Category: Newcastle News

City of Newcastle is putting local theatre makers in the spotlight with four dynamic productions as part of the 2026 season of Upstage at the Playhouse. 

Now in its third year, Civic Theatre’s UpStage program will feature works by Newcastle playwrights and theatre companies including two debut productions, with all four shows showcasing the region’s creative strength. 

Cr Jenny Barrie and Executive Manager, Civic Theatre Leonie Wallace join the representatives of each 2026 Upstage production outside the Civic Playhouse.Chair of City of Newcastle’s Community and Culture Advisory Committee, Councillor Jenny Barrie, said supporting Newcastle’s grassroots theatre makers is vital for thriving creative communities. 

“Newcastle is alive with talent that we are proud to showcase through this program, which provides a platform to tell local stories that resonate with our community, while offering visitors a new way to connect with Newcastle’s theatre culture,” Cr Barrie said.

“City of Newcastle is proud to support each of these production companies through this program, which has been embraced by the local community, with over two and a half thousand tickets sold across the four productions delivered during 2025.”

Upstage at the Playhouse was developed by the Civic Theatre to deepen engagement with the local theatre community by co-presenting and supporting works that showcase the talent, creativity, and diversity of the Newcastle region. 

Each of the selected shows will be given a two-week placement in the atmospheric 195-seat Playhouse, which is co-located in the same building as the iconic Civic Theatre.

Local writer Mikaela Corrigan will be debuting her play She, Her and I with Cats in the Cupboard Productions, established in 2023. The play tells the story of three sisters who reunite after 20 years at their family home in Bar Beach to care for their sickly mother. 

Using visual media and local beach scenes to evoke memory and belonging, She, Her and I is a deeply cathartic and humorous story that will connect audiences to Newcastle’s coastline and the complexity of family dynamics.

Daniel Cottier Productions was established in 2024 and will make its debut with Occasional Combustible Disaster. Set in Karuah, the play follows a young teen who faces a life-altering decision days before finishing his HSC, and is packed with humour, heartbreak and an exploration of the nuclear family.

The Whisper is a dark comedy drama by Carl Caulfield, premiering with Stray Dogs Theatre Company. When a stranger moves into a family home as a lodger, he bears an uncanny resemblance to the family’s deceased son. As unsettling similarities emerge, household tensions begin to spiral. 

HER Productions will be staging Stephen Jeffery’s provocative portrait of the notorious poet John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester. The Libertine explores genius corrupted by excess, hypocrisy and the longing for authenticity. 

Executive Manager, Civic Theatre Leonie Wallace said the program reflects Newcastle’s growing reputation as a hub for original theatre.

“The Upstage program aims to amplify the work of both emerging and established creatives, giving them visibility within our community and beyond,” Ms Wallace said.

“By supporting works from emerging theatre companies alongside seasoned theatre practitioners, Civic Theatre is creating a platform that strengthens our city’s cultural identity and positions Newcastle as a hub for original Australian theatre.”

Occasional Combustible Disaster will be showing in March followed by The Libertine in July, The Whisper in August and She, Her and I in November.

For tickets and more information visit: civictheatrenewcastle.com.au/upstage

Newcastle Museum will delve into one the city’s most intriguing pieces of coastal history as part of a new exhibition exploring the rise and disappearance of the iconic World Pool.

Newcastle’s Lost World features rarely seen photographs, community-loaned objects and large-scale historic images that illuminate a much-loved chapter of Newcastle’s past.

Young Mariners’ Pool, Rose Stereograph co negative, c. 1937 is among the historic photos being displayed in the Newcastle’s Lost World exhibition at Newcastle Museum, courtesy of Greg and Sylvia Ray

The World Pool, also historically referred to as the Young Mariner’s Pool, was located adjacent to the Newcastle Ocean Baths and is better known to many Novocastrians today as the Canoe Pool.

It was built in 1937 as Newcastle’s first dedicated children’s paddling and model yacht pool and featured red and green coloured concrete continents to represent a map of the world. 

Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said the free exhibition reflects the community’s long-standing fascination with the coastal asset.

“The World Pool holds a special place in Newcastle’s collective memory and people have been talking about it for generations,” Ms Baird said.

“This exhibition delves into why the pool was created, how it captivated the city and the ways Novocastrians used and connected with our coastal swimming spaces from the 1930s to the 1970s. 

