Category: Newcastle News

This year City of Newcastle led the charge to a new, more accessible CBD by relocating to a modern office block in the West End.
Ninety years ago this week it blazed a similar trail, opening City Hall and the Civic Theatre upon completion of a twin £300,000 development dubbed “Civic Block”.
Council had by then outgrown a small Watt Street premises, which previously served as military offices during the days of the penal-colony, and moved west in parallel with large-scale industrial expansion.
^{Builders put the finishing touches on Civic Theatre as work progressed on City Hall’s clocktower.}
“Today we’re celebrating the 90^th birthdays of two jewels in the City’s architectural crown in Civic Theatre and City Hall,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said from Wheeler Place, a newly opened street back in 1929 between Hunter and King.
“Ninety years ago a great weeklong celebration kicked off in Newcastle to mark a development that shaped the City’s Civic Precinct. As well as the two grand openings, bands played for the community in King Edward Park, other entertainment featured a soccer tournament, competitive woodchop, surf carnival and aerial pageant at District Park, while a new floating dock was launched on the harbour.
“It’s hard to imagine those days of British pomp and pageantry, but the sense of civic pride associated with the two openings, and their city-making significance, leaps off the pages of news reports from that week.
^{City of Newcastle Manager Civic Services Manager with Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Manager Civic Theatre Leonie Wallace cutting the 90th birthday cake.}
The centrepiece of the “Civic Week” festivities was the theatre opening on the night of Thursday 12 December and City Hall two days later by NSW’s British Governor Sir Dudley de Chair, who arrived resplendent in white admiralty regalia.
“I congratulate you all upon your enterprise and achievement in the erection of this magnificent and spacious Town Hall, which is to play so important a part in the lives of the people of your city,” said the Governor in his speech on City Hall’s steps Saturday afternoon.
“This great building cannot but have an elevating and inspiring influence in every branch of life and labor in your city, and its erection will always stand as a monument to the foresight, public spiritedness and progressive ideals of your civic councillors.”
^{City Hall under construction.}
Memorial lights dedicated to the founder of the Civic Block, Alderman Morris Light, were unveiled outside Town Hall, as were portraits of the City’s first Mayor, James Hannell.
The Civic Theatre, described by the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miner’s Advocate as one of the “finest theatres in the Commonwealth”, was “a scene of magnificence” for the Thursday night opening, as guests gathered to enjoy entertainment on a cutting-edge movie screen.
The great racehorse Phar Lap featured in a screening of that year’s Melbourne Cup followed by a recorded oration from then-Prime Minister James Scullin and the romantic drama Behind That Curtain, the “most thrilling Talkie Ever Made” according to the official opening night program.
It was like “a palace in a book of fairy tales”, dutifully reported the local newspaper, filled with “a happy, well-dressed crowd, representatives of every form of Newcastle endeavour” who “witnessed the opening of a theatre glowing with soft lights exquisitely blended, revealing each beautiful feature.”
^{Civic Theatre under construction.}
Notable billings in the Civic Theatre’s long history include The Robe in 1954, the first film shot in widescreen Cinemascope; Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats The Musical in 1989, legendary British rock band Oasis in 2002 and local rock gods Silverchair in 2003.
The Civic Theatre is still the hub of live performance in Newcastle and tomorrow’s anniversary evening will double as the 2020 season launch, now an annual event.
^{Pages from a souvenir brochure printed for Civic Theatre’s opening.}

A man will face court today after police allegedly located a loaded firearm in his vehicle in the state’s Hunter region.
About 8.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 10 December 2019), officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District stopped a vehicle on Brown Street, Raymond Terrace and spoke with the driver – a 25-year-old woman.
Police then spoke with a 28-year-old male passenger and arrested him in relation to an outstanding arrest warrant.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police allegedly located and seized a shortened rifle and ammunition.
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with an outstanding warrant as well as several firearms offences, including possess shortened firearm without permit, possess loaded firearm in public place, not keep firearm safely and goods in custody.
He was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today (Wednesday 11 December 2019).

A man will face court today after police allegedly located a loaded firearm in his vehicle in the state’s Hunter region.
About 8.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 10 December 2019), officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District stopped a vehicle on Brown Street, Raymond Terrace and spoke with the driver – a 25-year-old woman.
Police then spoke with a 28-year-old male passenger and arrested him in relation to an outstanding arrest warrant.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police allegedly located and seized a shortened rifle and ammunition.
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with an outstanding warrant as well as several firearms offences, including possess shortened firearm without permit, possess loaded firearm in public place, not keep firearm safely and goods in custody.
He was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today (Wednesday 11 December 2019).

