Newcastle’s visitor economy received a major economic injection as a result of the City’s Event Packed April with industry data showing the accommodation sector returning to pre-COVID occupancy levels.
According to the Australian Accommodation Monitor Reports, demand for accommodation in Newcastle during the first fortnight in April saw occupancy levels sitting between 80-90% most days. The average daily rate for rooms increased by $52 per night, resulting in a 29% uplift in room revenue compared to the same period in 2019.
City of Newcastle’s Event Packed April was spearheaded by the World Surf League (WSL) Newcastle Cup along with SailFest Newcastle Regatta, Newcastle Seafood Festival, Newcastle Food Month, AoN Women’s University Rugby 7s and NewRun Newcastle Festival of Running.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said there is significant opportunity for an event-led economic recovery in Newcastle and it is evident in the newly released data that events are a ticket to driving Newcastle’s visitor economy toward long-term growth.
“City of Newcastle’s April events calendar returned impressive results for Newcastle’s tourism and hospitality businesses still on the road to recovery, “Cr Nelmes said.
“Pre-COVID, our city’s hotels, once filled mid-week with corporate business travellers, saw their occupancy levels sitting at 80-90% again most days, thanks to the WSL Newcastle Cup and the City’s bumper April events calendar.”
A pipeline of new hotel product is under construction, including the five-star Kingsley in the former City Administration Centre set to open in June, Doma’s Little National Hotel, Iris Capital’s QT Hotel, and with plans underway to develop the historic Newcastle Post Office into a conference and function space.
“With a fresh injection of new hotel supply, the City’s ability to pitch for major events will only boost its appeal as a host city and position Newcastle ahead of other destinations,” Cr Nelmes said.
“We are in the early stages of rolling out Newcastle’s newly adopted Destination Management Plan, designed to reposition the city as a premier tourism destination with a strong focus on events, natural assets and cultural heritage, with a raft of initiatives and projects designed to grow our visitor economy and increase visitor spend.”
City of Newcastle continues to invest and support Newcastle’s visitor economy through the Product Development and Mentoring Program, the development and implementation of the highly targeted WhoKnew destination awareness campaign, and destination marketing partnerships with Destination NSW and Newcastle Airport.
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City opens record $1 million grants and sponsorships round
Community and sporting groups, businesses, tourism and event operators are invited to apply for almost $1 million of community grants and sponsorship funding from City of Newcastle.
Applications are open for projects and initiatives to activate public places, enhance community wellbeing and strengthen the city’s reputation as a tourism, business and events destination.
The announcement follows Council’s endorsement of new Community Grants and Sponsorships policies, redesigned to make applying easier following consultation with the community.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the new streamlined process would encourage more community-led projects.
“Our grants and sponsorships are a vital community-building tool. They enhance wellbeing, improve the city’s identity and make Newcastle a better place in which to live, work, play and invest,” Cr Nelmes said.
“City of Newcastle invests in a range of initiatives across the city each year, from placemaking improvements to the suburban landscape to major events attracting visitors from far and wide.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, who is Chair of the City of Newcastle Strategy and Innovation Advisory Committee, said that feedback from the community was that the process of applying for support could be more difficult than it should be, discouraging some groups from putting forward new ideas to make our community better.
“The great news is that we’ve listened and redesigned the process to give our community groups the opportunity to turn amazing ideas into great local projects and initiatives,” Cr Clausen said.
“New clearer grant categories include funding for recreation facilities, businesses façade improvements, community initiatives, arts, culture and heritage, as well as environmental and social inclusion projects.
“Events are a great way to attract visitors with City of Newcastle providing sponsorship for initiatives that help make Newcastle a smart, liveable and sustainable global city.”
Event sponsorship will be provided across four categories: General Events, Major Events, Regional Sport Events and Business Events, with additional funding will be offered through the Tourism / Visitor Economy Sponsorship and the Economic Sponsorship programs.
Funding opportunities open on 3 May and close 31 May 2021, with online community workshops outlining the application process and addressing questions to be held on Wednesday 12 May at 10am and Monday 17 May 2021 at 5.30pm. Further details can be viewed on our website at https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/community/grants-and-sponsorships.
COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS UPDATE
Given the latest cases of community transmission and updated health advice from the Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant, COVID-19 restrictions will be temporarily tightened across Greater Sydney.
