With some of Australia’s funniest comedians on the line-up across four hilarious shows, Civic Theatre is set to become Newcastle’s new home of comedy.
The Civic will deliver plenty of laughs in coming months including two of the country’s favourite comedy convoys – Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow (11-12 June), and the Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase (1 October) – which bring some of the hottest acts from their respective festivals to regional locations across Australia.
Taree comedian and The Block favourite Andy Saunders will saunter into town for the Melbourne Roadshow alongside regular Triple J guest and The Project correspondent Sam Taunton, with more top-class comedians still to be added to the bill.
The Civic Comedy Club (25 June and 23 July) will provide another outlet for home-grown humour in the style of New York’s famed Comedy Cellar, where you never know just who will turn up for an unexpected night of hilarity.
Moving to its new permanent location in the Banquet Room City Hall, the Civic Comedy Club still gives you cabaret-style dining, drinks brought to your table and the intimate type of entertainment that makes for a perfect night out. This local initiative re-opened the Civic Theatre immediately following COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, and then returned for a one-off show as part of the New Annual festival, and has proved hugely popular.
The Civic Comedy Club is presented in conjunction with Big Dog Comedy, wrapping up a busy couple of months for the local comedy show organisers after the return of their Newcastle Comedy Festival Gala to Civic Theatre on May 28.
City of Newcastle has provided support for the Newcastle Comedy Festival through its Event Sponsorship Program.
Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said attracting and delivering live performances in local venues was essential for creating an activated city centre with a vibrant night-time economy.
“The Civic Comedy Club was one of the first shows on stage when the Civic Theatre was able to re-open its doors to the public last year following months of COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions,” Cr Clausen said.
“Through the popularity of the Newcastle Comedy Festival, the Civic Comedy Club and a wide range of regular touring acts to the Civic Theatre and surrounding venues, City of Newcastle is fast becoming an iconic stop on the national comedy touring circuit.
“By enabling gigs at iconic local venues like City Hall, and sponsoring comedy events through our grants and sponsorship programs, City of Newcastle is proud to be strongly supporting our local comedy scene, which adds another dimension to our diverse Newcastle after dark economy.”
Civic Theatre Manager Leonie Wallace said moving our own Civic Comedy Club to a permanent home is designed to deliver a perfect blend of food and entertainment within the Civic precinct.
“The Civic Comedy Club at City Hall rounds out our annual program of first-class comedy offerings on the Civic Theatre main stage, sitting nicely alongside our subscription season comedy blockbusters, the Melbourne and Sydney Comedy Festival showcases, the Newcastle Comedy Festival, and national comedy treasures such as Carl Barron. This means that if you love comedy, we really do have something for everyone!” Ms Wallace said.
“We’re looking forward to seeing these shows bring another of the Civic precinct’s landmark buildings to life with the move to the more intimate space of the Banquet Room. With access via a rear laneway off Wheeler Place, and the room staged to take on the vibe of Manhattan’s popular Comedy Cellar, the Civic Comedy Club will give Novocastrians the chance to experience the ambience and unpredictability of the stand-up clubs you find in New York, Los Angeles or Melbourne.”
Visit civictheatrenewcastle.com.au to book tickets and keep up-to-date with the latest line-up announcements for the upcoming comedy shows. Bookings for the subscription season shows are already open, while tickets for the Civic Comedy Club will go on sale to the general public on 13 April.
HALFWAY FOR ROZELLE INTERCHANGE TUNNELLING
Construction of Australia’s biggest road infrastructure project has reached another major milestone, with Rozelle Interchange tunnelling passing the half way mark.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said more than 9,000 workers have worked on this stage of the WestConnex project, which also includes the Iron Cove Link.
“The NSW Government is committed to investing in major road infrastructure projects because we know improving our road network makes a real difference to people’s lives, while also providing much needed local jobs at a time when we need them most,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The Rozelle Interchange is the missing link in the WestConnex Project and, along with the M4-M5 tunnels, will provide connections to the City West Link and the future Western Harbour Tunnel, while also bypassing Victoria Road.”
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said while tunnelling continues underground, plans to transform the old Rozelle Rail Yards into a park are coming to life.
“We know construction of the Rozelle Interchange is having a big impact on local residents and we thank them for their patience,” Mr Constance said.
“When the project is finished, the new Rozelle Parklands will have green fields for leisure activities, a boardwalk, picnic areas, play equipment, and new pedestrian and cycling paths.
“The 10 hectares of public parkland and open space will transform life in the Inner West, and will be a great legacy for Rozelle locals and the wider Sydney community.”
Other project facts:
- 24 kilometres of tunnelling, including three levels of tunnels in some parts.
- 12 kilometres of tunnelling has been dug out so far.
- Expected to use 640,000 cubic metres of concrete and 32,000 tonnes of Australian steel.
