Month: March 2022

The first meeting of the Deputy Premier’s Stockton Beach Taskforce since Deputy Premier Paul Toole inspected erosion at Stockton Beach with Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes last month is set to occur tomorrow.

After a meeting hiatus last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Taskforce will be an opportunity to progress the actions of Stockton’s Coastal Management Program including returning sand and amenity to Stockton Beach.

An evaluation report in December last year found that an ongoing program of sand top-ups will be more cost effective and efficient than structures like an artificial headland, in terms of buffering the coastline and returning a permanent beach at Stockton.

This followed an extensive evaluation process that considered four feasible coastal management options to complement the mass sand nourishment identified in the Stockton Coastal Management Program 2020.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the Taskforce meeting and said City of Newcastle is looking to the State Government for action on the approvals required to get sand onto Stockton Beach.

“We appreciate the work undertaken by the State Government to identify offshore sand sources suitable for replenishing sand on Stockton Beach and the commitment by the former Deputy Premier to fund the work required for a mining licence for offshore sand extraction,” Cr Nelmes said.

City of Newcastle has provided the State Government with a report detailing several possible planning approval pathways and the technical studies that may be needed to support the approval process, including possible environmental assessments.

“City of Newcastle has asked the State Government to review this document and confirm if the offshore sand extraction is a regional or state significant project and the associated planning approvals required to ensure sand is returned to Stockton Beach.

“With tomorrow’s Taskforce meeting we are hoping for confirmation of State Government funding, knowing that at least $21 million is required for the initial mass sand nourishment of Stockton Beach.”

The certified Stockton Coastal Management Program 2020 identified the need for an initial 2.4 million m³ of sand as part of a mass sand nourishment program and, to complement this, a regular program of sand top ups of around 146,000 m³ to maintain the buffer to the coastline and to provide beach amenity for the community.

“We want to get moving with the extraction approvals required to get sand onto Stockton Beach and we recognise the important role the Stockton Beach Taskforce plays in coordinating the various government departments who need to work together to make that happen,” Cr Nelmes said.

The Deputy Premier’s Stockton Beach Taskforce was established to provide advice and recommendations to both the NSW Government and City of Newcastle on such issues as sand sourcing, actions to mitigate the loss of community amenity and seeking the priority capital and operational funding required.

Local children have the chance to take one more slide down the towering spiral waterslide at Lambton Swimming Centre before the iconic attraction is updated.

City of Newcastle has progressed plans to replace the 22-year-old enclosed raft waterslide, with the project awarded to Australian Waterslides & Leisure.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the 120m-long twisting waterslide will remain in operation until the end of the April school holidays, with work to commence on replacement once the Lambton Swimming Centre closes for winter.

“The existing waterslide will continue to operate throughout the remainder of the current season, ready for locals to enjoy the new waterslide when the pool reopens for the 2022/23 summer season,” Cr Nelmes said.

Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the waterslide has been a hit since its installation, with hundreds of people flocking to Lambton Swimming Centre during the school holidays to make a splash down the popular attraction.

“I encourage local kids, whose parents may have enjoyed climbing up the 9-metre-high tower to splash down the waterslide when it was originally installed in 2000, to take one more slide down the popular attraction before it is replaced,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.

A like-for-like replacement of the waterslide will be installed at the site of the existing slide within Lambton Swimming Centre and the project will make use of the existing supporting infrastructure.

The Lambton Swimming Centre was developed as the City of Newcastle’s (CN) first inland swimming pool and was opened in 1963. An average of 184,000 people visit the popular facility annually.

During the last winter closure period, annual maintenance was undertaken at Lambton Swimming Centre, which included painting and upkeep throughout the facility.

Elsewhere at City of Newcastle inland pools, new playgrounds were recently constructed at Wallsend Swimming Centre and Mayfield Swimming Centre, and a new accessible changeroom area was created at Mayfield Swimming Centre. Further exciting improvements for our local pools will be unveiled in the 2022/23 budget in April.

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council Meeting of Tuesday 22 March 2022. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.

Lord Mayoral Minute

Federal Election Priorities

A Lord Mayoral Minute regarding federal election priorities was supported ahead of the May 2022 election. City of Newcastle will prepare an election priorities document to enable advocacy for funding and delivery of projects and policies, consistent with CN priorities and budget commitments.

