Category: Newcastle News

City of Newcastle (CN) is ready to welcome swimmers back to its public pools after undertaking a significant program of improvements over the Winter break.

Lambton Swimming Centre will be the first to reopen its doors for the traditional early swimming season on Monday 21 August, while the pools at Stockton, Mayfield, Wallsend and Beresfield will be back in action during the September school holidays.

Swimmers will be greeted with refreshed and upgraded facilities, with works completed across all five swimming centres during the closure period including safety upgrades, extensive re-painting, and maintenance of the pool tiles and promenades.

Visitors to Lambton will notice significant progress on the construction of a new grandstand, which is expected to be completed by November, while three smaller grandstands have been installed adjacent to the diving pool.

Permanent tiered seating structures have also gone in at Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend Swimming Centres, giving schools, sporting groups and spectators more shaded seating options when those facilities reopen next month.

A range of other works have also been delivered across the facilities to enhance the comfort, safety and enjoyment of our community both in and out of the water, including pump replacements for improved water quality, new lane ropes, upgraded play equipment at Beresfield and a new shade sail over the playground at Mayfield Swimming Centre.

City of Newcastle Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy said City of Newcastle maximised the period during Winter that the pools were closed as part of its commitment under our Inland Pools Strategy 2043.

“City of Newcastle has invested more than $5 million upgrading and $2 million maintaining the city’s public pool network during the past few years to ensure they continue to meet the expectations and evolving needs of more than 320,000 people who visit them each year,” Ms Duffy said.

“Our team has completed an extensive program of capital and maintenance works during the past few months to ensure the comfort, safety and enjoyment of our community when they visit these valued community facilities.”

Ms Duffy said the pools would continue to be operated by BlueFit while new lease arrangements are finalised. City of Newcastle is currently preparing a report for the Minister for Local Government following the recent public notice of the proposed lease.

“In the meantime, City of Newcastle has granted an extension of the current lease with BlueFit to ensure these important community assets can open for the upcoming swimming season. BlueFit will also provide day-to-day management of Beresfield Swimming Centre as it is included in the tender that has been awarded,” Ms Duffy said.

Work will recommence on the upgrade of Bathers Way at South Newcastle Beach following the appointment of a new head contractor by City of Newcastle (CN).

The Newcastle project was one of hundreds across New South Wales and Victoria impacted when building contractor Lloyd Group entered voluntary administration in March.

Executive Manager Project Management Office Robert Dudgeon said while the on-site performance and eventual departure of Lloyd Group put CN in a difficult position, the upgrade to Bathers Way will now be completed with the appointment of Daracon Group.

“City of Newcastle has been frustrated and disappointed by Lloyd Group’s project delivery at Bathers Way South Newcastle and the disruption caused by the firm’s ultimate collapse earlier this year,” Mr Dudgeon said.

“We’ve seen the tale of two projects on our coastline, with Newcastle Ocean Baths’ upgrade delivered by local company Daracon running on time and on budget, while just 500 metres away down the beach the Lloyd Group was well behind schedule.

“Daracon was ranked second when the tender for this stage of Bathers Way was awarded in 2020. The Lloyd Group was selected primarily on the price competitiveness of their bid.

“On the basis that the Lloyd Group is now unable to finish the project, CN is able to appoint Daracon as the new head contractor to complete the work without having to go back out to tender. Doing this would delay the project by at least a further four months.”

Daracon has brought on additional staff to ensure both the Bathers Way upgrade and Newcastle Ocean Baths project are resourced appropriately and delivered successfully, with the Baths on track to re-open for swimming in Summer while South Newcastle is planned for completion in May.

The Bathers Way, South Newcastle Beach upgrade features a shared path from Shortland Esplanade to King Edward Park, improvements to parking, landscaping, lighting and accessibility, the installation of fitness equipment, shade, seating and viewing areas, as well as a new café/kiosk and accessible amenities.

The project also includes a $1.6 million upgrade to the skate park with wheelchair-accessible skate bowl and terrain park, which will complement the advanced-level facilities at Empire Park and provide a unique drawcard to promote ongoing visitation and activation of this area.

Around $8.6 million has been invested to date into this project, delivering new sea walls, expanded promenade and kiosk, as well as the preservation of the site’s 115-year-old stone arches in consultation with the National Trust.

While the departure of Lloyd Group and escalating labour and material costs have unavoidably impacted the overall budget and timing of this project, Mr Dudgeon said CN was committed to completing this upgrade as quickly and efficiently so that this stage of the Bathers Way walk can be completed as soon as possible for the community to enjoy.

“The estimated cost for Daracon to complete the project is just under $11.5 million, which reflects the increased cost of labour and materials experienced nationwide since Lloyd Group commenced on site in 2020, and follows the work Daracon have already delivered to address defective works left by Lloyd Group,” Mr Dudgeon said.

