Category: Newcastle News

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the state’s Hunter Region.

Ashley McKellar, aged 43, was last seen at a home at Bolton Point, about 8.30am yesterday (Wednesday 14 June 2023).

When he could not be contacted or located, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold serious concerns for his welfare as his disappearance is out of character.

Ashley is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 185cm tall with medium build and has short brown hair, and wears dark-rimmed glasses.

Police believe Ashley may have a launched his boat, a Telewater 4.8 metre Aluminium Runabout with registration plates VK844N, from lake access at Bolton Point, about 10.30am yesterday (Wednesday 14 June 2023).

A multi-agency search is now underway, including resources from PolAir, Marine Area Command, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to call Lake Macquarie police, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty and Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp today announced the first 100,000 cubic metres of sand will be sourced from shipping channels within Newcastle Harbour as part of a $6.2 million project to fix coastal erosion at Stockton Beach.

Ms Moriarty said NSW Public Works – which is managing the project – had identified a site in the navigation channel beyond the break wall entrance which could be accessed within the existing Port of Newcastle dredging approvals.

NSW Public Works has advised tenders for dredging and sand placement closed this month and submissions are currently being reviewed. A contract is expected to be awarded in September, with works to commence after the necessary approvals for sand placement are secured.  

As part of the contract, a dredging vessel, will remove the equivalent of about 40 Olympic swimming pools of sand, before redistributing it on Stockton Beach.

This update will be among items discussed when the Stockton Beach Taskforce meets today for the first time since my appointment as Chair and the Department of Regional NSW took charge.

The Taskforce will also look to develop an action plan with community consultation to drive the project forward.

“This work will create a blueprint for the Department of Planning and Environment to rollout the NSW Government’s $21 million election commitment for mass sand nourishment,” Minister Moriarty said.

Minister for the Hunter and Newcastle MP, Tim Crakanthorp welcomed Minister Moriarty and the action being taken by the NSW Government.

“I’d like to thank Minister Moriarty for taking the reins and listening to the concerns of the Stockton community,” said Minister Crakanthorp.

“Labor committed to getting the Taskforce meeting again and today, after stalling under the former government, that commences.

“There’s been a lot of work happening over the last couple of months and we are getting closer to having sand back on Stockton Beach.”

NSW Public Works continues to work with the City of Newcastle and Port of Newcastle to coordinate the necessary approvals while investigations into longer term solutions continue.

The Stockton Beach Taskforce, chaired by Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty, includes representatives from the City of Newcastle, the Minister for the Hunter Tim Crakanthorp, the NSW Coastal Council, the Worimi Local Aboriginal Lands Council, and the Stockton Community Liaison Group.

The project is funded by a $4.7 million Commonwealth grant and a $1.5 million contribution from the City of Newcastle.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman missing from the Lake Macquarie area.

Angelina Tofaeono, aged 36, was last seen at a shopping centre at Glendale, near Cardiff, about 1.00pm on Wednesday 14 June 2023.

She was reported missing to officers from Lake Macquarie Police District yesterday (Wednesday 14 June 2023), who commenced an investigation into her whereabouts.

Angelina is described as being of Pacific Islander appearance, about 165-175cm tall, large build, with black hair. She was wearing a green jacket and black shorts.

Angelina lives with a number of medical conditions for which she needs regular medication.

She is known to frequent the areas of Burwood, Cameron Park and Farley.

Anyone who may have seen her or has information is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Emergency services remain at the scene of a fatal bus crash, where multiple people have died, and more than 10 others were injured in the state’s Hunter region overnight.

Just after 11.30pm (Sunday 11 June 2023), emergency services were called to the roundabout on Wine Country Drive near the Hunter Expressway off ramp at Greta, after reports a coach had rolled.

A large-scale emergency response commenced involving officers from Hunter Valley Police District, Police Rescue, Traffic and Highway Patrol, NSW Ambulance paramedics, NSW Fire and Rescue, NSW Rural Fire Service, and various helicopters for hospital transports.

Initial inquiries indicate 10 people have died. 11 people were transported to hospital via helicopter and road, and 18 passengers are uninjured.

The driver of the bus – a 58-year-old man – was taken to hospital under police guard for mandatory testing and assessment.

A crime scene has been established, which will be examined by specialist forensic police and the Crash Investigation Unit.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash has commenced.

It is anticipated that road closures and diversions will be protracted, please check www.livetraffic.com prior to travelling.

