City of Newcastle is encouraging local green thumbs to spruce up their neighbourhood by entering the new ‘Green Our City’ competition.
Green Our City will be running until December and encourages residents to take part in the Street Gardens program by offering the opportunity to plan and install street gardens.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the focus of the competition is on enabling and encouraging residents to be sustainable, show pride in their street and make a difference in their neighbourhood.
“Green Our City offers residents the chance to be part of an important environmental program, while at the same time improving and greening our streetscape,” Councillor Nelmes said.
“As well as being able to lay claim to having the best new street garden in Newcastle, the winner of Green Our City will also receive $500 to spend at a local nursery of their choice.”
The Street Gardens initiative provides step by step support and ultimately fast tracks the process of installing a street garden at your home. It includes guidelines that need to be met, information around optimal plant species, and the Street Garden Postcard can also be downloaded, which allows you to share your plans with neighbours.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said greening Newcastle’s streets has never been more important and the Street Gardens program empowers residents to make a difference in their part of the world.
“We want to work with residents to design, install and maintain street gardens because we know the benefits they provide,” Councillor Clausen said.
“Apart from simply looking great, street gardens also cool our streets, support pollinators, offer habitat, and filter and limit stormwater runoff into our creeks and waterways. There are also social benefits as it gives residents a way to meet other people and foster a sense of community.”
To be a part of Green Our City, residents will need to complete the Street Garden registration form by Monday 23 August to allow time for City of Newcastle to review. Once approved, eligible participants will be notified and will have until December to nurture and grow their street garden, before a panel of judges decides the winner.
Six distinguished alumni of the New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program who completed their studies at the University of Newcastle have received keys to the city in recognition of their work to promote Newcastle internationally.
Professor Cheong Koon Hean, Dr Khaw Boon Wan, Dr Peter Tay Buan Huat, Dr Tan Chin Nam, Mr Bill Chua and Mr Jaspal Singh were formally inducted as ambassadors of the City of Newcastle at a prestigious function at the Australian High Commissioner’s Residence in Singapore on Monday evening.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes attended as part of a Hunter Regional Delegation to strengthen international ties and explore economic development opportunities.
The Lord Mayor said each of the Colombo scholars exemplified the City of Newcastle Ambassador Program, the purpose of which was to highlight the efforts of Novocastrians, both born and adopted, who resided in Newcastle and other parts of Australia and the world.
“Together, the Colombo scholars have many decades’ of experience and achievements spanning the political, business, housing, development and transport sectors, which have greatly benefited Singaporeans and citizens the world over,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Each of them reflect fondly on their time spent in Newcastle and attribute many of their successes abroad to this enriching experience, and for that the City of Newcastle acknowledges and celebrates their ongoing efforts to promote the city.”
An Australian Government initiative, the New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program is designed to strengthen ties between Australia and the Indo-Pacific region, offering recipients unique opportunities to enhance their learning and global citizenship.
The latest Keys to the City recipients join nine fellow Newcastle ambassadors, including Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand, Cook Islands and Niue, Her Excellency the Hon. Patricia Forsythe AM, and National Gallery of Australia Director, Nick Mitzevich.
Visit the website for more information on the City of Newcastle Ambassador Program.
Photo caption: The Hon. Stuart Ayres MP, Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade; Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer; and His Excellency The Hon. Will Hodgman, Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, with Key to the City of Newcastle recipients (L-R): Mr Bill Chua, Professor Cheong Koon Hean, Dr Khaw Boon Wan, Mr Jaspal Singh, Dr Tan Chin Nam, and Dr Peter Tay Buan Huat.
Background on recipients
Professor Cheong Koon Hean
Professor Cheong was the CEO of Singapore’s Housing and Development Board from 2010-2020, overseeing the development and management of over 1 million public housing flats. Prof Cheong was also the CEO of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) from 2004-2010, and has extensive experience in strategic land use planning, conservation of built heritage and the real estate market. On 1 January 2021, Prof Cheong was appointed Chair of the Centre for Liveable Cities under the Ministry of National Development, Singapore. She is also the current Chair of the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Nominating Committee.
Prof Cheong holds a First-Class Honours degree and University Gold Medal in Architecture and a Doctor of Architecture honoris causa conferred by the University of Newcastle; a Master’s degree in Urban Development Planning from University College London and has completed the Advanced Management Programme in Harvard Business School.
