Category: Newcastle News

Future improvements to Hamilton’s historic Gregson Park will be realised through a detailed Masterplan for the site, which will be presented to Councillors for adoption at Tuesday’s Council meeting.
City of Newcastle Acting Director City Wide Services Lynn Duffy said that community feedback was integral in the development of the new Masterplan.
“We know our community values Gregson Park’s rich history and what it offers as a recreational space, which is why this Masterplan was developed with the community in mind,” Ms Duffy said.
“In 2020, we asked our community to share their aspirations, memories from the past and what they wanted to see at Gregson Park in the future. This consultation informed a draft Masterplan that was placed on public exhibition with the opportunity to provide further feedback.
“The Masterplan will ensure we respect the heritage significance of Gregson Park through the retention and enhancement of the existing historical elements, as well as incorporate indigenous culture into future improvements.
“City of Newcastle will invest $8 million into Gregson Park over the next decade by implementing short and long-term priorities included in the Masterplan.”
During the six-week public exhibition period, City of Newcastle heard that the community supports the provision of activities for all ages, including the retention of the tennis courts and addition of fitness equipment, basketball half court and a bat ball wall.
The draft Masterplan was further refined in response to community feedback, which saw the addition of bike racks and bubblers, re-orientation of the basketball half court, relocation of the bat ball wall and improved seating configuration in the south-western corner of the park. The tennis clubhouse will also be retained, noting that a Tennis Strategy will be developed to provide further insight into tennis facilities across Newcastle.
Amendments to the Heritage Places Plan of Management will also be considered by Councillors at Tuesday’s Council Meeting to ensure the intent and vision of the Gregson Park Masterplan can be realised.
Short-term priorities earmarked include the new larger playspace, basketball half court and bat ball wall, realigned paths, plantings, community shelter, enhanced park entries and upgraded amenities with disabled access and facilities.
Long-term priorities include further tree planting, new accessible pathway, potential new kiosk, community gardens and the addition of a stormwater retention tank underneath the former bowling green.