Further information will be provided when it becomes available.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in partnership with City of Newcastle and Port Stephens Council, is proud to announce the Air Force Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023.

The biennial RAAF Air Show will be held over the weekend of 18 and 19 November 2023 in Newcastle and at RAAF Base Williamtown respectively.

Led by City of Newcastle, the free community event on Saturday 18 November will include morning and afternoon flying displays by RAAF aircraft overwater of Newcastle beaches and rivers.

On Sunday 19 November, RAAF Base Williamtown will open its gates for a ticketed non-flying Open Day featuring static ground displays and a range of military equipment from across the Australian Defence Force.

The Open Day on Sunday at RAAF Williamtown will be ticketed, with tickets expected to be available for purchase from late September 2023.

There is no ticket requirement for the flying displays in Newcastle on the Saturday.

Further information is available at www.visitnewcastle.com.au/air-show-2023

An essential maintenance project to reseal one kilometre of Dudley Beach Road is getting underway in Glenrock State Conservation Area.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Area Manager Mitch Carter said the $350,000 project will improve visitor safety and ensure convenient access to the well-loved Dudley Beach.

“Dudley Beach Road is extremely well-trafficked by the surfers, beach walkers and local residents who love the stunning, sandy shores of Dudley Beach,” said Mr Carter.

“As the road has aged, cracks in the road surface have allowed water to get in under the road, leading to potholes.

“This resealing project will result in a new road asset for Dudley Beach with an expected life expectancy of 20 years or more. It will also complement the recent upgrade of the Dudley Beach car park in 2022,” said Mr Carter.

Site workers will reform the road surface to produce a trafficable, smooth and drained pavement. Existing drainage structures will be repaired or reconstructed, as required.

The resealing project will commence Wednesday 14 June 2023 and scheduled for completion by Wednesday 28 June 2023, weather permitting.

Dudley Beach Road will be closed on weekdays while works are underway. The road will be reopened on weekends to minimise disruption to beachgoers and local residents.

Throughout resealing works, visitors to Dudley Beach are advised to adhere to safety signage and instructions that will be in place on Dudley Beach Road.

Alternative pedestrian access to Dudley Beach will be available via the Bombala walking track and the Banksia fire trail. Check the NPWS Alerts webpage for updates.

The 554-hectare Glenrock State Conservation Area is nestled on Newcastle’s urban fringe and is estimated to attract one million visitors a year.

Glenrock State Conservation Area is on the traditional Country of the Awabakal people and is home to five threatened ecological communities including littoral rainforest and 10 threatened animal species such as the squirrel glider.

The reserve is well used by Newcastle locals including bushwalkers, trail runners, mountain bike riders, surfers, Scouts, horse riders, hang gliders and abseilers, local residents and families.

The Travelling Film Festival brings a celebration of cinema to Newcastle with a brand-new program direct from the 2023 Sydney Film Festival 70th edition. Featuring an exciting mix of the best local and international films, fresh from sold-out sessions in Sydney and now embarking on a tour of the Eastern states.

Opening the festival is Newcastle-based director Claire Pasvolsky’s THREE CHORDS AND THE TRUTH, a moving and musical story of Angie (Jackie Marshall) whose chequered career is uplifted through her friendship with teenage Ruby. Marshall’s own songs, and resonant voice, alongside the Newcastle setting, bring a tender authenticity to this rebellious music-driven drama. The gala event includes a live performance from lead actor and singer/songwriter Marshall, a filmmaker Q&A with the director and a welcome drink on arrival.

Other highlights of the program are RACHEL’S FARM, the brand-new documentary from actor-turned director-turned farmer Rachel Ward (Palm Beach, SFF 2019), tracing the environmental awakening she undergoes, aided and abetted by local NSW north coast farmers, screening on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday night offers the sumptuous period drama CHEVALIER, a provocative romantic drama starring Kelvin Harrison Jr (Elvis).and Australian screen star Samara Weaving. Sunday’s offerings include the multi-award-winning Oscar-nominated Donkey starring film EO, screening with Dendy Award-winner Tangki (Donkey), offering a double donkey deal.

Also screening is the nail-biting eco-thriller HOW TO BLOW UP A PIPELINE, with a slick young cast including Lukas Gage (White Lotus) and Sasha Lane (American Honey) as eco-terrorists undertaking a Taratino-esque mission that is as tense as it is a searing conversation starter for our times.

