Funding for projects to boost local business precincts is one step closer following the adoption of the Special Business Rate (SBR) Expenditure Policy.
Councillors voted last night to approve the new framework, which will guide the development of projects and events in the City Centre, Hamilton, Mayfield, Wallsend and New Lambton.
City of Newcastle Director Strategy and Engagement Brett Smith said the policy will pave the way for new activations to draw more people into local business areas.
“Newcastle is fortunate to have a range of unique business districts, each with its own special character and attractions,” he said. “This policy will help businesses harness the potential of their local precinct and promote its appeal to a wider visitor audience.”
Forty-six applications were received as part of the initial expression of interest (EOI), which invited businesses, not-for-profit organisations and community groups to apply for a share of $900,000 in funding.
A panel consistent with City of Newcastle’s current Economic Development grant panel, with the addition of an independent business representative, will assess applications against a range of eligibility criteria, including a requirement to demonstrate how the project will benefit businesses within the SBR precinct.
This process is expected to be completed by the end of September, followed by an announcement of the successful projects from this initial round of applications.
Funding of up to $500,000 for a single project or event in the Newcastle CBD is possible under the new program, with smaller grants of up to $15,000 available in Hamilton, Wallsend and New Lambton. Funds must be used for the promotion, beautification and development of the business precincts.
A second EOI will be held before the end of the year for the three smaller business precincts, with the aim of generating additional grassroots projects for further consideration.
To increase awareness of the program and provide support to applicants, City of Newcastle staff will host a series of information sessions across Hamilton, Wallsend and New Lambton.
The SBR Expenditure Policy was placed on public exhibition for a three-week period and feedback received from the community was carefully considered before the policy went before councillors last night.
This included amending the draft policy to clearly reflect the legislative requirement that SBR funds are to be spent within the precinct from which they are collected.
The SBR Policy also guides the allocation of funding to the relevant Business Improvement Associations (BIAs). In response to independent recommendations to improve the use of SBR funds, local agency Purser Corporate Communication has been engaged to provide a range of support services to the BIAs.
Purser Managing Director Meg Purser said that the new BIA model provided opportunity for businesses to support growth and economic opportunity across the city.
“The revised BIA structure has been designed to enable a panel of business people to develop and manage promotional and marketing strategies, as well as beautification projects that enhance their precinct, attract business and encourage visitation,” she said.
Month: August 2019
FIRST DAYTIME LIGHT RAIL TEST TO CIRCULAR QUAY
Testing of light rail vehicles along George Street is now in full swing, with the first tram travelling the length of the street from Central Station to Circular Quay in daylight hours.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Transport Andrew Constance boarded the first tram to make the journey during the day and travelled from the Martin Place stop to the end of the line at Circular Quay.
“This is an exciting day for Sydney with light rail vehicles making their way down the revitalised George Street,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This is just the start of daytime testing along the length of the line and we can expect to see a lot more of it ahead of customer services starting before the end of the year.
“The new network will move up to 13,500 commuters an hour during peak time, replacing the conga line of buses which used to sit in traffic on George Street.”
Mr Constance again reminded the community to be aware of the changed environment in the area as tram testing becomes more frequent.
“Now trams are in the busy CBD day and night everyone needs to be aware, remove your headphones, get off your phone and remember to look both ways before crossing the road”, Mr Constance said.
“We’re now on the home stretch of this project and in December, Sydney residents and its visitors will benefit from a better connected city and a transformed boulevard.”
New trams hold up to up to 450 passengers, equivalent of up to nine standard buses. This means the new light rail network will have the initial capacity to move up to 13,500 commuters per hour during peak times (7am – 7pm).
Police appeal following fatal motorbike crash – M1 near Newcastle
Police are appealing for information to identify a motorbike rider after a fatal crash on the M1 at Killingworth, about 25km west of Newcastle this morning.
