Category: Newcastle News

The largest ever citizenship ceremony held in Newcastle filled the Civic Theatre on Wednesday morning.

More than 380 conferees from 68 countries were invited to take the pledge of commitment alongside family, friends and dignitaries.

Hailing from all corners of the globe, from Turkey and Colombia to Germany and South Africa, Newcastle’s newest citizens were treated to traditional performances by the Deadly Callaghan Yidaki Group and dancers of Hamilton South and Plattsburg public schools before receiving their citizenship certificates.

Among them was the Mahajan family, of Wallsend; Doctor Nikhil, his wife Shilpi, and their nine-year-old twins, Nishchay and Nishka.

Settling in Newcastle in 2016, Dr Mahajan, a liver and kidney transplant surgeon at the John Hunter Hospital, described his family’s immigration journey as “very smooth” and said they were proud to become Australian citizens.

“Having been born in India and lived and studied all over the country, India will always be home, but if I had to call somewhere else home, Newcastle is it,” Dr Mahajan said.

“When I finally finished my studies, I decided I wanted one or two more years’ experience overseas. We arrived here when our twins were only three, and Newcastle quickly won us over and we chose to stay and make it our new home.

“This city has welcomed and accepted us, there’s no place like it. We’ve lived in big cities like Delhi which has almost 33 million people, but the excitement is short-lived when you can reside this close to the beach and enjoy great work-life balance, plus you’re never more than 15 minutes away from friends.”

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said she was proud to confer citizenship upon a record number of Novocastrians and share with each of them such a special day in their lives.

“Today’s ceremony represents a significant achievement for the City of Newcastle, clearing the waitlist for those eligible for citizenship within the Newcastle Local Government Area and completing the all-important final step in the process for hundreds of families, making it easier for them to apply for jobs and an Australian passport, as well as vote at elections,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We are proud to be a progressive and inclusive city and we are so thrilled to be welcoming a record number of new citizens to Newcastle today.”

City of Newcastle (CN) has begun consulting with the community about ideas and feedback on the transformation of Broadmeadow over the next 20 years.

CN is leading the development of the Broadmeadow Place Strategy, in partnership with the NSW Government. A new approach is being taken, where CN will lead the work to develop the place strategy and play an integral role in the strategic planning for the area.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said she welcomed the opportunity to work alongside the NSW Government to deliver long-term outcomes for the community and rezone land to support 2,000 new homes.

“We know our population is growing, and Broadmeadow provides a unique opportunity to deliver housing, job opportunities and public spaces and facilities right in the heart of the Newcastle LGA,” Cr Nelmes said.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said a partnership between the NSW Government and council would deliver the best result for the community.

“We will work together to develop plans to transform Broadmeadow into a vibrant and connected community, with an abundance of housing, public spaces, and job opportunities,” Mr Scully said.

“This Place Strategy will inform detailed master planning for the precinct, and I encourage everyone to be part of the planning process and help shape Broadmeadow’s future.”

Locals who live, work and play in Broadmeadow are encouraged to help guide future change.

“We want to better understand the precinct’s opportunities from the community’s perspective. Working with the community, and considering advice from the technical experts, we will plan for Broadmeadow’s future and create a new and enhanced place for people to live in and visit for years to come,” Cr Nelmes said.

Planning is in the early stages and there will be a range of opportunities for the community to provide their feedback on plans as they develop over the next 12 months.

The public is invited to provide feedback via a short survey available on City of Newcastle’s website (https://haveyoursay.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/broadmeadow-place-strategy) and information drop-in sessions will be held so the community can learn more about the project.

Community information drop-in sessions will be held on:

• Wednesday 31 May from 10-1pm at Hamilton Library (46 James Street, Hamilton)
• Saturday 3 June from 1-4pm at Hamilton Library (46 James Street, Hamilton)
• Wednesday 7 June from 4-7pm at City of Newcastle Digital Library (12 Stewart Avenue, Newcastle West).

