Category: Newcastle News

Preparations are now in full swing for the start of construction of the Singleton Bypass, with early work progressing and final touches being made to the detailed design.

The Australian Government has committed $560 million and the NSW Government is investing $140 million to deliver the project and remove one of the Hunter region’s most notorious bottlenecks.

Since being announced as the successful contractor for the eight-kilometre project, ACCIONA Constructions Australia has been busy carrying out early work including geotechnical and utility investigations, and additional site surveys.

These early activities will inform the detailed design for the project before major construction starts later this year.

Transport for NSW’s environment team has also been working with ecologists, ahead of vegetation clearing, to oversee the carving of replacement hollows in trees adjacent to the project, to preserve wildlife habitats.

The Singleton Bypass is expected to open to traffic in late 2026, weather permitting.

Images and short video available here: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/tpgoNW4fNn.

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“This is an exciting time for the local community which has been patiently waiting for the delivery of this bypass.

“The Australian Government is proud to be partnering with the NSW Government to deliver Singleton’s biggest infrastructure project.

“Importantly, the project also delivers economic growth and will support more than 1,300 jobs during construction.”

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison:

“The Singleton bypass will improve the lives of people living and working right across the Hunter region.

“When the bypass is built motorists will avoid five sets of traffic lights in Singleton’s CBD and it’ll remove about 15,000 vehicles a day from the town centre – improving safety, slashing travel times and increasing efficiency for all road users.”

Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi:

“We are hitting the ground running on this vital infrastructure project, which will benefit many people who live, work and visit our region.

“As part of the project, Transport for NSW’s environment team are overseeing the installation of carved hollows which will provide habitat for native fauna including birds, gliders, possums and bats that may be displaced during construction and operation of the project.

“ACCIONA have also carried out surveys of the Hunter River to help plan construction activities and ensure local aquatic species and river embankments remain protected.

“The Australian and NSW governments are committed to ensuring the furry, feathered, and arguably cutest residents around the Singleton Bypass experience the best possible outcomes now and into the future.”

NSW Duty MLC for Upper Hunter, Emily Suvaal:

“The Singleton Bypass is another example of the ways the Australian and NSW governments are working together to deliver critical infrastructure projects that will set not only the Hunter, but the nation, up for the future.

“This will ensure safer and smoother journeys for local motorists, visitors and our freight industry who rely on the New England Highway as an important link road every day.”

A woman has been charged following an unauthorised protest near Maitland today.

About 3pm (Tuesday 2 July 2024), police were called to the rail corridor at Thornton, following reports persons had allegedly entered the rail corridor and were causing obstruction to trains.

Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, with assistance from Police Rescue, attended the site and arrested a 69-year-old woman from Victoria.

She was taken to Maitland Police Station where she was charged with enter inclosed non-agricultural lands serious safety risk, cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock and hinder working of mining equipment.

She was refused bail to appear before Maitland Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 3 July 2024).

City of Newcastle will take on greater leadership in NSW through new accords with Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook and City of Coffs Harbour councils. 

Newcastle has entered memoranda of understanding (MoU) with two of our Hunter neighbours, as well as fellow regional coastal council Coffs Harbour. 

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Upper Hunter Shire Mayor Maurice Collison and Muswellbrook Shire Mayor Steve Reynolds at a recent meeting of the Hunter Joint Organisation.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the four councils will gain valuable expertise and a stronger collective voice from each MoU. 

“We’re in a unique position to both be a leader in the local government sector and to learn from the successes of other councils,” Cr Nelmes said.  

“As a financially sound and well-resourced council, we have plenty of success stories that are worth sharing and I look forward to exploring new opportunities through closer ties with our neighbours.

“Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Muswellbrook and the Upper Hunter are each vital parts of our state, and we’re stronger, smarter and better off when we collaborate.” 

City of Newcastle Acting CEO David Clarke said the accords would pool the knowledge of each council in many areas of expertise.  

“We’re exploring opportunities to share insights and capabilities, as well as the potential for staff exchange program with our MoU partners, which is a golden way to share the rich expertise of each council and just one of the many benefits of these agreements,” Mr Clarke said. 

“We’ve already applied for grants in partnership with some of the councils to fund projects together and had had success working with the NSW Government. City of Newcastle’s CEO Jeremy Bath has worked hard on this and deserves a lot of credit.” 

As part of the MoU, City of Newcastle’s planning team has already met with their Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter counterparts to outline Newcastle’s award-winning Accelerated Development Assessment program. 

City of Newcastle has applied for grant funding to roll out Accelerated Development Assessment – its streamlined determination tool for low-impact developments – to its three new MoU partners over the next 12 months. 

