Newcastle News – Page 57

City of Newcastle double 2024 trainee and apprenticeships

City of Newcastle (CN) has boosted its annual apprentice and trainee intake for 2024 with 18 roles on offer to help people take their first career steps.

Recruitment has begun for a range of early career positions, with roles available across various sectors including greenkeeping, civil construction, carpentry, heavy vehicle mechanics, information technology, customer service and digital marketing.

Four positions have been targeted towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as part of our commitment to our Aboriginal Employment Strategy.

Lord-Mayor-Nuatali-Nelmes-with-the-City-Greening-Team.JPG

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said she looked forward to welcoming even more faces as part of the expanded 2024 cohort, bringing the total number of apprentices, trainees, graduates and undergraduates currently employed with CN to more than 50.

“City of Newcastle is committed to being a diverse, inclusive and culturally welcoming employer of choice and has doubled the number of opportunities on offer this year, compared to last year, to give more people starting out a leg up,” Cr Nelmes said.

“This year, we’ve also increased the number of positions targeted towards individuals who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, aligning with our commitment to bridge the gap in Indigenous employment across the organisation.”

Twenty-six-year-old Shanden Mills is nine months into completing a dual apprenticeship in landscaping and arboriculture as part of CN’s Trainee and Apprentice program, based at its Kotara Nursery.

“I sought out apprenticeship opportunities and the program CN offered really stood out,” he said.

“I’m really enjoying learning new skills like how to use a chainsaw safely from an elevated work platform and eventually conquering my fear of heights.

“I’ve been getting my hands dirty helping to plant, prune and maintain more than 2,000 trees across the LGA as part of our annual tree planting program and working on projects like Orchardtown Road’s Local Centre upgrade.

“CN also offers the option to work a nine-day fortnight, which allows me a day to study and complete my TAFE course work.”

Shanden is learning under the supervision of CN’s City Greening Coordinator Tahn Woolmer, who started out in horticulture as a CN apprentice 21 years ago.

“It’s very rewarding training up-and-coming apprentices over three or four years and then seeing many of them secure a full-time position,” Mr Woolmer said.

“I’d encourage anyone starting out or looking for a career change to consider applying for an apprenticeship or trainee role, as there are plenty of opportunities on offer.”

Successful applicants under the program will begin work on 29 January 2024.

Applications are now open and close on Sunday 24 September 2023.

Visit City of Newcastle’s Employment Opportunities webpage for more information.

Safety first as City of Newcastle lifeguards prepare students for summer

Thousands of local primary school students will be better equipped to take a dip this summer thanks to a City of Newcastle program that has been saving lives for more than 50 years.

City of Newcastle lifeguards attended Waratah Public School today to educate more than 300 Kindergarten to Year 6 students in preparation for this year’s swimming season.

City of Newcastle Aquatic Operations & Education Specialist Chris Griffin (left) and lifeguard Sam Biddle (right) with students from Waratah Public School following today's Water Safety Program.

The program is based around teaching preventative measures, basic fundamentals of water safety and how to enjoy yourself safely around water.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said with temperatures set to soar this week, it is important to ensure the next generation knows how to cool off without getting into hot water.

“Newcastle beaches attract more than one million swimmers and sun-seekers to our picturesque coastline each year, but behind the stunning beauty lies the inherent risks they can present,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Since 1966, our incredible team of lifeguards and aquatics staff have been utilising their skills and experience to empower children and adults with the knowledge they need to stay safe at our beaches, ocean baths and pools.

“Our free Water Safety Education Program is delivered to over 45 primary schools across Newcastle each year, educating more than 13,000 children about dangerous water conditions, how to swim safely and what to do if they get into difficult situations.”

The program is delivered during winter and spring each year, with CN’s lifeguards committing more than 700 hours during an eight-week period to promote the crucial water safety and drowning prevention messages across the city.

Almost 150,000 students have been engaged in the program during the last decade, with CN taking the program online through a digital presentation during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure no-one missed out on the key water safety messages.

City of Newcastle Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy said delivering the program is one of the highlights of their year for many CN lifeguards.

“The delivery of the program is a significant component of CN’s overall approach to water safety, and one of the most significant youth engagement programs we undertake,” Ms Duffy said.

“Our lifeguards are passionate about sharing these life-saving lessons with children across Newcastle, which will help minimise the risk of children getting into dangerous situations and prevent aquatic accidents and drownings.”

Critical incident investigation underway over death of woman – Stockton

A critical incident investigation is underway after a woman died near Newcastle overnight.

Just after 12.30pm yesterday (Thursday 14 September 2023), officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to a unit complex in Mitchell Street, Stockton, following reports a woman was threatening people with an axe.

On arrival, the 47-year-old woman allegedly threatened responding officers with the axe before barricading herself inside a unit.

A police operation commenced, with assistance from specialist tactical officers, including police negotiators, before police were able to gain entry to the property about 9.45pm

Police used a number of tactical options to take the woman into custody including the use of a Taser.

She was then escorted from the scene to an ambulance, however, her condition deteriorated a short time later, and she was taken to John Hunter Hospital, where she later died.

