Category: Newcastle News

Newcastle cricketers will take to the pitch for the first round of their district cricket season this weekend to celebrate the reopening of Newcastle’s No.1 Sportsground following its $8 million upgrade.

The players will benefit from the ground’s extensive refurbishment, which included the construction of seven turf cricket wickets, new sight screens and oval perimeter fencing.

The playing surface has also been completely rebuilt, with a new sub-soil irrigation and drainage system providing a high quality, consistent playing surface, while the increased field size achieves the minimum standard for high level AFL and cricket fixtures.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said No.1 Sportsground’s redevelopment will allow Newcastle to attract first class cricket and pre-season AFL fixtures while also benefitting those locals who utilise it regularly for grassroots and regional level sport.

“No. 1 Sportsground was designed and constructed in 1921 and was officially opened 100 years ago last month,” Cr Nelmes said.

“In that time the venue has hosted a variety of sporting and non-sporting events, including the 1931 Mayor’s Relief Fund and Newcastle Ambulance Round, in which cricket legend Don Bradman captained a female cricket team at No.1 Sportsground.

“The redevelopment delivers significantly upgraded facilities for regular users of the ground while also providing our city with a potential economic boost through the attraction of major sporting events.

“Novocastrians love their sport and the completed work at No.1 Sportsground will put us in the running to host pre-season AFL fixtures and regional Big Bash League matches right here in Newcastle.

“We’re also continuing to investigate government funding opportunities to complete the second stage of the project, which will increase the footprint of the existing grandstand with a two-storey addition at the rear of the building to provide upgraded amenities for players, officials and spectators.”

Other features of the stage one works that have been completed include a lighting upgrade to enable evening fixtures, new player dug out benches, and additional bleacher seating to almost double the seated capacity from 400 to 790.

Newcastle District Cricket Association Secretary Aaron Gray said he is excited to see cricket once again being played at the premier facility.

“Our season will commence at No.1 Sportsground with a first grade fixture on Saturday and our new SG Moore Shield under-16 boys’ Twenty20 competition on Sunday,” Mr Gray said.

“It’s a very good position for us to have the best ground back in play for this season, especially now we have swelled to 208 teams across all competitions, while the enhancement of lighting means we can play more day/night events and host female and male cricket at a quality venue.”

No. 1 Sportsground is located on the corner of Parry and Union Streets in the iconic National Park, one of Newcastle’s largest and oldest sportsgrounds and open space reserves. It boasts facilities for a range of sports including netball, AFL, cricket, rugby, football, athletics, and croquet, and caters for casual sport and play through basketball courts and parklands.

Other work recently completed within National Park includes the construction of four additional basketball courts on the former tennis court site near the corner of National Park and Parry Streets, along with playing field upgrades at No. 5 and No. 6 Sportsgrounds, which have improved the playing surface of both grounds and allowed for effective management of the flood storage capacity of National Park.

A man’s been charged with murder as part of ongoing investigations by the Homicide Squad into a fatal fire in the state’s Hunter last year.

Just after 5am on Monday 26 July 2021, emergency services were called to Fullerton Street at Stockton, following reports of a unit fire.

On arrival, officers from Fire & Rescue NSW found the premises well alight; however, managed to extinguish the blaze a short time later.

In a search of the premises, the body of a man was discovered.

He’s since been identified as the unit’s resident and sole occupant; 54-year-old Graham Cameron.

A crime scene was established by officers from Newcastle City Police District and subsequently examined by specialist police who determined the fire had been deliberately lit.

The matter was subsequently referred to detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, who established Strike Force Childowla to further investigate the circumstances of the incident.

Following extensive inquiries, detectives – assisted by Northern Region Operation Support Group (OSG) – executed a search warrant at a home on Pitt Street at Stockton about 6.30am today (Wednesday 5 October 2022).

A 22-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station, where he was charged with murder.

He was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today.

Investigations under Strike Force Childowla continue.

A man has been charged following an alleged armed robbery in Lake Macquarie this morning.

About 7am (Wednesday 5 October 2022), a 46-year-old female attendant and a female customer were inside a service station on Macquarie Drive, Valentine, when a man entered the store.

Police will allege the man threatened the customer with a knife and demanded her wallet, before he threatened the attendant and fled the store in a Mitsubishi Outlander.

No one was injured during the incident.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and whilst responding, police sighted a Mitsubishi Outlander matching the description of the vehicle in James Street, Windale.

Police observed a man flee the vehicle before they engaged in a foot pursuit and arrested a 21-year-old man at a nearby home.

He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with two counts of robbery armed with an offensive weapon, assault with intent to rob armed with offensive weapon, be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, enter vehicle or boat without consent of owner/occupier, and two counts of larceny.

He was refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 6 October 2022).

Inquiries are continuing.

A man has died following a single-vehicle crash in the state’s Hunter region.