- The Rozelle Parklands’ Urban Design Landscape Plan was on public display last year. Submissions have been collated and the UDLP is currently with DPIE.
- The Rozelle Parklands Working Group has started meeting formally to determine the optimal uses for the park.
The Rozelle Interchange is on schedule to be completed by late 2023.
Woman charged over hit and run crash – Wallsend
A woman has been charged following an alleged hit and run crash at Newcastle last week.
About 5.45am (Thursday 1 April 2021), emergency services were called to Douglas Street, Wallsend, after reports a motorcyclist had been knocked from his bike by a black SUV.
The rider – aged 18 – was assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital suffering a fractured pelvis and femur.
Officers from the Hunter Crash Investigation Unit attended and commenced an investigation.
Following inquiries, a 28-year-old woman attended Waratah Police Station yesterday (Wednesday 7 April 2021), where she was arrested.
She was charged with six offences including negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and fail to stop and render assistance.
She was granted conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 5 May 2021.
Investigations continue into attempted assault – Hunter region
Police are appealing for public assistance after an elderly man was injured in an incident in the Hunter region yesterday.
About 4.40pm (Thursday 8 April 2021), officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to Lawson Avenue, Woodberry, following reports of a man with facial injuries.
Upon arrival, police located a 78-year-old man with abrasions to his nose and cheek.
Officers were told the man was walking along the footpath when he observed two young males in front of him.
One of the boys rode across the street on a black or dark blue bike, before the other boy allegedly demanded money and the 78-year-old man’s mobile phone.
When the man declined, the boy allegedly picked up a large stick and swung it at the man, causing him to fall to the ground.
The boy left the scene a short time later.
As inquiries continue, police have released a description of two boys who may be able to assist with their inquiries.
The first boy is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged 12 to 14 years and about 155 to 160cm tall. He was riding a black BMX bike.
The second boy is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged 12 to 14 years, about 150 to 155cm tall, with a slim build and short brown hair. He was wearing a light-coloured T-shirt and dark long pants. The boy was riding a black or dark blue scooter.
Police are appealing for anyone with information, or dashcam footage from the area, to contact Maitland Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Appeal to man missing from Lake Macquarie
Police are appealing for assistance to locate a man missing from the Lake Macquarie area.
John Barrett, aged 51, was last seen at Belmont on Wednesday 4 November 2020.
Lake Macquarie Police were notified in January 2021 and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Police and family members hold concerns for his welfare due to a medical condition; John also hasn’t made contact with family since November and hasn’t used his bank account.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 175cm to 180cm tall, with a thin build, light brown shoulder-length hair, a beard and blue eyes.
He is known to frequent areas of Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Port Stephens; he is also known to use the public transport network and other public facilities.
Anyone who may have seen John or that may know of his whereabouts is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Woman and children found safe in Hunter
A woman and two children – who’d been reported missing from The Children’s Hospital at Westmead at the weekend – have been found safe.
The 26-year-old woman and her children – aged four and one ¬– were found a short time ago at a home in Metford (Thursday 8 April 2021).
Police thank the community and media for their assistance in sharing our message
New Acting Chair of Food Standards Australia New Zealand Board
Former Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) CEO Mr Steve McCutcheon has been appointed to the role of acting FSANZ Board Chair following the term completed by Ms Robyn Kruk AO.
Mr McCutcheon will undertake the role while a recruitment process for a substantive Chair is completed.
Ms Kruk led the FSANZ Board as Chair from November 2016 to March 2021.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services and Minister for Sport Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck has welcomed Mr McCutcheon to the role.
“Today, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Steve McCutcheon as Acting Chair of FSANZ.
“Steve McCutcheon was previously the Chief Executive Officer of FSANZ from 2007 to 2017 and has experience in public administration, animal and plant health, banking and finance, with qualifications in economics and law.
“Mr McCutcheon’s knowledge of the operations and core business of FSANZ will be beneficial in ensuring a seamless transition.”
Food Standards Australia New Zealand CEO Mark Booth said Mr McCutcheon is highly regarded among sectoral stakeholders.
“As a former FSANZ CEO, Mr McCutcheon brings to the Chair role a wealth of experience and knowledge about FSANZ operations and its core role in developing standards for the national food regulatory system,” Mr Booth said.
“I look forward to working with him to advance key FSANZ and government priorities in coming months.”
FSANZ is a trans-Tasman agency that develops Australia and New Zealand food standards and is governed by a Board of 12 members.
The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code regulates the use of ingredients, processing aids, colourings, additives and vitamins and minerals and covers the composition of some foods, such as dairy, meat and beverages.
The Food Standards Code also includes some labelling requirements for packaged and unpackaged food, such as specific mandatory warnings or advisory labels.
