Category: Newcastle News

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council Meeting of Tuesday 23 May 2023. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.

Lord Mayoral Minutes

Women’s World Cup Live Site – Go Matildas!

A Lord Mayoral Minute was supported acknowledging the incredible success and community support for City of Newcastle’s public screening of the Socceroo’s vs Argentina World Cup Game on 4 December 2022 in Wheeler Place which attracted thousands of attendees.

Council unanimously supported investigating options for hosting live site public screenings in Wheeler Place of all Matilda’s games during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 when they play in Australia from 20 July.

IPART Emergency Services Levy

A Lord Mayoral Minute noted Council’s forced emergency services contribution is manifestly disproportionate to the 2023/24 rate cap, resulting in additional financial stress, with the unexpected cost hit due to absorb almost all IPART-approved rate rise for this year and in some cases absorb more than 100 per cent, for many councils.

Council unanimously supported writing to the Chair of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Authority (IPART), noting the financial sustainability impacts of the Emergency Services Levy on the Local Government sector, and to work towards an appropriate solution to ensure the ongoing financial sustainability of local councils.

Ordinary business

Adoption of Delivering Newcastle 2040

Council unanimously voted to adopt the 2023-2024 Delivering Newcastle 2040 and the 2023-2024 Fees and Charges, following public exhibition.

Adoption of Inland Pools Strategy 2034

Council unanimously voted to adopt the Inland Pools Strategy 2043 – our plan for protecting and improving Newcastle’s public pools for the next 20 years.

Council received the Inland Pools Strategy 2043 Engagement Report and endorsed the establishment of the Inland Pools Reserve Fund to set aside funding as part of the annual budget process to enhance the city’s five publicly owned inland swimming centres over the next 20 years.

Public exhibition of draft Community Engagement Strategy

Council unanimously voted to publicly exhibit the draft Community Engagement Strategy for a minimum of 28 days.

Tabling of Register of Disclosures of Interest – 1 February to 30 April 2023

Council noted the tabling of the Register of Disclosures of Interest for the period 1 February to 30 April 2023 by the Chief Executive Officer.

Proposed road closure and sale – road reserve adjoining 34 Robert Street Wickham

Council voted to lay item 8.5 on the table.

Proposed sale of operational land – 55 Cowper Street Wallsend

Council voted to lay item 8.6 on the table.

Adoption of planning proposal, draft Development Control Plan and draft Planning Agreement for 23 Merewether Street and 8 Lingard Street, Merewether, Lingard Planning Proposal

Council voted to endorse the planning proposal, the Local Environmental Plan be made and finalise the Development Control Plan and Planning Agreement for the Lingard Hospital Precinct, Merewether.

Variations to development standards (Reporting From 1 January 2023 To 31 March 2023)

Council received the report on approved development variations between 1 January 2023 and 31 March 2023 in accordance with the Department of Planning and Environment’s concurrence to vary development standards in the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012.

March Quarterly Budget Review

Council received the March Quarterly Budget Review Statement and adopted the revised budget as detailed therein.

Quarterly Performance Report on the 2018-2022 Delivery Program

Council received the 2022-2026 Delivery Program – March Quarterly Performance Report.

Executive Monthly Performance Report

Council received the Executive Monthly Performance Report for April 2023.

Tender report – Lambton Pool Grandstand Upgrade 2023/065t

Council unanimously voted to adopt a tender report for the construction of a new reinforced concrete grandstand beneath the existing grandstand roof at Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre (Lambton Pool).

Tender report – Material Recovery Facility – Construction Works 2023/049t

Council unanimously voted to adopt a tender for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre.

Proposed sale of 16 cabins – Stockton Beach Holiday Park

Council endorsed the sale of 16 cabins at Stockton Beach Holiday Park.

Tender report – Management of Inland Swimming Centres – Contract No 2022/137T

Council delegated the CEO authority to determine the tender for the lease and operation of CNs five owned inland swimming centres.

Notices of Motion

Request to release Climate Security Report

Council noted that the Office of National Intelligence has prepared a Climate Security Report.

Council unanimously supported an amended notice of motion to write to the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence requesting that the government urgently releases the declassified version of the Report.

Newcastle City CBD – Vandalism – Graffiti Attacks – Crime Prevention – Business Retention – Review of Mainstreet Economic Development throughout City Construction – 2023-2026

Council supported an amended notice of motion that notes City of Newcastle staff are reviewing opportunities to focus resources specifically on development of the Hunter Street public domain and welcomes CN’s investment of more than $8.5 million in events and activation programs developed to support local City Centre businesses since 2018.

