Newcastle Events and public gatherings

Events and programs at our facilities

We would like to reassure visitors that City of Newcastle is working in collaboration with government partners to ensure our City is prepared in the event of further spread of COVID-19 to the region.
We urge all visitors to follow the advice of government health authorities with regard to maintaining good hygiene practices. If you are feeling unwell the advice is to stay at home.
Please find information below about programming changes at our venues and facilities.

Event updates

In response to NSW Health Public Health Order, several events to be held in Newcastle have confirmed changes to their planned event. The list of events below includes all available information at the time of publication. This list relates to those events planned to be held on Newcastle community lands under a City of Newcastle event licence. It will be updated regularly as new information is received.
Please contact the event organiser/promoter directly for the latest information on any planned event.
For Council facility and venue events, see each of the facility listings further down this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are events, functions or public gatherings still able to be held in Newcastle?  
Under the Public Health Order, events, functions, or public gatherings with less than 500 attendees in open spaces, or less than 100 attendees indoors can proceed. Any non-essential outdoor event or public gathering where there are, or likely to be, 500 people or more must not be held. Any non-essential indoor event or public gathering which there are, or likely to be, 100 people or more must not be held.
How long will the restrictions on events and public gatherings be in place? 
The current Public Health Order is dated to 17 June 2020. Please note that conditions and information is being updated daily in response to the changing conditions. 
I have tickets to an event, where do I find out if it is still on? 
Enquire with your ticket issuer, event promotor, or commercial venue on the status of an event.
What type of venues or public spaces are included under the Public Health Order?  
Please refer to the Public Health Order for clarifications and exclusions. 
Who is included when determining the number of people in attendance? 
The total attendance at an event would include spectators, participants (e.g. athletes or performers), support personnel and all venue staff.
Where do I go to get the latest information? 
The latest information from City of Newcastle, NSW Government and Federal Government in relation to COVID-19 is available at:

Can planned events still go ahead? 
The Public Health Order issued by the NSW Government commenced 16 March 2020, and as is currently noted to be repealed on 17 June 2020. Only events that comply with the Order can still proceed. 
I have a City of Newcastle event licence for my event, can it still proceed? 
The Public Health Order issued by the NSW Government commenced on 16 March 2020. Only events that comply with the Order can still go ahead. 
Can I still apply for an event licence with CN? 
Event licence applications can still be lodged, although approval will be subject to any current or updated COVID-19 restrictions on the size and timing of events. 
What period/dates will I be able to apply and hold an outdoor event of over 500 attendees, or an indoor event over 100 attendees in Newcastle?  
The current Public Health Order is noted to be repealed on 17 June 2020. Please note that conditions and information is being updated daily in response to the changing conditions.
Under what circumstances can I hold an event or public gathering in Newcastle? 
Determination on the holding of an event rests with the event organiser, based on review of all current information as provided by the Federal and State Government authorities. 
If I cancel my planned event based off the requirements of the Public Health Order, what is the necessary process and are there any applicable fees? 
Any cancellation of an event that has already received a licence must be submitted in writing to the City of Newcastle Event Licencing Team via events@ncc.nsw.gov.au.
Please note any applicable fees will be reviewed on a case by case basis, due to the varied circumstances and any costs already incurred. Further information can be provided following submission of the notice of cancellation. 
If I postpone my licensed event to a later date, am I charged any fees? 
You will need to notify the City of Newcastle Event Licensing team of the proposed new date/s via events@ncc.nsw.gov.au.
Alternate dates will be subject to availability, and there will be no fee charged for the initial rescheduling of the event date. Any further changes to the event date will be subject to the standard fees and charges.
Are CN owned/managed facilities and outdoor event venues still able to host events and functions?  
Facilities and venues will be subject to changing conditions based of operational decisions made around COVID-19 management. Please contact events@ncc.nsw.gov.au for further information around the availability of CN owned/managed facilities and outdoor venues.
We will provide updates on events and public gatherings on this page. Find out more on how Council is responding.

