Category: Newcastle News

The hugely popular Big Picture Fest will extend its artistic legacy across Newcastle in 2024 as one of 15 projects awarded a share of almost $1 million in funding by City of Newcastle (CN).

Buildings in the city CBD will become blank canvasses waiting to be transformed during the large-scale street art event, which will be held in Newcastle for the third time as part of CN’s City Centre and Darby Street Special Business Rate (SBR) program.

The latest round of funding from the SBR program will also see the return of the popular Chalk the Walk pavement 3D art event, as well as the third instalment of the successful West Best Bloc Fest music showcase.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said successful initiatives like City of Newcastle’s SBR funding program provided invaluable support for the city’s CBD business precincts and created vibrant, activated spaces for the community and visitors to enjoy.

“SBR initiatives such as West Best Bloc Fest, which will see more than 100 local musicians perform in venues across the city, are proven to not only attract an influx of visitors but also drive new and expanded economic opportunities for our local hospitality venues, arts and cultural sector,” Cr Clausen said.

“Big Picture Fest is a great example of how Special Business Rate funding can be used to help beautify and activate our local business precincts, which not only provide a boost to the economy but supports local jobs.”

Big Picture Fest Newcastle Director Katerina Skoumbas said the popular international street art festival would return to Newcastle in 2024 thanks to continued SBR support from City of Newcastle.

“We are excited to be extending the Big Picture Fest program into the East End in 2024 with some vibrant and eclectic street art planned for our third edition of the event, “Ms Skoumbas said.

“The SBR funding received for Big Picture Fest benefits many local businesses in the city centre. This roaming event increases the vibrancy of the City Centre by engaging visitors in an interesting way, which leads to increased visitation in the area and spending in many of our city’s hospitality venues.”

Special Business Rates are collected from businesses in Newcastle City Centre / Darby Street, Hamilton, Mayfield, New Lambton and Wallsend for the promotion, beautification and development of those precincts.

Other successful projects under this round of City Centre and Darby Street funding include the mouth-watering return of Newcastle Food Month, Shakespeare Under the Stars, Sculptures @ Scratchley and the Devonshire St Laneway Activation Project.

Successful City Centre / Darby Street SBR projects include:

West Best Bloc Fest – an annual block festival curated to showcase 80 plus emerging and established local musicians spread across supporting venues around the local West End block.

Kindle Winter Wellbeing Festival – this festival will unite the community via a calendar of bespoke events co-designed by businesses, artists and wellbeing practitioners to connect the community during winter. From music, kids’ discos, light activations, comedy and digital sensory spaces, this all-age event promotes community well-being and supports local businesses.

Chalk the Walk, Newcastle 2024 – 3D artwork trail in key City Centre and Darby Street outdoor locations.

Newcastle Food Month – returning in April 2024, this month-long project promotes what makes Newcastle and the surrounding precincts a gastronomic playground.

Stories – Women of the Hunter in Photography will share the stories of over 30 local storytellers during a six week curated exhibition, coinciding with International Women’s Day 2023, with public art installations, talks and practical workshops.

Newcastle ALIVE! Winter Festival – a multi-event program featuring 100 per cent local creatives to attract more trade to precinct businesses.

Devonshire St Laneway Activation Project – three events will be activated in Devonshire Street Laneway, to link into and support events and celebrations important to Newcastle and LGBTQIA+ communities. Each activation will run for three to four days and include visual art light projection displays, plus activities unique to each event such as pantomime theatre productions, markets, art exhibitions, and outdoor dining experiences.

Sculptures @ Scratchley – a free public outdoors sculpture exhibition at Fort Scratchley open to all artists.

Procession of Giants – Curious Legends will deliver two large scale events, Luminous Creatures and Whale Song to engage the community in a series of fun and inspiring activities.

Shakespeare Under The Stars – Whale Chorus will deliver a third season of Shakespeare Under The Stars with the beloved comedy ‘Twelfth Night’ in Pacific Park and will bring an estimated 3,600 visitors into the city centre during the summer months.