City of Newcastle (CN) will move forward with its landmark investment into the future of recycling in the region after awarding the contract to build Newcastle’s first Material Recovery Facility (MRF).

Councillors unanimously voted on Tuesday evening to accept a $56.7 million tender from Australian-owned recyclables processor iQRenew to design and construct the MRF at CN’s Summerhill Waste Management Facility.

The Central Coast based company will also be responsible for operating and maintaining the facility, which will be capable of processing up to 85,000 tonnes of recyclables per year.

The MRF will sort recyclables from residents’ yellow-lid garbage bins into separate materials such as paper, cardboard, glass, plastics, steel and aluminium, which can then be on-sold to recyclers for use in the manufacture of new products.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the MRF will deliver a regional recycling solution designed to divert waste from landfill, cut greenhouse gas emissions and create local jobs.

“City of Newcastle is committed to delivering responsible, environmentally sustainable, and commercially feasible waste and recycling operations to manage our current and future waste streams,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The sudden closure of the only MRF in the Hunter in 2020 meant recyclables from Newcastle had to be transported to a processing facility on the Central Coast. For other local councils their recyclables now have to be transported to Sydney at significant expense to their ratepayers.

“The establishment of a local, Council owned facility will remove around 6,000 tonnes of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions over the next 25 years while also ensuring almost 200,000 tonnes of recyclables from Newcastle homes are diverted from landfill.

“Beyond meeting the needs and expectations of Newcastle residents, the MRF’s scalable processing capacity and optimal location close to the Hunter Expressway and M1 will make it an essential piece of regional infrastructure capable of servicing the entire region. City of Newcastle is progressing the design of a secondary access road as part of its Sustainable Waste Strategy, linking Summerhill Waste Management Centre to the Hunter Expressway and M1 following concept DA approval last year.

“The delivery of the MRF will also provide a major economic boost to our region, creating around 185 jobs during the construction and fit-out phase and up to 28 ongoing jobs when it becomes operational.”

CN’s plans to build the new facility have been overwhelmingly endorsed by the community, with ninety-eight per cent of residents surveyed during development of the project indicating their support.

A development application for the MRF is currently being assessed by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel, with a decision expected in the second half of 2023. Pending approval, preliminary earthworks for the project would begin later this year with construction of the facility expected to get underway in the first quarter of 2024.

The project has received $5 million from the Federal and NSW Governments and plays a key role in CN’s Our Sustainable Waste Strategy, as well as addressing future government targets on waste diversion and recycling.

More shaded seating and an upgraded playground are among the latest projects being delivered by City of Newcastle as part of continued investment to enhance and improve its public swimming pool facilities.

Five of the tiered seating structures temporarily installed at Lambton Swimming Centre in January are being permanently relocated to the Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend Swimming Centres, where the addition of new shade covers will give schools, sporting groups and spectators more seating options when the facilities reopen later this year.

The three remaining temporary grandstands at Lambton will be permanently moved to the northern side of the diving pool, allowing work to continue on the demolition and replacement of the swimming centre’s 60-year-old concrete grandstand.

Families in Newcastle’s booming western suburbs will also benefit from planned upgrades at Beresfield Swimming Centre, with the installation of a new playground featuring a range of equipment including a nest swing, flying fox, inground trampoline and double slide, as well as a new shade sail, wider footpaths and picnic tables.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said whilst City of Newcastle is maximising the winter closure period to continue enhancing its inland pool network, the city is also moving forward with its 20-year strategy for these much-loved community facilities with a range of short, medium and longer-term upgrades proposed.

“City of Newcastle has invested more than $5 million upgrading and $2 million maintaining the city’s public pool network during the past few years,” Cr Nelmes said.

“By repurposing items like Lambton Swimming Centre’s temporary seating structures to our other facilities, community members and visitors that utilise Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend Swimming Centres are also set to benefit from the original investment.

“City of Newcastle is committed to maintaining and investing in our network of inland swimming centres to ensure they continue to meet the expectations and evolving needs of more than 320,000 people who visit them each year.

“That’s why we developed our ‘Inland Pools Strategy 2043’, which sets out an investment plan for Newcastle’s network of public swimming pools to ensure they are fit-for-purpose in the long term and made accessible to all members of the community.

“Key to the draft Strategy is proposed accessibility upgrades in the short term at an estimated investment of $1.25 million. This includes a new platform lift for entry into each of our 50-metre pools, while future redeveloped change room facilities to cater to those with accessibility requirements are proposed for Wallsend and Lambton Swimming Centres.”