Dr Khaw Boon Wan
Dr Khaw Boon Wan is a former politician who served as Minister for Health from 2003-2011, Minister for National Development from 2011-2015, and Minister for Transport from 2015-2020. A member of the governing People’s Action Party, he was a Member of Parliament representing Tanjong Pagar GRC from 2001-2006, and Sembawang GRC from 2006-2020. During his career, he was noted for being appointed to ministerial portfolios dealing with issues such as housing and transport. Following his retirement from politics in 2020, he has become the chairman of SPH Media Trust, a not-for-profit media entity set up by Singapore Press Holdings after it underwent a restructure in 2021.
Dr Khaw Boon Wan completed a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Industrial Engineering with Honours Class I as well as a Bachelor of Commerce. He was also awarded the University Medal for academic excellence. In 2002, the University presented a Doctor of Engineering honoris causa to Dr Khaw. He is also recognised as a Patron of the University of Newcastle’s Alumni Chapter in Singapore.
Dr Peter Tay Buan Huat
Dr Tay is currently a Corporate Advisor, engaging in business development and coaching budding business leaders. He serves on the boards of companies involved in food and education and writes on management issues in Asian Meat and AgriFood Magazine, two international food publications. For 17 years, from 1989-2006, Mr Tay was the President and CEO of Singapore Food Industries Ltd (SFI), a publicly listed food distribution and manufacturing company in Singapore. Under his leadership, SFI expanded internationally from its base in Singapore to include operations in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, China and Australia. During the period from 1992-2004, he concurrently held other positions, including Group Coordinator for Human Resource and Group Director (Strategic Development) in Singapore Technologies.
Dr Tay graduated with Bachelor degrees in both Engineering (Honours) and Economics from the University of Newcastle. In 1986, he obtained an MSc in Management (Sloan Fellows Program) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, United Kingdom, and a Member of the Institution of Engineers, Australia.
Dr Tan Chin Nam
Dr Tan has 33 years’ service in the Singapore Public Service holding various key appointments before completing his term as a Permanent Secretary in 2007. He held various top public leadership positions including as General Manager and Chairman, National Computer Board, Managing Director, Economic Development Board, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Manpower, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, Chairman National Library Board and Chairman of the Media Development Authority. He played a leading role in the information technology, economic, tourism, manpower, library, media, arts and creative industries development of Singapore.
Dr Tan completed a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Industrial Engineering with Honours Class I as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Economics. In 1998, Dr Tan was awarded a Doctor of Engineering honoris causa.
Mr Bill Chua
Mr Chua has served on local and foreign boards for the past 20 years. He is currently an Independent Director on the boards of IES-INCA Pte Ltd, United Hampshire US REIT Management Pte Ltd, Sunseap Group Pte Ltd, Citibank Singapore Limited, and BoardRoom Executive Services Pte Ltd, and a Managing Partner and Director of Green Sands Equity Inc. Bill retired from United Overseas Bank as the Managing Director and Head Global Financial Institution Group in November 2014 after 34 years in the financial services sector. He was awarded the Public Service Medal (PBM) in 2004, and the Public Service Star (BBM) in 2016 by the Government of Singapore.
Mr Chua holds a Bachelor of Arts, and a Bachelor of Engineering Hons Class 1 from the University of Newcastle, Australia. He is a Fellow at the Singapore Institute of Directors, and at the Institution of Engineers, Singapore.
Mr Jaspal Singh
Mr Singh started his career with the Singapore Government Administrative Service (1978-2004), serving in the Ministries of Transport, Finance and Trade & Industry and on the Boards of various statutory bodies and Government-linked corporates. Key appointments held include Director of Budget and Deputy Secretary in the Ministries of Finance and Transport. He was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Silver) in 1998 and the Long Service medal in 2003 for 25 years of service.
He received a Colombo Plan scholarship at the University of Newcastle, Australia (1973-77) and completed post-graduate studies (sponsored by the Singapore Government) at Harvard University (MPA, Kennedy School of Government, 1984-85, and AMP, Harvard Business School, Fall 2003).
Mr Singh is currently Senior Advisor to SMRT Corporation Ltd and SPH Group. He sits on the Governing Council of the Singapore Institute of Directors and is also Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies at the LKY School of Public Policy. He is also the High Commissioner to the Republic of Rwanda for Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 26 July 2022. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.
Lord Mayoral Minutes
New Colombo Plan Scholars
A Lord Mayoral Minute acknowledged the New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program (NCPSP) and the presentation made to, and induction of, six worthy NCPSP scholars to City of Newcastle’s Ambassador Program with a Key to the City on 26 July 2022.