Newcastle’s COVID-19-disrupted performing arts and live music industries will be reinvigorated by a new initiative which will see emerging performers work with experienced professionals to deliver live events in suburban parks.
City of Newcastle is offering opportunities for emerging creatives who will present live music and performances at eight events held in Gregson Park, Centennial Park, Jesmond Park and Lambton Park on weekends throughout January.
City of Newcastle Interim Director Strategy and Engagement Kathleen Hyland said taking live music and performances outdoors this summer is a COVID safe way to bring the local community back together after the prolonged lockdown period.
“It’s been a challenging time for the performing arts sector and live music industry in Newcastle, with many artists and performers out of work for several months,” Ms Hyland said.
“City of Newcastle is committed to putting our support behind these industries by activating the suburbs and creating opportunities for live outdoor entertainment this summer, in a bid to bring the community back together safely.
“I hope people get a boost from visiting their local park, joining with friends and family and enjoying the energy and atmosphere of live performances while supporting Newcastle’s cultural scene.”
Young and emerging event producer Jasmine Fletcher from Queer and Now said the group is looking forward to working with local not-for-profit arts organisation Octapod and City of Newcastle to deliver creative performances showcasing local talent.
“This is such an exciting opportunity for our local performing arts industry following months of lockdown,” Jasmine said.
“We’ve curated a stellar line-up of local talent from poets, hula-hoopers to stilt walkers, and can’t wait to see them perform live in front of a crowd this summer.”
The initiative is funded under City of Newcastle’s COVID-19 Community Economic Resilience Package (CERP) and follows the December round of Locally Made and Played grant funding, which will see more than 80 live music, micro theatre and comedy-style performances held across the city in the lead up to Christmas between 1 – 20 December 2021.
Visit City of Newcastle’s What’s ON page for more event information.
LOCALLY MADE & PLAYED GRANT FUNDING RECIPIENTS DECEMBER:
Earp Distilling Co
Hunter Beasley Trio
Bodie Band
Loui Abell
Thom Wootton
Tim Rossington
The Clarendon Hotel
Humming Bird Trio
J-Man’s Blues Band
Fox Control DJs
Jump
Momo Wholefood
Pikou Panez (featuring Mia Peters, Naomi Blanch, Naomi Jones, Timothy Merriken)
Sydney Junction Hotel
Luke Lightenberg
Howard Shearmen
Rebecca Henry
Josh Drinkwater
Mark Duo
Beach Burrito Company
Dunni DJ
Cous Cous and Paspalum
Star Generation and Mango Avenue
Scrubba Body
Jai Jai
Loui Abell
Timberlina
The Rogue Scholar
Emily A Smith
Daniel March
Max De Groot
Hannah Indigo
Raggle Taggle Gypsies
The Kent Hotel
Gen-X
Project X
Dixon Park Surf Life Saving Club
John O’Reilly
The Newy Hotel
Royal Coats, Kids on a Leash, Mango Avenue, J West
5 SAWYERS
Nic Rage
Bobby C
Bree Rusev
Jams Karaoke & Bar
Jay Smith
Friday Night Feast at The Station
Andrew Taylor
Talulah
Hunter Beasley Trio
Georgie Winchester Trio
The Manuel Approach
Newcastle Community Tennis Centre Pty Ltd
Eilan Doyle (Doylo)
L.J. Harvey (Sugargob)
The Base
Renyen, Clair Boe Cousin, ENA, Kodivine, Monique Humphreys.
Racecourse Hotel Wallsend
Dane Fitzsimmons
Loose Lucy
Tom Wootton
Phil McKnight
Honey Duo
Chloe and Alexine
The Olive Tree Market
Earthen Rhythm African Drumming Group, Loui Abell, Hannah Indigo
Queens Wharf Brewery
MAK Duo
Phonic
Kaylens Rain
Downtown the Duo
Audio Collective
The Mark Hotel
Craig Thommo
Mark Lee
The Rum Diary Bar
Phoenix Prichard
Newcastle Surf Life Saving Club
Jamie Martens
Jake Hunt
Eddy Rockefeller

A woman has died after a tree branch fell on her while bushwalking in the Lake Macquarie area yesterday.
About 6.30pm (Sunday 21 November 2021), emergency services responded to reports of a woman being struck by a falling tree branch in the Watagans National Park at Cooranbong, near Lake Macquarie on the Central Coast.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District, along with Ambulance Paramedics and officers from Fire and Rescue NSW attended the scene. Despite the efforts of relatives and first responders, the woman, believed to be aged in her 30s, was unable to be revived.
At the time of the incident, weather conditions were poor, with the area being drenched by heavy rain throughout the day.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

A man has died following a single vehicle crash in the Hunter Region today.
Just after 11:15am today (Saturday 20 November 2021), emergency services were called to Richardson Road, Campvale, following reports of a crash.
On arrival, police were told a car had left the roadway and crashed into a tree.
The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle – a 62-year-old man – was treated at the scene by members of the public and emergency services but died at the scene.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

