Category: Newcastle News

A man has died following a fatal shooting at Newcastle today.
About 12.45pm (Thursday 22 July 2021), emergency services were called to a unit on Darby St, Cooks Hill, following reports of shots fired.
Upon arrival, police located a man inside the unit with a gunshot wound to the chest.
He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, however, he died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.
An investigation has been launched by detectives from Newcastle City Police District into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Anyone with information which may be able to assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
No further information is available at this time.

A $35.6 million project to double the size of the Newcastle Art Gallery looks set to receive the green light from Council.
A financial report to be considered by the Council on Tuesday night has concluded a fixed interest rate of less than 1% presents a pathway for the City of Newcastle to fund the long-awaited expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery.

“An expansion of the Gallery has been discussed for 16 years with more than $10 million raised by the community to support the project. I’m pleased to say that City of Newcastle staff have identified a funding pathway to more than double the size of this wonderful community asset and make our shared dream a reality,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“With the current favourable economic conditions, including historically low interest rates, the time has come for City of Newcastle to make this project happen.”
Cr Nelmes said a number of options including using cash reserves, external loans or a combination of both, have been evaluated in the report to Council, with a recommendation to borrow up to $22.6 million via a fixed interest rate loan of 0.88% over 10 years to fund the balance required for the expansion project.
The various options were compared on their Net Present Value (NPV), with estimates showing that borrowing up to $22.6 million over 10 years at all-time low interest rates far outweighs the benefits of using our own cash.
“City of Newcastle is committed to the Newcastle Art Gallery continuing to be a symbol of excellence and source of pride as a major cultural asset for our state, which is home to a nationally significant collection that includes more than 7,000 works valued at $115 million,” Cr Nelmes said.
The financial report recommends the preferred funding option is to borrow up to $22.6 million over a 10-year fixed rate term from NSW Treasury Corporation, which is the central borrowing authority for the New South Wales public sector.
Loan borrowings are a desirable option given the current economic conditions, which enable Council to undertake this significant work while continuing to deliver a budget surplus and cash reserves.
Cr Nelmes said while this funding option has been identified as preferable, City of Newcastle would continue to seek Federal and State grant funding before taking out the loan to ensure all available grant funding options have been exhausted.

City of Newcastle has already approved a development application for the project, which includes upgrading and expanding the Gallery to provide modern facilities such as a new café and retail shop, multi-purpose and educational program space, improved display and secure international standard loading dock.
An additional 1,600 square meters of exhibition space will include dedicated areas for the Gallery’s collection on the lower level, while the upper level will cater for a variety of travelling exhibitions, including international shows.
A tender report will be submitted to Council later this year seeking approval to award a construction contract.

Fast Facts

• Newcastle Art Gallery was Australia’s first purpose-built regional art gallery, officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1977.
• The Gallery is home to the most valuable collection in regional Australia, with more than 7,000 works valued at $115 million, including art by Arthur Boyd, William Dobell, Donald Friend, Tracey Moffatt, Margaret Olley, John Olsen, Patricia Piccinini, Gwyn Hanssen Pigott and Brett Whitely.
• The current footprint of the 44-year-old building only allows 1% of the collection to be exhibited over the course of a year.
• The outstanding cost of the expansion is estimated to be $35.6 million, with City of Newcastle having already invested $3.6 million getting to the project to the position of being shovel ready.
• Significant funds are being held in trust with the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation Board for the specific purpose of expanding the Art Gallery, including a $10 million bequest from Valerie Ryan, a commitment to additional community fundraising of $2.5 million and $500,000 from the Margaret Olley Art Trust.
• City of Newcastle committed to contributing $16.2 million towards the project (including the $3.6 million already invested) following a unanimous resolution of Council in February this year.
• The project was included in the NSW Government’s Cultural Infrastructure Plan 2025, which identified the redevelopment of the Art Gallery precinct as a ‘regional opportunity’.
• A business case prepared in accordance with NSW Treasury guidelines demonstrates a Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of 1.77 and a positive Net Present Value (NPV) of $24.1 million for the project, which is expected to create 170 jobs, including 152 in construction and 18 ongoing once it is complete.
• The expansion is expected to inject more than $1 million into annual regional revenue by attracting more than 14,000 additional local visitors and tourists each year.
• Further additional visitation is estimated at 73,590 in relation to use of the additional Gallery facilities outside of exhibition spaces; generating revenue of $2.7 million in relation to the use of these facilities.

Lake Macquarie detectives have released CCTV as they continue to investigate several armed robberies across the region.
Strike Force Woonooka was established in June 2021 to investigate four armed robberies at three service stations in Lake Macquarie last month.

