visitors so that they can be connected anytime, anywhere,” the Lord Mayor said.
“This is one of the many actions contained within our Smart City Strategy that we’ve invested in, alongside energy-efficient solar projects, electric-vehicle charging stations, driverless vehicle technology and bike-sharing initiatives.
“This is the first step in our staged roll-out of free Wi-Fi, which will eventually see the whole City connected as well as Beresfield and Wallsend local centres. Today it’s Newcastle East, but we’re working hard to make sure our new CBD in the West End and areas around Wickham quickly follow. Plans are well and truly advanced for these areas and we hope to make more announcements soon.”
The free high-speed Wi-Fi will play a major role in supporting the roll-out of current and future technology, such as the City’s smartphone app EasyPark, which will soon be able to direct motorists to available car parks in the City’s CBD.
Interactive smart screens around the CBD are also planned to help visitors and residents find out about activities and events.
To log on to the free Wi-Fi network, look for ‘City of Newcastle free Wi-Fi’ in your network settings. No password is required.
Left: Smart City coordinator Nathaniel Bavinton and Nuatali Nelmes
Category: Newcastle News
All the news happening in the Newcastle and Hunter Region
Suspected thief leads police on pursuit…to a prison – Hunter Valley
A man, allegedly on the run from police after a crime spree in the Hunter Valley, has been arrested after trying to escape through a prison farm.
On Monday 10 June 2019, police pursued a stolen tipper truck around the Gloucester area.
Officers later discovered the vehicle, stolen from Surry Hills in Sydney, hidden on a local property.
Around 10am today (Tuesday 11 June), a grey Toyota Hilux, stolen from the area and fitted with stolen number plates, was used in a service station drive-off at Scone.
The stolen vehicle was spotted and pursued by Muswellbrook police.
The chase ended two minutes later when the alleged thief crashed the vehicle through a farm fence near Halcombe Hill.
Officers, from the Hunter Valley Police District, chased the driver on foot as he ran across an adjacent rail line into farm paddocks, the suspect unaware he had entered the grounds of St Helier’s Prison Farm.
The 46-year-old man was arrested and taken to the Muswellbrook Police Station where he was charged with 15 offences including stealing, steal motor vehicle, Police pursuit (Skye’s Law), fraud, drive manner dangerous, unlicensed driver, trespass, resist police, goods in custody and custody of knife.
He was refused bail and ordered to appear in the Muswellbrook Local Court tomorrow, Wednesday 12 June 2019.
Final Farewell to HMAS Newcastle
Novocastrians are invited to farewell HMAS Newcastle when our namesake ship makes her final homecoming next week with a local woman at the helm.
A quarter of a century after her maiden call, HMAS Newcastle will arrive next Wednesday 12 June and set sail for the very last time on Tuesday 18 June, with Newcastle born-and-raised Naval Officer Anita Sellick in command.
HMAS Newcastle
Commander Sellick joined the Royal Australian Navy in January 1994 after graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy. She assumed command of HMAS Newcastle early last year, completing the INDO-PACIFIC ENDEAVOUR 2019, and will have the honour of decommissioning the ship later this month.
Both Commander Sellick and the ship’s arrival and departure will be marked by a seven-gun salute from the historic guns at Fort Scratchley followed by return volley from the ship.
To celebrate our association, the ship will exercise its Right of Freedom of Entry to the city of Newcastle at a ceremony and march through the streets on Saturday 15 June. The Right of Freedom of Entry was granted to the ship in 1995 and is the highest honour that a city can bestow on a ship or military unit.
“The association with HMAS Newcastle has been a long and significant one for our city,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
Below: Naval Officer Anita Sellick
“She was officially commissioned here in 1993 and her Launching Lady was Mrs Margaret McNaughton AM, the Lady Mayoress of Newcastle and wife of then-Lord Mayor John McNaughton.
“We’re proud of our history with HMAS Newcastle and proud to host an event to give her a fitting send off.”
Everyone is invited to view the march, which will form up in Laman Street from 9.40am before heading off around Civic Park to City Hall. The Royal Australian Navy band will be attending to provide a fitting escort to the ship’s company. Newcastle was the first major Australian fleet vessel to bear the name of a non-capital city.
The ship also maintains close links with us through active support of her adopted charity organisation, Newcastle Senior School, formerly known as the Hunter Orthopaedic School.