“This exhibition reconnects our community with a unique piece of our coastal story and celebrates the Novocastrians who have kept its history alive. We invite visitors to wander through and gain a new perspective on a site that continues to spark curiosity and nostalgia.”

While the map was a popular feature of the pool, damage from sand washing in during storms and increasing maintenance demands led to its gradual deconstruction through the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Small remnants of the continents remain today and can occasionally be seen when enough sand is naturally washed out of the pool.

The exhibition includes images sourced through passionate Newcastle historians Greg and Sylvia Ray, founders of the Photo Time Tunnel and custodians of one of the region’s most significant photographic archives.

The free exhibition Newcastle’s Lost World is now on show at Newcastle Museum

Many of the photographs, captured by former Newcastle Herald photographers and digitised from the original negatives, have never been displayed publicly as enlarged exhibition prints.

Objects loaned by community members and groups further enrich the exhibition, including women’s swimwear from the 1930s, model pond yachts, postcards and letters from the early to mid-1900s.

Newcastle’s Lost World is now open and will remain on display at Newcastle Museum until 15 February 2026. Entry is free.

Visit https://newcastlemuseum.com.au/ for more information.

City of Newcastle will transform Laman Street into a temporary sculpture park and street party on Friday 27 February to celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery.

The Gallery will take art to the street for one night only as it kicks off a three-day celebration of the reopening, and the launch of its major exhibition Iconic Loved Unexpected on 28 February.

Exterior of the expanded Newcastle Art Gallery building at First Night First Look event, 26 September 2025. Photo: Lachlan Matheson.

CEO Jeremy Bath said the reopening of Newcastle Art Gallery represents a landmark moment for City of Newcastle and the city’s cultural landscape. 

“This will mark the completion of the largest capital works project and most significant commitment to cultural infrastructure in City of Newcastle’s history, a feat achieved on the back of more than 16 years of fundraising and perseverance,” Mr Bath said.

“Featuring a total of 13 galleries and an additional 1,600 square metres of exhibition space, the Gallery will be the largest public art institution in New South Wales outside Sydney.

“We are proud to have supported Newcastle Art Gallery to become a striking celebration of art for our city, state and country, and a fitting home for our nationally significant $145 million collection. 

“We look forward to welcoming the community into the expanded Gallery next February as we launch a new era of cultural tourism in Newcastle.”

The expansion sympathetically builds on the original Gallery’s brutalist architecture to more than double its footprint on the corner of Laman and Darby streets.

It includes a secure international standard loading dock, a new café, retail shop, multi-purpose program space and learning studio.

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said the redevelopment enables the Gallery to present long-term displays of its world-class permanent collection for the first time, alongside ambitious Australian and international exhibitions.

“February’s full reopening will mark a transformative moment for the Gallery. With the expansion nearing completion, we are preparing to share more of our collection – one of the country’s most significant public art collections – with a level of ambition and visibility that reflects its importance,” Ms Morton said.

“The reimagined Gallery allows us to present more of our works, collaborate with leading artists nationwide and host major Australian and international exhibitions that were previously beyond our reach.

“Iconic, Loved, Unexpected has been curated to celebrate this milestone and to signal what comes next. As we open our doors on 28 February 2026, we look forward to welcoming visitors from across Australia and abroad into this exciting new chapter.”

Celebrations for the reopening commence on Friday 27 February with Friday Night Sounds, a free after-hours street party that will transform Laman Street into a temporary sculpture park created by local artists from the Gallery’s collection. The precinct will come alive with interactive family spaces, roving performances, live music and DJs, food trucks, a pop-up bar and lighting installations. Inside, visitors will have the opportunity to preview the Iconic, Loved, Unexpected exhibition through a series of events activating the gallery spaces.

The opening weekend will also feature a dynamic program of artist talks, a collaborative community artmaking project and live performances spanning music, dance, poetry and performance art, offering an immersive and celebratory welcome into the new building.

The Iconic, Loved, Unexpected exhibition will span two levels of the gallery, bringing together icons, favourites and unexpected gems, including never-before and rarely seen works.

More than 500 works by local, national and international artists from the early nineteenth century to today will be showcased, including artists with strong local ties such as Joseph Lycett, William Dobell, Margaret Olley, John Olsen, Nell and Lottie Consalvo; leading First Nations artists Emily Kam Kngwarray, Sally Gabori, Tracey Moffatt, Archie Moore and Albert Namatjira; and global figures from Auguste Rodin to avant-garde ceramicist Kazuo Yagi.