Priorities include, but are not limited to Newcastle Airport Terminal expansion, Richmond Vale Rail Trail, National Park No.1 Sportsground redevelopment, Hunter Park (Broadmeadow Sports and Entertainment Precinct), Sporting Facility Fund, Surf Lifesaving Club redevelopment funding, Stockton Coastal Erosion mitigation and sand replenishment.

Ordinary Business

Endorsement of motions to the 2022 National General Assembly of Local Government
Council endorsed 11 motions for submission to the 2022 Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly, which is being held from 19-22 June 2022 at the National Convention Centre, Canberra.

Public exhibition of Wickham Masterplan update 2022
Council voted to place the draft Wickham Masterplan 2021 Update (2022 amendment) on public exhibition for 28 days and receive a report following the exhibition period.

Exhibition of Planning Proposal and Development Control Plan for Community Infrastructure Incentives at Wickham
Council supported the Planning Proposal to amend the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012 in order to implement the Draft Wickham Masterplan 2021 Update (2022 Amendment).

City of Newcastle will forward the Planning Proposal to the Minister for Planning for ‘Gateway Determination’.

Council also voted to place the Planning Proposal, subject to Gateway Determination, on public exhibition for 28 days.

Exhibition of Draft Newcastle Development Control Plan Section 6.03 Wickham
Council voted to place the draft Newcastle Development Control Plan 2012 Section 6.03 Wickham on public exhibition for 28 days.

Council will receive a report on submissions received after the public exhibition period including any further amendments made in response to submissions.

Employment zones reform
Council received a report on the NSW Government’s changes to employment zones in all NSW Local Environment Plans. City of Newcastle will make a formal submission to the Department of Planning and Environment raising concerns about the short timeframe to consider the significant reform.

Elizabeth Street, Tighes Hill – proposed raised crossing at Union Street
Council approved the proposed upgrade of the pedestrian crossing in Elizabeth Street Tighes Hill, near Union Street, to a raised crossing with kerb extensions.

Tauranga Road, New Lambton – half road closure at Lambton Road
Council approved the proposed half road closure of Tauranga Road at Lambton Road, Lambton, and implement one-way northbound traffic flow between Thalaba Road and Lambton Road.

Executive monthly performance report
Council received the executive monthly performance report for February 2022, which reports on City of Newcastle’s monthly performance.

Tender report – Lambton Pool waterslide replacement
Council voted to approve an exemption to tender under Section 55(3)(i) of the Local Government Act 1993 for the design, supply and installation of a waterslide at Lambton Swimming Centre.

Organics Processing Facility
Council voted to accept a variation to contract 2019/144T for the design and construction of an organics processing facility for combined food organics and garden organics at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre to enable food waste to be brought forward by four years.

Notices of Motion

Support for east coast submarine naval base in Newcastle
Council did not endorse a Notice of Motion asking for City of Newcastle to support the building of the new east coast future Navy base in Newcastle.

Supporting the National ‘Statement from the Heart’ for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition campaign
Council endorsed a Notice of Motion calling for City of Newcastle to support the National ‘Statement from The Heart’ and the campaign for Constitutional Recognition of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, and to recognise that 26 May represents the fifth anniversary of the Statement from The Heart.

Council will partner with the Gurakiai Aboriginal Advisory Committee, Local Government NSW and From the Heart to hold public forums in Newcastle to raise community awareness of the issues.

Preservation and repurposing of Shepherds Hill Observation Post
Council endorsed an amended notice of motion to write to the Minister for Defence to seek funding for feasibility investigations and concept plan for the adaptive reuse of the Shepherds Hill Observation Post, which could include activities such as whale watching.

Refugee / asylum seekers – humanitarian settlement
Council supported a Notice of Motion calling for the Lord Mayor to write to the NSW members of the Senate and House of Representatives and the current Minister for Home Affairs, Karen Andrews, requesting urgent humanitarian settlement for all refugees and asylum seekers who seek sanctuary and a safe home in Australia. As a Refugee Welcome City, CN offers its support to assist stakeholders to settle those refugees and asylum seekers as soon as possible after leaving detention.

Council also endorsed adding City of Newcastle to the list of local councils supporting the Back your Neighbour campaign.

