Category: Newcastle News

A passionate advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities has been selected as Newcastle’s 2023 Citizen of the Year.

Nathan Towney was crowned Citizen of the Year at an award ceremony on Wednesday, in recognition of his leadership as The University of Newcastle’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Leadership.

A Wiradjuri man, Mr Towney was pivotal in the successful launch of Ngarrama in 2022 in partnership with Awabakal Ltd and supported by City of Newcastle, and will oversee the event’s return to King Edward Park on Wednesday 25 January 2023.

The free public vigil – the name of which translates to “to sit, listen and know” – is held on the eve of Australia Day to engage the community in meaningful reconciliation through truth telling and historical acceptance, featuring performances and informative talks from local Aboriginal elders.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Mr Towney’s worthy conferral as Citizen of the Year came at a significant time in the national discourse on Indigenous affairs, ahead of the forthcoming referendum to establish a Voice to Parliament.

“Mr Towney is a dedicated community leader who is passionate about building positive relationships and creating greater awareness and understanding of the path to reconciliation,” Cr Nelmes said.

“A member of City of Newcastle’s Gurakai Aboriginal Advisory Committee, Mr Towney freely and generously gives his time and knowledge and is an exceptionally worthy recipient of the Citizen of the Year title.”

Mr Towney said it was an honour to receive the award, which gave weight to the incredible work being done in the community to shift public perceptions and improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“I’m really proud to be part of this community,” Mr Towney said. “Newcastle has been a place of opportunity for Aboriginal people for many years and there are a lot of people who do amazing work across this region. I feel this personal recognition has been made possible by the foundational work of many people who have advocated for Aboriginal people, history and cultures in Newcastle across generations.”

The 2023 Young Citizen of the Year title was awarded to local entrepreneur Dominic May, who founded CoastXP, a unique coastal sightseeing experience.

As well as actively contributing to the diversity of local tourism offerings and Newcastle’s post-pandemic economic recovery, Mr May was lauded for his rescue efforts when the crew onboard the fishing vessel ELLIE-K issued a mayday call off the Newcastle coast in July.

Mr May and a group of whale watchers arrived on scene with seconds to spare as the vessel was taking on water, rescuing the entire crew including the family dog.

In recognition of its work with all levels of government to tackle coastal erosion, Stockton Community Group Inc. was announced as the 2023 Community Group of the Year.

Led by Co-Presidents Alison Rigby and Melanie Taggart, the volunteer group was congratulated on its efforts to highlight erosion at Stockton Beach and call on the NSW State Government to “step up and act” through organised campaigns such as the Red Line Rally in July.

Stockton Community Group Inc. continues to advocate alongside City of Newcastle for the implementation of actions under the Stockton Coastal Management Plan (CMP), which was certified by the NSW Government in August 2020.

Young people will soon be swinging, sliding and climbing around five local playgrounds as City of Newcastle (CN) embarks on a $750,000 replacement program in 2023.

The program is set to include a makeover of Beresfield’s Vera Wilson Park, Loch Ness Drive Park in Fletcher, Harold Myers Park in Birmingham Gardens, Avon Street Reserve in Mayfield, and Waratah Park.

Upgraded equipment will cater for a range of ages, with swings, challenging climbing components, slides and multi-play units – as well as a new stairway at Fletcher and a mini trampoline at Waratah – among the new play attractions.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said up to five of Newcastle’s 134 local playgrounds are replaced each year under a commitment to delivering improved recreational opportunities for families across the local government area.

“We know how much our community values open spaces and playgrounds, which is why City of Newcastle is investing $750,000 to upgrade five local playgrounds this year,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The city’s playgrounds provide children and families with the opportunity to spend more time outdoors and engage in an active and healthy lifestyle.”

City of Newcastle has invested more than $9.5 million in playground projects during the past five years, including the construction of an inclusive playground at Stevenson Park in Mayfield, Stockton Active Hub, and the adventure playground at Richley Reserve.

