Category: Newcastle News

Newcastle has launched into a sizzling summer of events, with 150 of the state’s best rowers taking to the waters of Throsby Creek today ahead of a busy period of music, sport and culture.

The Central Districts Sprint Championships hosted by Newcastle Rowing Club are part of a stacked calendar of events supported by City of Newcastle, which will see everyone from global music superstar Elton John to some of the world’s best surfers descend on the city during the next four months.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle has become an events powerhouse, attracting nationally and internationally renowned acts and events to entertain audiences across the city.

“Newcastle has a vibrant calendar of major and community events, which continues to grow off the back of a strategic focus and investment by City of Newcastle,” Cr Nelmes said.

“City of Newcastle is proud to support events at every level in Newcastle, from community-led activations to the attraction of major events of international renown, which offer invaluable benefits including increased visitation and a significant boost to the local economy.

“We’ve recently delivered another highly successful New Annual festival, including an extended season of the blockbuster Van Gogh Alive experience, which attracted more than 84,000 people to Newcastle in its first visit to a regional area in Australia.

“But this is only the beginning of a busy period on our events calendar, and I encourage everyone to get out and enjoy what’s on offer across our city in the coming months.”

The summer schedule got off to a supercharged start on Saturday night when a 20,000-strong crowd packed into McDonald Jones Stadium for the 2022 Australian Supercross Championship.

The events calendar will kick into a different gear on Sunday 4 December when more than 10,000 motorcycle riders and enthusiasts from across the east coast gather for the 45^th annual Bikers for Kids Newcastle Toy Run and community fun day at Carrington.

Festive fun in Wheeler Place, New Year’s Eve along the Foreshore and the sweet sounds of the 76th Australian Jazz Convention at City Hall will wrap up the revelry for 2022.

There will be plenty of sporting action to kick off 2023 with national and international events including Surfest, Beach 5s Rugby, Australian Water Polo League matches, the Summer of Cricket festival and the opening round of the Supercars championship.

Elton John’s incredible Yellow Brick Road tour and smash hit Broadway musical Come From Away will provide plenty of star power for the city’s cultural events calendar, with the sizzling summer schedule following on from the success of the city’s springtime events including the New Annual festival.

New Annual, City of Newcastle’s flagship cultural event, attracted almost 40,000 people to more than 140 performances and activities across the city.

The 10-day event involved more than 530 artists and over 400 staff, crew and volunteers, and was recently awarded $400,000 over two years from the NSW Government as part of its Major Festival and Events grants program through Multicultural NSW.

Upcoming events supported by City of Newcastle

27 November 2022: Central Districts Rowing Association Sprint Championships, Throsby Creek

4 December 2022: Bikers for Kids Newcastle Toy Run, Stockton to Connolly Park, Carrington

10,11, 17, 18 December 2022: City of Newcastle Christmas Tree, Santa selfies and pet pawtraits in Wheeler Place alongside free live music

26-31 December 2022: 76^th Australian Jazz Convention, Newcastle City Hall

31 December 2022: City of Newcastle New Year’s Eve, Harbour Foreshore

7 January 2023: King of Concrete, Bar Beach (Empire Park)

8, 10 January 2023: Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tour,McDonald Jones Stadium

26 January 2023: Cross Harbour Swim, Newcastle Harbour

26-29 January 2023: Beach 5s Rugby, Nobbys Beach

4-5 February 2022: Australian Boardriders Battle, Newcastle Beach

3-5 February 2023: City of Newcastle Island Triathlon and Oceania Paratriathlon, Stockton

10-12 February 2023: The Great Australian Pub Fishing, Newcastle Harbour

18 February – 5 March 2023: Come From Away, Civic Theatre

10-12 March 2023: Newcastle 500, Newcastle East and Harbour Foreshore

18-19 March 2023: Money Bowl Australian Skateboarding Community, Empire Park

25-26 March 2023: Surfest (finals weekend),Merewether Beach

To stay up-to-date with all the events happening across Newcastle visit https://whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/

A training video advocating for more inclusive workplaces will be launched today to raise awareness of the barriers and opportunities people with a disability face in employment.

Filmed earlier this year during City of Newcastle’s (CN) Count Us In disability inclusion festival, the video was produced in partnership with Community Disability Alliance Hunter (CDAH) to be used as a training, advocacy and educational resource targeted at employers and local businesses.

