Local coffee lovers will soon be flocking to Dixon Park Beach, with the arrival of a long-awaited kiosk in time for the busy Summer period.
City of Newcastle sought tenders to lease, fit-out and operate the Dixon Park Beach kiosk in August, with Sunnyboy Kiosk Pty Ltd named the proposed lessee.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said that the revitalisation of the kiosk building at Dixon Park Beach demonstrates the City’s commitment to upgrading coastal assets.
“Newcastle’s beaches are world-renowned, and City of Newcastle is committed to ensuring these incredible natural assets remain accessible to our community and have the amenities required for a positive visitor experience,” Cr Nelmes said.
Councillor Carol Duncan said that the recent works have brought the space to life and the kiosk will soon become a regular stop for locals.
“The recent refurbishment of the Dixon Park Beach kiosk has transformed the building into a space which will become a vibrant hive of activity once it becomes operational later this year.
“Following a tender process, Sunnyboy Kiosk Pty Ltd was assessed as the proposed lessee and with such a stunning backdrop, I have no doubt that the kiosk will become a regular haunt for coffee lovers and a place for people to stop and enjoy our magnificent coastline.”
Public notice of the proposed five-year lease, with a further five-year option, to Sunnyboy Kiosk Pty Ltd commences today for a period of 28 days. Consideration will be given to submissions, before a lease agreement is enacted. It is expected that the kiosk will be operational by mid-December.
Work to prepare the kiosk for use commenced in 2020 and included the connection to power, water and sewerage infrastructure, and more recently saw the construction of a shade shelter and seating, and the renewal of the iconic Mark Richards mural.
Another coastal building which is also soon be enjoyed by the community is Shepherds Hill Cottage, with the final stages of renewal works underway. An expression of interest for the lease of Shepherds Hill Cottage also concluded in August and is currently under evaluation.
The refurbishment of the Dixon Park Beach kiosk and Shepherds Hill Cottage supports City of Newcastle’s Coastal Revitalisation program which began in 2010 as part of a long-term commitment to enhance Newcastle’s coastline.
Surf life savers gear up as NSW returns to beaches this summer
As summer approaches and COVID-19 restrictions ease, more than 20,000 surf lifesavers are getting ready to welcome beachgoers and keep them safe by patrolling the State’s shores in the iconic red and yellow.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott joined Steven Pearce, CEO of Surf Life Saving NSW, and lifesavers at Queenscliff Beach today to raise the red and yellow flags and inspect one of the 20 new Emergency Rescue Beacons (ERBs) rolled out along the State’s coastline.
Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) will be utilising a range of new technology including drones (UAVs) and the new ERBs this summer to ensure all beachgoers are safe in the water as well as on the sand. This is part of the NSW Government’s record $16 million investment in SLSNSW over four years.
“While our State’s surf lifesavers begun patrolling on 18 September, in the midst of the most recent lockdown period, it is only this week that the rest of NSW can make a long-awaited return to our beaches,” Mr Elliott said.
“This year 20 new ERBs have been rolled out at unpatrolled locations, to provide an added layer of protection for anyone enjoying NSW beaches, directly connecting people to the SLSNSW State Operations Centre in the case of an emergency.”
Mr Pearce said with the stay-at-home travel restrictions being lifted this week, they are expecting large crowds at the beaches.
“With 129 patrolled locations there is plenty of beautiful coastline for everyone to re-discover and enjoy,” Mr Pearce said.
“Please don’t take unnecessary risks that could put your life and those you love in danger as well as put unnecessary strain on our volunteers. We are prepared but we need the cooperation of everyone to keep our beaches safe for everyone to enjoy.”
The Surf Lifesaving Patrol season runs until Sunday 25 April 2021. For the latest updates on COVID-19 beach safety advice, visit the Surf Life Saving website.
Booster shot for severely immunocompromised Australians
From next week Australians who are severely immunocompromised will be offered the option to receive a third COVID-19 vaccine dose to boost their protection against COVID-19 to the highest level.
This follows advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and other leading vaccination and health experts.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said research showed that some people who are severely immunocompromised may need a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine to maximise protection.
“Australians who are severely immunocompromised may have a decreased immune response to a COVID-19 vaccination and be more at risk from severe COVID-19. An additional booster dose for this specific cohort will ensure they continue to be protected,” Minister Hunt said.
“If you or someone in your family are severely immunocompromised, we encourage you to reach out to your GP or specialist to discuss whether an additional dose is required.”
It is expected that up to approximately 500,000 people are severely immunocompromised in Australia and may need a third dose of vaccine over the coming months. This includes people who are being actively treated for cancer, organ failure, or being treated with a range of immunosuppressive or biologic therapies.
