Category: Newcastle News

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 23 July 2024. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions. 

Lord Mayoral Minutes  

Commitment to education and training opportunities

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported noting City of Newcastle’s commitment to upskilling, training and education opportunities for the local community through programs such as Future Fit program for apprentices, trainees, undergraduates and graduates and the Lord Mayor’s Scholarship Program.

Newcastle Premier League T20 cricket competition

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported that congratulated the Newcastle Hunters cricket club and their organising committee on the successful start of Season 3 of their Newcastle Premier League T20 cricket competition and acknowledged the significant role this multicultural cricket competition plays in supporting migrants and refugees in our community. 

It also recognised the significant impact that the City of Newcastle Grants and Sponsorship program has in supporting community organisations like these that build the diverse cultural fabric of the city.

Congratulating Novocastrian Olympians 

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported extending our heartfelt congratulations to the Novocastrian athletes selected to represent Australia at the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games and 2024 Paralympic Games.

Ordinary business 

Supplementary report – Special Business Rate audit outcome

Council noted the transparent and effective framework of City of Newcastle’s SBR expenditure policy as confirmed by a recent independent audit of 2022/23 expenditure. The audit found that the SBR expenditure processes and controls are functioning as intended with few minor additional actions necessary at this time.

Adoption of public outcomes – Western Corridor road upgrades

Council unanimously approved the proposed scope of the (Western Corridor) Traffic Management Ancillary Works and endorsed consultation for the fixing of road levels on Longworth Avenue between Newcastle Road and Minmi Road, and at Minmi Road between Maryland Drive (east) and west of the Summerhill Road roundabout.

Heritage item – 13 Section Street, Mayfield

Council unanimously voted to endorse the planning proposal to amend Newcastle Local Environment Plan 2012 to create a new heritage item at 13 Section Street, Mayfield. The planning proposal will be forwarded to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for gateway determination, followed by community and agency consultation as required.

Tender report – Bar Beach rehabilitation and reinstatement

Council voted unanimously to accept a tender for the construction of the southern access ramp and walkway deflector wall at Bar Beach. 

Notices of Motion 

Improving turnover of city parking for the benefit of small businesses to increase trade in CBD of Newcastle 

Council unanimously supported an amended notice of motion to review the existing two-hour parking from 9am to 12pm on Saturdays and increase to the hours of 9am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays in the Hunter and King Street area to the east of Newcastle’s central business district.

Council will undertake, in line with the Parking Plan 2021, a staged review of timed parking restrictions in the area bound by King Street, Scott Street, Hunter Street, Darby Street and Pacific Street; with a view to improve parking turnover on weekday evenings and on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

Support for our creative workers

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion that noted City of Newcastle’s ongoing support for the arts, cultural and creative industries in Newcastle. It acknowledged the need to plan how we support these industries in Newcastle over the next 10 years and committed, in the first 12 months of the next term of Council, to investigating options for retaining and increasing affordable creative workspaces across Newcastle and preparing a 10-year Cultural Plan for the city, which includes support for our creative workers and their creative workspaces as a strategic priority.

Confidential Reports

Tender report for processing of recyclables

Council unanimously voted to accept the tender from iQRenew for processing of recyclables.

A man remains in custody after a woman was injured when she was allegedly hit by a stolen SUV near Newcastle this morning.

Emergency services were called to Newcastle Road at Jesmond shortly before 2am (Wednesday 24 July 2024), after a 21-year-old traffic controller was allegedly struck by a silver Mercedes Benz SUV, which was being pursued by officers attached to Newcastle City Police District.

Police had initiated the pursuit only moments earlier when the SUV – which had been reported stolen from Salt Ash – was seen allegedly travelling above the speed limit.

Police immediately rendered assistance to the injured woman while the alleged driver of the stolen SUV was arrested after a being chased down on foot.

The woman was taken to John Hunter Hospital where she is reported to be in a stable condition with pelvic injuries.