Minister Colbeck thanked outgoing FSANZ Board Chair Ms Robyn Kruk AO for her guidance and leadership.
“Ms Kruk has played a vital role in delivering robust food standards to ensure the ongoing safety and quality of the food supply in Australia and New Zealand,” Minister Colbeck said.
“The Australian Government thanks Ms Kruk for her service and wishes her future success.”
IMF significantly upgrades Australia’s economic outlook
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has upgraded Australia’s economic growth outlook in its latest World Economic Outlook. Amid continued “high uncertainty” globally, the IMF has confirmed our economy is recovering from the COVID-19 crisis faster and stronger than previously expected.
Australia’s economy is forecast to grow by 4.5 per cent in 2021, one percentage point higher than the IMF’s interim outlook in January. The IMF then expects economic growth to reach 2.8 per cent in 2022, broadly consistent with its earlier projection.
In upgrading its outlook, the IMF notes that the “Australian economy continues to show a strong recovery momentum” and that a “favourable labour market recovery continues to support a strong rebound in private consumption, added by wealth effects from rising house prices”.
Australia’s GDP is “projected to reach the pre-COVID level by the March quarter 2021, limiting scarring effects of the pandemic” and compares favorably internationally with GDP remaining “significantly below pre-pandemic trends in most countries”.
These forecasts follow the Morrison Government’s unprecedented response to the crisis, providing $251 billion in direct economic support that has helped to keep businesses in business and Australians in jobs.
Australia also continues to compare remarkably well to other nations, with the IMF forecasting Japan’s economy to grow by 3.3 per cent, Germany by 3.6 per cent and Italy by 4.2 per cent.
Encouragingly, global growth has also been revised up by 0.5 percentage points to 6.0 per cent in 2021 and by 0.2 percentage points to 4.4 per cent in 2022.
The next stage of the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan will support private sector activity through a number of measures including tax cuts, unprecedented business investment incentives, record levels of investment in skills and training, infrastructure and targeted support for the aviation and tourism sectors.
These household and business incentives will help to unlock the more than $240 billion of savings accumulated throughout the pandemic and sitting on private sector balance sheets.
Having outperformed all major advanced economies on the economic front in the last 12 months, there is no other country you would rather be in than Australia.
Australia welcomes two-way Trans-Tasman travel
Australia’s flight-path to recovery is well underway with the Australian Government welcoming the New Zealand Government’s announcement that it will join the Safe Travel Zone between Australia and New Zealand.
This announcement will enable quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand on both sides of the Tasman helping to reunite families and friends and giving tourism operators a significant boost.
It follows Australia’s opening of a one-way Safe Travel Zone from New Zealand to Australia six months ago, with more than 34,000 arrivals into Australia from New Zealand during that period.
This latest major step in the resumption of international travel has only been possible due to the internationally recognised, world-leading responses to the COVID-19 pandemic by Australia and New Zealand.
The Federal Government’s decisions to close Australia’s international border early last year, declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic before the World Health Organisation did and working with the States and Territories through the National Cabinet to suppress the virus has ensured we are the envy of the world today.
The importance of this announcement is demonstrated by the fact that the Trans-Tasman route is Australia’s busiest international aviation market with more than seven million passengers in the one year ending January 2020 before the effects of COVID-19 hit international aviation.
Throughout this pandemic, the Federal Government has supported more than 40,000 flights through various programs and initiatives. As of last month, flights on common routes in Australia were at 57 per cent of the pre-COVID average, up from a low of 3 per cent at the height of the pandemic and today’s announcement by the New Zealand Government will be a further boost to Australia’s aviation industry.
The announcement also represents a major boost to our tourism industry with around 18 per cent of all international air arrivals from New Zealand annually and with visitors to Australia now having the opportunity to travel without having to quarantine at either end of their journey. In 2019, New Zealand travellers spent $1.6 billion on travel and tourism in Australia.
Should temporary restrictions need to be applied due to a COVID-19 outbreak, both countries will provide as much notice as possible to Government agencies, passengers, airlines and airport operators affected by any such measures.
Given that Australian and New Zealand airlines had already been operating under a one-way Safe Travel Zone to Australia for the past six months operating “green” flights to Australia, we are optimistic that airlines will commence additional services to meet the demand generated by the two-way Safe Travel Zone.
Australian and New Zealand government health and border officials will also continue to work together to facilitate the safe and effective introduction of the two-way Safe Travel Zone.
City seeks early feedback from community on north Stockton CMP erosion management options
City of Newcastle is seeking feedback from the community on erosion management options for the northern area of Stockton Beach as part of work underway on the Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP) 2021.
The land to the north of Meredith Street is owned and managed by Defence Housing Australia, Hunter Water, Crown Land and the Department of Communities and Justice, and City of Newcastle is working closely with these stakeholders during development of the 2021 CMP.