City eases COVID-19 pressures for supermarkets and doctors’ surgeries

City of Newcastle will give businesses flexibility to ease pressures relating to COVID-19 by enabling more truck deliveries to supermarkets, longer hours for doctors’ surgeries and provisions for social distancing among outdoor diners at restaurants.
The more flexible approach will allow essential businesses and service providers to operate more responsively to the City’s changing needs in line with the latest advice from the NSW Government.
This will enable:

  • more flexible delivery times and truck movements at supermarkets
  • doctors’ surgeries to stay open longer
  • restrictions on the use of footpaths to be eased for food premises to help patrons practise effective social distancing

Lord Mayor of Newcastle Nuatali Nelmes said the sensible approach complements the Community and Economic Resilience package currently under development by City of Newcastle staff.
“One of the ways we can help ease pressures right now is to be pragmatic in our approach to regulation in line with the latest advice from the NSW Government,” Councillor Nelmes said.
“Supermarkets struggling to meet unprecedented demand can increase the number of daily deliveries, and their delivery trucks can arrive later or earlier than usual to help ensure shelves remain stocked. We only ask that businesses let their neighbours know about the changes and likewise ask for understanding from nearby residents.
“Medical practices will be able to stay open longer or set up flexible testing arrangements which will ease the demand on hospitals and support our wonderful health system and frontline medicos.
“Restaurateurs will enjoy more flexibility with outdoor dining options for safe social distancing in line with Government directives as we continue to use levers at our disposal to facilitate community and economic resilience.”
Meanwhile, City of Newcastle continues to work with government agencies to limit the spread of the virus.
Accordingly, a decision has been made to close Fort Scratchley until further notice in order prioritise the wellbeing of visitors and volunteers from the Fort Scratchley Historical Society who run the facility.
The closure is consistent with advice from Museums & Galleries of NSW encouraging all volunteer-run museums and galleries to close and for all volunteer support programs to be suspended temporarily.
City of Newcastle’s broader volunteer services have also been suspended temporarily.

City to announce COVID-19 Community and Economic Resilience Plan

The City of Newcastle is developing a Community and Economic Resilience package, to assist Novocastrians through a period of unprecedented social and economic disruption caused by the spread of COVID-19.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle is taking proactive actions that will benefit our community in what is perhaps the City’s greatest ever challenge.
“People may be isolated for periods of time, small businesses will face supply chain issues and reduced economic activity, and the unemployment rate is likely to rise.
“Collectively, we can get through this and City of Newcastle is doing all that it can to facilitate community and economic resilience.”
Part of City of Newcastle’s work includes the development of a Community and Economic Resilience Response.
“This situation requires us to consider how we can deliver economic and well-being outcomes that will support our community,” Cr Nelmes said.
“The principles we have used are about expanding existing platforms and focusing on strategic legacy items for economic and community resilience.
“For example, we will look at ways of developing our local skills base, accelerating digital literacy for small business and growing community cohesion.
“Talented and diverse teams across the City of Newcastle are also putting together measures in response to COVID-19.
“These resilience measures are being informed by international experts and seek to focus on areas where local government can support local businesses and organisations do what they do best.
“The measures will complement the previously announced Federal and NSW Government stimulus packages.
“A second phase of the resilience package likely to be announced in May will be a multi-million dollar increase in the City’s planned capital works program for the next financial year.
“Newcastle has a long history of dealing with economic adversity, which gives us the confidence to know that as a community we can get through this together. It will be challenging and have personal impact, but with community mindedness, we will come out the other side,” Cr Nelmes added.
The COVID-19 economic resilience package will be considered at Tuesday night’s ordinary council meeting and then factored into the City’s upcoming Quarterly Budget Review.
Further information about the City’s response is available at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/covid-19.

NEW RULES ALLOW SUPERMARKETS TO RECEIVE DELIVERIES 24/7

Supermarkets across the State are now able to receive deliveries 24 hours a day to restock their shelves under new rules introduced by the NSW Government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Government had moved to override local council rules that restrict some stores from restocking their shelves and operating their loading docks outside regular business hours.
“We need to make sure these products can move from factories to shelves as quickly as possible,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are moving quickly so truck drivers can make deliveries to supermarkets around the clock.
“It is important that people now stop unnecessary panic buying.”
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the State Environmental Planning Policy Amendment (COVID-19 Response) 2020 makes clear that truck deliveries are able to supply shops and retailers with essential goods at all times to support communities.
“Councils and retailers have been working well together to allow greater flexibility in delivery hours, and this change gives everyone the certainty we need to ensure these deliveries can continue,” Mr Stokes said.
“The SEPP makes clear that truck deliveries are able to supply shops and retailers with essential goods at all times.”
The new rules apply immediately and will be kept in place until the crisis is over.

