Category: Newcastle News

City of Newcastle will invest more than $3 million into a new inclusive playspace at Hamilton’s historic Gregson Park, with construction set to kick off early next year.

Councillors voted Tuesday night to accept the tender for the project, which will include a variety of traditional play equipment, as well as a range of accessible and nature-based play options, with traditional Indigenous elements, including a yarning circle to encourage knowledge sharing and a bush tucker garden to enrich learning of native edible plants.

Additional shade, a water feature, formal and informal seating, and footbridges will also feature, complemented by an upgraded, accessible amenities building and new covered picnic area, with construction expected to be completed in late 2024.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the next step in the delivering this important project for Hamilton residents and the community.

“City of Newcastle is committed to delivering quality playgrounds and green spaces across Newcastle for locals and visitors to enjoy,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We know our community values Gregson Park’s rich Indigenous history and what it offers as a diverse recreational space.

“Construction of this playspace in the new year signifies an important milestone in delivering our shared vision for Gregson Park, and was identified as a high priority action as part of the adopted Masterplan for the much-loved park.

“We’ve undertaken extensive community engagement in preparing the Gregson Park Masterplan 2021, with feedback incorporated into the final design for the playspace and upgraded amenities, along with consultation with First Nations Australians to appropriately capture Indigenous elements in the design.”

Councillor Carol Duncan, who is also the Chair of the Community and Culture Advisory Committee, said she looked forward to the project progressing.

“Gregson Park is a well-loved destination for Hamilton residents and the wider Newcastle community, offering a tranquil green space, just a short stroll from bustling Beaumont Street,” Cr Duncan said.

“The enhanced inclusive elements of the new playspace and upgraded amenities will ensure Gregson Park is made even more accessible for the future generation’s enjoyment of the space.

“I’m excited to see more members of our community interacting with this space in years to come.”

The expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery will reach new heights today with the installation of a 33 metre high hammerhead tower crane on site.

The crane will facilitate the next stage of the long-awaited Art Gallery Expansion project, which will more than double the size of the Gallery, modernising the facility into a fitting home for City of Newcastle’s nationally significant $126 million collection.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes was pleased to see the main construction works progressing, bringing the community another step closer to a world class space for education and enjoyment of the arts.

“Due to its smaller size, the Gallery has only ever had the capacity to display around one percent of its amazing collection at any one time,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The expanded Gallery will mean we can welcome many more people into the space and give our collection the home it deserves.

“The newly installed crane is a welcome albeit temporary addition to our city’s skyline, and I am really pleased to see the construction activity forging ahead.”

Once completed, the expansion project will deliver multiple exhibition spaces with the ground floor galleries dedicated to permanent collection display, a café, retail shop, multi-purpose program space, and a secure international standard loading dock.

The crane’s arrival followed the presentation on Tuesday of a $1.3 million cheque for the expansion to City of Newcastle from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation. The milestone payment is drawn from the Art Gallery Redevelopment Fund, which consists of funds raised by the community over many years and held in trust by the Foundation on behalf of the City of Newcastle since 2013.

Foundation Chair Suzie Galwey said the Foundation had so far secured philanthropic donations and pledges totalling $12 million for the expansion project, with a further $1 million being sought to achieve its $13 million fundraising goal.

“This cheque represents two decades of community passion, advocacy and fundraising for a world class gallery for Newcastle and the Hunter,” Ms Galwey said.

“It’s wonderful to celebrate this milestone payment alongside such exciting progress in the construction works and we look forward to seeing the expanded building continue to take shape.”

To celebrate the arrival of the crane, City of Newcastle is collaborating with Head Contractor Hansen Yuncken and a range of early learning providers in a family-friendly ‘Name the Crane’ colouring competition.

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said the fun competition would help spark interest in both the arts and construction amongst Newcastle’s youngest students.

“The Gallery has long partnered with schools and pre-schools in the area to foster connections and creativity, so this seemed like a lovely way to continue this legacy while our programming has moved off-site,” Ms Morton said.

Results of the competition, including the reveal of the crane’s name, will be announced early next year.

The Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project is supported by $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnerships and $5 million from the New South Wales Government under the Regional Recovery Package, as well as $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest, Margaret Olley Trust, and community fundraising over many years. A further $1 million is currently being sought through the Foundation’s public fundraising campaign.

