Category: Newcastle News

Newcastle residents affected by the severe weather event that began on 27 June will now be able to access government-funded disaster relief payments.

Newcastle was one of eight additional local government areas (LGAs) added to the list of declared disaster zones today as impacts from the widespread rain and flooding continue to be felt across large areas of New South Wales.

Assistance was also extended to Muswellbrook and Port Stephens as well as Cumberland, Mid Coast, Nambucca, Randwick and Warren, bringing the total number of disaster-declared LGAs to 37.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the news, saying it would provide much-needed funding and support to local residents affected by the recent storms.

“Like many areas across the state, Newcastle has been widely impacted by the recent severe weather event,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Today’s announcement to add Newcastle to the list of disaster-declared LGAs is much appreciated as it will enable affected communities and individuals to access the range of special assistance measures needed to help them recover from the latest weather event.

“I appreciate the fast response and support from the Deputy Premier Paul Toole on this declaration after meeting with him and other local Greater Newcastle and Hunter Mayors this morning.”

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and includes helps for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged, as well as concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations.

Support is also available for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential roads and public assets.

Information on disaster assistance can be found on the National Recovery and Resilience Agency’s website at www.recovery.gov.au

Police are investigating the armed robbery of a Newcastle hotel this morning.

About 3.20am (Friday 8 July 2022), a 21-year-old male employee was leaving the premises on Denison Street, Hamilton, when he was approached by a man armed with a knife.

He threatened the employee and demanded to be let inside the premises, before stealing cash.

The man then ran from the scene south on Beaumont Street towards Hamilton South.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and established a crime scene.

The man – who was wearing all black clothing and a face mask – is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his mid to late-30s, about 170cm tall, and of solid build.

As inquiries continue, police are appealing for anyone who may have CCTV footage from nearby streets or dashcam footage from Beaumont and Denison Streets between 3.15am and 3.30am this morning (Friday 8 July 2022), to contact Newcastle Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

A man remains under police guard following an alleged carjacking and pursuit across the Hunter yesterday.

Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attempted to stop a black Mazda on Cumberland Street, Cessnock, about 3.40pm yesterday (Thursday 7 July 2022), but when the driver allegedly failed to comply a pursuit was initiated. It was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.

Police will allege the vehicle stopped in Weston, where the driver left the vehicle and approached a Mitsubishi Magna parked nearby. 

The man allegedly forced the driver, a 67-year-old woman, from the vehicle and drove it away. The woman and her female passenger were shaken but not physically injured.

PolAir was brought in to assist and worked with local police to find the now-extensively damaged vehicle on Anderson Drive, Beresfield.

A short time later, a 33-year-old man was arrested after allegedly attempting to access another two vehicles in a garage nearby on Emerson Street.

He was initially taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station but was then taken to John Hunter Hospital to be assessed for a suspected medical condition.

He remains there under police guard as inquiries continue.

A 9.6-hectare section of the Hexham Wetlands used by the Awabakal people as a place of spiritual connection and ceremony has become the first site in Newcastle officially protected with an Aboriginal Place declaration by the NSW Minister for Heritage.

The elevated outcrop known as Rocky Knob is located on the northern outskirts of the suburb of Fletcher within an area of Burraghihnbihng (Hexham Wetlands) traditionally used as a hunting and gathering place of the Pambalong Clan of the Awabakal people.

Associated with spiritual beliefs that have been passed down through generations, the site is a place of ceremony and ritual used to mark the passing of ancestors and is one of the few undisturbed Aboriginal burial grounds that still exist in NSW.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was important to honour the traditional custodians of the land and their cultural practices by conserving the region’s rich Aboriginal heritage for future generations.

“I am pleased NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage James Griffin has taken steps to safeguard the cultural significance of this site by declaring it Newcastle’s first official Aboriginal Place,” Cr Nelmes said.

“This will provide it with valuable protection under the National Parks and Wildlife Act and ensure it can continue to be a place where cultural practices and stories can be passed on to future generations of First Nations people.”

