Month: May 2023

Newcastle will become the cultural capital of Australia this week, with almost 500 representatives of the country’s museums and galleries sector gathering in the city for their annual conference.

The Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) 2023 National Conference is one of the largest business events being hosted by City of Newcastle this year, and is expected to inject almost $1 million into the local economy.

Delegates from across Australia, New Zealand and around the world are taking part in four days of workshops and panel discussions from May 16-19, tackling “brave conversations and new connections in changing environments”.

City of Newcastle’s cultural facilities will be showcased to the delegates throughout the conference, with events being held at Newcastle City Hall, Civic Theatre and Newcastle Museum, while the packed program also includes a special presentation on the expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle’s rich cultural heritage and capacity to host major business events made it a perfect fit for AMaGA’s national gathering, which was also held in the city in 2009.

“Newcastle has a proud legacy of preserving, sharing and celebrating culture, history and art through its iconic and award-winning cultural facilities,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Our city also offers broad appeal as a host destination for large-scale business events, with top-class conferencing and meeting facilities as well as a range of quality accommodation options.

“We are proud to be the first regional area to play host to the AMaGA National Conference for a second time, and encourage the visiting delegates to explore all the city has to offer while they are here.”

City of Newcastle Director Museum, Archive, Libraries and Learning Julie Baird, who is also the AMaGA National Council Vice President, said the national conference provided an opportunity for members of the sector to share, collaborate and learn.

“The conference is a wonderful chance to learn from the experiences of our colleagues in this sector, expand our networks, discuss opportunities to collaborate with others and discover new and exciting travelling exhibitions that we might be able to bring to our facilities,” Ms Baird said.

Hot on the heels of Come From Away’s record-breaking Newcastle season at the Civic Theatre, leading English theatre operator and producer Sir Howard Panter has visited the city as part of a reconnaissance trip scouting new locations to host future Broadway productions.

Sir Howard owns and operates 16 theatres across Europe as well as Sydney’s Theatre Royal on a 55 year lease from the NSW Government. He is currently in Australia to attend the opening of the Broadway jukebox smash Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, on Thursday at the Theatre Royal.

His company, Trafalgar Entertainment, is also responsible for producing a range of major theatre shows including Jersey Boys, The Rocky Horror Show, Jagged Little Pill, 42nd Street and War Horse.

Sir Howard and his team were in Newcastle today to take a firsthand look at the iconic Civic Theatre as well as the heritage-listed Victoria Theatre, which is undergoing a $5 million restoration project ahead of being reopened next year.

Sir Howard Panter said he’s been hearing for some time now of the excitement and reinvention of Newcastle.

“So many people have told me that I have to come to Newcastle. I was promised a mature, heritage city built on both the harbour and the coastline. Having now finally made my way here, I must say I’ve been blown away by what Newcastle has to offer,” Sir Howard said.

“To have a theatre of the size and grandeur of the Civic Theatre next to a new five-star hotel with light rail access on its doorstep, and a plethora of fine dining options on offer at Honeysuckle, it’s about as close to ‘theatre heaven’ as it gets.

“The Civic has that old world European feel to it that just adds to the sense of time travel that great theatre shows can take their audience on. I couldn’t be more keen to bring a Broadway show to Newcastle and hope we have some exciting news to share with the city in the next few months.”

City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath met with Sir Howard and said discussions to bring Trafalgar’s first show to the Civic Theatre are well advanced.

“The reinvention of Newcastle as a cosmopolitan, thriving major events city has been known for some time to entertainment and producers throughout Australia. The record-breaking local staging of Come From Away has grabbed the attention of international theatre producers such as Trafalgar, who recognise the burgeoning theatre demand that exists in Newcastle, and the Hunter,” Mr Bath said.

“Having someone of Sir Howard’s stature make time to travel to Newcastle from his London base is both an honour and an opportunity to showcase all our city has to offer.

“With a thriving local night time economy, $110 million expansion of Newcastle Airport underway to enable international flights to the city, $45 million expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery to house the most valuable art collection in regional Australia, and a theatre catchment that stretches from NSW’s Central Coast to Port Macquarie, it’s really no surprise that theatre producers are circling Newcastle.