In the past year, Newcastle and Coffs Harbour have worked together on a range of submissions to the NSW and federal governments on issues that affect both large coastal councils. 

Coffs Harbour Mayor Paul Amos said the coastal council areas’ similarities made them logical partners.  

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Coffs Harbour to work closely with Newcastle on all manner of things, and the MoU will be of particular advantage in areas where challenges are common to both councils,” Cr Amos said.  

“It makes every sense for Coffs and Newcastle to align as two major regional, coastal cities – each with ambition for continual improvement.  

 “While the MoU is non-binding on either council for any actions, it paves the way for a mutually beneficial partnership.” 

Muswellbrook Shire Mayor Steve Reynolds said his council saw its Newcastle MoU as mutually beneficial. 

“We look forward to working with the City of Newcastle and exploring opportunities for joint advocacy and funding prospects to benefit the region and enhance our capability,” Cr Reynolds said. 

“Improved efficiencies and learnings will support better outcomes across the board.” 

Upper Hunter Shire Mayor Maurice Collison said his council’s new accord would bring a suite of benefits.  

“By collaborating across boundaries, we can share valuable knowledge and resources, leading to enhanced service delivery and sustainable regional growth,” Cr Collison said. 

“This MoU represents our commitment to working together for the economic and social prosperity of our communities. Our combined efforts will ensure that we are better equipped to address the complex issues facing local government.” 

Eight councils across the Hunter will share in $60 million to boost walking and cycling, with $10 million across the state dedicated to supporting active travel to and from schools, as part of the NSW Government’s Get NSW Active program.

Of the 88 projects, 51 are in regional NSW including 14 around primary schools, which will be funded under this latest round of the grant program to build crucial pathways and cycleways that promote walking and bike riding as an easy, safe, and convenient way for people to get around.

The 16 Hunter projects, worth a total value of $13.4 million, include:

Singleton Council – $5.074 million to construct a 1.55km long walking and bike riding connection along Combo Lane and Wilkinson Boulevard. The project will deliver entirely new transport options for people living in Singleton Heights and Hunterview. The construction of a bridge over the Hunter River will provide a quiet route along Combo Lane to connect people directly to the Singleton CBD and make walking and bike riding a safe and attractive choice for day-to-day travel.
Lake Macquarie City Council – $3.657 million to design and partially construct an active transport link from Charlestown to the Fernleigh Track.
Lake Macquarie City Council – $650,000 to construct a 3km shared path, including a bridge, from the Soldiers Road shared pathway from Pelican and the service road at Pelican Airport. This path will provide Pelican residents and visitors a connection to Marks Point and the Fernleigh Track.
Maitland City Council – $647,441 to design and construct a shared pathway along Raymond Terrace Road between Settlers Boulevard and Hillgate Drive, Thornton, for active transport. It will provide safe crossing and link up to 12,500 people to existing recreation, commercial and community infrastructure.
Cessnock City Council – $586,919 to construct a 1.8km walking path from Anderson Avenue to Main Road Paxton to connect to the existing path to Paxton Public School. This will provide a walking and cycling track to and from school.
City of Newcastle – $500,000 to construct the Memorial Drive shared crossing to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians. It will connect the 6km Bathers Way shared path to sporting facilities and the broader cycling network.
City of Newcastle – $500,000 to construct a shared path in King Edward Park along Reserve Road to replace the existing footpath between the Terrace and York Drive.
MidCoast Council – $467,000 to construct a sealed footpath from the Coolongolook Public School to the existing path in King Street that links to bus stops.
Cessnock City Council – $424,216 to replace the existing dilapidated path with a 3-metre wide shared path at East Esplanade Weston from Fourth Street to Third Street.
MidCoast Council – $396,000 towards building a sealed footpath along Marine Drive to allow tourists and residents to easy access the Tea Gardens foreshore.
Port Stephens Council – $112,300 to construct a raised pedestrian crossing across Tarean Road, Karuah and provide safer access to school and sporting facilities.
Muswellbrook Shire Council – $100,625 to design a shared path between Thompson and Kamilaroi Streets and Cassidy Avenue, South Muswellbrook. It will provide access to the Calvary Retirement community and retail businesses on Rutherford Road.
Lake Macquarie City Council – $93,280 to design the extension and expansion of Toronto Greenway, the pathway connecting Toronto Foreshore with Fassifern Train Station.
Port Stephens Council – $88,320 to design a new footpath to connect existing footpaths on Strathmore Road in Mallabula. This missing link will connect the town centres of Tanillba Bay and Lemon Tree Passage.
Port Stephens Council – $73,440 to plan a new footpath to connect existing footpaths on Campbell Avenue in Anna Bay. It will connect the existing path on Campbell Avenue to the town centre.
Port Stephens Council – $73,440 to plan a new footpath that connects existing footpaths on President Wilson Walk in Tanilba Bay. This missing link will connect the town centre of Tanilba Bay to the local primary school.