Border Restrictions

Australia is closing its borders to all non-citizens and non-residents.
The entry ban takes effect from 9pm AEDT Friday, 20 March 2020, with exemptions only for Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family, including spouses, legal guardians and dependants.
New Zealand citizens who live in Australia as Australian residents are also exempt, as are New Zealanders transiting to New Zealand. Exemptions for Pacific Islanders transiting to their home countries will continue to apply.
Australian citizens and permanent residents and those exempt from our entry restrictions will continue to be subject to a strict 14 days self-isolation.
Our number one priority is to slow the spread of coronavirus to save lives.
Our government has taken this unprecedented step because around 80 per cent of coronavirus cases in Australia are people who caught the virus overseas before entering Australia, or people who have had a direct contact with someone who has returned from overseas.
Our previous travel and entry restrictions have already meant that daily travel to Australia by non-citizens has been reduced to about one third of what it was this time last year.
We also strongly urge Australians looking to return home to do so as soon as possible. This follows our upgraded travel advice for all Australians not to travel overseas, at all.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will provide consular advice and assistance, but the capacity for DFAT to provide consular services may be limited by local restrictions on movement, as well as the full scale of the challenges posed by coronavirus.
Australians who cannot, or do not want to, return home should follow the advice of local authorities and minimise their risk of coronavirus exposure by self-isolating.
The government is in discussions with airlines about the continuance of some international flights for the purpose of bringing Australians home and continuing the movement of goods and freight.
These challenges vary and the situation is changing rapidly.
Our government will continue to act on the best available information to keep Australians safe.

Government to Invest up to $15b in Support of SME Lending

The Morrison Government today announced an investment of up to $15 billion to enable smaller lenders to continue supporting Australian consumers and small businesses.
The Government’s actions will enable customers of smaller lenders to continue to access affordable credit as the world deals with the significant challenges presented by the spread of coronavirus.
Small lenders are critical to Australia’s lending markets, often driving innovation and providing competition for larger lenders.
This funding will complement the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) announcement of a $90 billion term funding facility for authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) that will also support lending to small and medium enterprises.
Combined, these measures will support the continued ability of lenders to support their customers and in doing so the Australian economy.
The Australian Office of Financial Management (AOFM) will be provided with an investment capacity of $15 billion to invest in wholesale funding markets used by small ADIs and non-ADI lenders.
The $15 billion capacity would allow the AOFM to support a substantial volume of expected issuance by these lenders over a 12 month period.
Importantly the assets being purchased by the AOFM will not be limited to residential mortgage backed securities. The AOFM will also be able to invest in a range of other asset backed securities and warehouse facilities. The Government will provide the AOFM with investment guidelines that will outline the basis on which the AOFM is to undertake these investments.
Enabling legislation will be introduced in the week commencing Monday, 23 March 2020. The AOFM is expected to be able to begin investing by April.