“HMAS Newcastle and her amazing crew have worked tirelessly throughout their association to support the school community with both financial contributions and experiences,” Newcastle Senior School’s relieving Principal Deone Bennett said.
“The ship’s company have raised substantial funds, providing the school with a bus, undertaking working bees and joining in sporting activities. And for this we sincerely thank member of the ship’s company past and present.”
Their final fundraising campaign, ‘The Great Race’, aims to raise $20,000 and is still live at gofundme.com/thegreatrace
HMAS Newcastle is one of four Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigates (FFG) in service with the Royal Australian Navy. In recent years she has been deployed in support of peacekeeping operations in East Timor, the Solomon Islands and Operation CATALYST in the Persian Gulf.
After more than 25 years of service, she will finally be decommissioned at the Garden Island Naval base in Sydney.
Schedule of events
Wednesday 12 June – HMAS Newcastle arrives*
Saturday 15 June – Freedom of Entry March. All welcome.
March commences at 10am. The best vantage points to see the action will be Civic Park.
Tuesday 18 June – HMAS Newcastle departs*
*A seven-gun salute to fire from Fort Scratchley on arrival and departure.
A quarter of a century after her maiden call, HMAS Newcastle will arrive next Wednesday 12 June and set sail for the very last time on Tuesday 18 June, with Newcastle born-and-raised Naval Officer Anita Sellick in command.
HMAS Newcastle Commander Sellick joined the Royal Australian Navy in January 1994 after graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy. She assumed command of HMAS Newcastle early last year, completing the INDO-PACIFIC ENDEAVOUR 2019, and will have the honour of decommissioning the ship later this month.
Both Commander Sellick and the ship’s arrival and departure will be marked by a seven-gun salute from the historic guns at Fort Scratchley followed by return volley from the ship.
To celebrate our association, the ship will exercise its Right of Freedom of Entry to the city of Newcastle at a ceremony and march through the streets on Saturday 15 June. The Right of Freedom of Entry was granted to the ship in 1995 and is the highest honour that a city can bestow on a ship or military unit.
“The association with HMAS Newcastle has been a long and significant one for our city,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
Below: Naval Officer Anita Sellick
“She was officially commissioned here in 1993 and her Launching Lady was Mrs Margaret McNaughton AM, the Lady Mayoress of Newcastle and wife of then-Lord Mayor John McNaughton.
“We’re proud of our history with HMAS Newcastle and proud to host an event to give her a fitting send off.”
Everyone is invited to view the march, which will form up in Laman Street from 9.40am before heading off around Civic Park to City Hall. The Royal Australian Navy band will be attending to provide a fitting escort to the ship’s company. Newcastle was the first major Australian fleet vessel to bear the name of a non-capital city.
The ship also maintains close links with us through active support of her adopted charity organisation, Newcastle Senior School, formerly known as the Hunter Orthopaedic School.
“HMAS Newcastle and her amazing crew have worked tirelessly throughout their association to support the school community with both financial contributions and experiences,” Newcastle Senior School’s relieving Principal Deone Bennett said.
“The ship’s company have raised substantial funds, providing the school with a bus, undertaking working bees and joining in sporting activities. And for this we sincerely thank member of the ship’s company past and present.”
Their final fundraising campaign, ‘The Great Race’, aims to raise $20,000 and is still live at gofundme.com/thegreatrace
HMAS Newcastle is one of four Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigates (FFG) in service with the Royal Australian Navy. In recent years she has been deployed in support of peacekeeping operations in East Timor, the Solomon Islands and Operation CATALYST in the Persian Gulf.
After more than 25 years of service, she will finally be decommissioned at the Garden Island Naval base in Sydney.
Schedule of events
Wednesday 12 June – HMAS Newcastle arrives*
Saturday 15 June – Freedom of Entry March. All welcome.
March commences at 10am. The best vantage points to see the action will be Civic Park.
Tuesday 18 June – HMAS Newcastle departs*
*A seven-gun salute to fire from Fort Scratchley on arrival and departure.
Union welcomes layout of City’s new admin HQ
United Services Union Organiser Luke Hutchinson has hailed office floorplans finalised by City of Newcastle to meet the city’s increasingly diverse needs from its future administrative base.