The area of Rocky Knob and its surrounds have connections through links in Songlines (cultural pathways) to Mount Sugarloaf, Black Hill Ridge and Doghole Cultural Site in Stockrington. The elevated site has views to and is visible from a number of other culturally significant sites for the Awabakal people including Mount Sugarloaf in the southwest, Black Hill Ridge in the west, Tarro to the north and Newcastle to the southeast.

Any land in NSW that is deemed to have special significance for Aboriginal culture, including public and private land, can be proposed for declaration as an Aboriginal Place, which acts as a process to recognise and legally protect Aboriginal cultural heritage.

The request to list Rocky Knob was made by the NSW Local Land Services.

A scholarship program designed to foster emerging talent within Newcastle’s creative community will culminate in a month-long exhibition of LGBTIQ+ artists at Newcastle Museum.

Curated by Jasmine Fletcher, a non-binary multidisciplinary artist and founder of not-for-profit events organisation Queer and Now, Unabbreviated will showcase 32 LGBTIQ+ creatives from the Hunter and Central Coast, who work across a range of mediums including painting, textile, drawing, print making, mixed media works and written responses.

The exhibition forms part of Jasmine’s 12-month Roost Creative Scholarship, which is designed to enable emerging creatives to explore, refine and connect with established creative professionals in Newcastle.

The scholarship is delivered by not-for-profit creative organisation and co-working space, The Roost, with support from Newcastle Museum, The Business Centre and Imprint Newcastle.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen will help officially open Unabbreviated at a special event on Thursday 7 July and said the exhibition showcases the breadth of talent and diversity within our community.

“City of Newcastle has demonstrated a long held and consistent advocacy for Newcastle as a diverse and inclusive city, and proud activism in support of our LGBTIQ+ community,” Cr Clausen said.

“Hosting this exhibition at Newcastle Museum is another great way to help foster inclusivity and celebrate our diverse community while also highlighting the depth of creative talent in our region.”

Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said the exhibition, which will be displayed in the ‘A Newcastle Story’ gallery, has strong links to the Museum’s overarching 2022/23 programming theme of ‘Fluidity’ and would encourage new perspectives on the diversity of identity in our community.

“A Newcastle Story provides a space for Novocastrians and visitors to discover answers to how and why we are a distinct and fascinating community, making it the ideal place to reflect on the importance of identity and inclusiveness,” Ms Baird said.

“It is necessary to acknowledge people who are not afforded the same rights for who they love, how they look or what they believe in. To exist outside the norm is the ultimate rebellion.

“Unabbreviated acknowledges and celebrates creatives that would not usually exhibit together in this context and is a wonderful addition to A Newcastle Story.”

Jasmine said Newcastle lacks permanent spaces for LGBTIQ+ community to connect and believed this exhibition, although temporary, would help foster social connections, visibility and representation, which is invaluable to the wellbeing of people who are a part of this community.

“Unabbreviated showcases sexual and gender diverse people and aims to focus on the creative practice of the individual, it does not attempt to classify or address the queer experience,” Jasmine said.

“By celebrating LGBTIQ+ artists, makers and creators, Unabbreviated creates an opportunity to feature works, share their stories and start important conversations.”

Unabbreviated will open to the public from 6pm on Thursday 7 July and run until 31 July.

Inspirational leader Ronni Kahn will share her passion for sustainability as part of City of Newcastle’s annual Humble Lecture to celebrate Australian Library and Information Week.

The key theme of Library and Information Week ‘Rewrite. Renew. Reimagine.’ highlights that the act of rewriting stories has been an essential part of expanding and varying our point of view, reimagining or re-evaluating the past, and envisioning alternative futures.

Image Credit: Dumbo Feather

Ronni Kahn will deliver a keynote address on her journey to disrupt the status quo, reduce food insecurity and food waste. Attendees will also gain an insight into the circular economy and finding your passion, as well as learn about new sustainable initiatives across Newcastle.

The social entrepreneur founded food rescue charity, OzHarvest and is a passionate advocate, activist and leading voice on the issue of reducing food waste. An Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), Ronni Kahn was named Australian Local Hero of the Year in 2010 and is the subject of a feature film, Food Fighter and recently published memoir, A Repurposed Life. She is always on the lookout for innovative ways to tackle inequality and inspire people all over the world to find their own purpose.

