Newcastle’s Wheeler Place will play host to festive fun as the Civic precinct is transformed with an 11-metre-high Christmas tree and family-friendly activities.
The tree’s lights were switched on last night, bringing the glow of Christmas spirit and the flash of mobile phone cameras as locals stopped to take a snap.
Free DIY Santa photos will also be on offer on Friday and Saturday nights in the lead-up to Christmas, with the man in the big red suit being joined by his elves to deliver an early dose of Christmas cheer to the city centre, while street performers and musical entertainment will amp up the festive atmosphere.
Representatives from local charities Got Your Back Sista and the Ronald McDonald House Charities will also be on hand spreading awareness and raising funds to help those in need.
CN’s Interim Director Strategy and Engagement Kathleen Hyland said the signature Christmas tree and free program of activities will help activate Wheeler Place and draw people back into the city following the recent COVID-19 lockdown.
“While it’s been another challenging year for our community, we’re all looking forward to coming together safely during the festive season to celebrate,” Ms Hyland said.
“We hope that the sight of our Christmas tree and the free, fun activities will help spread a dose of much-needed joy amongst friends and families, while also encouraging visitors to come back into the city centre and support our local businesses.
“There is no better time than the lead-up to Christmas to shop locally, enjoy a night out at one of the local bars or restaurants and show your support for all those Newcastle businesses who have been affected by the recent lockdown and restrictions.”
The festivities will run from 6pm to 8pm each Friday and Saturday night during the first three weekends of December. Snap a picture with Santa and his elves, relax over a bite to eat or a refreshing drink from the Civic Theatre Café & Bar and enjoy the free live entertainment, which over various dates will include carol singers, a brass band, the Marching Koalas, Novotones choir, Hannah Indigo and children’s entertainers the Little Scallywagz.
Keep an eye on the What’s On website for the growing list of Christmas events being held across Newcastle, including activations in Wheeler Place, Darby Street, Hunter Street Mall, Hamilton and Wallsend. The City of Newcastle Christmas tree will remain in place until 10 January 2022.
Category: Newcastle News
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Share your ideas for Georgetown local centre upgrade
City of Newcastle has begun community consultation with local residents and business owners to understand views on safety, parking and public spaces in the Georgetown Local Centre area.
Earlier this year the elected Council resolved to initiate an upgrade of the Georgetown town centre.
Following input from the community, a public domain plan will be developed in 2022 to guide the revitalisation of the area.
City of Newcastle Acting Director Infrastructure and Property Joanne Rigby said the future upgrade aims to create a more accessible, attractive and safe local centre for the growing neighbourhood of Georgetown.
“Our public domain plan will upgrade the streetscape and access to shops, and will also improve traffic and safety,” Ms Rigby said.
“Our upgrades often include new footpaths, trees and street furniture – so we are looking forward to hearing feedback from the community about what locals would like to see.”
“A major component of City of Newcastle’s local centre upgrades includes drainage improvements. We also look to partner with businesses to beautify the local shop fronts through the Façade Improvement Scheme.
“This project aims to attract more people to visit and spend time at the local centre and will benefit the growing number of young families living in the suburb.
Once developed, a draft public domain plan will go on public exhibition. The plan will be finalised based on community feedback and will go to the elected Council for approval, ahead of construction in the coming years.
The planned upgrade at Georgetown follows similar local centre upgrades at Carrington, Beresfield, Joslin Street in Kotara, Llewellyn Street in Merewether, James Street Plaza in Hamilton, and the upgrades currently under construction in Stockton and Shortland.
Have your say via the online survey at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay before 13 December.
Earlier this year the elected Council resolved to initiate an upgrade of the Georgetown town centre.
Following input from the community, a public domain plan will be developed in 2022 to guide the revitalisation of the area.
City of Newcastle Acting Director Infrastructure and Property Joanne Rigby said the future upgrade aims to create a more accessible, attractive and safe local centre for the growing neighbourhood of Georgetown.
“Our public domain plan will upgrade the streetscape and access to shops, and will also improve traffic and safety,” Ms Rigby said.
“Our upgrades often include new footpaths, trees and street furniture – so we are looking forward to hearing feedback from the community about what locals would like to see.”