The Regional Recovery Partnerships initiative seeks to broker connections between all levels of government to increase information flow, share technical expertise and strengthen regional development outcomes.

Santa Claus and his elves made a flying visit to Newcastle last night to help Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes light up the city’s biggest Christmas tree in Wheeler Place.

The annual tradition of flicking the switch begins a month of festive fun in the city centre.

Wheeler Place will host family-friendly activities around the towering 12.5m-tall Christmas tree between 5pm and 7pm on December 1, 2, 8 and 9, where everyone and their dog can also snap a selfie or a ‘puppy pawtrait’ with Saint Nick, supported by special community Christmas entertainment.

Cr Nelmes said Santa agrees it’s the perfect time of year to visit the city and your local shops.

“City of Newcastle (CN) provides a range of activities in the lead-up to Christmas that offer families the ideal opportunity to come to the city centre, shop locally for their presents and support our hospitality and retail outlets,” Cr Nelmes said.

“If you miss the chance to see Santa in Wheeler Place, City of Newcastle is providing a free DIY photo opportunity at 161a Hunter Street, seven days a week, from December 11 right up to Christmas eve. Bring your family, friends and pets for this free DIY photo.”

Adding extra incentive to visit the inner city, the Newcastle Business Improvement Association created a Festive Shopping Extravaganza, giving Novocastrians a chance to share in $7,500 worth of vouchers to local boutiques, cafes, bars, restaurants, pubs, entertainment venues or hair and beauty businesses.

CN’s cultural venues will be home to holiday season productions including Messiah in the City on December 10 at City Hall, The Nutcracker on December 19 at the Civic Theatre and One Song Sing | How to Make Gravy in Wheeler Place on December 21, where more than 1,200 people are expected to meet, rehearse and sing Paul Kelly’s iconic song in just one hour.

Local libraries will hear those sleigh bells ringing when Santa makes a guest appearance at the Christmas Story Stomp on December 5 at Newcastle Library and December 7 at Wallsend.

Timberlina will present Christmas Rainbow Storytime at Newcastle Library on December 9 and Saint Nick will also make a stop at Newcastle Museum on December 6 at 11am as part of Christmas Story Explorers.

Wallsend will be busier than Santa’s workshop with the iconic rotunda on the corner of Nelson, Tyrrell and Harris Streets hosting the Rock’n Elfy’s Christmas Show from 11am on December 9, 16 and 23, featuring singing, dancing and prizes galore.

The rotunda will also play host to Christmas carols every night from 6pm between December 20 and December 23, as well as the Conscious Christmas Markets on December 9.

Mr and Mrs Claus will spend plenty of time in the Hamilton business precinct on December 15, inviting locals and business owners to take a free picture with the hard-working, happy couple.

For more information about City of Newcastle’s Christmas activities visit https://whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/

City of Newcastle (CN) Councillors will be asked to reaffirm their support to planning for housing supply at tonight’s Ordinary Council Meeting in support of the Minns Government’s reforms to confront the housing crisis.

For more than a decade, CN has been planning for future growth and higher densities to facilitate housing opportunities for the Newcastle Local Government Area (LGA), by increasing housing diversity close to transport, infrastructure, and social amenity.

Provisions set out in the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2012 provide flexibility by increasing housing permissibility for R2 low density and R3 medium density residential land use zones and offer more flexibility than the majority of NSW LEPs.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the diversity of housing present in Newcastle contributes to the liveability of the city.

“City of Newcastle is delivering on its commitments to good planning and is recognised as a leading council in planning for and prioritising low and mid-rise housing types, such as multi dwelling housing and residential flat buildings, in the R2 low density and R3 medium density residential zones,” Cr Clausen said.

“Unlike many other Councils across the State, the proposed reforms will not impact City of Newcastle as the potential for housing supply in Newcastle’s residential zones is less constrained than the majority of NSW Local Environmental Plans.

“There’s a lot of potential for good development and particularly mixed styles of development with good amenity in the city of Newcastle, especially around our renewal corridors and around Broadmeadow as one of our key activation sites.

“CN’s planning for housing and the National Housing Accord are consistent with the strategic directions of the Newcastle 2040 Community Strategic Plan and the Newcastle Local Housing Strategy 2020.”