Visit https://newcastleartgallery.nsw.gov.au/ to stay up to date with the Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project and full reopening program.

The 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 $12.5 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 $500,000 is currently being sought through the Foundation’s public fundraising campaign.

Forty-eight affordable housing units are proposed to be developed on what is the last remaining parcel of land to be developed of the former heavy rail line into Newcastle.

Councillors voted last night to endorse the proposal by specialist community housing provider Home in Place following a rigorous two-stage selection supported by independent probity oversight.

An artist’s impression of the proposed affordable housing project at Rail Bridge Row.

City of Newcastle Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Bath said the appointment of a not-for-profit, community-focused provider marks a pivotal step forward to help address the city’s housing crisis.

“Home in Place has demonstrated the capability, experience and vision needed to bring this project to life,” Mr Bath said.

“Their strong financial foundations and proven success in delivering affordable housing gave us great confidence in selecting them to partner with us on this landmark project, which is the first of its kind in the Hunter.”

The 4,125 sqm lot at 280 Hunter Street, known as Rail Bridge Row, stretches from Brown Street to near the intersection of Darby and Hunter Street and is opposite the Crown Street light rail stop. 

It was purchased by City of Newcastle from Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation in 2020 and is the final piece of the former heavy rail corridor to be redeveloped.

Home in Place’s concept design proposes the delivery of 48 units in a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments above a ground floor commercial development, supported by 37 car spaces for residents and retail tenants.

The proposal also includes a new laneway connecting Argyle Lane with Wharf Road and a cycleway link to Market Street for bicycle riders.

Chair of City of Newcastle’s Asset Advisory Committee, Cr Declan Clausen, said the selection of Home in Place follows a detailed and competitive process.

“This appointment comes after a thorough assessment of proposals from across the sector,” Cr Clausen said.

“Through the competitive procurement process, Home in Place demonstrated capability and experience, with a strong local track record of delivering high-quality, well-located homes for people who need them most.

“Their proposal gives us confidence that Rail Bridge Row will progress with momentum and deliver meaningful outcomes for our community.

“In addition to City of Newcastle’s substantial direct and in-kind contributions, this exciting project will be well placed to pursue additional funding opportunities, including through the Housing Australia Future Fund when applications open in early 2026.”

The appointment follows extensive geotechnical, environmental and cultural heritage investigations conducted on the Hunter Street site.

A Development Application currently under assessment seeks approval for mine investigation and remediation works beneath the site.

Subject to approval, grout-based remediation targeting historic workings is expected to begin in 2026. These works are essential to stabilise the site prior to future construction.

Home in Place Group Chief Executive Officer Lyndall Robertshaw welcomed the opportunity to partner with City of Newcastle on a strategically located, community-focused housing project.

“We are proud to be working with the City of Newcastle to increase affordable housing in Newcastle. Each new home means more people will have the chance to live in safe, secure and affordable housing, and that is at the very heart of what we do,” Ms Robertshaw said.

“Access to affordable housing is vital for building a thriving city. Projects such as Rail Bridge Row demonstrate the dedication of Home in Place and the City of Newcastle to providing affordable homes near essential facilities, services, infrastructure, schools and employment opportunities.

“With affordability in the private market continuing to deteriorate, affordable housing projects like this one are crucial.

“To be working in partnership with the City of Newcastle on a major project in the same area where our story began four decades ago reflects how deeply connected, we remain to our local roots and to the ongoing need for safe, affordable housing.” 

Rail Bridge Row forms part of City of Newcastle’s long-term plan to support a growing, diverse and inclusive community as Newcastle prepares for a population increase of more than 40,000 people by 2041.

More information is available at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/rail-bridge-row.

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 9 December 2025. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.

Ordinary business

New Lambton landslip – advocacy for Category D disaster assistance for displaced residents

Council voted unanimously on an amended motion to advocate to the NSW Government for a targeted resident assistance package under the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to support property owners within the New Lambton landslip Danger Area with rental accommodation. 

Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation memorandum of understanding

Council voted unanimously to endorse an updated memorandum of understanding with the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation. 

