Category: Newcastle News

Smart technology, along with community insights, are helping to guide the expansion of the city’s footpath network.

Work has started to develop the city’s Principal Pedestrian Network (PPN), which is a mapped network of existing and future pedestrian routes that support activity into and around key destinations such as neighbourhood and retail centres, schools, parks, and transport stops.

City of Newcastle maintains 1,000 kilometres of footpath across the city and adds to this network each year to address missing gaps.

To support the expansion, the PPN will guide how new footpaths are prioritised to deliver the best benefits for the community. The PPN will build on the extensive amount of existing information on Newcastle’s pedestrian infrastructure, which is based on previous community submissions, public works, surveys, and known projects around the city.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said community feedback is important to ensuring our pedestrian networks cater for everyone including older residents, people with mobility or vision impairments, school children, tourists and recreational pedestrians.

“Encouraging greater participation in active transport and improving pedestrian safety are key objectives of City of Newcastle,” Cr Clausen said.

“We need to ensure that the community is provided with suitable pedestrian facilities for daily activities. Our footpaths help children travel safely to school, commuters get to the bus stop, parents walk with prams, and dog owners exercise with their pooch.

“Community views will help us better understand what’s working well, and where improvement is needed. This initial engagement will help us understand why some people choose to walk, and others don’t, which will help us plan the future of our city.

“We’re asking the community to provide input via an inclusive survey designed to better understand community attitudes and behaviours around pedestrian accessibility in Newcastle, including non-infrastructure related enablers and barriers to participation.”

Once the draft PPN is finalised, City of Newcastle will proceed with a second round of community consultation that will allow users to view and add their thoughts to an interactive map of the PPN.

To complete the survey, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay. The engagement period closes on Friday 10 June.

An Albanese Labor Government will partner with the University of Newcastle to build a new facility to test and invent solutions to global challenges when it comes to the use of hydrogen and other new energy industries.

The Hunter has a proud history in the resources sector, and we know its future can be proud and resource-rich too.

With its skilled workforce, abundant resources, industrial expertise and rail and port infrastructure, the Hunter region is poised to take full advantage of the energy industries.

The one link still missing is the testing facilities with the settings, equipment and scale to problem solve and invent solutions – including hydrogen storage, compression and dispensing capabilities – as well as to enable training pathways in new energy industries.

That is why an Albanese Labor Government will invest $16 million in the University of Newcastle to provide the enabling industrial scale infrastructure needed to get a New Energy Skills Hub off the ground.

The skills, techniques and technologies developed by this project will enable local industry – including hydrogen investments at the Port of Newcastle – to grow to their fullest potential.

Newcastle and the Hunter – having powered our nation for generations – are ideally placed to become a renewable energy superpower, delivering power long into the future. Labor has the vision and plans to ensure we seize this moment.

Only an Albanese Labor Government will partner with local industry and universities to deliver the skills of the future to Newcastle and the Hunter.

Three men have been charged with drug-related offences following an extensive investigation in the Hunter Valley region.

Strike Force Bunks was established in December 2021 by Hunter Valley Police District to investigate the alleged supply of prohibited drugs in the Scone area. 

Following extensive inquiries, detectives attached to Surry Hills Region Enforcement Squad attended a hotel at Barangaroo, Sydney, and arrested two men – aged 30 and 42 – about 9.30am yesterday (Wednesday 11 May 2022).

During a subsequent search of the men, police allegedly located cocaine and cannabis, which were seized for forensic examination.

The men were taken to Surry Hills Police Station where they were charged with knowingly take part in supply of prohibited drug (indictable quantity) and possess prohibited drug.

Both men were granted conditional bail and will appear at Scone Local Court on Wednesday 15 June 2022.

About 3.00pm the same afternoon, detectives attended a licenced premises on Kelly Street, Scone, and arrested a 37-year-old man.

Search warrants were executed at the licenced premises and two homes in Scone, where a number of items were seized for forensic examination.

The man was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station where he was charged with three counts of possess prohibited drug, three counts of supply prohibited drug, one count of supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis, goods suspected stolen in/on premises, and licensee permit sale of prohibited drugs.

He will also appear at Scone Local Court on Wednesday 15 June 2022.

City of Newcastle (CN) is seeking community feedback on its proposal to construct a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at Summerhill Waste Management Centre.

The facility will allow plastics, paper, cardboard, glass and metals collected from kerbside recycling bins to be recovered at the Summerhill site, which will reduce transport costs and greenhouse gas emissions and allow Newcastle’s red, yellow and green-bin domestic waste to be processed at the one location.