“A major component of City of Newcastle’s local centre upgrades includes drainage improvements. We also look to partner with businesses to beautify the local shop fronts through the Façade Improvement Scheme.
“This project aims to attract more people to visit and spend time at the local centre and will benefit the growing number of young families living in the suburb.
Once developed, a draft public domain plan will go on public exhibition. The plan will be finalised based on community feedback and will go to the elected Council for approval, ahead of construction in the coming years.
The planned upgrade at Georgetown follows similar local centre upgrades at Carrington, Beresfield, Joslin Street in Kotara, Llewellyn Street in Merewether, James Street Plaza in Hamilton, and the upgrades currently under construction in Stockton and Shortland.
Have your say via the online survey at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay before 13 December.
War on graffiti expands through youth community partnership
Young people convicted of vandalising local properties will now be required to remove graffiti from shop fronts, as well as the walls of homes and businesses thanks to a partnership between the City of Newcastle and the NSW Government.
Traditionally, young offenders have removed graffiti from Council owned properties as part of their community service order. From January, private property owners will be able to request via the City of Newcastle to have graffiti removed from their home or business at no cost, as part of a 12-month trial.
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said the benefits of the program go far beyond cleaning vandalised property.
“Few people would be aware that for the past 20 years City of Newcastle has been supporting youth offenders through various community-based programs, with participants working side-by-side with our outdoor cleaning teams to learn new skills, including removing graffiti,” Mr Bath said.
“It’s a wonderful program that teaches young offenders that community owned buildings are often home to important community services that deserve to be respected and protected.
“Almost 1,500 young people have worked with our staff over the past two decades improving the look and cleanliness of the city CBD, and in the process learning new skills that encourage them to respect public property.
“The time is now right to expand the program so that home and business owners whose properties have been tagged can ask to have the graffiti removed at no cost to them.
“Should a resident or property owner discover graffiti, all they will need to do is complete an online form on the City of Newcastle website and a crew from the Youth Justice NSW Community Service Order Program will be in touch to confirm when they will come to remove the graffiti.”
Newcastle Youth Justice Office Area Manager Damian Baker said the graffiti removal program provides participants with an opportunity to give back to the community while developing new skills.
“Funding provided by City of Newcastle has assisted program participants with work readiness, pathways to employment and training through TAFE NSW and other job network providers,” Mr Baker said.
“Our focus is to introduce young participants to fundamental and transferrable skills required to assist in gaining an edge in a competitive job market for low skilled employment.
“Newcastle Youth Justice Community Office has received numerous commendations from both City of Newcastle and the Department of Communities and Justice in support for the continued commitment to provide reparation work and beautification to the city.”
Plans to recommence the current graffiti removal program and the added private sector service will commence from January 2022.
City of Newcastle supports Youth Justice NSW and its rehabilitation program with funding to assist with the procurement of equipment, materials and Personal Protective Equipment for participants.
For more information, visit City of Newcastle’s Graffiti Removal Program webpage
Second man charged with murder following Stockton shooting
Strike Force Backhouse detectives have charged a second man with murder following investigations into the fatal shooting of a woman in Stockton earlier this year.
Just after 8pm on Wednesday 9 June 2021, emergency services were called to a home on Queen Street, Stockton, following reports of a shooting.
A 61-year-old woman answered her front door before being shot. She died at the scene and was later identified as Stacey Klimovitch.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District established Strike Force Backhouse to investigate the circumstances surrounding Stacey’s murder.
Last week, detectives arrested a 29-year-old man at Honeysuckle. He was charged over his alleged involvement in the shooting and remains before the courts.
With assistance from ACT Policing, officers arrested a 46-year-old man on an NSW warrant at a home in Chisholm, ACT, about 6.45pm last Friday (26 November 2021).
He was taken to a local police station where the NSW warrant was executed.
On Monday (29 November 2021), strike force detectives applied for, and were granted, the man’s extradition to NSW.
He was escorted to Queanbeyan Police Station and charged with murder.
The man was refused bail and is due to appear at Queanbeyan Local Court today (Tuesday 30 November 2021).
Pair charged with more than 30 drug and firearm offences – East Maitland
Police have charged a man and woman with more than 30 drug and firearm offences following investigations into the ongoing drug supply in the Port Stephens and Hunter areas.
