An Australian-first pilot program will allow 3,000 households in Newcastle to recycle aluminium coffee pods through their kerbside bins.
Households participating in the Curby Coffee Capsule trial will receive a specially designed bright orange bag to collect their used aluminium capsules, which they can then place in their kerbside recycling bins for collection.
City of Newcastle joins Mosman and Willoughby Councils in Sydney to be the first Australian councils to trial the scheme, which is being run by Australian recyclers iQ Renew and CurbCycle.
The trial will provide vital insights to help inform the development of a national coffee capsule recycling scheme, which is being developed in collaboration with Planet Ark.
City of Newcastle Manager of Waste Services Troy Uren said the trial would add to the suite of waste-recovery initiatives in Newcastle, which are all designed to reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill.
“A survey of more than 500 Newcastle residents last year found 98% felt it was important to divert waste from landfill,” Mr Uren said.
“City of Newcastle already has a number of well-received waste-reduction initiatives and is in the process of researching and designing its new generation recycling collection systems, which include the development of a new Materials Recovery Facility at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre. A key pillar to this approach is identifying key partners in the industry, which will allow us to offer innovative and flexible services to cater for changes over time in what and how we recycle.
“With the introduction of the Curby Coffee Capsule trial, we’re pleased to offer residents an opportunity to become involved with another innovative solution to increase resource recovery at the kerbside.”
Paul Klymenko, Planet Ark CEO congratulated City of Newcastle for taking part in the program.
“It is great to see this trial occurring and we want to thank all the collaboration partners for making this possible,” Mr Klymenko said.
“By providing their communities with the additional option of kerbside collection it will allow more people to recycle their coffee capsules and contribute to creating a circular economy.”
Under the ‘Curby’ trial, the capsules will be separated from other recycling at iQ Renew’s Materials Recovery Facility at Somersby and transferred to the existing Nespresso recycling system in NSW for separating into coffee grounds and aluminium. From here, the aluminium will go to aluminium producers, saving 95% of the energy required to source aluminium from scratch, with coffee grounds going to local commercial compost.
iQ Renew CEO Danial Gallagher said the trial shows community’s desire for new kerbside recycling solutions using the yellow lidded bin.
“The trial is proving that we can harvest the Curby bag containing aluminium capsules at the recycling facility,” Mr Gallagher said.
“The number of the bags received at the MRF during the trial so far has been very encouraging and we look forward to receiving even more volume from City of Newcastle households.”
With funding for the trial provided by Nespresso, General Manager Jean-Marc Dragoli said the company’s experience in developing similar recycling schemes overseas had shown that convenience is king when it comes to the success of recycling.
“We need to make it as easy as possible for people to get their used capsules recycled, and we know kerbside recycling is the easiest path. We hope that this increases the amount of capsules we can collect and process for a better future,” Mr Dragoli said.
Participation in the trial is limited to the first 3,000 households in Newcastle that sign up before 10 December. Interested residents can register at www.curbythebilby.com.au/coffeecapsules or via the Curby App at the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Category: Newcastle News
All the news happening in the Newcastle and Hunter Region
Charges laid as investigation continues following house fire – Lake Macquarie
A man has been charged as part of an ongoing investigation into a house fire in Lake Macquarie last week.
About 6.30pm on Friday (5 November 2021), officers from Lake Macquarie Police District responded to reports of a house fire on Park Avenue, Argenton.
On arrival, police attempted to speak to the occupant – a 59-year-old man ¬– in the home.
The man confronted police with a knife and retreated into the house, which was alight.
A short time later, police assisted the man from the home and rendered first aid, before NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived and treated the man at the scene.
He was taken to John Hunter Hospital suffering burns to his face, shoulders, and torso, before being transported to Royal North Shore Hospital.
Fire & Rescue NSW officers extinguished the blaze, before a crime scene was established and examined by specialist forensic officers.
Strike Force Janet has been established, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following inquiries, investigators attended Royal North Shore Hospital on Sunday (7 November 2021), and charged a 59-year-old man with six offences, including;
• damage property by fire/explosion,
• enter prescribed premises of any person without lawful excuse,
• use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, and
• destroy or damage property (x2).
The man was refused bail and appeared at Belmont Local Court today (Wednesday 10 November 2021). He is next due to reappear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 23 November 2021.