Ordinary business
Adoption of council policies
Council supported an amended motion to adopt the Planning Agreements Policy and Community Infrastructure Incentives Policy and place the Newcastle Heritage Policy, and Public Voice and Public Briefings Policy on public exhibition for 28 days.
Adoption of Wickham Masterplan 2021 (2022 amendment)
Council voted to adopt the Wickham Masterplan 2021 (2022 Amendment), which aims to ensure an appropriate built form outcome is achieved in Wickham.
Tender report – hire or purchase outright of heavy plant at Summerhill Waste Management Centre
Council voted to accept a tender for the dry hire of heavy plant at Summerhill Waste Management Centre to process incoming waste.
Notices of Motion
William Street pedestrian crossing, Tighes Hill
Council supported a notice of motion to prioritise the repair and upgrade of the William Street Tighes Hill pedestrian crossing in the forward works program, with consideration given to including the installation of a compliant kerb ramp, improved drainage and flood mitigation, and upgraded street lighting, signage and road markings. This pedestrian crossing is scheduled for planning and design in City of Newcastle’s (CN’s) 2022/23 transport program. Once design and approvals are finalised, the project will be listed for consideration under CN’s forward Capital Works program, including exploring opportunities for external funding support through eligible grant programs.
A critical incident investigation has been launched following the death of a man in Newcastle yesterday.
Just after 7.45pm (Tuesday 26 July 2022), officers attached to Newcastle City Police Area Command were called to Bar Beach, Newcastle, following reports of concern for a man’s welfare.
On arrival, officers attempted to speak to a 78-year-old man before he fell from a cliff.
A critical incident team from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.
The investigation will be subject to an independent review and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
A third man has been charged by Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives following an investigation into the armed robbery of a hotel at Stockton two years ago.
About 11.30pm on Wednesday 26 June 2019, two masked men entered the business on Fullerton Street at Stockton then threatened and assaulted employees while armed with a firearm and tomahawk.
The men demanded money from the till and other items from staff, before fleeing the location in a stolen vehicle which was later found burnt out on Pitt Street.
Two employees suffered minor injuries during the incident and have since recovered.
Initial inquiries were undertaken by officers from Newcastle City Police District, before the matter was referred to detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad, who commenced investigations under Strike Force Hawksview.
Two men – aged 35 and 26 – have previously been charged over their alleged involvement in the incident and remain before the courts.
Following further inquiries, a 33-year-old man was transferred from a correctional centre at Bathurst, to Bathurst Police Station, on Wednesday 13 July 2022.
He was charged with robbery while armed with dangerous weapon and take and drive conveyance without consent of owner.
The man was remanded in custody to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 27 July 2022.
The body of a man has been located in waters near Lake Macquarie, following an extensive air and sea search this morning.
About 2.30pm yesterday (Monday 25 July 2022), emergency services were called to Moonee Beach, Lake Macquarie, after a body was located in the water.
A woman was treated at the scene; however, she could not be revived.
While the woman is yet to be formally identified, she is believed to be aged in her 80s.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District attended and established a crime scene.
Inquiries confirmed that a man – who is known to the woman – was also missing in waters nearby.
A full-scale search commenced yesterday and continued this morning (Tuesday 26 July 2022) for the man and included local police, officers from the Marine Area Command, PolAir, Surf Life Saving NSW and NSW Ambulance paramedics.
About 10am today, PolAir patrolling the area located the body of a man offshore – about 2.5km south of Birdie Beach – which was recovered by officers attached the Marine Area Command a short time later.
While the man is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be the missing man who is aged in his 70s.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
A search will continue this morning for a man missing near Lake Macquarie, after a woman’s body was located in waters yesterday.
About 2.30pm (Monday 25 July 2022), emergency services were called to Moonee Beach, Lake Macquarie, after a body was located in the water.
A woman was treated at the scene; however, she could not be revived.
While the woman is yet to be formally identified, she is believed to be aged in her 80s.
Officers attached to the Lake Macquarie Police District attended and established a crime scene.
Following inquiries, police believe a man – who is known to the woman and believed to have been with her yesterday – may be missing in waters nearby.
A search commenced yesterday for the man and included local police, officers from the Marine Area Command, Surf Life Saving NSW and NSW Ambulance paramedics.
A full-scale land and water search will continue in the Moonee Beach area today.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate two vehicles, as an investigation continues into an alleged aggravated break and enter on the state’s north coast this morning.