City of Newcastle (CN) will install parking sensors along Darby Street to help improve parking availability for customers of local businesses.

Darby Street commercial precinct was selected as a location for the new technology in response to feedback received during the recent Streets as Shared Spaces trial, and as part of recommendations identified in CN’s Parking Plan ‘On the Street’.

Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said supporting local businesses by improving parking turnover in this popular area is a priority.

“We conducted extensive consultation with businesses, as part of the highly successful Darby Street Streets as Shared Spaces project. From this feedback, we heard parking turnover was a concern for businesses, who requested that City of Newcastle explore more options to improve parking availability,” Cr Clausen said.

“Most businesses surveyed in the Darby Street and Hamilton precincts supported the installation of parking sensors.

“Installing the sensor technology will allow us to collect data on parking occupancy and turnover, ensuring parking spaces and restrictions suit the needs of customers and traders now and into the future.

“Many local businesses have told us that some drivers are parking well beyond the two-hour limit, which prevents people who are coming for a meal or coffee from being able to find a spot on Darby Street. The sensors will support our staff in enforcing the existing time restrictions, whilst ensuring turnover.”

In the coming weeks, sensors will be set beneath the road pavement in parking spaces along Darby Street (between Queen and Bull Street), Council Street (between Darby Street and Council Street Carpark exit) and in the Council owned carpark behind the Hotel Delany.

The sensors do not collect identifiable information, but work by recording when a vehicle arrives in a parking spot and when it leaves, monitoring the length of time the vehicle has stayed in the space.

Additional locations for parking sensors are under review for commercial precincts in Beaumont Street, Hamilton, and selected areas of Hunter Street, Newcastle.

Installation is planned to occur later this year in Hamilton, with areas in the Hunter Street precinct in Newcastle under consideration for installation in line with current infrastructure works in this area.

With summer now behind us, the Lambton Swimming Centre is gearing up for the construction of a new grandstand capable of hosting 800 people during school swimming carnivals as part of City of Newcastle’s continued investment to protect and enhance the popular facility.

Demolition of the existing 60-year-old concrete grandstand gets underway today with the program of work timed to coincide with the upcoming closure of the pool on 28 May for the winter period to minimise impact on pool users.

Chair of City of Newcastle’s (CN) Infrastructure Advisory Committee Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said replacing the grandstand reflects CN’s commitment to investing in quality upgrades to its inland pool facilities, as outlined in the draft ‘Inland Pools Strategy 2043’.

“City of Newcastle is committed to maintaining and investing in the Lambton Swimming Centre to ensure it continues to meet the expectations and evolving needs of the 185,000 community members, sporting clubs and visitors that enjoy the pool each year,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.

The design for the new grandstand retains the existing roof structure and includes much-needed storage space for operational requirements including equipment for school and sporting groups, while also including upgraded accessibility considerations.

Cr Winney-Baartz said with Lambton Swimming Centre being the most popular swimming centre in the Hunter, it’s important that the site’s offerings expand to serve the community.

“With a growing population, replacing the current grandstand with a structure that can accommodate up to 800 people while also catering for the needs of sporting clubs and improved accessibility will contribute to Lambton Swimming Centre’s safe operation into the future while meeting the needs of its many diverse users,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.

CN has invited tenders for the construction of the new concrete grandstand and hopes to appoint a tenderer for the work by the end of the month.

A scheduled program of maintenance has commenced at Lambton Swimming Centre and includes safety upgrades, painting, and changeroom improvements, whilst the installation of a more efficient heating system is also underway.

CN’s draft Inland Pools Strategy 2043 outlines a plan for the management and renewal of CN’s five swimming pools over the next 20 years. The community is invited to provide feedback on the strategy before 5pm on 12 May 2023 by visiting www.haveyoursay.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/inland-pools-strategy.