The incident is no longer being treated as a critical incident and investigations under Strike Force Janet are continuing.
Major sporting events return to Newcastle as local sides clash with A-League heavyweights
Image: Broadmeadow Magic FC Club Manager Andrew Bozinovski, Broadmeadow Magic FC player Jacob Dowse, City of Newcastle Manager Parks and Recreation Lynn Duffy, Newcastle Olympic FC player Rhys Cooper and Newcastle Olympic FC Vice President Jim PappasNational sport will make its long-awaited return to Newcastle Wednesday evening, with a FFA Cup match between local side Broadmeadow Magic FC and the A-League’s Western Sydney Wanderers to be played at No. 2 Sportsground.
The match is the first of two FFA Cup ‘Round of 32’ fixtures to be held at the City of Newcastle venue this week as Newcastle Olympic FC prepares to host Macarthur FC on Saturday evening.
It’s been months since major sporting fixtures were held in Newcastle due to COVID-19, and City of Newcastle Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Bath said that he’s looking forward to seeing Newcastle back in the national spotlight.
“The recent lockdown has left our sporting facilities empty and resulted in the cancellation and postponement of sporting fixtures so it will be great to see our city broadcast across the country once again through the FFA Cup matches,” Mr Bath said.
“City of Newcastle is committed to maintaining high quality sporting facilities and has invested $21.3 million into sporting facility improvements throughout the local government area during the past four years.
”We’re proud to support local football teams Broadmeadow Magic and Newcastle Olympic by providing No. 2 Sportsground as the venue for their FFA Cup matches against A-League heavyweights.
“Tickets are still available to those who’ve missed the atmosphere of attending live sport.”
Broadmeadow Magic FC President Tony Temelkovski said the team is looking forward to playing in front of a live crowd after an interrupted season.
“We’re extremely appreciative of City of Newcastle’s support to enable our club to host such a momentous match at a venue like No. 2 Sportsground,” said Mr Temelkovski.
“There’s no better feeling than running out of the tunnel to be greeted by spectators cheering on in support, so to have the chance to do that in front of a home crowd all the more exciting. We hope to do Novocastrians proud as we face off against the A-League’s Western Sydney Wanderers tomorrow.”
The FFA Cup is a national knockout tournament which saw over 700 clubs from around the country compete for a place in the Final Rounds. Broadmeadow Magic and Newcastle Olympic came out on top against their Northern NSW competition, before moving into the Round of 32 when A-League clubs join the contest.
Six Tests for Scott Morrison in the Hunter
Scott Morrison likes to have the red-carpet rolled out for him when he visits the Hunter region, because for him it’s always about the photo-op and never the follow-up.
The people of the Hunter region want and deserve real leadership. They want solutions, not more spin, scams and so called ‘plans’ that go nowhere.
But from this Prime Minister, that’s all they get.
Whether it’s local jobs, essential healthcare services, or critical infrastructure projects, the Hunter has been forgotten by the Morrison-Joyce Government.
If Scott Morrison was any friend of the Hunter, here’s what he would do today:
- Work collaboratively with the NSW Government to allow the Port of Newcastle to realise its full potential;
- Put an end to the threat of oil and gas drilling off our coastline posed by PEP-11 once and for all;
- Save our GP Access After Hours service – with proper funding and resources to ensure the sustainability of this essential healthcare service in our region;
- Apologise for stuffing up the vaccine rollout leading to the NSW Liberal National Government stealing our vaccines;
- Provide the skills and infrastructure needed to develop hydrogen production and export;
- And accelerate investment in crucial road infrastructure projects.
No more empty talk Mr Morrison. It’s time to deliver.
Any failure to do so, will be a very heavy burden for the Hunter region’s social and economic prosperity.
Live performance to make a sparkling return to the stage at Newcastle's Civic Theatre
The Civic Theatre is putting on the glitz this week as it shakes off the shackles of lockdown to welcome audiences back into the iconic Newcastle venue.
The 92-year-old theatre will host its first live performance in three months with the long-awaited opening on Wednesday of fabulous Australian musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert by renowned local theatre company Metropolitan Players.