The Wallsend community also celebrated the recent completion of the $2 million Wallsend Active Hub. Its delivery caps off more than $7.7 million worth of investment by City of Newcastle into four District-level playgrounds across the area during the past five years.

In addition to these planned playground renewals, CN will be constructing a new inclusive playspace and waterpark for the Harbour Foreshore Precinct in Newcastle’s East End as part of the implementation of the Harbour Foreshore Masterplan.

The playspace will include a junior and toddler space based around themes of the beach, as well as a splash pad with interactive water play, tugboats, Awabakal canoes, and water mazes. There will also be a large swing set based on maritime navigation, flying foxes, and purpose-built shade structures.

Visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/works to stay up to date with progress on playgrounds and other projects in your area.

Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon, today announced that funding for three local schools under the Schools Upgrade Fund has been delivered by the Albanese Labor Government.

Successful projects in the Newcastle electorate under the Targeted Round are:

• Belair Public School will receive $31,150 for playground upgrades
• Heaton Public School will receive $50,000 to upgrade the creative play space
• Mayfield West Demonstration School will receive $50,000 for air conditioning and air ventilation.

Ms Claydon said the funding for these commitments has now been confirmed and will be provided to the schools in coming weeks.

“We committed to funding for these important school upgrades – and we’ve delivered,” Ms Claydon said.

“This is terrific news for these schools – especially for their students.

“It means better equipment and facilities to help them learn and play in a top-class environment.

“I’m so proud of our local schools and students. Everyone has had a tough couple of years and this funding is part of our efforts to help them bounce back.”

The funding is part of the $270 million Schools Upgrade Fund which is being rolled-out by the Albanese Labor Government to boost school infrastructure for students, especially to combat the impacts of the pandemic.

Ms Claydon also encouraged local schools to apply for funding for projects under the open grant round.   

“The open grant round is worth $32 million and will be invested in things like new laptops and iPads, classroom upgrades and outdoor learning areas,” Ms Claydon said.

“I encourage all schools in Newcastle to apply.”

Funding will go to schools most in need towards small-scale projects worth up to $25,000 to create healthier and safer learning environments and help students get back on track after disruptions caused by COVID.

For more information on how to apply visit: www.education.gov.au/schools-upgrade-fund

The 60-year-old grandstand at Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre is set to be replaced as part of City of Newcastle’s ongoing investment in the much-loved community facility.

With the busy school swimming carnival season just weeks away, temporary seating structures have been installed while a DA is considered for the new grandstand, allowing up to 320 spectators to cheer on competitors, ahead of plans to commence work on the permanent grandstand during the winter.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the ongoing upgrades reflected the facility’s important role as Newcastle’s aquatic hub.

“City of Newcastle (CN) is committed to maintaining and investing in Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre to ensure the 185,000 community members, sporting clubs and visitors that enjoy the facility each year continue to enjoy quality sporting and leisure opportunities for active living and social connection,” Cr Clausen said.

“With the original concrete grandstand due to be replaced once the facility closes this winter, CN has installed temporary seating facilities with shade that will accommodate school swimming carnival spectators and pool visitors seeking a place to relax.

“Detailed designs for the new grandstand are in the process of being finalised but it will remain 75-metres long featuring six tiers and capacity to seat more than 700 people with accessible seating options and viewing platforms catering to wheelchairs and prams.

“Replacing the grandstand will complement a raft of recent improvements at the facility, with CN investing close to $1 million toward projects like a new 120-metre-long waterslide, water play area upgrades, and replacing the Olympic swimming pool’s diving blocks and new diving boards funded via a grant from the NSW Government.”

A Development Application has been lodged for the demolition of the existing grandstand and construction of a new concrete grandstand, with tenders for both expected to open in Autumn 2023.

A scheduled program of maintenance continues at Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre including safety upgrades, painting, and changeroom improvements, while design has started for a more efficient heating system.

The sun may have gone down on Sir Elton John’s first and last Newcastle tour, but local tourism and hospitality operators are still revelling in the wake of the event’s success.

Large crowds flocked to McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday, and again on Tuesday, for the first stop on the Australian leg of the mega-star’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, injecting more than $12 million into the local visitor economy.

