Category: Newcastle News

The humble library card has been transformed into an after-hours key allowing accessing to Lambton Library for the city’s more than 100,000 library members.

Using technology that has only just arrived in Australia, Lambton Library will this weekend become the city’s first to offer library members access seven days a week even when their visit is outside of staffed hours.

The Library will re-open to the public this weekend following an extensive renovation that has delivered modern and accessible facilities while also returning the building’s original heritage character to the front façade.

Image: City of Newcastle Project Manager Beau Brazel, Newcastle Libraries Manager Digital Services & Innovation Briana Elliott, City of Newcastle Manager Libraries & Learning Suzie Gately, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with Lambton Residents Group representatives Tammy Russell, Angela Smith, Louise Evans and Robert Watson at the renewed Lambton Library.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said enhanced community access follows the installation of OPEN+ technology, which allows library members to visit Lambton Library even when the facility is not staffed.

“We know the local community loves the nostalgia that comes with visiting Lambton’s quaint neighbourhood library, however prior to its closure during the early days of the pandemic in 2020, the facility was open just two days each week,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Thanks to an innovative new service model, we’ve transformed Lambton Library into a modern and accessible community space, which utilises specialist OPEN+ technology to welcome library members from 7am to 9pm, seven days a week.

“The improved service will allow community members to borrow and return books, use public computers and free Wi-Fi, and access meeting spaces simply by using their library membership during the extended hours of operation.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming our community to Newcastle Libraries’ free launch events this weekend, with an official community re-opening featuring tours of the renovated space on Friday evening and a family fun day on Saturday morning.”

Saturday’s family-friendly event will offer children’s activities including story time, craft, giant games and a scavenger hunt, as well as Lambton Local History sessions.

The OPEN+ technology will enable members to use their library membership number and barcode to access Lambton Library and an onsite CCTV system will maintain the safety of patrons during accessible hours. In addition, a library staff member will be onsite Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays between 2pm and 4pm to assist members and manage the collection.

The installation of OPEN+ technology at Lambton Library is an objective of the Library Strategy 2019-2029 and was made possible by City of Newcastle’s Smart City program, while funding from a State Library of NSW Local Priority Grant supported the internal fit-out.

During the library’s closure period, City of Newcastle also completed a restoration of the library’s front façade and entrance to the building including reinstatement of the original bullnose verandah and heritage details.

Lambton Residents Group supported and advocated for the restoration of Lambton Library and member and community historian Robert Watson said that the group is pleased to have greater access to the much-loved community facility.

“Lambton Library holds great historical significance within our community and it’s fantastic to see the beautiful building’s heritage façade reflect its original style ahead of re-opening,” said Mr Watson.

“Additionally, the innovative technology will allow not only Lambton Residents Group, but all library members, to benefit from free access to a wonderful community space for meetings, work and study or just a quiet place to seek refuge with a great read.”

Lambton Library was constructed in 1887 and was initially used as the Lambton Council Chamber before being converted into a library in 1950.

Bookings for the free community celebration on Friday evening can be made by phoning Newcastle Libraries or visiting newcastle.nsw.gov.au/library.

Image: September 1890 Lambton Council Chambers building now home to Lambton Library, from Newcastle Libraries Collection.

A police officer has been charged following a critical incident investigation after a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash at Lake Macquarie last year.

About 4.40pm on Monday 4 October 2021, emergency services were called to Mandalong Road near Deaves Road, Mandalong, after reports two motorcycles – including a marked New South Wales Police motorcycle – had collided.

A 69-year-old man was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital with serious leg injuries, while a 36-year-old male senior constable – who was on-duty at the time – also suffered serious injuries and was taken to John Hunter Hospital.

A crime scene was established by Lake Macquarie Police District officers, with a critical incident investigation launched by Tuggerah Lakes Police District.

Following extensive inquiries, the senior constable – attached to Traffic & Highway Patrol Command – was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice today (Tuesday 15 March 2022), for the offence of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

He is due to appear at Toronto Local Court on Monday 2 May 2022.

Islington Park has been re-opened to the public this morning following clearance by independent assessors yesterday.

The park been closed since 2 March due to contamination generated by the recent fire at the Wickham wool stores. Multiple specialist asbestos crews were deployed last week to clean the park. These crews removed fragments of asbestos containing materials (ACM) from grassed areas, gardens, the sporting oval, the carpark, bike paths, the playground, skate bowl and around the amenities building.

High traffic areas such as footpaths and the playground were also cleaned with HEPA (high efficiency particulate arrestance) vacuums.

