A century-old bridge over Cottage Creek in Newcastle West is set for renewal, with City of Newcastle seeking to engage a consultant to progress the design for a replacement structure.
Hidden on Hunter Street, between Bellevue Street and Steel Street, the bridge plays a critical role in traffic movement in and out of the CBD.
City of Newcastle has been inspecting and assessing the condition of the bridge on a regular basis as part of its Asset Maintenance Program.
Interim Director of Infrastructure and Property Joanne Rigby said replacing the historic bridge is on the agenda for delivery in the coming years.
“We are currently looking at options for the replacement of the bridge, so we can deliver a solution that is fit for purpose into the future within this busy section of Hunter Street,” Ms Rigby said.
“There has been a lot of change in this area in the last decade and as our city continues to evolve, it is important that our infrastructure continues to support this.”
Early history of the bridge is unclear, with historic plans of the area showing a concrete structure was in place around the late 1880s.
In September 1900, newspapers reported the construction of a new bridge on Hunter Street spanning Cottage Creek in Newcastle West was underway.
NSW Public Works then widened the Cottage Creek stormwater channel running under the bridge and completed other improvements in 1927 to allow for the construction of shops along the Hunter Street frontage.
A tender for a detailed design consultant will be issued in the coming weeks to help develop the most suitable option for the eventual replacement of the bridge.
Industry Super Australia (ISA) analysis of 2018/19 tax file data shows 73,950 workers in the federal electorates of Hunter, Newcastle, Shortland and Paterson were short-changed on their super, those impacted lost on average $1,879 in a year.
This year the $450 threshold was removed – which means workers who earn less than that amount a month are now paid super – and the super rate increased from 10% to 10.5% of wages.
But 29% of the region’s workers won’t get the full benefit of these changes because they are being ripped off on their entitlements. Missing out on super contributions can cost a worker up to $60,000 at retirement.
To end the Hunter’s unpaid super scourge the government should change the law to require all employers pay super with wages.
While most employers do the right thing, some are exploiting an outdated rule that allows them to pay super quarterly, often despite what is written on the payslip. Without alignment of super and wages, workers lose track of payments and only discover they’ve been underpaid when it is too late.
Because super can be paid quarterly some small business owners also succumb to the temptation of using their employees’ super contributions for cashflow, which also leads to underpayments.
Paying super with wages would level the playing field for all employers, stopping the unfair commercial advantage exploitative bosses get by not paying their workers’ full entitlements.
The Australian Tax Office’s patchy enforcement action has only recovered a dismal 15% of unpaid super. With limited enforcement a growing chorus of organisations have backed paying super with wages to fix the problem, including industry super funds, Super Consumers Australia, employer representatives, unions, think-tanks, accounting bodies, law firms and two senate inquiries.
The Labor government’s commitment to creating enforcement targets and including super in the National Employment Standards are welcome but will not stop underpayments occurring, the only way to address the problem at its source is to mandate super is paid with wages.
Industry Super Australia Chief Executive Bernie Dean said:
“With super going up, and thousands of lower-paid workers finally eligible to receive it, it’s even more important for the government to make sure workers get what they are owed.”
“There’s a growing number of organisations calling on the government to change the law to make all employers pay super to their employees when they pay wages.”
“By not mandating employers pay super with wages, politicians are effectively standing in the way of millions of workers getting money they’ve earned and undermining their future economic security.”
Table 1: Unpaid super by NSW federal electorate in the Newcastle and Hunter regions in 2018-19
National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) members at all University of Newcastle (UON) campuses will strike for 24 hours on Wednesday 21 September, following exhaustive efforts in Enterprise Bargaining to progress claims centred on job security, safe working conditions and fair pay.
Two weeks ago, NTEU members at the Callaghan, City, and Central Coast campuses voted overwhelmingly to escalate industrial action.
“Negotiations with UON management for have dragged on for more than a year,” said NTEU Newcastle Branch Vice-President, Associate Professor Terry Summers.
“Our members are disappointed by a lack of movement on key issues such as safe workloads, a fair pay offer and job security. Staff are now taking action to defend the excellent higher education that we are committed to provide.”
“Last year, despite the University making a record surplus of $185 million, hundreds of colleagues were impacted by job cuts. Most staff at UON are employed casually or on short-term contracts. Job insecurity makes it harder for staff to provide the quality of education our students and our community deserve. We need protections against job cuts and improved pathways to more secure jobs.
“Because of these cuts, we have fewer staff being asked to do more with less. These staff are already overworked. This impacts quality of education and research. We need improved leave rights and enforceable protections against overwork and unreasonable working hours to improve work-life balance.