Police have been told that about 1.05am (Wednesday 28 August 2019), two motorbikes were travelling south on the M1 Motorway when one rider came off his Kawasaki Ninja, before he was hit by a car also travelling south after coming to a stop in the roadway.
The car’s driver – a 25-year-old woman – contacted emergency services, before she was taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory testing.
The rider was unable to be revived and died at the scene. He is yet to be identified.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended the scene of the crash, and inquires are now being conducted by Newcastle Crash Investigation.
Investigators are urging anyone who may have been driving along the M1 around the time of the incident and witnessed or captured dashcam footage of the motorbikes to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
Police would particularly like to speak with the rider who was riding with the deceased man.
Council Update – Tuesday 27 August
Following is a summary of the Ordinary Council Meeting for Tuesday 27 August 2019. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.
Lord Mayoral Minutes
Revocation of Freeman of the City and Citizen of the Year awarded to Graeme Lawrence
A Lord Mayoral Minute to formally revoke the 2004 Citizen of the Year accolade and the Freeman of the City award on Graeme Lawrence was endorsed at tonight’s council meeting.
City of Newcastle Organics Recycling
A Lord Mayoral Minute requesting City of Newcastle explores opportunities to promote organic waste recycling within the community, was supported.
Population projections for the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Area
A third Lord Mayoral Minute requesting the City write to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces asking for a review of the population projections for the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Area, to ensure that appropriate planning is undertaken for service and infrastructure delivery for the community, was supported.
Infrastructure Priority List 2020 update
Lastly, councillors supported a fourth Lord Mayoral Minute requesting City of Newcastle prepares a submission for consideration for the 2020 Infrastructure Priority List publication, outlining projects of significance to the City of Newcastle, and the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Area (as outlined in the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan 2036).
Ordinary business
Ward Boundary amendments on public exhibition
Councillors voted to place the proposed ward boundary map on public exhibition for a 42-day period, with a further report to be prepared for the council following the consultation period.
Newcastle Writers Festival sponsorship
Councillors approved a three-year sponsorship deal for the Newcastle Writers Festival (NWF). Annual contributions of $40,000 will also go towards the delivery of the festival, which will result in almost all of the NWF events being staged within the City’s cultural facilities.
Adoption of Special Business Rate Expenditure Policy
Councillors voted to approve the new SBR framework, which will guide the development of projects and events in the City Centre, Hamilton, Mayfield, Wallsend and New Lambton.
Electricity Tender
City of Newcastle will set its sights on a 100 per cent renewable energy target after councillors endorsed a report tonight to tender for a new electricity contract.
ANZAC Day Sponsorship
An annual contribution of $75,000 will go towards City of Newcastle Returned Services League (RSL) Sub-branch to deliver the region’s major ANZAC Day commemorative events. The funds will be used to support the delivery of the Dawn Service at Camp Shortland, Newcastle East, the ANZAC Day March, Newcastle; and the United Service of Remembrance at Civic Park, Newcastle, for the next three years.
Notices of Motion
Outdoor Dining Policy
City staff will investigate opportunities to waive the application fees paid to the City by outdoor dining traders. A report will be prepared for the Council in response to the NOM that reiterated support for changes to the State Government’s Outdoor Dining Policy, which aims to streamline and simplify outdoor dining approvals, cut red tape for small business and local Councils.
Youth Mock Council
A motion congratulating the work of the Newcastle Youth Council on the Youth Mock Council held in May 2019, was supported. The Youth Mock Council, comprising of people aged 15 to 25-years-old, aims to provide strategic advice on issues relevant to young people to the Council.
Sexism and homophobia
A procedural motion to lay a Notice of Motion regarding sexism and homophobia on the table until the next council meeting, was supported.
Inner-city and Newcastle East cycleway
A NOM requesting the City undertake a detailed investigation, planning and design process to identify an appropriate route from the Hunter/Union Streets intersection to Newcastle East for the construction of a separated cycleway, was supported.