Video participants, community organisations and members of the local business community will take part in today’s launch at the Digital Library, which is among the events being supported by CN in the lead up to International Day of People with Disability on 3 December.

An inclusive art workshop facilitated by local artist Em Warren and Newcastle Art Gallery and an inclusive sports day for students with disability will also be supported by CN as part of its commitment and progress toward disability inclusion, in line with the actions adopted in the Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2022 –2026.

With at least 20 percent of people in our community living with a disability, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said International Day of People with Disability presents an opportunity to reflect and undertake activities that foster discussion in the community about disability inclusion.

“City of Newcastle is committed to championing inclusion of all people in the community and improving employment outcomes for people living with a disability to ensure Newcastle is a liveable, sustainable and inclusive global city for all who live, visit or work here,” Cr Nelmes said.

“This International Day of People with Disability, we stand with Newcastle’s disability representative organisations who champion inclusion year-round and continue to raise awareness of the barriers people living with disability face every day.”

Councillor Margaret Wood, co-chair of CN’s Access Inclusion Advisory Committee, said there are significant barriers faced by people living with a disability, particularly when it comes to employment opportunities.

“Much work needs to be done in identifying the barries so we can improve employment opportunities for people living with disability and bridge those gaps,” Cr Wood said.

“We all get reward and personal satisfaction through meaningful employment. Our local workplaces need to genuinely reflect all people in the community and society with less judgement and more understanding.

“The training video prepared by CN and CDAH presents a localised understanding of how a diverse workforce can contribute to a truly inclusive community here in Newcastle.”

City of Newcastle is also proud to support CDAH and Speak Up Hunter with their Shifting the Line event on 9 December at Foreshore Park.

CDAH Executive Officer Andrew Vodic said Shifting the Line is a community event designed to raise awareness of some of the barriers and the strengths that people with disability use to overcome them.

“This event has been designed and planned by Speak Up Hunter, a CDAH peer group where people with intellectual disability have a real voice in the Hunter,” Mr Vodic said.

“This amazing group of people have used that collective voice to come up with this brilliant and worthwhile community-based activity. I encourage the community to come and hear what they have to say on disability awareness.”

Click here to view a two-minute teaser of the Disability Training Video.

International Day for People with a Disability (IDPwD) events in Newcastle:

Diversify your Workforce: Disability and Employment special screening
Friday, 25 November 2022
3:30pm – 5pm, Digital Library
Local businesses are invited to a special screening of the ‘Diversify your Workforce: Disability and Employment’ advocacy video, prepared by CN and CDAH, followed by a panel discussion led by Joseph Popov and Bill Armstrong over afternoon tea at the City Administration Centre’s Digital Library.

Activate Inclusion Sports Day Newcastle
Wednesday, 30 November 2022
10-12pm, Newcastle Basketball Stadium
Facilitated by Sports NSW, Activate Inclusion Sports Day is a one-day program designed to promote the pathways for inclusive sport and active recreation for students aged between 5-18 years with a sensory, physical or intellectual disability. Participants will experience a variety of modified sporting activities on the day facilitated by specialised coaches, with the support of students from local universities and community organisations.

Newcastle Art Gallery Community Art Workshop – Everyone is an artist with Em Warren
Saturday, 3 December 2022
10am – 12pm, Watt Space Gallery
Join local artist Em Warren on IDPwD day, as she facilitates this free inclusive art workshop. Em will share insights into her practice and guide you through a range of collage techniques inspired by ‘Summer at Carcoar’ by Brett Whiteley. Participants will create their own work of art using natural materials.

Shifting the Line community event
Friday, 9 December 2022
10-12pm, Foreshore Park
City of Newcastle is proud to support CDAH and Speak Up Hunter for their Shifting the Line community event, which raises awareness of some of the barriers and strengths that people with disability use to overcome them.

A cyclist has died after falling from his bike while on a group ride in the Hunter Valley this morning.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were called to Upper Dartbrook Road at Upper Dartbrook, 16km north-west of Scone, about 7.25am today (Saturday 26 November 2022), responding to reports a cyclist had suffered head injuries in a fall.

They’ve been told the man was on a regular organised ride with a group of cyclists when his bike slipped while crossing a culvert and he fell, hitting his head.