This most recent round of the Get NSW Active program received 345 applications from councils with a total request worth $287.6 million which shows the strong desire for infrastructure that supports people who choose to walk or ride to their destination.

The next step will be to confirm the award of funding to councils so they can begin construction or planning phases of their projects.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“It’s exciting to see the wide range of active transport projects that will soon come to life, positively impacting potentially hundreds of thousands of people across the state.

“This year, of the amount shared, $10 million will be dedicated to delivering infrastructure that supports walking and riding to school, which received an overwhelming amount of interest from councils.

“I want to thank councils across the state for their commitment to making it easier for people to safely walk, cycle and scoot around their communities.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:

“I’m thrilled the Hunter has received more than $13 million to fund new active transport projects.

“These pathways and cycleways will not only make it safer for our community to get around but help us stay connected to local schools, businesses and of course stay healthy while travelling there.

“We know more people are moving to our great region and it’s vital we have the infrastructure in place to support them.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The communities of the Hunter will benefit greatly from this investment.

“I’m thrilled that more than half of the projects successful in this year’s round of funding is going to regional NSW to provide active transport options for local communities to enjoy.

“It’s this type of infrastructure that makes our communities happier and healthier.

“There is a strong movement towards active transport corridors in our regional communities and it’s great to be part of a government which is funding the development and delivery of infrastructure to envisage this.”

City of Newcastle will conduct a review of how it delivers and maintains valuable community assets to ensure it can cater for a predicted population boom.

Under new housing targets set by the NSW Government, Newcastle will welcome more than 86,000 new residents by 2041, which would see the city boast more people than the current population of the Northern Territory.

Councillors voted to review City of Newcastle’s draft Social Infrastructure Strategy which was developed with community feedback and stakeholder engagement.

The Social Infrastructure Strategy was originally designed to cater for a predicted population of just over 201,000 but that figure is now expected to top 256,000, with Broadmeadow set to accommodate up to 40,000 of those new residents.

Councillor Elizabeth Adamczyk said the Social Infrastructure Strategy plays a significant role in enhancing the lives of people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

“City of Newcastle plays an important role in providing facilities and spaces for the community,” Cr Adamczyk said.

“Our network of social infrastructure contributes to inclusion and cohesion and is used by all Novocastrians at some point in their lives, often on a daily basis.

“These assets help the community to be happy, safe and healthy, to learn, and to enjoy life.”

Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy said City of Newcastle is committed to providing inclusive and welcoming social infrastructure that is designed, managed and programmed for everyone to enjoy.

“Social infrastructure comprises a range of assets including community centres, libraries, museums, art galleries, parks and sporting fields,” Ms Duffy.

“City of Newcastle will continue to review its strategies and key planning documents against population and housing targets to ensure Newcastle remains a liveable, sustainable, inclusive, global city.”

The NSW Government has handed down two reforms that will lead to the population increase, starting in December last year with the proposal for transport-oriented development of higher-density homes around selected railway stations.

The State Environmental Planning Policy decision will see thousands of extra residents added near stations at Adamstown, Newcastle Interchange, Hamilton and Kotara.

In May this year the Government increased housing targets across the state with Newcastle asked to provide more than 11,000 new homes by 2029, more than double the number completed in the city between 2017 and 2022.

This new target translates to an annual population growth rate of approximately three per cent a year, triple Newcastle’s 10-year average.

On top of these reforms, City of Newcastle and the NSW Government have developed the draft Broadmeadow Place Strategy, which will guide future development in the area and provide the opportunity for additional housing, jobs and population growth.

That draft strategy, which is now on public exhibition, features a proposal for an additional 40,000 people and 20,000 dwellings over the next 30 years.

A woman has been charged following an unauthorised protest in the Hunter Valley this morning.

About 8.10am (Saturday 29 June 2024), police were called to the rail corridor at Branxton following reports a woman had allegedly entered the rail corridor and were causing obstruction to trains.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District, with assistance from Police Rescue, attended the site and arrested a 24-year-old woman.

The woman was taken to Singleton Police Station where she was charged with cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock, enter inclosed non-agricultural lands serious safety risk, enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, cause/attempt to cause train or tram in motion to be stopped, and interfere with etc equipment etc without permission.

