Category: Newcastle News

City of Newcastle is adding a dash of greenery and a splash of colour throughout New Lambton’s shopping precinct with the installation of shopfront “smart” gardens and a vibrant four-metre-high community mural.

The projects are being supported through City of Newcastle’s Special Business Rate (SBR) program following an expression of interest process in consultation with the local business community.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said local businesses in New Lambton are set to directly benefit from the beautification projects, which will enhance the appeal of the precinct.

“The input of business owners to activate their precincts is vital to creating thriving business communities and increasing visitation to suburban areas like New Lambton,” Cr Nelmes said.

“As a result of the latest suburban SBR round, the creative projects selected for New Lambton are set to enhance the precinct for residents and visitors, making it an even better place to eat, drink and shop.”

Nine local businesses have seen their facades turn green with the installation of vertical “smart” gardening systems by Herb Urban, whilst a black cockatoo is the hero of a four-metre-high community mural underway on the exterior of New Lambton Library, which is being delivered by Up&Up Inspirations with the help of New Lambton High School students.

Business owner Kathy Slevin from clothing boutique Kate Devine said customers are noticing the recent addition of the vertical gardens on her store’s façade in Alma Street.

“I’ve received a lot of positive comments from customers who are noticing, stopping, commenting and appreciating the installations,” Ms Slevin said.

“Customers are appreciating the fact that the added greenery softens the concrete façade and lots of other local businesses are wanting them installed on their shop fronts. They’ve been a positive addition and good for business and the precinct.”

Popular coffee haunt, Chaddies on Regent, is located in the courtyard overlooking the New Lambton Library community mural. Café owner Jo Grace said the mural was already creating a lot of interest.

“It’s really exciting seeing the mural take shape. It’s going to inject so much colour and our customers get to benefit from viewing a beautifully designed mural rather than look at a plain brick wall,” Ms Grace said.

Sharon Lance, from fashion retailer Papango, said the mural is creating a buzz and will bring new life to the courtyard precinct once it’s complete.

“The mural is just so happy and colourful with its bold use of lavender and orange, but the real star of the show is the black cockatoo, who frequents our deciduous tree here in the courtyard and can be found nearby in Blackbutt Reserve.”

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

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a missing woman known to frequent the Lake Macquarie region.

Lynn Scaife, aged 62, last spoke to relatives on Monday 6 March 2023.

When her family could not contact her again and she could not be located, she was reported missing to officers from Hunter Valley Police District yesterday (Tuesday 14 March), who commenced inquiries to locate her.

Family and police hold serious concerns for her welfare.

Lynn is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall, of medium build, with shoulder-length red hair clipped up.

She is believed to be travelling in a white Subaru station wagon with NSW number plates.

Lynn is known the frequent the Dora Creek, Wyee, and Wyong areas.

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

The race may be over for 2023 but the chequered flag has not yet fallen on the chance to have a say about the return of the Newcastle 500.

Last weekend’s event was the final race to be delivered under the agreement between City of Newcastle, Supercars Australia and Destination NSW signed in 2016.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle was committed to capturing views from across the community on the future of the Newcastle 500.

“The community have now experienced the Newcastle 500 four times, so we’re really keen to hear their thoughts on the Newcastle 500 and the possibility of extending its time in our city,” Cr Nelmes said.

“At this time, no decision has been reached on the future of the race.

“If the NSW Government decides it wants to extend the Newcastle 500 for another five years then our Council will have the final decision on whether Newcastle continues as the host city.

“We’re committed to undertaking a robust, open process of consultation through consultants KPMG, who are using a range of online, in-person and telephone surveys before, during and after the race period to gather feedback from as wide a range of people as possible.

“This feedback will allow councillors to better understand the community’s views on issues around liveability, economic benefit or challenges, perceptions of the event and its impact on the visitor economy.”

Thousands of people have already responded to an online survey launched last month ahead of the event, while face-to-face questionnaires completed during the race weekend will provide insight into the behaviours of racegoers, including their visitation to local businesses.

Randomised telephone surveys commenced this week to capture views from across Newcastle’s demographic profile while an upcoming letterbox drop of every property in the Newcastle local government area will include information on how to provide their feedback online.

