Category: Newcastle News

Novocastrians can soak in the grandeur of City Hall’s grand Concert Hall while being entertained by local talent performing a range of opera, jazz, and classical repertoire, all in the space of their lunch break.
City of Newcastle will host the City Hall Concert Series where music lovers can enjoy the unique opportunity to see world class artists live on stage in a string of free and ticketed shows throughout December.

In the main attraction of the series,multi-award-winning Teddy Tahu Rhodes will be joined by internationally acclaimed flautist Jane Rutter on Saturday 5 December for a sublime concert of love and romance where audiences will be swept away with the passion of Italian opera.
Tahu Rhodes is Australia’s favourite leading man of the operatic and concert stage, dazzling audiences with his extraordinary voice and presence. The pair will unite their musical genius to raise people’s spirits and pull at heartstrings with some of the world’s greatest love songs.
Today saw the first of four free lunchtime concerts in December with Hunter Opera taking the stage with Iranian born tenor Sam Elmi performing alongside Catherine Sheng Cooper (Violin) and Mercia Buck (piano).
Councillor Carol Duncan said the concert series invites the community to experience City Hall in all its glory and that midday performances hark back to an earlier time in Newcastle.
“Our city’s historic civic building is a stunning setting for musical performance. Lunchtime performances were held in City Hall in the 1920s so it’s special that contemporary audiences continue to embrace such a timeless pastime.
“By hosting free concerts that can be enjoyed by people during their lunch break, we are making City Hall and music culture accessible to all.
“I encourage people to make the most the opportunity to see world renowned acts in one of the City’s most iconic venues.”
The Wandering Hearts concert featuring acclaimed soprano, Eleanor Lyons, and her conductor and pianist husband, Vladimir Fanshil scheduled in November has been postponed until 10 March.
Love songs and Lullabies – Saturday 5 December, 7pm Tickets on sale now 
Brilliant bass baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes and internationally acclaimed flautist Jane Rutter will unite for a sublime concert of love and romance.
FREE LUNCH TIME CONCERTS
Damian Wright – Thursday, 10 December 12.30pm
Heather Price – Soulful Sounds – Wednesday, 16 December 12.30pm
Terence Koo – Jazz Musician Wednesday, 23 December 12.30pm

A new public space, inspired by Rome’s Spanish Steps, is proposed as part of the redevelopment of Hunter Street Mall and Iris Capital’s East End and in the process create a stunning view corridor of Christ Church Cathedral from Newcastle foreshore.
The ‘Stairway to Heaven’ concept, first developed fourteen years ago by a group of prominent Novocastrian architects, proposes to link Christ Church Cathedral to the Harbour via a grand staircase.
The plan seeks to open-up connections and view lines from Newcastle foreshore and the Hunter Street Mall to Christ Church Cathedral, aligning with long held strategic objectives of the City of Newcastle and the Revitalising Newcastle program to connect the city to the waterfront.
City of Newcastle proposes to demolish the 59-year old Mall Car Park, which closed on 20 April 2020 due to its poor structural condition, to make way for the project.
CEO Jeremy Bath said the proposed demolition of the Mall Car Park presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reimagine the future use of the car park site.
“The option of demolishing the existing Mall Car Park has allowed us to bring back to the table the concept of the ‘Stairway to Heaven’, an idea that was first imagined well over a decade ago.
“By introducing a grand staircase with wide pedestrian access, active shop fronts, landings and courtyards, it would bring a European Quarter feel to this part of the city, highlighting the character of Newcastle’s historic CBD and re-establish a link to the Harbour.
“Given the poor structural condition of Mall Car Park, the significant costs associated to rectify and bring the carpark up to current standards, the City does not intend to repair or reconstruct it.
“Instead we are now exploring the best use for the site, including the potential to integrate the site with the adjoining Iris Capital East End development which would involve undertaking a range of feasibility studies for the next phase of the development.
“The proposed feasibility analysis and discussions with Iris Capital will ensure essential public car parking requirements are factored into the next phase of planning and that the best outcome is achieved for the Mall Car Park site and city.
“I will be asking the elected Council next Tuesday to refer the concept to the Asset Advisory Committee and the Urban Design Consultative Group for advice. The Newcastle Inner City Residents Alliance (NICRA) will also be formally consulted.”
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle was committed to creating a more attractive and liveable city through planning opportunities such as the Stairway to Heaven concept.
“Opportunities to open up our iconic and beautiful Christchurch Cathedral to the Harbour don’t come every day, and we are constantly looking at ways to get the best future outcomes for our community through these everyday planning decisions,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We’re looking forward to working with the community and key stakeholders on how best to utilise this immensely important piece of Newcastle.”
A development application will shortly be lodged seeking approval to demolish Mall Car Park.