Mayfield residents have come together today to celebrate the opening of a new playground at the Avon Street Reserve, which was upgraded as part of City of Newcastle’s annual playground replacement program.

The community event also provided an opportunity for City of Newcastle to plant a tree to mark the coronation of avid environmentalist King Charles III.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes helped plant the Australian red cedar at the Avon Street Reserve today, following the formal ceremony for the newly-crowned British monarch, which was held in London on 6 May.

Tree planting activities have been held around the world to celebrate the coronation, while King Charles III himself recently planted the final tree in Britain’s Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, which saw more than three million trees planted across the United Kingdom in honour of his mother’s reign of more than 70 years.

Cr Nelmes said City of Newcastle is committed to increasing urban forest canopy cover for future generations and for wildlife.

“Late last year City of Newcastle created a living legacy for the long-lasting reign of Queen Elizabeth II by planting a 700m long avenue of native trees in Maryland as part of the Australian Government’s Planting Trees for The Queen’s Jubilee Program,” Cr Nelmes said.

“It seems only fitting to plant a new tree today in honour of the coronation of King Charles III who, like his mother, is well known for his interest in the environment and conservation.

“This Australian Red Cedar will grow into a large feature tree that will add shade to the park and complement this fantastic new playground, which is already being well utilised by the local community.”

The Avon Street Reserve playground was one of five new playgrounds upgraded across Newcastle this year as part of a $750,000 investment into delivering improved recreational opportunities for families across the local government area.

Other new playgrounds have been opened at Loch Ness Drive Park in Fletcher, Waratah Park in Waratah, Harold Myers Park in Birmingham Gardens and Vera Wilson Park in Beresfield.

The talent and creativity of Newcastle’s diverse First Nations people is being celebrated through a new exhibition curated by Newcastle Museum.

Entitled FIRST, the exhibition showcases the work of 16 First Nations creatives who have a link to Newcastle and the Hunter, featuring everything from light projections and videos to paintings, glass work and sculpture.

A surfboard, customised shoes, clothing and even a giant shark extend the creative works beyond more traditional artistic mediums, while the exhibition also features four genre-bending musical works.

City of Newcastle’s Museum, Archive, Libraries and Learning Director Julie Baird said the exhibition provides insight into the diverse practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives.

“When Newcastle Museum made a call out for First Nations creatives to be involved in this exhibition, we were overwhelmed by the positive community response. Designers, musicians, artists, and architects have shared their practice and insight for this unusual exhibition, which showcases the creativity in Newcastle’s diverse First Nations people,” Ms Baird said.

“FIRST offers a blank canvas for creatives to shift the mindset on what is usually conceived as having to fit into traditional work while still embodying the creatives’ cultural identity – this is new ideas, ancient legacy and boundless creativity across a wide range of disciplines to demonstrate how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people bring their culture to a variety of creative forms.”

Newcastle Councillor and proud Wiradjuri woman Deahnna Richardson encouraged people to read the stories accompanying each of the works in this free exhibition, which is the first of its kind for Newcastle Museum.

“This exhibition demonstrates Newcastle Museum’s commitment to providing space for First Nations people to share their own stories, amplifying their voices and enriching Newcastle’s cultural offering through temporary exhibitions,” Cr Richardson said.

“By showcasing the extraordinary cultural practices of our First Nations people in contemporary ways, this exhibition will allow us to gain new perspectives and celebrate the work of local emerging and established creatives.”

Gomeroi man and musician Jacob Cummins said it was important for museums and galleries to continue to support First Nations creatives through ongoing opportunities and exhibitions.

“Providing opportunities for younger artists is the biggest investment for the future … not just in a career sense, also just support in maintaining that connection to culture and being able to fly the flag, and display that with the most pride that you possibly can,” he said.

FIRST will be officially opening with a public event at Newcastle Museum from 6pm to 7.30pm tonight and will remain on display until Sunday 6 August. The free exhibition will be accompanied by an online portfolio where visitors can learn more about the artists and their work.