Residents, business and industry representatives will be asked to provide additional commentary during four post-event stakeholder workshops next month, with the feedback from all consultation activities to be completed in a report to be released mid-year.

The online survey can be completed via the City of Newcastle website until 5pm on 31 March.

A teenage boy reported missing from the Hunter Valley has been located safe and well.

The 13-year-old was last seen in Muswellbrook about 4pm on Thursday (9 March 2023).

He was reported missing to officers from Hunter Valley Police District on Saturday (11 March 2023), who commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Following extensive inquires, the teen was located safe and well in Muswellbrook about 10pm yesterday (Monday 13 March 2023).

Police would like to thank the public and the media for its assistance.

A trailbike rider has died in a two-vehicle crash in the state’s Port Stephens-Hunter Police District yesterday.

About 7.30pm (Friday 11 March 2023), emergency services were called to the intersection of McKeachie Drive and Oakhampton Road at Abberglassyn, near Maitland – after reports a trailbike rider had collided with another vehicle.

Witnesses rendered first aid to the rider – a man believed to be aged in his 20s – before the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, he died at the scene.

The driver and single occupant of the other vehicle – a silver Nissan Dualis – a 17-year-old female – was not injured and was taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory testing.

Officers from the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

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

Raptor North officers have charged three people after a man was allegedly detained and threatened in Newcastle last month.

About 1am on Thursday 16 February 2023, a 31-year-old man arrived at the carpark of a fast food restaurant on Cowper Street, Wallsend, and met with a 29-year-old man known to him.

A short time later, another man entered his vehicle and allegedly threatened the older man with a knife.

He demanded cash before the 31-year-old man was able to escape the vehicle.

The armed man then left the car and drove from the scene in a separate vehicle.

The older man returned to his vehicle and later reported the incident to Newcastle City Police District, with the matter being referred to officers from the State Crime Command’s Raptor North.

Following extensive inquiries, Raptor North police arrested a 32-year-old man on the Esplanade, Speers Point, about 1.40pm yesterday.

Police then executed three search warrants at homes in Speers Point, Adamstown, and Macquarie Hills, from 2pm yesterday (Thursday 9 March 2023), where they seized about $25,000 cash, steroids, mobile phones, knuckle dusters, and suspected fraudulent documents.

A 29-year-old man was arrested at Macquarie Hills and a 34-year-old woman was arrested at Adamstown.

All three were taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with take/detain person in company with intent to obtain advantage, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and deal with the proceeds of crime.

They were all refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court later today (Friday 10 March 2023).

An award-winning screenwriter and humanitarian has received a Key to the City of Newcastle after a compelling keynote speech at the annual Lord Mayor’s International Women’s Day Morning Tea at City Hall.

From her Newcastle home, Vanessa Alexander helped more than 100 Afghan women and their families at risk of retribution from the Taliban out of Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul in August 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fifty-six of these refugees are now living in or around Newcastle, 32 are in Ireland with the support of Ms Alexander’s sister, Elise, while others have resettled in Brazil and the US.

Some of the people pivotal to this mission joined Ms Alexander and Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes for a panel discussion, facilitated by Councillor Carol Duncan, including: Darwish Ahmadzai, who helped hundreds of women and children flee; Richelle Aiken, head of Friends of Refugees Newcastle; Megan Smith, Director at Prosperity Advisers, who helped find local jobs for women; and Tooba Azami, a female Afghan doctor who sought refuge in Newcastle on an emergency visa.

In addition to this, Ms Alexander is a writer and producer, best known for her work on Vikings: Valhalla (Netflix) and The Great (Hulu). For The Great, she was nominated for Best Comedy and Best New Series at the Writers Guild of America Awards in 2021. The same year, she went on to co-executive produce Valhalla from her bedroom in Newcastle during lockdown while home-schooling three children.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Ms Alexander exemplified the attributes of an ambassador for the city and embodied the spirit of the 2023 International Women’s Day theme, Embrace Equity.

“After the fall of Kabul, Vanessa was inspired to organise a group of local women to coordinate urgent and meaningful assistance for vulnerable Afghans, linking a global network of contacts via WhatsApp,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Hers is an incredible story of courage and hope, and I am proud to induct Ms Alexander as a City of Newcastle ambassador and give worthy recognition to her wonderful work with a Key to the City.”