The 30-year-old man has been taken to Waratah Police Station.

A crime scene was established by Newcastle City Police with officers from the Hunter Crash Investigation Unit now conducting inquiries.

Motorists are advised traffic in the area has been significantly impacted by this incident; they are recommended to avoid the avoid the area and monitor www.livetraffic.com for updates.

Inquiries are continuing.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenager missing from the State’s north.

Sonny Bower, aged 14 was last seen in Raymond Terrace on Friday July 12 2024.

When he was unable to be located or contacted, police were notified at 4:20pm on Friday 19 July 2024 and officers from Port Stephens Hunter Police District commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

There are serious concerns for Sonny’s welfare due to his age.

He is described as being of Pacific Islander/Maori appearance, large build, 185cm tall, brown hair with a rat’s tail and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing a black puffer jackets and black pants.

Sonny is known to frequent the Raymond Terrace and Charlestown areas.

Anyone with information into Sonny’s whereabouts is urged to call Raymond Terrace Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Dozens of new homes will be delivered for people in need across Newcastle and the Hunter region. More than $45 million is being invested across a range of social housing projects, including restoration of homes and redevelopments.

The NSW and Federal Government is today announcing:

• Construction is underway on four new social housing projects, with three projects at Waratah West and one project at Lambton. Totalling more than $24 million, the projects will see the transformation of nine ageing properties into 40 new modern and accessible homes.
• As part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Homes NSW and City of Newcastle, construction is also underway on nine new social homes in Wallsend, partly funded from the $610 million provided under the Federal Government’s Social Housing Accelerator Fund (SHAF). 
• Under the recently completed SHAF restoration program, nine existing properties in Toronto, Windale, Gateshead, Elermore Vale and Edgeworth have been completely refurbished, with $925,000 spent on ensuring the previously uninhabitable homes were upgraded to provide immediate relief for those most in need. 
• A further two projects at Maryland are in the pipeline have the potential to deliver up to 25 new homes comprising of one, two and three-bedroom units.

Housing and Homelessness Minister Rose Jackson said

“We know the housing crisis is hitting regional areas hard, particularly places that are experiencing rapid growth such as Newcastle, Hunter and Lake Macquarie. That’s why this injection of more than $45 million is so important in providing much needed social housing.

“We’re extremely fortunate and thankful to have such a committed partner in the City of Newcastle. A Council that is willing to work with us towards the common goal of creating more housing for those who need it most.

“We want our homes to be fit for purpose and assisting as many people as possible. To do this we need to think outside the box when it comes to addressing the housing crisis – this means looking at all options for housing including refurbishments, redevelopments and new builds.

Restoring nine beautiful family homes to their former glory, at a fraction of the cost of a new build, means we can assist people on the waiting list sooner and was a no brainer.”

Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery said

“I’ve been fighting for years to have a strong injection of new social and affordable housing in the Wallsend electorate. I’m pleased that the Minister has heard our pleas and responded so readily to invest in our region.

“The NSW Government’s budget this year has demonstrated our steadfast commitment to housing with over $6 billion being invested. I’m pleased that the Wallsend electorate is receiving a fair share of this funding.”

City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said

“City of Newcastle is the only council in the region to negotiate an innovative Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NSW Government to increase the delivery of social housing in Newcastle and fast-track priority housing projects. That’s why four out of five of these projects are in Newcastle.

“It is unique for a local council to be co-funding a NSW Government project but building more public housing is an urgent issue and I was pleased to negotiate this deal with the state government.

“Council’s investment is helping deliver more public housing in Wallsend. There is more to do, but this is a fantastic start.”

Details

Monday 22 to Thursday 25 July

• Nightly from 10pm to 2.30am, trains may run to a changed timetable due to trackwork between Strathfield and Central.
  
• Wednesday to Friday, buses replace the 1.47am Central to Newcastle Interchange service from Central to Hornsby.
• Buses leave earlier than the normal train timetable.
  