Adoption of Civic Public Domain Plan

Council unanimously endorsed an amended motion to defer the adoption of the Civic Public Domain Plan until funding pathways are clearly identified. Implementation will be contingent on securing external grant funding, and/or budget allocations determined by future resolution of Council. 

Adoption of Planning Agreements Policy

Council voted unanimously to approve the updated Planning Agreements Policy (December 2025). 

Review of Ministerial Investment Order 2011 for councils in NSW

Council voted unanimously to endorse the Chief Executive Officer writing to the Minister for Local Government, the State Member for Charlestown, the State Member for Newcastle, the State Member for Wallsend, and the Deputy Secretary Local Government, calling for a review of the NSW Ministerial Investment Order 2011 to broaden the range of authorised investments available to councils. 

Code of Conduct annual statistics

Council voted unanimously to receive City of Newcastle’s Code of Conduct Complaints Statistics Report for the period 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025.

Adoption of finance, property and performance policies

Council voted unanimously to approve the updated Investment and Borrowing Policy, Council Property Lease and Licence Policy and Future Fund Policy.  

Adoption of council policies – Community Grants Policy, Sponsorship Policy and Special Business Rate Expenditure Policy

Council voted unanimously on an amended motion to approve the updated Community Grants Policy, Sponsorship Policy and Special Business Rate Expenditure Policy.  

Notices of Motion 

Hamilton community safety audit 

Council unanimously endorsed an amended notice of motion supporting a Hamilton Community Safety Audit in 2026 and other related actions.

Advocacy for changes to the NSW Model Code of Meeting Practice

Council unanimously endorsed an amended notice of motion to write to the Minister for Local Government, with copies to the Shadow Minister for Local Government, Local Government NSW and the Hunter Joint Organisation, outlining Council’s position and calling for a review and amendment of the Model Code of Meeting Practice consistent with the resolution.

2025 Youth Mock Council

Council unanimously endorsed an amended notice of motion to congratulate the Newcastle Youth Council for delivering the 2025 Youth Mock Council and commend the students who participated in the event. Council received the Mock Council motions passed during the Mock Council debate, and will share them with the relevant officers, departments and Advisory and Standing Committees for consideration for inclusion in future City of Newcastle initiatives, works and programs.

Condolence and recognition of Mr Neill Pitt of Carrington

Council expressed condolences on the passing of Neil Pitt of Carrington and voted unanimously to request that the CEO commence the process to progress the proposed renaming of the Carrington Bridge (Cowper Street Bridge) as a tribute to Mr Pitt, including early engagement with relevant stakeholders to understand the necessary steps, approvals and criteria for progressing a future naming application.

Supporting recommendations of the State Government public toilet inquiry

Council voted unanimously to write to local Members, the Minister for Health and the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces requesting the NSW Government accept and implement the recommendations of the NSW Legislative Council public toilets inquiry and commit long-term funding to support councils to deliver safe, accessible and inclusive public toilets. 

Strzelecki Lookout safety review and community petition

Council unanimously endorsed an amended notice of motion to receive a community petition calling for urgent safety improvements at Strzelecki Lookout and request the Chief Executive Officer to consult with relevant agencies and progress the development and installation of crisis-support signage and undertake an infrastructure safety review of Strzelecki Lookout and the surrounding road corridor.

Local Government NSW Annual Conference 2025

Council unanimously endorsed a notice of motion to write to the newly elected LGNSW President Darcy Byrne, Treasurer Adam Shultz and Board offering our congratulations and reaffirming the City of Newcastle’s commitment to collaborative advocacy through LGNSW.

Update on the status of actions related to commemorative plaques

Council unanimously endorsed an amended notice of motion that the CEO provides an update on progress related to the action points outlined in the approved Council resolution on commemorative plaques from the extraordinary meeting on 14 January 2025.

Three teens and a child have been charged under Operation Soteria after an alleged pursuit in the states north today.

About 6.50am (Tuesday 9 December 2025), officers attached to Port-Stephens Hunter Police District attempted to stop a vehicle on the Pacific Highway, Heatherbrae.

When the vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated.

The vehicle allegedly continued towards Karuah where road spikes were deployed; however, the pursuit was terminated due to safety concerns.

A short time later officers attached to Operation Soteria observed the vehicle travelling north along the Pacific Highway, Tea Gardens.