Of the more than 50,000 tickets sold for two performances, 11,000 tickets were purchased by visitors from outside Newcastle, 2,000 from interstate and more than 120 by international visitors.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the city was still buzzing after Sir Elton John’s two performances that have shone a spotlight on Newcastle and elevated its status as a national events destination.

“It has been an amazing week here in Newcastle for locals and visitors with Sir Elton John performing in our city for the first-time on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour,” Cr Nelmes said.

“City of Newcastle partnered with Venues NSW to secure Newcastle as the first stop on the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in Australia under a strategic Major Events Partnership and would like to congratulate the event organisers for putting on a fantastic show for our locals and visitors.

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

“Major events are a key part of City of Newcastle’s 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.

“City of Newcastle is committed to ongoing strategic investment in major events and tourism through event sponsorship, industry development, tourism brand refresh Seek Off Beat and targeted marketing campaigns which are integral to building a thriving, diverse and robust visitor economy.”

The upcoming expansion of Newcastle Airport will pave the way for attracting 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.

“What we have seen this week is nothing short of record breaking. The first performance has driven unprecedented demand on a Sunday which is typically our quietest day of the week,” QT Newcastle General Manager Michael Stamboulidis said.

Local hospitality operators like Earp Distilling Co. have been welcoming guests from as far flung as the Whitsundays to Victoria over the past few days according to manager Cameron Burns.

“We’ve been run off our feet, thanks to Elton. This tour has been huge for local tourism and hospitality operators. The more we can help bring events like this to Newcastle, the better,” Mr Burns said.

McDonald Jones Stadium Venue Manager Dean Mantle said the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour has been a major success.

“McDonald Jones Stadium is officially back open for concerts after successfully staging two at-capacity Elton John shows,” Mantle said.

“While it had been more than 30 years between concerts, the success of this tour will only strengthen McDonald Jones Stadium’s position to secure more major events of this scale, complementing the offering from our sporting partners, the Newcastle Knights and Newcastle Jets.

“The success of this event was made possible due to the strong partnership between Venues NSW, City of Newcastle, Michael Chugg and Frontier Touring.”

Global superstar Elton John is heading to Newcastle this week on a yellow brick road paved with gold for the local economy as the revitalised city cements its transformation into an event powerhouse.

The international music icon will kick off his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour of Australia and New Zealand with two concerts in Newcastle on 8 and 10 January, which are expected to inject around $12 million into the local economy.

His visit will launch a lucrative period for the seventh largest city in Australia, with major events set to attract hundreds of thousands of spectators to Newcastle, provide global exposure and deliver an economic boost worth tens of millions of dollars.

Events include an extended run of the critically acclaimed Broadway musical Come From Away at the historic Civic Theatre in February, the season-opening race of the Supercars Championship on March 10-12 and Australia’s largest annual surfing festival, Surfest, which attracts some of the world’s top surfers and will culminate in a thrilling finals showdown on 25-26 March.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said in the past decade, Newcastle has been transformed into an innovative global city, capturing the attention of investors, event promoters and visitors from around the world.

“We are a city on the rise, with more than $1.85 billion in new developments approved in Newcastle during the last financial year and record levels of private investment delivering entertainment, tourism and hospitality options alongside major residential and retail developments,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Newcastle’s revitalisation has driven our burgeoning events and tourism economy, which continues to grow off the back of a strategic focus and investment by City of Newcastle.

“Events deliver both an immediate and ongoing benefit for the community and economy, with greater visitation, investment and liveability outcomes. Ongoing investment in events and tourism is integral to building a thriving, diverse and robust economy.”

Newcastle’s record of hosting national and international events stretches back to 1985 when Surfest was launched as the richest professional surfing competition in the world.

But its evolution as an events city shifted gears when City of Newcastle and the NSW Government helped secure the Supercars Newcastle 500 for five years from 2017.