Councillors will vote tomorrow night to adopt the ‘Inland Pools Strategy 2043’ following feedback from the community. The tender for the construction replacement of the Lambton Swimming Centre grandstand will also be considered at the Council meeting.

About 11.30am today (Sunday 21 May 2023), emergency services were called to the Pacific Highway at Ferrodale, approximately one km north of the Medowie Road intersection, following reports of a single-vehicle crash.

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and were told an SUV had left the road and hit a tree.

The driver – a 70-year-old man, died at the scene.

A 70-year-old woman was conveyed to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition with suspected spinal injuries.

A crime scene was established and an investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

As police make inquiries, anyone with dashcam footage or information related to the incident are urged to contact Port Stephens-Hunter Police District or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

A body has been located during the search for a man missing from the state’s Hunter region.

The 42-year-old man was last seen driving on Great North Road, Laguna, on Thursday 13 April 2023, after it is believed his vehicle broke down on his way home.

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

As part of inquiries, officers with assistance from specialist police resources and the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), conducted a search operation in the Laguna area where they located a body on Tuesday (16 May 2023).

A post mortem examination will be conducted to confirm the identity of the person and the cause of death.

Detectives from State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and Missing Persons Registry, assisted by Hunter Valley police, established Strike Force Blakely to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.

Inquiries continue.

Newcastle will become the cultural capital of Australia this week, with almost 500 representatives of the country’s museums and galleries sector gathering in the city for their annual conference.

The Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) 2023 National Conference is one of the largest business events being hosted by City of Newcastle this year, and is expected to inject almost $1 million into the local economy.

Delegates from across Australia, New Zealand and around the world are taking part in four days of workshops and panel discussions from May 16-19, tackling “brave conversations and new connections in changing environments”.

City of Newcastle’s cultural facilities will be showcased to the delegates throughout the conference, with events being held at Newcastle City Hall, Civic Theatre and Newcastle Museum, while the packed program also includes a special presentation on the expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle’s rich cultural heritage and capacity to host major business events made it a perfect fit for AMaGA’s national gathering, which was also held in the city in 2009.

“Newcastle has a proud legacy of preserving, sharing and celebrating culture, history and art through its iconic and award-winning cultural facilities,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Our city also offers broad appeal as a host destination for large-scale business events, with top-class conferencing and meeting facilities as well as a range of quality accommodation options.

“We are proud to be the first regional area to play host to the AMaGA National Conference for a second time, and encourage the visiting delegates to explore all the city has to offer while they are here.”

City of Newcastle Director Museum, Archive, Libraries and Learning Julie Baird, who is also the AMaGA National Council Vice President, said the national conference provided an opportunity for members of the sector to share, collaborate and learn.

“The conference is a wonderful chance to learn from the experiences of our colleagues in this sector, expand our networks, discuss opportunities to collaborate with others and discover new and exciting travelling exhibitions that we might be able to bring to our facilities,” Ms Baird said.

Hot on the heels of Come From Away’s record-breaking Newcastle season at the Civic Theatre, leading English theatre operator and producer Sir Howard Panter has visited the city as part of a reconnaissance trip scouting new locations to host future Broadway productions.

Sir Howard owns and operates 16 theatres across Europe as well as Sydney’s Theatre Royal on a 55 year lease from the NSW Government. He is currently in Australia to attend the opening of the Broadway jukebox smash Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, on Thursday at the Theatre Royal.

His company, Trafalgar Entertainment, is also responsible for producing a range of major theatre shows including Jersey Boys, The Rocky Horror Show, Jagged Little Pill, 42nd Street and War Horse.

Sir Howard and his team were in Newcastle today to take a firsthand look at the iconic Civic Theatre as well as the heritage-listed Victoria Theatre, which is undergoing a $5 million restoration project ahead of being reopened next year.

Sir Howard Panter said he’s been hearing for some time now of the excitement and reinvention of Newcastle.

“So many people have told me that I have to come to Newcastle. I was promised a mature, heritage city built on both the harbour and the coastline. Having now finally made my way here, I must say I’ve been blown away by what Newcastle has to offer,” Sir Howard said.

“To have a theatre of the size and grandeur of the Civic Theatre next to a new five-star hotel with light rail access on its doorstep, and a plethora of fine dining options on offer at Honeysuckle, it’s about as close to ‘theatre heaven’ as it gets.

“The Civic has that old world European feel to it that just adds to the sense of time travel that great theatre shows can take their audience on. I couldn’t be more keen to bring a Broadway show to Newcastle and hope we have some exciting news to share with the city in the next few months.”