The First Nations creatives featured in the exhibition are Maree Bisby, Virginia McDonald, Shane Dixon, Adam Manning, Wanda Matthews, Wayde Clark (Aléjandro), Kachina Davidson, Gambirra Illume, Maria Tattersall, Jakeob Watson, Timothy Jackson (Timberlina), Ngaire Pakai, Shellie Smith, Jasmine Craciun, Wanjun Carpenter, and Jacob Cummins.

City of Newcastle (CN) hosted a series of workshops today that explored the benefits of investing locally to unlock business growth, local employment and economic development opportunities.

International economist Michael H. Shuman led the conversation by sharing his insights into local investment best practice adopted in the USA and Canada, which could potentially be rolled out in Newcastle and the Hunter region. The workshops were attended by Hunter economic development professionals and finance staff, local councils, leaders from major local employers, CN staff and Councillors.

As a leading visionary on community economics, Shuman is also an attorney, author and entrepreneur who assists local governments around the world with local investment tools and supported the development of City of Newcastle’s Economic Development Strategy (EDS).

Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said communities with higher levels of local ownership have more social equality, civic engagement, and higher economic resilience.

“A key component to our City’s Economic Development Strategy advocates for a people-centred and place-led approach to economic development, to build resilient and regenerative communities. To achieve this, increasing levels of local investment is the next frontier for Newcastle and the region,” Cr Clausen said.

“Michael Shuman’s work has been key in shaping our City’s Economic Development Strategy and it’s been wonderful to welcome him to Newcastle to delve into local investment opportunities together with our business community.”

Shuman delivered three workshops in Newcastle titled ‘Unlocking Local Capital: Lessons from the United States, Canada, and elsewhere on how Newcastle can tap local investment for economic development’.

“City of Newcastle has the opportunity to be a global leader in developing a compelling 21st century economic development vision and roadmap that puts people and planet first, unleashes creative entrepreneurship and becomes an enabler, facilitator and partner of social innovation and positive change,” Mr Shuman said.

City of Newcastle (CN) is a proud champion of Privacy Awareness Week NSW 2023 and is committed to safeguarding the personal information of its local citizens.

Privacy Awareness Week is a global campaign that highlights the importance of privacy and raises awareness for public agencies, like City of Newcastle, about how to best protect the personal information of its customers.

The collection, storage, use, disclosure and amendment of personal information that is held securely by CN is managed in accordance with its recently revised Privacy Management Plan and the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 NSW.

All NSW citizens have a right to have their personal information protected. The Information and Privacy Commission (IPC) can also help citizens understand privacy laws in NSW and provides information on how to best protect their personal information.

During Privacy Awareness Week, the IPC has released these basic principles to help citizens to protect their own personal privacy:

Store – store personal documents such as passports, driver’s licenses, pay slips, tax returns, bank statements and bills in a safe place.

Destroy – Destroy or shred personal documents you are throwing away such as bills, receipts, credit card statements and other documents that show your name, address or other personal details.

Limit – Keep the number of documents you carry around on you to a minimum. Don’t leave personal documents in your vehicle or unattended.

Vary – Always use a different password and PIN for different accounts and take care when using public computers to access personal information.

Accurate – Regularly check your records. Make sure your information is correct and up to date.

Secret – Disable auto-connect to public Wi-Fi and never connect to public Wi-Fi on your work account. Use a VPN, incognito mode and/or ad blocking browser extensions, and clear out your cookie caches and browsing history to prevent your data and activity being collected.

Ask – Get permission before you share photos or videos of someone else, and don’t share posts that contain personal information. Never exchange sensitive information over email.

Think – Think before you click links or share posts. Social media platforms have around 20 per cent more methods to scam customers than other websites, including malicious advertisements, share buttons and plug-ins.