• About 3am on Thursday 10 June 2021, a man armed with a large knife entered a service station on Main Road, Cardiff and threatened an employee. He stole cash and cigarettes before fleeing the scene on foot, last seen headed north on Lowry Street.
• About 10.50pm on Saturday 12 June 2021, a man armed with a large knife entered a service station on Main Road, Edgeworth, and threatened an employee before stealing cash and cigarettes. He was last seen on foot heading south on Garth Street.
• About 3.30am on Tuesday 29 June 2021, a customer was attempting to enter a service station on Main Road, Cardiff, when another man approached him armed with a knife. The armed man attempted to gain entry to the store, however was unsuccessful and fled north on foot on Lowry Street.
• About 7.15pm on Friday 9 July 2021, a man armed with a large knife entered a service station on Collier Street, Redhead, and threatened an employee. He stole cash and cigarettes before fleeing on foot. He was last seen headed south on Woods Street.

In each of the incidents, there were no reports of injuries.
Strike force detectives are investigating whether all four incidents are linked.
As inquiries continue, investigators have released CCTV footage of a man who may be able to assist with their inquiries.
He is described as being of medium build, wearing dark-coloured clothing and a face covering.
Anyone who has information which could assist strike force detectives or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage from the around the times and nearby locations of the incidents is urged to contact Belmont Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Investigations under Strike Force Woonooka are continuing.

A man will face court today charged over an alleged assault and affray incident in the Hunter region last week.
Just before 8pm on Tuesday (13 July 2021), a 28-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man were inside a home on Alliance Street, East Maitland, when five people arrived at the home and an argument broke out.
Police will allege in court the 28-year-old woman was assaulted and the 35-year-old man was struck several times with a tomahawk.
The injured man contacted emergency services while the group left the scene.
The 35-year-old was later taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment to injuries to his back; he has since been released.
Two people – a 20-year-old woman and an 18-year-old man – have been charged in relation to the incident; they both remains before the courts.
Following further inquiries, detectives from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, assisted by officers from the Queensland Police Service – travelled to the Sunshine Coast and arrested a 23-year-old man about 3pm on Tuesday (20 July 2021).
He was taken to the Maroochydore Magistrate’s Court where detectives applied for and were granted his extradition to NSW.
Yesterday, he was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and affray.
The Tarro man was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today (Thursday 22 July 2021).
Investigations into the incident remain ongoing.

City of Newcastle is continuing its commitment to creating career opportunities for Newcastle’s youth in response to high unemployment rates caused by COVID-19.
Eighteen new trainees, apprentices and university graduates have joined City of Newcastle this month, while a 12-month partnership with Career Links to provide employment and workplace learning opportunities for young people helps fulfil a pledge made as part of the City Taskforce’s Youth Employment Charter.
The COVID-19 economic crisis has disproportionately impacted 18-to-25-year-olds, driving the Hunter’s youth unemployment rate to more than 20 per cent last year, significantly higher than the state’s average.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the COVID-19 City Taskforce, led by City of Newcastle and comprising of 17 local leaders, developed a Youth Employment Charter calling on local organisations to affirm their commitment to maintaining and expanding opportunities for local young people.
“In what is one of the most challenging periods for young people looking for work, City of Newcastle is leading the way in supporting youth employment opportunities and pathways to careers,” Cr Nelmes said.
“By prioritising trainee, apprenticeship, and graduate positions we are ensuring there are quality early career opportunities for young people available in Newcastle.
“City of Newcastle fosters an environment where young staff can learn from experienced professionals. In return these youth employees offer us the passion and enthusiasm that comes with commencing a fulltime work career.
“We’re thrilled to welcome a diverse group of young people who have taken up signwriting, civil construction and horticulture apprenticeships; traineeships in early childhood education and arts administrations as well as engineering and information technology graduate positions – just to name a few. This brings our current number of trainees, graduates and apprentices to 44.”
Twenty-four-year-old Kahli Mortimer has commenced a painting apprenticeship with City of Newcastle as part of the latest intake of apprentices, trainees, and graduates.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to begin an apprenticeship with City of Newcastle, especially at a time when many people my age are struggling to find work. The best part of my job is learning the technical parts of my trade and working in so many different and interesting environments. I can see a career at City of Newcastle because my supervisor supports me to learn and be the best I can be in my job, and I also enjoy being a member of my team,” Ms Mortimer said.
Beyond the recruitment of local youth, City of Newcastle and Career Links have joined forces to establish the Newcastle Youth Industry Partnership Program to deliver on the objectives of the Greater Newcastle Youth Employment Charter at a community level.
The program’s focus is to build partnerships with industry, schools and support services to expand real world employment and workplace learning opportunities for young people.
A range of new programs will provide mentoring, workplace learning, transition support and information-sharing interventions to help build employability skills and wellbeing for vulnerable young people, aged 15 to 25 years.
The programs will foster interventions suitable for young people in the Newcastle in need of assistance, with special attention given to people transitioning from school to work and particularly vulnerable groups.
More information can be found on the Career Links website

