City of Newcastle is ready to welcome families back to some of its recently reopened facilities these school holidays while providing a range of online opportunities to be creative, experiment with science, or make something memorable.
With COVID-19 restrictions still affecting regular school holiday programming, the City’s cultural venues are getting creative to deliver a digital-led calendar of events sure to keep the kids busy.
These activities will complement the growing list of places reopening their doors to the public, with families also invited to get out and about – from a safe distance – and visit some of their favourite Newcastle destinations including Blackbutt Reserve, Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle Museum and our Libraries.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the creativity of City of Newcastle’s dedicated staff would ensure families had plenty of options to keep themselves entertained.
“It’s been wonderful to welcome the public back into many of our much-loved facilities in recent weeks, with our art gallery, museum, and a number of library branches now open across the local government area,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Fort Scratchley has reopened for visitors, while Novocastrians can once again enjoy getting back to nature with our ever-popular walking trails, open spaces and animal attractions at Blackbutt Reserve.
“The reopened spaces have all adapted their operations in line with COVID-19 restrictions to protect the health and wellbeing of our visitors and staff, and we look forward to families making the most of these venues during the school holidays.
“We’re also offering a range of interactive online experiences which will provide children with plenty of options for home-based fun.
“From live-streamed science experiments and webinar-facilitated art workshops, to digital art classes and an exciting online youth music concert featuring rising local stars, the variety of free events and activities includes something for all interests.”
While entry to the art gallery and museum is free, online bookings for the scheduled daily sessions at each venue are essential to assist in managing numbers in line with our COVID Safe plans.
Families can find their perfect balance of school holidays inspiration at www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/School-Holidays, with information about all our face-to-face and digital activities now available.
Month: July 2020
NEW OFF-PEAK TRAVEL SAVINGS START TODAY
Commuters travelling on buses and light rail will save on their off-peak trips for the first time with Opal fare changes coming into effect today.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said a 50 per cent discount is now available for off-peak trips on buses, trains, light rail and metro.
“For customers who can travel outside of peak hours there are really significant savings to be had. These changes are about helping to reduce crowding during the busiest times of day to ensure everyone can physically distance and stay safe during COVID-19,” Mr Constance said.
The new peak travel times are:
- 6:30am–10am on Sydney Trains, Sydney Metro, light rail and bus (currently 7am-9am)
- 6am-10am on Intercity Trains (currently 6am-8am)
- 3pm-7pm on Sydney Trains, Intercity Trains, Sydney Metro, light rail and bus (currently 4pm-6:30pm)
The 50 per cent off-peak discount will remain for three months, before a permanent 30 per cent discount for off-peak travel comes into effect. This will be a first on bus and light rail services and in line with existing off-peak fares for train and metro.
A new $8.05 ($4 concession) discounted all day travel cap has been introduced on Saturdays and Sundays to help spread weekend public transport loads, particularly on ferries.
Peak fares have increased for bus and light rail journeys between 0-3 kilometres. All other fares will either remain at current levels or reduce by the off-peak discount.
Existing Opal benefits remain the same, including:
- The $2 transfer discount,
- The weekday cap of $16.10 ($8 concession),
- $50 weekly travel caps ($25 concession),
- Half price trips after eight journeys in a week,
- $2.50 unlimited travel for Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card holders.