A crime scene was established and a critical incident team from the Homicide Squad will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.

That investigation will be subject to an independent review.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

A new playspace for Gregson Park

City of Newcastle is moving ahead with the creation of a new inclusive playspace at Hamilton’s historic Gregson Park, with the contract for construction now open to tender.

One of the concept designs for the new playspace at Gregson Park.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the project was identified as a high priority action as part of the adopted Masterplan for the much-loved park.

“We know our community values Gregson Park’s rich history and what it offers as a recreational space,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Extensive community engagement was undertaken in preparing the Gregson Park Masterplan 2021, with feedback into the concept design for a new playspace and upgraded amenities, and consultation with First Nations Australians to appropriately capture Indigenous elements in the design.

“The construction of this playground will be a significant step in delivering our shared vision for Gregson Park, which will ensure it remains a much-loved and well utilised space now and into the future.”

Alongside a variety of traditional play equipment, the playground will feature a range of accessible, sensory 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 to ensure the park is an inclusive place for all.

Councillor Carol Duncan said it was exciting to see this project move forward, with construction expected to begin early next year.

“Hamilton is a unique, diverse and iconic Newcastle suburb with Gregson Park the green space at its heart,” Cr Duncan said.

“I look forward to seeing work get underway on the reimagined playspace and upgraded amenities, which will enhance the future enjoyment of the park for the next generation.”

Local business owner and Hamilton Business Improvement Association (BIA) Chair Reece Hignell said the new playspace will provide plenty of benefits for the suburb.

“Gregson Park is a popular destination that attracts visitors from Hamilton and the wider Newcastle community,” Mr Hignell said.

“This new playground will provide a drawcard for more families and that will hopefully create increased foot traffic for all of our wonderful businesses in and around Beaumont Street.”

Tender submissions can now be made via www.tenderlink.com/newcastle

Riverwall repairs provide rock solid future for popular running route

A shared pathway home to one of the largest parkrun events in Australia will be preserved into the future as part of City of Newcastle’s $350,000 investment into the Throsby Creek riverwall.

The project will repair a 200m-long section of the rock riverwall at Wickham, ensuring the ongoing stability of the heavily used pathway that runs adjacent to the western bank of Throsby Creek.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen with representatives from parkrun, City of Newcastle and Soil Conservation Services checking in on the progress of the Throsby Creek riverwall repairs.

The shared pathway provides a key link in the inner-city cycleway and forms part of the 5km-long Newy parkrun course, which is traversed by more than 400 runners and walkers every Saturday morning.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said these important repairs will ensure the riverwall continues to be an environmental, recreational and visual asset valued by all members of our community.

“Moving across the city with ease is important to the liveability of Newcastle, which is why City of Newcastle is investing in pedestrian safety, enhanced accessibility and linked movement within local neighbourhoods,” Cr Clausen said.

“Repairs to the Throsby Creek riverwall will provide stability to the nearby shared pathway, which has been utilised more than 224,000 times by Newy parkrun participants alongside countless cyclists, walkers and café lovers who live and work in the surrounding Wickham, Maryville and Carrington communities.”

The repair work will involve the recovery and reinstallation of the original igneous pink rocks displaced from the wall into the creek waters over time, supplemented by around 210 tonnes of newly sourced rock, which will be used to repair and stablise the riverwall where it had degraded over time.

The project will also provide formalised pedestrian recreation access to the artificial beach on the southern and northern end of the work area.

Works are being delivered for City of Newcastle by Soil Conservation Services. City of Newcastle has worked with local suppliers to gain access to appropriate rock resources, which have been in short supply, delaying the commencement of permanent restoration works.

The original rock wall was delivered more than 20 years ago by a private developer on behalf of the NSW Government. The reconstructed wall will be built to a higher standard, to reduce the likelihood of future councils needing to undertake further restoration.

Newy parkrun Co Event Director, Penny Redhead said the Throsby Creek loop is a fantastic resource, with one of the best flat scenic routes Newcastle’s inner-city has to offer.

“Over the past 10 years, Newcastle has experienced a running movement. This is highlighted by the continued growth in participation not only at Newy parkrun but across the 13 parkruns in the Greater Hunter Region,” Ms Redhead said.

“The focus of parkrun is getting people of all ages, shapes, and abilities together as a community to move continuously, at their pace, for 5km. With the riverwall repairs, the shared pathway will be safer and more accessible for everyone including parkrun.

“Even on non-parkrun days it’s great to see the volume and variety of people enjoying the path, demonstrating real respect and courtesy amongst all users.”

The project is being delivered as part of City of Newcastle’s citywide creek rehabilitation program, which is designed to improve our blue green grid, through revegetating riparian vegetation, stabilising creek beds, reducing bank erosion, improving water quality, and enhancing amenity for our local communities.

City of Newcastle will invest more than $1.25 million into the program during the 2023/24 financial year, with repairs and rehabilitation projects also planned for the Claremont Reserve creek line at Adamstown, Ironbark Creek at Elermore Vale, Wilai Creek at Elermore Vale, and Dark Creek at North Lambton.