Just after 4.45am (Tuesday 4 October 2022), emergency services were called to Tank Street, near Canterbury Road, Morpeth, after reports a van had crashed into a telegraph pole.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle – a 37-year-old man – died at the scene.

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the crash.

Local road diversions are in place around the crash site.

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

Newcastle’s already incredible collection of vibrant and eclectic street art is set to don another nine new large-scale murals with the return of Big Picture Fest this weekend.

City of Newcastle (CN) is supporting the festival as part of New Annual with Special Business Rate funding to bring local, national and international artists together over three days.

Local street artist Goya Torres, originally from Mexico, will bring to life a wall on Gibson Street with local characters carrying spiritual animals on their shoulders whilst the exterior of Hunter Water’s office will be emblazoned with a striking abstract mural by Noosa-based artist Rosie Woods.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Big Picture Fest enhances Newcastle’s public art scene and contributes to the vibrancy of the city whilst creating an artistic legacy for the community and activates the city to support local businesses.

“Newcastle is a major arts and cultural destination that is entering a new phase of maturity and sophistication thanks to ongoing revitalisation right across our city,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Big Picture Fest is a major international street art activation that brings together local, national and international renowned artists in celebration of art in public spaces in Newcastle.

“The festival celebrates Newcastle’s history and creative culture by showcasing amazing talent through large scale murals in the city for visitors and locals to enjoy.

“Big Picture Fest is a great example of how Special Business Rate funding can be used to help beautify and activate our business precincts which provides a boost to the economy and supports local jobs.”

City of Newcastle’s Public Art Reference Group (PARG) support Big Picture Fest and consult and advise on the artists and murals chosen to enhance Newcastle’s streetscapes.

Councillor and PARG Chair Carol Duncan welcomed back Big Picture Fest and said the festival is a creative way to reinvent and refresh quality artworks across the city.

“Street art is an important component of Newcastle’s changing landscape, documenting our rich industrial, social and cultural history, and plays a significant role in fostering a dynamic and vibrant creative arts sector,” Cr Duncan said.

“City of Newcastle has just created a two-part podcast on the festival Newcastle’s street art scene that is well- worth listening to.”

Big Picture Fest Newcastle Director Katerina Skoumbas said excitement was building for the return of the festival in Newcastle.

“It will be a busy weekend for Newcastle, so we encourage people to get out to see the artists in-situ as the art they create injects so much colour and energy into our city,” Ms Skoumbas said.

Big Picture Fest returns to Newcastle Friday 30 September until Sunday 2 October 2022 and is free for the community to attend.

For more information and a mural map, visit thebigpicturefest.com/event/newcastle-2022/ or listen to City of Newcastle’s Street Art Podcast Part 1: The ephemeral nature of art and Part 2: Jordan Lucky paints a picture of Newcastle’s street art scene.

City of Newcastle is making progress with the implementation of actions outlined in the Stockton Coastal Management Program 2020, with tenders to be called soon for the construction of a new buried seawall.

The buried protection structure at the southern end of the existing Mitchell Street rock wall is the first of three new structures to be delivered to shield Stockton’s coastline and reduce the chance of erosion during large swells.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the design for the structure was developed based on a detailed assessment of possible options first undertaken as part of the 2020 Coastal Management Program.

“We considered a range of factors when coming up with this design, including each option’s ability to address both erosion from storm events and long-term beach recession, its ability to protect public assets at high risk sites, as well as how well each option enabled access to the beach and how it will look to beach users once its constructed,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We also considered environmental impacts and performance, and the cost to construct and maintain the structure over the long term.”

The buried seawall will consist of underground vertical concrete piles that extend from street level to 8.5m below ground. Once constructed only the very top of the round beams will be visible at ground level.

Construction is planned to start early next year and is complemented by a range of emergency repair works already underway at hotspots up and down Stockton Beach.

“The repair works, including renewal of sandbags and addition of new rockbags at a range of locations is important to secure these sites ahead of construction of permanent, vertical, buried structures.”

City of Newcastle reminds the community to follow safety warnings and to adhere to any accessway closures or hazard notices that impact use of the beach while this work is completed.

Investigations are underway following a fatal crash in the Hunter Region today.

Just before 11am (Saturday 1 October 2022), emergency services were called to Flaggs Road near Depot Road, Merriwa, following reports a vehicle had left the roadway and hit a tree, before rolling a number of times.

NSW Ambulance paramedics attended and assisted the occupants; however, one of the passengers – a 10-year-old boy – died at the scene.

The second passenger – a 15-year-old girl – was taken by road to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

The driver – a 46-year-old man – was airlifted to the same hospital in a critical condition.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District have commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash and are appealing for anyone with information or dashcam footage to come forward.

