Events, place activations and initiatives to re-energise Newcastle and boost the local economy are now eligible for a record $1.3 million in funding from the City.
Applications open today for a pool of $800,000 under the Special Business Program, which is on offer for the best projects that will promote, beautify and develop the City Centre and Darby Street.
Applications are also open across three additional funding programs to help activate public spaces, enhance community wellbeing and strengthen the city’s reputation as a destination for tourism, business and events.
“Funding across a range of sponsorship and grant programs will support industries hardest hit by COVID-19 and ensure that as restrictions are lifted our city is ready,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“We are providing financial support for all levels of the community, from localised suburban landscape improvements to major events that attract thousands of visitors to our region and inject millions into our economy.
“These funding programs are more important than ever in the wake of COVID-19 and its unprecedented economic and social impacts on our community.
“City of Newcastle has made a deliberate decision to open these funding opportunities at the same time, allowing a more streamlined submission process and providing applicants the best opportunity to receive support from one of the programs.
“While large events may not be possible right now, opening applications for funding allows organisers to get on with planning so that we can respond quickly when it’s safe to do so.
“In the meantime, there are many initiatives that may stimulate the City Centre and Darby Street business, support our local arts and cultural sector, and promote Newcastle as a destination that we can get on with funding today.
“I look forward to seeing innovative proposals that will enhance community wellbeing, improve the city’s identity and make Newcastle an even better place in which to live, work, play and invest.”
City of Newcastle’s $280,000 Event Sponsorship Program is open for events that promote Newcastle, provide tourism-related economic benefits, and capitalise on the city’s assets. Applications can be made across five categories depending on the size and significance of the event.
The Boost Arts and Cultural Grants program will provide a total of $150,000 to Newcastle’s cultural community by stimulating professional artist engagement and the presentation of arts and cultural works.
A further $60,000 is on offer through the Boost your Place Challenge, with the grants designed to encourage younger people to stay connected, create and innovate through placemaking projects.
Applications for all funding areas are open until Wednesday 12 August and can be submitted online. Visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Community/Grants-Sponsor
Stockton Erosion Update
City of Newcastle will relocate the two remaining beachfront cabins at Stockton Beach Holiday Park to higher ground away from the threat of erosion within the south west corner of the park this Friday.
We ask that residents and visitors to Stockton take care if they are in the vicinity of the caravan park on Friday and follow directions in place.
City of Newcastle is continuing discussions with stakeholders around plans for the other cabins, which were relocated from the beach to land adjacent to the pool at the southern end of the caravan park in February to protect them from the impending coastal erosion event that was later declared a Natural Disaster.
These cabins are not operational and City of Newcastle has no current plans for their use.
Friday’s relocation comes ahead of another east coast low forecasted by the Bureau of Meteorology to occur early next week. It is predicted to bring more high winds and large swells for the coastline.
City of Newcastle continues to monitor the seawalls and emergency sandbagging at Stockton and contractors are undertaking works to repair existing sandbags in preparation for the next swell event. This work will continue to be carried out tonight, Friday evening and across the weekend, with contractors working until at least 8pm (due to tides) between Stone Street and north of Griffiths Avenue.
All accessways remain closed and traffic control will be in place at various locations when needed.
To stay up to date on the weather warnings, please follow the Bureau of Meteorology www.bom.gov.au, and for emergencies, the State Emergency Services at www.ses.nsw.gov.au or phone 13 25 00.
Joslin Street Local Centre's multimillion-dollar upgrade to include expanded public open space
Kotara’s Joslin Street is the latest City of Newcastle local centre to be given a makeover with a $2 million upgrade to improve public amenity, pedestrian safety and access, now underway.
City of Newcastle is upgrading suburban centres across the local government area including those recently completed in Carrington and Beresfield. Recently completed was the first two stages of Wallsend, including the works at Bunn Street and the Tyrrell Street Bridge.
Also upcoming in this local centre upgrade program are the works in Llewellyn Street, Merewether and the next stage of Wallsend, the intersection upgrades at Kokera and Cowper streets.
