Category: Newcastle News

Almost half (45 per cent) of financially disadvantaged households in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie were unable to pay their utility bills on time in the past 12 months, according to new research. 

Further, 67 per cent reported being in housing stress, defined as spending more than 30 per cent of your income on housing.

These findings are from peak advocacy body NCOSS’ latest Cost of Living in NSW 2023 research, undertaken by the University of Technology Sydney.

The survey was undertaken in April and May of this year, involving a representative sample of 1,134 households living on low incomes and below the poverty line in regions across NSW. 

NCOSS CEO Joanna Quilty said the survey reveals just how tough life is for low income and below the poverty line households in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie right now. 

“These figures are stark and show the extent to which households are being hammered on multiple fronts,” Ms Quilty said.

“These are households who, in the main, are working and who are doing everything they can to cut costs and keep their heads above water.

“But the compounding effects of COVID-19, sky-high inflation, successive disasters and flatlining wages have had a devastating impact – pushing many to breaking point.” 

Key findings for Newcastle and Lake Macquarie include:

• 62 per cent reported having no money set aside for emergencies.
• 40 per cent reported going without prescribed medication or healthcare.
• 35 per cent ranked housing as the number one area of household expenditure that has been put under pressure.
• 31 per cent reported being unable to travel for essential reasons due to cost.
• 22 per cent had used ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ (BNPL) services to afford essential goods three or more times in the last year.
• 33 per cent reported that they experience extreme housing stress, with more than 50 per cent of their income spent on housing in the last year 

The survey exposes the steps people are taking just to get by.

“We knew things were bad, but this is the worst we’ve seen in many years. And the impacts are showing through the increased stress and strain that relationships are under and families are experiencing,” Ms Quilty said.

“People are hanging on by a knife edge – savings have been eaten away, the use of Buy Now Pay Later is more prevalent and borrowing from family and friends is a growing necessity.  

“Our members – community organisations on the frontline – consistently report that they cannot keep up with demand, and that the needs of their communities are becoming more complex. 

“New cohorts of people are appearing at their doors – families with two incomes who used to get by, but have now drained their savings and cannot put food on the table.” 

Ms Quilty said NCOSS has put forward a set of recommendations to the NSW Government, developed in consultation with NCOSS members.

“Our recommendations are aimed at tackling the underlying causes of the cost-of-living crisis – most notably energy bills and housing affordability – and providing immediate relief,” Ms Quilty said. 

“The NSW Government cannot quickly solve this crisis, but it can alleviate its most extreme impacts and help those who are doing everything they can to survive but have nothing left to give.” 

Some of the key recommendations put forward include:

• Improve the impact of NSW Government cost-of-living initiatives including permanently increasing EAPA vouchers to $2,000 pa and making the Low Income Household Rebate a fixed percentage of a person’s energy bill.
  
• Build an additional 5,000 social housing residences each year, targeting unmet needs such as overcrowding for culturally diverse communities, and groups at greatest risk of homelessness. 
  
• Improve conditions and protections for NSW renters by urgently implementing: limits on rental increases so they are fair and reasonable; no-grounds evictions; and the elimination of rental bidding. 
  
• Strengthen the social service sector by developing a consistent approach to annual indexation that covers the real cost of service provision, and enhancing capacity of essential programs facing overwhelming demand. 

For more information, and to read the full report, visit ncoss.org.au

Definitions:

• Below the poverty line: defined as households living on less than 50 per cent of the median NSW household income after tax and housing costs (below $518 per week). 
  
• Low-income households: defined as households living on 50 – 80 per cent of the median NSW household income after tax and housing costs ($518 – $829 per week). 
  
• About the survey: the research, undertaken by the University of Technology’s Institute of Public Policy and Governance, involved stratified random sampling to engage a statistically representative sample of 1,134 NSW residents, living on low incomes and below the poverty line, through an online survey undertaken in April and May of this year. 23 people also participated in focus groups and interviews.

City of Newcastle will team up with 2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott next month to champion opportunities for people with a disability in the workplace.

The gold medal-winning wheelchair tennis player will serve up a message of advocacy and inclusion in employment during City of Newcastle’s annual Count Us In festival, which will run from 4-24 September.

The festival features more than 40 events and activities designed to celebrate and encourage access and inclusion across Newcastle, including dance and art experiences, sports challenges, social and peer networking events and training opportunities, whilst the business community is invited to join a business lunch led by keynote speaker Dylan Alcott AO.

The program was developed in collaboration with Community Disability Alliance Hunter (CDAH) and City of Newcastle’s Access Inclusion Advisory Committee and is being delivered with the assistance of a range of community partners including 13 successful grant recipients, who shared in a $20,000 pool of funding from City of Newcastle.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said inclusive employment was a key focus for this year’s Count Us In festival.

“City of Newcastle prides itself on being a liveable and welcoming community for all people, increasing social inclusion and community connections with events like Count Us In festival in line with CN’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan,” Cr Nelmes said.