Big Picture Fest 2024 – locals and visitors are invited to watch local and international artists paint large-scale murals in real time over three days. In its third edition, this free festival program will extend into the East End through an outdoor exhibition in partnership with Iris Capital, a mentor program with The Lock Up gallery and projections on the University’s Q building.

Newcastle Bar Awards – in recognition and celebration of bartenders, mixologists, and brewers who are moving Newcastle’s drink culture forward. The awards will run in conjunction with a program of consumer events, hosted by Newcastle venues in its lead up, together with a People’s Choice Award that will ask the community to vote for their favourite local bar.

Reasons to visit Hunter Street Mall and Eastend Village – Ka fey café will boost local businesses in Hunter Street Mall by incentivising patrons through coordinating discounts, loyalty offers and events.

City of Newcastle Activation Project – this project will be delivered by Newcastle Tourism Industry Group to leverage significant major events that come to the city ensuring the economic benefit is spread beyond the event itself. The funding will activate and showcase local businesses creating an excitement and energy that ensures locals and visitors alike have an enhanced experience that involves preshow specials, after party drinks, theming and branding that builds hype and showcases the City of Newcastle as a cohesive major event destination.

Reactivation of ‘Live Spots 2023 / 2024’ – activating spaces other than live music venues and pubs.

Community feedback has confirmed City of Newcastle is heading in the right direction with two planned road upgrade projects that will reduce traffic congestion in the western corridor.

More than 80 per cent of community submissions received as part of recent public exhibitions have indicated support to create two lanes of traffic in each direction along Longworth Avenue and Minmi Road.

Councillors will vote next week on the concept plans, which are designed to reduce traffic congestion and bottlenecks by widening and upgrading the roads, as well as remove unsafe right turns and add in separate, dedicated turning lanes where possible.

If the concept plans are supported by Council on Tuesday evening, the two projects will progress to detailed design, with construction of the multi-year project anticipated to start late 2024.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the community’s feedback on the much-needed upgrades, which are expected to improve traffic flow and reduce travel times.

“We heard from over 750 residents and commuters during the consultation process, with 80% supporting the plan,” Cr Nelmes said.

Ward Four councillor and Wallsend resident Elizabeth Adamczyk added, “The strong response from the community affirms the need to prioritise the upgrades and ease congestion for the western corridor, improving safety for all road users.”

The concept plan for the upgrade to Longworth Avenue provides dual-lane traffic in each direction and replaces right-hand turns into Braddon Street, Maitland Street, Bean Street and Cameron Street with alternative approaches to alleviate congestion caused by turning motorists.

Plans for Minmi Road include widening the road to provide two lanes in each direction from Summerhill Road to Maryland Drive, and a central median and separated turning lanes at Anna Place, McNaughton Avenue and the service station to help remove bottlenecks and improve safety.

While both projects will deliver safer, enhanced cycling and pedestrian connections, additional improvements for pedestrians are coming soon with construction of a new shared path along the stretch of Minmi Road between Kurraka Drive and Britannia Boulevard planned for construction early next year.

Future planned work within the western corridor includes investigation into providing two lanes of traffic east bound between Fletcher and Maryland and intersection improvements including at the Bunnings roundabout and Maryland Drive (east) and Minmi Road.

A Lord Mayoral Minute in 2022 allocated $26 million to the Longworth Avenue and Minmi Road projects.

The upgrade of Longworth Avenue and Minmi Road is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with City of Newcastle.

The former NSW Government contributed a grant of $7.61 million.

A man and woman have been arrested following a pursuit and car fire in the Newcastle area.

Just after 10.30am today (Thursday 7 December 2023), officers attached to a specialist command attempted to stop a white SUV on Fowler Street, Hamilton South.

When the vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated and terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.

With assistance from PolAir, the vehicle was tracked to Sygna Close, Rankin Park, where a passenger exited the vehicle.

Police located a 26-year-old woman nearby who was taken to Waratah Police Station; she has since been taken to hospital for assessment.

The vehicle continued before leaving the road and crashing on McCaffrey Drive, Rankin Park; it caught alight, and the fire was extinguished by Fire and Rescue NSW.