The latest forecasts show the population is set to increase by 41,150 residents to 202,050 by 2041 in the Newcastle local government area (LGA), which will stimulate demand for almost 20,000 new dwellings.

City of Newcastle’s Planning and Environment Executive Director Michelle Bisson said CN is on track to meet its new housing targets.

“Based on the supply pipeline within the Newcastle LGA, CN met the new dwelling demand by 2021 early and is on track to meet its demand for 2026 and 2041,” Ms Bisson said.

“CN has also been planning for future growth and higher densities to facilitate housing opportunities for our community through our work on the renewal corridors, Wickham Masterplan and currently through our collaboration with the Department of Planning on the Broadmeadow Place Strategy.

“We also call on the NSW Government to support Local Government in facilitating faster housing approvals through a Statewide roll out of City of Newcastle’s innovative Accelerated Development Application (ADA) pathway.

“CN’s award-winning ADA pathway fast tracked more than 20 per cent of the city’s $1.5 billion development pipeline during the 2022/23 financial year, helping to reduce the number of undetermined DAs by 35 per cent since 2017.

“By streamlining lower risk developments, staff time can be focused on more complex proposals and determine medium to high residential developments faster.”

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 28 November 2023. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.

Lord Mayoral Minutes

Mayor Shinozaki and the Ube Sister City delegation visit to Newcastle

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported that acknowledges City of Newcastle’s long, rich and mutually beneficial Sister City relationship with Ube City, Japan, and thanks Ube City for re-confirming their commitment to our Sister City relationship during their recent visit and reaffirms the profound impact of our past interactions and the importance of continued exchange across diverse fields for the mutual growth of our cities, rooted in mutual trust and cooperation.

Newcastle Williamtown Air Show success

A Lord Mayoral Minute was supported that notes that City of Newcastle, in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), welcomed around 100,000 spectators to the Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023 over the weekend, delivering an estimated economic output of $19.5 million, with hotels reporting a 97% occupancy rate over the weekend.

Ordinary business

Tabling of register of disclosures of interest

Council noted the tabling of the Register of Disclosures of Interest (for the period 1 August to 31 October 2023) by the CEO.

Adoption of 2024 council meeting cycle

Council unanimously voted to adopt the schedule for Council Meetings to be held in the 2024 calendar year.

Endorsement of the 2022/2023 Annual Report and adoption of the financial statements

Council unanimously voted to endorse City of Newcastle’s (CN) 2022/23 Annual Report and to adopt CN’s audited Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2023.

September quarterly performance report

Council received the 2022-2026 Delivery Program – September Quarterly Performance Report and adopted the revised budget.

New Annual council commitment

Council voted to commit to delivering and funding the New Annual festival for a further five years until at least 2028, in order to provide necessary strategic forward planning to enable future growth for the flagship cultural festival.

Adoption of the Wickham Public Domain Plan

Council unanimously voted to adopt the Wickham Public Domain Plan, which provides a framework for the delivery of high-quality streetscapes and public spaces in Wickham as outlined in the 2021 Wickham Masterplan.

Variations to development standards

Council received the report on development variations approved between 1 July 2023 and 31 October 2023.

Broadmeadow to Hamilton East cycleway

Council unanimously voted to approve the cycleway treatments between Chatham Street Broadmeadow and Gordon Avenue Hamilton, as a section of the broader Adamstown to Newcastle West cycleway connection.

Jesmond cycleway improvements

Council unanimously voted to approve a cycling connection along William Street and Blue Gum Road, Jesmond, as the first stage of the Jesmond Cycleway.

Laman Street, Cooks Hill – pedestrian improvements and traffic calming

Pedestrian improvements and traffic calming infrastructure in Laman Street Cooks Hill, at the intersection with Auckland Street, were laid on the table until the conclusion of the revision of the Cooks Hill Local Area Traffic Management project and the Civic Public Domain Plan.

City of Newcastle planning for housing and the national housing accord

Council reaffirmed City of Newcastle’s (CN) commitment to planning for housing supply, acknowledging its leading role in prioritising housing diversity.

Executive monthly performance report

Council received the Executive Monthly Performance Report for October 2023.