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting for Tuesday 10 December 2019. Note it is not a full record of Council.
Ordinary business
Code of Conduct Statistics report
Council resolved to note City of Newcastle’s Code of Conduct Statistics Report for the period 1 September 2018 to 31 August 2019.
Local Emergency Management Centre
A motion to construct a Local Emergency Operations Centre within the City Administration Centre at 12 Stewart Avenue, Newcastle West was carried. City of Newcastle is required to provide executive support facilities for the Local Emergency Management Committee and the Local Emergency Operations Controller in its area as outlined in the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989 (SERM Act). The Local Emergency Operations Centre will provide a large flexible space for multiple city emergency and functional agencies.
Adoption of procurement policy
Council adopted a new Procurement Policy and authorised the Chief Executive to make any administrative changes to it, where necessary, to reflect changes in legislation or maintain business continuity for City of Newcastle.
Affixing Council seal to deed of indemnity to Newcastle Airport
Council voted to enter into and affix its seal to Deeds of Indemnity for a newly appointed Director of Newcastle Airport and Greater Newcastle Aerotropolis.
Endorsement of Draft Local Strategic Planning Statement for Exhibition 
Council resolved to place the draft Local Strategic Planning Statement, Housing Needs and Character Study Evidence Report and Employment Lands Strategy on public exhibition for 28 days.
Exhibition of Draft Section 7.11 Western Corridor Local Contributions Plan 2013   
Council voted to place the Draft Section 7.11 Western Corridor Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan 2013 on exhibition for 28 days.
Draft Amendment to Newcastle DCP 2012 – 233 Wharf Road and 250 Scott Street, Newcastle
Council resolved to exhibit a proposal to rezone a section of Newcastle’s former rail corridor for public feedback early next year.
Classification of Council Land – Honeysuckle Domain Plan
Five harbourside lots stretching from the Cowper Street Bridge, Wickham, to Lynch’s Hub Café will be officially transferred to the City for permanent use as the harbour promenade after being endorsed by Council.
Classification of Council Land – 452 King Street, Newcastle West
Council resolved to classify 452 King Street, a strip of land that will become a shared pathway between King and Hunter Street, as operational land.
Review of S.355 Committees
Council resolved to dissolve the operations of six Section 355 Committees that manage sportsground assets on the grounds of non-compliance with the required standards of governance or that have expressed a desire to cease. A Sports land Strategic Advisory Committee will be established to provide a vehicle for interested former members of the s.355 committee to continue to provide strategic advice on the management of the City’s sports lands including the development of the City of Newcastle’s Strategic Sports Plan during 2020.
Notices of Motion
A Notice of Motion to reinforce the intent of the City’s endorsed Live Music Strategy and Night Time Economy Strategy and progress both – to protect and grow the live music industry and their economic benefits – was supported.
Submission to National Environment Law Review
A NOM to review the Federal Government’s discussion paper on its review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 – and make a submission to the review before February – was supported.
Developing a heatwave and homelessness program
A NOM to develop a heatwave and homelessness program was supported.
Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot
A NOM for Council to receive a report on the current status and any future plans of Transport for NSW or Transport heritage NSW in relation to Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot was supported.