His fellow cyclists commenced CPR until officers from Hunter Valley Police District and NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived; however, he could not be revived and died at the scene.

He’s been identified as a 59-year-old man from Scone.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Addressing skills shortages and leveraging future opportunities for jobs and economic growth will be on the agenda when City of Newcastle (CN) meets with local business leaders today.

Around 90 representatives from across the region’s business community will come together for CEO Connect, a Business Hunter event hosted by CN which will shine a light on economic opportunities for Gateway Cities such as Newcastle in a post-COVID world.

The meeting will also be used to highlight initiatives being delivered as part of CN’s economic development strategy including a new digital tool, ‘Imagine Newcastle’, developed to attract people to live, work and study in Newcastle.

With job advertisements in Newcastle at record levels and local businesses experiencing chronic skills shortages, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said investing in people and their skills is key to the city’s economic growth.

“City of Newcastle’s Economic Development Strategy focusses on long-term actions to help create new jobs, drive investment and promote innovation,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We believe that Newcastle and the Hunter region’s economic future will be built on the talent, skills and ingenuity of our people.

“We have invested significantly in infrastructure, support programs for local business people and initiatives aimed at attracting skills and talent to the region as well as supporting the development and growth of Newcastle businesses and their employees.

“Our new digital platform ‘Imagine Newcastle’ provides another avenue to help address future skills shortages and growth industry job opportunities, delivering the insights and information needed to encourage people to live, study, invest or grow their business in our creative, culturally rich and innovative global city.”

Cr Nelmes said ‘Imagine Newcastle’ would leverage the migration trend that is seeing more people than ever before relocating to Newcastle from metropolitan centres like Melbourne and Sydney, including a predominance of young professionals.

Research shows that better quality of life is one of the key drivers to people choosing to relocate to a new area.

“Newcastle is perfectly positioned to cater for this need, offering a destination with the lifestyle, community and culture people are searching for, enhanced by the career and business opportunities available in our city’s innovative industries and future-focused economy,” Cr Nelmes said.

See why Newcastle is a great place to work, live, play and create, visit www.movetonewcastle.com.au

Newcastle’s much-loved ocean baths will notch up another significant milestone tomorrow with the 100^th anniversary of their official opening.

While swimmers have made the most of the popular ocean-front facility since as early as 1912, the pools, promenade and pavilion were not completed and formally opened until 25 November 1922.

Described at the time as “the finest in the Commonwealth”, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Newcastle Ocean Baths remain one of the city’s crowning coastal assets, playing an integral role in the recreational pursuits of locals and visitors alike.

“The Newcastle Ocean Baths have been a treasured part of our community for the past 100 years, creating lasting memories for generations of Novocastrians and visitors who have flocked to swim, sunbath or simply relax and take in the spectacular views off our coastline,” Cr Nelmes said.

“They have played host to countless swimming carnivals, life-saving demonstrations and learn to swim lessons, and like so many Novocastrians, I hold wonderful memories of spending my childhood with family and friends at these beautiful baths.”

Historic records show that the Baths were initially leased to an operator, with an entrance fee charged from 1918 until 1953, when Council took back control of the Baths.

“City of Newcastle is committed to revitalising this iconic facility to ensure it remains a free asset, and vital part of Novocastrian life for generations to come,” Cr Nelmes said.

Stage one of City of Newcastle’s upgrade to the Newcastle Ocean Baths is well underway focusing on the pools, lower promenade and pumping system to provide improved safety and accessibility.

City of Newcastle worked closely with the Newcastle Ocean Baths Community Reference Group and other stakeholders during the planning and design phases of the stage one upgrade and will meet with community representatives in the coming weeks for a tour of the site and discussion on the project’s progress.

The $9.5 million recovered from the sale of City of Newcastle’s Fred Ash building is helping fund the $15.8 million Newcastle Ocean Baths Stage One upgrade along with $3 million in funding from the NSW Government’s Public Spaces Legacy Program. The NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program is an investment in high quality public open space, and delivers vital infrastructure for communities to love the place they live.

The second stage of the Newcastle Ocean Baths upgrade will focus on the pavilion and surrounding public areas. This phase is subject to community consultation, which will continue over the coming months.