Since then, it has opened up further opportunities to host and deliver national and international events on a significant scale, including the 2018 A-League grand final, 2020 SAANZAR Rugby Championship and the 2021 World Surf League Championship Tour event.

This was capped off last year with the staging of Van Gogh Alive, which saw 84,000 people flock to the city to experience the immersive, multi-sensory display of the painter’s iconic artworks. Newcastle was the first regional city in Australia to host the event.

Promoter Andrew Kay said he would return to the city with more major events following the success of the 2022 season.

“We were absolutely thrilled by the reception we received in Newcastle and the Hunter. With over 84,000 tickets sold in just five weeks, the region has shown its appetite and appreciation for quality events,” Mr Kay said.

“Van Gogh Alive was welcomed by the entire community and businesses with whom we partnered, including the City of Newcastle. We will be back with more major events.”

Venues NSW and McDonald Jones Stadium CEO Kerrie Mather was equally positive about Newcastle’s ability to host major events.

“The stage is set for an historic week in Newcastle when the one-and-only Elton John comes to town for the very first, and final, time,” Ms Mather said.

“It’s incredibly exciting to have Elton John kick off his farewell tour of Australia and New Zealand in Newcastle, and we can’t wait to see McDonald Jones Stadium come alive during his two shows that must be seen live.

“Elton John at McDonald Jones Stadium will be the perfect way to celebrate the start of the new year and is just a taste of the major events to look forward to over the coming 12 months.”

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

“From 2024 our expanded terminal will have the ability to welcome hundreds of thousands of international passengers annually as a result of airfield upgrades that will cater to larger aircraft,” Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock said.

“This will enable direct flights between Newcastle and destinations in Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.

“Newcastle’s future as an international tourism and major events destination is bright, and the Federal Government’s $55 million funding towards the expansion of Newcastle Airport’s terminal and $66 million towards the airfield upgrade will be instrumental in transitioning Newcastle from a thriving regional centre to an emerging global city.

“Combined with the arrival of two new luxury hotels, Newcastle’s appeal as a host destination for large-scale international events is becoming even more attractive.”

Background

• Prior to COVID-19, Newcastle’s tourism industry contributed $1 billion to the local economy each year, with more than five million international and domestic travellers visiting in 2019.
• City of Newcastle worked with Venues NSW to secure the historic Elton John concerts for Newcastle as part of a Major Events Partnership.
• This partnership also saw McDonald Jones Stadium (home of the Newcastle Knights and Newcastle Jets) host a round of the 2022 FOX Australian Supercross Championship, while the Newcastle Entertainment Centre hosted a sold-out international netball fixture between Australia and England.
• Elton John’s two concerts will attract more than 30,000 visitors from outside the Newcastle LGA, including over 2500 interstate visitors and more than 100 international visitors. It has an estimated economic impact of $10 million – $12 million.
• The Supercross had an audience of more than 15,000 people with over 13,000 from outside the Newcastle LGA and almost 500 interstate visitors, with an estimated economic impact of $3 million.
• Venues NSW estimated that events at both McDonald Jones Stadium and Newcastle Entertainment Centre will drive $50 million dollars of economic impact into the Newcastle LGA in the 2022/23 financial year.
• Van Gogh Alive attracted 84,000 visitors over five weeks, which eclipsed its attendance totals during its season in Canberra.
• The World Surf League’s 2021 Championship Tour event in Newcastle had an estimated benefit of more than $15 million to the local economy, while also showcasing Newcastle to a global audience of more than 10 million viewers.
• The 2018 A-League grand final delivered an estimated $1.7 million windfall in visitor expenditure over the weekend.
• The 2017 Matildas v Brazil match in Newcastle attracted an Australian crowd record for a women’s soccer match of almost 17,000 people and generated half a million dollars for the city via 330 bed nights.
• Each Supercars Newcastle 500 event delivers an average $36.2 million in economic output and creates 149 jobs.
• The TV audience for Newcastle 500 event in 2017 peaked at more than 1.8 million viewers with an average of 1.3 million people tuning in to the three-day event.

Three teenagers have been charged after another teen suffered serious injuries in an alleged assault in Lake Macquarie overnight.

