Category: Newcastle News

The NSW Government is committed to taking steps to protect the interests of both the opal mining industry and landholders and minimise land conflict.

As part of broader reforms to the opal mining industry, the Minns Labor Government commissioned former Land and Environment Court Judge and NSW Attorney General, Terry Sheahan AO to undertake an independent review of the industry.

The independent review’s 81 detailed recommendations are currently being considered by a working group, chaired by the NSW Government’s Special Envoy for Opal Mining Stephen Lawrence MLC.

The working group has held five sessions to date and includes representatives from the opal mining industry, landholders, First Nations representatives and other key stakeholders.

Following a request to provide additional time, Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos has agreed to extend the working group’s timeline. This will allow their discussions to continue and for them to provide advice on each of the report’s 81 recommendations.

The independent review is the first major report into the industry for more than a decade and follows the discovery that 3,343 minerals claims in Lightning Ridge and White Cliffs were invalidly issued over eight years.

The NSW Government is committed to ensuring that any changes to the framework meet the needs of landholders, small-scale miners and the broader community, to allow the co-existence of both farming and small-scale opal mining in NSW. 

A further update will be provided next year once the NSW Government has completed its response.

Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos:

“I was pleased to meet the working group and hear directly from participants about their key priorities and potential challenges arising from recommendations made by the Independent Review.

“I have heard the feedback from stakeholders about the need to take more time to allow the working group to continue its deliberations as the government considers the recommendations.

“I understand that some stakeholders are eager for a quick resolution. The Government’s priority is to ensure that miners, landholders and community members on the ground are given a full opportunity to inform the government’s response.

“I look forward to visiting Lightning Ridge in the new year to hear more from the community.”

NSW Government’s Special Envoy for Opal Mining Stephen Lawrence MLC:

“The working group meetings have been productive as we work through the 81 recommendations in the Independent Review.

“It’s crucial we listen to the community in Lightning Ridge and give them the time they need to inform the government’s response to provide certainty for miners and landholders.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler MP:

“The mining reforms are an opportunity to reduce conflict between landholders and miners and ensure that NSW Resources is adequately equipped to do its job.

“The review process should not be rushed, which is why I wrote to Minister Houssos to request an extension. This will ensure better engagement and greater understanding of the problems and solutions for all stakeholders.

“I thank the Minister for her quick response and commitment to improving outcomes for miners and landholders.”

A new cohort of artists and creatives will get the chance to share the limelight when City of Newcastle’s UpStage at the Playhouse live performance program returns to the Civic Theatre in 2025.

Teen-led theatre company Hyde Entertainment will take to the stage with a hilarious story of unrequited feelings, love notes and high school insecurity, as one of four local productions selected to bring new and adapted works to life at the Playhouse next year.

Civic Theatre Manager Leonie Wallace, Program and Venues Lead Jordan Campbell, Ticketing and Audience Lead Jo Michel join the artists and creatives who will present the 2025 UpStage at the Playhouse program.Chair of City of Newcastle’s Community and Culture Advisory Committee, Councillor Jenny Barrie, said the first season of Upstage at the Playhouse was a resounding success.

“Civic Theatre and City of Newcastle are proud to foster and support the wonderful creative talent that exists in our region,” Cr Barrie said.

“UpStage at the Playhouse helps build the capacity and exposure of local artists while enhancing Newcastle’s reputation as a cultural capital.

“Our 2024 season was a huge success, with the four productions selling more than 3000 tickets at the 195-seat Playhouse and being nominated for a total of nine City of Newcastle Dramatic Association Awards.

“I congratulate the local theatre companies and playwrights selected to take part in the program next year and look forward to seeing them present a mix of newly written pieces and adaptations of two classics.”

Founded by 18-year-old Seb Smee, Newcastle theatre company Hyde Entertainment will debut a re-imagining of Edmond Rostand’s play Cyrano de Bergerac called Calvin Berger, while award-winning playwright Pip Thoroughgood will breathe new life into a timeless Shakespearean classic in The Prophetic Tragedy of Macbeth and Those Who Knew Him.

A Very Newy Chrissy, a joint production between One For The Road Productions and Insight Acting, is an original work that tells the story of modern families and well-worn traditions, while #This Is Not Journalism, created by playwright Ross Mueller, is a contemporary comedy about truth, news and alternative facts that shows what happens when the story-behind-the-story, becomes the story.

Civic Theatre Manager Leonie Wallace said UpStage at the Playhouse has already made a positive difference to local creatives.

“We’ve had feedback from participants in this year’s program saying the support we’ve offered has made a real difference in staging their new and adapted works, helping them to build and sustain their careers in Newcastle,” Ms Wallace said.

“The four productions have been a huge hit with audiences and attracted a broad demographic of theatregoers, achieving sold out opening nights for each of the productions.”

Each of the new shows will be given a two-week placement in the Playhouse, which is co-located in the same building as the iconic Civic Theatre.