The driver – a 27-year-old man – was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics and taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Police have established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

City of Newcastle will invest more than $3 million into a new inclusive playspace at Hamilton’s historic Gregson Park, with construction set to kick off early next year.

Councillors voted Tuesday night to accept the tender for the project, which will include a variety of traditional play equipment, as well as a range of accessible and nature-based play options, with traditional Indigenous elements, including a yarning circle to encourage knowledge sharing and a bush tucker garden to enrich learning of native edible plants.

Additional shade, a water feature, formal and informal seating, and footbridges will also feature, complemented by an upgraded, accessible amenities building and new covered picnic area, with construction expected to be completed in late 2024.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the next step in the delivering this important project for Hamilton residents and the community.

“City of Newcastle is committed to delivering quality playgrounds and green spaces across Newcastle for locals and visitors to enjoy,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We know our community values Gregson Park’s rich Indigenous history and what it offers as a diverse recreational space.

“Construction of this playspace in the new year signifies an important milestone in delivering our shared vision for Gregson Park, and was identified as a high priority action as part of the adopted Masterplan for the much-loved park.

“We’ve undertaken extensive community engagement in preparing the Gregson Park Masterplan 2021, with feedback incorporated into the final design for the playspace and upgraded amenities, along with consultation with First Nations Australians to appropriately capture Indigenous elements in the design.”

Councillor Carol Duncan, who is also the Chair of the Community and Culture Advisory Committee, said she looked forward to the project progressing.

“Gregson Park is a well-loved destination for Hamilton residents and the wider Newcastle community, offering a tranquil green space, just a short stroll from bustling Beaumont Street,” Cr Duncan said.

“The enhanced inclusive elements of the new playspace and upgraded amenities will ensure Gregson Park is made even more accessible for the future generation’s enjoyment of the space.

“I’m excited to see more members of our community interacting with this space in years to come.”

The expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery will reach new heights today with the installation of a 33 metre high hammerhead tower crane on site.

The crane will facilitate the next stage of the long-awaited Art Gallery Expansion project, which will more than double the size of the Gallery, modernising the facility into a fitting home for City of Newcastle’s nationally significant $126 million collection.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes was pleased to see the main construction works progressing, bringing the community another step closer to a world class space for education and enjoyment of the arts.

“Due to its smaller size, the Gallery has only ever had the capacity to display around one percent of its amazing collection at any one time,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The expanded Gallery will mean we can welcome many more people into the space and give our collection the home it deserves.

“The newly installed crane is a welcome albeit temporary addition to our city’s skyline, and I am really pleased to see the construction activity forging ahead.”

Once completed, the expansion project will deliver multiple exhibition spaces with the ground floor galleries dedicated to permanent collection display, a café, retail shop, multi-purpose program space, and a secure international standard loading dock.

The crane’s arrival followed the presentation on Tuesday of a $1.3 million cheque for the expansion to City of Newcastle from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation. The milestone payment is drawn from the Art Gallery Redevelopment Fund, which consists of funds raised by the community over many years and held in trust by the Foundation on behalf of the City of Newcastle since 2013.

Foundation Chair Suzie Galwey said the Foundation had so far secured philanthropic donations and pledges totalling $12 million for the expansion project, with a further $1 million being sought to achieve its $13 million fundraising goal.

“This cheque represents two decades of community passion, advocacy and fundraising for a world class gallery for Newcastle and the Hunter,” Ms Galwey said.

“It’s wonderful to celebrate this milestone payment alongside such exciting progress in the construction works and we look forward to seeing the expanded building continue to take shape.”

To celebrate the arrival of the crane, City of Newcastle is collaborating with Head Contractor Hansen Yuncken and a range of early learning providers in a family-friendly ‘Name the Crane’ colouring competition.

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said the fun competition would help spark interest in both the arts and construction amongst Newcastle’s youngest students.

“The Gallery has long partnered with schools and pre-schools in the area to foster connections and creativity, so this seemed like a lovely way to continue this legacy while our programming has moved off-site,” Ms Morton said.

Results of the competition, including the reveal of the crane’s name, will be announced early next year.

The Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project is supported by $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnerships and $5 million from the New South Wales Government under the Regional Recovery Package, as well as $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest, Margaret Olley Trust, and community fundraising over many years. A further $1 million is currently being sought through the Foundation’s public fundraising campaign.

The Regional Recovery Partnerships initiative seeks to broker connections between all levels of government to increase information flow, share technical expertise and strengthen regional development outcomes.

City of Newcastle is getting fired up to farewell 2023, with more than 30,000 people expected to converge on Newcastle’s Queens Wharf precinct for the family-friendly event.

Fire dancers along the Foreshore and formation flying overhead will add plenty of spark to the annual end-of-year festivities, which will culminate in a ramped-up fireworks display at 9pm.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the inclusive New Year Eve event would allow the whole community to come together and celebrate, with activities spread across Queens Wharf, Market Street Lawn and The Station.

“After another busy 12 months for Newcastle, our community deserves an opportunity to join together to celebrate everything we’ve achieved, and everything we’re looking forward to in 2024,” Cr Nelmes said.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said CN’s inclusive New Year’s Eve celebrations will offer something for all ages and abilities.

“There will be a mix of carnival rides, amusements and inflatables to keep the youngest members of the family happy, while our popular sensory zone will provide a safe and inviting space for people with disability and their families to enjoy the event,” Cr Clausen said.

“There will also be a strong Indigenous theme throughout the event, with our celebrations getting underway at 4pm with a traditional smoking ceremony followed by demonstrations of tool making, Aboriginal dancers, face painting and areas for children to learn how to make traditional baskets.”

World famous pilot Paul Bennet and his team are back for the second straight year to defy gravity and physics, putting on spectacular aerial displays at 6.30pm and 7.30pm involving both solo and formation manoeuvres.

A self-guided art walk will be set up along the Foreshore featuring installations and sculpture by students from the University of Newcastle, while a host of mouth-watering food vendors, market stalls, three pop-up DJ stations and fire dancing displays will provide plenty of things to see and do.

A spectacular fireworks display will cap off the night at 9pm, with the launch zone moved to Dyke Point this year to provide improved visibility for the crowds.

Additional public transport services are also being scheduled for New Year’s Eve to help people move to and from the event.

For more details visit https://whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/event/new-year-s-eve-2023

The visit of global megastar Elton John, the rejuvenation of the Newcastle Ocean Baths and a record $117.8 million spent on key infrastructure projects are just some of City of Newcastle’s (CN’s) achievements from another busy year.

The 2022-23 Annual Report was adopted at November’s Ordinary Council meeting and is the first annual report that aligns to our Newcastle 2040 community strategic plan, which is designed to turn a strategic vision of a liveable, sustainable, and inclusive city into reality for all Novocastrians.

The city’s continued financial sustainability is highlighted in the Annual Report with CN spending $376.5 million this year to provide services and facilities to more than 169,000 residents, while recording a modest surplus of $7.8 million and an unqualified audit by the Audit Office of NSW.

Highlights of the City’s record $117.8 million capital works program include:

• Lugar Park amenities upgrade in Kotara
• Drainage upgrades at Smith Street, Merewether
• Multipurpose sports and community hub at Myer Park, Adamstown
• Pavement rehabilitation at Allowah Street, Waratah West
• Road pavement stabilisation works at Kinta Drive, Beresfield
• Traffic control signals at Chinchen Street, Islington

Elton John’s ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ concerts had an estimated economic impact of more than $12 million, attracting more than 50,000 fans for the two performances.

Work progressed to finalise the Extended Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP) and CN secured NSW Government funding of $21 million to deliver mass sand nourishment to Stockton Beach.

We continued to invest in the Local Centres Program, delivering a renewed shopping hub at Mitchell Street, Stockton and progressing upgrades at Orchardtown Road in New Lambton, with future projects planned for Georgetown and Wallsend.

Wallsend is now home to the city’s largest playground, complete with a bike pump track, climbing walls, basketball court, tennis hitting wall and fitness equipment, following the completion of the $2 million Wallsend Active Hub in October 2022.

Other playgrounds were also enhanced including Vera Wilson Park in Beresfield, Avon Street Reserve in Mayfield, Harold Myers Park in Birmingham Gardens, Loch Ness Drive Park in Fletcher, Waratah Park in Waratah and the Beresfield Swimming Centre playground.