“We know that the community are keen to see this project completed, as are we, and with Daracon already established on site, we look forward to seeing it progress as quickly as possible, with expectations of the lower promenade being re-opened prior to Christmas and the rest of the project to follow by May next year.”

As cost-of-living pressures continue to rise, City of Newcastle is encouraging people experiencing hardship to reach out for help with their rates.

City of Newcastle offers a range of support for residents and business owners experiencing financial difficulties, including waiving of interest on any overdue rates and the deferral of rates against their estate.

Ratepayers can enter into a flexible payment option including weekly, fortnightly and monthly instalments as well as other tailored plans.

Executive Director Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer David Clarke said in the past financial year City of Newcastle had assisted around 800 ratepayers to enter into payment arrangements, while an additional 250 people were supported through our rates voucher scheme.

“We understand that many people and small businesses in our community are facing an extremely challenging time,” Mr Clarke said.

“City of Newcastle will continue to offer hardship support to residents and business owners experiencing financial hardship for the 2023/24 Rates Notice period.

“We encourage those experiencing difficulties to reach out and contact City of Newcastle to discuss a payment plan before the next rates instalment is due on 31 August.”

Financial planning and counselling assistance through one of City of Newcastle’s appointed community welfare agencies is also available to ratepayers experiencing hardship.

Mr Clarke said while City of Newcastle was happy to work with people in need, it is disappointing that there are those within the community who chose to exploit this support.

“Unfortunately, there are a small number of people in the community who, despite having the means, choose not to pay their rates,” Mr Clarke said.

“This includes one customer who has amassed more than $130,000 in unpaid rates as a debt.

“While this behaviour is not common, it is a disappointing outcome to the detriment of our wider ratepayers .”

Ratepayers experiencing financial difficulties are encouraged to seek assistance by contacting City of Newcastle’s Rates Team on 02 4974 2307 or rates@ncc.nsw.gov.au

For more information, visit City of Newcastle’s Pay Your Rates webpage.

Lawyers are urging witnesses to alleged historical child sexual abuse at Worimi Shelter in Newcastle to come forward with any information that may assist several survivors of the alleged abuse. 

Slater and Gordon Associate in Abuse Law, Selva Dankha said the firm was investigating the alleged sexual abuse of children by a higher-ranking officer who had a presence at the facility between October 1995 to December 2002.   

“We currently hold instructions from several clients who say they suffered sexual abuse at the hands of this officer, who is said to be a celebrated figure in the community.  

“It has had a devastating impact on their lives, which is why we’re seeking witnesses and any other victims to come forward to help us get them the justice, closure and compensation they need and deserve,” Ms Dankha said. 

“To date there have been known offenders who have held high ranking positions at similar facilities who managed to continue to attend the centers and abuse victims even after their employment had ceased.

“We believe this officer continued to have access to Worimi following his employment and continued to abuse detainees, which is why we’re also calling for witnesses,” Ms Dankha said.  

The shelter was established at Broadmeadow, near Newcastle, by the former Child Welfare Department in June 1966. The shelter was for the reception of children from the courts and held 23 boys and girls up to the age of 18 years.

Under NSW law, there is no longer a time limit on when child sex abuse compensation claims can be made, meaning victims can pursue a claim for damages regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred. 

In addition, legislation was passed in 2021 that allows unfair settlements previously reached with churches and other institutions, to be set aside by the court. Gag orders, which survivors were previously forced to sign, preventing them from speaking publicly about what they endured can now also be lifted.

“We believe there could be potential witnesses living in New South Wales or interstate. If you suffered abuse by an officer who held a higher ranking at Worimi Shelter, or any others, or if you are aware of the abuse of other children, please do not hesitate to reach out to Slater and Gordon Lawyers,” Ms Dankha said.

Ms Dankha said any information received would be treated confidentially.

A girl missing from the Newcastle area has been located safe and well.

The 13-year-old was last seen on Turton Road, Waratah, about 2.50pm yesterday (Wednesday 16 August 2023).

When she could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Following inquiries and an appeal for assistance, she located about 2pm today (Thursday 17 August 2023) in Waratah.

Police would like to thank the media and the community for their assistance.

A man will appear in court today charged over the alleged historic sexual assault of a girl in the state’s Hunter region.

In May 2023, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad commenced Strike Force Larow after allegations a girl had been sexually and indecently assaulted by a man known to her on a number of occasions between 2010 and 2015.

Following extensive investigations, detectives attended a rural property in Fernances Crossing – 45km south-west of Cessnock – about 11am yesterday (Wednesday 16 August 2023), where they arrested a 75-year-old man.

He was taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with 21 offences, including,

• Have sexual intercourse with person – older than 10 and younger than 14 years (12 counts)
• Indecent assault person under 16 years of age (4 counts)
• Sexual intercourse with person under the age of 10 years (2 counts)
• Commit act of indecency with victim under 10 years
• Commit act of indecency with person under 16 years; and
• Use child under 14 years to make child abuse material.

