City of Newcastle will commence demolition of the 59-year-old Mall Car Park at 92 King Street, with works scheduled to be completed by late-January 2022.
A structural assessment of the seven-storey car park was conducted in March 2020 and subsequently closed due to public safety concerns.
City of Newcastle Director of Governance David Clarke said with demolition work now underway to remove the aging Mall Car Park, every effort will be made to ensure that disruption to nearby businesses and residents is minimised during the process.
“During demolition, there will be increased noise from machinery and frequent truck movements in and around the work zone. Demolition vehicle access will be via King Street, into Thorn and Laing Streets. Vehicle access to Laing Street will be maintained for most of the project duration with some road closures during strategic works,” Mr Clarke said.
“Pedestrian access around the site will be maintained with temporary fencing in place, to ensure community safety. Environmental monitoring and controls to manage dust, noise and vibration will be undertaken by the site contractor.
“With work now underway, it’s exciting to see a first glimpse of the stunning view corridor that brings to life a long-held strategic vision of City of Newcastle and the NSW Government to connect the city to the harbour by opening up the lines of sight.”
The vision proposes to link Christ Church Cathedral to the Harbour via a grand staircase. Accessibility for the community is a key consideration to ensure everyone can share and enjoy the proposed space, in addition to retaining 380 public car parking spaces for the community to utilise.
“Preserving the view corridor between the harbour and the Cathedral has the full support of The Property Council and Urban Design Review Panel, to turn a long-held concept into a landmark public space for the city,” Mr Clarke said.
Phase one of the City’s East End revitalisation is well underway, with Hunter Street currently closed to upgrade the streetscape, stormwater infrastructure and underground communication lines. Most of the work along Wolfe Street is complete and works have also started on Perkins Street.
The project is one of the City’s four Priority Projects and phase one is on track to be completed by February 2022.
Visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/eastend for the most up-to-date information.

City of Newcastle is seeking community-minded art, design and architecture experts to help advise on the development of public art that reflects Newcastle’s history, culture and community.
Councillors voted to expand the expertise of the City’s Public Art Reference Group (PARG) by appointing five external members who are professionals in their fields, including an expert with Awabakal or Worimi Indigenous cultural knowledge and a specialist in heritage.
The PARG provides leadership on all aspects of public art, from advising on the commissioning of new art proposals to ensuring transparent commissioning processes.
Councillor and PARG Chair Carol Duncan said public art humanises urban spaces and the built environment and by expanding the PARG with external arts professionals, public art will continue to play a major role in the city’s transformation.
“Art contributes to our wellbeing in public spaces, reflects our values as a community, and gives our spaces meaning and the opportunity to be unique. It provides opportunities for artists to create, for visitors and residents to enjoy, and to build an even greater economic contribution to the city by way of the value of our arts and cultural organisations,” Cr Duncan said.
Since 2018, the PARG has considered a number of public art proposals for the private domain related to development applications in the Newcastle CBD including the Seed Pod and Lyrique Lane Light Chandelier on Hunter Street, and Indigenous murals and native artworks on Hannel Street in Wickham.
PARG member Councillor John MacKenzie said a key focus for the group is public art associated with development applications.
“Helping applicants meet the 1% public art contribution and ensuring those funds are spent on incorporating artwork reflective of Newcastle’s culture and heritage is an important role of the PARG,” Cr MacKenzie said.
“Ensuring we plan a healthy funding stream for the commissioning and maintenance of public art in the city is also a core focus in order to maintain these public investments.”
PARG member Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said there is no shortage of artistic expertise in Newcastle to contribute to the advisory committee.
“Newcastle is home to more artists per capita than any other city in Australia, and boasts a thriving creative arts hub,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.
“I look forward to welcoming community-minded arts professionals and an Indigenous and heritage representative to the reference group and continuing to shape the future of public art for the enjoyment of the Newcastle community and visitors alike.”
Applications are now open and close 5pm, Sunday 17 October 2021.
To submit an Expressions of Interest form visit, City of Newcastle’s website.

