Category: Newcastle News

City of Newcastle is inviting school students to share their visions for a circular economy as part of an art competition launched today to promote sustainability and resource recovery.

The winning entries will be showcased on two waste collection trucks and numerous public bins across the city, with the art competition designed to encourage conversations around repairing, recycling and reusing resources.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the community will soon be given the opportunity to have their say on City of Newcastle’s own vision for resource recovery, with Councillors to vote this month on placing the draft Our Sustainable Waste Strategy on public exhibition.

“With the Summerhill Waste Management Centre at its heart, Our Sustainable Waste Strategy will provide a model of best practice for waste, recycling and resource recovery while also playing a key role in the region’s ability to address future NSW and Federal government targets,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The draft Strategy focusses on increased diversion and circular economy, envisaging a modernised Summerhill that will become a regional hub in resource recovery to maximise the value of material in residents’ yellow and green bins and decrease what ends up in landfill via their red bins.

“To reduce our impact on the planet, and get more value from limited resources, we need to shift to a circular economy where we return, reuse, repair and recycle to create minimal waste, save water and energy and keep those materials circulating for even longer.

“This school-based art competition is a fantastic way to engage the next generation in these important conversations while also encouraging broader community-wide feedback on Our Sustainable Waste Strategy.”

The competition is open to all schools within the Newcastle Local Government Area, with one primary and one secondary school winner to be awarded an iPad Mini and Apple Pencil each for their creative efforts.

All schools represented in the competition will also be in the running to win a workshop from GoCircular, which will assist the school to become more sustainable by joining the circular economy.

The competition closes on 23 September, with the two winners to be announced later this month.

For more details visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/ClosetheLoop

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman missing from the Lower Hunter Valley area.

Stephanie Norrman (also known as Stephanie MacPherson), aged 41, was last seen in the Maitland area in late August 2022. 

Officers from Brisbane Water Police District were notified of her disappearance by family members yesterday (Sunday 4 September 2022), after they were unable to contact her.

Inquiries have since established that Stephanie spoke with a friend by phone on Wednesday 31 August 2022 and may have been in the Terrigal area at the time.

Police and family hold serious concerns for her welfare as she lives with a number of health conditions.

Stephanie is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall and of a thin build, and has sandy brown long coloured hair.

It is not known what she was last wearing.

She maybe driving a silver Hyundai i40 sedan bearing registration BU18VL or a black Holden Barina hatchback bearing registration CU28SX

Stephanie is known to frequent the Maitland, Terrigal and Wyong areas.

Anyone with information about Stephanie’s whereabouts is urged to contact Gosford Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Merewether, New Lambton and Mayfield are Newcastle’s top three suburbs when it comes to renovations according to City of Newcastle.

$1.85 billion in new development was assessed by City of Newcastle (CN) during the last 12 months with more than 1,650 development applications (DAs) determined, in addition to state significant developments, which is up 25 per cent from just two years ago.

Homeowners in Merewether, Mayfield and New Lambton are improving their properties with residential alterations and additions, whilst Adamstown ($92.04 million) and Merewether ($61.78 million) lead the way in terms of the highest value DAs approved, including projects like the Merewether Golf Club seniors living redevelopment estimated at $76 million.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says development in Newcastle is showing no signs of losing momentum despite challenging market conditions.

“Significant levels of residential and commercial development continue to unfold right across our city, which is great news for the local economy, construction industry, and the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Newcastle continues to be a hot spot when it comes to homeowners injecting cash into bricks and mortar, despite climbing inflation levels, stagnant wage growth, tighter borrowing conditions, and material and labour shortages.”

City of Newcastle Manager Regulatory, Planning and Assessment Michelle Bisson said Newcastle is growing in popularity as an attractive gateway city to live, work and play, which is driving the development boom.

“Through multiple market cycles, Newcastle is considered a steady growth area to invest in, with ongoing revitalisation transforming the city and making Newcastle a highly desirable location to both homeowners as well as developers and investors,” Ms Bisson said.

“Migration growth in Newcastle has increased seven per cent year-on-year since the start of the pandemic, with more people relocating from Sydney and Melbourne than ever before, and at a faster rate than almost anywhere else in Australia, driving development across the city.

“With millennials making up the vast majority of those relocating to Newcastle, the demand for residential housing remains strong with prices still cheaper than major Australian capital cities.

“The second half of 2022 is tracking just as strongly with some significant developments in the pipeline.”

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted in the Lake Macquarie area.

Bailey Wallis-Ahearn, aged 22, is wanted on a number of outstanding arrest warrants.

Officers from State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad have conducted numerous inquiries into his whereabouts but have been unable to locate him.

He is known to frequent Toronto and the surrounding areas of Lake Macquarie.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm to 175cm tall, of thin build, with brown hair possibly with a beard and moustache.

If sighted, members of the public are urged to contact local police immediately, otherwise information about his whereabouts can be provided to Crime Stoppers.