The eagerly anticipated rejuvenation of the Newcastle Ocean Baths got underway in 2022 with Stage One renovations geared towards enhancing safety, water quality and accessibility ahead of a return to swimming this summer.

The award-winning rehabilitation of Ironbark Creek is continuing with the latest stage now complete, focusing on 350 metres of creek line from Croudace Road, Elermore Vale to Lewis Street Oval, Wallsend.

Nearly 40,000 people attended the 2022 ‘New Annual’ cultural festival, featuring more than 530 artists and over 400 dedicated staff, crew and volunteers, across 32 city venues.

Newcastle was hailed as NSW’s ‘Top Tourism Town’ by Business NSW at the Local Government NSW Destination & Visitor Economy Conference in recognition of its strategic initiatives to increase visitation and support tourism development for local operators.

CN also reduced the number of undetermined Development Applications (DAs) by 13% since 2021/22 while DA assessment times were cut by more than 25% with CN’s award winning Accelerated DA pathway.

CN’s Annual Reports have won three consecutive gold awards at the Australasian Reporting Awards.

The 2022/2023 Annual Report is now available online.

City of Newcastle (CN) has reaffirmed its support for the region’s creative arts industry, locking in a five-year commitment for the New Annual festival and opening expressions of interest for local artists.

Councillors voted at last night’s Council meeting to expand the festival from a year-by-year event to one guaranteed to continue as the city’s flagship art and culture event until at least 2028.

This will enable strategic long-term planning for the ongoing growth of New Annual, which attracted around 95,000 visitors and involved more than 1,500 visiting and local artists and performers during its first three years.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said New Annual will continue to develop as a significant cultural tourism attraction for Newcastle.

“Our vision is to see New Annual elevate Newcastle’s reputation as a creative hub on the national and international stage,” Cr Nelmes said.

“A five-year commitment provides the platform for securing high-profile collaborations, attracting renowned artists, and achieving national recognition.

“New Annual’s significance extends beyond its support for the arts by strengthening our position as a cultural tourism destination, which in turn generates an economic boost for local businesses through longer stays and increased visitor spending.”

CN is also calling for applications for New Annual’s ‘Made New’ program, which provides an opportunity for local artists and those with a connection to Newcastle to become part of future festival programs.

Chair of CN’s Community and Culture Advisory Committee Cr Carol Duncan said New Annual would continue to play an important role in celebrating the depth of talent in Newcastle’s cultural and arts sector.

“City of Newcastle is committed to supporting local artists and organisations through flagship events such as New Annual, which provide a high-profile platform to showcase their talents alongside leading national and internationally-renowned practitioners,” Cr Duncan said.

“Local artists and performers accounted for more than 60 per cent of this year’s programming, including the recipients of our ‘Made New’ program, who were supported by City of Newcastle to deliver sold-out productions across the 10-day festival.

“This included a stunning new dance production performed by Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub, an AI-driven interactive theatre experience by The Parallel Effect and the hilarious debut of Newcastle-based play, Spewy, by Novocastrian-born playwright Ang Collins.

“I look forward to seeing the performances produced under the next round of Made New funding, which will form part of the wider programming of local performers at New Annual.”

Local artists working across interdisciplinary art forms, visual arts, dance, theatre, music, and multimedia are encouraged to submit an expression of interest before 5pm on 14 January, 2024.

The selected projects or works will be presented as part of New Annual 2024, which will be held from 27 September – 6 October, 2024, or New Annual 2025, which is scheduled for 26 September – 5 October, 2025. This flexibility is designed to support those with large-scale projects that may benefit from an extended development period.

To keep up-to-date with the latest news or submit an expression of interest for Made New, visit www.newannual.com

City of Newcastle will invest more than $3 million into a new inclusive playspace at Hamilton’s historic Gregson Park, with construction set to kick off early next year.

Councillors voted Tuesday night to accept the tender for the project, which will include a variety of traditional play equipment, as well as a range of accessible and nature-based play options, with traditional Indigenous elements, including a yarning circle to encourage knowledge sharing and a bush tucker garden to enrich learning of native edible plants.