She was bail refused to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Sunday 30 June 2024.

A man has been charged following an unauthorised protest in Newcastle overnight.

About 6.45pm (Friday 28 June 2024), police were called to the rail corridor at Sandgate following reports a number of people had allegedly entered the rail corridor and stopped an eastbound train.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District, with assistance from Police Rescue, attended the site and arrested a 59-year-old man who allegedly climbed into an open carriage.

He was taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with enter inclosed non-agricultural lands serious safety risk and cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock.

He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 29 June 2024).

City of Newcastle is leading the charge towards a net zero emissions city, inviting world renowned entrepreneur, author, and inventor Dr Saul Griffith to share his passion for power with Novocastrians.

Dr Saul GriffithThe free event known as Electrify Everything will take place at City Hall on 25 July where the community will learn about an ambitious action plan to electrify Newcastle, while creating new jobs and a healthier environment.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Dr Griffith has inspired communities across the USA and Australia.

“City of Newcastle is committed to achieving net zero emissions so we’re incredibly fortunate to have Dr Griffith visiting our city,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Among his long list of achievements, he created and led the non-profit organisation Rewiring America that helped to shape the US Inflation Reduction Act, the largest ever investment in energy transition and electrification in the world.

“Inviting Dr Griffith to our city aligns with a top priority from our Newcastle Environment Strategy, which is delivering community and business engagement programs that focus on renewable energy and electrification.”

Dr Griffith said electrifying our cars and our homes is the critical action all Australians can take this decade that will save money and our children’s future.

“I’m always energised after meeting passionate community groups driving change in the climate and energy space,” Dr Griffith said.

“We need community initiatives like this where local leaders are encouraging residents to be part of the solution to achieving a clean energy future.

“Communities have the most to benefit from an electrified future powered by our abundant solar energy – local jobs, healthier streets and lower energy bills.

“Households and small businesses are the heroes of this energy transition. It’s time Australia had an energy system that put them first.”

The evening will be part of a series of three events called Empowering Newcastle to be held at City Hall across July and August.

On 8 August, City of Newcastle will host a roundtable to discuss electric vehicles and low emissions transport.

A host of stakeholders will be invited, including Transport for NSW, the Australian Electric Vehicle Association, the University of Newcastle, Business Hunter and Port of Newcastle to discuss the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to electric vehicles and low emissions transport in Newcastle.

On 17 August City of Newcastle will invite the community to join NSW Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Heritage Minister Penny Sharpe and the Lord Mayor to hear about the renewable energy transformation in the Hunter and opportunities for all residents to be part of our net zero future.

“City of Newcastle is committed to achieving net zero with measures such as an accelerated uptake of solar and batteries, electric or zero emissions transport and buildings, as well as community renewable energy and battery storage projects,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We want to empower the people and business owners in Newcastle to be part of the solution to climate change.”

To secure tickets visit https://www.trybooking.com/CSVXK

A woman has been charged following an unauthorised protest in the Hunter Valley this morning.

About 5.30am (Friday 28 June 2024), police were called to the rail corridor at Branxton following reports a number of people had allegedly entered the rail corridor and were causing obstruction to trains.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District, with assistance from Police Rescue, attended the site and arrested a 28-year-old woman.

The Victorian woman was taken to Singleton Police Station where she was charged with enter inclosed lands serious safety risk, cause obstruction to railway locomotive, and enter inclosed land without lawful excuse.

She was granted conditional bail to appear before Singleton Local Court on Thursday 11th July 2024.

Newcastle City Hall’s iconic balcony will be transformed into a stage this September as renowned First Nations singer Mitch Tambo officially kicks off the 10-day New Annual festival.

City of Newcastle’s flagship cultural event will return on 27 September with a vibrant mix of immersive dance, music, visual art and theatre.

New Annual Senior Producer and Curator Adrian Burnett, Jeremy Goldstein (Truth to Power Café), Gambirra Illume (Tower Divas), Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Megan Cope (Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House) and Jacob Cummins (Rising from the Ashes: An Orchestral Suite and Matricide) at the launch of the 2024 New Annual program.

An inaugural First Night street party will set the scene for New Annual’s 2024 program, filling the precinct around City Hall with a free, all ages opening night celebration. 

King Street will be temporarily closed off for the signature event of the festival headlined by Tambo, a proud Gamilaraay man who blends traditional Aboriginal sounds and language with contemporary beats. 

Captivating street performances, including the visually and sonically spectacular Tower Divas, will keep the party going while digital projections by Big Picture Fest and gourmet food trucks will ensure First Night delivers a feast for all the senses.