Newcastle Surf Lifesaving Clubs
Council supported an amended Notice of Motion noting that the development of a Coastal Management Plan is underway, and significant investment has already been made into coastal assets. City of Newcastle will continue to explore future funding options with Federal, State, and external stakeholders to maximise the functionality of local Surf Lifesaving Clubs, which will provide a community service and increase tourism visitation to enjoy Newcastle’s beautiful beaches and outdoor recreational lifestyle.

Gas Decarbonisation
Council supported a Notice of Motion to write to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and various Ministers to urgently develop a gas decarbonisation roadmap, setting business, industry and households up to be resilient and sustainable in a decarbonising world, while safeguarding jobs in important manufacturing industries.

Newcastle West Safety Audit
Council supported a Notice of Motion to conduct a crime prevention through environmental design safety audit for the ‘West End’ after dark precinct during the detailed design phase of the West End city centre revitalisation program of works in consultation with residents, NSW Police, local venue operators, Councillors, City of Newcastle staff, and other key stakeholders.

City of Newcastle Creative Hoardings Program
Council supported a Notice of Motion to investigate the feasibility of initiating a Newcastle Creative Hoardings Program, whereby developers with construction sites in high visibility areas must cover their hoardings with street art concepts, created by local street artists (wherever possible) as endorsed by the City’s Public Art Reference Group.

The Motion also noted that the popular Big Picture Festival is returning later in 2022 as a part of the Special Business Rate Program, and event organisers propose to collaborate with other SBR street art projects to create a more holistic and broader initiative.

City of Newcastle (CN) is calling for the community to come together in support of a First Nations Voice in the Australian Constitution.

Council endorsed a Notice of Motion at Tuesday’s Ordinary Council Meeting in support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which calls for real and practical change in Australia through the establishment of a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament, with a proposed referendum to be held in the next term of Federal Parliament.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said now was the time to work together to bring about meaningful change.

“City of Newcastle are proud of Newcastle’s rich Indigenous heritage and established the Guraki Aboriginal Advisory Committee to ensure that acknowledgment of the original custodians of our land is embedded in all that we do at Council,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We wholeheartedly support the Uluru Statement from the Heart and its call for a constitutionally recognised voice that would enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to provide advice to Parliament on policies and projects that impact their lives.

“City of Newcastle will partner with Guraki, Local Government NSW and From the Heart to hold public forums in Newcastle to raise community awareness of the issues and further these important conversations, which are crucial in Australia becoming a unified nation reconciled with its history.”

Chair of the Guraki Aboriginal Advisory Committee Luke Russell said now is the time for Australians to come together through a referendum and officially acknowledge the traditional custodians.

“A Voice to Parliament would give the Australian Government the opportunity to collectively make policies with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, rather than for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Mr Russell said.

“Together with City of Newcastle, Guraki Aboriginal Advisory Committee is well placed to further these conversations within our community to help educate, inform and bring about change.”

Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon said the Uluru Statement from the Heart is a generous gift to the nation – inviting us to walk together with First Nations people in a movement to build a better future.

“Fifty-five years ago, the nation backed in the 1967 Referendum to change the Constitution so that the Commonwealth could make laws in respect of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and included them in the consensus,” Ms Claydon said.

“Now we have the chance to make good on the unfinished business that remains.

“The time for a referendum on a First Nations Voice is now, and it’s great to see the City of Newcastle getting involved in the campaign to ensure we get this done.”

Councillor Deahnna Richardson said a Voice to Parliament is the structural reform required to give First Nations Australians the agency we need when it comes to decisions about our people, our culture and our lands, but we cannot move forward without a consensus among all Australians.

“With just over one in four people still undecided about a Voice to Parliament, these are crucial conversations that we need to have,” Cr Richardson.

“It’s been a long time coming, but it’s definitely time.”

For more information, visit: fromtheheart.com.au

City of Newcastle is delivering on its commitments to good urban planning in Wickham, with a community infrastructure contribution planning proposal and updates to the City’s development control plan adopted by the elected Council on Tuesday night.

The updated planning documents reflect the Wickham Masterplan (2021), which was developed in a collaborative approach with the Wickham community and local landowners. The proposed changes to the Development Control Plan (DCP) incorporate revised mapping, height limits, updated character statements, and new upper-level setback controls, which protect the Village Hub, while allowing for the balanced growth of the suburb.