Tickets for UpStage at the Playhouse are now on sale, with The Prophetic Tragedy of Macbeth and Those Who Knew Him to raise the curtain on the 2025 program in March.

For more information visit https://www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au 

The Prophetic Tragedy of Macbeth and Those Who Knew Him | 20 – 29 March
 Written by William Shakespeare, adapted by Pippa Thoroughgood
 Produced by All’s One Theatre
 
Calvin Berger | 4 – 12 July 
 Book, Music and Lyrics by Barry Wyner 
 Orchestration by Doug Besterman
 Original Direction by Kathleen Marshall
 Scene Change Music Arranged by Aron Accurso
 Produced by Hyde Entertainment

 #THIS IS NOT JOURNALISM | 26 September – 4 October
 Written by Ross Mueller
 Produced by Australian Writers Theatre
 
A Very Newy Chrissy | 6 – 15 November
 Written by Nat Newman
 Produced by One for the Road Productions

City of Newcastle has wrapped up a $5 million project to improve the safety and accessibility of a key coastal route used by more than 10,000 cars every day.

The project was designed to stabilise a 115-metre section of embankment alongside Memorial Drive that had suffered a significant landslip during heavy rainfall.

A robust retaining wall made from steel-reinforced concrete piles was installed to shore up the site, while upgrades were completed at the base of the existing stormwater channel to improve the flow of water during periods of heavy rain.

Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge, Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon and City of Newcastle’s Manager Projects – Sustainability David Grejsen at Memorial Drive, Bar Beach.Pedestrians are also benefitting from the upgrade, which delivered a new street-level footpath on top of the renewed embankment to provide safer access for those on foot.

The project was supported with $3 million from the Federal Government’s Roads to Recovery Program.   

Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said the project was a priority for City of Newcastle to ensure the safety of thousands of road users and pedestrians who travel along Memorial Drive every day. 

“The completion of this project marks a significant step toward a safer, more accessible Memorial Drive for everyone,” Cr Kerridge said.

“Local families in particular have shared positive feedback since this project was completed, noting they now feel much safer on the new footpath with the newly installed guardrail. 

“We are also thankful for the funding from the Federal Government, which was a vital contribution to enable these essential repairs. Maintaining and improving our extensive 774 km network of local roads is a significant task, and every dollar counts.” 

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon welcomed the completion of the project.

“This stretch of Newcastle coastline is valued by both locals and visitors alike, and it is so great to see it completed in time for the busy summer period,” Ms Claydon said.

“The Albanese Labor Government is proud to have partnered with the City of Newcastle to realise this important project.”

Work will continue with the local Landcare Group to enhance the embankment through revegetation efforts. These restorative actions will promote the growth of coastal-loving plants, further supporting the environment and ensuring the stability of the embankment.  

Visit our project page or more information.

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 3 December 2024. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.

Ordinary business

Adoption of Albert Street Wickham revised traffic calming devices 

Council voted to adopt detailed planning for upgrades to traffic calming infrastructure on Albert Street Wickham, between Maitland Road and Railway Street.

Notices of Motion 

Support for Rising Tide 

Council supported a notice of motion to amend the Instruments of Delegation to the Lord Mayor in relation to exercising, in cases of necessity, the policy-making functions of the governing body of the council between meetings of the council.

A man has died following a three-vehicle crash in the state’s Upper Hunter.

Just before 12am today (Wednesday 4 December 2024), emergency services were called to the New England Highway, Liddell, following reports of a crash.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended and found two cars had collided, with a truck later hitting the vehicles.

The male driver of a green sedan, age unknown, died at the scene.

He is yet to be formally identified.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

The female driver of a silver sedan, aged 22, was trapped for a short time before being freed by Fire and Rescue NSW.

She was treated at the scene before being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.

The male driver of the truck, believed to be aged in his 40s, was uninjured, and taken to Muswellbrook Hospital for mandatory testing.

A crime scene has been established, and investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash has commenced.

The New England Highway is closed in both directions near Pikes Gully Road at Liddell. Diversions are in place. Updates are available on www.livetraffic.com.

Police are extending their appeal to locate a man missing from state’s Hunter Region.

Gavin Moresby-White, aged 68, was last seen on Greg Stairs Road, Gungal – 50km west of Muswellbrook – about 10.30am on Tuesday (29 October 2024).

When concerns were raised for his welfare on Friday 15 November 2024, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Despite extensive inquiries including a multi-agency search, with assistance from PolAir, Dog Unit, NSW Ambulance Rescue and NSW SES, in Gungal, Denman and Merriwa areas, which concluded on Thursday (21 November 2024), Gavin was still unable to be located or contacted.

Gavin is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall with medium build, and balding with white hair.

He is known to drive a Toyota Camry with QLD plates 859MHT, which was found by police on Greg Stairs Road, Gungal.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts or dashcam footage is urged to call Hunter Valley police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

An explosive chorus of crackles and bangs won’t be the only sounds bringing Newcastle’s annual fireworks display to life this New Year’s Eve.

