Category: Newcastle News

Newcastle Museum is preparing to transport budding astronomers to the farthest reaches of the universe this month as part of its summer of space exploration.

Using a 4K projection system and surround sound technology, Starr’s Planetarium will take participants on an immersive, 360-degree journey through the solar system, with a presentation designed to unlock the secrets of Indigenous Australian astronomy.

The inflatable mobile planetarium is just one of the space-themed activities on offer at the Museum during the school holidays to complement its blockbuster summer exhibition, Australia in Space.

The Museum’s series of popular free science shows kicked off today with a fun and educational exploration of the mysteries of space, while a free coding workshop on Thursday will teach participants to create a computer game inspired by the International Space Station.

The planetarium will touch down at the Museum with a number of ticketed sessions on 18 and 19 January, while Fizzics Education will allow participants to discover the science required to reach the moon in an engaging, free presentation on 23 January.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the exhibition and activities will excite audiences of all ages, with an emphasis on school-age children.

“Developed by the Questacon National Science and Technology Centre, Australia in Space offers hands-on displays inspired by stories of Australian innovators making it safer to live and work in orbit, and using space technologies to improve life on Earth,” Cr Clausen said.

“To complement the exhibition, we’re offering a range of free science shows and workshops, as well as the low-cost Starr’s Planetarium experience, which will deliver an insightful and inspiring insight into how Indigenous cultures describe constellations that are fundamental to their daily lives.

“I’d encourage our visitors to make a day or weekend trip to explore Australia in Space as well as Newcastle Museum’s other exhibitions, activities and collections.”

Tickets for Australia in Space cost $15 for adults, $10 for concession card holders, and $7.50 for children between five and 14, with children under five admitted for free. A family pass (two adults and two children) is $40.

Visitors with a disability or low-sensory needs who want to experience Australia in Space before the Museum opens to the public can also take part in one of the dedicated low-sensory sessions, with the next one being held from 9am to 10am tomorrow (10 January).

Entry to Starr’s Planetarium costs $10 per person, with tickets on sale from 15 January and bookings essential.

City of Newcastle has completed restoration works on the heritage sandstone retaining wall and stairs linking Church Street and Perkins Street, Newcastle.

The original stairs are estimated to have been built over a century ago and are located within the Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservation Area.

Movement was identified in the structure and the stairs were closed to the public, while an appropriate design solution was investigated.

Rectification works on the heritage steps began in March this year and was completed and opened to the public, prior to Christmas.

The project included anchoring the structure to the existing bedrock, replacing the stairs, and updating stormwater drainage.

Maintaining the sites heritage and original features played a key role in the design.

The original stone treads were removed and replaced with a reinforced concrete flight of steps, that replicates the original stairs.

Recovered stones from the works have been repurposed as two public seats. One at the top of the wall looking down Perkins Street toward the harbour and the other forming a winter seat at the bottom of the wall.

Remaining stones have also been stockpiled at the base of the wall with plans currently underway to create a remnant stone garden in the two garden areas either side of the footpath at the walls base.

The rusted handrail and balustrade have also been replaced with a similar detailed handrail which reuses the recovered top rail from the original stairs.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a missing woman from the states north coast.

Annie Cameron, aged 35, was last seen in Newcastle about 5.30pm yesterday (Saturday 6 January 2024).

When she was unable to be contacted or located by family members officers from Port Stephens/Hunter Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Family and police hold serious concerns for Annie’s welfare.

Annie is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 170cm tall, thin build, shoulder length black hair and a tattoo on her left shoulder of a flower.

She was last seen wearing a blue shirt and pants and is believed to be driving a grey coloured 200 series Toyota Landcruiser bearing NSW registration CP97QK.

Annie is known to frequent Buckets Way.

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

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the states north coast.

Nathan Dargin, aged 25, was last seen in Raymond Terrace about 2.30pm yesterday (Saturday 6 January 2024).

When he was unable to be contacted or located by family members officers from Port Stephens/Hunter Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Family and police hold serious concerns for Nathan’s welfare as he lives with disability and speech impairment.

Nathan is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Island appearance, 175cm tall, medium build, olive skin, goatie beard and brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a black and white stripped shirt and black shorts.

Nathan is known to frequent the Raymond Terrace, Newcastle and Hamilton areas. He is also known to travel on public transport.

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

A man has been charged following an investigation into three alleged armed robberies in the Hunter Region earlier this week.