City of Newcastle has announced Australian indie-rock legends You am I will headline this year’s New Year’s Eve celebration at Newcastle Foreshore.
New Year’s Eve 2020 will feature a record-fireworks display and inclusive activities for the whole family with colourful butterfly theming.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the foreshore will transform into an event precinct for one of the city’s favourite gatherings, which last year attracted 35,000 people.
“With multi-Aria Award winning band You Am I headlining this year’s concert plus our largest ever fireworks display, we’re expecting locals and visitors to head to the Foreshore in droves.
“The event will be ‘butterfly’ themed, with colour and light throughout the family friendly precinct including interactive craft activities, art installations including a 7-metre butterfly dome and illuminated fibre optic trees sure to capture everyone’s imagination.”
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the wide array of entertainment and inclusive activities planned to ring in 2020 are designed to be enjoyed by everyone in our community.
“2019 has been an incredible year of achievement for Newcastle and the city deserves to celebrate all that we love about our home, and everything we’re looking forward to in 2020.”
Headline act You Am I will be supported by popular local talents Jets Play Jets and reggae rock outfit Rum Jungle. UK electronic act Antony & Cleopatra will join the line up to provide a great range of musical entertainment at a free concert at Foreshore Park.
The crescendo of the New Year’s Eve celebration will be the 15-minute fireworks display, a traditional showstopper over the City’s iconic harbour.
“We are fortunate to have a beautiful harbour and foreshore location for our fireworks display and my favourite part of the evening is seeing the awe and wonder on children’s faces as the spectacular colours and sparkling lights fill the sky,” Cr Carol Duncan said.
The kids zone features inflatable slides and jumping castles, while local artist Bliss Cavanagh of Happy Senses will create a safe and magical sensory experience harbour side for people with disabilities and their families.
“Back by popular demand this year is the sensory zone which provides a safe base from where registered participants can explore the whole event or simply relax and enjoy the music and fireworks,” Cr Duncan said.
City of Newcastle is facilitating fundraising for those affected by bushfires and drought, including at the New Year’s Eve event by collecting cash donations for the Red Cross. No savings could be made from cancelling the fireworks display as contracts were signed several months ago and display materials have already been purchased.
Event information
Entertainment kicks off at 5pm with festivities to conclude following the 9pm firework display. For more information, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au or follow the City of Newcastle on social media.
Entertainment: 
5.00 – 5.40pm: RUM JUNGLE
6.00 – 6.40pm: ANTONY & CLEOPATRA
7.00 – 7.40pm: JETSPLAYJETS
8.00 – 9.00pm: YOU AM I
9.00 – FIREWORKS
Family Fun Zone, Market Street Lawn
Work off some energy on the safe and accessible inflatable slides and jumping castles and enjoy the free family-friendly entertainment. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the butterfly dome and admire the fibreoptic trees.
Food Alley, Market Street Lawn and along Wharf Road
Discover the range of mouth-watering treats on offer from a wide range of food vans, located in the New Year’s Eve food alley at either end of the event precinct. From burgers to desserts and everything in between, the vendors will have something to suit every taste.
VIP Sensory Area, west of Queens Wharf
Back by popular demand, Local artist Bliss Cavanagh will once again create a very special VIP Sensory Area to help make the event more accessible, safe and fun for people with disabilities. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity, as spaces are limited! Register now via our online form at www.studiobliss.com/NYE2019 Registrations close by Friday 27th December 2019.
Picture caption: Councillor Carol Duncan, Grant Walmsley and Richard Lara from Jets Play Jets, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Josh Giles and Frazer McDonald from Rum Jungle announced the NYE entertainment today surrounded by giant butterflies created by local artist Bliss Cavanagh.

Just a few weeks before the 30th anniversary of the Newcastle earthquake, a modern emergency operations centre proposed for the City’s new Administration Centre will be considered by Councillors at their final meeting of the year.
If approved next Tuesday night, the facility at 12 Stewart Avenue will provide a large, fully equipped space for emergency services and welfare agency personnel to manage responses to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, bushfires, floods, and other major incidents.
City of Newcastle Director of Governance David Clarke said the ageing existing facility at Tighes Hill was unsuitable for emergency operations and there was now an opportunity to build something fit for purpose at the new City Administration Centre.
“It has become clear that the City’s emergency operations centre at Tighes Hill doesn’t comply with modern standards and isn’t compatible with our partnering emergency services’ technologies,” Mr Clarke said.
“The proposed new operations centre would be activated during natural disasters or other emergencies and provide emergency services the best possible facilities to support the people on the ground responding to incidents.
“The sixth floor of our secure City Administration Centre is the best option for the new facility due to its central location, full range of amenities and access to backup power via onsite generators.
“Our City Library had to be used during the recent catastrophic bushfire event because the existing site at Tighes Hill is now 30 years old and lacks the required technology to lead a disaster response from. Equally, the City Library is not a suitable long-term solution due to its insufficient size, lack of emergency power and IT equipment.”
State Emergency Service’s Newcastle Commander, Ian Robinson, said the way emergency services respond to major incidents had evolved with technology and it was important to have the right facilities in place.
“We’ve come a long way from the days of having hard-wired telephones on the desk and using paper-based maps when responding to emergency situations, and the current facilities at Tighes Hill, for not only the Newcastle Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), but also the City of Newcastle SES Headquarters, which co-houses the EOC, are long overdue for modernisation, as neither facility adequately meet the current needs, nor the foreseeable future needs of the community in the face of an emergency situation,” Mr Robinson said.
“The City of Newcastle’s proposed new facility at 12 Stewart Avenue is an important step towards modernising Newcastle’s ability to adequately respond to an emergency situation, providing a modern, technologically advanced centre, from which the Local Emergency Operations Control Centre can oversee critical situations with confidence.”
The co-location of the Local Emergency Operations Control Centre at the City Administration Centre will allow for all necessary IT and audio/visual infrastructure, furniture and support facilities at a central location in Newcastle West.
City of Newcastle is required to provide a Local Emergency Operations Control facility under the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act1989.
Fast facts
The emergency operations centre would feature:

• A 16-seat conferencing facility with wireless presentation, TV connectivity for news coverage, weather, traffic cameras, server and four 65-inch screens and mobile 86-inch screen
• An eight-seat, dedicated video conference room with a 65-inch screen, wireless presentation and network connectivity
• Capability to open to one 32-seat room or incorporate other areas, and breakaway spaces
• Eight dedicated workstations, 12-seat elevated bench seating, whiteboards and 86-inch screen
• Power and data including high-speed Wi-Fi access and multi-function devices capable of high-speed printing and scanning
• Kitchen area capable of providing meals during a city-wide blackout
• Two diesel powered-generators capable of indefinitely powering 100 per cent of the building load
• Uninterruptable power supply throughout City Administration Centre levels supplying communications infrastructure
• Onsite parking, secure access and secure toilet and shower facilities.

It is expected to cost $1.8 million to deliver the emergency operations centre, which would be operational by May 2019.

Two men have been charged with Grievous Bodily Harm after an incident in the Newcastle area earlier in the year.
Just after 11.50pm on Saturday 2 February 2019, a 31-year-old man and his friends were in Jefferson Park, Merewether when a group of males, who had been at a function at a licensed premise across the road, approached them.
Two men within the group became aggressive and a physical altercation occurred.
The 31-year-old man was kicked in the head – sustaining a broken jaw.
Following extensive investigations, officers from Newcastle City Police Area Command identified two men who they will allege assaulted man.
About 7pm on Wednesday 27 November 2019, a 24-year-old Wangi Wangi man was arrested and charged with common assault, offensive behaviour and grievous bodily harm including malicious wounding. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 19 December 2019.
About 7pm on Sunday 8 December 2019, a second man was arrested. The 23-year-old man from Toronto was charged with larceny, common assault, affray and recklessly cause grievous bodily harm. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 16 January 2020

Crash investigators remain at the scene of a fatal crash in the state’s Hunter Region today.
About 11am (Sunday 8 December 2019), a head-on crash occurred between a Toyota Corolla and a Holden Astra on Richardson Road, near Benjamin Lee Drive, Raymond Terrace.
The driver of the Holden Astra died at the scene. Two female passengers were taken to John Hunter Hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.
The female driver of the Corolla was also taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory tests.
Officers from Port Stephens – Hunter Police District established a crime scene that will be examined by officers from the Crash Investigation Unit.
Anyone who may have dash-cam vision of the crash is urged to contact police at Raymond Terrace Police Station, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A man has been charged with firearms and weapons offences after seizing an explosive device from a property in the Lake Macquarie region.
Just after midnight yesterday (Saturday 7 December 2019), officers from Newcastle City Police District attended a property in Edgeworth, following reports a firearm with an expired licence was being stored at the location.
Police spoke with the occupant, a 35-year-old man, who surrendered the firearm, and conducted a safe storage inspection at the property.
During the search, officers allegedly located a gun safe that was not properly secured. They also located ammunition, cannabis, and an improvised explosive device (IED).
The Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit attended and rendered the IED safe.
The 35-year-old man was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station.
He was charged with eight offences, including:

• two counts of possess or use prohibited weapon without permit,
• manufacture military-style weapon without a permit,
• manufacture firearm without a licence or permit,
• possess unauthorised prohibited firearm,
• possess or use military-style weapon without permit,
• not keep firearm safely, and
• possess prohibited drug.

The man was refused bail and appeared at Newcastle Local Court today (Sunday 8 December 2019), where he was formally refused bail to appear before the same court tomorrow (Monday 9 December 2019).

A man has been charged after a pedestrian was killed in an alleged fail to stop crash at Maitland last month.
About 11.30pm on Saturday 30 November 2019, emergency services were called to Flat Road, near the intersection of Paterson Road, Bolwarra, following reports of a crash.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and found a male pedestrian who had been struck by a vehicle.
The 62-year-old man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, where he died of his injuries.
The vehicle allegedly left the crash scene and was last seen travelling south on Paterson Road.
A short time later, police responding to the collision saw a Mazda BT50 utility travelling south on Belmore Road at Lorn.
Officers from the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver allegedly failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated.
The low-speed pursuit through local streets ended on High Street after the vehicle mounted the footpath.
The 70-year-old driver underwent a roadside breath test, allegedly returning a positive reading.
He was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station where a subsequent breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.108.
The man was charged with drive with middle range PCA and police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly.
Following further investigations, a 70-year-old man attended Ryde Police Station where he was arrested.
He was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death – DUI, dangerous driving occasioning death – manner dangerous, negligent driving cause death, fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death (Crimes Act) and fail to stop and assist after impact causing death (Road Transport Act).
He was refused bail and is due to appear before Burwood Local Court on Monday 9 December 2019.