The recommended interval for the third dose is two to six months after their second dose of vaccine. ATAGI’s advice is that an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) is the preferred option for a third dose.
Importantly, Australians who are mildly to moderately immunocompromised are not currently being recommended by ATAGI to have a third dose at this stage.
While vaccines are our best defence against COVID-19, Australians are reminded to continue implementing other safety measures to reduce their risk of contracting the virus. Physical distancing, hand washing, wearing a face mask, and following other public health measures continue to be important for public safety.
The Government expects to receive advice from the Therapeutic Goods Administration and ATAGI within the coming weeks about the administration of booster doses for the general population. Advice on booster doses will be made public as soon as possible.
With over 151 million Pfizer, Novavax and Moderna vaccines already secured for supply into the future, Australia is well prepared to provide booster doses if they are recommended by the medical experts.
In October, there are sufficient doses available to offer every Australian a first or second dose vaccination. Around two million vaccinations are now being administered each week in Australia. To date, nearly 82 per cent of the population over the age of 16 has received one vaccine dose, and more than 60 per cent are fully vaccinated.
To book a COVID-19 vaccination today, visit https://www.australia.gov.au/
Statement on pools and staged resumption of services
City of Newcastle will continue to focus on the health and safety of our community as we take a staged approach to the safe reopening services and facilities from next week in line with NSW Government Public Health Orders (PHOs).
The NSW Government’s PHO comes into effect on Monday 11 October, now that NSW has reached the 70 per cent double dose vaccination target.
The PHO requires visitors attending public swimming pools to have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. From Monday, proof of vaccination will be required as a condition of entry to all City of Newcastle pools.
All adults (over 16) will need to show their COVID-19 certificate to pool staff to gain entry. A person under 16 years of age attending a public swimming pool must be accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult member of their household.
Several other City of Newcastle services will resume on Monday. Blackbutt Reserve will reopen its wildlife boardwalk and shelters, while Newcastle Libraries will commence a Reserve & Collect service where members can place reservations online and pick up their items from a library branch.
Library return chutes have reopened this week, and the Library 2U delivery service is operating where members can borrow up to five items via home delivery or collection.
The City will continue to take a measured, safety-first approach to reopening our facilities, with most services to resume closer to or after NSW reaches the 80 per cent double dose vaccination target, noting that vaccination rates in the Hunter are behind the state average.
City of Newcastle is finalising COVID safe plans for all sites in accordance with the NSW Government’s latest PHO to ensure we can adhere to the required safety measures, which include one person per four square metres, mandatory mask wearing, and proof of full vaccination upon entry.
We will continue to monitor information as it is released by the NSW Government and appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as our staged reopening begins.
$450K in grants to support jobs and business growth
A transition to clean energy, developing solutions to grow a circular economy and connecting refugees to career pathways have received funding under City of Newcastle’s Community Support Grants Program.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the annual grants program will direct much-needed funds into developing opportunities in the local economy as the city emerges from a lengthy COVID-19 lockdown.
“Our community is recovering from the recent lockdown and City of Newcastle’s annual Community Support Grants Program, along with the Infrastructure Grant Program, will inject over $450,000 directly into the local economy including targeted support to create more jobs and build business opportunities,” Cr Nelmes said.
“We’ve supported a number of community-minded projects, including Hunter Jobs Alliance’s clean energy engagement initiative and a unique social inclusion project that will support our community post-lockdown.”
Hunter Jobs Alliance Coordinator, Warrick Jordan, said the Clean Energy Transition Community Engagement Program will prepare the community for the changes and opportunities that will arise as Newcastle transitions to clean energy.
“This financial boost will go a long way towards building understanding of how locals want to create a safe and sustainable future” said Mr Jordan.
Image: (L-R) Global Table Collective Coordinator, Ruth Anagnostis, Circular Economy Coordinator for Go Circular, Bianca Bartlett, Circular Economy Lead for Go Circular, Tim Baker, Hunter Jobs Alliance Coordinator, Warrick Jordan and Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes
The Global Table Collective, which provides opportunities for women from refugee and multicultural backgrounds, has also received grant funding. This initiative builds skills and experience in the catering of food from their countries of origin to build social connections and job readiness for a future career in the local hospitality industry.
Financial support has also been directed to Go Circular’s Hunter 100: Circular Economy Youth Leadership Project which harnesses young people’s passion to protect our climate by providing them with the skills, networks, and confidence to solve problems around transitioning to a regenerative circular economy. The program pioneers career opportunities for emerging students in the Hunter.
In August, City of Newcastle announced the expansion of the Community and Economic Resilience Package, which will see at least $10 million invested into the local economy and the creation of hundreds of local jobs through an expanded capital works program.
