Category: Newcastle News

Local residents, students and City of Newcastle (CN) staff this week dug deep to plant more than 8,000 native trees, shrubs and grasses as part of National Tree Day celebrations.

Around 120 students from Wallsend and Wallsend South Public Schools pulled on their gardening gloves to revitalise and restore an area alongside Ironbark Creek during Schools Tree Day on 28 July before members of the wider community took part in a planting event at the Wallsend site today.

The community efforts provided the finishing touches to the latest stage of CN’s ongoing Ironbark Creek Rehabilitation Program.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said connecting with local school students and residents to plant trees and learn about Newcastle’s largest tidal creek was a special way to mark the national event.

“I was delighted to see such a large turnout today and I want to thank everyone who came down to join us. The response from the community highlights how important natural areas like Ironbark Creek are to Newcastle,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Over the last decade CN has worked tirelessly to improve creek stability and enhance water quality along Ironbark Creek.

“We’ve invested more than $8 million into this multi-stage, award-winning rehabilitation program. During the past 12 years, CN has delivered more than 3,000m of rehabilitated creek lines within the catchment and revegetated previously weedy and eroding creek banks with hundreds of thousands of native shrubs and grasses to reinstate native wildlife corridors.

“By involving residents and students in the work being done at Ironbark Creek we hope to encourage a strong and lasting connection between the community and this important ecosystem.”

National Tree Day is just one of the initiatives supported by CN under its Natural Connections program, which is designed to increase Newcastle’s urban forest, mitigate urban heat, connect our communities to their local natural places and create pockets of habitat for native fauna.

During the last financial year, more than 74,000 native plants were established across the city as part of our revegetation efforts, while suburbs across Newcastle benefitted from the addition of almost 2,000 new street trees as part of a $1.5 million investment by CN.

CN recently awarded a tender for $1.2 million for an expansive natural area’s rehabilitation program in 2023/24, which will see around 170 hectares of bushland regenerated.

Work will include around 70,000 sqm of riverbank revegetation, the planting 150,000 native tubestock plants along riparian zones, coastal dune systems and bushland sites, and the establishment and maintenance of new and existing revegetation works. Coastal stabilisation and dune rehabilitation works, fire access trail maintenance, the installation of 500 metres of wind protection fencing and the maintenance of 40 devices to improve the quality of stormwater will also be completed during the next 12 months.

Cr Nelmes said CN was committed to caring for Newcastle’s natural areas and was currently seeking public feedback on its Draft Environment Strategy.

“We want Newcastle to be an even more sustainable city, where we value our natural environment and continue to take decisive action at the local level to respond to challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and the overuse of resources,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The Newcastle Environment Strategy is our definitive roadmap for achieving our progressive environmental ambitions. Through this strategy, we are sending a signal to the community that we are strongly committed to protecting and enhancing Newcastle’s natural environment today and for future generations of Novocastrians.”

Community members can provide feedback on the strategy until 24 August 2023 by visiting the Have Your Say page on CN’s website.

National Tree Day is an initiative organised by Planet Ark in partnership with major sponsor Toyota Australia and its dealer network. The community day was supported by Local Land Services, the Department of Planning and Environment and Newcastle Landcare.

Navigating a notorious Islington intersection has become easier and safer for cyclists, students and pedestrians following an $800,000 upgrade by City of Newcastle (CN).

New traffic signals installed at the intersection of Chinchen and Clyde streets were officially switched on last night, signalling completion of the latest stage of work by CN to improve traffic movements and safety in the area.

The intersection sits at the entrance to the Tighes Hill campus of TAFE NSW and the junction of two key cycling routes, and was considered a high priority for improved pedestrian, cyclist and road user safety.

The traffic signals will also assist in the management of traffic at the level crossing on Clyde Street, allowing safe passage through the intersection.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was pleasing to see this long-awaited upgrade delivering improved outcomes for the community.

“City of Newcastle is committed to ensuring community members are able to safely and easily navigate our footpaths, cycleways and road networks,” Cr Nelmes said.

“This Islington intersection is heavily utilised by pedestrians and cyclists accessing Newcastle TAFE and Islington Public School, and we are pleased to have been able to work with the community to improve safety and traffic flows in this area.”

The project, which was funded through the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure grant program, also included the installation of new kerb and guttering as well as extended shared footpath links along Clyde and Chinchen streets.

Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the installation of the traffic signals was essential ahead of an important future stage of the project, which would create a separated cycleway in this area.