“This year, we are delighted to welcome Dylan Alcott AO to lead the Hunter business community in an important conversation as we work together towards solutions for greater employment and workplace inclusion for people with lived disability.”

Councillor Margaret Wood, co-chair of City of Newcastle’s Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee, said Count Us In recognises and celebrates the contributions made by people living with disabilities.

“Count Us In effectively and respectfully brings the whole community into the discussion about inclusion, this builds awareness, breaks down barries and helps create future opportunities especially when it comes to employment,” Cr Wood said.

Councillor Dr Elizabeth Adamczyk said CN is proud to deliver the fourth Count Us In festival with its largest all-inclusive event offering over an expanded three-week program.

“Count Us In is for everyone, and I’d encourage all Novocastrians to come and join in the many events and activities on offer over the festival’s largest event program offering,” Cr Dr Adamczyk.

“This year, we’ve extended the program over three weeks to allow for Count Us In festival to cross over with some dates on the New Annual 2023 program, to encourage greater community participation.”

Councillor Katrina Wark said having an inclusive community is important to all Novocastrians of the Newcastle community.

“The benefits of an inclusive community give Newcastle a wonderful opportunity to showcase a variety of local talent in Count Us in festival,” Cr Wark said.

Andrew Vodic Executive Director Community Disability Alliance Hunter (CDAH) says the organisation is proud to partner with CN as the official community partner for the festival 2023.

“Once again, CDAH members are excited to be involved in the Count Us In festival. We are looking forward to the 2023 activities, and as official partners with CN, CDAH members have a great opportunity to showcase some of our peer groups and community initiatives,” Mr Vodic said.

Follow City of Newcastle’s social media channels for further program announcements or visit City of Newcastle’s website.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man reported missing in the Hunter Valley area.

Robert Pagan, aged 45, was last seen leaving a home on Sixth Street, Cessnock, about 12pm today (Wednesday 9 August 2023). 

When he was unable to be located or contacted, he was reported missing to officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District, who commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for his welfare.

Robert is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 185cm tall, of solid build, with blonde hair and unshaven.

He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black pants and a black bum bag.

Anyone with information into Robert’s whereabouts is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Hume Community Housing today announced the purchase of seven villas in East Maitland. The sale represents an important move by the community housing provider to preserve social housing in a region experiencing one of the tightest rental markets in NSW.

The sale was a rare opportunity to purchase a full line of properties centrally located close to shops and amenities. The seven single-level, 2-bedroom attached villas were held by a private owner and head leased to Hume, who managed tenancy of the properties. The villas have provided long-term social housing to local families over many years.

According to Hume’s CEO Brad Braithwaite, the decision to purchase was important in that it would retain desperately needed social housing stock, rather than see the properties lost to the private market.

“We want to help solve the housing crisis by contributing to the supply of affordable rental housing, particularly in the Hunter. Tonight, seven households are sleeping soundly in the knowledge they will retain their tenancies under Hume and will not be adding to the growing line of people waiting to secure a rental they can afford.”

According to a recent Real Estate Institute of NSW’s (REINSW) Vacancy Rate Survey, the Hunter region saw declines in the number of available residential rentals over June with the vacancy rate dropping by 0.3 per cent to 2 per cent. The problem is compounded with an estimated 35.2% of Maitland residents reported as experiencing rental stress.   “It is a perfect storm, and with the ongoing cost-of-living pressures more families are approaching organisations like Hume in desperate need of housing support, that’s why every property we can safeguard for social housing matters.’

The villas, built in 1998, are earmarked to undergo a program of repair and maintenance. “These homes, along with another 400 plus homes in the Hunter region that Hume manages, are currently receiving upgrades. Our goal is to provide housing that is safe, secure and that people are proud to call home,” said Braithwaite.

The announcement comes amid National Homelessness Prevention Week 2023 taking place from Monday August 7 to Sunday August 13. The theme for Homelessness Week 2023 is “It’s time to end homelessness”. You can find out more at Homelessness Week – Homelessness Australia.

About Us 

Hume is one of the largest providers of community rental housing solutions in Australia. With over 30 years’ experience, we provide homes and services to more than 9,000 customers across NSW. In fact, one in every thousand NSW residents resides in a Hume managed home.  We believe a safe, secure, and affordable home is a human right and is the cornerstone to ensuring a prosperous future. 

Hume’s comprehensive range of rental housing solutions are targeted to meet the needs of a diverse customer base. With government support Hume provides housing for those who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, fleeing domestic violence along with low to moderate income earners. Our rental programs span crisis, temporary and transitional housing, through to community and affordable housing and specialist disability accommodation (SDA).  

Hume also builds and develops new properties in conjunction with Government and partners. We are experts in property management and maintenance services and are a trusted partner with proven large scale property transfers and muti-story residential and precinct developments.   Hume is also one of the largest Specialist Disability Accommodation providers in NSW, managing and developing homes in conjunction with the NSW Government. Today Hume has more than 500 NDIS customers living in Hume group homes.  www.humehousing.com.au

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a girl missing from the Newcastle area.