| Adult one way fares | Peak | Off-peak | Saving per trip from peak to off peak | |||
| Journey | Mode | Current price | New price | Current price | New price | |
| Penrith to Circular Quay | Train | $6.89 | $6.89 | $4.82 | $3.44 | $3.45 |
| Central Station to Lisarow | Train | $8.86 | $8.86 | $6.20 | $4.43 | $4.43 |
| Wollongong to Central | Train | $8.86 | $8.86 | $6.20 | $4.43 | $4.43 |
| Rouse Hill to Chatswood | Metro | $5.15 | $5.15 | $3.60 | $2.57 | $2.58 |
| Lidcombe to Padstow | Bus | $4.80 | $4.80 | $4.80 | $2.40 | $2.40 |
| Broadway to Central | Bus | $2.24 | $3.20 | $2.24 | $1.60 | $1.60 |
| Central to Star City Casino | Light Rail | $2.24 | $3.20 | $2.24 | $1.60 | $1.60 |
| Rydalmere Wharf to Circular Quay | Ferry | $7.65 | $7.65 | $7.65 | $7.65 | $0.00 |
| Fare band | Peak travel | Off-peak travel | |||
| Previous Adult fares | Adult fares from 6 July | Current Adult fares | Adult fares from 6 July | ||
| Train and Metro | |||||
| 0-10 km | $3.61 | $3.61 | $2.52 | $1.80 | |
| 10-20 km | $4.48 | $4.48 | $3.13 | $2.24 | |
| 20-35 km | $5.15 | $5.15 | $3.60 | $2.57 | |
| 35-65 km | $6.89 | $6.89 | $4.82 | $3.44 | |
| 65+ km | $8.86 | $8.86 | $6.20 | $4.43 | |
| Bus | |||||
| 0-3 km | $2.24 | $3.20 | $2.24 | $1.60 | |
| 3-8 km | $3.73 | $3.73 | $3.73 | $1.86 | |
| 8+ km | $4.80 | $4.80 | $4.80 | $2.40 | |
| Light rail | |||||
| 0-3 km | $2.24 | $3.20 | $2.24 | $1.60 | |
| 3-8 km | $3.73 | $3.73 | $3.73 | $1.86 | |
| 8+ km | $4.80 | $4.80 | $4.80 | $2.40 | |
| Ferries | |||||
| 0-9 km | $6.12 | $6.12 | $6.12 | $6.12 | |
| 9+ km | $7.65 | $7.65 | $7.65 | $7.65 | |
BUSHFIRES: $5M BOOST FOR FREE LEGAL HELP
Farmers, small businesses and regional communities recovering from the worst bushfire season in living memory will benefit from close to $5 million in Commonwealth funding for NSW’s legal assistance services.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said free legal support is playing an important role in how well people, businesses and communities recover from disasters.
“Bushfires have devastated the homes, businesses and livelihoods of so many people across our regions and now anyone facing legal problems as a result will have access to more free legal support than ever before,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Almost $3 million in funding will be directed to legal assistance services for individuals navigating insurance claims, tenancy issues, financial hardship, social security entitlements and other legal problems caused by the bushfires.
“A further $2 million will be invested in legal services for small businesses and primary producers. This will allow Legal Aid NSW to launch a new grants program, enabling private lawyers to access grants of aid to deliver free legal services to local businesses impacted by bushfires.”
Attorney General Mark Speakman said the funding will boost the capacity of Legal Aid, Community Legal Centres and the Aboriginal Legal Service to support individuals in bushfire affected areas across the State.
“This is great news for anyone whose livelihood has been torn apart by the bushfires. More pro bono solicitors and more legal assistance will be available for farmers and small businesses seeking assistance and advice on the financial issues they face, including credit, banking and debt,” Mr Speakman said.
“From the South Coast, to the Snowy Valley, to the Southern Highlands and to the North and Mid-North Coasts – anyone facing legal problems as a result of the bushfires will have access to more free legal support than ever before.”
Today’s $4.9 million Bushfire Funding Agreement is part of the Australian Government’s $2 billion response to the 2019-20 Bushfire Disaster over two years.
The Agreement will deliver the following legal assistance supports:
Individuals
- Boost Legal Aid’s Disaster Response Legal Service to provide advice and referrals on issues including insurance claims, financial hardship, accommodation and CentreLink entitlements.
- Additional staff at five generalist Community Legal Centres (CLCs) in bushfire affected communities and three specialist CLCs delivering services to bushfire affected individuals.
- Increase the capacity of the Aboriginal Legal Service to provide its services to individuals in bushfire affected communities.
Businesses and primary producers
- Establish and promote a new grants policy for private practitioners to deliver legal services to small business and primary producers for bushfire related issues.
- Extend Justice Connect’s pro bono platform to link small business and primary producers with pro bono services.
- Support the Financial Rights Legal Centre to continue offering its services specialising in areas including consumer credit, banking, debt recovery and insurance to small business and primary producers.
PIN issued after woman attempts to flee quarantine, hotel room damaged
A woman has been issued a Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) after attempting to flee a hotel in breach of her mandatory hotel quarantine order at the weekend.
About 10pm on Saturday (4 July 2020), police were advised by a security contractor that a female quarantine guest had fled a hotel on Pitt Street, Sydney, in contravention of the Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation Quarantine) Order.
Officers were told a guard had confronted the 39-year-old woman as she approached a fire exit and following a short struggle, she ran through the exit and was chased on foot before disappearing from sight.
The guard returned to the hotel and reported the incident to his supervisor, who alerted police inside the hotel.
