Category: Newcastle News

City of Newcastle (CN) welcomes the decision by Heritage NSW to dismiss a request for an Interim Heritage Order lodged by a local community group. This dismissal means the long-awaited restoration of the Newcastle Ocean Baths can now proceed without delay.

Heritage NSW, in making its determination, noted that the Newcastle Ocean Baths construction is similar to that of all State Heritage listed baths within New South Wales. The determination noted that the construction method of pool floors for these types of ocean baths, such as sand, concrete or rock, is not integral to the heritage values for ocean baths in New South Wales. As such, Heritage NSW has determined that there is no threat to the heritage values of Newcastle Ocean Baths in undertaking the works to renew the pool and promenades.

The City hopes Heritage NSW’s decision to refuse the Interim Heritage Order brings an end to the continual stunts and misinformation by the group Friends of Newcastle Ocean Baths who have for more than two years attempted to prevent this much needed upgrade from occurring.

As the City has repeatedly made clear, the edge of the pool must be raised due to rising sea levels. Unless this happens, the Baths will be excessively battered during ocean storms and simply won’t survive another 100 years.

Without concreting the rock floor that currently exists at the Newcastle Oceans Baths, the increase in the height of the pool edge would make it too deep for most people to be able to walk the Newcastle Ocean Baths. By placing a relatively thin concrete base over the rock floor, the existing depth of the pool can be retained. The 15cm increase in the edge of the pool will not have any impact on sand’s ability to continue to flow in from the ocean, meaning pool users will continue to be able to walk on the sandy bottom as they have for the past 100 years.

If for some reason there was a delay in sufficient sand flowing into the pool, the City has already committed that it will transport sand to the pool floor.

CN worked closely with the community to develop the design for the stage one upgrade which included key heritage considerations. We look forward to completing the stage one work next year and to handing back to the community an oceans baths that exists for benefit of our entire community.

A proposal to increase the capacity of City of Newcastle’s new organics processing facility will fast track its ability to accept food scraps by four years, diverting an additional 24,000 tonnes of waste from landfill.

A report to be tabled at this month’s Council meeting recommends expanding the facility’s capacity to 50,000 tonnes per annum at the initial construction stage, which would allow it to process both garden and food organics from its first year of operation.

The fully enclosed facility, which will be constructed at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre, uses new technology to process the waste into compost for reuse.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the facility would deliver a more sustainable approach to organic waste and resource recovery in line with community expectations.

“Delivering this facility is in line with the objectives in our adopted Climate Action Plan and our draft Sustainable Waste Strategy, and meets the expectations of our community, who are supportive of measures to divert waste from landfill,” Cr Nelmes said.

“This facility would allow processing of more than double the organic waste that we currently receive, and importantly, it enables us to process and transform that waste into compost for reuse instead of sending it all to landfill.”

City of Newcastle currently receives around 23,000 tonnes of garden organic waste at Summerhill each year, which is then transported more than 90km to Ravensworth for further processing, however food and organic waste generation has significant seasonal peaks which the facility must cater to.

There is also expected to be a significant increase in organics received once residents take advantage of the new collection service. A key learning was from Lake Macquarie City Council, who reported much larger increases in organics than anticipated, placing stress on the capacity of its Awaba facility.

The proposed facility at Summerhill will instead allow onsite processing of up to 50,000 tonnes of food and garden organic waste every year in a completely enclosed facility designed to contain any associated noise or odour.

The facility was previously designed with a staged approach, beginning with a capacity of 32,600 tonnes to process green waste only, with an additional upgrade needed before it could cater for food waste and population growth in its fourth year of operation.

Increasing the capacity of the organics facility now also ensures City of Newcastle will fulfill the requirements of the NSW Government’s Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041, which requires local councils to deliver food and garden organics collection by 2030, with major commercial generators required to have food diversion by 2025.

Subject to the expanded capacity being approved by the Council, a development application for the facility will be lodged in April. Two additional development applications are also being submitted for site preparation and relocation of the existing materials processing operations, and bulk earthworks to ready the site for the new facility.

“Community input into this project is an important part of the planning process,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We consulted with the nearby community in late 2021 and heard that most respondents were extremely supportive of the proposed facility. As we move forward, the views of the community will continue to inform our approach for this important project.”

The development application for the organics facility is expected to go on public exhibition in mid-2022.

The humble library card has been transformed into an after-hours key allowing accessing to Lambton Library for the city’s more than 100,000 library members.

Using technology that has only just arrived in Australia, Lambton Library will this weekend become the city’s first to offer library members access seven days a week even when their visit is outside of staffed hours.

The Library will re-open to the public this weekend following an extensive renovation that has delivered modern and accessible facilities while also returning the building’s original heritage character to the front façade.

Image: City of Newcastle Project Manager Beau Brazel, Newcastle Libraries Manager Digital Services & Innovation Briana Elliott, City of Newcastle Manager Libraries & Learning Suzie Gately, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with Lambton Residents Group representatives Tammy Russell, Angela Smith, Louise Evans and Robert Watson at the renewed Lambton Library.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said enhanced community access follows the installation of OPEN+ technology, which allows library members to visit Lambton Library even when the facility is not staffed.