After three months of construction the City of Newcastle’s transformation of James Street Plaza on Hamilton’s Beaumont Street is nearly complete.
The last pavers are being laid and the final placement of street furniture, artwork and landscaping is planned for the coming weeks.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it is wonderful to see the renewed plaza taking shape for the community to soon enjoy.
“Hamilton locals told us they wanted a safer, more appealing place to spend time, and this really delivers on that vision,” Cr Nelmes said.
“This is a place where we hope to see the community gather and activate the space with music, markets and food.”
Janice Musumeci from Hamilton Business Association Inc said local businesses are looking forward to the plaza being open to the public and a hub for community activity.
“We’re already exploring ideas for how we can activate James Street Plaza for the whole community like live music spots and regular markets. It will be an inclusive and versatile space.
“Hamilton is already seeing great business growth so this will be a great drawcard to bring people back to supporting local businesses.”
Councillor Carol Duncan said the upgrade has been a collaboration with community and business in the area.
“Through our ongoing conversations with business owners we heard lots of ideas for improving this space and how it could be better utilised for the community,” Cr Duncan said.
“It is especially exciting to see the lighting display coming together, with installation underway this week.”
In June the community was asked to vote on their favourite of three lighting designs put forward by the University of Newcastle’s Future Art Science & Technology Lab (FASTLab), each celebrating a different aspect of Hamilton’s history and character.
The “Microcosmic Mosaic” concept proved to be the favourite and was developed into a full-length animation which will soon light up the space.
In addition to the lighting display, the rich history of Hamilton is reflected in artworks in the renewed plaza, informed by the research of local historian Ruth Cotton, author of Hidden Hamilton and through collaboration with the Newcastle Museum.
Final works will take place in the coming weeks before the community is welcomed into the upgraded space next month.

City of Newcastle is investing almost $400,000 in training programs designed to help locals make the most of Newcastle’s emerging economic opportunities.
From assisting businesses to become more inclusive, to building resilience to market disruptions including COVID-19, the training programs seek to close skills gaps in the local workforce.

Funded under City of Newcastle’s NewSkills program, the training will be delivered by specialist training providers through workshops, self-paced learning, intensive programs and mentoring over the next 12 months.
NewSkills follows on from the City’s highly successful Product Development Mentoring Program which provided 15 local businesses with training and business to business mentoring on how to develop tourism products that leveraged Newcastle’s unique offering to appeal to visitors to sustain and grow Newcastle’s visitor economy.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said investing in people sits at the heart of City of Newcastle’s Economic Development Strategy and is the key to economic growth.
“Newcastle’s economic future will be built on the talent, skills and ingenuity of our people,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Business owners, workers and entrepreneurs with diverse skill sets will be better placed to capitalise on opportunities, invest money in the local community and create jobs.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said that City of Newcastle is proud to be providing strong investment towards skills training that will encourage economic diversification to further support local small business growth.
“This investment in training through our NewSkills program will provide tangible benefits to the wider Newcastle community, whether it’s encouraging residents to turn their side hustle ideas into fledgling start-ups, providing the digital skills needed to drive automation, innovation and growth through technology, or making Newcastle a more appealing destination for residents and visitors by encouraging businesses to improve the access, inclusion and culture of their service for people with disability,” Cr Clausen said.
Among the training programs to receive funding is a 12-week course delivered by Flare Access on adapting a business to be more inclusive.
Flare Access founder and occupational therapist, Sarah O’Mara said she is looking forward to supporting Newcastle businesses with the confidence and know-how required to improve the access of their services and to create better awareness around disability, accessibility and inclusion, as part of City of Newcastle’s NewSkills program.
“Our 12-week program provides businesses with the tools and solutions needed to incorporate low cost, high impact inclusive practices, which break down barriers and enable both economic growth for businesses and social inclusion for the disabled community, improving accessibility for all,” Ms O’Mara said.
This type of training has been welcomed by Clear Sky Australia, who operates Clear Paws in Adamstown, a registered disability service provider that offers opportunities for people living with a disability to be supported and assessed in a variety of employability skills.
Clear Paws owner Patrick Bellamy encourages more businesses in Newcastle to offer employment training opportunities to people living with disabilities.
“It’s great to see City of Newcastle investing in programs that encourage local businesses to be more inclusive to benefit of the whole community,” Mr Bellamy said.
“Employment training opportunities for people living with a disability are very limited in Newcastle, so we made the decision to open Clear Paws, which provides a supportive caring environment for those living with a disability to develop employability skills.
“People with disability bring a range of skills, talents and abilities to the workplace. We see Clear Paws as a launching pad for its participants to make the transition to employment.”
For more information, visit City of Newcastle’s NewSkills webpage
NEWSKILLS FUNDED TRAINING PROGRAMS
Springboard Digital Skills
An eight-week education program on how to use software tools to streamline operations, innovate for long-term growth, and make data-driven decisions.
Level up Learning in Newcastle
Microlearning platform to help deliver engaging and effective digital learning to Newcastle businesses, focussing on core areas including hospitality (customer service and wine skills), clean tech, energy skills and digital skills.
Future Fresh: Workshops for Small Migrant and Refugee-Run Businesses
To help small migrant- and refugee-run businesses recover from the effects of COVID-19 and build resilience for future events through a series of ongoing, hands-on and engaging workshops focussed on improving marketing, communications, business recovery and innovations.
Tourism Product Development Mentoring Program 2021/2022
Helping 10 local businesses through a mentoring program to elevate and optimise opportunities as the visitor economy returns across 2021 and 2022.
Side Hustle Bootcamp 2021
A 12-week intensive program for 15 Newcastle residents with a great side hustle idea who are having trouble finding the motivation, time and courage to make it a reality.
The City of Newcastle Sustainnovation Challenge
Crowdsourcing innovative solutions from Newcastle’s high school, TAFE and university students to problems posed by City of Newcastle’s teams, local businesses and community organisations from across the city.
Amplify Access and Achieve Purposeful Profit
A 12-week program teaching businesses how to open their doors to more customers and grow profits by transforming the access, inclusion and culture of their service for people with disability with personalised support and low-cost, high impact solutions.