The following measures will be effective from midday today, 6 May 2021 (enforceable from 5pm) until 12.01am Monday, 10 May for the Greater Sydney region (including Wollongong, Central Coast and Blue Mountains):
- Visitors to households will be limited to 20 guests – including children;
- Masks will be compulsory on public transport and in all public indoor venues, such as retail, theatres, hospitals, aged care facilities and for front-of-house hospitality staff (except in a hospitality venue when eating or drinking);
- Drinking while standing up at indoor venues will not be allowed;
- Singing by audiences at indoor shows or by congregants at indoor places of worship will not be allowed;
- Dancing will not be allowed at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs however, dancing is allowed at weddings with a strong recommendation that no more than 20 people should be on the dancefloor at any one time; and
- Visitors to aged care facilities will be limited to two people.
It is also strongly recommended the community avoids mingling in large groups over the coming days, and is careful not to put our most vulnerable at risk.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the three day restrictions would help reduce the risk of a super spreading event.
“These measures are proportionate to the risk and will help reduce further cases of community transmission,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“To allow our health authorities to do their excellent work it is critical the community continues to keep their physical distance, get tested with even the mildest of symptoms and importantly continues to use the Service NSW app to check into venues.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said there are more than 300 COVID-19 testing locations across the State including new pop up sites in the Eastern Suburbs.
“Anyone experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms, even if they are mild, must isolate immediately, get tested and continue to isolate until a negative result is received,” Mr Hazzard said.
“It is also important to remember that even if you have had your first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine you must still come forward for testing if you have any symptoms.”
Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said high testing rates are critical to NSW Health’s efforts to identify COVID-19 cases and prevent the virus from spreading.
“We are asking the community to be on alert, continue to practice COVID-Safe behaviours and stay home and get tested if they’re unwell,” Dr Chant said.
For the latest information and COVID-19 testing sites please visit:
www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
FLYING KANGAROO TO STAY IN THE PREMIER STATE
Qantas will continue to call NSW home with its global headquarters to remain in Sydney following an in principle agreement with the NSW Government.
The announcement secures thousands of existing and future jobs for NSW and includes several other benefits including Sydney being the exclusive launch city for Qantas’ ultra-long-haul non-stop flights to cities such as London and New York.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet welcomed the commitment and said it was a clear signal that Sydney remained Australia’s business capital and doorway to the world.
“It is only fitting that Australia’s national airline should be based in Sydney, and a strong vote of confidence in the future of aviation in our city,” Mr Perrottet said.
“From the early days of COVID-19 we realised the industry would be severely impacted and are proud of our efforts to keep borders open, planes in the skies and people in jobs.”
The commitment with Qantas follows the completion of the airline’s property footprint review announced in the wake of the significant challenges as a result of COVID-19.
The Qantas headquarters, which has been based in Sydney since 1938, currently employs more than 3500 people and this number is expected to grow when international borders reopen.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said keeping our national carrier in Australia’s global city sent the right message to business and leisure travelers planning to visit when the time is right.
“This decision sets Qantas up for long term future growth and cements Sydney as Australia’s aviation and aerospace capital,” Mr Ayres said.
The commitment also confirmed:
- The construction of a new Flight Training Centre with aircraft simulators to be based in NSW from 2023;
- Plans for expansion of Qantas Loyalty team in Mascot;
- Qantas working with the NSW Government to develop a comprehensive indigenous and diversity employment program.
- The final binding agreement will be subject to ongoing detailed negotiations.
$135 MILLION TO HELP SAVE LIVES ON OUR ROADS
Road users across the state are set to benefit from a $135 million investment in road safety projects under the latest round of the $822 million Safer Roads Program.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said 78 lifesaving projects will be financed this year through the Community Road Safety Fund.
“The Safer Roads program is estimated to prevent the loss of more than 1500 lives and serious injuries on our roads over 15 years. That’s 1500 people making it home safely to their families because of these projects,” Mr Constance said.
“We want to ensure everyone who travels on our roads makes it home safely at the end of the day. That’s why all money generated from the mobile speed camera program goes directly into the Community Road Safety Fund to deliver lifesaving projects like these.
“This year we will see $43 million go towards projects across metropolitan NSW, with the other $92 million dedicated to the regions.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said this latest round of the program built on the Federal and NSW Government’s $408 million commitment in March to deliver hundreds of projects designed to reduce road trauma and save lives.
“Both governments have a shared goal of no deaths or serious injuries on our roads, because no one should have to hear the devastating news that a loved one has lost their life in a crash,” Mr Toole said.
“More than $92 million of this funding will be invested in making our regional roads safer through improvements like safety barriers, rumble strips and wide centrelines.