Tender report – Gregson Park Hamilton playspace and amenities upgrade

Council unanimously voted to accept a tender for the Gregson Park Hamilton playspace and amenities upgrade.

Notices of Motion

Restoration of roads and public domain – Newcastle East

Council supported a notice of motion that notes the resolution of 31 October 2023 concluding the City’s relationship with Supercars, and instead resolved to support Cessnock City Council with the proposed Wine Country 500 as an alternative major event for the Hunter region. City of Newcastle will now commence road and public domain restoration works in Newcastle East, as previously committed to the community and Heritage NSW, prioritising the replacement of temporary pedestrian crossings with permanent infrastructure. Council will receive a memo advising of next steps, including proposed community consultation before further works in the Heritage Conservation Area are undertaken.

Request for joint briefing with Lake Macquarie councillors

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion that council request a joint briefing with councillors from both Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Councils, and relevant planning directors, regarding a development on land that straddles the Lake Macquarie and Newcastle LGA boundary along the Newcastle Link Road.

Celebrating Stead Cycles’ 100^th birthday

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion that congratulates the Stead family on celebrating the 100th birthday of Stead Cycles in 2023 and recognises its contribution to our community.

Protecting and valuing Newcastle’s heritage

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion that the City of Newcastle values the unique heritage and character of its buildings, streetscapes and landscapes and that further work needs to be done to protect the heritage and character of the city’s buildings, streetscapes and landscapes by identifying Heritage Conservation Items, Heritage Conservation Areas and preparing Character Statements of suburbs.

2023 Youth Mock Council

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion that congratulates the Newcastle Youth Council on the Youth Mock Council held in July 2023. Council noted the Youth Mock Council developed and adopted three motions and requests that a report be provided to Councillors by the relevant Council officers assessing the viability, cost, and merits of each proposal, if they were to be adopted as policy of the Council.

A man has been charged after a sexual touching incident in the Hunter Valley region.

About 12.50am on Sunday 26 November 2023, police were called to Waverley Street, Scone, following reports a woman had been assaulted.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were told an 18-year-old woman had been followed and assaulted by a man before she was able to escape and run home.

Following extensive inquiries, a search warrant was executed at a home on St Aubins Street, Scone, about 12pm today (Tuesday 28 November 2023).

During the search, several items were seized by investigators for forensic analysis.

A 26-year-old man was arrested and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station where he was charged with sexual touching, common assault, choking and intimidation.

He was refused bail to appear at Singleton Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 29 November 2023).

More than 100 people have been charged following a police operation in Newcastle yesterday.

As of 4pm (Sunday 26 November 2023), the Form 1 relating to an authorised assembly in the Port of Newcastle expired.

Police will allege in court that a number of protesters purposely entered the harbour channel after this time despite appropriate warnings and directions by police.

Subsequently, 109 people – including 49 males, 60 females, five of which were juveniles – were arrested.

Of those arrested, 18 people were taken to Newcastle, Waratah and Toronto Police Stations and 86 people were taken to a nearby port facility. They were all issued court attendance notices for operate vessel so as to interfere with others use of waters.

Two men, aged 23 and 65, were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 27 November 2023), while the remainder will appear on Thursday 11 January 2024.

The five juveniles were released and will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

Swimmers are one step closer to being back in the water at the Newcastle Ocean Baths, with the testing and commissioning of the newly installed pump system about to kick off.

Water will be pumped back into the Baths during the two-week process, before the pool is emptied for the final touches to be completed. Construction work on the pool surrounds will also continue during this time.

City of Newcastle Executive Manager Project Management Office, Robert Dudgeon, said this final stage of testing is a critical step toward reopening the Baths for swimmers.

“The testing that commences today will run for approximately two weeks to confirm everything is working as it should when the baths are filled with water from the ocean, and also to provide training opportunities for our staff,” Mr Dudgeon said.

“Once the testing phase is complete, we will drain the pool so that the finishing touches can be applied, and we will then re-fill the pool ahead of the recommencement of swimming.

“We know the community are excited to return to the pool, and it’s really important that we complete the required testing to ensure the pool is safe and ready for swimming.”

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said he looked forward to the Baths reopening soon.

“The Newcastle Ocean Baths have been a treasured part of our community for the past 100 years, so it’s exciting to have reached this milestone in their revitalisation,” Cr Clausen said.