About 2am (Thursday 21 July 2022), two unknown males stole a black BMW sedan – with NSW registration CMF78E – from the driveway of a home on Lakeside Drive, Swansea.
As the vehicle drove from the scene, a silver Mercedes sedan – with NSW registration DNM95U – drove to the same address and two unknown males left the vehicle and entered the same home.
The males left the scene a short time later with a number of items, before returning a second time and disturbing the occupant.
The occupant – a 43-year-old woman – confronted the males before being threatened with a knife.
The males left the scene in the Mercedes, which is believed to have been stolen from an address in Greenwich between 11pm on Tuesday 19 July and 7.30am on Wednesday 20 July 2022.
The woman was not injured during the incident.
About 2.25am, officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified when the drivers of the BMW and Mercedes failed to pay for petrol at a service station on the Pacific Highway, Swansea.
About 3.45am, the woman’s debit card was used at a fast-food restaurant on the Pacific Highway, Thornleigh.
Investigations into the incidents continue and police are appealing for anyone who may have sighted the BMW or Mercedes to contact police.
City of Newcastle (CN) is inviting tenders for the management of the city’s five inland swimming centres.
Acting Director City Wide Services Lynn Duffy said CN remained committed to ensuring the city’s swimming centres are affordable and accessible to all members of the community.
“With strong attendance figures and consistently satisfied responses from customer surveys, our community have told us how much they appreciate and enjoy our inland pools,” Ms Duffy said.
“This tender provides an opportunity to deliver an improved range of benefits for the community including greater access to inclusive aquatic programs and services reflective of Newcastle’s diverse population.
“We also remain committed to maintaining access to affordable high-quality public pools, particularly for families in the western suburbs.”
The tender process has been collaborative in nature. The United Services Union (USU) representative Luke Hutchinson said CN had been working collaboratively with the USU throughout the process.
“City of Newcastle has proactively engaged with the United Services Union regarding the new tender for the operation of their inland pools. We are satisfied with the approach being taken to date to ensure the best outcomes for staff and the community,” Mr Hutchinson said.
The tender will be open from 30 July to 6 September, with a report on the preferred tenderer to be prepared for the consideration of the elected Council before the end of the year.
Elton John will rock McDonald Jones Stadium during an upcoming international tour as the first major event announced under a historic partnership between City of Newcastle and Venues NSW.
The Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour concert will be the Rocket Man’s first performance in Newcastle and is expected to be a sellout, filling the stadium’s 30,000 seats with locals and visitors on January 10, 2023.
City of Newcastle and Venues NSW secured the show through a new Major Events Partnership, which builds on the history of the two organisations working together to land world-class events such as the Matildas match against the USA, and international rugby double-headers featuring the Wallabies, Argentina, South Africa and New Zealand.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Elton John concert was a coup for the city and just one example of the diverse major events the new partnership is looking to achieve.
“Newcastle is once again showing Australia and the world that we’re a global events city, attracting one of the biggest names in music, Elton John, to play a stadium concert in front of thousands of cheering Novocastrians and tourists,” Cr Nelmes said.
“There was a time not so long ago that you would never imagine a name like Elton John playing in Newcastle, however we’re on a cusp of a new era thanks to a strategic focus led by City of Newcastle attracting events, the backing of the local business and tourism industry, and Venues NSW expanding its vision beyond sports for McDonald Jones Stadium.
“City of Newcastle and Venues NSW have been working together to bring various major sporting events to Newcastle for years and now we’ve made this partnership official with the vision to attract events that are new, unexpected and will bring more visitors to the city.”
Venues NSW and McDonald Jones Stadium CEO Kerrie Mather added: “We can’t wait to welcome Elton John to Newcastle as part of his Australian tour in what will be an unforgettable night for the region.
“We’re about to embark on the busiest concert season in New South Wales arguably ever, with Elton John to perform live in Newcastle and Sydney, while Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, Guns N’ Roses, Harry Styles and Red Hot Chili Peppers are just some of the global superstars announced so far.
“This is an incredibly exciting result for Newcastle, and just a taste of the major events to come for the region.”
Major events are a key part of City of Newcastle’s Destination Management Plan as a primary driver of the local tourism economy, which was worth $1.27 billion pre-COVID.
The Major Event Partnership between City of Newcastle and Venues NSW will see the two organisations work together in attracting major and international events to McDonald Jones Stadium and the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.
For tickets and detailed information for Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour at McDonald Jones Stadium on January 10, 2023 head to oznz.eltonjohn.com