Police are appealing for public assistance following a jewellery store robbery in the state’s Hunter Region last month.

Just before 9.30am on Wednesday 6 July 2022, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to a shopping centre on Molly Morgan Drive, East Maitland, following reports of a robbery at a jewellery store.

On arrival, police were told a male approached the store and used a Toolpro multi tool emergency hammer to smash the glass of a jewellery cabinet, before fleeing the scene with three items worth approximately $107,000. 

A crime scene was established, and initial inquiries were conducted by local police, before detectives attached to the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad took carriage of the matter under Strike Force Malwood.

As the investigation continues, detectives have released CCTV and an image of a male who may be able to assist with their inquiries.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 167cm tall, wearing a black hooded jumper, black tracksuit pants, black balaclava, black gloves and white coloured Nike TN’s.

It is believed he was travelling on a red coloured trail bike with “#51” sticker on the left side of the bike.

Two people have been charged following a joint investigation by detectives from the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad and Lake Macquarie Police District into an alleged home invasion and public place shooting in Lake Macquarie earlier this year.

Police had been told a 24-year-old woman attended John Hunter Hospital about 11pm on Tuesday 8 March 2022 suffering a laceration to her leg and head, after two men allegedly forced entry to her home in Edgeworth and slashed her with a machete.

Local police later attended the Laurel Avenue home and commenced inquiries, which were later taken carriage by detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad.

Then about 9.10pm on Friday 8 April 2022, emergency services responded to reports of a public place shooting at a carpark on Arnott Street, Edgeworth. 

A 27-year-old man was found suffering gunshot wounds to the right leg and was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.

Detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District commenced investigations into the shooting under Strike Force Undola.

Initial investigations led detectives to believe the incidents were linked and allegedly involved members of the Nomads Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.

As part of ongoing joint investigations, strike force detectives have previously executed a search warrant at a Cardiff storage facility earlier this month, where a number of weapons, ammunition and a machete were located and seized.

Police also seized a number of items consistent with the Nomads Outlaw Motorcycle Gang during a subsequent vehicle stop conducted at Blackalls Park that same day.

Following further extensive joint inquiries, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a home at Blackalls Park about 10.10am on Monday (29 August 2022).

A number of items relevant to the investigation were seized, including mobile phones and documents.

A 42-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station, where she was charged with 12 offences, including special aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, accessory after the fact of discharge firearm intend cause grievous bodily harm, conceal serious indictable offence, possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, possess unauthorised pistol, possess unauthorised firearm, possess ammunition without holding licence, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, act with intent to influence witness, and threat/cause injury/harm to prevent information to police.

She was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court yesterday (Tuesday 30 August 2022), where she was formally bail refused to appear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 25 October 2022.

A further two search warrant was executed at a home on Crestview Street, Gillieston Heights, about 7am yesterday (Tuesday 30 August 2022).

A 27-year-old man was arrested at one of the homes and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.

He was charged with knowingly direct activities of criminal group, accessory after the fact of special aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, discharge firearm intend cause grievous bodily harm, steal property in dwelling, and threat/cause injury/harm to prevent information to police.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court yesterday, where he was formally bail refused to reappear at Maitland Local Court today (Wednesday 31 August 2022).

Investigations under both strike forces are ongoing, with further arrests expected.

The Newcastle 500 could return to the city’s streets in March next year after councillors voted to support new dates for the final event to be held under the existing agreement between Supercars Australia and City of Newcastle.

The event would be held in Newcastle on 10-12 March 2023 as the season-opening race, although its staging is still subject to approval from State Government agencies including the Heritage Council of NSW, NSW Office of Sport and Destination NSW.

Supercars Australia is awaiting the outcome of its application under Section 60 (S60) of the Heritage Act 1977 to facilitate holding the last Newcastle 500 event under the existing agreement, as the existing S60 for the Camp Shortland area expired in April 2022.

The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the final race scheduled under the existing contract between Destination NSW, City of Newcastle and Supercars Australia from proceeding in 2021 and 2022.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Council’s support of the March 2023 date ensures clarity for local business and residents. Newcastle could continue as one of Supercars’ premier events, delivering massive promotion for the city and region, while avoiding the previous impact to east end businesses in November and December when Christmas end-of-year trading was occurring.

“Clarifying these new dates in March provides a good alternative to the previous season-closing events in terms of maximising the potential of the event from an economic perspective while also minimising disruption to the community and business operators,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The most recent economic assessment report by Ernst and Young found that on average, the Newcastle 500 delivered $36.2 million annually in total economic impact, which when compared with the $1.6 million cost of Council supporting the race, equates to $22.60 being returned to the local economy for every $1 council invested in the race.

“Local tourism and accommodation providers that have been heavily impacted by COVID-19 will be looking forward to benefiting from the economic stimulus provided by the Newcastle 500’s likely return in March next year.”