Space for all admin staff and ample meeting rooms will feature in levels 2-5 in the new West End office block, with additional training rooms slated for the sixth floor and a temporary customer service centre set to swing into operation in October.
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“We welcome a number of features included in the finalised floorplans,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“These include increased space for collaboration, sit/stand workstations for all workers, informal chat areas to increase interaction between staff, and adequate space for internal and external meetings, which has long been identified by our members as problem.
“The union strongly welcomes big improvements to dedicated staff training spaces at the new headquarters.”
Mr Hutchinson said the move would improve workplace conditions and overall staff wellbeing after a strong engagement process.
“Following consultation with our members, and representations made to the Lord Mayor, the USU was able to engage directly with CEO Jeremy Bath to work through some of the concerns and issues raised staff,” he said.
“We’re pleased to say that this was a really positive engagement and that several improvements have been made, including a USU Delegate’s appointment to the City’s internal consultative group.
“The USU will continue to work both proactively and collaboratively with City of Newcastle management and Lord Mayor Nelmes to ensure our members’ best interests are at the forefront of the move westward over the coming months.”
The 12 Stewart Avenue premises will accommodate all of the City’s 425 administrators, offering capacity for growth, and provide meeting-room flexibility previously unavailable in the City Administration Centre, City Hall and Fred Ash buildings.
Levels 2-5 have an identical layout, except for one corner tailored to support individual service units, and each comprises a 28-person meeting room that can also be expanded into a larger training facility.
Each floor from 2-5 will provide staff with:
Space for all admin staff and ample meeting rooms will feature in levels 2-5 in the new West End office block, with additional training rooms slated for the sixth floor and a temporary customer service centre set to swing into operation in October.
“We welcome a number of features included in the finalised floorplans,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“These include increased space for collaboration, sit/stand workstations for all workers, informal chat areas to increase interaction between staff, and adequate space for internal and external meetings, which has long been identified by our members as problem.
“The union strongly welcomes big improvements to dedicated staff training spaces at the new headquarters.”
Mr Hutchinson said the move would improve workplace conditions and overall staff wellbeing after a strong engagement process.
“Following consultation with our members, and representations made to the Lord Mayor, the USU was able to engage directly with CEO Jeremy Bath to work through some of the concerns and issues raised staff,” he said.
“We’re pleased to say that this was a really positive engagement and that several improvements have been made, including a USU Delegate’s appointment to the City’s internal consultative group.
“The USU will continue to work both proactively and collaboratively with City of Newcastle management and Lord Mayor Nelmes to ensure our members’ best interests are at the forefront of the move westward over the coming months.”
The 12 Stewart Avenue premises will accommodate all of the City’s 425 administrators, offering capacity for growth, and provide meeting-room flexibility previously unavailable in the City Administration Centre, City Hall and Fred Ash buildings.
Levels 2-5 have an identical layout, except for one corner tailored to support individual service units, and each comprises a 28-person meeting room that can also be expanded into a larger training facility.
Each floor from 2-5 will provide staff with:
- 80 ergonomic electric sit/stand work points with privacy screens, dual monitors, keyboard, mouse and task chair
- Three booths that each seat five people
- An agile collaboration space with screen and whiteboard and informal chat area
- Large breakout collaboration space with kitchenette, storage and informal seating for 12
- Large team workshop space to accommodate 12 staff or large-team meetings and stand-ups for 30-plus people
- Around 150 lockers for staff to store their caddy and personal items
- Five 1-2 seat quiet spaces for focused task work and discussions
- Utility area housing printers, bins and stationery.
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said fit-out work would begin mid-June on the new offices that would conservatively benefit rate payers to the tune of $13.1 million over the next 25 years.
“Instead of three buildings and 13 floors in the Civic Precinct, all our administrative staff will be housed under one roof in the city’s new CBD, offering them several ideal places to meet with our myriad stakeholders,” Mr Bath said. “This will improve communication and decision making, which will in turn lead to better services for the community.
“This move is about increasing productivity and the capacity of staff through greater flexibility to provide even better services from modern offices. Twelve Stewart Avenue will also offer employees booths, quiet sections and team spaces to select in order to work better together and with hundreds of community members who are also integral to the city’s continued growth and success.
“Our new base utilises the best of modern design principles to improve our workplace culture and also offers easier access for people with mobility challenges just a stone’s throw from the Newcastle Interchange.”
