City of Newcastle is inviting expressions of interest to redevelop the iconic Newcastle and Merewether Ocean Baths pavilions in overhauls that could include restaurants, recreational and community facilities and other services.
Newcastle Ocean Bath’s iconic art deco exterior is proposed to be retained in any redevelopment, while new public change rooms, disabled access, car parking, new seating, shading and other community facilities will be mandatory inclusions at both sites.
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As well as reinvigorating the baths precincts, the final outcomes will promote access to the Bathers Way, preserve views from lifeguard/first aid rooms and provide swimmers year-round protection from prevailing winds.
“Redevelopment of Newcastle and Merewether Ocean Baths pavilions is an exciting opportunity to rejuvenate and enhance public assets by capitalising on Newcastle’s unprecedented growth in a long-term partnership with the City,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing proposals. One condition that we have placed on the EOI is that the baths must always remain free public assets.
“The City is committed to improving public and community spaces along our coastline, and a commercial partnership could allow us to significantly enhance and manage these precious facilities in a financially responsible way.”
Artist’s impression of what the baths could look like.
Some 5,800sqm of space is on offer at the 1922-bulit Newcastle Ocean Baths and 2,200sqm at the Merewether pavilion, under leases of up to 21 years.
City of Newcastle Infrastructure Director Ken Liddell said councillors had made it clear they considered the ocean baths the No.1 infrastructure priority.
“In February the Councillors came together for a two-day strategic planning workshop where they nominated the restoration of the Newcastle Ocean Baths as the single most important infrastructure project for the city,” he said.
“Our staff have spent the past six months developing the EOI, as well as resolving a number of potential issues that exist because the Baths sit on crown land.
“All issues have been resolved and we are now able to take the projects to the market. Potential uses under zoning regulations for both baths include restaurants, cafes or kiosks, community facilities, and educational facilities or other recreation purposes.
“The EOI will be followed by a tender process for shortlisted respondents before a lease is signed with the City, which is the Reserve Trust Manager of both buildings for the Crown Lands Division of the NSW Government.
“Any redevelopment of these buildings will be subject to DA determination and the successful lessee(s) will be required to provide some facilities managed by the City, so it can continue to provide lifeguard and pool-cleaning services plus community spaces.
“Parties interested in these redevelopments will have to outline their proposed partnership or joint- venture arrangements, concept plans and previous experience with developments of similar scope and scale.
“Proponents will have to comply with heritage controls as the Newcastle Ocean Baths are listed as a local heritage item in the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012 and located within the Newcastle East Heritage Conservation Area.”
Expressions of Interest can be made via https://www.tenderlink.com/newcastle/ and close on Tuesday 17 December at 2pm.
Month: November 2019
Two arrested for drug and weapons offences – Singleton Heights
A man and a woman have been arrested in relation to drug and weapons offences in the state’s Hunter region.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District and Rural Crime investigators established Strike Force Axels to investigate property theft in the Upper Hunter.
Following extensive inquiries, about 7am today (Friday 1 November 2019), Hunter Valley PD officers with the assistance of Strike Force Raptor North executed search warrants at two properties on Madden Parade and Wentworth Avenue, Singleton Heights.
During the searches, police allegedly located and seized methylamphetamine, steroids, cannabis and a taser.
A 36-year-old man was arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station. He was charged with three drug offences and refused bail to face Cessnock Local Court today (Friday 1 November 2019).
A 57-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Singleton Police Station. She is expected to be charged later today.
Investigations under Strike Force Axels are ongoing.
Man charged after letter box destroyed by explosives – Hamilton North
Just before 5am (Tuesday 15 October 2019), police attended Boreas Road, Hamilton North, following reports of an explosion heard in the area.
Police canvassed the area and located a damaged letterbox.
No one was injured, and no other property was damaged.
Following extensive investigations, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District executed a number of search warrants at various residences and commercial properties.
The officers allegedly seized a number of firearms, prohibited weapons and various items used to manufacture and use explosive devices.
Further inquiries led officers to a location on Macquarie Street, Belmont where a 35-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman were arrested.
They were both taken to Belmont Police Station.
The man was charged with possession of multiple firearms, replica firearm, prohibited weapons and malicious damage by explosion.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow Saturday 2 November 2019.
The woman was released pending further investigations.
AUSSIE BIG WAVE LEGENDS TO HEADLINE INAUGURAL TOW EVENT IN Nazare
Larrikin big wave surfers Ross Clarke-Jones and Mick Corbett to join forces as ‘Team Australia’
The ultimate survivor of one of the world’s most dangerous sports, Aussie hell-man Ross Clarke-Jones (RCJ) is set to join forces with dare-devil WA compatriot Mick Corbett (Corbs), to compete as ‘Team Australia’ in the inaugural invitation-only Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge, which kicks off today, Friday November 1, 2019 and runs through to March 31, 2020.