A long list of coastal management options for the Stockton CMP 2021 has been assessed with four schemes identified to best complement the mass sand nourishment agreed on in the Stockton CMP 2020 while also providing a buffer from erosion and considering the environment, social amenity and recreational use of the beach.
The four schemes that have progressed for further investigation for the northern end of Stockton Beach from Meredith Street to the Port Stephens Local Government Area boundary include maintenance nourishment, an artificial reef, an artificial headland and sand back passing.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said work is underway on the Stockton CMP 2021, with an aim of identifying additional coastal management options to extend the life of mass sand nourishment.
“We’re investigating the feasibility of these schemes to ensure each is possible and would provide consideration to the entire Stockton Bight,” Cr Nelmes said.
“During this early phase we are gathering feedback from the community on the schemes that have been developed to help prolong mass sand nourishment.
“The Stockton Community Liaison Group has provided feedback on the positives and drawbacks of each scheme, allowing the designs to progress to this point.
“We would now like to hear from the wider community about what people like or don’t like about the options we’re considering, and why.”
City of Newcastle Director Infrastructure Ken Liddell said that following community consultation, the proposed schemes would then be put through rigorous technical tests.
“For schemes that are considered feasible, we will then carry out a viability assessment, which will take the cost of each scheme into account and allow us to carry out a cost-benefit analysis,” Mr Liddell said.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the community will have another chance to provide feedback on viable projects before implementation.
“There will be further opportunities for the community to have their say on the schemes being considered for Stockton CMP 2021 later in the year, and we look forward to continuing to work with the local community towards another positive outcome for the beach and the community,” Cr Clausen said.
The Stockton CMP 2021 will update the Stockton CMP 2020 to include the northern end of Stockton Beach beyond Meredith Street, with the City reiterating that this land is owned and managed by Defence Housing Australia, Hunter Water, Crown Land and the Department of Communities and Justice.
City of Newcastle is working closely with these stakeholders during development of the 2021 CMP.
“These stakeholders must agree to the coastal management actions in the Stockton CMP 2021 to allow it to be sent for certification from the State Government. Without agreement, the CMP cannot progress,” Cr Nelmes said.
The community is encouraged to learn more about the management options and provide feedback at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Stockton or by accessing a paper survey at Stockton Library.
Stockton Beach (north) Coastal Management Program options
Maintenance Nourishment
This involves replacing the sand that currently moves north from Stockton Beach along the Stockton Bight each year – about 112,000m3 or 45 Olympic swimming pools. The aim of this scheme is to actively ‘keep the sand moving’ by mimicking/reinstating the natural sand flow, something that has been limited at Stockton.
The benefit of this approach is that the northward movement of sand would provide a buffer for the Stockton Bight coastline. For this to go ahead, we still need to identify a source for the sand and identify the long-term environmental impacts of retrieving and depositing this additional sand on a regular basis. Work on this has started.
Artificial Headland
This involves building an artificial headland that would extend into the ocean by around 150 to 200 metres. The aim of this scheme is to ‘keep sand in the system’ as the headland will slow the northern movement of sand along Stockton Bight. There will also be recreational benefits.
As part of this scheme, sand will build up on the southern side of the headland. Once it has built up, sand will bypass the headland and then feed the beach to the north. Once construction is complete the shoreline to the north of the structure will realign landward.
For this to go ahead, we still need to confirm exactly how the headland will work. Specific scientific modelling will determine sand volumes held by the structure and sand volumes bypassing the structure. Work on this has started.
Artificial Reef
This involves building a submerged artificial reef. The artificial reef would slow the northward movement of sand along Stockton Bight by reducing wave energy reaching the beach, providing a surfing benefit. With the aim to ‘keep sand in the system’ the sand will build up on the southern side of the reef. The reef would not stop sand movement to the north as the artificial headland option initially does. Once construction is complete, the shoreline to the north of the structure will realign.
For this to go ahead, we need to find out if we have the ability/need to build more than one reef and learn exactly how it would work. Specific modelling will determine sand volumes held by the structure and sand volumes by passing the structure. Work on this has started.
Sand Back Passing System
This involves re-circulating sand using machinery that will collect sand, feeding it via a pipe network to the south, to outlets placed along Stockton Beach. This scheme aims to ‘keep sand in the system’ by re-circulating sand, following mass nourishment.
It would be powered by a pump station, allowing wet sand to flow from the outlets onto Stockton Beach. The pumping rate will allow for the water to run into the ocean leaving the sand to fall out, building the beach up during a campaign. During operation, small sections of the beach would be closed to the public, however most of the beach would remain open.
For this to go ahead, we still need to determine the exact location for the infrastructure and run scientific modelling around the volumes of sand that will be used. We are also yet to determine how frequently the system would need to operate. Work on this has started.