“We know the local community loves the nostalgia that comes with visiting Lambton’s quaint neighbourhood library, however prior to its closure during the early days of the pandemic in 2020, the facility was open just two days each week,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Thanks to an innovative new service model, we’ve transformed Lambton Library into a modern and accessible community space, which utilises specialist OPEN+ technology to welcome library members from 7am to 9pm, seven days a week.

“The improved service will allow community members to borrow and return books, use public computers and free Wi-Fi, and access meeting spaces simply by using their library membership during the extended hours of operation.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming our community to Newcastle Libraries’ free launch events this weekend, with an official community re-opening featuring tours of the renovated space on Friday evening and a family fun day on Saturday morning.”

Saturday’s family-friendly event will offer children’s activities including story time, craft, giant games and a scavenger hunt, as well as Lambton Local History sessions.

The OPEN+ technology will enable members to use their library membership number and barcode to access Lambton Library and an onsite CCTV system will maintain the safety of patrons during accessible hours. In addition, a library staff member will be onsite Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays between 2pm and 4pm to assist members and manage the collection.

The installation of OPEN+ technology at Lambton Library is an objective of the Library Strategy 2019-2029 and was made possible by City of Newcastle’s Smart City program, while funding from a State Library of NSW Local Priority Grant supported the internal fit-out.

During the library’s closure period, City of Newcastle also completed a restoration of the library’s front façade and entrance to the building including reinstatement of the original bullnose verandah and heritage details.

Lambton Residents Group supported and advocated for the restoration of Lambton Library and member and community historian Robert Watson said that the group is pleased to have greater access to the much-loved community facility.

“Lambton Library holds great historical significance within our community and it’s fantastic to see the beautiful building’s heritage façade reflect its original style ahead of re-opening,” said Mr Watson.

“Additionally, the innovative technology will allow not only Lambton Residents Group, but all library members, to benefit from free access to a wonderful community space for meetings, work and study or just a quiet place to seek refuge with a great read.”

Lambton Library was constructed in 1887 and was initially used as the Lambton Council Chamber before being converted into a library in 1950.

Bookings for the free community celebration on Friday evening can be made by phoning Newcastle Libraries or visiting newcastle.nsw.gov.au/library.

Image: September 1890 Lambton Council Chambers building now home to Lambton Library, from Newcastle Libraries Collection.

A police officer has been charged following a critical incident investigation after a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash at Lake Macquarie last year.

About 4.40pm on Monday 4 October 2021, emergency services were called to Mandalong Road near Deaves Road, Mandalong, after reports two motorcycles – including a marked New South Wales Police motorcycle – had collided.

A 69-year-old man was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital with serious leg injuries, while a 36-year-old male senior constable – who was on-duty at the time – also suffered serious injuries and was taken to John Hunter Hospital.

A crime scene was established by Lake Macquarie Police District officers, with a critical incident investigation launched by Tuggerah Lakes Police District.

Following extensive inquiries, the senior constable – attached to Traffic & Highway Patrol Command – was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice today (Tuesday 15 March 2022), for the offence of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

He is due to appear at Toronto Local Court on Monday 2 May 2022.

Islington Park has been re-opened to the public this morning following clearance by independent assessors yesterday.

The park been closed since 2 March due to contamination generated by the recent fire at the Wickham wool stores. Multiple specialist asbestos crews were deployed last week to clean the park. These crews removed fragments of asbestos containing materials (ACM) from grassed areas, gardens, the sporting oval, the carpark, bike paths, the playground, skate bowl and around the amenities building.

High traffic areas such as footpaths and the playground were also cleaned with HEPA (high efficiency particulate arrestance) vacuums.

Following the clean-up, an independent Licenced Asbestos Assessor inspected all areas of the park and found no visible asbestos remaining, allowing for a clearance certificate to be issued on Sunday 13 March.

Air monitoring was undertaken during the clean up and also as part of the clearance inspection – with all results coming back clear of airborne asbestos fibres.

It is important to remember that as with other areas that have been cleaned and given clearance, it is possible for the occasional fragment to be introduced into the area from vehicles or falling from trees. Further findings of fragments should be reported to the EPA’s environment line on 131 555 so that the area can be listed for inspection and re-cleaning if necessary.

Now that clearance has been issued, City of Newcastle will plan for the safe resumption of services such as mowing and ongoing park maintenance.

Waratah Park has also been inspected and cleaned and is open to the public.

For the latest updates visit www.newcastle.gov.au/wickhamfire

An 87-year-old man reported missing from Cooranbong overnight has been found and is safe.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District began searching for the man when he could not be located overnight (12 March 2022).

The man was found Watagan Park about 7.30am (Sunday 13 March 2022).

He is being checked by NSW Ambulance paramedics as a precaution but appears to be well.

Police thank the local community and the media for their assistance in sharing our appeals.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate an elderly man missing from Lake Macquarie.

Constantin Ionita, aged 83, was last seen his home on Kennedy Close, Cooranbong, about 9.30pm last night (12 March 2022).

Constantin was reported missing to officers from Lake Macquarie Police District when he could not be located, who commenced inquiries to locate him.

Police and family hold concern for Constantin’s welfare as he lives with dementia and due to his age.

Constantin is described as being of Caucasian appearance, of slim build, with short white hair.

He was last seen wearing a red and blue jumper, dark trousers and was holding pyjamas.

Anyone who may have information regarding Constantin’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.