The event will take place on the awe-inspiring ‘Big Mama’ wave peak – considered to be one of the most dangerous on the planet – that breaks closest to the iconic red lighthouse at Praia do Norte on the rugged Portuguese coastline.
Clarke-Jones and Corbett are widely known as the loveable larrikins of Big Wave surfing, and have 66 years’ combined experience under their belts. Clarke Jones is one of the pioneering godfathers of the death-defying sport, while Corbett represents a new breed of surfers taking charge at some of the biggest waves in the world.
“We’re great mates. There’s a lot of trust between us, which is important when we’re both putting our lives on the line to ride the epic waves of Nazare. We’ve each towed one another and surfed together, and now we’re teaming up to fly the Aussie flag at this global competition – we’re stoked and excited to get amongst it,” said an enthused Clarke-Jones.
“I have learnt so much surfing with Ross. His fearless approach to big wave surfing is something I’ve aimed to emulate. You can’t hesitate – with us, it’s a split- second decision to go, and then you need to back yourself all the way against these monster waves. We both love it – and getting to do it as an all-Aussie team will be awesome,” added Mick Corbett.
As the only Australian surfers invited to compete in the first ever Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge, Ross and Mick will ride harder, faster and higher, putting their bodies on the line in the hope of recording the biggest wave scores for their country.
In addition to Clarke-Jones and Corbett, the 19 person competition roster comprises some of the biggest names in global big wave including Sebastian Steudtner (Germany) & Maya Gabeira (Brazil), Andrew Cotton (England) & Tom Butler (England), Rodrigo Koxa (Brazil) & Pedro Scooby (Brazil), Luca Chianca (Brazil) & Kai Lenny (Hawaii), Hugo Vau (Portugal) & Alex Botelho (Portugal), Nic von Rupp (Portugal) & Francisco Porcella (Italy), Benjamin Sanchis (France) & Eric Rebiere (Brazil), Antonio Silva (Portugal) & Grant Baker (South Africa) and Justine Dupont (France).
A regular at Nazare, Clarke-Jones said, “It doesn’t matter how well you know a location or the surf, you can never be complacent. That’s what’s so awesome, but also dangerous, about the ocean.”
“No two waves are ever the same, and when you’re talking about 80-130ft waves like those in Nazare, you can’t ever afford to drop your guard. I learnt that the hard way last year when I wiped out and had to hop my way back up the cliff face to safety after being smashed on the rocks below. I’ll be the first to admit that that day I was complacent, and I very nearly paid the ultimate price. It taught me a big lesson,” he added.
“I’ve done 5 seasons at Nazare and 2 with Ross,” said Corbett. “We continue to learn and respect the waves together and have mutual understanding. I’m sure having to be so “on” in such an unforgiving environment has helped keep Ross young, and I hope I can go on and keep surfing the big waves well into my 50s like he’s done.”
Clarke-Jones has been based in the big wave mecca that is Nazare for four months of the year for the last 3 years –spending every winter for the 30 years before that on the North Shore of Hawaii.
“I’ve got no plans to slowdown. I have been recovering from a foot injury in recent months, so I’m throwing everything into getting my body 100% competition-ready for the Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge. It would only be unmanageable physical injuries that would put a stop to me big wave surfing. I love it, the passion is still there, and as Corbs said – it keeps me young. I split my time travelling between Hawaii, Australia and Portugal. I’ve got bases in both Hawaii and Australia, so also having something in Portugal would give me a great grounding – and allow for family and friends to come visit,“ said Clarke-Jones.
Nazare is expected to turn on conditions for the Tow Surfing Challenge – with the window for the competition from November 1 – March 31 falling during the peak Northern winter big wave season, with Clarke-Jones and Corbett hoping for 100-130+ ft waves when the green light is called.
“They’ve done a ride-in competition at Nazare before, but they couldn’t run it when the really big waves were breaking. With this new tow-in format, we’ll be able to get on the massive big waves the region is famous for. It’ll be spectacular,” said Corbett.
“I had intended launching my own tow-in competition at Nazare this year. But with injury, and other commitments, I ended up putting it off. The WSL has run with the idea, but it’s something I’d still love to pursue myself in the future,” added Clarke-Jones.
Both Clarke-Jones and Corbett are currently based in Australia, with the fearless pair set to return to Nazare asthe big waves hit.