Category: Newcastle News

Construction is set to begin this month on a major redevelopment of the Passmore Oval Wickham grandstand, delivering dedicated female changerooms, improved disability access and new community function areas.

The $2.35 million project is a collaboration between City of Newcastle (CN) and the Hamilton Hawks Rugby Union Club, which successfully applied for $1 million from the NSW Government under the Greater Cities Sport Facility Fund.

It will include a new two-storey building constructed at the back of the existing grandstand, which will deliver accessible sports facilities and viewing for both Passmore Oval and its adjacent Hawkins Oval.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the extension and upgrade of the grandstand will set an inclusive benchmark for Newcastle’s sporting facilities.

“City of Newcastle is committed to making our city more liveable and inclusive for all people,” Cr Nelmes said.

“This project will deliver dedicated female changerooms to cater for the growing number of women and girls playing rugby union and cricket in Newcastle.

“It will also ensure the spectator facilities meet the needs of all members of our community, with lift access and amenities that will enhance the comfort and experience for people with a disability visiting the Wickham Park sporting complex.”

Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the project aligns with the recommendations in CN’s Strategic Sports Plan for the wider Wickham Park precinct and would provide a great outcome for all its user groups including the Hamilton Hawks, Hamilton Wickham District Cricket Club and the Newcastle District Cricket Association.

“We have worked collaboratively with the Hamilton Hawks Rugby Union Club to bring long-held ambitions for the upgrade of this facility to life with a design created by EJE Architecture that will ensure both Passmore and Hawkins Ovals can be enjoyed by everyone in our community,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.

Specially designed female dressing rooms for both the home and away teams will be housed on the ground floor of the new building, along with a shared exercise and training area and storage rooms.

Amenities for people with a disability will be included on both levels of the building, while a lift will ensure the facility is fully accessible. The upper level will feature a community room, a kitchen area for food and drinks service and a balcony overlooking Hawkins Oval.

The existing grandstand will also include a new community meeting room and viewing space for wheelchair users overlooking Passmore Oval.

Hamilton Rugby Club President Lesa Mason said the improvements and additions at Passmore Oval would be a massive boost for the Club and the community, but especially for the booming number of young female sports participants.

“The purpose-built female dressing rooms will see the end of our junior and senior women’s teams getting changed in cars or waiting for ‘their turn’ in the men’s dressing rooms,” Ms Mason said.

“Participation rates in women’s 7s Rugby and the 15-a-side game are booming so the timing of the development is excellent, with Passmore Oval in the heart of the rapidly expanding Wickham/West End growth corridor and female player registrations at the Hamilton Hawks reflecting the rapid growth nationally.

“Members of the public with mobility issues will also now be catered for with accessible toilet facilities both on the ground floor and new viewing spaces and further facilities on the upper level, accessible by lift.

“We are very grateful to City of Newcastle for its advice and support in seeing the development come to fruition.”

City of Newcastle is adding a dash of greenery and a splash of colour throughout New Lambton’s shopping precinct with the installation of shopfront “smart” gardens and a vibrant four-metre-high community mural.

The projects are being supported through City of Newcastle’s Special Business Rate (SBR) program following an expression of interest process in consultation with the local business community.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said local businesses in New Lambton are set to directly benefit from the beautification projects, which will enhance the appeal of the precinct.

“The input of business owners to activate their precincts is vital to creating thriving business communities and increasing visitation to suburban areas like New Lambton,” Cr Nelmes said.

“As a result of the latest suburban SBR round, the creative projects selected for New Lambton are set to enhance the precinct for residents and visitors, making it an even better place to eat, drink and shop.”

Nine local businesses have seen their facades turn green with the installation of vertical “smart” gardening systems by Herb Urban, whilst a black cockatoo is the hero of a four-metre-high community mural underway on the exterior of New Lambton Library, which is being delivered by Up&Up Inspirations with the help of New Lambton High School students.