Strike Force Callard was established by Port Stephens Hunter Police District detectives to investigate the ongoing supply of prohibited drugs in the area.
Following investigations, on Thursday 25 November 2021 detectives arrested a 42-year-old East Maitland woman and a 48-year-old Campbelltown man on Devonshire Street, East Maitland.
Police searched two vehicles at the location where they located 300g of methylamphetamine and over $55,000 in cash.
Further inquiries led police to execute a search warrant at a unit on Thompson Street, East Maitland, where police located further items including:
– more than $12,000 in cash,
– a money counting machine,
– an electronic stun device,
– three replica firearms,
– illicit drugs including LSD and methylamphetamine, and
– two vehicles – a Holden Commodore and Jaguar XF.
All items have been seized for forensic examination.
The pair was taken to Maitland Police Station, where the woman was charged with 33 offences including supply prohibited drug (24 counts), supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, possess prohibited drug (two counts), knowingly deal with proceeds of crime (two counts), possess unauthorised prohibited firearm (three counts), and possess prohibited weapon without permit.
The woman was refused bail and appeared at Maitland Local Court today, where she was formally refused bail, to re-appear at Maitland Local Court on Tuesday 21 December 2021.
The man was charged with supply prohibited drug, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and possess prohibited drug.
He was refused bail and appeared at Maitland Local Court on Friday 26 November 2021, where he was formally refused bail and will re-appear at the same court on Wednesday 19 January 2022.
Donate items to your local library for those in need this Christmas
Locals are being encouraged to donate non-perishable food and toiletry items as part of the 2021 Newcastle Libraries Christmas Giving Appeal.
The donated items will be provided to local emergency relief charities Got Your Back Sista, Oz Harvest and Baptist Care, who will pass the items on to community members in need in the lead-up to Christmas.
After a challenging 2021, Christmas is the perfect time for locals to embrace the opportunity to support a worthwhile cause and give to those doing it tough.
The initiative started in 2016 as an amnesty to clear historical library fines and since then, community members have donated more than 10,000 items, which have been passed on to locals in need.
In 2020 a fines-free initiative was introduced to support library members during COVID-19 and has since been extended indefinitely, however those with historical unpaid overdue fines or fees associated with lost and damaged items can have these waived by donating non-perishable food and toiletry items.
Each donated item equates to five dollars, so a $20 fine could be waived with four donated items. There is no limit on the number of items that can be donated or the value of historical fees and charges that can be waived.
The Newcastle Libraries Christmas giving appeal runs until Friday 17 December and donations can be made at any library branch.
Woman charged with drug offences after being rescued from drifting boat – Port Stephens
A woman has been charged with drug-related offences after being rescued from a drifting boat near Port Stephens yesterday.
About 3.45pm on Saturday (27 November 2021), Marine Rescue notified Port Stephens Water Police that a small boat was suffering mechanical issues and drifting a short distance off Tomaree Headland at Shoal Bay.
Water Police attended, navigating heavy rain and 25 knots south-westerly winds, and located a three-metre tinny with a 35-year-old woman on board.
The woman was given a life jacket by police, before being towed to the Shoal Bay Boat Ramp.
In a subsequent search of the vessel and woman’s belongings, officers seized methylamphetamine (ice) and cannabis.
Further inquiries identified that the boat was unregistered and without mandatory emergency equipment.
The Nelson Bay woman was issued a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) for two counts of possess prohibited drug.
She is due to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 10 January 2022.
The woman was also issued three infringements for master unregistered vessel, not wear PFD when boating along vessel less than 4.8 metres, and not carry specified safety equipment.
Man charged; second man arrested as investigations into Stockton shooting murder continue
Strike Force Backhouse detectives have charged a man with murder and are seeking the extradition of a second man from the ACT as part of an ongoing investigation into the fatal shooting of a woman in Stockton earlier this year.
Just after 8pm on Wednesday 9 June 2021, emergency services were called to a home on Queen Street, Stockton, following reports of a shooting.