“This intersection is at the juncture of two major cycling routes, which provide connections from the University of Newcastle into the city centre as well as a key north-south link from the regional route at Griffiths Road,” Cr Clausen said.

“Heavy volumes of traffic flowing through this area necessitated the installation of these traffic signals, and I am pleased to see them become operational for the benefit of all the community.

“The signals will also pave the way for a future stage of this project, which would replace the existing on-road cycle lane with a separated cycleway in this area.

“We continue to work closely with Minister Tim Crakanthorp and the NSW Government to deliver this $950,000 separated cycleway project.”

City of Newcastle (CN) has transformed Adamstown’s Myers Park into a multi-use sporting hub, with improved playing surfaces and new recreation facilities catering for both clubs and community members.

The $1.25 million project was delivered by CN in collaboration with Broadmeadow Magic Youth Football Club, which successfully secured a $1 million grant from the NSW Government under the Greater Cities and Regional Sport Facility Fund.

The improvements at Myers Park have enhanced the active recreation options in Newcastle’s eastern suburbs, with a basketball half-court, a bat ball court, fitness stations, a 3m wide running and walking pathway, covered tiered seating, perimeter fencing and improved playing surface and lighting layout for football and cricket.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the project was delivered under stage one of the Adamstown Park Masterplan, reinforcing City of Newcastle’s commitment to delivering enriched neighbourhoods with spaces that bring people together for active living and social connection.

“We know how much our community values open spaces and their local sportsgrounds, which is why it is vital we continue to deliver important projects such as Myers Park and ensure everyone has sufficient and equal opportunities to access a variety of sport and recreation facilities now and into the future,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We’re very proud to have worked closely with the community, in particular Broadmeadow Magic Youth Football Club, to deliver this fantastic $1.25 million update at Myers Park.”

The Myers Park project supports a key action in CN’s Strategic Sports Plan (2020) to renew and upgrade existing sportsgrounds to improve their functionality, with the project delivering improved field layout, drainage, irrigation and lighting layout.

President of the Macedonian Community Newcastle, Sash Stojcevski said Myers Park has been a cherished space for football enthusiasts and the broader community for decades.

“We aimed to create a permanent home for our senior community football club, the Newcastle Suns, while also supporting our long-term primary users being our junior teams from the Broadmeadow Magic Youth Football Club,” Mr Stojcevski said.

President of the Newcastle Suns Football Club, Tony Velovski said the transformation has provided an enhanced facility for their community football operations.

“This fantastic facility now meets our Zone Premier League home game requirements and allows our club to host together with the junior base a venue for the final series and other regional tournaments for many years to come,” Mr Velovski said.

President of the Broadmeadow Magic Youth Football Club, Joseph Lyovic emphasised the community-driven aspect of the project, with facilities catering to cricket, running clubs, and various passive recreational activities.

“The redevelopment of Myers Park was always about activating the park and creating a sports and community active hub in a more structured environment,” Mr Lyovic said.

“The redeveloped Park will be a thriving community gathering spot, fostering a sense of unity and providing ample opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, and leisure. The official opening was a joyous celebration of community spirit and the successful collaboration between the Macedonian Community Newcastle and the City of Newcastle.”

Dogs and their owners in Newcastle’s booming western suburbs are set to benefit from the opening of the city’s second fully fenced off-leash dog park.

With one of the highest rates of dog ownership in the State, Newcastle is home to more than 64,000 registered canines in need of a variety of safe spaces to exercise throughout the local government area.

The newly opened facility located at Maryland Drive Reserve features a dog bubbler, shelter with seating, informal sandstone garden beds, and extensive landscaping including trees for shade as part of stage one.

The existing off-leash dog area adjacent to the new fully-fenced zone will also be retained.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the opening of the premier facility is welcome news for families and people living in Newcastle’s western suburbs looking for a safe space to exercise their dogs.

“Novocastrians are dog-lovers and have told us they want more spaces to safely exercise their canines and mix with other pets,” Cr Nelmes said.

“City of Newcastle is committed to providing a variety of off-leash options throughout the LGA and delivered the city’s first fully fenced off-leash dog park at Acacia Avenue Reserve in 2019, as well upgrading the existing popular area in Islington Park.

“This new space at Maryland provides a premier facility for dog lovers in our western suburbs, which is sure to be popular with pet owners who already make the most of the unfenced off-leash area within this popular reserve.

“Formalised off-leash dog areas enable people to take their dogs to a place where they can legally run free, exercise and socialise with other dogs. They also provide pet owners with a meeting place and an opportunity to connect with others in the community.”