There are grave fears for the ability of Australia’s family court system to support women and children fleeing family violence, as the Morrison Government backs in its radical proposal to effectively abolish the Family Court.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said the Government voted last night to merge the Federal Circuit Court and the Family Court of Australia into one generalist court.
“There are major issues with the Family Court system but this legislation will go no way to addressing them. This reckless plan from the Morrison Liberal Government will essentially abolish the standalone Family Court—a court which plays a critical role in providing specialist support, especially in cases where there is family and domestic violence,” Ms Claydon said.
“70 per cent of matters brought before the family courts involve domestic violence. The consequences of reducing our ability to support and protect these people are incredibly serious indeed.”
“Newcastle lawyers consistently tell me of a chronically underfunded system. They speak of the lengthy delays in replacing judges. They say that matters are taking up to four years to resolve, with families waiting up to a year for family reports to be made. They tell me of their worry and concern for our judges, who are each carrying a workload of 1½ judges by themselves. And they tell me of constituents falling through the cracks, thrust into personal danger or stuck in limbo while their family situations deteriorate.
“The Morrison Government needs to reverse its strategy of persistent neglect that has brought our family law system to its knees.”
Ms Claydon said the legislation was also condemned on the national stage.
“More than 110 eminent organisations involved in family law banded together to pen an open letter which calls on the Morrison Government to abandon this legislation once and for all. The letter actually urges that we go in the opposite direction and increase the level of specialisation in family law and family violence, not dilute and diminish it.
“When any legislation prompts such unified and vehement condemnation from those that know, it behoves a government to listen. The passage of the Bill through the House demonstrates that this Government has heard nothing.”

City of Newcastle will increase the number of street trees in Stockton’s main street from three to 40 as part of a $3.3 million upgrade to start in early 2021.
The project will give Mitchell Street a makeover to improve public spaces, pedestrian and cyclist safety, and increase shade as part of the City’s Local Centres program.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said that the investment would deliver a more attractive space for shopping and dining as Stockton’s population grows.
“The community has told us that that they love the atmosphere of Stockton’s main street and shopping precinct, but they want an improved public space,” the Lord Mayor said.
“A key feature of this upgrade is the significant increase in street trees which will provide much needed shade and add to the colour and character of this important shopping and business centre within Stockton.
“An innovative design has been developed to create space for these trees and still allow space for parking and footpaths. Local businesses will be able to take advantage of shade for street side dining, and shoppers will have a more pleasant place to spend time or catch up with friends.
“We’re now inviting the community to view the plans on our website or in Stockton Library and let us know their thoughts before starting construction in the New Year.
“This investment is one of 26 projects valued at more than $17 million delivered in Stockton over the past five years, including coastal protection works and the much-loved Stockton Active Hub.”

Plans for the upgrade are available on City of Newcastle’s website, and on display at Stockton Library from today until December 14.
The Mitchell Street upgrade will include drainage improvements, new footpaths and street furniture, landscaping including new street trees and raingardens, and a reduction in speed limit to 40 km/hr to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.

City of Newcastle is delivering the Mitchell Street upgrade as part of its record $116 million 2020-21 capital works program designed to support the local economy in response to COVID-19.
Suburban hubs across the local government area are being revitalised as part of City of Newcastle’s Local Centres program, with Carrington and Beresfield completed while Joslin Street Kotara, Llewellyn Street Merewether and Orchardtown Road New Lambton are underway.
Visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay to have your say on the Mitchell Street upgrade.