“We anticipate swimming will be given the green light sometime next month and should be in a position to announce the reopening date in the coming weeks.”

The new pump system was recently installed in a purpose-built wet well next to the old pumphouse structure.

The pumps have the capacity to completely replace the water in the baths within six hours. This is a significant improvement on the old system, which was dependent on tidal movement to refill the baths after cleaning.

A series of preliminary tests were conducted on the new system with the specialised manufacturer in Europe, ahead of the equipment being shipped to Australia for installation earlier this year.

The remaining components of the system were sourced from a local Newcastle supplier, who will help CN maintain the new system moving forward.

Work to restore the bleacher seating is also nearing completion, including application of the iconic teal green colour while sections of the boardwalk are being lifted into place.

Progress is being made on stage two of the project, following community input into preliminary options for the pavilion buildings earlier this year. Principal Design Consultant Tonkin Zulaikha Greer is working to prepare concepts for the upgrade of the pavilion buildings, including the heritage façade.

The $9.5 million proceeds from the sale of City of Newcastle’s Fred Ash building is helping fund the Newcastle Ocean Baths stage one upgrade along with $3 million in funding from the NSW Government’s Public Spaces Legacy Program. The NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program is an investment in high quality public open space and delivers vital infrastructure for communities to love the place they live.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a girl missing from the Hunter Valley region.

Sophie Holden, aged 15, was last seen travelling in a white Holden Cruze, bearing NSW registration DZX 29U, driven by an 18-year-old woman known to her in the Paxton area – about 10km south of Cessnock – at 3.30pm yesterday (Saturday 25 November 2023).

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for her welfare.

Sophia is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 160cm, thin build and has long brown hair.

She was last seen wearing glasses, white hooded jumper and grey shorts.

Inquiries have established that Sophia and the 18-year-old woman maybe travelling to Victoria.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to call Cessnock Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Swimmers are one step closer to being back in the water at the Newcastle Ocean Baths, with the testing and commissioning of the newly installed pump system about to kick off.

Water will be pumped back into the Baths during the two-week process, before the pool is emptied for the final touches to be completed. Construction work on the pool surrounds will also continue during this time.

City of Newcastle Executive Manager Project Management Office, Robert Dudgeon, said this final stage of testing is a critical step toward reopening the Baths for swimmers.

“The testing that commences today will run for approximately two weeks to confirm everything is working as it should when the baths are filled with water from the ocean, and also to provide training opportunities for our staff,” Mr Dudgeon said.

“Once the testing phase is complete, we will drain the pool so that the finishing touches can be applied, and we will then re-fill the pool ahead of the recommencement of swimming.

“We know the community are excited to return to the pool, and it’s really important that we complete the required testing to ensure the pool is safe and ready for swimming.”

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said he looked forward to the Baths reopening soon.

“The Newcastle Ocean Baths have been a treasured part of our community for the past 100 years, so it’s exciting to have reached this milestone in their revitalisation,” Cr Clausen said.

“We anticipate swimming will be given the green light sometime next month and should be in a position to announce the reopening date in the coming weeks.”

The new pump system was recently installed in a purpose-built wet well next to the old pumphouse structure.

The pumps have the capacity to completely replace the water in the baths within six hours. This is a significant improvement on the old system, which was dependent on tidal movement to refill the baths after cleaning.

A series of preliminary tests were conducted on the new system with the specialised manufacturer in Europe, ahead of the equipment being shipped to Australia for installation earlier this year.

The remaining components of the system were sourced from a local Newcastle supplier, who will help CN maintain the new system moving forward.

Work to restore the bleacher seating is also nearing completion, including application of the iconic teal green colour while sections of the boardwalk are being lifted into place.

Progress is being made on stage two of the project, following community input into preliminary options for the pavilion buildings earlier this year. Principal Design Consultant Tonkin Zulaikha Greer is working to prepare concepts for the upgrade of the pavilion buildings, including the heritage façade.

The $9.5 million proceeds from the sale of City of Newcastle’s Fred Ash building is helping fund the Newcastle Ocean Baths stage one upgrade along with $3 million in funding from the NSW Government’s Public Spaces Legacy Program. The NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program is an investment in high quality public open space and delivers vital infrastructure for communities to love the place they live.