“We also need fair pay to recognise UON’s strong financial position, productivity gains and the escalating cost of living pressures. Staff must be paid for all hours worked and have protections to stop rampant wage theft.
“Today’s action is a further expression of the NTEU’s desire to deliver fair enterprise agreements for all staff,” added Associate Professor Summers. “Members want management to work with us to deliver new Enterprise Agreements for all staff that acknowledge our excellent work with fair working conditions.”
NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Director, David Gathercole said council operates the dam to collect and treat dirty water at the premises.
“EPA officers observed contaminated water in the dam at a level that was far too high,” Mr Gathercole said.
“The equipment used to measure dam levels appeared to be installed incorrectly, giving a false indication that dam levels were lower.
“Officers also found that council had allegedly failed to physically check the water levels leading to contaminated water discharging through the dam spillway.
“These breaches run the risk of creating large-scale pollution events which can be destructive on both the environment and community.
“Every licence holder has a duty to understand its obligations and keep equipment in good condition.”A $15,000 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) is the largest fine the EPA can issue under its legislation.
People can report concerns regarding water pollution incidents to the EPA on 131 555. Calls made to the Environment Line are directed to EPA officers in the field so they can target those areas of most concern to the community.
City of Newcastle, together with Iris Capital, have unveiled the winning designs of an architectural design competition to complete the $880 million redevelopment of its award winning East End development.
A three-member independent competition jury unanimously selected the architectural design submitted by SJB, Durbach Block Jaggers and Curious Practice for stage three and four of Iris Capital’s development of 3 Morgan Street and 22 Newcomen Street.
The winning design features 235 dwellings across five buildings, as well as 1,731 square metres of retail floorspace and approximately 300 parking spaces, with an estimated overall construction cost in excess of $150 million.
Strong design elements supported by the jury include a Market Square public space concept and perimeter colonnade, multiple public viewing corridors to the harbour, integration of green spaces, and a distinct character for each building.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes congratulated SJB, Durbach Block Jaggers and Curious Practice on their stand-out design and commended Iris Capital for their ongoing commitment to the revitalisation of Newcastle’s East End.
“Newcastle’s East End is transforming before our eyes, with architectural design excellence bringing the history and heritage of this harbour precinct into the modern era,” Cr Nelmes said.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the city was a step closer to seeing the complete vision for the East End precinct come to life.
“The architectural design competition presented an exciting opportunity to bring together a shared vision between City of Newcastle and Iris Capital to complete the final stages of the city’s revitalised East End including the vision for a public corridor to connect the Harbour to Cathedral Park,” Cr Clausen said.
“The East End will become a landmark urban precinct for the enjoyment of residents and visitors for generations to come.”
The architectural design competition was run by an independent jury process under the governance of City of Newcastle and the NSW Government Architect’s Office. It was administered by consultants Urbis on behalf of Iris Capital.
Iris Capital’s CEO Sam Arnaout complemented the competition process and expressed his gratitude at the high quality of design that all the architects displayed.
“This is a critically important and significant development for the city, that will bring to life across Iris’ land, a long-held vision to connect Newcastle Harbour to Cathedral Park,” Mr Arnaout said.
“The winning design has unquestionably delivered on its purpose to achieve design excellence and has maintained the Christ Church Cathedral as the city’s prominent landmark structure with a family of beautiful buildings that follow the topography and mesh with the built form of the hill.
“Like stage one, which has been embraced by the community and is critically acclaimed, the final stages will be similarly recognisable though the adaptation of designs that draw inspiration from existing Newcastle architecture and retention of key heritage buildings.
“The competition has been the catalyst that will enable Iris Capital to deliver a truly world-class amenity through an efficient design that future residents will be proud to call home.”
SJB director Adam Haddow said the SJB team are over the moon to once again collaborate with Durbach Block Jaggers and Curious Practice to deliver the final stage of this once-in-a-lifetime project.
“SJB has been investigating this unique precinct in Newcastle since 2013, having worked on the original masterplan as architect and collaborator for the East End’s stage one development,” Mr Haddow said.
“Our vision for the East End is rooted in a fine grain response that reimagines the retail offering and pedestrian activity of Hunter Street. The new public Market Square has great potential to connect into Council land creating the link with Christ Church Cathedral and Newcastle Harbour – to become the centre of the East End.
“We truly hope that this new connection will enable Indigenous planting to thrive along the north-facing slope of the East End, once again cradling the silhouette of the Cathedral in a green skirt when seen from the harbour.