Other stories from around the world include SUBTRACTION, a superbly performed drama from Iran and France, where a married couple unexpectedly meet their doppelgangers in a riveting psychological mystery directed by leading filmmaker Mani Haghighi (Pig, SFF 2018). The program showcases the very funny debut feature I LIKE MOVIES, a hit at the Toronto film Festival, from Canadian filmmaker Chandler Levack and sure to appeal to anyone who remembers video shops; as well as veteran German filmmaker Christian Petzold’s (a TFF favourite) latest film, AFIRE, which premiered to acclaim at the recent Berlinale. Festival favourite RICEBOY SLEEPS is Anthony Shim’s semi-autobiographical drama that has won more than 20 international awards – a moving Canadian/Korean story.

TFF is also pleased to present three Australian short films from the Sydney Film Festivals, including CHUM, a smart comedy supported by Create NSW’s Screenability initiative, which showcases films from filmmakers with a disability. Also showing is TANGKI (DONKEY) which explores the stories of three Anangu women of different generations; and RATBAG from Maitland-born award-winning director, Andrew Kavanagh, sure to generate laughter for anyone who remembers their school days.
“We’ve seen a marked rise in people returning to the cinemas and can’t wait to get back on the road and bring a brand new program full of fascinating cinema to the people of Newcastle and surrounds. This festival offers something for everyone, kicking off with a special screening of a local film that is sure to be a crowd pleaser in its home town of Newcastle.” said TFF Manager Annie Parnell.

Tickets to TFF Newcastle are now on sale. With a Full Subscription, patrons can watch the whole program and save up to 30% or buy a 5 ticket Flexipass and choose 5 films from across the program. Single tickets also available for all sessions, including Opening Night. For more information and bookings, please visit https://www.sff.org.au/tff/program/newcastle
Travelling Film Festival acknowledges the financial assistance of Screen Australia & the NSW Government through Screen NSW.

City of Newcastle has planted more than 53,000 native trees, grasses and shrubs alongside a 350m stretch of Ironbark Creek as part of a $3 million project to rehabilitate another section of Newcastle’s largest tidal creek.

The work targeted a section of creek between Croudace Road, Elermore Vale and Lewis Street Oval, Wallsend and included the placement of almost 4,000 tonnes of sandstone rock, three new stormwater pipe outlet upgrades and more than 3,300m2 of adjacent recreation area returfed.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the benefits of this project will be seen long into the future.

“Since 2011, City of Newcastle has invested more than $8 million into this multi-stage, award-winning rehabilitation program to renaturalise and improve the flow of water in Ironbark Creek,” Cr Nelmes said.

“During the past 12 years the project has delivered 3,162m of rehabilitated creek lines in the Ironbark Creek catchment, while revegetation activities have seen hundreds of thousands of native shrubs and grasses transform previously weedy and eroding creek banks.

“This project demonstrates City of Newcastle’s commitment to both environmental rehabilitation and wider flood mitigation planning, ensuring that the creek and floodplain behave in more predictable ways during major flood and rain events.

“Ironbark Creek is our largest tidal creek. It carries water from a 13,000-hectare catchment, conveying the runoff from our local bushland, roads and suburbs down to the internationally significant coastal wetland systems and Hunter River.

“There are many benefits that come from completing projects like the rehabilitation of Ironbark Creek and I want to congratulate everyone who was involved in bringing it together.”

The Ironbark Creek project uses nature-based solutions to rehabilitate the waterway from its headwater in Rankin Park through Wallsend Park, to where the creek flows into the Hexham Wetlands, south of Minmi Road.

The work is designed to stabilise the creek bed, reduce bank erosion, improve the quality of water and access to the creek for maintenance works. In addition, by reducing pests and weeds while reinstating a native wildlife corridor, the project helps improve the amenity of the waterway for residents and the local community, and our urban biodiversity.

The next stages of this project are currently in the design phase and will be integrated with planned upgrades to bridges and stormwater infrastructure within the Wallsend Local Centre and Minmi Road. To find out more about the project visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/ironbark-creek

The final stage of the upgrade to the Newcastle Ocean Baths is underway with City of Newcastle calling for community input into preliminary options for the pavilion buildings.

Substantial progress has been made on stage one of the renewal, the pool and promenade areas, ahead of re-opening the facility for swimmers by this coming summer.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was great to see the progress of the project and encouraged the community to share their thoughts on potential options for the pavilion buildings ahead of design commencing for the final stage of the project.

“It’s exciting to see the pool area take shape because this is such an important facility for Novocastrians and the broader region,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Before design of the pavilion buildings starts, it’s important to understand what the community needs from the facility, and how that could be achieved given the location and constraints of the site.”