About 4.45pm on Monday (1 January 2024), police were called to a service station on Nelson Bay Road, Salt Ash, following reports of an armed robbery.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were told a man entered the service station before allegedly demanding money.

The man fled the scene in a vehicle with an amount of cash and cigarettes. There were no reports of injuries.

About 4.30pm on Tuesday (2 January 2024), police were called to a service station on Cessnock Road, Weston, following reports of an armed robbery.

At the scene, police were told a man entered the service station before allegedly threatening an employee and demanding money.

In a separate incident, about 7.15pm, a man has entered a service station on Cessnock Road, Neath, and allegedly threatened an employee before demanding money.

On each occasion the man fled the scene in a vehicle with an amount of cash and cigarettes. Neither of the employees were injured.

A short time later about 8.15pm, police have been told a man has attended a service station on Wollombi Road, Cessnock, filling his car with petrol before entering the service station and allegedly demanding money.

The man was unsuccessful in obtaining proceeds and fled the scene without paying for the petrol. There were no reports of injuries.

A joint investigation with officers from Hunter Valley Police District and Sydney City Police Area Command was established.

Following inquiries, a 36-year-old man was arrested on Harrington Street, The Rocks, by officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command about 4.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 3 January 2024).

The man was taken to Surry Hills Police Station where he was charged with two counts of robbery while armed with dangerous weapon, robbery, demand property with menaces with intent to steal, dishonestly obtain property by deception and possess prohibited drug.

He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court today (Thursday 4 January 2024).

A man has died after being pulled from the water in Port Stephens.

Just after 2.40pm today (Wednesday 27 December 2023), emergency services were called to Stockton Beach, approximately 3km South of Birubi Beach, Anna Bay, following reports four people had been pulled from the water.

Bystanders assisted a 33-year-old man; however, he could not be revived and died at the scene.

A woman was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

A second man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken same hospital in a stable condition.

A third man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance Paramedics; however, he did not require any further treatment.

Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident.

A report will be prepared for the information of Coroner.

In accordance with the Council resolution of 12 December 2023 (below), City of Newcastle (CN) sought advice on the proactive release of the outcome letter and investigation report prepared by the external Conduct Reviewer, in accordance with the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act).

As required under the GIPA Act, CN consulted with third parties whose information was captured in the documents prepared by the external Conduct Reviewer.

The outcome letter was prepared by the independent Conduct Reviewer and is a summary of the independent Code of Conduct review and its findings. The outcome letter was made available to Councillors at the Council meeting held on 12 December 2023.

A redacted copy of the outcome letter is available. The redacted sections of the outcome letter are currently the subject of consultation with a third party. Once the consultation is completed, CN will be able to determine whether it can release the information, in accordance with the GIPA Act.

The investigation report is the full report prepared by the external Conduct Reviewer. Consultation on the investigation report continues, in accordance with the GIPA Act. As noted in the Council resolution, the Procedure does not provide for Councillors to receive a copy of the investigation report where the finding is there is no breach of the Code of Conduct.

CN is currently working through its legal obligations in relation to the investigation report, having regard to the Code of Conduct, the Procedure and the GIPA Act. This will take some time as it is important CN complies with its legal obligations. A further update will be provided in due course as to whether the investigation report is able to be proactively released under the GIPA Act, but this is not expected to be till late January 2024 at the earliest.

Statement attributable to David Clarke, Executive Director Corporate Services

In accordance with Council’s resolution of 12 December 2023, City of Newcastle sought advice on the proactive release of the outcome letter and investigation report prepared by the independent, external Conduct Reviewer into alleged Code of Conduct breaches by City of Newcastle’s Chief Executive Officer.

City of Newcastle is governed by strict requirements under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act) when considering the proactive release of documents which contain the information of third parties.

City of Newcastle has undertaken consultation on the outcome letter, which was prepared by the external Conduct Reviewer and is a summary of the independent Code of Conduct review and its findings. The outcome letter was made available to Councillors at the Council meeting held on 12 December 2023″.

A redacted copy of the outcome letter is available on City of Newcastle’s website at [link]. The redacted sections of the outcome letter are currently the subject of consultation with a third party. Once the consultation is completed, CN will be able to determine whether it can release the information, in accordance with the GIPA Act.

The investigation report is the full report prepared by the external Conduct Reviewer. Consultation on the investigation report continues, in accordance with the GIPA Act.

The investigation report is not able to be considered for release until the GIPA Act requirements have been finalised. A further update will be provided in due course.