City sets sights on 100% renewable electricity target
A plan to source 100 per cent of City of Newcastle’s power from renewable generation could save ratepayers millions in energy costs over the next 25 years, a feasibility study has found.
The study, commissioned by the City following a Council resolution in April indicates cost savings of between $3.8 million and $4.8 million to ratepayers by sourcing power either directly, or via a retailer, from renewable sources.
The Council report also reveals widespread community support for a potential move to 100 per cent renewables following a survey of almost 1,000 Novocastrians.
With the City’s current electricity contracts due to expire on 31 December, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was the right time for the City to implement more sustainable, cost-efficient and eco-friendly forms of electricity generation from 2020 and beyond.
“It’s City of Newcastle’s aim to be a leader in renewable energy as part of our strategy to be a global smart city,” the Lord Mayor said
“Around 70 per cent of the respondents to our Winter Community Survey supported the City moving towards a 100 per cent renewable energy target, which sends us a strong message.
“The survey also identified increasing the use of renewable energy as one of the community’s highest ranked measures to reduce impacts on the environment.
“Our City is well positioned to take the next step towards achieving a 100 per cent renewable electricity target and we are already using half a megawatt of solar to power ten of our sites, including the Newcastle Museum.
“There’s an additional five megawatt of renewable energy generation that will soon be available via the Summerhill Waste Management Centre solar farm.
“Combined, this will provide for between 50-65 per cent of the City’s renewable electricity supply, which puts us on track to meet the 100 per cent goal we’re aiming towards.
“While it will be sometime before the national electricity grid fully transitions to 100 per cent renewable energy, the City will be looking to purchase enough renewable electricity to meet 100 per cent of its operational electricity requirements.”
As part of City of Newcastle’s operational activities, contracts for the supply of electricity for large sites, street lighting and small sites expire on 31 December 2019 and the recommendation proposed is that the City enter into a long-term agreement that provides for 100 per cent renewable electricity supply.
If adopted, City of Newcastle would follow the lead of other Australian organisations that have moved to 100 per cent renewable electricity supply including the University of Newcastle, University of NSW, CBA, Westpac, Monash University, Melbourne University, and also City of Sydney which is currently out to market.
Woman arrested following stabbing incident – Port Stephens – Hunter Region
A woman has been arrested and taken to hospital following an incident at Salamander Bay in the states Hunter Region today.
About 5.40pm (Tuesday 27 August 2019), a 26-year-old woman – who was allegedly armed with a knife – was walking along Soldiers Point Road, Salamander Bay with her 5-year-old daughter.
Near the intersection of Scott Circuit, the woman got into the back-seat of a car that was stopped and occupied by a man and his 15-year-old daughter.
The woman allegedly stabbed the man with the knife – that was covered by a protective sheath – causing minor lacerations to his shoulder.
The woman got out of the car and walked with her child towards the shopping precinct where she entered a supermarket. A number of staff and customers at the store ran outside and locked the doors while calling police.
The woman caused minor cuts and abrasions to a number of customers inside the store with the sheath-covered-knife before turning it on her child causing lacerations to her head.
Police arrived and arrested the woman without incident. She was taken to Mater Hospital under police guard where she is being treated for lacerations to her fingers and head and will undergo a mental health assessment.
Her daughter was taken to John Hunter Hospital where she is being treated for lacerations to her scalp which are considered non-life-threatening.
Three men attended a local clinic for superficial injuries.
Investigations continue.
Motorcyclist dies in crash – M1 Lake Macquarie
A motorcyclist has died after coming off his bike on the M1 between West Wallsend and Ryhope early this morning.
Shortly after 1am (Wednesday 28 August 2019), police have been told two motorbikes were travelling southbound on the M1 expressway at speed when one rider has come off his bike.
He was thrown from the bike onto the road before being hit by a car also heading south.
The rider died at the scene.
The female driver of the vehicle was taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory tests.