Council also committed to partner with Destination NSW to prepare and publicly exhibit a community engagement plan in order to deliver extensive and broad community and stakeholder consultation on the potential to extend the current Supercars 500 agreement beyond 2023.

“The future of the Newcastle 500 beyond the final race is a decision of the NSW Government in the first instance as the consent authority for the race,” Cr Nelmes.

“Any inclusion of Newcastle as a potential host city for another five years will be subject to broad community and stakeholder consultation, and a decision of the elected Council after the proposed event next mid to late 2023.”

Councillors also voted to delegate authority to the CEO to enter necessary agreements to facilitate the March 2023 Newcastle 500. The agreements to enable the March 2023 event will be communicated to Councillors and published on City of Newcastle’s website.

Early construction works that will pave the way for a $40 million expansion kicked off this week at Newcastle Art Gallery.

Fencing has been erected and a specialist drill rig has been installed on site to begin the process of remediating abandoned mine workings underneath the Art Gallery.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the remediation was a crucial step to ensure the safety of the site ahead of the main expansion works, which are expected to begin in mid-2023. Shortlisted applicants from the expression of interest process will be invited to tender for the main construction works later this year.

“Newcastle’s long coal mining heritage means that much of the city centre sits on top of a number of historical underground mine workings, which date back as far as the early 1800s,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Remediating these coal seams in the early stages of this project will ensure the long-term stability and protection of the expanded Art Gallery and its nationally significant $126 million collection, which has been relocated into secure off-site storage for the duration of the work.

“We have been waiting more than 16 years to see this expansion come to fruition, so it is exciting to see this significant step being taken, paving the way for the main construction work to begin next year.

“By doubling the size of the Gallery, significantly increasing the exhibition space and delivering a suite of modern facilities, this project will deliver an expanded and upgraded Gallery of international standing that will offer a valuable cultural tourism opportunity for Newcastle and the Hunter.”

The remediation is expected to be completed in the first half of 2023 subject to weather and will target the 6.5 metre thick Borehole Coal Seam, which sits around 75 metres below ground level, and the 1 metre thick Dudley Coal Seam located around 27 metres below ground.

More than 100 bores will be drilled throughout the site to allow approximately 15,000 cubic metres of grout to be deployed into the seams as part of the expansion project’s Grouting and Verification Plan approved by Subsidence Advisory New South Wales.

City of Newcastle has successfully applied for funding through the NSW Government’s Newcastle Mines Grouting Fund, which will contribute to the cost of the remediation.

While the Gallery car park has been closed for the duration of the work, the car park on Queen Street behind Newcastle Library remains open, with access monitored by traffic controllers to ensure the safety of visitors to Darby Street and the Library. Other alternative parking can be found nearby on Tyrell Street.

Newcastle Art Gallery’s $40 million expansion project will deliver an additional 1,600 square metres of exhibition space with dedicated areas for the Gallery’s significant collection on the lower level, while the upper level will cater for a variety of temporary exhibitions, showcasing local, national and international artists.

The project includes a new café and retail shop, multi-purpose and educational program space, a secure international standard loading dock, and will extend the building’s footprint east along Darby Street and Queen Street.

City of Newcastle (CN) has been advised by the operators of Beresfield Golf Course, Avana Pty Ltd, that they intend to abandon their lease of the council-owned facility on 31 August.

CN is bitterly disappointed by this decision, which comes just two years into a five-year lease offered to, and signed by, Avana in 2020 following a review of their business plan and financial statements.

Despite returning healthy profits for the past five years, Avana approached CN in June 2022 requesting the early termination of their lease citing financial difficulties and operational constraints imposed by the continued wet weather.

CN endeavoured to work with Avana on a feasible solution that would ensure the continued operation of Beresfield Golf Course for the community.

However, they responded with an unacceptable proposal that sought to shift the costs of operating and maintaining the facility onto Newcastle ratepayers, while Avana would still benefit from the net profits.

Avana has also written to the members of the Viney Creek Golf Club to advise them of their decision to abandon their lease. CN is extremely concerned by a number of false claims made in that communication.

Despite the assertions in their communication to members, the Viney Creek Golf Club does not “belong” to Beresfield Golf Course, it is owned and run by Avana Pty Ltd and was set up by that company in November 2016. As such, members concerned about club memberships paid just two months ago should speak with the owners about a prorated refund.

An additional claim that the competition schedule will continue to operate post Avana’s departure from the course is also false. Having been given just two weeks’ notice of Avana’s intention to walk away from their lease, it is not possible for CN to secure another operator for the club within this time.

CN has written to Avana today to inform them that they are in default of their lease obligations and must remedy that default or CN is within its rights to seek any damages resulting from the default.

Should they continue with their intention to abandon their lease on 31 August, CN will explore options to secure a new operator for the Beresfield Golf Course going forward.