City of Newcastle Executive Director City Infrastructure Joanne Rigby said City of Newcastle was committed to creating an inclusive community space, while also recognising the site’s unique character and heritage features.

“Different building configuration options present different experiences for users, and it’s essential we consider the needs of the broader community now and for decades to come during the renewal of the pavilion buildings,” Ms Rigby said.

“A User Needs Analysis is underway to examine requirements like community space that welcomes all visitors in an accessible and inclusive way and is sensitive to the site’s heritage, as well as being resilient to coastal inundation and predicted sea level rise.

“We have developed different layout options and are looking for feedback from the community given the broad range of people’s individual opinions and needs.”

The feedback will inform the concept design of the renewed pavilion buildings, which will commence in the coming months.

City of Newcastle worked closely with the Newcastle Ocean Baths Community Reference Group during the planning and design phases of the stage one upgrade, and this group met again last week to discuss the progression of stage two and the options that have been developed.

Themes raised during the Community Reference Group meeting included accessibility, options for a café and kiosk to operate alongside community spaces, and change facilities.

The upgrade of the pavilion buildings presents an opportunity to deliver an expanded community space by adding a second storey to the northern pavilion, an option that the Community Reference Group discussed at last week’s meeting.

City of Newcastle Executive Manager Project Management Robert Dudgeon said that construction of the pool itself is nearing completion, and precast concrete panels have been installed in the wet well area to support the new pumps, which have arrived and will be installed over the winter period.

“We are continuing work to restore the historic bleachers, and foundations are in place for the return of the historic art-deco curved stairs leading from the pool up to the pavilion area,” Mr Dudgeon said.

“As we near completion of the pool, we are constructing the new pool deck, which will provide a safer surface for walking around the pool edge.

“Once construction is completed there will be a period of commissioning and testing the new pumps and systems, with a re-opening of the pools and return to swimming anticipated by summer this year.”

The $9.5 million recovered from the sale of City of Newcastle’s Fred Ash building is helping fund the Newcastle Ocean Baths stage one upgrade along with $3 million in funding from the NSW Government’s Public Spaces Legacy Program. The NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program is an investment in high quality public open space and delivers vital infrastructure for communities to love the place they live.

From today, community members are encouraged to visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay to learn more about the project, view the preliminary options, and provide feedback by 12 June.

Newcastle has been hailed NSW’s ‘Top Tourism Town’ by Business NSW at the Local Government NSW Destination & Visitor Economy Conference in Manly.

City of Newcastle (CN) was presented with the award by NSW Tourism Industry Council Executive Director, Paula Martin, in recognition of its strategic initiatives to increase visitation and support tourism development for local operators and hospitality businesses.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the award was recognition of CN’s collaboration with industry, government, and tourism operators to boost the local visitor economy.

“This accolade acknowledges City of Newcastle’s leadership in growing our city as a must-see destination,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Cementing our city’s status as a premier tourism and major events destination, we partnered with Venues NSW to secure Newcastle as the first stop on Sir Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in Australia under a strategic Major Events Partnership and has since secured a coveted spot on the upcoming world tour of American pop powerhouse Pink in February 2024.

“Attracting headline acts of this calibre is a testament to Newcastle’s growth as a world-class events and cultural city and indicative of a thriving local economy.

“Major events are a key part of our Destination Management Plan as a primary driver of the local tourism visitor economy, delivering both an immediate and ongoing benefit for the community and economy, with greater visitation, investment and liveability outcomes.

“We are committed to ongoing investment in major events and tourism through event sponsorship, industry development, our recent tourism brand refresh ‘Seek Off Beat’ and targeted marketing campaigns which are integral to building a thriving, diverse and robust visitor economy.”

From 2024, the expansion of Newcastle Airport will pave the way to attract more international events, while international hotel brands like Crystalbrook and QT have already recognised Newcastle’s expanding tourism appeal, investing millions of dollars to open five-star hotels in the city.

“To help attract more leisure visitors, a key action in Newcastle’s Destination Management Plan has been to work with the business sector to increase the number of bookable visitor experiences on offer,” Cr Nelmes said.

“By continuing to leverage our city’s unique offering in a way that appeals to visitors from outside the region and abroad, Newcastle’s future as an international tourism and major events destination is bright.”

Newcastle will now vie for Australia’s Top Tourism Town title at an event later this year.

Watch City of Newcastle’s winning-award submission video.