Civic Theatre Manager Leonie Wallace said the timing was perfect for a return to the theatre, with further easing of restrictions from today allowing even more people to experience the joy of live performance.
“COVID-19 brought our vibrant industry to a halt, with the restrictions and shut-downs a blow for performing artists and production companies such as the Metropolitan Players, who were relying on this show to secure their future beyond this production,” Ms Wallace said.
“The staging of our first live performance on Wednesday could not have been better timed, with the new Public Health Order that will be in effect allowing us to resume with 100 per cent capacity for fully vaccinated audience members.
“Reopening the theatre will provide a much-needed boost to the city’s night-time economy in the wake of COVID-19 restrictions, while also allowing us to support our local performing arts community.
“It also paves the way for a fantastic launch of our new subscription season on December 1.”
While audience numbers will be able to return to pre-COVID levels, theatregoers will still be subject to COVID safe measures to ensure the health and wellbeing of staff, customers and performers. This will include the mandatory wearing of masks inside Civic Theatre for anyone aged 12 years or older, which will apply until the end of December 2021.
Tickets for all upcoming shows, including the seven performances of Priscilla, are now on sale, giving Novocastrians their first chance to experience the Civic Theatre’s new ticket counter, now located in the heart of the historic building.
Face-to-face ticket sales have moved from the Hunter Street box office into a bespoke new space adjacent to the Civic Theatre Café, which was designed by EJE Architects to compliment the unique mix of historical and contemporary elements within the Theatre.
Online ticket sales for all shows at the Civic Theatre, the Playhouse and City Hall Concert Hall are also still available through the Civic Theatre website.
A man and a woman charged over aggravated break and enter – Beresfield
A man and a woman will face court today following an aggravated break and enter in the state’s north.
About 1.50am today (Monday 8 November 2021) a man and a woman – both aged 23-years-old – forced entry into a house on Beresfield Road, Beresfield.
The occupants of the home – a man and a woman – who were asleep at the time, were awoken to sounds of items being knocked over.
Their 8-year-old child was also home at the time, but no-one was injured.
A short time later, police attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and located the man and woman walking down Beresfield Road.
They were taken to Maitland Police Station where they were charged with aggravated break and enter in company.
They were bail refused and will appear before Maitland Local Court today (Monday 8 November 2021).
City of Newcastle recognised for innovative cultural change and city planning excellence
City of Newcastle’s innovative approach to cultural change and city planning excellence has been recognised at the Local Government NSW Planning Awards (LGNSW) and the 2021 Planning Institute Australia (PIA) NSW Awards for Planning Excellence.
A ‘Special Acknowledgment’ was awarded by LGNSW to City of Newcastle’s Regulatory Planning & Assessment team in the ‘Cultural Change Innovation and Excellence’ category for significantly reducing Development Application processing times to achieve quality urban design outcomes whilst improving the customer experience.
Since restructuring the planning and business support teams in 2018, net processing times have reduced by 40% and undetermined Development Applications have been reduced by 50%. A shift towards a value-based team culture has also delivered significant improvements in the customer experience.
At the PIA Awards for Planning Excellence, City of Newcastle received a ‘Highly Commended Award’ in the ‘Great Place’ category for the Bathers Way Coastal Revitalisation Project. This award category recognises positive change as a result of quality planning outcomes with a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement and a vision for tomorrow.
Bathers Way is City of Newcastle’s flagship Coastal Revitalisation Program project, which links Newcastle’s iconic beaches of Merewether, Dixon Park, Bar Beach, Newcastle and Nobbys in a continuous path. Of the seven sections of Bathers Way proposed in the Public Domain Plan, four have been completed, two are in design development, and construction is underway at South Newcastle.
Strong community engagement, collaboration, and support for the project by the community has resulted in the success of the project and a collective sense of Bathers Way being a ‘great place’. From planning and design to implementation, Bathers Way provides safe, comfortable pedestrian and cycleway access for all people in the community.
A ‘Special Acknowledgment’ was awarded by LGNSW to City of Newcastle’s Regulatory Planning & Assessment team in the ‘Cultural Change Innovation and Excellence’ category for significantly reducing Development Application processing times to achieve quality urban design outcomes whilst improving the customer experience.