City of Newcastle has funded training initiatives across a range of areas through its NewSkills program, which aims to address a wide variety of industry specific skills gaps over the next two years.
To find out more about how we’re responding to COVID-19 visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
Hamilton’s James Street Plaza lights up
Hamilton’s James Street Plaza will be filled with colour and light every night following the installation of an interactive lighting display developed as part of City of Newcastle’s transformation of this much-loved community space.
Construction of the upgrade is now complete with new seating and artworks installed, and new paving, landscaping and tree planting transforming the space.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the launch of the evening lighting display was the final step in upgrading the plaza.
“It’s wonderful to see the way that the lighting display transforms the space at night, bringing colour and activity to this space for locals and visitors to enjoy,” Cr Nelmes said.
In June the community was asked to vote on their favourite of three lighting designs put forward by the University of Newcastle’s Future Art Science & Technology Lab (FASTLab), each celebrating a different aspect of Hamilton’s history and character.
The “Microcosmic Mosaic” concept proved to be the favourite and was developed into a ten-minute animation which will play on a loop to light up the space for four hours each evening, celebrating Hamilton’s unique character and history.
Councillor Carol Duncan said that the lighting display will attract visitors and activate the space at night, improving safety in the area.
“The community told us they wanted a safer, more appealing place for people to spend time during both the day and the night,” Cr Duncan said.
“Once COVID-19 restrictions lift, we look forward to seeing the community come together and activate the space with music, markets and food.”
In addition to the lighting display, the rich history of Hamilton is reflected in artworks in the renewed plaza, informed by the research of local historian Ruth Cotton, author of Hidden Hamilton and through collaboration with the Newcastle Museum.
Construction of the upgrade is now complete with new seating and artworks installed, and new paving, landscaping and tree planting transforming the space.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the launch of the evening lighting display was the final step in upgrading the plaza.
“It’s wonderful to see the way that the lighting display transforms the space at night, bringing colour and activity to this space for locals and visitors to enjoy,” Cr Nelmes said.
In June the community was asked to vote on their favourite of three lighting designs put forward by the University of Newcastle’s Future Art Science & Technology Lab (FASTLab), each celebrating a different aspect of Hamilton’s history and character.
The “Microcosmic Mosaic” concept proved to be the favourite and was developed into a ten-minute animation which will play on a loop to light up the space for four hours each evening, celebrating Hamilton’s unique character and history.
Councillor Carol Duncan said that the lighting display will attract visitors and activate the space at night, improving safety in the area.
“The community told us they wanted a safer, more appealing place for people to spend time during both the day and the night,” Cr Duncan said.
“Once COVID-19 restrictions lift, we look forward to seeing the community come together and activate the space with music, markets and food.”
In addition to the lighting display, the rich history of Hamilton is reflected in artworks in the renewed plaza, informed by the research of local historian Ruth Cotton, author of Hidden Hamilton and through collaboration with the Newcastle Museum.
New Officers Welcomed To NSW Police Force
The NSW Police Force has welcomed 226 police recruits after they were sworn in as probationary constables at a ceremony in Goulburn today.
The new police recruits were sworn in at an attestation parade in Goulburn today, attended by Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott, NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller APM and Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman. The probationary officers will be assigned to Police Area Commands and Police Districts across the state after taking their oath of office.
“Congratulations to the men and women of class 349, who graduate today and will join the NSW Police Force at its strongest and most efficient. We wish our newest recruits well for the future as they embark on a rewarding career,” Mr Elliott said.
“After eight months of world-class training, the attesting officers will join their stations next Monday and invigorate the policing capabilities of this state.”
“The NSW Government is investing $583 million to introduce 1500 extra police over four years to enhance community safety and $60 million to upgrade the Police Academy at Goulburn,” he said.
Commissioner Fuller welcomed the latest intake of probationary constables.
“Over the past two years, police have played a vital role in leading the community through the pandemic and I have been extraordinarily proud of the dedication and service of all of my men and women in blue,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“I commend our newest probationary constables for embarking on a career in policing.
“The challenges they will face may not yet be known, but I can assure them that they will part of a large policing family. They have just reached an important milestone in what will no doubt be a very rewarding career,” he said.
Class 349 includes 153 men and 73 women. A total of 34 recruits were born overseas in countries including Brazil, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Iraq, Germany, Egypt, Serbia, Korea and NZ.
Following the attestation parade, the first sod was turned on the site for the new $25 million Goulburn Police Station, which will be located on the ground of the NSW Police Force Academy and will incorporate The Hume Police District offices. The new station is set to be completed by 2023.