The annual Humble Lecture is a City of Newcastle event established in honour of a young Newcastle Libraries staff member, Jennifer Humble, who passed away from cancer in 2018. Jennie was a passionate information professional concerned about democracy and social justice.

The Lecture will be held at City Hall on Friday 22 July in the lead up to Library and Information Week, which celebrates the work that library and information workers do across Australia and showcases resources and services available to communities through programs and events from 25 – 31 July 2022.

Tickets to the event are free and bookings are essential by clicking here.

Community members are encouraged to reengage with local libraries by pondering stories and reimagining a new vision during Library and Information Week.

A survey seeking community feedback on proposed changes to timed parking at New Lambton’s Blackbutt Village launched today as part of a $3.7 million upgrade of the popular local centre.

Traffic and Transport Manager Ryan Tranter said that improving the management of parking has been a focal point of discussions with businesses and residents.

“When we spoke to the community during the development of this upgrade we heard concerns about pedestrian safety and connectivity, and also the importance of available of short-term parking for people visiting the shops and local services,” Mr Tranter said.

“We understand that it is important for the New Lambton community to be able to support small local businesses, and that parking is a key consideration when choosing where to shop.”

The online survey is seeking community views on a range of free, timed parking options encouraged to boost the availability of spaces close to the shops. Proposed restrictions will reduce all day parking in the area and promote active turn-over of spaces to improve access to the precinct.

The options were developed in consultation with local businesses at a workshop held earlier this year.

The Local Centre upgrade commenced in March, beginning with construction of a new footpath along Freyberg Street connecting Orchardtown Road and Richley Reserve, and the planting of over 30 street trees. Similar improvements are currently being delivered in Dunkley Avenue, and construction of upgrades to stormwater infrastructure and road surfaces in the western car park will also commence soon.

Construction is scheduled for overall completion in early 2024. The upgrade has been supported with a $591,677 grant from the NSW Government under Round Seven of the Resources for Regions program.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said Resources for Regions has delivered 242 projects worth $420 million for mining communities in the last 10 years.

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting regional mining towns that supply our state with these precious resources, that’s why we’re topping up the Resources for Regions fund in the 2022-23 Budget,” Mr Toole said.

The project is being delivered as part of City of Newcastle’s Local Centres program and follows similar upgrades at Carrington, Beresfield, Joslin Street in Kotara, Llewellyn Street in Merewether, James Street Plaza in Hamilton, and upgrades currently under construction in Stockton and Shortland.

Visit our Have Your Say page to complete the survey.

Part of Hexham Swamp near Fletcher, Rocky Knob has been declared as an Aboriginal Place in recognition of its importance to the Pambalong Clan of the Awabakal nation.

Heritage NSW’s Executive Director, Sam Kidman, said Rocky Knob and the surrounding Hexham Wetlands are a significant cultural area for the Aboriginal people of the Hunter Region.

“Rocky Knob is known to the local Aboriginal people as a place for burial ceremonies and to pay respect to those who passed into the next life. It also represents the adaptability and resilience of the Aboriginal people of the Hunter region”, said Mr Kidman.

Rocky Knob is an elevated site of about 360 metres square sitting above the Hexham Swamp. The elevated position of the site provides views to all directions including to the Watagan Ranges.

Rocky Knob is connected through songlines to other cultural sites in the area, including Mount Sugarloaf, Black Hill Ridge and the Doghole Cultural Site in Stockrington.

“Rocky Knob is considered by the Awabakal peoples as a significant spiritual and sacred area,” said Ms Kerrie Brauer on behalf of the Awabakal Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and the Awabakal Descendants Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.

“The continual protection of Rocky Knob is so vitally important to our People, and the Aboriginal objects collected within close proximity are physical reminders left by our Ancestors which provide us as Descendants of the Awabakal People, an opportunity to make a physical connection through time with our Ancestors’, said Ms Brauer.