Business owner Kathy Slevin from clothing boutique Kate Devine said customers are noticing the recent addition of the vertical gardens on her store’s façade in Alma Street.

“I’ve received a lot of positive comments from customers who are noticing, stopping, commenting and appreciating the installations,” Ms Slevin said.

“Customers are appreciating the fact that the added greenery softens the concrete façade and lots of other local businesses are wanting them installed on their shop fronts. They’ve been a positive addition and good for business and the precinct.”

Popular coffee haunt, Chaddies on Regent, is located in the courtyard overlooking the New Lambton Library community mural. Café owner Jo Grace said the mural was already creating a lot of interest.

“It’s really exciting seeing the mural take shape. It’s going to inject so much colour and our customers get to benefit from viewing a beautifully designed mural rather than look at a plain brick wall,” Ms Grace said.

Sharon Lance, from fashion retailer Papango, said the mural is creating a buzz and will bring new life to the courtyard precinct once it’s complete.

“The mural is just so happy and colourful with its bold use of lavender and orange, but the real star of the show is the black cockatoo, who frequents our deciduous tree here in the courtyard and can be found nearby in Blackbutt Reserve.”

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.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a missing woman known to frequent the Lake Macquarie region.

Lynn Scaife, aged 62, last spoke to relatives on Monday 6 March 2023.

When her family could not contact her again and she could not be located, she was reported missing to officers from Hunter Valley Police District yesterday (Tuesday 14 March), who commenced inquiries to locate her.

Family and police hold serious concerns for her welfare.

Lynn is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall, of medium build, with shoulder-length red hair clipped up.

She is believed to be travelling in a white Subaru station wagon with NSW number plates.

Lynn is known the frequent the Dora Creek, Wyee, and Wyong areas.

Anyone with information about Lynn’s whereabouts is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The race may be over for 2023 but the chequered flag has not yet fallen on the chance to have a say about the return of the Newcastle 500.

Last weekend’s event was the final race to be delivered under the agreement between City of Newcastle, Supercars Australia and Destination NSW signed in 2016.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle was committed to capturing views from across the community on the future of the Newcastle 500.

“The community have now experienced the Newcastle 500 four times, so we’re really keen to hear their thoughts on the Newcastle 500 and the possibility of extending its time in our city,” Cr Nelmes said.

“At this time, no decision has been reached on the future of the race.

“If the NSW Government decides it wants to extend the Newcastle 500 for another five years then our Council will have the final decision on whether Newcastle continues as the host city.

“We’re committed to undertaking a robust, open process of consultation through consultants KPMG, who are using a range of online, in-person and telephone surveys before, during and after the race period to gather feedback from as wide a range of people as possible.

“This feedback will allow councillors to better understand the community’s views on issues around liveability, economic benefit or challenges, perceptions of the event and its impact on the visitor economy.”

Thousands of people have already responded to an online survey launched last month ahead of the event, while face-to-face questionnaires completed during the race weekend will provide insight into the behaviours of racegoers, including their visitation to local businesses.

Randomised telephone surveys commenced this week to capture views from across Newcastle’s demographic profile while an upcoming letterbox drop of every property in the Newcastle local government area will include information on how to provide their feedback online.

Residents, business and industry representatives will be asked to provide additional commentary during four post-event stakeholder workshops next month, with the feedback from all consultation activities to be completed in a report to be released mid-year.

The online survey can be completed via the City of Newcastle website until 5pm on 31 March.

A teenage boy reported missing from the Hunter Valley has been located safe and well.

The 13-year-old was last seen in Muswellbrook about 4pm on Thursday (9 March 2023).

He was reported missing to officers from Hunter Valley Police District on Saturday (11 March 2023), who commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Following extensive inquires, the teen was located safe and well in Muswellbrook about 10pm yesterday (Monday 13 March 2023).

Police would like to thank the public and the media for its assistance.

A trailbike rider has died in a two-vehicle crash in the state’s Port Stephens-Hunter Police District yesterday.