A police operation has now concluded following two authorised protests in the Sydney CBD and Newtown today.
A high-visibility operation was launched in response to the planned protests today (Saturday 20 November 2021), to ensure the safety of participants, as well as the community and local businesses.
The protests were authorised after NSW Police Force received a Form 1 prior to the events, which took place in Sydney’s CBD at 12pm and Newtown at 1pm today.
General duties officers from Sydney City Police Area Command, Inner West Police Area Command and across the Central Metropolitan Region were assisted by specialist police from the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), ODIN, Police Transport Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and the Mounted and Dog Unit.
No issues arose at the protests, with estimated crowd numbers reaching 120 people at the Newtown protest, and up to 10,000 people at the protest in the Sydney CBD.
No arrests were made, and no infringements were issued during the protests.
Two further protests, for which a Form 1 was not received and therefore unauthorised, took place at about 10.30am in Newcastle and 11am in Newtown.
A small group attended the unauthorised protests and they conducted without any incident.
Central Metropolitan Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell, said overall, police were pleased with crowd behaviour and the majority of attendees conducted a peaceful protest.
“NSW Police worked closely with other agencies to execute a widespread and robust police operation that extended across the Sydney CBD and inner west, and included a significant presence across major public transport routes and roads,” Assistant Commissioner Thurtell said.
“Overall, the protests were conducted peacefully with minimal disruption to the community, and I’m pleased to see that the vast majority of people complied with police directions.
“We take the safety of the community and our police officers extremely seriously and we are glad our policing response, supported by road and transport strategies, effectively resulted in peaceful protest activity.
“I want to thank the community who did the right thing today and acknowledge the more than 600 police officers who were deployed across the Sydney CBD and inner west for their professional response during today’s activities,” he said.

New street signs are being installed in key locations across Newcastle as part of a grassroots initiative to show that racism is not welcome within our community.
Council unanimously resolved in March, following a Lord Mayoral Minute, to support the #RacismNotWelcome campaign which is a national community-led initiative that acknowledges the existence of racism in the community and encourages anti-racist behaviour.
Image caption (L-R): Zara’s House Sister Diana Santleben, Zara’s House Financial Administrator Mary Amponsah, #RacismNotWelcome ambassador and former Socceroos Captain Craig Foster, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, and Zara’s House Project Coordinator Farida Baremgayabo.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle is a diverse and inclusive community with a proud multicultural history.
“Newcastle has a long and proud history as a progressive, welcoming city and is officially a Refugee Welcome Zone,” Cr Nelmes said.
“City of Newcastle has taken the lead in tackling racism and will consistently advocate when it comes to providing support for refugees and migrants settling in Newcastle.
“We are proud to join this grassroots campaign by erecting #RacismNotWelcome street signage and will continue to send out the powerful message that racism will not be tolerated in our community.”
Former Socceroos captain, human rights campaigner and #RacismNotWelcome ambassador Craig Foster said the street sign campaign was devised to get to the heart of communities where racism lives.
“The street signs are the physical manifestation of the underlying principle that racism exists, it is real, damaging and deeply harmful to many Australians and that we all have a responsibility to confront it, every day,” Mr Foster said.
“The path ahead for every local council and for us as a country is to proclaim loudly, publicly and visibly that we’re united together as people against division, against discrimination on all grounds and, in this context, race.
“I’d like to thank City of Newcastle for getting behind this important movement by declaring the Newcastle Local Government Area rejects discrimination of all kinds.”
The backing of the street sign campaign complements programs funded by City of Newcastle earlier this year to encourage the social inclusion of people from diverse background in our community. Under the Community Support Grants Program 2021, funding assisted a wide range of multicultural and community projects such as the Afghan Community Festival, Unity and Diversity Festival, Newcastle Arab Youth Festival, Multicultural Pop-Up Library, and Syrian Community Festival.
#RacismNotWelcome street signs will be erected in the following locations over the coming weeks:
· Shortland Esplanade, Newcastle Beach
· Corner of Council and Darby Street, Cooks Hill
· Newcastle Interchange, Hannell Street, Wickham
· Corner of Victoria Street and Maitland Road, Mayfield
· Corner of Beaumont Street and Donald Street, Hamilton
· Blue Gum Road, Jesmond
· Wallsend Library
· Hunter Stadium, Turton Road, Lambton
· John Hunter Hospital entrance road, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights.
For more information, visit City of Newcastle’s Community Services webpage