Recyclables collected from Newcastle households have been transported to the Central Coast for processing since the only MRF in the Hunter closed in 2020, affecting City of Newcastle and several other Hunter councils whose recyclables were also being processed locally.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the project would deliver major environmental and financial benefits for the city and community.

“Combined with the organics processing facility, the MRF will be an important foundation for achieving our vision for a circular economy where recyclables can be processed and remanufactured into new products locally,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The proposed design features state-of-the-art sorting technology to produce clean and well-sorted recyclable streams of plastics, paper, cardboard, glass and metals.

“Up to 28 full-time equivalent jobs will be created at the facility alone, with additional employment generated through the emergence of downstream business incentivised by the local supply of recycled materials.”

The proposed design is scalable to process up to 85,000 tonnes of recyclables per annum, creating a regional solution for recyclable waste from across the Hunter that offers economies of scale plus greater certainty for residents that their recyclables will continue to be collected and recovered without disruption into the future.

The project received $5 million from the Federal and NSW Governments in August last year and is included in the draft 2022/23 Budget as one of four city-shaping projects that will deliver key outcomes for the community.

CN has prepared concept designs in conjunction with site master planning to ensure the optimal location of the facility alongside other waste diversion projects.

Information sessions will be held to provide an opportunity for the community to ask questions and give feedback on the project and its proposed design.

Residents can attend a drop-in session on Tuesday 31 May 22 at the Minmi Progress Hall between 5.30pm and 7.30pm, while an online information session will be held on Thursday 2 June 2022 from noon to 1pm.

Interested residents can find out more about the project, provide feedback and register to attend an information session at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay

An Albanese Labor Government will invest $1 million over four years to revitalise the Kaden Centre cancer exercise oncology clinic.

The Kaden Centre delivers custom, targeted exercise programs, prescribed by allied health professionals to drastically improve the long-term health outcomes for people living with cancer.

Tragically, this essential service for people living with cancer and chronic illness was forced to close its doors indefinitely in February, leaving the Newcastle and Hunter Region bereft of a world-class facility and model of care.

The Kaden Centre has developed a ground-breaking model of care delivery for patients undertaking chemotherapy, involving a personalised exercise program to optimise a patient’s fitness prior to definitive cancer treatment.

The program has seen a 50% reduction in major complications, shorter length of hospital stay, reduced readmissions, and more patients returning to complete their intended oncological treatment.

The Kaden Centre has been a lifeline for more than 1,200 people with cancer and chronic illness since its inception four years ago. Under an Albanese Labor Government, the Kaden Centre will be able to support thousands more cancer patients on their pathway to recovery.

Unlike Mr Morrison who denied this essential service support, Labor has heard the message loud and clear and an Albanese Labor Government will deliver funding as a priority.

Labor built Medicare, we will protect Medicare and we’ll strengthen Medicare if the Australian people elect an Albanese Labor Government.

A man has been charged over the alleged assault of a supermarket employee at Newcastle yesterday.

Emergency services were called to a supermarket at a shopping village on Kokera Street, Wallsend, about 2.30pm (Monday 9 May 2022), following reports of an assault.

Police have been told a staff member confronted a male customer before he was struck with a shopping basket. The customer was escorted from the store by staff.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the 52-year-old man who reportedly suffered a medical episode following the incident. He was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition; however, he is now reported to be in a serious but stable condition.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and commenced an investigation into the incident.

With the assistance of the Dog Squad, a 36-year-old man was arrested on University Drive at Birmingham Gardens about 7.15pm.

He was taken to Newcastle Police Station before being transferred to the Mater Hospital for treatment, under police guard.

The man was later returned to the station and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault person with intent to resist/prevent apprehension, armed with intent to commit indictable offence, custody of knife in public place, break and enter house and steal, and attempt stalk/intimidate intend fear of harm (personal).

He was refused bail by Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 10 May 2022) and is due to appear on Monday 16 May 2022.

Organised Crime Squad detectives have commenced an investigation after the body of a diver and more than 50kg of cocaine were located in the Hunter River at Newcastle yesterday.

About 9.30am (Monday 9 May 2022), emergency services were called to Heron Road at Newcastle following reports of an unconscious diver on the shore.

Members of the public and NSW Ambulance paramedics commenced CPR; however, despite their efforts the man died at the scene.

He is yet to be formally identified.

A number of packages – which contained more than 50kg of a white powder believed to be cocaine – were located in the immediate vicinity.

The cocaine has an estimated potential street value of $20 million.

A crime scene was established by officers from Newcastle City Police District and continues to be examined by specialist forensic police.

A search of the surrounding waters by the Marine Area Command and Police Divers will continue today, assisted by officers from the Australian Border Force (ABF).