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(L-R): Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, Project Manager Patrick Burgess and Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz at the Joslin Street Local Centre.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Joslin Street upgrade followed comprehensive consultation with the local community and would make for a more accessible centre for local shopping and commerce.
“Kotara residents and Joslin Street businesses told us that pedestrian safety and amenity of the area were key priorities for an upgrade,” the Lord Mayor said.
“A key element of this upgrade is expanding the public open space on the corner of Joslin Street and Rae Crescent by removing the slip road and beautifying the area with landscaping and an interactive artwork sculpture.
“Stacked sandstone blocks, a picnic table and bench seating, as well as a bubbler with a dog drinking bowl will further add to the amenity of this currently underutilised and inaccessible space.
“The works we’re undertaking now will make Joslin Street a more attractive and useable community space for Kotara’s current residents while catering for the growing number of young families in the area.”
A pedestrian refuge and speed humps will be installed to slow vehicle movements and better connect the shopping precinct and the new-look public open space, while lighting upgrades will provide a safer night-time environment.
Construction on the Joslin Street Local Centre is expected to be completed within a year. Visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/localcentres for more information.
$15 MILLION AWARDED TO FURTHER SPINAL RESEARCH IN NSW
Seven cutting-edge NSW research projects have been awarded almost $15 million in NSW Government grants to improve the health of people with spinal cord injuries (SCI).
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazzard today announced the grants at the opening of the Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) Spinal Cord Injury Research Centre at Randwick where three of the projects will be carried out.
“The investment of close to $15 million over four years was a centrepiece of our last Budget and it’s exciting to see the range of research projects now underway,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This is about improving the health and wellbeing of people with spinal cord injuries, and these projects could help people not just in NSW but right around the world.”
Minister Hazzard said every one of the innovative projects holds tremendous promise to improve treatment for people living with spinal cord injuries, giving back muscle function, sense of touch and other abilities that most of us take for granted.
“A spinal injury brings very substantial life challenges, but advances in research now mean survivors can have a better quality of life – and even the hope of a cure,” Mr Hazzard said.
“These projects have great scope, from investigating ways to restore touch sensation through immersive virtual reality through to using electrical stimulation to improve breathing for people affected by the most severe form of paralysis.”
The following grant recipients will conduct their research at the new NeuRA centre:
- Associate Professor Sylvia Gustin, The University of NSW, Neuroscience Research Australia – received $2.5 million for her research project on using virtual reality training to restore touch sensation;
- Professor Jane Butler – Neuroscience Research Australia, The University of NSW, received $1.5 million to develop a treatment to restore voluntary function after spinal cord injury; and
- Dr Euan McCaughey, Neuroscience Research Australia, The University of NSW, received $2.4 million for his research into using muscle stimulation to improve respiratory function for people with tetraplegia.
The projects have been awarded through the NSW Government’s Spinal Cord Injury Research Grants program, launched in November 2019, with guidance from an advisory committee of spinal cord injury experts.
NeuRA CEO, Professor Peter Schofield, said the range and scope of the funded research projects held exciting promise for health related outcomes.
“Neuroscience Research Australia is at the forefront of spinal cord injury research in Australia. Our new Spinal Cord Injury Research Centre and these research projects will dramatically improve Australia’s understanding of how to best treat people with these life-long injuries,” Professor Schofield said.
“NeuRA thanks the NSW Government for funding the Spinal Cord Injury Research Grants Program, and SpinalCure Australia for its tireless efforts in campaigning for more research funding to improve the quality of life for people with a spinal cord injury.”
Information on grant recipients and their research projects is available here.
$4 MILLION FOR OUR SURF LIFE SAVING
4 million in funding will improve the facilities of Surf Life Saving Clubs across NSW with clubs in bushfire and drought affected areas prioritised for assistance.
26 clubs have secured funds for upgrades, restoration or construction as part of the NSW Government’s Surf Club Facility Program.
Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said NSW is so grateful to our amazing volunteers and their clubs which supported the community during the recent bushfires.
“Surf club volunteers provided refuge to thousands of people who were evacuated from the fires and those images of courage and selflessness epitomised the Australian spirit,” Mr Lee said.
“These men and women always put their bodies on the line to save us from danger and this funding is essential to keep their facilities updated for future generations.”