Since restructuring the planning and business support teams in 2018, net processing times have reduced by 40% and undetermined Development Applications have been reduced by 50%. A shift towards a value-based team culture has also delivered significant improvements in the customer experience.
At the PIA Awards for Planning Excellence, City of Newcastle received a ‘Highly Commended Award’ in the ‘Great Place’ category for the Bathers Way Coastal Revitalisation Project. This award category recognises positive change as a result of quality planning outcomes with a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement and a vision for tomorrow.
Bathers Way is City of Newcastle’s flagship Coastal Revitalisation Program project, which links Newcastle’s iconic beaches of Merewether, Dixon Park, Bar Beach, Newcastle and Nobbys in a continuous path. Of the seven sections of Bathers Way proposed in the Public Domain Plan, four have been completed, two are in design development, and construction is underway at South Newcastle.
Strong community engagement, collaboration, and support for the project by the community has resulted in the success of the project and a collective sense of Bathers Way being a ‘great place’. From planning and design to implementation, Bathers Way provides safe, comfortable pedestrian and cycleway access for all people in the community.
Critical incident investigation underway following house fire – Lake Macquarie
A critical incident investigation is underway following a house fire in Lake Macquarie last night.
About 6.30pm (Friday 5 November 2021), officers from Lake Macquarie Police District responded to reports of a house fire on Park Avenue, Argenton.
On arrival, police attempted to speak to a male occupant in the home. The man confronted police with a knife and retreated into the house, which was alight.
Police assisted the man from the home a short time later and commenced CPR, before NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived and assisted the man at the scene.
He has been taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
NSW Fire & Rescue officers extinguished the blaze a short time later.
A crime scene has been established and will be examined by forensic officers.
A critical incident team has been formed and has established Strike Force Janet to investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.
That investigation will be subject to an independent review.
No further details are available at this time.
Two men charged following shooting death – Port Stephens
Two men have been charged over their alleged involvement in a fatal shooting in Port Stephens in August this year.
About 1.45pm on Sunday 29 August 2021, emergency services were called to Hideaway Drive, Salt Ash, following reports a white Ford Ranger utility had hit a tree.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended along with NSW Ambulance paramedics and located a male driver suffering a fatal gunshot wound.
He was later identified as 45-year-old David King.
A short time later, officers located a burnt-out white Santa Fe located on Masonite Road, Heatherbrae, which police believe is allegedly linked to the shooting.
Detectives established Strike Force Breve to investigate the incident, with assistance from State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.
Following investigations, about 11.30am yesterday (Friday 5 November 2021), police stopped a vehicle travelling along Wahroonga Street, Raymond Terrace.
The driver – a 27-year-old man – was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.
He was charged with murder, take/detain person in company with intent to obtain advantage, damage property by fire and possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit.
About 1.45pm (Friday 5 November 2021), police attended a shopping centre on Pearson Street, Charlestown, and arrested a 39-year-old man.
He was taken to Waratah Police Station, where he was charged with accessory after the fact to murder and accessory after the fact to kidnapping.
Both men were refused bail and will appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 6 November 2021).
Strike Force Breve investigations continue.
City of Newcastle invests $135,000 into multi-arts activation at landmark site
Local arts, cultural, and tourism businesses are set to benefit from the opening of a multi-arts activation lead by the Hunter Writers Centre, funded by City of Newcastle in response to COVID-19’s impact on the Newcastle economy.
Nobbys-Whibayganba headland cottages will provide studio and exhibition spaces for Indigenous and non-Indigenous writers, musicians, visual and digital artists on weekdays, and host exhibitions and events on weekends.
With COVID-19 significantly impacting the arts, cultural and creative industries, the Lighthouse Arts project was identified as critical to Newcastle’s post COVID-19 recovery by the City Taskforce, in support of community wellbeing, social and cultural connectedness.
This unique space for artistic collaboration also celebrates one of the city’s historically significant Indigenous, wartime and maritime sites, Nobbys-Whibayganba, and features an arts trading store showcasing the creative communities of Newcastle, in a bid to increase tourism visitation.
The Industry Response Package is a component of City of Newcastle’s adopted $5.5 million COVID-19 Community and Economic Resilience Package, to provide direct support to the industries hit hardest by the pandemic.
To find out more, visit Lighthouse Arts