“We love the city and people of Newcastle. With the support of Sam Arnout and Iris Capital, and in collaboration with City of Newcastle, we’re confident that as a design team will be able to renew this part of the East End for the entire community to be proud of.”
A development application for the site will be lodged by Iris Capital by the end of this year.
A third teenager has been charged over the alleged assault of a teenager in the state’s Hunter region last week.
On Thursday 8 September 2022, officers from Lake Macquarie Police District commenced an investigation after receiving information regarding a serious assault at a skatepark in Charlestown.
Police were told a 14-year-old male was allegedly assaulted by a group of males, causing him serious facial injuries. The teenager underwent treatment at John Hunter Hospital and has since been discharged.
Following inquiries, two males, aged 14 and 12, were arrested and charged respectively by detectives on Friday (9 September 2022) and Saturday (10 September 2022). They were both refused bail and now remain before the courts.
Investigators arrested a 16-year-old boy at Belmont Police Station about 9am yesterday (Thursday 15 September 2022).
He was charged with assault with intent to rob in company cause grievous bodily harm and granted bail to appear before a children’s court on Monday 10 October 2022.
Refugee children will be supported to play sport and feel welcome throughout the community after receiving a share of City of Newcastle (CN)’s almost $1 million grants and sponsorships funding.
CN’s funding, which includes community support, infrastructure grants, economic development and events sponsorship and partnerships, has increased tenfold since 2014 in response to growing needs in the community and the success of sponsorships driving city activity.
Initiatives ranging from a learn to swim program for refugee women, an Indigenous and disability sports clinic, through to workshops teaching Auslan to the community using popular songs are just some of the programs to be delivered under CN’s community support grant funding.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said community grants and sponsorship funding is vital to enhancing community wellbeing and contributing to our city being a great place to live, work, play, visit and invest.
“Whether its funding for a program to help refugees engage with the community or an event to bring thousands of people to the city centre, City of Newcastle’s grants and sponsorships program is helping build a more liveable and inclusive community,” Cr Nelmes said.
“We have significantly boosted grant and sponsorship funding to support the needs of our ever-changing community from almost $130,000 in 2014 to almost $1 million in 2022, representing a tenfold increase.
“Our funding program is targeted to help provide opportunities for locals to reach their full potential, take an active part in our community and live in a more vibrant city.”
Ward 4 Councillor Dr Elizabeth Adamczyk, who joined Northern NSW Football, the Treasurer of the Afghan Association of the Hunter and refugee families to help launch the refugee football initiative, said social inclusion, recreation participation and economic development were at the heart of CN’s grants and sponsorships program.
“Through the City’s financial assistance, we are seeing a wide range of wonderfully inclusive and progressive initiatives aimed at supporting our culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities right across Newcastle, with a strong focus on our western suburbs,” Cr Adamczyk said.
“I’m also thrilled to see such a wide-breadth of local sporting facilities receive funding to support facility upgrades while local businesses at Shortland and Stockton are set for a refresh to their shopfronts through the Façade Improvement Scheme initiative.”
Among the community support grant initiatives to have been allocated funding in this round are a multicultural inclusion program delivered by Northern NSW Football for local refugee students and a sports program run by the Afghan Association of the Hunter for newly arrived Afghan refugees.
“Newcastle has a large number of newly arrived refugee youth and football is a universal language that unites people,” Northern NSW Football Legacy Development Officer Joseph Wright said.
“Thanks to this grant funding, Northern NSW Football will be able to provide player, coach and referee scholarships to children from refugee backgrounds to help them continue their football journey and integrate into the community.”
Forugh Dorani from the Afghan Association of Hunter Incorporated said their sports program and the football program delivered by Northern NSW Football will help Afghan refugees feel welcome and supported across Newcastle.
“Sports programs provide a wonderful opportunity for Afghan refugees that have newly arrived in Newcastle to connect with others in the community through a game that they love,” Mr Dorani said.
City of Newcastle is commencing works to reinstate safe access to beaches from Bar Beach to Merewether, following storm damage earlier this year.
The stretch of beach, and the Cooks Hill Surf Lifesaving Club, suffered significant damage from huge swells in April, leading to the temporary closure of facilities.
Since then, City of Newcastle has been working with structural and coastal engineers to assess the damage and develop options for the restoration of the pedestrian and vehicle accesses, buildings and promenade areas leading into the busy summer period.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the reinstatement of safe access for the community is a priority for the months ahead and will enable the Cooks Hill Surf Lifesaving Club to return to operation.
“We know how much the community values these beaches, and with summer not too far away, we are spending over a million dollars along this stretch of beach now so that locals and visitors can get back to the activities they love,” Cr Nelmes said.