A police search was initiated, and the woman was located at Circular Quay about 10.45pm and returned to the hotel, before being taken to hospital for assessment.
The Potts Point woman was released from hospital a short time later and transferred to a hotel managed by NSW Health.
She was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN for not comply with noticed direction under the Public Health Act.
As part of inquiries into the incident, police attended the woman’s room and noted the sprinkler systems had been significantly damaged.
Inquiries into the damage are underway and legal action is expected to be taken.
The NSW Police Force is currently managing 19 hotels across Sydney CBD with 5,761 people in mandatory quarantine, while NSW Health has an additional 597 people in six hotels.
Since Sunday 29 March 2020, 33,956 people have entered into mandatory quarantine hotels in NSW, and this is the only PIN issued for a breach of the Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation Quarantine) Order.
Appeal for information over Cessnock death
Strike Force Nargal has been formed to investigate the death of a man at a rubbish tip at Cessnock.
Emergency services were called to the waste management facility on Old Maitland Road just after 5pm (Sunday 5 July 2020), after the 54-year-old man was found critically injured. He died at the scene.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene and detectives are now investigating the circumstances of the man’s death.
As this is an unexplained death, it is currently being treated as suspicious.
If anyone was at the tip between 4.30pm and 5pm they should contact Cessnock Police or Crime Stoppers.
Fatal single-vehicle crash at North Rothbury
A driver has died after a single-vehicle crash in the state’s Hunter region today.
About 2.20am (Sunday 5 July 2020), emergency services were called to Wine Country Drive, North Rothbury, following reports a car had caught fire after leaving the road and hitting a tree.
The driver and sole occupant died at the scene, however they have not been formally identified.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District along with Fire and Rescue NSW attended scene and commenced investigations.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Winter sport returns across the city
Winter sports return today after City of Newcastle staff worked with sporting associations, clubs and neighbouring councils to support the resumption of competition and ensure a safe and consistent approach.
Around 140 sportsgrounds are hosting players in adherence to each sporting association’s COVID-19 safety plan.
Maryland Fletcher FC come back to two vastly improved fields at Kurraka Reserve, thanks to new turf and a $160,000 irrigation and drainage upgrade delivered by the City with the help of a $100,000 Federal sporting grant.
Regeneration of the two playing surfaces also included relevelling, top dressing and over sowing with ryegrass.
Federal member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon with Maryland Fletcher FC President Dave Carter and City of Newcastle Councillor Matthew Byrne on Kurraka Reserve’s new playing surface.
“We are delighted to welcome all sports back from this weekend and especially happy for the young Maryland-Fletcher players returning to a picture-perfect playing surface,” City of Newcastle Councillor Matthew Byrne said.
“The new drainage system will prevent Kurraka becoming waterlogged in winter while the irrigation system will dramatically improve the turf quality and playability for both soccer and cricket year-round.
“The past summer’s drought and water restrictions, which turned many sporting grounds into dust bowls around the country, underline the importance of efficient irrigation systems.
“Better grounds encourage greater participation while minimising labour and maintenance costs, and the City’s parks and recreation staff do a fantastic job maintaining and upgrading fields.”
Maryland Fletcher FC President Dave Carter said the club’s youngsters were eager to play on the newly improved fields.
“The result of the upgrade is a vastly improved and sustainable playing surface that’s going to save us hundreds of volunteer hours and ongoing maintenance costs every year,” Carter said.
“It’s been a great example of what can be achieved with cross-government and local community cooperation. We’re grateful for Council for managing the installation and the support of our Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon MP in obtaining a Federal grant.”
Where sporting activities involve more than 20 participants, organisers must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan. The City will continue to liaise with clubs to ensure they meet requirements.
Greens announce new climate targets as modelling shows higher 2030 targets needed to meet Paris goals
Greens Leader Adam Bandt has released new analysis showing that because pollution has increased so much since the Liberals repealed the carbon price, Australia’s emissions reduction targets would now need to be at least a 48% cut on 2005 levels by 2030 to be consistent with the Paris Agreement aim of keeping global warming well below 2 degrees. So much of the carbon budget has been spent that future governments will need to tighten their carbon belts even further, not relax targets as has been mooted. To limit global warming to the Paris goal of 1.5 degrees, the analysis finds that Australia’s target would have to be a 75% reduction on 2005 levels by 2030.