Council update: Ordinary Council Meeting Tuesday 22 November 2022

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 22 November 2022. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.

Lord Mayoral Minutes

City of Newcastle and Ube City Sister City 42nd Anniversary
A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported to recognise that Monday 21 November 2022 marked the 42nd anniversary since City of Newcastle signed a Sister City agreement with Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.

Council will explore opportunities to partner with Ube on its GIGA School Concept, National e-Sports Championships, and carbon neutrality initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and invite Mayor Shinozaki and delegates to visit Newcastle in 2023.

City of Newcastle Accelerated Development Application System
A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported that congratulated the Planning and Environment Directorate for the successful development, trial and roll-out of the new CN Accelerated Development Application System.

Council will explore opportunities to further highlight the success of the Accelerated Development Application System by collaborating with other government authorities on its adoption state-wide.

s.88 Domestic Waste Management Service Charge
A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported that reaffirmed CN’s support for 100 per cent of section 88 Domestic Waste Management Service Charge funds to be returned to local government for reinvestment in recycling facilities, landfill diversion, community education, technology improvements and circular economy opportunities.

Council will call on the NSW Government and Opposition to commit to return 100 per cent of the waste levy to local councils to fund waste diversion from landfill initiatives such as those outlined in Our Sustainable Waste Strategy 2023.

Ordinary business

Tabling of Register of Disclosures of Interest – 1 August to 31 October 2022
Council noted the tabling of the Register of Disclosures of Interest for 1 August to 31 October 2022 by the Chief Executive Officer.

Application for (Newcastle) Show Holiday
Council voted to make an application to the Minister for Employee Relations seeking the proclamation of Show Day for Friday 3 March 2023 as a Local Event Day as set out in the Public Holidays Act 2010.

Adoption of Our Sustainable Waste Strategy
Council received the engagement report on Our Sustainable Waste Strategy and unanimously voted to adopt the Strategy, including the Strategic Framework, White Paper and Delivery Plan.

Adoption of Newcastle Cultural Precinct concept masterplan
Council unanimously voted to adopt the Newcastle Cultural Precinct Concept Masterplan to ensure long-term planning for protection of the city’s cultural institutions as well as ways of enhancing and better activating the precinct.

Endorsement of 2021/2022 Annual Report
Council unanimously voted to endorse City of Newcastle’s 2021/22 Annual Report and its submission to the NSW Minister for Local Government by 30 November 2022.

Adoption of Planning Agreement for 10 Dangar Street, Wickham
Council unanimously voted to adopt the Planning Agreement for 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, noting that no submissions were received during its public exhibition.

Public exhibition of Planning Agreement for 30 and 31 Vista Parade, Kotara
Council unanimously voted to place the Planning Agreement and Explanatory Note for 30 and 31 Vista Parade, Kotara on public exhibition for 28 days.

Supplementary report – adoption of Newcastle Heritage Policy
Council unanimously voted to adopt the Newcastle Heritage Policy, which outlines City of Newcastle’s commitment to heritage conservation by identification, preservation, conservation, celebration and promotion of the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Compliance and Enforcement Policy
Council unanimously voted to place the City of Newcastle’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy on public exhibition for 28 days.

Adoption of Council policies
Council voted to adopt City of Newcastle’s Donations Program Policy, Procurement Policy and Public Voice and Public Briefings Policy.

September quarterly budget review
Council received the September quarterly Budget review statement and voted to adopt the revised budget.

September quarterly performance report on the 2018-2022 delivery program
Council received the 2022-2026 Delivery Program – September quarterly performance report.

Executive monthly performance report
Council received the executive monthly performance report for October 2022.

Notices of Motion

Rates notice proposal to reduce vacant housing
Council supported an amended notice of motion to refer the matter of vacant housing and the rental housing crisis to the Affordable Housing Working Party to explore options to promote awareness, which could be undertaken by City of Newcastle and other relevant housing providers and stakeholders.

City of Newcastle will explore options to expand its ID (Informed Decisions) subscription to include the Housing Monitor, Economic Profile and Community Views tools.