Music fans will be in for another treat the following night, when popular Australian indie rock band Middle Kids take to the stage at the iconic Civic Theatre on 28 September, while a bumper opening weekend program will offer a range of fantastic performances, exhibitions and events across the city.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said New Annual is the catalyst for Newcastle’s cultural events sector to take centre stage alongside national events. 

“Since launching New Annual in 2021, we’ve invested around $3 million into developing and delivering this flagship festival for Newcastle as part of our wider commitment to arts and culture in our city,” Cr Nelmes said.

“In that time, and on the back of its diverse and ambitious programs, New Annual has cemented its place in the events calendar, attracting 95,000 visitors to Newcastle across its first three years.

“The festival continues to strengthen Newcastle’s position as a cultural tourism destination, which generates an economic boost for local businesses through hotel stays and increased visitor spending in the city.”

The Civic precinct will play host to a range of events during the festival, including the return of one of Australia’s leading performing arts companies, Dancenorth Australia, whose Wayfinder production will explode onto the Civic Theatre stage in a kaleidoscopic fusion of dance, music, and visual art.

Internationally acclaimed live performance and digital theatre event Truth to Power Café will harness local stories to deliver a profound reflection on the dynamics of power at Newcastle City Hall, while the immersive installation Belongings at the Watt Space Gallery will share stories of displacement, resilience and hope from six refugees who took asylum in the greater Newcastle region.

Community engagement will also be at the heart of a temporary pavilion known as Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House, which will be purpose-built in Honeysuckle’s Harbour Square. Presented by Newcastle Art Gallery, Quandamooka artist Megan Cope will use the space to deliver a 10-day participatory project celebrating local oysters, collaboration and environmental stewardship.

Honeysuckle won’t be the only new performance space popping up in this year’s program, with local family favourite Curious Legends drawing audiences down to the sand at Newcastle Beach for their immersive oceanic experience Whale Song, which fuses large-scale puppetry, community art and singing.

Harold Lobb Concert Hall at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music provides the acoustically-rich setting for a number of performances, including Rising from the Ashes: An Orchestral Suite and Matricide created by local Indigenous composer Jacob Cummins and performed by the Newcastle Youth Orchestra.

The Youth Orchestra was one of four local creative organisations included on the New Annual bill thanks to City of Newcastle’s “Made New” expressions of interest process, with a total of $94,500 offered under the program as part of a five-year plan to support the region’s arts industry.

Other Made New program highlights include WonderCity, a participatory wayfinding art adventure through the city brought to life by Tantrum Youth Arts and The Cord, a provocative new contemporary dance work by acclaimed First Nations choreographer Jasmin Sheppard, commissioned by Newcastle-based dance company Catapult Choreographic Hub. Inter Human x Intra Digital offers an immersive visual art experience delivered by Art Thinking, while Morphology will see Built In-Kind and Everett Creative collaborate with members of the public through a series of workshops to create a single sculptural piece, which will be displayed in Wheeler Place, adjacent to the Civic Theatre.

Wheeler Place will also play host to the high energy, all-ages 10-Minute Dance Parties featuring one of Australia’s most exciting artists, Joseph O’Farrell (JOF), while two shows presented under Civic Theatre’s UpStage at the Playhouse program will take to the Playhouse stage during New Annual, Romeo & Juliet: A Reimagining and the locally-inspired Karma Kafe. 

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with performers, Councillors and City of Newcastle staff at the New Annual program launch.

Councillor Carol Duncan, chair of City of Newcastle’s Community and Culture Advisory Committee and Public Art Reference Group, said New Annual highlights Newcastle’s identity as a creative hub.

“With local artists and performers accounting for more than 50 per cent of this year’s programming, New Annual provides a platform to showcase talented Novocastrians alongside national and internationally renowned practitioners,” Cr Duncan said.

“Supporting events such as Big Picture Fest as part of New Annual also adds to the city’s history of cultural expression, with the creation of six new large-scale murals during the festival set to enhance Newcastle’s public art scene whilst creating an artistic legacy for the community.

“I can’t wait to explore everything on offer in this fantastic program when New Annual returns in September.”

New Annual is supported by NSW Government grants under the Multicultural NSW “Stronger Together” program, Transport for NSW “Open Streets” program and Create NSW, as well as presenting partner University of Newcastle.

New Annual will run from 27 September to 6 October with a program of free and low-cost events. Visit www.newannual.com for more details about the program and to secure your tickets, which go on sale at 10am tomorrow. Book by 31 July to receive a 15 per cent early bird discount on eligible shows. 

Keep an eye out for a second program announcement in coming months.