Category: Newcastle News

As the city emerges from lockdown, City of Newcastle has announced the return of its ‘Locally Made and Played Grant’ program with funding available to showcase talented local artists and incentivise venues to host live performances.
Venues are invited to apply for up to $1500 in grant funding to host live music, comedy or micro-theatre style performances. The funds will be used to support individual performers and artists at $300 per performance.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said with restrictions easing, now is the perfect time to start activating the city and welcoming back live music and performances.
“It’s been a very tough few months for our community, and many Novocastrians are emerging from lockdown with a new spring in their step and look forward to celebrating their newfound freedom,” Cr Clausen said.
“Live music and performances will breathe life back into our city. City of Newcastle is committed to activating Newcastle and creating opportunities for live performances, which will provide a much-needed boost to the arts and hospitality sectors.
“The two-pronged funding approach will not only provide a boost to local venues financially hit as a result of COVID-19 but will also help support our local performing artists.”
Chair of City of Newcastle’s Community and Culture Advisory Committee, Councillor Carol Duncan said Newcastle’s once bustling live music and cultural scene is set to rebound with the support of the Locally Made and Played Grants.
“Live performances funded by the Locally Made and Played Grant will apply to performances that take place between 1 and 20 December 2021, to coincide with the easing of restrictions and warmer weather, when more people venture out in the lead up to the busy Christmas trading period,” Cr Duncan said.
“We look forward to welcoming locals and visitors back over this period to enjoy the lively atmosphere that Newcastle has to offer.”
Previous grant recipient, publican Adam Hardy from The Rogue Scholar said the new round of grant funding comes at a critical time, with many local performers and artists are relying on venues to reopen and invite them to perform, for their livelihood.
“This announcement will be music to the ears of the local live performance industry, who have been hit hard by the prolonged lockdown,” Mr Hardy said.
“Live performances add to the fabric of our community and its pleasing to see City of Newcastle are creating opportunities to ensure we are fostering our local talent.”
Grants applications are now open and close on 29 October 2021.
The Locally Made and Played Grant is part of City of Newcastle’s COVID-19 Community Economic Resilience Program.
Visit City of Newcastle’s Grants and Sponsorship’s webpage for more information.

A more attractive and accessible local centre is on its way for Shortland, with City of Newcastle set to start construction on an upgrade to improve safety next month.
The upgrade will include the installation of a new pedestrian refuge and road cushions to reduce driver speeds on busy Sandgate Road, and the implementation of a 40km/hr High Pedestrian Activity Area.
A new Light Traffic Thoroughfare will also remove heavy vehicle traffic over 10 tonnes, between Wetlands Place and Vale Street.
City of Newcastle is now seeking community feedback on timed parking options for Shortland, to address concerns raised about availability of parking spaces near local businesses.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said access to safe and convenient parking is a priority for Shortland businesses and their customers.
“When we spoke to the community earlier this year we heard that safety was a key concern, but so was the ability to get a park near the shops at key times during the day,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Shortland residents are passionate about supporting local businesses, so improvements to the Local Centre such as new footpaths, landscaping and seating will make it a more attractive place to visit.
“Increasing the turnover of parking spaces means it will be easier for people to get here and access shops and services.”
Ward Four Councillor Jason Dunn said that community feedback has been an important part of developing the Shortland Local Centre project.
“It was great so many people had their say to shape this project earlier this year, and I now encourage the community to provide feedback on the range of options for timed parking in the area,” Councillor Dunn said.
“In earlier consultation we heard concerns about access to parking, particularly on mornings when bins are put out for collection, and the options being presented to the community include a possible solution to this problem.”
Visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay to view the proposed options and provide feedback before 8 November.

Two men have been charged after an alleged break and enter at Wallsend overnight.
About 11.30pm (Sunday 17 October 2021), four people – three men and a woman – were inside a home on Chalmers Road, Wallsend, when two other men – aged 18 and 20 – arrived and entered through the front door.
A verbal altercation occurred, before the younger man allegedly struck a 34-year-old man with a plastic pipe several times.
It will be further alleged the 18-year-old man then threatened the four occupants with a firearm, before the pair fled the scene on foot.
The 34-year-old man was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment to lacerations to his head.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and established a crime scene.
A 20-year-old man was arrested a short time later at William Street, Jesmond, while an 18-year-old was arrested shortly after at Victory Parade.
Both men were taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with special aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence-weapon, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of others and common assault.
The pair were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court later today (Monday 18 October 2021).