A future second stage will feature an additional off-leash area to separate large and small dogs, additional seating and landscaping as well as a formalised car park with accessible parking.

The Maryland Dog Park project forms part of the Dogs in Open Space Plan, which was adopted by City of Newcastle in 2019 to guide the provision, improvement and management of off-leash dog areas during the next 10 years.

A full list of the City’s off leash areas is available by clicking here.

A successful program that helps teachers learn from each other about best classroom practices has been expanded thanks to almost $5 million in funding from the Albanese Government.

The Quality Teaching Round program developed by the University of Newcastle will be expanded across the country after starting in NSW and following successful trials in Queensland and Victoria.

It involves groups of four teachers observing each other and analysing each other’s teaching practices.

The evidence from the trials has shown that this helps teachers learn from each other and improves outcomes for students.

An additional 1,600 teachers are set to benefit and from Term 3 more early career teachers will be able to access the program.

Quality Teaching Rounds is one part of the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan that Education Ministers agreed to last year to address the national issue of teacher workforce shortages.

Minister for Education Jason Clare said:

“Our teachers are experts at what they do – and who better to learn from than each other. Over a decade of data shows this program works.

“It supports new and experienced teachers, and the evidence shows it helps improve students’ reading and maths.

“In the past nine years, it’s helped more than 4,700 teachers and benefited at least 785,000 students.”

Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon said:

“Quality Teaching Rounds, co-created by renowned Laureate Professor Jenny Gore and Dr Julie Bowe from the University of Newcastle is revolutionising teacher professional development.

“This additional funding from the Albanese Government will ensure more teachers benefit from this ground-breaking program, while also further establishing the University of Newcastle as a leader in education and professional development.

“This is a great outcome for teachers, students and our community.”

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A new eInvoicing Hub has been established for businesses in the Hunter region of New South Wales to help boost efficiency and combat scams.

The Hub, launched in Newcastle today, is a collaboration with local business groups. It aims to provide businesses with an opportunity to learn about the technology and help them realise the benefits of eInvoicing.

eInvoicing is a new standardised way to send and receive invoices via a secure network – using existing small business accounting software and apps.

It enables faster payments that can improve cash flow, and has in-built security, which helps to reduce the risk of invoice fraud and scams.

Adoption is growing, with more and more cost-effective solutions becoming readily available.

Over 33,000 businesses are registered for eInvoicing in Australia, including Bunnings, Woolworths and BOC Gas, and over 400,000 eInvoices have been delivered on the network.

Commonwealth Government agencies are also enabled, which allows us to offer 5‑day payment terms for our suppliers using eInvoicing under our Pay on Time or Pay Interest policy.

Together, with the support of local business groups, we want to create opportunities for local trading partners to exchange eInvoices and unlock the benefits of the technology.

Engagement activities will continue across the region in the lead up to and during NSW Small Business Month over October.

The Government encourages businesses and business advisers in the region to make the most of the initiative and find out more about how eInvoicing can help them.

If you want to find out more about eInvoicing, and how you can get started, visit ato.gov.au/eInvoicing.

Minister for Small Business, Julie Collins MP said:

“The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring small businesses are paid on time because we recognise how important cash flow is to small businesses, and eInvoicing is one of the tools that will help to achieve this.”

“Digital innovation such as eInvoicing means safer, faster and easier payments to small businesses allowing them to focus more on their core business and less time on administration.”

“We are committed to supporting small businesses in this community and across the country to improve their cash flow, utilise digital solutions and build their resilience.”

Assistant Treasurer, Stephen Jones MP said:

“The new eInvoicing hub is a great initiative for small businesses. I would like to congratulate the Hunter for blazing the trail and the Hub business and software partners for their support”.

“eInvoicing can make a real difference for Australia’s small businesses – improving their resilience to online scams and helping improve productivity by saving them time and money”. 

“As scams become more sophisticated, small businesses need to arm themselves with the tools and technology to protect their business and consumers.  With built-in security to disrupt scammers, eInvoicing will give small businesses an additional layer of protection against invoice fraud”.

Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon MP said:

“Newcastle and the Hunter have been at the forefront of innovation throughout history so it’s wonderful to be leading the way as the first regional e-invoicing hub for the business community.”

“I congratulate local business groups, Business Hunter, HunterNet and The Business Centre who worked with the ATO to successfully launch the Hub. I encourage Newcastle businesses to learn about the technology and realise the benefits of eInvoicing.”