Following the clean-up, an independent Licenced Asbestos Assessor inspected all areas of the park and found no visible asbestos remaining, allowing for a clearance certificate to be issued on Sunday 13 March.

Air monitoring was undertaken during the clean up and also as part of the clearance inspection – with all results coming back clear of airborne asbestos fibres.

It is important to remember that as with other areas that have been cleaned and given clearance, it is possible for the occasional fragment to be introduced into the area from vehicles or falling from trees. Further findings of fragments should be reported to the EPA’s environment line on 131 555 so that the area can be listed for inspection and re-cleaning if necessary.

Now that clearance has been issued, City of Newcastle will plan for the safe resumption of services such as mowing and ongoing park maintenance.

Waratah Park has also been inspected and cleaned and is open to the public.

For the latest updates visit www.newcastle.gov.au/wickhamfire

An 87-year-old man reported missing from Cooranbong overnight has been found and is safe.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District began searching for the man when he could not be located overnight (12 March 2022).

The man was found Watagan Park about 7.30am (Sunday 13 March 2022).

He is being checked by NSW Ambulance paramedics as a precaution but appears to be well.

Police thank the local community and the media for their assistance in sharing our appeals.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate an elderly man missing from Lake Macquarie.

Constantin Ionita, aged 83, was last seen his home on Kennedy Close, Cooranbong, about 9.30pm last night (12 March 2022).

Constantin was reported missing to officers from Lake Macquarie Police District when he could not be located, who commenced inquiries to locate him.

Police and family hold concern for Constantin’s welfare as he lives with dementia and due to his age.

Constantin is described as being of Caucasian appearance, of slim build, with short white hair.

He was last seen wearing a red and blue jumper, dark trousers and was holding pyjamas.

Anyone who may have information regarding Constantin’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

City of Newcastle (CN) will invite expressions of interest for the collection and processing of its recyclable waste as it continues to plan towards the construction of a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) at Summerhill Waste Management Facility.

Recycling from Newcastle residents’ yellow-lid bins is currently collected by Solo Waste Pty Ltd and taken to the Summerhill site before being transferred to iQ Renew’s processing facility on the Central Coast.

With both contracts due to expire in November, CN will open an EOI for the services on 12 March ahead of a selective tender process mid-year. The EOI includes a range of options for CN to consider for the processing of recyclables at the Summerhill Waste Management Facility.

CN is conscious about the need to cater for additional growth in the recyclables markets into the future and the EOI will ensure all processing options are given due consideration.

CN is seeking to ensure facilitation, development and support of the local circular economy along with the maximising economic benefit from recyclable materials. The EOI seeks to provide options to consider the processing of recyclable waste from not only the Newcastle community but from across the Hunter and also includes a separable portion allocated to the design, construction and operation of a new MRF facility at Summerhill as well as kerbside recycling services to process the yellow bin.

The project received a $5 million boost from the Federal and NSW Governments in August last year and CN has prepared concept designs in conjunction with site master planning to ensure the optimal location of the facility alongside other waste diversion projects, such as the organics facility. The MRF is planned to be scalable, designed in a manner which allows for flexibility to cater to changes in the way we recycle, and the growth in recycling efforts.

City of Newcastle is committed to increasing our capabilities for the recycling and reuse of waste products under its new Sustainable Waste Strategy, which is currently being drafted, with the Summerhill Waste Management Facility to play a key role in the region’s move towards a circular economy and its ability to address future NSW and Federal government targets on waste diversion and recycling.

The Sustainable Waste Strategy focusses on increased diversion, circular economy and co-location of waste assets in the Summerhill precinct, localising the supply chain, reducing transport costs, but also ensuring the site offers a place to process recyclables after the current recycling contracts almost failed in 2020, resulting in Council having to step in and vary the recyclables processing arrangements.

Construction of the MRF, in addition to the planned advanced organics recycling facility, would allow Newcastle’s red, yellow and green-bin domestic waste to be processed at the one location.

Due to an Australian Defence Force (ADF) exercise there will be an increase in personnel and aircraft operating from RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales. The exercise will be conducted over land, sea and air throughout March 2022.

The public can expect low-flying aircraft, and increased movement of military personnel and vehicles within the area. Night flying will be conducted between 21 and 25 March, concluding no later than 10:15pm each day.

Training exercises such as this help ensure the ADF remains in a ready state of preparedness to protect Australia and its national interests.

The ADF is unable to provide media access or further information, including specific timings, regarding this training in order to protect operational tactics, techniques and procedures.