“Rocky Knob is an iconic landform and significant place within the landscape to the Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council and wider Aboriginal community. It is known for its spiritual, cultural, and aesthetic values,” said Peter Townsend on behalf of the Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Artefacts and burials found on and around Rocky Knob have the potential to contribute to our understanding of Aboriginal cultural practices in the Hunter Region and to NSW Aboriginal culture and history.

Further information can be found on the Heritage NSW website at heritage.nsw.gov.au

A new film that tells the story of how the local Indigenous language was recorded and preserved in Newcastle 200 years ago will premiere on Sunday as part of Newcastle’s NAIDOC Week celebrations.

Biraban and Threlkeld: Finding the Third Space was created by local filmmakers Stories of Our Town with support from a City of Newcastle community grant, to tell the story of how missionary Reverend Threlkeld and local Indigenous figure Biraban worked together to preserve the local Aboriginal language.

The film will be premiered at Newcastle Civic Theatre on the first day of NAIDOC Week celebrations, which run from 3 – 10 July across Australia, with this year’s theme‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! ‘, promoting the importance of systemic change.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the film screening is among a number of events on offer throughout NAIDOC Week that celebrate the stories and rich history of the oldest continuous living culture on Earth.

“NAIDOC Week is an extremely important time of year and an opportunity for our community to acknowledge that the story of Australia began far before European settlement, while recognising that First Nations peoples have occupied and cared for our land for over 65,000 years,” Cr Nelmes said.

“This year the theme for NAIDOC Week is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up, in support of systematic change to keep rallying for our Indigenous communities. Biraban and Threlkeld: Finding the Third Space, reflects this theme by telling the story of two men, one Aboriginal and one European, who stood up for the local language through their unique connection.

“I encourage our community to celebrate our Indigenous culture this NAIDOC Week and take advantage of the free events on offer throughout the city.”

Biraban and Threlkeld: Finding the Third Space will screen at The Civic Theatre and will be followed by a Q&A session hosted by Councillor Carol Duncan, founder of the Lost Newcastle website.

A second film, Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow, which celebrates the creative lives of First Nations people and is a cinematic reinvention of the legendary Kura Tungar – Songs from the River concert, will screen at the Civic Theatre on Sunday 9 July. Both film screenings are free and bookings can be made online at civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

To celebrate NAIDOC Week, Newcastle Art Gallery and Newcastle Libraries will host free interactive Torres Strait Islander storytelling and art workshops for children and families led by local Torres Strait Islander artist Toby Cedar on 2 and 3 July. The drop-in workshops will be held at Newcastle City and Lambton Libraries and further information can be found online at nag.org.au

Awabakal is marking NAIDOC Week on Friday 15 July with a Family Fun Day, commencing with a flag raising in Civic Park at 9am followed by a march to Foreshore Park where family friendly celebrations featuring performances from dancers, the Quokkas, the Cooee Project and Mitch Tambo will commence at 10am.

City of Newcastle has also supported the Cooee Project, a professional creative and cultural mentoring program for local First Nations young people, with sessions held throughout June, culminating in a performance at the Newcastle NAIDOC Family Fun Day.

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia annually in the first week of July to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is predicting hazardous surf conditions and strong winds for Newcastle’s coastline between Sunday 3 July and Monday 4 July, with elevated swells again on Tuesday 4 July.

Moderate to heavy rain is forecast throughout the weekend, with the higher totals being realised late Sunday and early Monday.

City of Newcastle is monitoring its facilities and assets along Newcastle’s coastline including areas in Stockton which may be impacted by coastal erosion. The conditions are expected to present challenging conditions for north Stockton emergency structures, dunes and accessways, and potentially cause road inundation.

Newcastle’s southern beaches may also be at risk, particularly in locations which are in an eroded state from the severe storms in April.

This system will coincide with the start of the school holidays and an increase in road traffic. The community is encouraged to stay safe and follow the direction of signage and abide by beach and road closures.

Following the weekend’s swell event and when safe, the City will inspect all beaches and undertake any repairs required prior to opening any effected beaches.

To keep up to date with the weather, visit bom.gov.au