City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath met with Sir Howard and said discussions to bring Trafalgar’s first show to the Civic Theatre are well advanced.

“The reinvention of Newcastle as a cosmopolitan, thriving major events city has been known for some time to entertainment and producers throughout Australia. The record-breaking local staging of Come From Away has grabbed the attention of international theatre producers such as Trafalgar, who recognise the burgeoning theatre demand that exists in Newcastle, and the Hunter,” Mr Bath said.

“Having someone of Sir Howard’s stature make time to travel to Newcastle from his London base is both an honour and an opportunity to showcase all our city has to offer.

“With a thriving local night time economy, $110 million expansion of Newcastle Airport underway to enable international flights to the city, $45 million expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery to house the most valuable art collection in regional Australia, and a theatre catchment that stretches from NSW’s Central Coast to Port Macquarie, it’s really no surprise that theatre producers are circling Newcastle.

“Few theatres compare to the majesty of the Civic Theatre in Newcastle and Come From Away impressed theatregoers during its recent Newcastle debut, smashing previous box office ticket sales records and whetting the city’s appetite for more Broadway live musical theatre.

“Newcastle is ready willing and able to add its name to the national touring list of major shows when they visit Australia.”

More than 21,500 theatregoers from across the Hunter and as far away as Tasmanian and Queensland flocked to the Civic Theatre during Come From Away’s three-week extended run in February to share in the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from around the world who were grounded in Newfoundland Canada in the wake of 9/11.

Newcastle was also the first regional city in Australia to stage Van Gogh Alive, with 84,000 tickets sold in just five weeks for the immersive, multi-sensory display of the painter’s iconic artworks, delivered as part of New Annual 2022.

City of Newcastle welcomes the NSW Government’s announcement that the Department of Regional NSW will take responsibility for the delivery of initial amenity sand nourishment at Stockton Beach, after the funding was announced in October last year.

A $6.2 million grant was awarded in October through the Federal Government’s Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program, which includes $4.7 million from the Commonwealth and $1.5 million from the City of Newcastle.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said that it was pleasing to see that an agency has been formally appointed, and welcomed the Minister for Regional New South Wales, the Hon. Tara Moriarty MLC, as the new Chair of the Stockton Beach Taskforce.

“We’ve stood together with the Stockton community over many years, particularly through the Stockton Community Liaison Group and the Stockton Beach Taskforce, to fight for a fair outcome for Stockton, so it’s fantastic news that the Minns Labor Government have taken this positive next step towards renourishing Stockton Beach,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Now that the Department of Regional NSW are on board as coordinator and NSW Public Works are confirmed as the delivery agency, we hope to finally see a consistent approach to the management of sand nourishment for Stockton.

“I look forward to working closely with Minister Moriarty, as well as the local Stockton community as we continue to protect public assets and restore amenity at Stockton Beach.”

The project funded by the grant includes the delivery of the initial amenity nourishment for Stockton, studies into possible sources of mass sand from the North Arm of the Hunter River and offshore sources, as well as the environmental approvals required for mass sand nourishment – a complex process, which has never before been undertaken in NSW.

City of Newcastle’s Executive Director Planning and Environment, Michelle Bisson, said mass sand nourishment remained the long-term solution to protecting the NSW Government owned Stockton Beach, and the work to develop the draft Extended Coastal Management Program (CMP) is well underway.

“The Extended CMP is critical for realising the long-term vision for the Stockton coastline. It has been informed by extensive consultation with the community, as well as the findings of additional studies and investigations undertaken since the development of the 2020 CMP,” Ms Bisson said.

The draft Extended Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP) steps out an expanded list of management actions that support the long-term strategy of mass sand nourishment outlined in the 2020 Stockton CMP, and broadens the geographical area covered to include the northern end of Stockton Beach from Meredith Street to the Port Stephens Local Government Area boundary.

The complementary actions featured in the Extended CMP are intended to prolong the benefits of mass sand nourishment.

“Delivering the CMP is a complex process, and each action outlined in the plan needs to be championed and funded by the most appropriate agency,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We look forward to confirming which NSW Government agencies will fund and own the mass sand nourishment implementation actions for managing erosion in Stockton at the upcoming Taskforce meeting, so that we can then finalise the draft CMP and place it on public exhibition later this year,” Ms Bisson said.

“It is appropriate that the NSW Government be tangibly involved in a solution for Stockton Beach, as it is their infrastructure, namely the breakwater and deepwater navigation channel of the Port of Newcastle, that has been proven as the primary cause of ongoing erosion at Stockton Beach.”