Additional shade, a water feature, formal and informal seating, and footbridges will also feature, complemented by an upgraded, accessible amenities building and new covered picnic area, with construction expected to be completed in late 2024.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the next step in the delivering this important project for Hamilton residents and the community.

“City of Newcastle is committed to delivering quality playgrounds and green spaces across Newcastle for locals and visitors to enjoy,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We know our community values Gregson Park’s rich Indigenous history and what it offers as a diverse recreational space.

“Construction of this playspace in the new year signifies an important milestone in delivering our shared vision for Gregson Park, and was identified as a high priority action as part of the adopted Masterplan for the much-loved park.

“We’ve undertaken extensive community engagement in preparing the Gregson Park Masterplan 2021, with feedback incorporated into the final design for the playspace and upgraded amenities, along with consultation with First Nations Australians to appropriately capture Indigenous elements in the design.”

Councillor Carol Duncan, who is also the Chair of the Community and Culture Advisory Committee, said she looked forward to the project progressing.

“Gregson Park is a well-loved destination for Hamilton residents and the wider Newcastle community, offering a tranquil green space, just a short stroll from bustling Beaumont Street,” Cr Duncan said.

“The enhanced inclusive elements of the new playspace and upgraded amenities will ensure Gregson Park is made even more accessible for the future generation’s enjoyment of the space.

“I’m excited to see more members of our community interacting with this space in years to come.”

The expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery will reach new heights today with the installation of a 33 metre high hammerhead tower crane on site.

The crane will facilitate the next stage of the long-awaited Art Gallery Expansion project, which will more than double the size of the Gallery, modernising the facility into a fitting home for City of Newcastle’s nationally significant $126 million collection.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes was pleased to see the main construction works progressing, bringing the community another step closer to a world class space for education and enjoyment of the arts.

“Due to its smaller size, the Gallery has only ever had the capacity to display around one percent of its amazing collection at any one time,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The expanded Gallery will mean we can welcome many more people into the space and give our collection the home it deserves.

“The newly installed crane is a welcome albeit temporary addition to our city’s skyline, and I am really pleased to see the construction activity forging ahead.”

Once completed, the expansion project will deliver multiple exhibition spaces with the ground floor galleries dedicated to permanent collection display, a café, retail shop, multi-purpose program space, and a secure international standard loading dock.

The crane’s arrival followed the presentation on Tuesday of a $1.3 million cheque for the expansion to City of Newcastle from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation. The milestone payment is drawn from the Art Gallery Redevelopment Fund, which consists of funds raised by the community over many years and held in trust by the Foundation on behalf of the City of Newcastle since 2013.

Foundation Chair Suzie Galwey said the Foundation had so far secured philanthropic donations and pledges totalling $12 million for the expansion project, with a further $1 million being sought to achieve its $13 million fundraising goal.

“This cheque represents two decades of community passion, advocacy and fundraising for a world class gallery for Newcastle and the Hunter,” Ms Galwey said.

“It’s wonderful to celebrate this milestone payment alongside such exciting progress in the construction works and we look forward to seeing the expanded building continue to take shape.”

To celebrate the arrival of the crane, City of Newcastle is collaborating with Head Contractor Hansen Yuncken and a range of early learning providers in a family-friendly ‘Name the Crane’ colouring competition.

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said the fun competition would help spark interest in both the arts and construction amongst Newcastle’s youngest students.

“The Gallery has long partnered with schools and pre-schools in the area to foster connections and creativity, so this seemed like a lovely way to continue this legacy while our programming has moved off-site,” Ms Morton said.

Results of the competition, including the reveal of the crane’s name, will be announced early next year.

The Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project is supported by $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnerships and $5 million from the New South Wales Government under the Regional Recovery Package, as well as $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest, Margaret Olley Trust, and community fundraising over many years. A further $1 million is currently being sought through the Foundation’s public fundraising campaign.

The Regional Recovery Partnerships initiative seeks to broker connections between all levels of government to increase information flow, share technical expertise and strengthen regional development outcomes.