Captivating a packed Concert Hall, Ms Alexander said she was honoured to accept the award for and on behalf of those who had helped coordinate support.

“Some of those people join us today on the panel. Darwish helped over 300 women and children to safety, and it inspired me to set up a Dungog Refugee support group who helped me secure Darwish a job and housing there. Richelle established Friends of Refugees Newcastle and provided support to the first 25 refugees who arrived, including housing Tooba and her brothers. Erin Beard, a social worker, was the other half of this mighty effort. Megan, together with Richelle, Rosanna Fuller and Lisa Toohey, helped me relocate a young female accountant by giving her and funding her skilled visa,” Ms Alexander said.

“While I was personally involved in helping close to 100 Afghan women and their families, the ripple effect was manyfold as hundreds more received crisis support through the network Darwish and I established with the Canberra based woman’s activist, Susan Hutchison.”

The morning tea raised $3,200 through a raffle and online donations for Ms Alexander’s chosen beneficiary, refugee support service Talent Beyond Boundaries, adding to the $1,800 raised in 2022 for suicide prevention charity R U OK? and $3,100 for domestic violence organisation Got Your Back Sista in 2021.

There will be plenty of options to soak up the atmosphere of the Newcastle 500 outside of the racing precinct, with City of Newcastle supporting a series of fun, free events this weekend.

Racing fans can kick off their experience with the ultimate Supercars signing session at Gregson Park in Hamilton from 4.30pm to 7pm tomorrow, Thursday 9 March.

Get there early and check out the pristine display of cars from Newy Car Club while the younger members of the family have fun behind the wheel on the free mechanical car ride before all 25 drivers from the Newcastle 500 arrive for the official autograph session at 5pm.

Make a night of it by grabbing a bite to eat from the food trucks on site or picking up a tasty takeaway meal from nearby Beaumont Street before settling in for an evening picnic amongst the buzz.

Car enthusiasts can check out some of Newcastle’s coolest cars with another display from Newy Car Club members at Newcastle Museum forecourt from 8.30am to 5pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The enviable display will have something for everyone to ogle, from the high end luxury of an Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Ferrari to the classic appeal of a Holden HSV R8 and Ford GT500 Mustang among others.

Family fun will also be on offer in Civic Park from 11am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, with free activities for all ages. Gets hands-on with the toddler messy play stations, race your mates on the jumbo slide, get colourful with free face painting, partake in fun interactive workshops including a community mural wall and enjoy some special performances and live music each day.

Keep track of all the details across the weekend by visiting whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/the-fun-starts-here

Families are celebrating City of Newcastle’s ongoing investment in recreational spaces, with the completion of the first of five new playgrounds this year being upgraded across the city.

Vera Wilson Park at Beresfield was officially opened to the public today as part of City of Newcastle’s (CN) annual playground improvement program, with Loch Ness Drive Park in Fletcher, Harold Myers Park in Birmingham Gardens, Avon Street Reserve in Mayfield, and Waratah Park all set to be completed within coming months.

Upgraded equipment at Vera Wilson Park caters for a range of ages, with swings, challenging climbing components, slides and multi-play units. Other features of the upcoming playgrounds include a new stairway at Fletcher and a mini trampoline at Waratah.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said up to five of Newcastle’s 134 local playgrounds are replaced each year under a commitment to delivering improved recreational opportunities for families across the local government area.

“The park was originally named in 1969 after Beresfield Progress Association life-member and British Empire Medal recipient, Vera Wilson, for her dedication to improving the Beresfield area including this playground on Beresford Avenue,” Cr Nelmes said.

“As a member of the Beresfield Progress Association, Miss Wilson was a trailblazer and frequently advocated for improvements to the park, so it’s wonderful to unveil the newly upgraded Park in honour of her legacy for future generations and the Beresfield community to enjoy.

“A community event will be held at Vera Wilson Park on Tuesday 18 April at 12pm, showcasing how our local parks and playgrounds are places where our community can come together to relax and interact.