Angel Baker, aged 13, was last seen on Tyrell Street, Wallsend, about 1.40pm on Monday (7 August 2023).

Unable to be located since, Angel was reported missing to officers attached to Newcastle City Police District on Tuesday (8 August 2023), who commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police hold serious concerns of Angel’s welfare due to her age.

Angel is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 150cm tall, with a thin build, with red hair and green/hazel eyes.

She was last seen wearing grey pants, white shoes, and a lavender crop top.

She is known to frequent the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas.

Anyone with information into Angel’s whereabouts is urged to contact Newcastle City Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

City of Newcastle will welcome ultramarathon runner Pat Farmer into Wallsend in August as part of his epic six-month run around Australia in support of the Voice to Parliament.

The former Federal Liberal MP will be four months into his 14,400km Run for the Voice journey, which is designed to raise awareness, support and engagement for the upcoming referendum.

Pat will take a break from his demanding schedule, which sees him run up to 80km each day, to share his views on the Voice during City of Newcastle’s family-friendly event at Wallsend’s Federal Park from 11am to 1pm on Saturday 19 August.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle was proud to endorse the ‘Yes’ campaign, and support the tireless campaigning of Pat Farmer to raise awareness about the importance of the upcoming constitutional referendum.

“On behalf of the City of Newcastle, I commend the Hon. Pat Farmer AM for his amazing feat of endurance, all in the name of raising awareness about the importance of voting ‘Yes’ at the upcoming referendum for the Voice to Parliament,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Newcastle has a long and rich history of standing side-by-side with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to enact positive change, having established the Guraki Aboriginal Advisory Committee more than two decades ago, while also being the first city to raise the Aboriginal Flag over a civic building under the leadership of former Lord Mayor Joy Cummings.

“We’re proud to be the first local council in Greater Newcastle to formally endorse the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the ‘Yes’ campaign, reflecting the views of our progressive and inclusive community.”

Ward Four Councillor Deahnna Richardson applauded Mr Farmer’s efforts to promote understanding of the proposed constitutional amendment.

“City of Newcastle supports the call for a constitutionally recognised voice that would enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to provide advice to Parliament on policies and projects that impact our lives,” Cr Richardson said.

“Pat Farmer’s Run for the Voice is a wonderful initiative that will bring more awareness and understanding of this important issue to communities right around Australia.”

Ward Four Councillor Elizabeth Adamczyk said City of Newcastle’s community event will provide an accessible way for people to learn more about the upcoming referendum and the ‘Yes’ campaign.

“I encourage Novocastrians to come out and show their support for Pat and the Voice at our family-friendly event at Wallsend later this month,” Cr Adamczyk said.

Find out more about Pat and track his travels around Australia at www.runforthevoice.com

Visit fromtheheart.com.au for more information on the national campaign.

It’s with much sadness that I acknowledge the passing of the Hon. (Richard) Jack Richard Face, former State Member for Charlestown, Minister for Gaming and Racing and Minister Assisting the Premier on Hunter Development in the Carr Labor Government, who passed away peacefully last night.

Born in Merewether and attending Merewether Public School, Broadmeadow High School and Newcastle Technical College, Richard served as the Labor State Member for Charlestown from 1972 to 2003.

Richard was a very strong supporter of local government and played an integral role in preserving the Glenrock State Conservation Area for the community. He worked closely with my mum and dad on that important campaign.

Richard was always generous with his advice, time and guidance, and was a man with true Labor values who always strongly supported me running for Council – first as a Councillor, and then as Lord Mayor.

On behalf of the City of Newcastle, the elected Council and all Novocastrians, I pass on my sincerest condolences to Richard’s partner Gay, and his family and friends.

A celebration of Richard’s life, his contribution to public policy and the Labor movement will be held on Wednesday, 9 August at Pettigrew Family Funerals, Mayfield West at 12 noon.

Two men have been charged following an investigation into the shooting death of a man in Newcastle last year.

About 11pm on Tuesday 6 September 2022, emergency services were called to a residence on Fowler Street, Hamilton South, after reports of a shooting.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and found a 57-year-old man with a gunshot wound.

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

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District established a crime scene and commenced Strike Force Alcheringa to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

During the course of the investigation, a number of search warrants were executed, with items – including firearms – relevant to the investigation seized for forensic examination.

Following extensive inquiries, a search warrant was executed at a property on Station Street, Waratah, about 8.45am yesterday (Tuesday 1 August 2023).

A 26-year-old man was arrested at the scene before being taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with murder and supply pistol to person unauthorised to possess it.

He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 2 August 2023).

Following further inquiries, two search warrants were executed at properties in Glenfield and Busby about 8.40am today (Wednesday 2 August 2023).

A short time later, a 32-year-old man was arrested in the drive-thru of a restaurant on Harold Street, Macquarie Fields.

He was taken to Campbelltown Police Station where he was charged with murder and supply pistol to person unauthorised to possess it.

He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 3 August 2023).

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.”