“Few theatres compare to the majesty of the Civic Theatre in Newcastle and Come From Away impressed theatregoers during its recent Newcastle debut, smashing previous box office ticket sales records and whetting the city’s appetite for more Broadway live musical theatre.

“Newcastle is ready willing and able to add its name to the national touring list of major shows when they visit Australia.”

More than 21,500 theatregoers from across the Hunter and as far away as Tasmanian and Queensland flocked to the Civic Theatre during Come From Away’s three-week extended run in February to share in the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from around the world who were grounded in Newfoundland Canada in the wake of 9/11.

Newcastle was also the first regional city in Australia to stage Van Gogh Alive, with 84,000 tickets sold in just five weeks for the immersive, multi-sensory display of the painter’s iconic artworks, delivered as part of New Annual 2022.

City of Newcastle welcomes the NSW Government’s announcement that the Department of Regional NSW will take responsibility for the delivery of initial amenity sand nourishment at Stockton Beach, after the funding was announced in October last year.

A $6.2 million grant was awarded in October through the Federal Government’s Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program, which includes $4.7 million from the Commonwealth and $1.5 million from the City of Newcastle.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said that it was pleasing to see that an agency has been formally appointed, and welcomed the Minister for Regional New South Wales, the Hon. Tara Moriarty MLC, as the new Chair of the Stockton Beach Taskforce.

“We’ve stood together with the Stockton community over many years, particularly through the Stockton Community Liaison Group and the Stockton Beach Taskforce, to fight for a fair outcome for Stockton, so it’s fantastic news that the Minns Labor Government have taken this positive next step towards renourishing Stockton Beach,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Now that the Department of Regional NSW are on board as coordinator and NSW Public Works are confirmed as the delivery agency, we hope to finally see a consistent approach to the management of sand nourishment for Stockton.

“I look forward to working closely with Minister Moriarty, as well as the local Stockton community as we continue to protect public assets and restore amenity at Stockton Beach.”

The project funded by the grant includes the delivery of the initial amenity nourishment for Stockton, studies into possible sources of mass sand from the North Arm of the Hunter River and offshore sources, as well as the environmental approvals required for mass sand nourishment – a complex process, which has never before been undertaken in NSW.

City of Newcastle’s Executive Director Planning and Environment, Michelle Bisson, said mass sand nourishment remained the long-term solution to protecting the NSW Government owned Stockton Beach, and the work to develop the draft Extended Coastal Management Program (CMP) is well underway.

“The Extended CMP is critical for realising the long-term vision for the Stockton coastline. It has been informed by extensive consultation with the community, as well as the findings of additional studies and investigations undertaken since the development of the 2020 CMP,” Ms Bisson said.

The draft Extended Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP) steps out an expanded list of management actions that support the long-term strategy of mass sand nourishment outlined in the 2020 Stockton CMP, and broadens the geographical area covered to include the northern end of Stockton Beach from Meredith Street to the Port Stephens Local Government Area boundary.

The complementary actions featured in the Extended CMP are intended to prolong the benefits of mass sand nourishment.

“Delivering the CMP is a complex process, and each action outlined in the plan needs to be championed and funded by the most appropriate agency,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We look forward to confirming which NSW Government agencies will fund and own the mass sand nourishment implementation actions for managing erosion in Stockton at the upcoming Taskforce meeting, so that we can then finalise the draft CMP and place it on public exhibition later this year,” Ms Bisson said.

“It is appropriate that the NSW Government be tangibly involved in a solution for Stockton Beach, as it is their infrastructure, namely the breakwater and deepwater navigation channel of the Port of Newcastle, that has been proven as the primary cause of ongoing erosion at Stockton Beach.”

City of Newcastle has taken a key step towards the recommencement of work at South Newcastle Beach following the project’s head contractor Lloyd Group entering voluntary administration in March.

The Newcastle project was one of hundreds across New South Wales and Victoria affected by the decision.

City of Newcastle Executive Manager Project Management Robert Dudgeon said while the departure of Lloyd Group would have unavoidable impacts on the overall cost and timing, the project was moving forward with the interim appointment of a local contractor.