“We know how important good roads are in the bush – projects like these are ensuring every trip is a safer one and building on our vision for a safer, stronger regional NSW.”
This latest investment in the Safer Roads Program will deliver:
- 28 kilometres of safety barrier, which absorb impact forces and protect vehicle occupants, reducing the severity of head-on and run-off-road crashes by up to 95 per cent.
- 167 kilometres of rumble strips to alert motorists they are departing from their lane, reducing the likelihood of this crash type by up to 25 per cent.
- More than 30 kilometres of wide centreline providing a greater distance for drivers to recover from lane departure, reducing the likelihood of head-on crashes by up to 50 per cent and run-off-road crashes by up to 25 per cent.
- 313 high-risk rural curve improvements including shoulder sealing, safety barriers, rumble strips, signage upgrades and line-marking upgrades.
- 47 urban intersection improvement projects including roundabouts and traffic signal upgrades.
AUSTRALIA’S FIRST GREEN HYDROGEN/GAS POWER PLANT
NSW is set to become home to Australia’s first dual fuel capable hydrogen/gas power plant following an $83 million funding agreement for the Tallawarra B project in the Illawarra.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the project is vital infrastructure needed to provide dispatchable electricity capacity to replace the Liddell Power Station and create the industries and jobs of the future.
“Delivering enough electricity to power around 150,000 homes at times of peak demand, the project is expected to deliver a $300 million boost to the economy and support about 250 jobs during construction,” Mr Barilaro said.
“NSW has an enormous opportunity to lead the world in the production of green hydrogen. Fast-tracking new projects like these will ensure we continue to remain at the forefront of developing new technology while supporting our existing industries.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said investing in this cutting-edge technology will help secure power generation and put our State in a prime position to capitalise on an export industry that is predicted to be worth $1.7 billion annually by 2030.
“As we recover from the pandemic, embracing emerging industries will help recharge our economy by creating new jobs and opening up new opportunities that will secure our economic prosperity well into the future,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Hydrogen is quickly emerging as a major economic opportunity for our State and this investment will keep us ahead of the curve by positioning NSW as a world-leader in hydrogen production.”
Minister for Energy Matt Kean said that the Tallawarra B project would help keep the lights on following the closure of the Liddell Power Station in 2023.
“NSW’s Energy Security Target is the tightest reliability target in the country and this project will help make sure that we achieve that even after Liddell has closed,” Mr Kean said.
“Tallawarra B will provide over 300 megawatts of dispatchable capacity for NSW customers in time for the summer after Liddell retires.
“This project sets a new benchmark for how gas generators can be consistent with NSW’s plan to be net zero by 2050 by using green hydrogen and offsetting residual emissions.”
Under the funding agreement, Energy Australia will offer to buy enough green hydrogen equivalent to over five per cent of the plant’s fuel use from 2025 (200,000kg of green hydrogen per year) and will offset direct carbon emissions from the project over its operational life.
EnergyAustralia will also invest in engineering studies on the potential to upgrade Tallawarra B so it can use more green hydrogen in its fuel mix in the future.
The Tallawarra B project is the latest in a series of steps the NSW Government has taken to ensure reliable electricity supply following the closure of Liddell, including:
- Jointly underwriting the Queensland-NSW transmission interconnector upgrade with the Commonwealth Government;
- The $75 million Emerging Energy Program which provides capital grants for new dispatchable generation;
- Seeking offers for new dispatchable plant to power the state’s schools and hospitals as part of the NSW Government’s electricity contract.
EnergyAustralia Managing Director, Catherine Tanna, said the project will help deliver on the company’s ambition to lead the transition to a cleaner energy future.
“Customers expect affordable, reliable and cleaner sources of energy from providers and Tallawarra B delivers this to households and businesses in the Illawarra region and NSW,” Ms Tanna said.
Green hydrogen is a cheap, reliable type of energy that is made using 100% renewable sources.
Appeal for man wanted on outstanding warrant – Hunter region
Police are appealing for assistance to locate a man wanted on outstanding warrants in the Hunter.
Mark Russell, aged 43, also known as Mark Jarmain, is wanted by virtue of a revocation of parole warrant and an outstanding arrest warrant for an assault offence.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District have commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 160cm to 175cm tall, with a medium build, black hair and brown eyes.
He is known to frequent many places in the Hunter region, including Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
Anyone who may have seen or heard from Mark or that may know of his whereabouts is urged not to approach him and to call Triple Zero (000).