A 61-year-old woman answered her front door before she was shot; she died at the scene and was later identified as Stacey Klimovitch.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District established Strike Force Backhouse to investigate the circumstances surrounding Stacey’s murder.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives arrested a 29-year-old man on Wharf Road, Honeysuckle, about 11am yesterday (Friday 26 November 2021).
The 29-year-old man was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with murder.
Police will allege in court that the man orchestrated the murder.
He was bail refused to appear at Newcastle Bail Court today (Saturday 27 November 2021).
With assistance from Australian Federal Police (AFP), a 46-year-old man was arrested on a NSW warrant at a home in Chisholm, ACT, about 6.45pm.
He was taken to a local police station where the NSW warrant was executed.
The man will appear at court, and strike force detectives will apply for his extradition to NSW in the coming days, where he will be charged with murder.
Police will allege in court that the man discharged the firearm that killed Stacey Klimovitch.
Investigations are ongoing.
New Year's Eve celebration to welcome in the Newcastle new year
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes at Foreshore Park with representatives from New Year’s Eve celebrations entertainment providers Bliss Cavanagh (Happy Senses), Luke Russel (indigenous arts group Wylaa Buuranliyn) and Tom Pahlow (Fabulist Umbra Puppetry)Newcastle will farewell 2021 with a spectacular return of New Year’s Eve celebrations to the Foreshore, with the much-loved family-friendly event to be capped off with a dazzling 9pm fireworks display.
DJ sets, roving entertainers and amusement rides will deliver a fun, festive atmosphere throughout the harbourside precinct, which will come alive with a range of activities spread along Wharf Road.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said after a COVID-enforced hiatus in 2020, she was looking forward to the safe return of the Foreshore celebrations and fireworks display, which is the most popular community event on the city’s calendar.
“Our city has just been through one of the most trying periods in recent history and after a difficult two years we’re ready to come together as a community to welcome 2022,” Cr Nelmes said.
“The wellbeing of our community is City of Newcastle’s key priority, which is why we’ve been planning the celebration in close consultation with lead agencies to ensure all necessary COVID-19 safety measures are in place and that social distancing can be maintained.
“It will be fantastic to celebrate the new year and bid farewell to 2021 with family-friendly activities and the return of the 9pm fireworks display to Newcastle Foreshore.
“By holding our much-loved New Year’s celebrations we’ll be supporting local performers, entertainers and vendors who have been hit hard by the impacts of COVID-19 restrictions and the recent lockdowns.”
Cr Nelmes said there would be a range of activities, amusement rides, food vendors and market stalls on offer for those heading to the Foreshore on New Year’s Eve, allowing people to spread themselves throughout the precinct from Lynch’s Hub through to The Station.
“The hallmark of City of Newcastle’s New Year’s Eve events is free entertainment and activities,” Cr Nelmes said.
“People heading to the Foreshore can take a picnic blanket and set up in front of their choice of DJ, take the kids to a variety of activities including Indigenous art workshops, or visit the popular VIP sensory area designed specifically for people with disabilities before settling in to see the sky come alive with colour during the 9pm fireworks display.
“With a recent survey telling us the Foreshore New Year’s Event generates the most interest among residents, we can’t wait to bring our community together and bid goodbye to 2021 and welcome 2022 with hope and optimism.”
The decision to proceed with New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Foreshore was made in consultation with NSW Health and with the support of NSW Police. Preparations are underway in line with advice from the NSW Government and local authorities to ensure the safety of all attendees, contractors and employees.
To ensure attendees can adhere to social distancing requirements, the traditional New Year’s Eve main stage concert will not take place this year.
Man charged with alleged sexual assault offences – Wyong
A man will appear in court next month, charged with the alleged sexual assault of two women in the Lake Macquarie area.
In October 2021, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District commenced an investigation into reports two women – aged 41 and 50 – had been sexually assaulted by a man they had met on a social media dating application.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives arrested a 48-year-old man at an address on Owen Avenue, Wyong, about 8.50am yesterday (Thursday 25 November 2021).
He was taken to Wyong Police Station where he was charged with four counts of sexually touch another person without consent.
Police will allege in court that the man sexually assaulted the women in separate incidents in Fernleigh and Wyong after meeting them on a social media dating application.
The man was refused bail to appear in Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 15 December 2021.
Investigations are ongoing.