Strike Force Raptor remove stolen kitchen fit out, seize drugs, weapons; former OMCG member charged
A former member of the Finks outlaw motor cycle gang (OMCG) will appear at court today after Strike Force Raptor seized drugs and weapons and removed an entire kitchen allegedly built with stolen products from a home in the Lake Macquarie region.
As part of investigations into a malicious damage last month, police from Strike Force Raptor North executed a search warrant at a home in Booragul about 8.30am yesterday (Thursday 6 June 2019).
During the search, officers seized 3.3g of methylamphetamine, prescription medication, clothing, two electronic control devices, and numerous items suspected of being stolen including cabinetry, kitchen appliances, ceiling fans, doors and other building materials.
A 28-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Toronto Police Station.
He was charged with 11 offences, including goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, possess prohibited drug (x2), destroy or damage property, possess instructions for manufacture of prohibited drug, and use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition (x2).
Police will allege in court that the man used stolen products to fit out his home kitchen and damaged a parked vehicle at Warners Bay on Friday 31 May 2019.
The man, who is a former member of the Finks outlaw motor cycle gang (OMCG), was refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court today (Friday 7 June 2019).
Man charged following pursuit with Porsche – Lake Macquarie
A man has been charged with multiple offences following a pursuit in Lake Macquarie yesterday.
Police will allege in the early hours of Wednesday 5 June 2019, a house on Hurn Street, New Lambton, was broken into, where car keys were located, and a Porsche Macan was stolen from the premises.
About midday yesterday (Thursday 6 June 2019), officers from Lake Macquarie Police District sighted a Porsche on York Street, Teralba and attempted to stop it.
After the vehicle failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated and terminated soon after due to dangerous driving.
A short time later, the Porsche was sighted travelling through Cardiff, where it mounted a gutter and drove down a narrow grass laneway in-between houses, before crashing into a fence on Clinton Close, Cardiff.
A man exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A search was commenced with officers from Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Police Districts, the Dog Unit and PolAir and a short time later, a 24-year-old man was arrested in nearby bushland.
He was taken to Toronto Police Station and charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, disqualified driving, drive conveyance taken without consent, larceny, use class A vehicle with unauthorised number plate affixed, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, negligent driving, enter inclosed land without lawful excuse, go onto running lines, possess prohibited drug and two counts of possess prescribed restricted substance.
The man was refused bail to appear in Toronto Local Court today (Friday 7 June 2019).
Three charged with 37 offences over nine armed robberies – Lake Macquarie
Between February and May 2019, police will allege in court that two men robbed nine bowling clubs and a golf clubhouse, while armed.
In two of the incidents, the man allegedly assaulted a cleaner with a hammer and a staff member with a metal pole.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators, with the assistance of specialist tactical officers, arrested a 24-year-old man at Fishing Point just before 7am yesterday (Thursday 6 June 2019).
Shortly after, detectives executed search warrants at the Fishing Point property, a home in Rathmines and another home in Bolton Point, where a second man, aged 36, was arrested.
A third man, aged 27, was arrested in Maitland later the same day, where all three were taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with a combined total of 37 offences.
Investigations under Strike Force Bergs continue.
No.2 protected for historic rugby Test
Australia’s Women’s Rugby team will play their first ever standalone Test on a No.2 Sportsground playing surface that meets international standards thanks to a decision to quarantine the pitch until the historic 13 July fixture.
The boutique day-time international against Japan, the first in which the Wallaroos will play another country outside the customary curtain-raiser format, could be followed by annual Tests at No.2, which will undergo improvements between now and game day.
City of Newcastle will upgrade the glassed area at the northern end of the grandstand – to accommodate merchandise sales and host volunteers – and construct two fire stairwells at the rear of the concrete bleachers to sidestep the need for event fire-wardens.
The Wallaroos will play a Test against Japan in July at No.2 Sportsground. Photo credit: Stu Walmsley
City of Newcastle Services Director Alison Murphy said the decision had been made in consultation with ground users to preserve No.2 after last weekend’s rain-affected matches and further downpours undid recent rye-grass sowing.
“Hosting the women’s rugby Test is an historic opportunity for the City and we are determined to do everything we can to make the Wallaroos an annual fixture, as women’s sport goes from strength to strength,” Ms Murphy said.
“Remediation works and the closure of the ground will provide staff with the opportunity to rehabilitate the surface to an appropriate standard for the Test.