–See briefing paper for full details in attachment below–
Mr Bandt also announced that the Greens – who agree with Paciifc Island countries that the world should aim to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees – have adjusted their climate targets to reflect this new analysis, announcing a new policy of 75% cut on 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2035. The endorsement of the new position by the Australian Greens Party Room yesterday comes ahead of the Eden Monaro by-election, where the Greens are urging voters to send a message to the government about the climate crisis.
“Since the Liberals repealed the carbon price, pollution has gone up and Scott Morrison is blowing our chance of meeting the Paris Agreement goals,” Greens Leader, Adam Bandt said.
“The science is clear. The Liberals have spent so much of Australia’s carbon budget that we need to do even more over the next decade, not less.
“The Paris Agreement says we should limit global warming to well below 2 degrees while also fighting to limit heating to 1.5 degrees, which is what our Pacific Island neighbours want.
“The Liberals have us on track for over 3 degrees of global warming, and by walking away from a stronger 2030 target, Labor looks like giving up on the Paris Agreement as well.
“Going to the next election with anything less than a 48% cut by 2030 means abandoning the Paris Agreement.
“The only pathway for climate action is to turf the government out, put Greens into balance of power and implement a Green New Deal.”
“The science shows that to stop runaway global warming, Australia needs to cut our pollution by three quarters over the next decade and then get to zero five years after that. It is challenging, but with a Green New Deal we can do it.
“The climate doesn’t care about politics. Liberal and Labor can’t claim to be implementing the Paris Agreement without lifting their 2030 targets significantly.
“As ClimateWorks has shown, we can cut pollution by 75% by 2030 with available technology. It just needs an Australian government to show some leadership to make it happen,” Bandt said.
–See briefing paper for full details in attachment below–
Mr Bandt also announced that the Greens – who agree with Paciifc Island countries that the world should aim to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees – have adjusted their climate targets to reflect this new analysis, announcing a new policy of 75% cut on 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2035. The endorsement of the new position by the Australian Greens Party Room yesterday comes ahead of the Eden Monaro by-election, where the Greens are urging voters to send a message to the government about the climate crisis.
“Since the Liberals repealed the carbon price, pollution has gone up and Scott Morrison is blowing our chance of meeting the Paris Agreement goals,” Greens Leader, Adam Bandt said.
“The science is clear. The Liberals have spent so much of Australia’s carbon budget that we need to do even more over the next decade, not less.
“The Paris Agreement says we should limit global warming to well below 2 degrees while also fighting to limit heating to 1.5 degrees, which is what our Pacific Island neighbours want.
“The Liberals have us on track for over 3 degrees of global warming, and by walking away from a stronger 2030 target, Labor looks like giving up on the Paris Agreement as well.
“Going to the next election with anything less than a 48% cut by 2030 means abandoning the Paris Agreement.
“The only pathway for climate action is to turf the government out, put Greens into balance of power and implement a Green New Deal.”
“The science shows that to stop runaway global warming, Australia needs to cut our pollution by three quarters over the next decade and then get to zero five years after that. It is challenging, but with a Green New Deal we can do it.
“The climate doesn’t care about politics. Liberal and Labor can’t claim to be implementing the Paris Agreement without lifting their 2030 targets significantly.
“As ClimateWorks has shown, we can cut pollution by 75% by 2030 with available technology. It just needs an Australian government to show some leadership to make it happen,” Bandt said.
Newcastle back in business and ready to host events
Newcastle is ready to accommodate an influx of new event bookings as the City reopens the doors for functions at its key venues.
Function rooms located within City Hall and the Fort Scratchley Function Centre are now available for hire, with COVIDSafe plans in place to ensure the safety of attendees.
The guidelines will be determined by the one person per four square metre rule and allow seated functions and events only.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the reopening of venues was a positive step as the city recovers from COVID-19 restrictions.
“The City of Newcastle has a well earnt reputation for delivering first-class events, from small scale local functions all the way though to international events.
“While business tourism, family celebrations and community events had to be put on hold in recent months in the interests of public health and safety, we can now welcome people back into our wonderful function spaces within City Hall and Fort Scratchley.
“Allowing bookings for functions and events at these venues will also have a positive flow-on effect for local businesses such as caterers, accommodation providers, event organisers and florists, who rely heavily on the events industry to survive, while traders in surrounding precincts such as Darby Street will also benefit from increased visitation to the city.
“The past week has seen the phones running hot from people wanting to book the City’s venues.”
A comprehensive COVID-19 Safety Plan has been developed for all City of Newcastle venues to protect the health of the community and staff, including enhanced hygiene measures and distancing measures.