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh joined Minister Lee at Coffs Harbour Surf Life Saving Club which received over $30,000 to upgrade its security system and replace clubhouse roller doors. Sawtell SLSC received over $58,000 to construct a waste management compound.
“North Coast Surf Life Saving clubs play a vital role patrolling our beaches and keeping us safe in and out of the water,” Mr Singh said.
“The drought and bushfires have had a devastating effect on North Coast communities but our local volunteers never wavered in their commitment to ensuring our safety.”
CEO of Surf Life Saving NSW Steven Pearce said the latest funding would ensure facilities remained rescue ready, safe, accessible and secure.
“Surf Life Saving Clubs are often the hub of communities and our volunteer lifesavers need fit-for-purpose facilities so they can focus on saving lives,” Mr Pearce said.
“These grants allow significant upgrades to facilities at 26 surf clubs to improve amenities for members who perform these lifesaving roles.”
For a full list of funding recipients visit: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/SCFP
Ride-share driver stabbed – Merewether
Police are appealing for public assistance after a ride-share driver was stabbed in Merewether this morning.
About 2.35am this morning (Thursday 23 July 2020), a 22-year-old driver picked up a group of people at Windale before travelling to William Street, Merewether.
Police have been told one of passengers threatened the 22-year-old with a blade and demanded his car keys, wallet and phone.
The driver resisted before he was stabbed in the upper arm and leg.
The group fled the scene in the man’s vehicle before the driver called emergency services.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and established a crime scene.
The driver was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before he was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment to non-life-threatening injuries.
The vehicle is described as a 2010 silver-coloured Ford Focus, with NSW registration plates BPX 15C.
Anyone with information about the incident or about the whereabouts of the vehicle is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Two further Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) issued under the Public Health Act
Two further people have been issued Penalty Infringement Notices for failing to self-isolate as per their obligations under the Public Health Act (COVID-19 Border Control).
In the first instance, a 39-year-old woman was granted a permit from Service NSW to travel from Victoria to NSW last Monday (13 July 2020). The woman arrived at Sydney Airport on Monday (20 July 2020) and was made aware of the directions in relation to self-isolation, meaning she was to remain at her residential address until Tuesday 4 August 2020.
Police conducted a compliance check at the woman’s Redfern address on Tuesday evening (21 July 2020) and found the woman was not at home. She returned home while police were at her address and was warned in relation to the breach.
About 2.30am the following morning (Wednesday 22 July 2020), officers were patrolling the Redfern area when they stopped a vehicle in order to breath-test the driver. When officers approached the car, they immediately recognised the woman as being the person they had warned only hours before.
She was returned home and issued with a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice for failing to comply with a requirement of the Public Health Order.
In the second incident, officers from Riverina Police District attended a holiday apartment on Parkes Street, Temora, about 5pm yesterday (Thursday 23 July 2020), after receiving information in relation to breaches of self-isolation directions.
Police spoke with two Victorian men, who arrived under a permit in NSW on Tuesday 14 July 2020, and planned to move to Queensland, so were staying at the location in NSW for their self-isolation period.
It was established one of the men had gone to a local gym for a workout and attended a chemist earlier that day.
Following inquiries, officers issued the 37-year-old man with a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice for failing to comply with noticed direction in relation to section 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Teenagers charged over fast food restaurant fire – Cessnock
Four teenagers have been charged over allegedly lighting a blaze at a fast food restaurant in the Hunter at the weekend.
About 3.30am on Sunday (19 July 2020), emergency services were called to a fast food restaurant on Allandale Road, Cessnock, after reports of a fire within the external playground area.
Crews from Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the flames a short time later.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District commenced an investigation into the cause of the blaze.
Following extensive inquiries, about 9am yesterday (Thursday 23 July 2020), police attended a high school in Cessnock, and arrested a 15-year-old boy.
Then about 2.40pm, officers attended another high school in Cessnock, where they arrested a 14-year-old boy.
Later that evening, two teenage girls – aged 16 and 17 – attended Cessnock Police Station where they were both arrested.
All four teenagers were charged with damage property by fire and were all granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Monday 11 August 2020.