About 12.10am (Sunday 1 January 2023), emergency services were called to Ocean Street, Dudley, following reports of an assault.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District attended and were told a 16-year-old boy had been struck to the head with a glass bottle, suffering serious lacerations.

He was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics and taken to John Hunter hospital in a critical condition, where he remains in an induced coma.

A crime scene was established, and police have commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Two males, aged 17 and 16, were arrested nearby and taken to Belmont Police Station.

Another 17-year-old male was arrested at Belmont Police Station a short time later.

All three males have been charged with reckless grievous bodily harm in company, and reckless wounding in company, and were refused bail to appear in Children’s Court today (Sunday 1 January 2023).

Detectives from the Marine Area Command are appealing for information following a fail-to-stop boating crash on Lake Macquarie earlier this year.

About 4am on Wednesday 16 October 2022, a vessel collided at speed with another vessel – that had two fishermen on board – just off Wangi Wangi Point.

When the vessel drove away; the voices of a man and a woman could be heard onboard.

Officers were notified, and the two fishermen, aged 36 and 41, were taken to the John Hunter Hospital with serious neck, spine, ribs and shoulder blade fractures as well as serious head lacerations. The men have since been discharged.

Officers from the Marine Area Command formed Strike Force Twelfth to investigate the crash. 

The damaged fishermen’s boat was seized and forensically examined, with the results indicating that the other vessel was made of aluminium and had a blue coloured hull.

Subsequent inquiries revealed the vessel was towed by a white four-door utility, that drove along Cams Boulevard in Summerland Point, about 4.35am the same day of the incident.

As inquiries continue, detectives have released CCTV footage of a vehicle whose occupants may be able to assist with inquiries.

Marine Area Command Crime Manager, Detective Acting Inspector Mick O’Keefe said someone in the community may have the final piece of information that is key in assisting detectives with solving this case.

“Through traditional detective work, investigators have established that they are looking for a male and female who were in a white Toyota Hilux, towing a blue bottomed aluminium boat. We believe some children may have been on their boat at the time of the incident and we hope no one was injured like the fishermen were,” Det A/Insp O’Keefe said. 

“This is an opportunity for those involved to turn themselves in to police, or expect a visit from detectives soon enough, it’s just a matter of time.

“If members of the public have any information which might assist detectives, I urge them to call Crime Stoppers or their local police station. Just like on the road, there are rules that need to be obeyed on the water to avoid reckless incidents like this.”

City of Newcastle (CN) welcomes the $2.3 million in funding from the NSW Government’s 2021-22 Coastal and Estuary Grants Program for the first of three protection structures to address immediate erosion risk at Stockton Beach.

This grant will be boosted by further funding from CN for the first protection structure to be delivered as part of the Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP) 2020. This will see CN’s investment at Stockton since the adoption of the Coastal Management Program in 2020 increase to $9.5 million. Council has already committed $27.5 million to protecting Stockton Beach.

The first protection structure will be located at the southern end of the existing Mitchell Street seawall (just south of Pembroke Street) in Stockton.

CN has completed the design of the protection structure and has recently awarded the tender for the work and this funding will enable construction on the first protection structure to commence in the first half of 2023. CN will continue to work with Stockton Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Group to ensure works respect the significance of the Stockton coastline to the Worimi people and protects their heritage.

The design of the structure considers its ability to address erosion from storm events, as well as long-term beach recession. It also considers the requirement to protect public assets at high-risk.

The beach protection structures, and the emergency works undertaken at Stockton Beach, complement the NSW Government’s proposed mass sand nourishment on the beach.

An investigation is underway following the fatal shooting of a man in the state’s Hunter Region overnight.

Shortly before 11pm (Tuesday 27 December 2022), emergency services responded to reports of a man being shot at a home on Traders Way, Heddon Greta, approximately 20km east of Cessnock.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the man, but he died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be aged 25.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene, which will be examined by specialist forensic police.

Detectives have commenced an investigation into the incident under Strike Force Roslyn.