Employment Growth in February 2020

The Morrison Government welcomes the ABS labour force figures released today exceeding market expectations in February 2020, with employment increasing by 26,700 over the month, to stand at a record high, of more than 13 million.
Over the year to February 2020, employment has risen by 256,300 (or 2.0 per cent), above the decade average growth rate, of 1.8 per cent.
Whilst these figures do not reflect the economic impact of the spread of COVID-19, it shows the strength of Australia’s economy going into the international crisis.
Full-time employment increased by 6,700 over the month, to a record high of 8,884,600 in February 2020, and is now 144,300 (or 1.7 per cent) higher than it was a year ago.
Full-time employment has comprised 56.3 per cent of total employment growth over the last year.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage points over the month, to 5.1 per cent in February 2020.
The Minister for Employment, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, welcomed today’s positive figures noting that 1,538,400 jobs had been created since the Government came to office, an increase of 13.4 per cent.
The Minister cautioned, however, that COVID-19 is likely to have a substantial impact on global and domestic economic growth, as well as labour market activity, going forward.
“In order to help protect both the health and jobs of all Australians, the Morrison Government has moved quickly to put in place scalable and sustainable measures to help cushion the negative impact of the coronavirus,” she said.
“Last week, we announced the first step in the recovery with a $17.6 billion economic stimulus package to help boost investment and confidence, strengthen the economy, keep businesses operating and support Australian jobs.”
“We do not underestimate the significant challenges resulting from COVID-19 that lie ahead. This is why the Government stands ready to enact further measures to help strengthen the safety net, bolster the economy’s defences and protect Australian businesses and jobs.”
The Federal Government will continue to work collaboratively with the experts and our State and Territory counterparts, in order to respond decisively and effectively to the health and economic challenges that confront us during this pandemic

Statement on Blackbutt Reserve

Blackbutt Reserve’s 182 hectares of eucalypt bushland, trails and recreational facilities remain open as the City continues to work with the State and Federal Government on limiting the spread of COVID-19.
However, activities and services requiring Blackbutt staff to have close contact with members of the public have been suspended in line with current social-separation guidelines (social distancing) to protect visitors, staff and volunteers.
All wildlife shows, animal encounters, public-feeding talks and the operation of the kiosk are suspended until further notice, with bookings for private encounters to be fully refunded.
Bookings for Blackbutt’s BBQ shelters will be honoured should customers choose to proceed.
For more information on our response to COVID-19, visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

Events and public gatherings

Event updates

In response to NSW Health Public Health Order, several events to be held in Newcastle have confirmed changes to their planned event. The list of events below includes all available information at the time of publication. This list relates to those events planned to be held on Newcastle community lands under a City of Newcastle event licence. It will be updated regularly as new information is received.
Please contact the event organiser/promoter directly for the latest information on any planned event.
For Council facility and venue events, see each of the facility listings further down this page.

Events and programs at our facilities

We would like to reassure visitors that City of Newcastle is working in collaboration with government partners to ensure our City is prepared in the event of further spread of COVID-19 to the region.
We urge all visitors to follow the advice of government health authorities with regard to maintaining good hygiene practices. If you are feeling unwell the advice is to stay at home.
Please find information below about programming changes at our venues and facilities.

We will provide updates on events and public gatherings on this page. Find out more on how Council is responding.

Statement on events and sponsorships amid COVID-19

City of Newcastle is continuing to work with the State and Federal Government on limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Following restrictions placed on events under the NSW Government Public Health Order, which states outdoor events of more than 500 must not be held before 14 June 2020, the City is implementing a number of measured responses.
Since the Order was issued, the City has been notified of around 30 cancellations or postponements of public events on community land.
For licensed events that have notified the City of cancellation, we will refund the application fee. Similarly, application fees will be refunded for any sports licences that have been issued for events now cancelled.
The City is also supporting event organisers postpone to another date free of charge, providing their preferred new date is available.
Given the current uncertainty around events, the City’s annual Event Sponsorship Program (ESP) will be deferred until after the Public Health Order is repealed. This will give event organisers more certainty when planning their event and related sponsorship applications. The City will provide more information as soon as a new opening date for the program is confirmed.
The City continues to plan a proposed flagship cultural event previously scheduled for later in 2020. While it had been scheduled to fit the national cultural festival calendar, the timing is now under review as we work with the cultural and arts sector on new programming.
The City’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Team meets daily to assess the latest advice and formulate plans for maintaining services.
The health, safety and wellbeing of our workforce are its paramount concerns, and the City has implemented a daily update for employees on the response, including advice around social distancing and hygiene.
The response to COVID-19, including how social distancing should work for City of Newcastle employees, is developing in line with advice from our Government partners daily.
Should it be necessary, the City’s indoor workforce is well placed to work from home given the recent rollout of laptops and migration to cloud-based services.
For more information on cancellations and events and programs at our facilities, go to https://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Council/News/Latest-News/Events-and-public-gatherings