Inquiries are continuing into the incident.
Greens will oppose Liberal & Labor agreed cuts to low-income JobKeeper and JobSeeker
Greens Leader Adam Bandt and spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert have responded to today’s announcement that the government has agreed to Labor’s proposal to cut JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments, even as unemployment soars and the Covid outbreak continues in Victoria and NSW.
This is being billed as an extension, but the reality for millions of Australians, many of whom are still under lockdown, is that this is a cut in vital income support.
“Disappointingly, the Liberals have listened to Labor’s call to cut JobKeeper support for low-income earners,” Bandt said.
“These cuts will see push part-time and casual workers closer to poverty. Many casual workers are young, insecure, low-paid and underemployed workers desperately seeking more work & higher wages.
“With JobKeeper, many workers were getting something close to a living wage but the Liberals and Labor are readying to throw these vulnerable workers off a financial cliff.
“It’s deeply disappointing to hear Anthony Albanese describe a living wage for the lowest income earners as ‘waste’. It is the sell-out of the century.
“The ACTU, the Victorian Trades Hall Council and the United Workers Union have all rejected cuts to JobKeeper and the do Greens too. The extended scheme is still $44 billion under budget and there is no excuse for this targeted attack. We should be expanding the payment to all workers who need it, not cutting it.
“The Greens will fight every attempt by the Liberals and Labor to cut support for low income and unemployed workers.”
Senator Rachel Siewert said:
“A temporary arrangement on JobSeeker is a mistake. We are deeply concerned that this payment will take people below the poverty line and the impact this will have on their lives. We have to give the community and businesses confidence for the long haul.”
“The Government recognises the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 by taking Jobkeeper through to March, why haven’t they done the same for Jobseeker?
“We are in a recession. Not only is it cruel to keep people living with uncertainty and in poverty, we need people spending to stimulate our economy.
“Claims that the Jobseeker rate is discouraging people from working is a regression to myths and tropes used to demonise people who are accessing income support.
“It should not be Government policy for those without work to live in poverty. The higher level of Jobseeker has enabled many people to get out of poverty or stay above the poverty line, which is a key barrier to finding and maintaining employment.
“The employment services system was already not fit for purpose before the COVID-19 pandemic and somehow the Prime Minister expects the system to manage with the huge increase in caseload.
“The jobs are simply not there and it is absolutely senseless to deny people adequate support in the midst of a recession,” Siewert said.
Millions more for Murdoch while ABC funding gets cut
The Greens have slammed the Morrison Government‘s decision today to give another $10million of public money to Fox Sports, taking the total amount of corporate welfare under this program to the Murdoch company to $40million.
Greens Spokesperson for Media and Communications Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“Another day, another public hand-out to the Morrison Government’s Murdoch mates.
“Giving tens of millions to Fox Sports while cutting funding to the ABC really is the height of arrogance.
“This is corporate welfare, plain and simple; under this Government corporate welfare to Murdoch is fine, but Australians who have lost their job due to Covid19 get their payments cut.
“This funding program for Murdoch’s Fox Sports says everything about the priorities of the Morrison Government. The Morrison Government is handing out millions of dollars of taxpayer money to a private, corporate broadcaster while slashing funding at the public broadcaster.
“It would be great if the PM genuinely cared about the broadcast of women’s sport, but given taxpayers have to also pay Murdoch for the privilege of watching a broadcast they’ve already funded through this program, that’s obviously not the case.
“Any support for the broadcast of women’s sport should be going to the public broadcasters which fans can watch for no further cost.
“Australians were outraged by the last $30million handed out under this program and will be disgusted the Morrison Government has seen fit to hand out even more cash to Murdoch.
“The ABC has suffered from repeated budget cuts under the Coalition Government, some $783million since 2014, and is now cutting jobs and news services to stay afloat. If there is money to go round for broadcasting, it should go to the ABC and SBS.
“The PM needs to reverse the funding cuts to the ABC. He can easily find the first $10million by taking it back from Murdoch and putting it where it will be the most benefit to broadcasting and promoting women’s sport and where fans can actually watch it without forking out more money.”