Greens to move in Senate against India travel ban
The Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt, has announced the Greens will move in the Senate next week for the Government to revoke its direction under the Biosecurity Act to ban and put in place criminal penalties on Australians and residents returning home from India.
“The ban is racist, it’s possibly illegal, it’s not based on health advice and it must be rescinded immediately. The Greens will move in the Senate next week to overturn the ban and we believe it will have widespread support amongst Senators.”
“The pandemic needs a health-led response, not a force-led response, where the government criminalises people desperate to return home. There weren’t these threats of jail time when dealing with predominantly white countries.”
“The Liberals are now punishing people for the government’s own failings, abandoning them in a COVID-ravaged country. Morrison must take immediate steps to make sure that people can return home through repatriation flights and safe quarantine arrangements.”
“The Government must also urgently provide more assistance to India at this time of great need.”
Greens call out Government's gas greenwash
Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, has called out the increasing greenwashing of the government’s gas agenda.
The Greens have emphasised since the proclamation of the ‘gas-led recovery’ that gas is as dirty as coal and that plans such as building new gas plants would lock-in climate failure.
“Morrison’s so-called ‘gas-led recovery’ is a shameful exercise in corporate welfare for yesterday’s technology.
“Adding as little as 5% hydrogen, which is the target for Energy Australia’s mooted ‘hybrid’ plant, is a comb-over for generators of dangerous greenhouse gas emissions.
“Australia is in the box seat to be a leader on batteries, renewables and green hydrogen, but that opportunity is going to be lost if state and federal governments keep pouring tax dollars into fossil-fuels.
“The effect of the gas-led recovery is taxpayers’ money going to Liberal donors to build polluting plants which will push up power bills.
“This is policy running directly against all available evidence.
Reputex studies showed that energy prices will be lower with renewables backed with batteries rather than with more gas.
The International Energy Agency is clear: we can’t build any more coal, oil or gas assets and stop runaway global heating.
The experts who manage our energy system (AEMO) have said we don’t need any new gas.”
“Gas use by Australians is going down each and every year and a government investment in new gas is going to be an expensive white elephant.
“But this isn’t just a giant waste of taxpayers’ money which will drive up the cost of electricity, it’s also going to create market volatility and slow the transition to renewable energy.
Liberal Donor Links
The Snowy Hydro Kurri Kurri proposal is set to be built on land owned by a Liberal Party donor and NSW ICAC regular, Jeff McCloy, who described himself as “a walking ATM for the NSW Liberal Party.”
Additionally, the chair of Snowy Hydro, David Knox, previously served as CEO of gas company and Coalition donor Santos. Santos is lined up to sell the gas to Snowy Hydro as part of this deal.
As for Tallawarra B, proponents Energy Australia (subsidiary of Hong Kong-based China Light and Power) have made over $57,000 in donations to the Liberal party, and in return the NSW Liberal/National government has gifted them $78 million while the Commonwealth has granted them a further $5 million to get their gas plant to financial close.
“This all adds up to a terrible chapter in the history of an Australian icon. Australians strongly opposed the sale of the Snowy, and they’ll equally oppose the attempts by this government to use it as a fossil-fuel virtue signalling bonanza for their gas and coal donors.”
Australia dispatches medical supplies to India
Australia will deliver essential medical supplies to India today as part of our initial package of support to the Indian Government’s programme for combatting the country’s current COVID-19 outbreak.
A chartered Qantas flight departed Sydney carrying supplies to meet the needs identified by the Government of India including 1056 ventilators and 43 oxygen concentrators. This will allow Indian frontline workers to provide lifesaving medical interventions.
These Australian donated supplies will be distributed by the Indian Red Cross and local authorities to ensure support reaches those in greatest need.
The Morrison Government is working closely with state and territory governments and the private sector on the urgent deployment of further emergency supplies to India.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne said that as close friends and strategic partners, Australia and India will stand together during this challenging time.
“India has shown great leadership and generosity to the world in exporting vaccines globally. It is time for the world to repay that generosity and Australia as a close friend of the Indian people is playing its part,” Minister Payne said.
“We express our solidarity and deepest support with India as it responds to this ongoing crisis and recognise how difficult this time is for Indians and Australians in India and their loved ones.”
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the Government had offered a significant package of support to the Indian Government.
“We are deeply passionate about supporting people in India, which is why we have reached out to support with medical supplies such as oxygen, ventilators and PPE,” Minister Hunt said.
“At the same time we are working on plans to resume travel from India to support Australians to get home.”
Australia’s High Commission and Consulates in India continue to provide consular assistance to Australians in need.