About 7.30pm (Friday 11 March 2023), emergency services were called to the intersection of McKeachie Drive and Oakhampton Road at Abberglassyn, near Maitland – after reports a trailbike rider had collided with another vehicle.

Witnesses rendered first aid to the rider – a man believed to be aged in his 20s – before the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, he died at the scene.

The driver and single occupant of the other vehicle – a silver Nissan Dualis – a 17-year-old female – was not injured and was taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory testing.

Officers from the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

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

Raptor North officers have charged three people after a man was allegedly detained and threatened in Newcastle last month.

About 1am on Thursday 16 February 2023, a 31-year-old man arrived at the carpark of a fast food restaurant on Cowper Street, Wallsend, and met with a 29-year-old man known to him.

A short time later, another man entered his vehicle and allegedly threatened the older man with a knife.

He demanded cash before the 31-year-old man was able to escape the vehicle.

The armed man then left the car and drove from the scene in a separate vehicle.

The older man returned to his vehicle and later reported the incident to Newcastle City Police District, with the matter being referred to officers from the State Crime Command’s Raptor North.

Following extensive inquiries, Raptor North police arrested a 32-year-old man on the Esplanade, Speers Point, about 1.40pm yesterday.

Police then executed three search warrants at homes in Speers Point, Adamstown, and Macquarie Hills, from 2pm yesterday (Thursday 9 March 2023), where they seized about $25,000 cash, steroids, mobile phones, knuckle dusters, and suspected fraudulent documents.

A 29-year-old man was arrested at Macquarie Hills and a 34-year-old woman was arrested at Adamstown.

All three were taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with take/detain person in company with intent to obtain advantage, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and deal with the proceeds of crime.

They were all refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court later today (Friday 10 March 2023).

An award-winning screenwriter and humanitarian has received a Key to the City of Newcastle after a compelling keynote speech at the annual Lord Mayor’s International Women’s Day Morning Tea at City Hall.

From her Newcastle home, Vanessa Alexander helped more than 100 Afghan women and their families at risk of retribution from the Taliban out of Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul in August 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fifty-six of these refugees are now living in or around Newcastle, 32 are in Ireland with the support of Ms Alexander’s sister, Elise, while others have resettled in Brazil and the US.

Some of the people pivotal to this mission joined Ms Alexander and Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes for a panel discussion, facilitated by Councillor Carol Duncan, including: Darwish Ahmadzai, who helped hundreds of women and children flee; Richelle Aiken, head of Friends of Refugees Newcastle; Megan Smith, Director at Prosperity Advisers, who helped find local jobs for women; and Tooba Azami, a female Afghan doctor who sought refuge in Newcastle on an emergency visa.

In addition to this, Ms Alexander is a writer and producer, best known for her work on Vikings: Valhalla (Netflix) and The Great (Hulu). For The Great, she was nominated for Best Comedy and Best New Series at the Writers Guild of America Awards in 2021. The same year, she went on to co-executive produce Valhalla from her bedroom in Newcastle during lockdown while home-schooling three children.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Ms Alexander exemplified the attributes of an ambassador for the city and embodied the spirit of the 2023 International Women’s Day theme, Embrace Equity.

“After the fall of Kabul, Vanessa was inspired to organise a group of local women to coordinate urgent and meaningful assistance for vulnerable Afghans, linking a global network of contacts via WhatsApp,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Hers is an incredible story of courage and hope, and I am proud to induct Ms Alexander as a City of Newcastle ambassador and give worthy recognition to her wonderful work with a Key to the City.”

Captivating a packed Concert Hall, Ms Alexander said she was honoured to accept the award for and on behalf of those who had helped coordinate support.

“Some of those people join us today on the panel. Darwish helped over 300 women and children to safety, and it inspired me to set up a Dungog Refugee support group who helped me secure Darwish a job and housing there. Richelle established Friends of Refugees Newcastle and provided support to the first 25 refugees who arrived, including housing Tooba and her brothers. Erin Beard, a social worker, was the other half of this mighty effort. Megan, together with Richelle, Rosanna Fuller and Lisa Toohey, helped me relocate a young female accountant by giving her and funding her skilled visa,” Ms Alexander said.