“In the meantime, we will work with Wanderers Rugby Union Club and Newcastle Hunter Rugby Union to find alternative venues for training and competition games scheduled for No.2 on 22 and 29 June.”
Rugby Australia Head of Operations and Major Events Tony Harris backed the move to mothball the ground.
“We have every confidence in the City of Newcastle to have No.2 Sportsground ready for the Buildcorp Wallaroos first Test of 2019 against Japan, which will be broadcast around the world,” he said.
“We have been very impressed with the efforts of the City around this fixture and I know the team is looking forward to continuing their preparation for the International season when they convene in Newcastle on July 6.”
The Japanese will be out to avenge their 29-15 loss to Australia at the 2017 World Cup in the Newcastle fixture, as well as a second match at North Sydney Oval on Friday July 19 July.
Two curtain raisers will be played before the 13 July Test:
11.15am Hunter Women XV v Southern Inland Women XV
12.35pm Australian Defence Force Women v NZ Defence Force 40 minute halves, 10 minute half time
3.05pm Buildcorp Wallaroos v Japan
Former Salvation Army soldier charged with historical alleged child sex abuse
A former soldier of the Lambton Salvation Army will face court today charged over the alleged sexual abuse of two young boys in the 1990s.
In July 2018, detectives from Newcastle City Police District established Strike Force Georgiana to investigate allegations of historic child sex abuse by a former soldier of the Salvation Army at Lambton.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested a 69-year-old man at Newcastle Police Station about 9am on Wednesday 10 April 2019.
He was charged with three counts of sexual intercourse with person 10 or over and under 16, seven counts of aggravated indecent assault – victim under the age of 16, and five counts of commit act of indecency with person under 16.
Police will allege in court that the man sexually abused two boys separately on numerous occasions, both of whom he had met through his work with the Salvation Army at Lambton.
It is alleged the incidents occurred in the late 1990s, when the boys were aged 10 and 14.
The man remains in custody and will appear at Newcastle Local Court later today (Thursday 6 June 2019).
Trees and tech deployed to #BeatAirPollution
City of Newcastle celebrated a city-wide tree planting drive today and the upcoming installation of an environmental sensor network as part of World Environment Day’s global campaign to combat air pollution.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes helped plant a Port Jackson Fig in Centennial Park, Cooks Hill, this morning as the City’s Environment teams continued their work in driving rain to minimise carbon pollution on World Environment Day 2019.
The Fig will eventually grow to a height of 30 metres and is just one of 205 trees the City will plant before 23 June at parks and playgrounds in Cooks Hill, Broadmeadow, Wallsend and Shortland.
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The Port Jackson Fig was winched into its new home via crane
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes helped in the planting efforts
“Our City has never been more invested in local and global climate issues than we are right now,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“Today’s tree planting and the ongoing projects our environment and smart city teams are working on are practical efforts we’re making following our commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Goal Development goals, which we incorporated into our 2030 Community Strategic Plan last year.
“While small in stature right now, this Port Jackson fig may absorb more than two tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over its lifetime whilst producing oxygen, aligning perfectly with the theme of World Environment Day today, which is #BeatAirPollution.”
Also harnessing the environmental benefits of technology, the City will soon deploy up to 40 clusters of Internet of Things sensors right across the local government area, providing a comprehensive analysis of environmental conditions in real-time, including particulate pollution, flooding, humidity and soil moisture.
L-R City staff Angus Weingott, Michael Linsley and Matthew Warby with the Lord Mayor at Centennial Park
The Lord Mayor said the network had been designed to grow as new applications and challenges were identified, with data collected, communicated and aggregated on smart city technology platforms and made freely available to the public.
“By collecting real-time data on air quality and environmental conditions, City planners will be able to make more-informed decisions about the impacts of urban design decisions and better understand industrial processes,” the Lord mayor said. “Researchers can also use the data to inform projects to improve liveability and maintain urban amenity.”
The envirosensing network is a leading smart city application of the Hunter Innovation Project. Initial installation is funded by the NSW State Government as part of the Hunter Infrastructure Investment Fund.
The City of Newcastle received $4.9M for the Hunter Innovation Project to deploy smart city infrastructure across the city and local government area.
For more information about World Environment Day, visit https://www.worldenvironmentday.global.