For the first time in the event’s history, the dazzling light show in the sky will be accompanied by an audio description designed to enhance the experience for people who are low vision or blind.

It is among a range of initiatives planned for 31 December as City of Newcastle delivers one of the most accessible and inclusive New Year’s Eve celebrations in regional Australia.

City of Newcastle’s Nick Kaiser with some of the performers and inflatables that will feature in this year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.Executive Manager Media Engagement Economy & Corporate Affairs Nick Kaiser said City of Newcastle was building on its past efforts to ensure the event caters for everyone.

“The community has told us they wanted events to be more inclusive, so accessibility was a key factor in planning from the outset,” Mr Kaiser said.

“We worked with an inclusion consultant to enhance how people plan for, navigate around and experience New Year’s Eve along the Harbour Foreshore precinct.

“Our sensory zone has been one of the most popular elements of our New Year’s Eve event for the past seven years, providing a safe and comfortable space for people with a disability and their families to relax and enjoy the celebrations.

“We encourage all members of the community to come together in the city centre to enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere as we welcome in 2025.”

The audio description of the fireworks will allow people who are blind or low vision to better experience what is a traditional highlight of the New Year’s Eve celebrations. Registrations are essential to gain access to the headphones, which will be located in the dedicated viewing areas set up to give people with accessibility needs an uninterrupted view of the 9pm fireworks display.

A Sensory Story has also been created for first time to help people who may ordinarily avoid large events, to prepare for the festivities. It provides a visual representation of dedicated parking areas, shows how far people need to travel, where to get food, the location of entertainment and accessible toilets, as well as the Quiet Zone.

Dedicated accessible parking and drop off areas and a continuous path of travel make navigating the Harbour Foreshore precinct easier.

The New Year’s Eve celebrations will kick off at 5pm and are expected to attract more than 35,000 to the Harbour Foreshore precinct surrounding Queens Wharf.

The event will see community spirit combined with creativity through a series of unique activities including a one-kilometre parade of bikes, scooters, prams, and wheelchairs, accompanied by inflatable puppets on whimsical bikes.

Parades will take place every hour with visitors encouraged to come prepared with their ride of choice already decorated, or head to the Creation Station to get inspired and receive assistance with decorations.

A Wish Dome will give visitors a chance to write down their new year’s resolutions or wishes for 2025 and attach them to a giant floating jellyfish inside a beautifully illuminated dome.

There’s also a host of musical options, a diverse array of food vendors and the ‘Kids Zone’ will offer face painting, an inflatable ninja course and crafts to ensure a fun-filled experience for all ages before the 9pm fireworks provide a spectacular crescendo to the night.

To find out more visit https://whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/nye24 

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) invites pilots of all licence categories to attend the upcoming pilot safety seminar in Cessnock next week.

Each year, CASA’s aviation safety advisors host free seminars across Australia to help pilots refresh their skills, enhance their knowledge, and improve flight safety.

Effective communication is essential to flight safety, particularly in non-controlled environments. The Loud and clear – Effective communication seminar on Thursday 5 December will focus on what makes for clear communication and how to avoid misunderstandings in the air.

Aviation safety advisor, Tim Penney, says the forum is designed to complement any level of technical knowledge, from novice to highly experienced pilots.

‘Communication is vital for building situational awareness, which is an essential tool for maintaining safety margins, especially at non-controlled aerodromes,’ he explains.

‘These seminars offer pilots of all experience levels the chance to refresh their knowledge, avoid common errors, and apply lessons learned from case studies and discussions to their own flying.’

‘Pilots will also pick up practical tips to help manage risk and understand the critical role communication plays in the airborne environment.’

‘We encourage pilots of all levels to attend these free seminars, as they also provide a great opportunity to engage with CASA, discuss local issues, and ask questions.’

Topics covered in the Loud and clear – Effective communication seminar include:

The basics of human communication
Aviation communication rules and procedures
Real-life examples of how things can go wrong
Techniques to improve communication
Use of an AFRU (Aerodrome Frequency Response Unit)
Real life case studies
Book your spot online now: Thursday 5 December, 6.00-8.00 pm at the Hunter Recreational Flying Club.

A man has died following a two-vehicle crash in the state’s Hunter Valley.

About 2pm today (Monday 2 December 2024), emergency services responded to reports of a crash between a truck and a car along the New England Highway, Murulla, approximately 25km north of Scone.

The male driver of the car, believed to be aged in his 50s, died prior to the arrival of emergency services.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated a male passenger in the car, believed to be aged in his 50s, before he was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a critical but stable condition.

The 45-year-old male truck driver was also treated by paramedics and taken by road to the same hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District have established a crime scene and are awaiting the arrival of specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit.

Major traffic delays are currently being experienced and motorists are urged to avoid the area.

As inquiries continue, anyone with information about the crash – or who has any available dashcam/mobile phone footage – is asked to contact Scone Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.