Homicide Squad detectives have charged a further two people following investigations into the fatal shooting of a man at Newcastle earlier this year.
About 12.45pm on Thursday 22 July 2021, emergency services were called to a unit at Darby Street, Cooks Hill, following reports of shots fired.
Upon arrival, police located a 40-year-old man inside the unit with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene.
The man has been formally identified as Wesley ‘Wes’ Prentice from Rutherford.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District commenced inquiries, before detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Hibbard.
Following extensive investigations, a 35-year-old man was arrested near a caravan park at Bonny Hills on Sunday 1 August 2021.
He was charged over his alleged role in the incident and remains before the courts.
Following further investigations, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at Wickham Road, New Lambton, from 8.30am today (Friday 19 November 2021).
Several items relevant to the investigation were seized and will undergo further forensic examination.
Two people – a 38-year-old woman and 19-year-old man – were arrested during the operation.
The woman was charged with accessory after the fact to murder, while the man was charged with conceal serious indictable offence of other.
The pair were both refused bail and appeared at Newcastle Local Court today.

A motorcyclist has died following a crash in the state’s north yesterday.
About 1.30pm (Friday 19 November 2021), emergency services were called to Mirrabooka, about 9km east of Morisset, after reports of a crash.
Police believe the motorcycle was travelling along Dandaraga Road before it struck a caravan that was parked in the driveway of a home.
The rider died at the scene is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be aged 31.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the crash.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

In September 2021, a three-year-old boy went missing at a rural property in the Hunter Valley.
Following a three-day multi-agency search, the boy was found by PolAir in bushland and reunited with his family.
Detectives from Hunter Valley Police District commenced an investigation into the boy’s disappearance.
That investigation has now concluded, and the incident has been determined to be as a result of misadventure.

It’s not unusual for a museum to turn back the clock to celebrate the way things were.
But Newcastle Museum is focussing on the past to draw attention to the present, with an exhibition designed to highlight how the cityscape has changed during the last decade.

The exhibition was curated to celebrate the Museum’s 10^th year of operation in the former Railway Workshops at Honeysuckle.
Aptly titled, Oh yeah, I forgot about that: A decade of change seen through the eyes of Mr Trevor Dickinson, Artist, it features more than 20 works by the much-loved Newcastle artist, including two new pieces commissioned for this show.
Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said Dickinson’s art had played an influential role in establishing the museum’s visual character at the Honeysuckle site, making him a natural fit for this anniversary show.
“Trevor’s colourful, larger-than-life murals have formed an intrinsic part of the Museum and its surrounds since we opened the doors here in August 2011,” Ms Baird said.
“This included commissioning him to create our quirky photowalls in Museum Park, which not only liven up the landscape but also create a way for locals to become part of the Museum’s story by snapping a selfie and sharing it with our Facebook page.”
Ms Baird said the inspiration for the exhibition came from the massive transformation that has taken place around the Museum since it opened its doors at Honeysuckle.
“In the grand scheme of this country’s ancient history 10 years is like the blink of an eye, but to Newcastle Museum it is our entire history at Honeysuckle and for Newcastle, it has been a period of rapid transformation,” Ms Baird said.
“We quickly forget what has changed in our city as new landscapes become normal. For our 10th anniversary, Newcastle Museum wanted to remind people of the alterations to our normal and often unnoticed cityscape.
“Through the artwork chosen for this exhibition, Trevor presents his own view of Newcastle, curating the identity of the natural landscape in the same way we curate its history, highlighting the specialness within the ordinary to present a personal visual portrait of the city during a time of great change.
“From depictions of a dilapidated Merewether Surf House to the former Newcastle Signal Box and Queens Wharf tower, the works all portray aspects of the city landscape that have changed in the decade since Newcastle Museum threw open its doors to welcome millions of visitors to explore and enjoy our exhibitions of history, science, culture and our city’s identity.
“To celebrate Newcastle Museum’s own journey, we also commissioned Trevor to create two new artworks, capturing something constant and something that has changed within the Museum. These are being seen for the first time in this exhibition.”
Oh yeah, I forgot about that: A decade of change seen through the eyes of Mr Trevor Dickinson, Artist is open to the public from 18 November 2021 until 27 February 2022.