He was refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court today (Thursday 17 August 2023).

Investigations under Strike Force Larow are ongoing.

Thousands of budding scientists and future tech experts are expected to pour into Newcastle Museum this Sunday for a hands-on celebration of National Science Week.

The Museum is playing host to the Hunter Science Festival, which last year broke attendance records when more than 4,000 people took part in fun science discovery experiences.

The Festival is delivered by City of Newcastle’s Museum, Environment, Waste and Libraries teams in conjunction with Hunter Innovation and Science Hub (HISH) and features additional displays and demonstrations from the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI).

Visitors will be given the chance to build and race their own solar-powered electric vehicle, hop into the cab of a City of Newcastle waste truck and plant a native pollinator as part of the free STEM-related activities on offer from 10am to 2pm on Sunday, 20 August.

While sessions for HMRI’s popular ‘Poo Palace’ – a giant inflatable digestive system – are already fully booked, there are plenty of other fun, educational experiences for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

The Hunter Science Festival will cap off City of Newcastle’s wider National Science Week celebrations, which began at Wallsend Library on Sunday, 13 August with free science shows and a chance to meet real scientists from the University of Newcastle to learn about their research and discover future study and career paths.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle was committed to championing innovation and delivering free, educational opportunities for the community.

“Newcastle Museum and Newcastle Libraries are known for their engaging and innovative program of exhibitions and events, making them the ideal spaces to deliver fun, free activities for the community during National Science Week,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Collaborating with partners such as HISH, HMRI and the University of Newcastle to provide opportunities for young people and families to engage in STEM-based activities is an ideal fit with our goal to create a liveable, sustainable, inclusive city that encourages innovation and creativity.”

HISH President, Emeritus Professor Tim Roberts said the Hunter Innovation and Science Hub is immensely proud to be presenting the Hunter Science Festival.

“It’s an opportunity to ignite passion and curiosity in science and technology among our community’s young minds. It’s so important that we are nurturing the future innovators of our region, and we invite everyone to explore and discover the excitement of STEM with us,” Mr Roberts said.

City of Newcastle was awarded a grant from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, together with Inspiring Australia, to deliver the Wallsend Library event.

For more information visit www.newcastlemuseum.com.au/what-s-on/current-events/hunter-science-festival

City of Newcastle (CN) is ready to welcome swimmers back to its public pools after undertaking a significant program of improvements over the Winter break.

Lambton Swimming Centre will be the first to reopen its doors for the traditional early swimming season on Monday 21 August, while the pools at Stockton, Mayfield, Wallsend and Beresfield will be back in action during the September school holidays.

Swimmers will be greeted with refreshed and upgraded facilities, with works completed across all five swimming centres during the closure period including safety upgrades, extensive re-painting, and maintenance of the pool tiles and promenades.

Visitors to Lambton will notice significant progress on the construction of a new grandstand, which is expected to be completed by November, while three smaller grandstands have been installed adjacent to the diving pool.

Permanent tiered seating structures have also gone in at Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend Swimming Centres, giving schools, sporting groups and spectators more shaded seating options when those facilities reopen next month.

A range of other works have also been delivered across the facilities to enhance the comfort, safety and enjoyment of our community both in and out of the water, including pump replacements for improved water quality, new lane ropes, upgraded play equipment at Beresfield and a new shade sail over the playground at Mayfield Swimming Centre.

City of Newcastle Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy said City of Newcastle maximised the period during Winter that the pools were closed as part of its commitment under our Inland Pools Strategy 2043.

“City of Newcastle has invested more than $5 million upgrading and $2 million maintaining the city’s public pool network during the past few years to ensure they continue to meet the expectations and evolving needs of more than 320,000 people who visit them each year,” Ms Duffy said.

“Our team has completed an extensive program of capital and maintenance works during the past few months to ensure the comfort, safety and enjoyment of our community when they visit these valued community facilities.”

Ms Duffy said the pools would continue to be operated by BlueFit while new lease arrangements are finalised. City of Newcastle is currently preparing a report for the Minister for Local Government following the recent public notice of the proposed lease.

“In the meantime, City of Newcastle has granted an extension of the current lease with BlueFit to ensure these important community assets can open for the upcoming swimming season. BlueFit will also provide day-to-day management of Beresfield Swimming Centre as it is included in the tender that has been awarded,” Ms Duffy said.

Work will recommence on the upgrade of Bathers Way at South Newcastle Beach following the appointment of a new head contractor by City of Newcastle (CN).

The Newcastle project was one of hundreds across New South Wales and Victoria impacted when building contractor Lloyd Group entered voluntary administration in March.