Stockton erosion
Council supported a notice of motion that reiterated the urgency of addressing erosion at Stockton and called on the NSW Government to use its expertise to ensure a planning pathway is secured for offshore extraction. The NOM further resolved that a mass offshore sand nourishment delivery program must be led by the NSW Government and called on them to fund mass sand nourishment consistent with the Stockton Coastal Management Plan and direct Hunter Central Coast Development Corporation to complete the nominated work to secure the mining licence and planning approvals.

City naming policy
Council unanimously supported a notice of motion for City of Newcastle to develop a draft Naming Policy to provide a principle-based approach to naming of city assets consistent with the policies of the NSW Geographical Names Board, including consideration of local heritage, diversity, community sensitivity and consultation.

Co-funding an aerial bundled cabling program
Council unanimously endorsed an amended notice of motion that notes the collaborative relationship between Ausgrid staff, contractors and the City of Newcastle in managing electrical line clearances and Newcastle’s street tree canopy. City of Newcastle will support Ausgrid’s proposal for co-funding of Aerial Bundled Cable (ABC) upgrades in collaboration with Councils as part of their Draft Plan 2024-29, and will write to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment to request funding to support councils with their contribution. City of Newcastle will report to the elected Council on potential opportunities, in collaboration with Ausgrid, for local ABC upgrades in priority locations in the Newcastle LGA.

City of Newcastle (CN) will move forward with plans to transform its Summerhill Waste Management Centre into a regional recovery hub following the adoption of its sustainable waste strategy.

Councillors approved the 20-year vision for the city’s waste strategy following a successful public exhibition and consultation period, which directly engaged with almost 20,000 people.

Our Sustainable Waste Strategy is focussed on reducing unnecessary waste going to landfill, increasing recycling rates, strengthening the economy and creating new jobs in Newcastle.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the community had shown its overwhelming support for the investment CN was making into a sustainable waste future.

“City of Newcastle is committed to delivering responsible, environmentally sustainable, and commercially feasible waste and recycling operations to manage our current and future waste streams,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Our Sustainable Waste Strategy will allow us to meet the expectations of the community, who overwhelming told us they supported the implementation of new waste programs and infrastructure and would be willing to change the way they manage waste at home to reduce what ends up in landfill.

“Summerhill Waste Management Centre lies at the heart of City of Newcastle’s vision and will play a key role in the region’s move towards a circular economy and its ability to address State and Federal targets of diverting 80% of recyclable waste and 50% of food waste from landfill.

“This includes City of Newcastle investing in the infrastructure needed at Summerhill to allow residents to significantly increase their recycling rates.”

The community has shown its support for the construction of a material recovery facility (MRF) and a food and garden organics (FOGO) processing facility, which are the two major infrastructure projects currently going through the planning process as part of the Strategy.

The MRF is planned to process up to 85,000 tonnes of plastics, paper, cardboard, glass and metals collected from kerbside recycling bins to be recovered at the site each year, while the fully enclosed FOGO processing facility will enable 50,000 tonnes of food and garden organics to be diverted from landfill and turned into compost for reuse annually.

Cr Nelmes said feedback from the community had also been incorporated into the Strategy, including a focus on resource recovery education programs for specific communities, engagement and collaboration with food rescue organisations and the healthcare sector, a site design focus on accessibility and usability and a feasibility assessment of a tip shop.

“As we implement Our Sustainable Waste Strategy, the views of the community will continue to inform our approach to reduce our emissions, protect our environment and change the way we return, reuse, repair and recycle resources,” Cr Nelmes said.

An inclusive playground enriched with traditional indigenous elements are key features of a new million-dollar playspace proposed for Hamilton’s most historic park.

City of Newcastle has unveiled a concept design for the larger, reimagined playground and amenities upgrade at the much-loved Gregson Park, which will be placed on public exhibition for community feedback from today.

Alongside a variety of traditional play equipment, the playground features a range of accessible, sensory and nature-based play options, with an array of traditional indigenous elements including a yarning circle to encourage knowledge sharing, bush tucker garden to enrich learning of native edible plants and a ‘meeting place’ to signify where people meet and gather round in circles.

Additional shade, a water feature, formal and informal seating, and footbridges are also featured as part of the concept design, complemented by an upgraded, accessible amenities building and new covered picnic area to ensure the park is an inclusive place for all.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said creating a new inclusive playspace enhanced by traditional Indigenous elements form part of the overall vision for Gregson Park in line with the adopted Gregson Park Masterplan.