14 December 2023

An independent investigation has been undertaken into alleged Code of Conduct breaches by City of Newcastle’s (CN) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) following a resolution of Council on 25 July 2023 and a letter from the Minister for Local Government.

In accordance with CN’s Procedure for Administration of the Code of Conduct, the matter was referred to an external Conduct Reviewer, independent of CN, for assessment and investigation.

The investigation found no evidence that the CEO incentivised the author to write the articles, nor did he reveal to the author confidential information, which was contained in the letters to the Newcastle Herald.

There is no evidence that the CEO directly contributed to the letters and the investigation found both allegations were not substantiated.

The Conduct Reviewer has referred allegations of how confidential electoral roll details about Council staff and their friends and family came into the possession of journalists to the appropriate external agencies to determine the next steps.

The procedure does not provide for the Conduct Reviewer to take action or make a referral in relation to the Code of Conduct for Members of the Legislative Assembly.

Now the matter is finalised, CN will advise the Minister for Local Government and relevant external agencies of the outcome of the investigation.

The investigation report remains confidential, and the procedure does not provide for Councillors to receive a copy of the investigation report where the finding is there is no breach of the Code of Conduct.

CN will proactively consider and seek advice to determine whether the outcome letter and investigation report issued by the Conduct Reviewer, in part or full, can be released publicly in accordance with the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.

The full Procedure for Administration of the Code of Conduct is available on the CN website.

The Resolution to Ordinary Council Meeting 12 December 2023 regarding the outcome of this matter is also available.

Delivering a record $117.8 million capital works program, hosting two of the greatest musicians of all time, beginning the rejuvenation of Stockton Beach and a return to swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths are just some of the highlights City of Newcastle (CN) is celebrating following another big year of milestones and achievements.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, who this year became one of Newcastle’s longest serving Lord Mayors, reaching nine years in the role praised City of Newcastle staff and gave thanks to the community when reflecting on 2023.

“I want to thank the people of Newcastle, who have repeatedly supported our Council to show leadership and take tough decisions to deliver the change our city has needed,” Cr Nelmes said.

The Lord Mayor praised the City’s staff across the entire organisation for continuing to serve the community, including residents, workers, visitors, community groups and businesses.

“2023 has given us all plenty of reasons to be proud of ourselves, proud to be Novocastrians, and proud to work for a local government that is leading the way,” Cr Nelmes said.

Just this week swimmers made their long-awaited return to Newcastle Ocean Baths, with a celebration poolside for the completion of stage one of the multi-million dollar upgrade of the much love community facility.

This year City of Newcastle demonstrated a commitment to sustainability with CN spending $376.5 million this year to provide services and facilities to more than 169,000 residents, while recording a modest surplus of $7.8 million.

CN’s record $117.8 million capital works program included the Lugar Park amenities upgrade in Kotara, drainage upgrades at Smith Street, Merewether, the multipurpose sports and community hub at Myer Park, Adamstown, as well as road pavement stabilisation works at Kinta Drive, Beresfield and new traffic control signals at Chinchen Street, Islington.

As part of the Local Centres Program work is progressing at Orchardtown Road in New Lambton, with a future project for Georgetown now in the planning stage.

CN’s ongoing investment in recreational spaces saw five new local playgrounds officially opened in Fletcher, Waratah, Birmingham Gardens, Beresfield and Mayfield.

In January, Elton John entertained almost 50,000 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium backed up by Paul McCartney’s historic first concert outside an Australian capital city. The shows were secured as part of City of Newcastle’s Major Events Partnership with Venues NSW and injected an estimated $23 million into the local economy.

There was more big entertainment news thanks to Come From Away’s record-breaking season at the Civic Theatre, with 21,500 theatregoers from across the Hunter and beyond attending 23 shows.

In May, Newcastle was hailed as the ‘Top Tourism Town’ by Business NSW at the Local Government NSW Destination & Visitor Economy Conference, in recognition of its strategic initiatives to increase visitation and support tourism development for local operators.

Home grown hero Emily Van Egmond was awarded a Key to the City of Newcastle in August in recognition of the Matildas’ heroic efforts during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

New Annual returned in September with a range of amazing acts and performers. Newcastle’s flagship arts and culture festival has registered around 95,000 visitors and featured more than 1,500 visiting and local artists during its first three years, encouraging council to endorse a new 5-year commitment.