City of Newcastle will deliver approximately $6 million in environmental upgrades at Summerhill Waste Management Centre, including new systems to prevent pollution of water and manage leachate.
The work includes upgrading an alarm system which failed in January 2021, leading to an overflow that City of Newcastle reported to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and ultimately saw it fined $15,000.
The work also includes connecting of storage tanks to Summerhill’s leachate system and increasing its capacity.
Manager Waste Services Troy Uren said that the leachate overflow incident occurred in January during a period of heavy rainfall with work now underway to improve environmental monitoring.
“Our leachate storage overflowed during heavy rain in January as a result of a fault in the telemetry system alarm, which triggers when the storage tank is nearing capacity, but did not activate,” Mr Uren said.
“City of Newcastle reported the incident to the EPA and accepts the $15,000 fine for the failure of the alarm, which ultimately led to the overflow of leachate into the surface water system, but caused negligible environmental harm.
“We’ve since been working with the EPA to address the matter and have initiated a robust environmental program that will improve the separation of leachate and surface water systems to prevent this from happening again.
The leachate overflow occurred in an area that predates the existing engineered, lined landfill and the measures we are taking aim to connect the older infrastructure to the site’s modern leachate system while upgrading the overall leachate capacity.”
This work is part of a broader investment into upgrading environmental controls at Summerhill which includes an increased capacity of storage tanks, upgraded capacity of stormwater systems on site and new vehicle wheel wash infrastructure to reduce sediment.
A significant program of environmental works, which will address immediate, interim and long-term environmental compliance of the site is underway at Summerhill Waste Management Centre following the recent awarding of two contracts to implement Stormwater and Leachate Management, Environmental Improvement and Public Amenity Programs.

A man has died following a single vehicle motorbike crash in the Hunter Region this afternoon.
About 2.45pm today (Saturday 18 September 2021), emergency services attended the intersection of Bailey Avenue and Sailors Way, Raymond Terrace regarding a crash involving an unregistered motorbike.
Police have been informed that the motorcycle collided with the curb where the 36-year-old male rider and a 6-year-old female passenger were ejected the from the motorcycle.
The male died at the scene and the girl was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for minor injuries. The man was not wearing a helmet.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation.
A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.

The city’s cycleway network has received a boost with works finalising on a 1.1km shared path along Watkins Street, Merewether, linking Glebe Road, The Junction, with Merewether Beach.
The 2.5m-wide shared path is the first stage of the City Centre to Merewether Cycleway project and features new and upgraded crossings making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists, and upgrades to drainage.
Image: The Junction Public School Principal Cath Larkman, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Councillor John Mackenzie pictured at the new 1.1km shared path, in front of a new raised crossing which links the shared path to The Junction Public School.
The $3.1million project was brought forward last year after receiving a funding boost under Newcastle’s COVID-19 stimulus capital works budget. The NSW Government also committed $600,000 to the project under the 2020/21 Walking and Cycling Program.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the delivery of this significant cycleway project demonstrates City of Newcastle’s commitment to cementing Newcastle’s reputation as a cycling and pedestrian-friendly city.
“This 1.1km shared path is a demonstration of the City’s commitment to ensuring Newcastle continues to be a city which promotes and encourages active transport options,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Improved cycleways are a top priority for our community and I know this new link will be enjoyed by residents, commuters, students travelling to the nearby schools and those visiting this beautiful part of Newcastle.
“City of Newcastle will now commence planning for the second stage between the CBD and The Junction as part of the overall City Centre to Merewether Cycleway.”
Councillor John Mackenzie said it was clear that improving safety had been a key goal of everyone involved in the project.
“Improving safety has been a focus of the project and the raised crossings and wide path will provide both pedestrians and cyclists with a safe passage across what can be a busy road,” Mr Mackenzie said.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin MLC said the State Government is helping people who want to walk and cycle as part of their everyday commute and supporting an active and healthy lifestyle, while also helping to relieve congestion on the roads and public transport.
“This project is one of 32 active transport projects across the state, including 16 in regional areas that are being delivered over the next 12 months,” Mr Martin said.
In a busy month for City of Newcastle, the completion of the Merewether shared path follows the delivery of separated cycleways on Hunter Street. City of Newcastle is also in the process of undertaking shared pathway improvements on University Drive at Birmingham Gardens and improvements are being finalised along the shared pathway at the Warabrook Wetlands.
To find out more information about cycleways and shared paths in Newcastle, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/cycleways

Police have charged a teenage boy over the alleged fatal stabbing of one boy and the serious wounding of another in Lake Macquarie last night.
Emergency services were called to a home on Parbury Road, Swansea, following reports two boys had been stabbed in the front yard about 8.20pm (Friday 17 September 2021).
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District found the boys, both aged 16, with stab wounds near the home.
Neighbours and police rendered assistance to the boys before NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived.
One of the boys died at the scene. The other was taken to John Hunter Hospital, where he underwent surgery and remains in a serious but stable condition.
Officers established a crime scene and commenced an investigation.
Following inquiries and a search of the area, officers found a 16-year-old boy in the backyard of the home on Parbury Road about 9.20pm (Friday 17 September 2021).
He was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station, where he has since been charged with murder, and attempted murder.
He’s due to appear in a children’s court today (Saturday 18 September 2021).
Police will allege in court that the boy stabbed the other boys following a verbal argument outside the property.
Inquiries continue.