“The turnout at previous local playground community opening events reinforces the important role these public spaces play within local neighbourhoods, which is why we continue to invest in playground projects.”

City of Newcastle has invested more than $9.5 million in playground projects during the past five years, including the recently opened $2 million Wallsend Active Hub.

Detailed design work is also continuing for the play space at Gregson Park and on the fully-fenced accessible play space and waterpark in Foreshore Park as part of the implementation of CN’s adopted Newcastle Harbour Foreshore Masterplan.

To stay up-to-date with the progress and to find out about works in your neighbourhood visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/works

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is warning that unless the New South Wales Government acts on new payroll tax obligations for general practice, patients in the Hunter will face higher fees to see their GP and some practices may be forced to close.

The RACGP has been advocating for a fair go for practices for more than a year after a new interpretation of payroll tax law in a NSW tribunal ruling. The tribunal found that tenant GPs, who pay a percentage of their earnings to a clinic rather than being paid a wage, count as employees for payroll tax purposes. This disrupts established business models for practices, which now face the unenviable choice of charging patients more or shutting up shop.

The Queensland Government has agreed to a grace period until 2025, giving GPs and practice teams two-and-a-half years to ensure they are tax compliant. However, other jurisdictions, including NSW, have so far remained silent. Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick has been “in talks” with NSW Treasurer Matt Kean on this issue, but there is no sign yet of any relief for hardworking practices in NSW.

A recent survey of almost 1,300 GPs and practice staff found that:

• just 3% of practices are in a position to absorb the costs associated with GPs becoming liable for the tax
• almost one in five respondents said that their practice would close should state and territory governments change the current payroll tax interpretation and start considering tenant doctors as employees
• a staggering 78% said they would be forced to raise fees, meaning patients would be paying more for every GP consult.

RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said the NSW Government needed to act decisively to save general practice care.

“This Sick Tax could cripple general practice care in Newcastle and the broader Hunter region,” she said.

“While practices around the country, including in the Hunter, already pay payroll tax on employees such as receptionists and administrative workers, a sweeping extension of payroll tax following the New South Wales tribunal ruling will represent a huge increased tax burden beyond the margins of most practices.

“Practices in the Hunter will have little choice but to either pass the cost on to patients by charging more or face the prospect of shutting up shop. Some patients won’t be able to afford increased out-of-pocket costs, so they will delay or avoid the care they need and end up in a hospital bed with a far more serious condition. As a result, the entire health system will suffer for years to come. I believe that all patients deserve better, everyone should be able to access high-quality general practice care regardless of their postcode.”

RACGP NSW Chair Professor Charlotte Hespe said that the NSW Government should pay close attention to what GPs and practice teams are saying.

“Patient care must come first,” she said.

“I’m not surprised that respondents to the survey are so alarmed and that more than three quarters of those surveyed said that they would be forced to raise patient fees if new payroll tax obligations are imposed on them. That includes some practices ending bulk billing and moving to a private billing model and others substantially increasing their private billing fees. It is also no shock to learn that so many practices would have to shut up shop at a time when we face a GP shortage in many communities, particularly outside of major cities.

“In rural and remote areas, this will leave some communities with no practice to turn to. This is a disaster just waiting to happen and something that must be averted at all costs.”

Newcastle GP Dr Fiona Van Leeuwen said that any new payroll tax obligations would have a host of complex and unintended consequences.

“The closer you look at this, the more worrying it all gets,” she said.

“The ruling potentially has many impacts, including the ability to share complex chronic care of patients, being able to teach, as well having an after-hours roster. State and territory leaders have been on the record as saying that our health system is broken, and Mr Perrottet said fixing it is ‘our most urgent national priority’. The very least the NSW Government can do is take steps to protect patient care by exempting practices from this new tax burden.

“I will say it until I am blue in the face – practices should not be slugged with this additional tax on top of everything else we are dealing with. Medicare rebates have not kept pace with the costs of providing high-quality care and the Medicare freeze has taken $2 billion from general practice care.

“We are urgently repeating our calls for an exemption in every state and territory, including NSW. The NSW Government must act to ensure people in Newcastle and the broader Hunter region can access high-quality affordable general practice care when they need it.”