In October, the Newcastle Knights women were honoured with a civic reception at City Hall after beating the Gold Coast Titans in the grand final to claim their second-straight NRLW premiership.

Newcastle also earned the right to host Game Two of the 2024 Women’s State of Origin series at McDonald Jones Stadium on June 6.

Also that month Stockton residents celebrated the arrival of a 75-metre-long dredger spraying a rainbow of sand off the coastline, depositing 100,000 cubic metres to help renourish the beach.

November saw City of Newcastle and the RAAF host the largest single day event in the region’s history with the Newcastle Williamtown Air Show attracting around 100,000 spectators and delivering an estimated economic output of $19.5 million, with hotels reporting a 97% occupancy rate over the weekend.

CN’s City Administration Centre will be closed from midday Friday 22 December 2023, reopening on Tuesday 2 January 2024. For more information about CN’s services, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au

A planning proposal designed to increase the supply of affordable housing across the city was endorsed by Councillors for the next steps at Tuesday’s Ordinary Council Meeting.

City of Newcastle’s (CN) Affordable Housing Contributions Scheme Planning Proposal sets out how contributions would be levied on new developments across the Local Government Area (LGA) by introducing affordable housing provisions into the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan (NLEP 2012).

The planning proposal seeks to amend NLEP 2012 to give effect to the Newcastle Affordable Housing Contributions Scheme. It will allow CN to impose conditions of consent on new developments for contributions towards affordable housing.

This significant step recognises the important role affordable housing plays in Newcastle’s social infrastructure, with affordably priced housing critical to the health and wellbeing of people and their families.

Increasing the supply of affordable housing in Newcastle is a key priority. This is outlined in CN’s Local Housing Strategy 2020, Housing Policy and is consistent with the strategic direction of the Newcastle 2040 Community Strategic Plan.

With the latest forecasts showing the population is set to increase by 41,150 residents to 202,050 by 2041 in the Newcastle LGA, stimulating demand for almost 20,000 new dwellings, CN has committed to implementing an affordable housing contributions scheme.

To help achieve this, CN’s Housing Policy sets out a 15 per cent affordable housing target.

Councillors endorsed the planning proposal to be forwarded to the Department of Planning and Environment for Gateway determination before it is publicly exhibited.

Parkville, Wingen and Blandford residents now have access to a local town water supply for the first time, with the completion of four water dispensing stations that will help reduce reliance on rainwater tanks and water carting during dry times.

The new infrastructure will significantly boost water security for these villages and has been funded thanks to $2.66 million from the NSW Government’s Safe and Secure Water Program and $1.77 million from Upper Hunter Shire Council.

Each new station is equipped with a drive-through bay making them safe and easy to access 24/7 with a self-service machine that allows locals to swipe their credit card and order water on demand.

The new stations are serviced by large concrete reservoirs ranging from 450KL to 13ML in capacity, all connected to the NSW Government ‘s $14.5 million Scone to Murrurundi Pipeline Project which began operating in 2020 and pumps water from Glenbawn Dam 40 kilometres across the Upper Hunter.

These villages have previously relied on rainfall and intermittent private supplies from the Pages River, Kingdon Ponds, and other groundwater sources, but now they have a reliable source to lean on whenever they need it.

Quotes attributable to Lisa Hingerty, Acting Executive Director Development, NSW Department of Planning and Environment – Water:

“We’re already seeing drought conditions starting to affect many parts of state including the Upper Hunter so having this work finished in time for summer is a huge win for the community who are under no illusions about the value of clean water in a changing climate.

“These stations are a super convenient and cost-effective solution to boost water security and will essentially work the same as a petrol station for water, where locals can simply drive up with their tanks, swipe their credit card, fill up and go.

“While residents and businesses do a terrific job maximising water efficiency from their rainwater tanks, knowing they now have these water dispensing stations located nearby will provide added peace of mind because they’re no longer solely dependent on the weather or expensive water carting.”

Quotes attributable to Maurice Collison, Mayor of Upper Hunter Shire Council:

“This new infrastructure has come about through close consultation with our ratepayers, who preferred this option of having a strategically located water station in each village because it required no out of pocket contribution for installation and was cheaper overall.

“Tapping into the Scone to Murrurundi pipeline to ensure all townships along this stretch have access to a safer and more secure water supply is a no-brainer particularly with the El Niño already impacting the region.

“This project is a great example of state and local governments working productively together to help future proof water supplies in the Upper Hunter.”