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

City of Newcastle has completed a $5 million facelift of Stockton’s Local Centre, delivering new footpaths, increased shade and improved pedestrian and cyclist safety in time for the school holidays.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said upgrading Mitchell Street in Stockton will provide a range of benefits for locals and visitors and continues City of Newcastle’s significant investment in the coastal suburb.

The Local Centre upgrade is one of 26 projects valued at more than $17 million delivered in Stockton during the past five years, including coastal protection works and the hugely popular Active Hub.

“I’m pleased to see the finished work on this important upgrade, which has created a safer, and more vibrant public space for the Stockton community to enjoy,” Cr Nelmes said.

“With the school holidays now underway, this refreshed space encourages residents to support local Stockton businesses, providing improved spaces to shop, dine, and meet with friends.

“The Stockton Local Centre upgrade also includes a significant improvement to the natural environment with the number of trees in the area being increased from three to 40 trees, which is a major boost to the shade canopy along the main street.

“In a nod to Stockton’s character and heritage, sandstone from existing kerbs has been retained and reused to frame garden beds and raingardens at three key intersections along Mitchell Street, while interpretive signage developed in collaboration with the Stockton Historical Society, will be installed along the street as well.

“I am looking froward to celebrating the conclusion of works with the community on Sunday 30 October at our fun, family-friendly event celebrating all things Stockton and featuring lucky-door raffles, face painting and more.”

Lucas Gresham, a local Stockton resident and President of Creative Property, states that the upgrade of infrastructure has been long awaited.

“The Stockton Local Centre upgrade entices new business to the area and as a community, it encourages people to shop local and provides a big economic boost.”

Neighbouring Crown Street will also benefit from further enhancement works to be completed by end of this month.

The Stockton project was completed under City of Newcastle’s Local Centres program, which is delivering upgrades to suburban centres across the local government area. Previous projects have included Beresford Avenue, Beresfield, Young Street, Carrington, James Street Plaza, Hamilton, Llewellyn Street, Merewether, Joslin Street, Kotara, and Sandgate Road, Shortland while construction is underway at Orchardtown Road, New Lambton.

Newcastle’s renowned “eat street” precinct on Darby Street in Cooks Hill will come alive as part of a six-month trial with extended outdoor dining facilities, community focused events and improved pedestrian and cycling infrastructure under the Streets as Shared Spaces initiative.

The start of Darby Street’s transformation was officially launched today by Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen.

The trial will calm traffic and bring diners out onto the street as the extended footpath dining areas commence.

Newcastle ord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Darby Street trial is part of the Streets as Shared Spaces initiative and aims to test and build innovative ideas that attract people back into public spaces, in a safer way.

“Novocastrians are changing the way they explore and connect. Residents are walking and cycling more, and this means that we need to have a larger focus on providing spaces that are safe, green, welcoming, and accessible,” Cr Nelmes said.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the temporary nature of the works allowed the City of Newcastle to trial these pilot projects with the support and feedback from the community and local businesses.

“By implementing this trial, we hope to gain valuable insights that will allow us to plan for long-term positive change across the City’s Local Centres Renewal Program which delivers attractive, vibrant, and healthy open spaces.”

A large 120m2 temporary dining platform, built using recycled materials, has been placed over several car parks between the Sanctum and Goldbergs restaurants. The new dining platform allows businesses to more than double their outdoor dining space and frees up the footpath for pedestrians, providing an immediate boost to local cafes and restaurants.

Further along Darby Street, a new pedestrian crossing safely leads visitors to the re-energised Darby Headphones Courtyard. New street furniture, lighting, surfacing, and public art in the courtyard encourages people to visit, stay and connect.

A condition of the NSW Government grant required Darby St speed to be reduced. Transport for NSW have approved a temporary 30km/hr speed reduction for approximately 400 metres of Darby St, between the Newcastle Art Gallery and 188 Darby St.

Co-Owner of Three Monkeys café on Darby Street, Anthony Strachan said he is hopeful the trial will draw more people to the precinct and help showcase all that Darby Street has to offer.

“The last couple of years have been extremely challenging for all small businesses. We are already seeing people come back into the city and we are hoping this trial will lead to more excitement and an enhanced Darby Street experience,” Mr Strachan said.

To assist with availability of short-term free parking in the area, temporary drop off and pick up zones will be installed near to Council Street and car parking spaces to the rear of the Newcastle Library will be converted to 2P free spaces for the duration of the trial, offsetting carparks impacted by the temporary dining platform.

The trial will celebrate Darby Street’s link to culture, art, music and food through a series of events including, temporary pavement murals and a pavement art competition by Chalk the Walk as part of the New Annual Festival and a free day of activities at the Darby Street, Street Party on the corner of Council Street, Saturday 15 October 2022.

More details on the Darby Street, Streets as Shared Spaces trial events can be found at whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au

The trial has been made possible with a $500,000 grant from the NSW Government through the Streets as Shared Spaces program (Round 2) and funding from the City of Newcastle Urban Centres Revitalisation Program.