The documents will be formally exhibited with the planning proposal to be submitted to the Department of Planning and Environment for Gateway Determination, ahead of public exhibition with the accompanying DCP for further community feedback.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the planning proposal and proposed amendments to the DCP better reflect the shared vision for delivering urban renewal within Wickham.

“This is good news for residents and the community of Wickham who have been involved in the planning of Wickham’s transformation from the very start,” Cr Clausen said.

“Creating greater community infrastructure to support Wickham’s growing population while maintaining its inner-city suburban character by protecting the Village Hub are important parts of our vision for Wickham which also includes enhanced and better connected green spaces, footpaths, and cycleways.”

The DCP will be amended to reflect the Community Infrastructure Incentives Policy, which was adopted by Council in July 2021, and the Wickham Masterplan (2021) adopted in September 2021.

“Throughout the planning process, Wickham’s identity is continuing to evolve and take shape, as the suburb transitions from a semi-industrial suburban area into a thriving urban neighbourhood that supports the revitalisation of Newcastle’s West End,” Cr Clausen said.

“The Wickham Masterplan supports the strategic relocation of Newcastle’s city centre to Newcastle’s West End under its urban renewal strategy, harnessing its proximity to public transport, the CBD, harbour and green spaces.”

City of Newcastle Manager Regulatory, Planning and Assessment Michelle Bisson said the community’s future enjoyment of Wickham is at the centre of planning decisions.

“City of Newcastle is ready to progress Wickham to the next stages in the planning pathway,” Ms Bisson said.

“It is great to see that the Wickham Masterplan is progressing, and we look forward to receiving community feedback on the proposed amendments.”

An architectural legacy that spans more than half a century has earned Brian Suters AM the city’s highest honour.

The award-winning architect has been named a Freeman of the City in recognition of his significant contribution to Newcastle’s built form and enduring commitment to mentoring the next generation.

Fittingly, the honour was conferred within the walls of the updated Civic Playhouse, which Brian designed for City of Newcastle in 2004.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Brian’s work had helped shape the way we see Newcastle today and would continue to be appreciated for generations to come.

“The mark Brian has left on our built form, and our cultural landscape, has quite literally defined part of the city’s look and feel,” Cr Nelmes said.

“His legacy is evident throughout the city, from our striking Brutalist former City Administration Centre, which has recently been reborn as Newcastle’ first five-star hotel, to the modern surrounds of the Civic Playhouse and the remarkable Bauhaus-influence design of his own former family home on Wolfe Street, which won the prestigious Blacket Award for Architecture in 1980.

“Naming Brian a Freeman of the City is a well-deserved honour that recognised the significance of his many architectural contributions to Newcastle and his ongoing commitment to mentoring younger generations of architects.”

Born in Sydney in 1937, Brian and his family returned to his mother’s home city of Newcastle during World War II when he was aged five.

Educated at Hamilton Primary School and Newcastle Boys High School, he later studied at Newcastle Technical College and graduated from the University of NSW, having been awarded the University Medal on the completion of his architecture studies.

After winning the Byera Hadley Travelling Scholarship, he moved overseas with his wife Kay and lived in London and Europe for two-and-a-half years before returning to Newcastle to pursue his architecture career.

Brian acknowledged the role City of Newcastle played in his career and said he was thrilled, more than half a century later, to be honoured as a Freeman of the City.

“Newcastle has been the main spring of my success as an architect and the basis of my community participation,” Brian said.

“Back in 1964 when I returned to Australia from living overseas, my wife and I chose to return to Newcastle to pursue our careers and family life. It was a critical decision and now this honour vindicates that decision.

“My career took off with the architectural work on the Civic Fountain where I worked with the competition winner, sculptor Margel Hinder and her artist husband Frank Hinder.

“He strongly emphasised the need in architecture for collaboration – from concept to completion.

“It marked the beginning of a long period of major works for City of Newcastle and on the back of this our practice acquired many other significant commissions.

“At the time of my retirement in 2010, Suters Architects had offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns, and associations with international practices in Malaysia, UK and France.

“Our practice would not have achieved this recognition without my beloved Newcastle, so I am honoured and delighted to be named a Freeman of the City.”

Brian joins an esteemed list of 14 other Novocastrians to be awarded the City’s highest honour including writer, philanthropist and historian Vera Deacon, community volunteer Howard Mole and Surfest co-founder Warren Smith.