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 25 July 2023. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.

Lord Mayoral Minutes

Acknowledging Youth With a Mission (YWAM) Newcastle’s Assistance to Ukraine

A Lord Mayoral Minute was supported commending YWAM Newcastle for their bravery and community spirit in leading three delegations of dedicated Novocastrian volunteers to travel to Ukraine to provide assistance, outreach and support to many towns and cities, affected by the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Sister Cities Program & Regional Partnerships

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported to develop a Council policy in regard to prospective sister city relationships, which are designed to promote and encourage friendship and cooperation between Local Governments, business leaders and the wider community, in addition to facilitating cultural exchange programs and economic development.

City of Newcastle World Cup Live Site

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported that congratulated and thanked all those involved in the Newcastle live site at Wheeler Place for the Matilda’s opening match of the World Cup and encouraged Novocastrians to again show their support for the Matildas at the live site screenings on 27 and 31 July.

Supporting NRLW State of Origin in Newcastle

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported for City of Newcastle to continue to join City of Townsville, Venues NSW and McDonald Jones Stadium to advocate to the ARL Commission for Newcastle as the rightful New South Wales host city for WNRL State of Origin.

EV Kerbside Charging Grants

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported that noted City of Newcastle’s (CN) ongoing development of a council-owned public EV charging network, which currently includes seven chargers installed across four sites, and called for CN to apply for a grant through the NSW Government’s EV Kerbside Charging Grants program, following the identification of additional key locations throughout the Newcastle LGA that would assist in the uptake of electric vehicles.

Thank you and farewell Joanne Rigby

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported extending sincere gratitude to and acknowledging the many contributions of Executive Director City Infrastructure, Joanne Rigby, who retires after more than 20 years of dedicated service to our community.

Ordinary business

Public exhibition of draft Environment Strategy

Council voted to publicly exhibit the draft Newcastle Environment Strategy 2023 for a period of 28 days. The Strategy provides a road map for achieving the three sustainability priorities and eight sustainability objectives in Newcastle 2040 over the next 10 years.

Adoption of Social Strategy

Council unanimously voted to adopt the Social Strategy 2023, following public exhibition. The Strategy provides a framework and actions towards a socially just and inclusive place for all.

Public Art Reference Group (PARG) Annual Report

Council received the Public Art Reference Group (PARG) Annual Report. The PARG act as an Advisory Committee to the City of Newcastle on public art.

Outcome of NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal Hearing

Council noted the decision of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal’s regarding two Code of Conduct matters involving former Councillor Allan Robinson.

Public exhibition of Throsby, Styx and Cottage Creeks Flood Study

Council unanimously voted to publicly exhibit the draft Throsby, Styx and Cottage Creeks Flood Study for a period of 28 days.

Tender Report – Minor Civil Works – Contract NO. 2023/122T

Council voted to accept tenders for the casual hire of minor civil works for a two-year period.

Tender Report Biennial supply of Traffic Management Services – Contract No. 2023/121T

Council voted to accept tenders for the casual supply of traffic management services for a two-year period.

Tender Report – Natural areas rehabilitation tender panel – 2023/091T

Council voted to accept tenders for natural areas rehabilitation services for environmental assets across the Newcastle Local Government Area, which comprise of water courses and wetlands, coastal ecosystems, Endangered Ecological Communities and bushland reserves, and for planting programs within parks and open spaces.

Notices of Motion

Adoption of Liveable Housing Design to improve the adaptability and accessibility of new residential development

Council supported a notice of motion to call upon the NSW Labor Government to adopt the Liveable Housing Design Standards (silver level) introduced into the National Construction Code in 2022 and amend the 2023 NSW Land and Housing Corporation Design Requirements so that the Platinum Level Liveable Housing Design Guidelines are mandatory for all new social housing.

City of Newcastle will write to the Minister for Housing Rose Jackson MLC and the Minister for Planning Paul Scully, within 28 days.

Newcastle Ocean Baths and Canoe Pool – State Heritage Listing

Council supported an alternate notice of motion acknowledging that CN has prudently invested in upgrading the Newcastle Ocean Baths, which are owned by the NSW Government, to protect the facility for generations to come.

All works being undertaken at the Baths are assessed against strict heritage requirements. City of Newcastle will write to the NSW Government reiterating its previous correspondence to the former Minister for Heritage regarding the listing of the site on the State Heritage Register.

Novocastrians are being invited to have their say on a study designed to provide updated information on flood risks in parts of Newcastle and ensure future developments are fit-for-purpose in these areas.