The rider of the second motorbike did not stop.
Officers from the Crash Investigation Unit are attending to assist Lake Macquarie officers with a full investigation and are calling for any witnesses, or anyone who may have dash-cam vision of the two motorbikes just prior to the crash to come forward.
Motorists heading southbound on the M1 near the crash scene are being diverted; motorists are encouraging to check livetraffic.com for the latest traffic updates.
Don't privatise 'the world's most successful green bank': Bandt
Greens climate change spokesperson Adam Bandt MP, today called on the government to rule out privatisation of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), which Scott Morrison has called the ‘world’s most successful green bank’, warning it would leave the government without even a fig-leaf of a climate change policy.
“Just last week, Scott Morrison was boasting to Pacific Island leaders about the importance of the ‘world’s most successful green bank’ to the government’s climate policy, yet now there’s discussion about selling it off,” said Mr Bandt.
“Scott Morrison has repeatedly said the CEFC is one of the key planks of the government’s climate policy. He must immediately rule out selling off the CEFC, one of the few effective things this government is doing to fight climate change.
“Selling it off would leave the government without even a fig-leaf of a climate change policy and further weaken Australia’s already miserable efforts to fight global warming.
“I’m proud of the role the Greens played in establishing the CEFC and securing its $10 billion for clean energy in the 2010 shared power Parliament. Since 2011, it has backed renewable energy projects across the country, helping cut pollution and make clean energy cheaper.”
“We’ll be fighting tooth and nail to keep the CEFC in public hands.”
Morrison must back Macron on Amazon climate emergency
Greens climate spokesperson, Adam Bandt, said that when the Prime Minister attends the G7 summit this weekend, the first time Australia has participated, he must back French President, Emmanuel Macron’s, demands for the Amazon fires to be recognised as an international crisis and made a top priority of the G7 meeting.
“Scott Morrison must back Macron’s call for the world to act on the Amazon climate emergency ,” said Mr Bandt.
“Last week, Scott Morrison bullied and bribed his way out of meaningful climate action at the Pacific Islands Forum but he won’t get away with it this weekend.
“There is no place to hide on the world stage. When Scott Morrison takes his place next to G7 summit leaders tomorrow, he must offer action on coal to cool the planet, not side with the demagogues club.
“The Amazon is 40% of the world’s tropical forests, 20% of our oxygen and up to 15% of global biodiversity. Right now, it is burning out of control. This is an international crisis and Scott Morrison must support efforts to treat it as such.”
Hanson-Young to tell Equinor today “you’re not welcome in SA”
Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young will tell Norwegian company Equinor, which plans to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight, “you’re not welcome in SA” when she meets with representatives from the company in Adelaide today.
Senator Hanson-Young will also highlight the findings of The Australia Institute report released today, showing SA is unlikely to receive any noticeable benefit from tax payments as a result of oil and gas production in the Bight.
“South Australians don’t want our Bight turned into an oilfield and this is the message I’ll be delivering on their behalf to Equinor today,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“Drilling in the Bight will be a disaster for coastal communities, for tourism and fishing jobs, and could devastate our unique marine life and beautiful beaches – it’s not worth the risk.
“The Australia Institute Report shows exploration drilling in the Bight would be ‘unlikely to pay any royalty income or tax to the state or federal governments’ and ‘decades of subsidy may be necessary before major oil and gas projects provide benefits to state government’.
“It would be extremely reckless of any government to put more than 10,000 tourism, fishing and aquaculture industry jobs at risk, for little to no economic benefit. Instead, the Bight should actually be protected from drilling and given World Heritage status.
“Polls consistently show the vast majority of South Australians oppose drilling in the Bight, along with the majority of Australians. It’s high time Equinor start listening and the major parties stop doing the bidding of their political donors in the fossil fuel industry and instead act in the best interests of the communities they’re meant to represent.
“No amount of spin is going to change the minds of South Australians – Big Oil is not welcome here.”