City of Newcastle’s Libraries are offering library members the opportunity to clear unpaid fines by donating non-perishable food and toiletry items in an annual initiative designed to support local families.
All items collected under Newcastle Libraries Christmas Giving Amnesty will be donated to local emergency relief organisations OzHarvest, Got Your Back Sista and Baptist Care, who will package up the goods for needy families in the lead-up to the festive season.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said she hoped the initiative encourages people to return to the library after this year’s pandemic as well as embrace the opportunity to help others.
“It’s the perfect chance to get fines reduced, do some good for the community and check out the library’s fantastic new resources and programs that cater for everyone in the family.
“The local emergency relief organisations Got Your Back Sista, OzHarvest and Baptist Care do an incredible job all year round supporting vulnerable people in our community.
“We’re proud to contribute to their good work at a time of year when many people are doing it tough.
“Even if people don’t have overdue fines, they can choose to donate to the cause as a way of paying it forward.”
Since the City started the scheme four years ago more than 8,000 items of food and toiletries have been donated and distributed to the three local charities.  Each year, an average of $10,000 in fines is cleared, resulting in donations of 1400 food items and 1320 toiletry items for community distribution.
Members can donate non-perishable food or toiletries instead of paying their fines with each item donated equating to five dollars. For example, two donated items will clear a $10 fine.
There is no limit to the amount in fines or charges that can be paid off with donations. This year donations can also be used to pay for lost and damaged items that have been owed for five or more years. As a response to COVID-19 Newcastle remains fine free until 30 June 2021.
The Newcastle Libraries Christmas Giving Amnesty runs until Friday, 18 December 2020. Donations can be made at all Newcastle Library branches including the Digital Library at 12 Stewart Avenue, Newcastle West.

Police are asking for public assistance to help locate a missing teenage girl from the Hunter region.
Sharday Safavizad, aged 15, was last seen at a bus stop on Aberglasslyn Road near Rutherford about 12.30pm on Saturday 14 November 2020.
She was reported missing to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District on Monday 16 November and police commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.
Sharday is described as being of Middle Eastern/Mediterranean appearance, with long brown hair and brown eyes.
She’s understood to frequent the Hunter and South-Western Sydney areas, including Liverpool.
Police are urging anyone with information, or who may know of her whereabouts, to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

A boy is expected to undergo surgery after being attacked by the family dog at a home in Lake Macquarie yesterday.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District have been told the five-year-old boy was bitten on the left side of his neck by the family dog at their home on Sunshine Parade at Sunshine shortly before 4.30pm (Sunday 29 November 2020).

The child was treated at the scene before being airlifted to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

Police have been told the two-year-old dog – described as a Rottweiler-type breed – is to be euthanised.

Inquiries are continuing.

Police are at the scene of a fatal crash at Lake Macquarie.
Emergency services were called to Wakefield Road, Ryhope, just before 7.30am today (Sunday 29 November 2020), after reports a Toyota and a Hyundai had collided head-on, trapping both drivers.
The male driver and sole occupant of the Hyundai, died at the scene
The male driver and sole occupant of the Toyota was freed and taken to John Hunter Hospital suffering leg injuries. He will also undergo mandatory testing.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District have established a crime scene with officers from the Crash Investigation Unit attending to assist.
Wakefield Road will remain closed between Archery Road and Cessnock Road for some time and motorists are advised to avoid the area.

A woman will face court today after being charged with alleged fraud regarding bushfire and COVID-19 support recovery grants.
Strike Force Roche was established by several police districts within the Northern Region to investigate alleged fraudulent claims for bushfire disaster relief and small business grants through government agencies.
Police will allege in court that, between Thursday 12 March and Sunday 13 September 2020, a woman, aged 31, fraudulently applied for 34 combined Bushfire and COVID-19 Government Grants. A total of 11 were granted and the woman received $104,000.
Police will also allege the woman attempted to obtain a further $258,000 in grants which she was not entitled to.
Following extensive inquiries, police attended a home in Aberdare about 1.20pm yesterday (Friday 27 November 2020), where they arrested the woman.
She was taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with dishonestly obtain financial benefit by deception (x16).
She was refused bail and will appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 28 November 2020).
Investigations under the strike force are ongoing across multiple police districts in the Northern Region.