“In addition to those more immediate actions, we are also looking ahead to the future to understand what these beaches may look like in decades to come.”
Cooks Hill Surf Lifesaving Club President Michael Clancy said these works are an important step in returning to activities for the summer period.
“We are looking forward to seeing these works underway so that both our members and the broader community can safely get back to the beach this season,” Mr Clancy said.
Initial works leading into summer have already commenced including the installation of temporary stairs at Bar Beach, which are now complete to allow lifeguards direct access from the viewing tower and promenade direct to the beach, as well as improving access to amenities and upgrades to access for lifesaving vehicles.
Following the busy summer period, further works are planned and include improvements to accessways at four points between Bar Beach and Merewether Beach.
The Bar Beach promenade area will also be upgraded including construction of a new disabled access ramp, new stairs, upgrades to seawalls and the installation of new handrails.
Looking ahead, City of Newcastle is working with coastal experts to develop a Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the stretch of beaches between Nobbys and Burwood Beach, which will consider the increasing exposure to coastal hazards and explore long-term management options for this highly valued stretch of coastline.
The CMP will ultimately be placed on public exhibition and then brought to the Council for support. It will then be forwarded to the NSW Minister for Local Government for certification.
A man has been charged over his alleged involvement in the robbery of a jewellery store in the state’s Hunter last month.
Just before 9.30am on Wednesday 6 July 2022, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to a shopping centre on Molly Morgan Drive, East Maitland, following reports of a robbery at a jewellery store.
On arrival, police were told a male approached the store and allegedly used an emergency tool to smash the glass of a jewellery cabinet, before fleeing with a number of items.
Initial inquiries were conducted by local police, before detectives attached to the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad took carriage of the matter under Strike Force Malwood.
Following further inquiries – including public appeals for information – a 38-year-old man was arrested by strike force detectives at a home in Tenambit about 7am today (Wednesday 14 September 2022).
During a subsequent search of that home and a second address at East Maitland, police located a seized several items of interest to the investigation for forensic analysis.
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with steal from the person value more than $5,000, destroy or damage property, and larceny.
The Tenambit man was granted conditional bail to appear at Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 16 November 2022.
A seven-gun salute, illumination of the City Hall Clock Tower and a condolence book signing are among the events planned by the City of Newcastle to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Fort Scratchley Historical Society will fire a salute – one for each decade of the Queen’s reign – at 10am on Thursday 22 September as part of the National Day of Mourning.
The clock tower at City Hall on King Street is also set to turn regal purple, while the City Administration Centre will open from 9am to 12pm for those wishing to sign the condolence book.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen encouraged the community to attend the events during the National Day of Mourning.
“Queen Elizabeth II has left an indelible mark on our city and throughout the world, which can be seen in the outpouring of emotion following her passing,” Councillor Clausen said.
“We invite the community to pay tribute to the Queen at these events, and we will continue to fly the city’s flags at half-mast until further notice as a sign of respect.”
City of Newcastle will also host this month’s Ordinary Council Meeting in the former chamber at City Hall in recognition of Queen Elizabeth II’s first trip to Newcastle in 1954.
During that visit, she toured the city with the Duke of Edinburgh, arriving by train at Newcastle Station and being officially welcomed at City Hall before visiting No.1 Sportsground, BHP Steelworks, Stockton, and Newcastle Airport.
Queen Elizabeth II returned to Newcastle in 1970 to open the International Sports Centre and visited again seven years later to open Australia’s first purpose-built regional gallery, the Newcastle Art Gallery, on 11 March 1977.
Her final visit occurred in May 1988 when she opened Queens Wharf, a project spearheaded by former Lord Mayor Joy Cummings.
City of Newcastle will close several of its facilities on the National Day of Mourning, including all libraries, apart from the City Administration Centre, which is open from 9am to 12pm for condolence book signings; the Newcastle Museum; and Beresfield Childcare Centre. Fort Scratchley is set to close for the remainder of the day following the seven-gun salute.
Elsewhere across the city, Port of Newcastle will support the commemorative efforts by lighting up Dyke Point from 5:30pm to midnight during the National Day of Mourning while the Crystalbrook Kingsley hotel will turn purple as a mark of respect.
The community can also attend a memorial service and lay floral tributes at Christ Church Cathedral from 7:30pm tonight (Wednesday 14 September).
For those unable to sign the condolence book on Thursday 22 September, the book will remain at the City Administration Centre until Friday 23 September and can be signed Monday to Friday between 8:30am to 5pm.