Executive Manager Project Management Office Robert Dudgeon said while the on-site performance and eventual departure of Lloyd Group put CN in a difficult position, the upgrade to Bathers Way will now be completed with the appointment of Daracon Group.

“City of Newcastle has been frustrated and disappointed by Lloyd Group’s project delivery at Bathers Way South Newcastle and the disruption caused by the firm’s ultimate collapse earlier this year,” Mr Dudgeon said.

“We’ve seen the tale of two projects on our coastline, with Newcastle Ocean Baths’ upgrade delivered by local company Daracon running on time and on budget, while just 500 metres away down the beach the Lloyd Group was well behind schedule.

“Daracon was ranked second when the tender for this stage of Bathers Way was awarded in 2020. The Lloyd Group was selected primarily on the price competitiveness of their bid.

“On the basis that the Lloyd Group is now unable to finish the project, CN is able to appoint Daracon as the new head contractor to complete the work without having to go back out to tender. Doing this would delay the project by at least a further four months.”

Daracon has brought on additional staff to ensure both the Bathers Way upgrade and Newcastle Ocean Baths project are resourced appropriately and delivered successfully, with the Baths on track to re-open for swimming in Summer while South Newcastle is planned for completion in May.

The Bathers Way, South Newcastle Beach upgrade features a shared path from Shortland Esplanade to King Edward Park, improvements to parking, landscaping, lighting and accessibility, the installation of fitness equipment, shade, seating and viewing areas, as well as a new café/kiosk and accessible amenities.

The project also includes a $1.6 million upgrade to the skate park with wheelchair-accessible skate bowl and terrain park, which will complement the advanced-level facilities at Empire Park and provide a unique drawcard to promote ongoing visitation and activation of this area.

Around $8.6 million has been invested to date into this project, delivering new sea walls, expanded promenade and kiosk, as well as the preservation of the site’s 115-year-old stone arches in consultation with the National Trust.

While the departure of Lloyd Group and escalating labour and material costs have unavoidably impacted the overall budget and timing of this project, Mr Dudgeon said CN was committed to completing this upgrade as quickly and efficiently so that this stage of the Bathers Way walk can be completed as soon as possible for the community to enjoy.

“The estimated cost for Daracon to complete the project is just under $11.5 million, which reflects the increased cost of labour and materials experienced nationwide since Lloyd Group commenced on site in 2020, and follows the work Daracon have already delivered to address defective works left by Lloyd Group,” Mr Dudgeon said.

“We know that the community are keen to see this project completed, as are we, and with Daracon already established on site, we look forward to seeing it progress as quickly as possible, with expectations of the lower promenade being re-opened prior to Christmas and the rest of the project to follow by May next year.”

Thousands of budding scientists and future tech experts are expected to pour into Newcastle Museum this Sunday for a hands-on celebration of National Science Week.

The Museum is playing host to the Hunter Science Festival, which last year broke attendance records when more than 4,000 people took part in fun science discovery experiences.

The Festival is delivered by City of Newcastle’s Museum, Environment, Waste and Libraries teams in conjunction with Hunter Innovation and Science Hub (HISH) and features additional displays and demonstrations from the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI).

Visitors will be given the chance to build and race their own solar-powered electric vehicle, hop into the cab of a City of Newcastle waste truck and plant a native pollinator as part of the free STEM-related activities on offer from 10am to 2pm on Sunday, 20 August.

While sessions for HMRI’s popular ‘Poo Palace’ – a giant inflatable digestive system – are already fully booked, there are plenty of other fun, educational experiences for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

The Hunter Science Festival will cap off City of Newcastle’s wider National Science Week celebrations, which began at Wallsend Library on Sunday, 13 August with free science shows and a chance to meet real scientists from the University of Newcastle to learn about their research and discover future study and career paths.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle was committed to championing innovation and delivering free, educational opportunities for the community.

“Newcastle Museum and Newcastle Libraries are known for their engaging and innovative program of exhibitions and events, making them the ideal spaces to deliver fun, free activities for the community during National Science Week,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Collaborating with partners such as HISH, HMRI and the University of Newcastle to provide opportunities for young people and families to engage in STEM-based activities is an ideal fit with our goal to create a liveable, sustainable, inclusive city that encourages innovation and creativity.”

HISH President, Emeritus Professor Tim Roberts said the Hunter Innovation and Science Hub is immensely proud to be presenting the Hunter Science Festival.

“It’s an opportunity to ignite passion and curiosity in science and technology among our community’s young minds. It’s so important that we are nurturing the future innovators of our region, and we invite everyone to explore and discover the excitement of STEM with us,” Mr Roberts said.

City of Newcastle was awarded a grant from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, together with Inspiring Australia, to deliver the Wallsend Library event.

For more information visit www.newcastlemuseum.com.au/what-s-on/current-events/hunter-science-festival