An investigation is underway by Organised Crime Squad detectives, who will be assisted by officers attached to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

City of Newcastle has kicked off the process of exploring options for additional affordable housing in Newcastle as part of the implementation of its Local Housing Strategy 2020.

Tenders are being invited from suitable organisations, including community housing providers, to conduct a feasibility study into the delivery of affordable housing on sites owned by City of Newcastle (CN).

The study is in line with priority actions in the community-endorsed Local Housing Strategy adopted by Council in November 2020, which sets the framework for the provision of housing across Newcastle during the next 20 years.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said with rising cost of living pressures and a rapidly increasing population, it was important to ensure Newcastle’s housing mix reflected the needs and preferences of the community.

“City of Newcastle is committed to helping increase the range and supply of housing to meet the needs of our growing community,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Housing affordability in Newcastle is at or very near to crisis point, with data showing there are more than 10,000 families suffering from housing stress across the city.

“The Newcastle Local Housing Strategy considers demographics, housing supply and demand, as well as land use opportunities and constraints.

“A need to increase the supply of affordable rental housing has been identified as a priority in the strategy, which is why we are partnering with the NSW Government on a landmark Memorandum of Understanding that will increase the range and supply of social housing in Newcastle.

“Separately to that arrangement, we have also invited tenders from suitably qualified property consultants, community housing providers and developers for an affordable housing feasibility study, which will investigate models for the ownership, operation and delivery of affordable housing on CN-owned sites including land with existing buildings and usage, or vacant land.

“This will allow us to explore all possible options, including potential funding streams, to ensure the provision of affordable, accessible and sustainable housing in the city.

“The successful tender would also need to identify how we could incorporate multi-purpose community spaces into any affordable housing designs proposed in this study, in order to deliver broader benefits for future residents and the community.”

Forecasts shows the Newcastle Local Government Area’s population is set to grow by 41,150 residents to 202,050 by 2041, which will stimulate demand for almost 20,000 new dwellings.

Research has also shown that one in three Newcastle households have an annual income of less than $48,000 and a further 33 per cent suffer housing stress, which is when more than 30 per cent of income is spent on housing.

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An Albanese Labor Government will invest more than $130,000 in Newcastle schools, committing to upgrades of playgrounds, air-conditioning and an innovative outdoor learning facilities in its first term.

The past two years have been tough for families in Newcastle. Kids have missed out on activities and experiences, and many are struggling with their mental wellbeing. It’s also meant that P&Cs haven’t been able to raise the funds to help their schools.

As part of our national plan to invest $440 million into local schools, Labor will deliver:

• $50,000 for upgrades to the outdoor learning space and environment at Heaton Public School;
• $50,000 for air-conditioning and ventilation at Mayfield West Demonstration School; and,
• $31,150 for playground upgrades at Belair Public School.

Being able to learn and play outdoors is so important for the development of our children. I am very pleased to be committing funding to improve the outdoor learning facilities at Heaton Public and supporting the installation of a dry creek bed and nature play facility at Belair Public.

We know that a good education is the ticket to a lifetime of opportunity, and being in a comfortable, enjoyable setting helps foster an environment that is conducive to learning.

That’s why our Schools Upgrade Fund will also help students at Mayfield West with the installation of new ducted air conditioning and ventilation systems to improve air quality, eliminate germs and cool down the classroom.

I’m very proud Labor has committed to delivering this funding as soon as possible in its first term if elected to government on 21 May.

Labor wants every child, in every school, to get a great education. An Albanese Labor Government will make sure our children get the help they need to bounce back after COVID.

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Right now, women in Newcastle fleeing violence are being turned away from accommodation and support services because of insufficient funding from the Morrison Government.  

Each year nearly 10,000 women and children seeking safety are turned away because there isn’t a bed. For many women and children, this means homelessness – couch surfing, sleeping in the car, on the street or returning to the perpetrator. 

This is why an Albanese Labor Government will establish the Housing Australia Future Fund to build 30,000 social and affordable homes across the country. This includes 4,000 homes for women and children fleeing violence and older women on low incomes who are at risk of homelessness, plus an additional $100 million for crisis accommodation. 

We also know that an extra pair of hands can make an enormous difference. The services we talk to say that an extra person working on staff can help between 80 and 100 additional women and children each year. That’s why Labor will invest in 500 new workers across Australia to support people who are facing violence.  

Here in Newcastle, Labor will provide $1.2 million for additional crisis accommodation. We expect this could help as many as 108 women and children to find refuge. We will also fund ten workers to help 800 women and support them during the hardest time of their lives.  

Survivors of violence are strong, and they deserve our help to rebuild their lives. Over the past decade, the Liberals have failed to take this task seriously.  

Labor will tackle the scourge of domestic violence with ambition and urgency.