“City of Newcastle is committed to delivering quality playgrounds and green spaces across the Newcastle LGA for locals and visitors to enjoy,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Extensive community engagement was undertaken as part of the preparation of the Gregson Park Masterplan 2021, with feedback into the concept design for a new playspace and upgraded amenities including consultation with First Nations Australians to appropriately capture indigenous elements in the design with further consultation still to be undertaken.”

Councillor Carol Duncan, who is also the Chair of the Community and Culture Advisory Committee, encouraged the community to have their say during the public exhibition period to ensure Gregson Park’s playspace continues to be enjoyed by families for generations to come.

“Gregson Park provides a green heart for the unique and historic suburb of Hamilton and is much loved by local families and the wider community,” Cr Duncan said.

“A reimagined playspace and upgraded amenities will enhance the future enjoyment of the park for the next generation, which is why we’re seeking feedback from a broad spectrum of our community to ensure we have it right.”

The detailed concept designs for Gregson Park playspace and amenities upgrade will be placed on public exhibition for three weeks from today until Friday, 16 December 2022.

A roaming music festival, contemporary dance party, and quarterly food, art and wine trails will attract more visitors into the city centre at night, increase spending at local businesses and showcase local creatives thanks to funding from City of Newcastle’s special business rate.

West Best Bloc Fest will return in 2023 to showcase more than 80 local music artists as one of 16 projects awarded a share of almost $800,000 through the City Centre and Darby Street Special Business Rate (SBR) funding program.

Many of the projects complement the vision of City of Newcastle’s Newcastle After Dark Strategy, which is helping to guide the development of a safe, vibrant night-time economy in the city centre.

Despite the economic downturn, Newcastle experienced the highest increase in night-time establishment growth across Australian cities during the past 12 months according to the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors’ Measuring the Australian Night Time Economy 2020-21 report.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said successful initiatives like City of Newcastle’s SBR funding program provided invaluable support for the city’s CBD business precincts and created vibrant, activated spaces for the community and visitors to enjoy.

“Newcastle’s night-time economy accounts for 13 per cent of its workforce, which is significantly higher than the national average,” Cr Clausen said.

“Supporting initiatives through SBR funding like West Best Bloc Fest are proven to not only attract a welcome influx of visitors into the city centre but also drive new and expanded economic opportunities for our local hospitality and arts & cultural sector.

“As highlighted in the Night Time Economy 2020-21 report, City of Newcastle has a track record of creating more vibrant, activated spaces at night through programs like Locally Made and Played, its interactive outdoor Night Time Galleries project and SBR program.”

On the back of delivering West Best Bloc Fest 2022 last month, organiser Dylan Oaks said the successful event would return in 2023 thanks to continued SBR support by City of Newcastle.

“Newcastle’s music scene is the healthiest I’ve seen it. We just delivered a sold-out event on 2 October showcasing 100 per cent Novocastrian talent,” Mr Oaks said.

“The SBR funding received for West Best Bloc Fest benefits multiple hospitality venues around our local West End block. This roaming event increases the vibrancy of the West End by engaging visitors in an interesting way, which leads to increased visitation in the area and spending in many of our city’s hospitality venues.”

Special Business Rates are collected from businesses in Newcastle City Centre / Darby Street, Hamilton, Mayfield, New Lambton and Wallsend for the promotion, beautification and development of those precincts.

Other successful projects under this round of City Centre and Darby Street funding include the mouth-watering return of Newcastle Food Month, Summer Shakespeare in Civic Park, West Walk food, art and wine trail, a month-long live painting festival and the highly popular Chalk the Walk 3D art trail.

A revised draft Special Business Rate (SBR) Expenditure Policy is currently on public exhibition until 5 December 2022.

Successful City Centre / Darby Street SBR projects include:

Voyage: A New Kind of Storytelling – a live music, spoken word and contemporary dance event that will form part of the 2023 Newcastle Writers Festival program delivered across two nights.

Newcastle Food Month – returning in April 2023, this month-long project promotes what makes Newcastle and the surrounding precincts a gastronomic playground.

UP&UP Street Art Workshops – will activate a city location for two days with a family-friendly event, for all ages and abilities, that celebrates street art.