Delete – Remove unused apps from your phone, and disable location, camera and microphone access where it’s not required.

To learn more, visit the Information and Privacy Commission’s Privacy Awareness Week webpage or view City of Newcastle’s Privacy Statement.

City of Newcastle is supporting the academic pursuits of three University of Newcastle students by easing their financial burden with scholarships in 2023.

Both the Lord Mayor’s Scholarship and the Lord Mayor’s Women’s Scholarship were established by current Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes to support students experiencing financial hardship whilst studying at the University of Newcastle.

The Lord Mayor’s Scholarship has been awarded to Lara Mackay who is studying a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) whilst Madison Innis has been awarded the Lord Mayor’s Women’s Scholarship in her third year studying Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours).

Second-year Bachelor of Communication student Rhoyce Nova has been named the recipient of the Meg Purser Communications Scholarship in memory of one of Newcastle’s most prominent and community-focused communications businesswomen, Meg Purser, who lost her battle with cancer in January 2021.

The Meg Purser Communications Scholarship was supported by Councillors in 2021 to provide $5,000 to an undergraduate student completing the second year of their Communications degree at the University of Newcastle.

Meg is remembered for her charitable and behind the scenes work for organisations, such as the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, Hunter Breast Care Foundation and Got Your Back Sister.

Visit The University of Newcastle’s website for more scholarship information.

City of Newcastle will shine a light on some of Australia’s finest bird illustrations as part of a new exhibition from its rare book collection.

Gould – Treasures of the Hunter celebrates the legacy of renowned British ornithologist John Gould and his talented artist wife Elizabeth, whose strikingly beautiful lithographs helped bring her husband’s seminal work, The Birds of Australia, to life in the mid-19^th-century.

Rare original copies of John’s books form the centrepiece of the exhibition, surrounded by a selection of Elizabeth’s vibrant illustrations, which have been digitally reproduced and enlarged to highlight the finely-detailed nature of the hand-drawn works.

Newcastle Councillor Carol Duncan said the Gould – Treasures of the Hunter exhibition provides an insight into our local connection to the Goulds.

“City of Newcastle are the custodians of one of the country’s largest collections of John Gould’s Birds of Australia publications, which were donated to the city in 1945 by Dr Roland Pope and are a treasured part of the Newcastle Libraries collection,” Cr Duncan said.

“What people may not know, however, is that the Goulds visited Newcastle and the Hunter in 1839 as part of their project to publish this first comprehensive record of Australia’s birds, spending time on Ash and Mosquito islands before travelling via paddle steamer up the Hunter River to visit Elizabeth’s brother in the Upper Hunter.

“Many of the illustrations in the much-loved Birds of Australia books were based on sketches Elizabeth produced during their two-year trip around the country, including their time spent in the Hunter.”

The Birds of Australia featured descriptions of more than 681 species of birds, including 328 that were new to science and were first described by John Gould. The books included more than 600 hand-coloured lithographed plates of Australian birds, which are regarded as among the finest examples of bird illustrations ever published.

City of Newcastle Director of Museum, Archive, Libraries and Learning, Julie Baird, said City of Newcastle’s cultural institutions played an important role in preserving local history and sharing the stories of our region.

“This exhibition demonstrates Newcastle Libraries commitment to telling stories of and for the people of Newcastle and the wider Hunter Region, enriching Newcastle’s cultural offering through its annual temporary and touring exhibition program,” Ms Baird said.

“It explores a fascinating chapter in our local history, displaying examples of the collection’s rare, beautiful and much-loved volumes of Birds of Australia with additional images and maps drawn from the library’s historic archives.”

Ms Baird said the Library’s exhibition provided the perfect complement to the Australian Museum’s multimedia Birds of Australia Storybox installation, which is currently on display in the Newcastle Museum forecourt until 12 June.

Gould – Treasures of the Hunter exhibition will run from 1 May to 21 October in the Local History Lounge at Newcastle City Library.