“While I was personally involved in helping close to 100 Afghan women and their families, the ripple effect was manyfold as hundreds more received crisis support through the network Darwish and I established with the Canberra based woman’s activist, Susan Hutchison.”

The morning tea raised $3,200 through a raffle and online donations for Ms Alexander’s chosen beneficiary, refugee support service Talent Beyond Boundaries, adding to the $1,800 raised in 2022 for suicide prevention charity R U OK? and $3,100 for domestic violence organisation Got Your Back Sista in 2021.

There will be plenty of options to soak up the atmosphere of the Newcastle 500 outside of the racing precinct, with City of Newcastle supporting a series of fun, free events this weekend.

Racing fans can kick off their experience with the ultimate Supercars signing session at Gregson Park in Hamilton from 4.30pm to 7pm tomorrow, Thursday 9 March.

Get there early and check out the pristine display of cars from Newy Car Club while the younger members of the family have fun behind the wheel on the free mechanical car ride before all 25 drivers from the Newcastle 500 arrive for the official autograph session at 5pm.

Make a night of it by grabbing a bite to eat from the food trucks on site or picking up a tasty takeaway meal from nearby Beaumont Street before settling in for an evening picnic amongst the buzz.

Car enthusiasts can check out some of Newcastle’s coolest cars with another display from Newy Car Club members at Newcastle Museum forecourt from 8.30am to 5pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The enviable display will have something for everyone to ogle, from the high end luxury of an Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Ferrari to the classic appeal of a Holden HSV R8 and Ford GT500 Mustang among others.

Family fun will also be on offer in Civic Park from 11am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, with free activities for all ages. Gets hands-on with the toddler messy play stations, race your mates on the jumbo slide, get colourful with free face painting, partake in fun interactive workshops including a community mural wall and enjoy some special performances and live music each day.

Keep track of all the details across the weekend by visiting whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/the-fun-starts-here

Families are celebrating City of Newcastle’s ongoing investment in recreational spaces, with the completion of the first of five new playgrounds this year being upgraded across the city.

Vera Wilson Park at Beresfield was officially opened to the public today as part of City of Newcastle’s (CN) annual playground improvement program, with Loch Ness Drive Park in Fletcher, Harold Myers Park in Birmingham Gardens, Avon Street Reserve in Mayfield, and Waratah Park all set to be completed within coming months.

Upgraded equipment at Vera Wilson Park caters for a range of ages, with swings, challenging climbing components, slides and multi-play units. Other features of the upcoming playgrounds include a new stairway at Fletcher and a mini trampoline at Waratah.

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.

“The park was originally named in 1969 after Beresfield Progress Association life-member and British Empire Medal recipient, Vera Wilson, for her dedication to improving the Beresfield area including this playground on Beresford Avenue,” Cr Nelmes said.

“As a member of the Beresfield Progress Association, Miss Wilson was a trailblazer and frequently advocated for improvements to the park, so it’s wonderful to unveil the newly upgraded Park in honour of her legacy for future generations and the Beresfield community to enjoy.

“A community event will be held at Vera Wilson Park on Tuesday 18 April at 12pm, showcasing how our local parks and playgrounds are places where our community can come together to relax and interact.

“The turnout at previous local playground community opening events reinforces the important role these public spaces play within local neighbourhoods, which is why we continue to invest in playground projects.”

City of Newcastle has invested more than $9.5 million in playground projects during the past five years, including the recently opened $2 million Wallsend Active Hub.

Detailed design work is also continuing for the play space at Gregson Park and on the fully-fenced accessible play space and waterpark in Foreshore Park as part of the implementation of CN’s adopted Newcastle Harbour Foreshore Masterplan.

To stay up-to-date with the progress and to find out about works in your neighbourhood visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/works