A man will face court today charged after an alleged armed robbery in the Newcastle area yesterday.
About 4.45pm (Wednesday 15 September 2021), a man entered a business on Blue Gum Road, Jesmond, and allegedly threatened a shop assistant with a firearm while demanding cash.
The man allegedly stole a sum of cash and four bottles of alcohol, before leaving the store.
The male shop assistant and two other men in the store at the time, were not hurt during the incident.
Police were alerted and officers from Newcastle City Police Area Command commenced inquiries.
A short time later, following information from the public, officers arrested a 24-year-old man outside a house in nearby Heaton Street.
The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with robbery while armed with dangerous weapon, possess unauthorised pistol, not wear fitted face covering in retail/business premises, not ensure true and accurate info provided to Service NSW, and not comply with noticed direction – COVID-19.
He was refused bail to appear today (Thursday 16 September 2021) at Newcastle Local Court.

As one of Newcastle’s most popular open green spaces, Blackbutt Reserve has remained a haven for locals looking for COVID safe exercise options during lockdown.
But the walking trails haven’t been the only site of activity across the popular reserve, with ongoing essential work required to look after its animals and maintain its 182 hectares of bushland.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Blackbutt’s staff have continued to feed and care for the animals in the wildlife exhibits throughout lockdown, while City of Newcastle crews were also forging ahead with almost $200,000 worth of improvement projects to enhance the facility’s natural environment and visitor experience.
“As one of Newcastle’s most popular tourist attractions, Blackbutt Reserve is a jewel in the city’s crown, much-loved by locals and visitors alike,” Cr Nelmes said.
“But looking after the environment and its inhabitants is no small task. Our rangers are responsible for two koalas, eight emus, 10 kangaroos, 19 wallabies, a dozen species of reptile, two species of frog, ‘Wally’ the wallaroo, ‘Sally’ and “Clyde” the wombats, and over 40 species of bird.
“It’s a lot of mouths to feed every day and looking after all of them takes time and care. Our rangers work hard and should be commended because they do a wonderful job.”
Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said City of Newcastle staff had been busy during lockdown maintaining the site and undertaking a range of improvement projects.
“Throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, City of Newcastle staff have continued to undertake regular maintenance across the reserve to ensure it’s in top shape when it reopens to visitors,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.
“They have also been using this time to deliver some significant projects, which will enhance the natural environment and visitor experience at Blackbutt now and into the future.”
Crews have begun installing two new irrigation systems at Richley Reserve and modernising the existing system, which will significantly improve water efficiency and the user experience of this area.
In the coming months, work will start on improving sections of the boardwalk that flow through the wildlife animal exhibits. The boardwalk project also incorporates replacement of supports at the koala enclosure, which delivers a truly unique visitor experience.
Improvements to the carparks at Carnley Avenue and Richley Reserve have been completed, including line marking, installation of wheel stops and new signage.
The gates at Blackbutt Reserve will be open from tomorrow for groups of up to five fully vaccinated people to participate in outdoor recreation like picnics, in line with NSW Government advice. Blackbutt’s animal enclosures will remain closed until restrictions ease further.
To find out more about Blackbutt reserve, visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/blackbutt-reserve

Six men have been issued Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) after allegedly breaching the Public Health Orders by leaving Western Sydney and attending Lake Macquarie.
On Tuesday 20 July 2021, officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended a holiday rental property on Yanko Street, Toronto, following reports a group of men had allegedly travelled to the area from Western Sydney to undertake tree lopping services.
Six men – aged between 17 and 59 – told police they had been in the area prior to ‘Stay at Home’ orders being put in place in Greater Sydney and did not intend to return until restrictions lifted.
Further inquiries were conducted in relation to any breaches of the Public Health Order.
On Tuesday 31 August 2021, police were called to an apartment complex in Charlestown after being alerted by NSW Health that a 59-year-old man displaying COVID-19 symptoms had been taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment and a 23-year-old man had left to obtain a COVID-19 test.
It was later confirmed that the older man tested positive for COVID-19; all other men had left the Charlestown apartment prior to police arrival.
Following extensive inquiries, five men were issued with seven $1000 PINs for fail to comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
An 18-year-old man was also issued with a $200 PIN for failing to wear a fitted face covering in an indoor area-non-residential premises during an unrelated incident at a shopping centre on Thursday 29 July 2021.
Inquiries are ongoing, anyone who wishes to report an alleged breach of the Public Health Orders is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Anyone with information in relation to breaches of the Public Health Orders is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 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.