City of Newcastle has taken a key step towards the recommencement of work at South Newcastle Beach following the project’s head contractor Lloyd Group entering voluntary administration in March.

The Newcastle project was one of hundreds across New South Wales and Victoria affected by the decision.

City of Newcastle Executive Manager Project Management Robert Dudgeon said while the departure of Lloyd Group would have unavoidable impacts on the overall cost and timing, the project was moving forward with the interim appointment of a local contractor.

Daracon Group has been engaged to manage site safety, address remaining defective work items not completed before Lloyd Group left the site, and assist with confirming remaining works and associated costs.

“During their contract Lloyd Group delivered key components of the project scope, however there were a number of delays and quality issues during this time that extended the delivery program,” Mr Dudgeon said.

“Those defects now need to be quantified so a new contractor can come on board and complete the works.

“While it is disappointing that Lloyd Group’s departure has left us in this difficult position, this initial contract with Daracon will give us a clear picture of the way forward for this project so it can be completed for the community to enjoy.”

Daracon have taken possession of the site from today until City of Newcastle finalise the process to appoint a contractor to complete construction.

City of Newcastle Executive Director City Infrastructure Joanne Rigby acknowledged the importance of finalising this project for the community.

“Daracon were highly ranked during the original tender process and are experienced working on complex infrastructure projects in coastal environments, with a track record of successful delivery of major projects across Newcastle, including the current restoration of the Newcastle Oceans Baths,” Ms Rigby said.

“We know that the community are keen to see this project completed, and we look forward to recommencing work at the site shortly.”

The South Newcastle Beach Bathers Way project features a shared path from Shortland Esplanade to King Edward Park to improve access to South Newcastle Beach and King Edward Park, parking, landscaping, lighting and accessibility improvements, new fitness equipment, shade, seating, viewing areas, and a new café/kiosk and accessible amenities.

The wheelchair accessible skate bowl and terrain park will complement the advanced-level facilities at Empire Park, and have been designed to both withstand coastal impacts and minimise impacts to the surrounding environment.

City of Newcastle is kicking goals for football fans and players visiting Hamilton South’s Darling Street Oval, with work commencing on a major redevelopment of the grandstand and amenities.

Demolition of the existing grandstand commences this week as part of a project worth more than $3 million, which is being funded by City of Newcastle, Newcastle Olympic Football Club (NOFC) and the State and Federal Governments.

The joint investment will deliver a new grandstand for NOFC’s passionate spectators with female-friendly changerooms and improved disability access, as well as the refurbishment of existing amenities and a new formal off-street carpark.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the upgrade of the grandstand, which will seat more than 300 football fans, will address an ever-growing demand for the ‘world game’.

“City of Newcastle is committed to investing in premium-level facilities that will not only benefit our local football talent but allow Newcastle to attract even more sporting events,” Cr Nelmes said.

“This project will deliver female-friendly changerooms to better cater for the growing participation of girls and women in football at both a local and national level.

“It will also ensure the spectator facilities meet the needs of all community members, with accessible parking spaces, new shared footpaths and amenities that will enhance the comfort and experience for people with a disability visiting Hamilton South’s Darling Street Oval.”

Amenities for people with a disability will be included on both levels of the building, while a lift will ensure the facility is fully accessible. The new grandstand will also include a community space and designated accessibility area on the upper floor for spectating.

Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the project works supports a key action in CN’s 10-year Strategic Sports Plan (2020) to provide a sportsground designated for staging NPL and WPL football games.

“We have worked collaboratively with NOFC to bring their long-held ambitions for the sportsground to life with a design that complies with NPL standards whilst ensuring Darling Street Oval can cater for a host of football training and fixtures all year-round including schools, juniors, social, premier women, and men’s football,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.

NOFC President George Sofianos said as a club that is approaching its 50^th anniversary in 2026, its facilities have experienced a dramatic increase in usage from their 480 players and visiting teams.

“Newcastle Olympic has long been one of the powerhouse clubs in Northern NSW, but with the introduction of a comprehensive Women’s Football program in 2020, our club has been elevated further,” Mr Sofianos said.

“This new facility, and the upgrades to existing amenities, means that Darling Street Oval will be one of the few football facilities in the area with four changerooms and match official rooms, all of which are female friendly.

“In addition, it will be a more accessible facility, providing a more inclusive and enhanced football experience for all players, staff and spectators.

“Together with grants from the State and Federal Governments and a large contribution from the members of Newcastle Olympic, we are proud to have forged a strong partnership with the City of Newcastle who are a significant contributor to the project.”