Thriving Gardens – the project involves the installation of standalone smart gardening systems, fixed to shopfront facades throughout the City Centre and Darby Street.

West Walk – an exciting food, art and wine trail through Newcastle’s West. The trail is a progressive catered degustation to occur four times with live music and art exhibitions at independent galleries.

Sustainability Showcase Precinct on Darby Street will create a showcase ‘sustainability precinct’ reflecting a collaborative effort among restaurants and café operators and other shops.

EASLE’D – 100 artists will take to the streets of Newcastle’s CBD and Darby Street as part of a month-long live painting festival, including artists’ workshops, masterclasses, guided tours and an artists’ trail.

Story Spots – bite-sized animated videos that shine a light on the stories behind 12 unique businesses, precincts or events within the CBD and Darby Street zones.

Cultural Journeys – Women of the Hunter in Photography will share portraiture and stories of local women with the community, which will be displayed in conjunction with International Women’s Day 2023.

Taste of Australia with Hayden Quinn – Newcastle Edition – Channel 10 travel and food TV show will create a feature episode that focuses on Newcastle and the City / Darby Street precinct.

Newcastle Gin Event 2023 – will bring together gin distilleries, food vendors and entertainers with locals and visitors from around NSW for the appreciation of gin at the Newcastle Museum Park.

Darby Street Magazine – Newcastle Weekly will create a marketing campaign, promoting all things Darby Street, utilising print materials as well digital channels.

Summer Shakespeare in Civic Park – Whale Chorus will deliver a second season of outdoor Summer Shakespeare in Civic Park and bring an estimated 2000 visitors to the Newcastle CBD.

Chalk the Walk, Newcastle 2023 – 3D artwork trail in key City Centre and Darby Street outdoor locations.

West Best Bloc Fest – an annual block festival curated to showcase 80+ emerging and established local musicians spread across supporting venues around the local West End block.

Hunter Street Stride – a collection of up to 12 venues ranging from Bar Mellow in the West End to The Ship Inn in the East End will feature live music on a single Saturday.

City of Newcastle has outlined its plan to become a nationally significant destination for cultural tourism as part of a masterplan designed to preserve Newcastle’s cultural institutions and enhance the surrounding precinct.

Councillors will vote next week to adopt the new Cultural Precinct Masterplan, which provides a roadmap to amplify the existing and emerging opportunities in the city’s arts and entertainment hub.

The precinct covers an area loosely bounded by Honeysuckle, Civic, Laman Street, the former Tower Cinemas, and the edge of the Hunter Street Mall.

It includes institutions and public spaces such as the Civic Theatre, City Hall, Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle City Library, Civic Park, Victoria Theatre, Conservatorium of Music, the University of Newcastle’s inner city facilities and the Boat Harbour site on Wharf Road.

Newcastle’s two five-star hotels also fall within this precinct, with the Kingsley and the QT playing an important role in improving the visitor experience in and around neighbouring cultural institutions.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle was committed to protecting and promoting the city’s cultural heritage.

“In October 2020, the elected Council resolved to explore the creation of a formal ‘Civic Cultural Precinct’ to ensure appropriate long-term planning for the protection of the city’s cultural institutions as well as ways of enhancing and better activating the precinct,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Newcastle is already known as an innovative and creative community with a vibrant cultural history and an amazing depth of talent within its performing and visual arts sector.

“As part of this planning process, we have laid out our vision to grow our visitor economy by creating a nationally significant platform for arts, culture, festivals, and expression.

“This will ultimately deliver a diversity of experiences within in a walkable footprint that will preserve the heritage of the precinct while delivering beneficial cultural, economic and tourism outcomes.”

The Cultural Precinct Plan was developed following consultation with 23 cultural institutions, community groups and local businesses and will require ongoing collaboration between stakeholders to be delivered.

It identifies the importance of key cultural projects such as the expansion of Newcastle Art Gallery and the refurbishment of the Victoria Theatre, which, along with increased collaboration across institutions, will help unlock more than $16 million in direct and indirect benefits to the local economy each year, including almost 35,000 additional visitor nights.

These projects would be augmented by “five big moves” identified to reshape the precinct, including the creation of an “academic corridor” to help integrate the Cultural Precinct with the University of Newcastle’s City Campus, and increased activation around Wheeler Place, Museum Park and Boat Harbour.