A woman has been charged following protest activity in Newcastle this morning.
About 7.30am (Monday 18 October 2021), officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to the rail corridor near Mangrove Road, Sandgate, following reports of several protestors blocking the rail line.
Upon arrival, the group dispersed, with police speaking with a 20-year-old woman who had climbed on top of a loaded coal train.
With assistance from negotiators, Police Rescue and Police Transport Command officers, the woman was safely removed from the location and arrested about 10.40am.
The woman from Hamilton was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with enter prescribed premises of any person without lawful excuse, cause/attempt to cause train or tram in motion to be stopped and cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock.
She was granted conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 11 November 2021.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District have served a licensed premises on George Street, Singleton, with an order to close today (Saturday 16 October 2021), due to alleged repeated breaches of the public health orders.
The closure order follows a number of previous interactions with the licensee – a 57-year-old man – due to repeated and continued breaches of the Public Health Order by allegedly allowing – and not taking steps to prevent – unvaccinated people being at the premises.
Police have attended the venue numerous times in the past week and issued the licensee three PINs and staff members three PINs for breaching the public health orders.
The venue will remain closed until midnight on Tuesday (19 October 2021).

Two street art festivals will help draw visitors into the city centre, increase spending with local businesses and showcase the talents of local artists, thanks to support from City of Newcastle.
The large-scale murals of Big Picture Fest will return to Newcastle in 2022 as one of 16 projects awarded a share of almost $800,000 through the City Centre and Darby Street Special Business Rate funding program, while the inaugural Little Festival will bring miniature street art to hidden locations across the CBD as one of 59 projects sharing in more than $450,000 of Community Support and Infrastructure Grants.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the funding being distributed across a range of grant programs will support industries hardest hit by COVID-19 and ensure that as restrictions continue to lift the city is ready to respond.
“City of Newcastle is committed to supporting our city as it emerges from the social and financial impacts of this pandemic and will continue to direct much-needed funds into developing opportunities in the local economy,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Supporting initiatives such as Big Picture Fest and Little Festival will not only provide a welcome influx of commissions for artists, it will also drive visitors into the city centre, increase expenditure at local businesses and help create more vibrant, activated spaces throughout the course of the events and beyond.”
Councillor Carol Duncan said Newcastle’s arts sector had been hit hard by the impacts of COVID-19, with lockdown restrictions curtailing opportunities for creatives, visual and performing artists.
“Newcastle is known for its thriving arts scene, but the challenges presented by COVID-19, including the recent lockdown restrictions, have had a massive impact on our creative communities,” Cr Duncan said.
“I can’t wait to see our creative communities emerge from the lockdown to deliver some of the fantastic initiatives being supported by these funding programs.”
Little Festival organiser Jacinta Fintan said the event would feature 40 tiny street art installations that would transform everyday city spaces into a canvas for storytelling and interaction, encouraging visitors to experience Newcastle on a different scale.
“City of Newcastle’s financial support for Little Festival has been a crucial step in turning my little idea into a brave new festival. After 18 long months of the pandemic flatlining the arts industry, it is really heartening to see bold and enterprising art funding underpin Newcastle’s arts recovery process.”
The Community Support and Infrastructure Grants assist a wide variety of projects across diverse funding streams including business façade improvements, recreational facility upgrades, sustainability and environmental programs and social inclusion initiatives. Arts, culture and heritage projects are also funded under this program, with successful applicants including the National Young Writers Festival, the next instalment in the Stories of Our Town documentary series, the Newcastle Music Festival and a multidisciplinary program of exhibitions and live events at The Lock-Up.
Special Business Rates are collected from businesses in Newcastle City Centre / Darby Street, Hamilton, Mayfield, New Lambton and Wallsend for the promotion, beautification and development of those precincts.
Other successful projects under this round of City Centre and Darby Street funding include the mouth-watering return of Newcastle Food Month, the inspiring creations of Chalk the Walk Newcastle, and a new project by Makers and Traders Newcastle.
Festival Director Katerina Skoumbas said Big Picture Fest is looking forward to bringing even more of Newcastle’s personality out onto the streets.
“This art is for everybody. It’s so important to reflect our local culture and to include the artists in this phase of change, a time when Newcastle’s urban landscape is shifting. There are so many blank walls throughout the city that we pass on our daily commutes and when you turn that blank wall into a canvas, you bring colour, joy and life to the whole community.”

A man reported missing from the Newcastle area has been located safe and well overnight.
The 62-year-old man was last seen in the vicinity of Vickers Street, Mayfield, about 9.40am yesterday (Friday 15 October 2021).
He was reported missing to officers from Newcastle City Police District, who commenced inquiries to locate him.
Following extensive inquiries, the man was located safe and well about 11pm at a house in nearby Warabrook.
Police would like to thank the community and the media for their assistance.

Great news! A teenage boy missing from the Hunter region has been found safe and well.