Daracon Group has been engaged to manage site safety, address remaining defective work items not completed before Lloyd Group left the site, and assist with confirming remaining works and associated costs.

“During their contract Lloyd Group delivered key components of the project scope, however there were a number of delays and quality issues during this time that extended the delivery program,” Mr Dudgeon said.

“Those defects now need to be quantified so a new contractor can come on board and complete the works.

“While it is disappointing that Lloyd Group’s departure has left us in this difficult position, this initial contract with Daracon will give us a clear picture of the way forward for this project so it can be completed for the community to enjoy.”

Daracon have taken possession of the site from today until City of Newcastle finalise the process to appoint a contractor to complete construction.

City of Newcastle Executive Director City Infrastructure Joanne Rigby acknowledged the importance of finalising this project for the community.

“Daracon were highly ranked during the original tender process and are experienced working on complex infrastructure projects in coastal environments, with a track record of successful delivery of major projects across Newcastle, including the current restoration of the Newcastle Oceans Baths,” Ms Rigby said.

“We know that the community are keen to see this project completed, and we look forward to recommencing work at the site shortly.”

The South Newcastle Beach Bathers Way project features a shared path from Shortland Esplanade to King Edward Park to improve access to South Newcastle Beach and King Edward Park, parking, landscaping, lighting and accessibility improvements, new fitness equipment, shade, seating, viewing areas, and a new café/kiosk and accessible amenities.

The wheelchair accessible skate bowl and terrain park will complement the advanced-level facilities at Empire Park, and have been designed to both withstand coastal impacts and minimise impacts to the surrounding environment.

City of Newcastle is kicking goals for football fans and players visiting Hamilton South’s Darling Street Oval, with work commencing on a major redevelopment of the grandstand and amenities.

Demolition of the existing grandstand commences this week as part of a project worth more than $3 million, which is being funded by City of Newcastle, Newcastle Olympic Football Club (NOFC) and the State and Federal Governments.

The joint investment will deliver a new grandstand for NOFC’s passionate spectators with female-friendly changerooms and improved disability access, as well as the refurbishment of existing amenities and a new formal off-street carpark.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the upgrade of the grandstand, which will seat more than 300 football fans, will address an ever-growing demand for the ‘world game’.

“City of Newcastle is committed to investing in premium-level facilities that will not only benefit our local football talent but allow Newcastle to attract even more sporting events,” Cr Nelmes said.

“This project will deliver female-friendly changerooms to better cater for the growing participation of girls and women in football at both a local and national level.

“It will also ensure the spectator facilities meet the needs of all community members, with accessible parking spaces, new shared footpaths and amenities that will enhance the comfort and experience for people with a disability visiting Hamilton South’s Darling Street Oval.”

Amenities for people with a disability will be included on both levels of the building, while a lift will ensure the facility is fully accessible. The new grandstand will also include a community space and designated accessibility area on the upper floor for spectating.

Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the project works supports a key action in CN’s 10-year Strategic Sports Plan (2020) to provide a sportsground designated for staging NPL and WPL football games.

“We have worked collaboratively with NOFC to bring their long-held ambitions for the sportsground to life with a design that complies with NPL standards whilst ensuring Darling Street Oval can cater for a host of football training and fixtures all year-round including schools, juniors, social, premier women, and men’s football,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.

NOFC President George Sofianos said as a club that is approaching its 50^th anniversary in 2026, its facilities have experienced a dramatic increase in usage from their 480 players and visiting teams.

“Newcastle Olympic has long been one of the powerhouse clubs in Northern NSW, but with the introduction of a comprehensive Women’s Football program in 2020, our club has been elevated further,” Mr Sofianos said.

“This new facility, and the upgrades to existing amenities, means that Darling Street Oval will be one of the few football facilities in the area with four changerooms and match official rooms, all of which are female friendly.

“In addition, it will be a more accessible facility, providing a more inclusive and enhanced football experience for all players, staff and spectators.

“Together with grants from the State and Federal Governments and a large contribution from the members of Newcastle Olympic, we are proud to have forged a strong partnership with the City of Newcastle who are a significant contributor to the project.”