NSW on the road to reopening
NSW will take its first steps towards reopening as the State passes the 70 per cent double vaccination target.
With the first vaccination milestone being reached, the NSW Government is also easing a number of restrictions as part of the Reopening NSW roadmap, which will allow fully vaccinated adults to enjoy more freedoms from next Monday, October 11.
The changes to the 70 per cent roadmap will allow up to 10 visitors (not counting children 12 and under) to a home (previously five), lift the cap on outdoor gatherings to 30 people (previously 20), and increase the cap for weddings and funerals to 100 people (previously 50).
Indoor pools will also be re-opened for swimming lessons, squad training, lap swimming, and rehab activities.
On the Monday after the State clears the 80 per cent double vaccination hurdle further restrictions will be relaxed, with people able to have up to 20 visitors (excluding children 12 and under) to a home (previously 10), and up to 50 people will be allowed to gather outdoors (previously 20).
Up to 3,000 people will be allowed to attend controlled and ticketed outdoor events (previously 500), nightclubs will be permitted to reopen for seated drinking only (no dancing), and masks will no longer be required in office buildings. All roadmap freedoms at 70 and 80 per cent will continue to be for fully vaccinated people only.
All school students will also now return to on site learning with a range of COVID-safe measures in place by October 25, with the second and third stages of the return to school plan now combined. Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12 students will still return to face-to-face learning on October 18, with all other years now returning one week later on October 25.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the common-sense changes would help life return to normal as soon as possible.
“Vaccinations are the key to life returning to normal and the changes today will help family and friends reconnect, get kids back to school and get businesses back up and running sooner,” Mr Perrottet said.
“NSW is putting in the hard yards and it’s important people continue to turn out in droves to be vaccinated.”
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said workers in regional areas who have received one vaccination dose will be permitted to return to their workplace from October 11 and will be given a grace period until November 1 to receive their second dose.
Regional areas are those outside Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Central Coast.
“This move ensures we get businesses in the regions re-open and local economies buzzing again. It’s about ensuring we make this a roadmap that works for everyone,” Mr Toole said.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said these changes would help get more people back into work, especially in Western Sydney.
“We’re on the road back to normal and most importantly reaching these vaccination targets means people can reunite with family and friends, celebrate key moments in their lives and businesses can open their doors and get back to work in a safe way,” Mr Ayres said.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said NSW residents 12-years-old and over have led the charge to get vaccinated and ensure NSW is among the safest places in the world.
“Getting to 70 per cent double dose is a badge of honour for every fully vaccinated NSW citizen to wear proudly but we can do so much more and 90 per cent is within our grasp,” Mr Hazzard said.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said schools were ready to welcome students back.
“The return remains safe and sensible with enough time for schools to prepare for a faster return of students over two weeks instead of three,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Principals have received detailed guidance and checklists of everything required to ensure COVID-safe settings in their school. Parents and carers will also receive a detailed guide today and more specific information from their school in the coming days.”
If you are not booked in for a COVID-19 vaccine, please book an appointment as soon possible.
Note also that as the stay-at-home orders will be lifted next Monday and replaced by the roadmap settings, the list of Local Government Areas of concern will cease to exist.
For the latest information visit the COVID-19 pages on nsw.gov.au.
Charges laid over alleged sexual assaults – Central Coast
Detectives have charged a man following an investigation into the alleged sexual assault of two teenage girls on the Central Coast last year.
In August 2020, detectives attached to Brisbane Water Police District commenced an investigation after reports two girls, aged 17 – were sexually assaulted in separate incidents at a Green Point home in the early hours of Sunday 2 August 2020.
Following extensive investigations, detectives attached to Hunter Valley Police District arrested a 19-year-old man at a home on Ibis Place, Scone, about 10.30am today (Friday 8 October 2021).
He was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station where he was charged with eight counts of sexual intercourse without consent.
The man was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Gosford Local Court on Thursday 11 November 2021.
Australia cannot abandon refugees in PNG
The Australian Government cannot just wash its hands of the people it exiled to Papua New Guinea, the Greens say.
“Today is a day to remember the people who died as a result of being illegally exiled to Papua New Guinea, and the countless other lives that were destroyed,” Greens Immigration spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.
“People who sought asylum in Australia remain Australia’s responsibility under international law, and no amount of bureaucratic maneuvering can change that fact.
“Offshore detention has been a humanitarian calamity at every level, and has cost Australia tens of billions of dollars.
“While offshore detention in Papua New Guinea will end, perhaps its most shameful legacy is the adoption of the same brutal policies and rhetoric in so many other countries around the world.”
“The people remaining in Papua New Guinea should be brought immediately to Australia and allowed to resettle here.”