Councillors last night voted to place the draft Throsby, Styx and Cottage Creek Flood Study on public exhibition for 28 days.

City of Newcastle (CN) was required to update the previous study, completed in 2008, following significant changes to Australian Rainfall and Runoff guidelines used to estimate flood impacts and behaviour. The changes relate to modelling methodology, rainfall patterns, and estimation of climate change impacts.

CN is responsible under legislation passed by the NSW government for flood risk management, including the completion of flood studies such as the Draft Throsby, Styx and Cottage Creek Flood Study. Work on the updated study began in 2021 following a grant from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.

The Flood Study seeks to define current and future flood risk and behaviour, in order to reduce the risk to life and property now and into the future.

Feedback collected during the public exhibition will be used to help refine the Flood Study and allow CN to work with other government agencies to improve our flash flood alert system and respond to flooding events to keep our community safe.

Once adopted, the updated Flood Study will give residents and businesses clearer advice on flood risk within the 51 km² catchment east of John Hunter Hospital, providing longer-term certainty to ensure fit-for-purpose developments and improve the community’s resilience to the potential impacts of floods and climate change.

City of Newcastle is encouraging all residents, business and property owners within the relevant catchment areas to visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay by 24 August 2023 to review the updated Flood Study and find out what it might mean for them.

Drop-in information sessions will also be held to give the community an opportunity to find out more about the updated study:

Saturday 12 August – 1:30pm – 4:00pm

Adamstown Community Hall (153A Brunker Road, Adamstown)

Monday 14 August – 3:30pm – 6:00pm

Digital Library (12 Stewart Avenue, Newcastle West).

Net zero carbon emissions, renewable energy initiatives, more cycleways, connected wildlife corridors and sustainable construction materials are part of how City of Newcastle (CN) intends to create an environmental legacy for future generations.

The vision has been outlined in CN’s draft Newcastle Environment Strategy, which will be tabled at Tuesday’s Council meeting ahead of a proposed four-week public exhibition period.

Designed around the three priority areas of climate change, nature-based solutions and the circular economy, the Strategy sets out a 10-year environmental roadmap for a sustainable Newcastle, with 15 key actions identified to be delivered within the first four years.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Strategy would ensure CN continues its decades-long action and advocacy to protect and improve our environment.

“Newcastle has a well earnt reputation as a leader in local government when it comes to protecting our precious natural environment, while also investing in progressive actions to ensure our city is more sustainable,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Since the watershed Pathways to Sustainability international conference held in Newcastle in 1997 under the leadership of former Lord Mayor Greg Heys, we have recognised that we must take local action towards addressing global environmental challenges.

“Through this Strategy, we are sending a message to our community that we remain strongly committed to protecting and enhancing Newcastle’s natural environment today, and for future generations of Novocastrians.”

The Strategy is based on a shared community vision for our environment, having been informed by more than 4,500 pieces of feedback from over 2,600 community members and environmental experts received during the Community Strategic Plan engagement program.

It sets out the initial actions to be delivered by CN or in partnership with state and federal governments, business and the community by 2027.

This includes transitioning CN’s vehicles, plant and equipment to electric-powered or low emissions alternatives and expanding our urban forest to create connected green corridors for iconic, threatened and pollinator species.

Other actions include working in partnership with local traditional custodians to integrate indigenous knowledge into the way we care for and manage our land, and increasing the use of recovered materials and sustainable product alternatives in CN operations and construction works.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the Strategy provides a definitive roadmap for achieving our progressive environmental ambitions.

“Through our Newcastle Environment Strategy, we will become an even more sustainable city, where we value our natural environment and continue to take decisive action to respond to challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and the overuse of resources,” Cr Clausen said.

“With its accompanying delivery plan, we have identified clear and tangible actions that will allow us to achieve net zero emissions, build resilience to climate change in our community, infrastructure and natural areas, and transform our city through circular economy solutions.”

The Newcastle Environment Strategy will be delivered in conjunction with CN’s Our Sustainable Waste Strategy, Newcastle Transport Strategy and On Our Bikes Cycling Plan and is currently supported by the Newcastle Climate Action Plan 2021-2025.

Pending approval from Councillors at Tuesday’s meeting, the draft Strategy will be placed on public exhibition for four weeks before returning to Council later this year for adoption.

Community members will be given the chance to comment on the Strategy via the Have Your Say page on CN’s website and will be invited to enter a free photography competition designed to capture the different ways people value Newcastle’s environment.