• Replacement buses may be affected by driver shortages. We are doing all we can to minimise the impact to your journey and provide a safe service, however cancellations or delays may occur.
• Plan your trip before you travel for up-to-date real time information. You can also subscribe to planned trackwork alerts.

Bus route92T9 Central, then Hornsby (Tuesday to Friday in that direction only)

At Waratah Station Lift 1 between the footbridge and Platform 1 is temporarily out of service. 02 4962 9495

At Waratah Station Lift 1 between the footbridge and Platform 1 is temporarily out of service. 02 4962 9495

Three Newcastle sports fields will share in more than $3.3 million worth of upgrades aimed at encouraging increased female participation while also catering for predicted population growth.

Funded by City of Newcastle and the NSW Government’s Level the Playing Field Program, the projects will see Tarro Reserve and Johnson Park at Lambton receive new amenities buildings with female friendly change rooms, an accessible toilet, canteen, referees’ room and storage.

New LED floodlighting that meets modern standards for training and matches will be installed at Johnson Park and Pat Jordan Oval at Carrington.

Additional improvements to Johnson Park will include drainage, as well as the relocation and replacement of the existing playground.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the projects are all about planning for the future.

As part of City of Newcastle’s 10-year Strategic Sports Plan we want to renew and upgrade existing sportsgrounds to improve their functionality in order to meet the current and future needs of the community,” Cr Nelmes said.

“These upgrades will deliver benefits for our communities, and help prepare for the population increases forecast under the new housing targets set by the NSW Government and draft Broadmeadow Place Strategy.”

Preliminary work has begun on the project at Lambton, with the upgrade at Carrington expected to start in September.

Construction of the new amenities at Tarro will take place in 2025.

Newcastle City Junior AFL Club President Jon Clarke said the upgrade to Pat Jordan Oval will help to grow the game.

“This will create a safer, more welcoming environment for all of our players, but particularly for women who train at the ground,” Mr Clarke said.

“It will facilitate more training sessions and competition opportunities and cater to the growing female participant demand.”

State Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery welcomed the upgrades at Johnson Park and Tarro Reserve, which she said would make the grounds more inclusive for female players.

“I’m very pleased that Tarro Reserve and Johnson Park will receive these improvements, which will enable female players to have greater access to sport and recreational facilities,” Ms Hornery said.

“We’ve seen the immense success of our Newcastle Knights women locally, and on a larger stage the brilliance of our Matildas football team. These successes have inspired many young women to participate in sport. I thank the NSW Government for providing this funding.”

State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said the upgrades at Pat Jordan Oval will be well received by the local sporting community.

“Newcastle has some fantastic sports programs for women and girls,” Mr Crakanthorp said. 

“It is crucial that we encourage those programs to continue and grow so more local women and girls develop a lifelong love of sport and enjoy the benefits that it brings.”

Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July

• Trains run to a changed timetable and make extra stops at all stations between Ashfield and Macdonaldtown.
  
• Saturday from 9pm to 2am, buses replace trains from Ashfield to Central, in that direction only.
• Trains run to a changed timetable between Hornsby and Ashfield.
• Change at Strathfield for express buses to Central or change at Ashfield for buses stopping all-stations towards Central.
• Trains continue to run from the City to Hornsby via Strathfield, in that direction only.
  
• Replacement buses may be impacted by driver shortages. We are doing all we can to minimise the impact to your journey and provide a safe service, however cancellations or delays may occur.
• Plan your trip before you travel for up-to-date real time information. You can also subscribe to planned trackwork alerts.

Bus routes
40T2 Strathfield, then express to Central and return
42T2 Ashfield, then all stations to Stanmore, then express to Central
46T2 Ashfield, then all stations to Central

At Cardiff Station Lift 2 between the footbridge and Mary St is temporarily out of service. If you need help, ask staff or phone 02 4962 9437.