Police will allege the vehicle crashed into a median strip before stopping near Nabiac. The vehicle then allegedly conducted a U-turn and crashed into two marked police vehicles.

The vehicle continued travelling northbound before road spikes were successfully deployed and the vehicle stopped after crashing into a road sign.

Four occupants allegedly ran from the scene; however, were arrested a short distance away.

They were taken to Taree Police Station where the driver – a 15-year-old boy – was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously and drive conveyance taken without consent of owner.

He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Bail Division Court today (Tuesday 9 December 2025) where he was granted bail to appear before a children’s court on Tuesday (16 December 2025).

The passengers – aged 11, 13 and 14 were charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

The 13-year-old boy was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Bail Division Court today (Tuesday 9 December 2025), where he was formally granted conditional bail to appear before a children’s court on Thursday 11 December 2025.

The 14-year-old boy was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Bail Division Court today (Tuesday 9 December 2025), where he was formally granted bail to appear before a children’s court on Monday 2 March 2026.

The 11-year-old boy was given conditional bail and will appear before a children’s court on Thursday 5 February 2026.

A toddler has died after being hit by a car in the state’s north yesterday evening.

About 5.40pm (Tuesday 9 December 2025), emergency services were called to a home on Lloyd George Grove, Tanilba Bay, following reports a child had been hit by a car.

Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District arrived to find a one-year-old girl had been hit by a Toyota utility on the property.

The toddler was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition where she later died.

The driver – a 25-year-old man – was uninjured and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Police have commenced an investigation into the cause of the crash.

A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.

A man has died after being found critically injured in a home near Newcastle this morning.

Emergency services were called to a unit block on Darby Street, Cooks Hill, about 3.20am today (Wednesday 10 December 2025), following reports of an assault.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and found a 53-year-old man inside a home unit.

The man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, died at the scene.

His death is being treated as suspicious.

A crime scene has been established and detectives from Newcastle City Police District have commenced an investigation.They are being assisted by State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.

City of Newcastle has begun determining the preferred layout for a new district level sports facility in Maryland, using community feedback to inform the final masterplan.

More than 120 submissions were received from sporting associations, clubs and individuals during the public exhibition period for the Creek Road sporting precinct, with over 90% in favour of the draft concept plans.

City of Newcastle’s Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy said the project has generated interest from a wide range of stakeholders.

“We heard from 106 individuals, six sporting associations and nine local clubs,” Ms Duffy said.

“They represented a variety of codes including football, rugby league, cricket, tennis, netball, cycling, touch football and Oz tag.

“As we move toward the design phase, we’ll consider all submissions alongside established criteria such as participation trends, female participation, potential for growth and shared use, to guide the most suitable sporting codes and layout for the site.”

The sporting facilities will be located on a five-hectare parcel of land, which sits at the south-western corner of a larger 30-hectare site at Creek Road owned by City of Newcastle.

Community members were invited to share their views on two concepts, which both included one all year-round rectangular field and one cricket field with four turf wickets. 

Two additional rectangular fields or one AFL field were proposed as part of the two options. 

Almost 34% of respondents want football to be accommodated at the five-hectare site, with 22% advocating for multi-sport facilities.

The draft masterplan also includes a dual-facing grandstand with change rooms, a canteen, storage facilities and public amenities.

Open spaces for training, cricket practice nets, fitness stations, car parking, new trees and landscaping are also proposed.

Chair of City of Newcastle’s Sports Infrastructure Working Party, Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz, said the key theme of the feedback was ensuring the site is a multisport space.

“As Minmi, Fletcher, Maryland and surrounding suburbs continue to attract more families it’s clear we need to accommodate a range of sporting codes at Creek Road,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.

“The community emphasised the need to facilitate female participation, with a desire for the grounds to have modern drainage and irrigation, and for the site to have adequate parking options.

“As the site contains a mix of natural areas including wetlands, the project will be designed to ensure the surrounding natural environment is also celebrated and protected, allowing for a range of active and passive recreation opportunities to co-exist within the precinct.”

Once the final masterplan has been developed, it will be presented to the elected Council for adoption next year. 

Detailed design work is expected to commence in the 2026/27 financial year. 

The project is likely to be delivered in stages during the next five to 10 years, with the support of government funding and external partnerships.

The allocation of grounds to specific sporting clubs will form a separate process during a later stage of the development.