Three local artists have made the cut from a record number of entries vying for honours in this year’s prestigious KILGOUR PRIZE.
Newcastle Art Gallery received 476 works from artists across every state and territory in Australia, an increase of more than 100 entries from 2020 and the highest number overall in the 16-year history of one of Australia’s major art prizes. Almost 2900 works have been entered into the KILGOUR PRIZE since it was established in 2006.
The field has been narrowed to just 30 finalists, whose works will be judged by a panel of experts including Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton, Campbelltown Arts Centre Head of Curatorial Adam Porter and the Head Teacher of Fine Art at Newcastle Art School, David Trout.
The KILGOUR PRIZE awards $50,000 for the most outstanding work entered into the annual competition, which is administered by Newcastle Art Gallery and funded by a bequest from artist Jack Noel Kilgour. An additional $5,000 is awarded to the painting voted most popular by the general public.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the record entries are testament to the esteem in which the prize and Newcastle Art Gallery are held within the artistic community.
“Since the KILGOUR PRIZE was established in 2006 its reputation within the art community has grown significantly,” Cr Nelmes.
“Attracting almost 500 entries for this year’s prize is an amazing achievement, with the diversity and quality of the works as impressive as ever.
“The COVID-19 global pandemic continues to impact those within our visual arts community, which makes the $50,000 prize and the opportunity to have their works showcased at Newcastle Art Gallery all the more valuable for the talented finalists.”
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton said the KILGOUR PRIZE presents some of the best examples of contemporary Australian portrait and figurative painting.
“The KILGOUR PRIZE encourages Australian artists to pursue and push the boundaries of portraiture and figurative painting,” Ms Morton said.
“This year’s selected artists present diverse interpretations of the brief, resulting in a very dynamic exhibition with works focussing on everything from experiences in lockdown through to scenes of everyday life.
“The quality of the works will make the selection process all the more difficult, but that is a wonderful challenge to have.”
Carrington resident Gillian Adamson has been named a finalist in her first year entering the KILGOUR PRIZE, with Merewether-based artists Nick Fintan and John Earle also on the list.
New South Wales and Victorian artists make up more than half of the 30 finalists, with works also coming from Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.
The exhibition will be on display from 13 August until 31 October, with People’s Choice voting open until 6 October.
The winner of the KILGOUR PRIZE 2021 will be announced on 13 August, with the People’s Choice prize awarded on 11 October.
2021 FINALISTS:
Lisa Adams, Gillian Adamson, Matteo Bernasconi, Jackson Booth, Catherine Boreham, Julie-Ann Brown, Simon Brown, Daniel Butterworth, Emily Jayne Carroll, John Dahlsen, Archer Davies, Rachelle Dusting, John Earle, David Fairbairn, Nick Fintan, Christine Fontana, Miriam Fraser, Michael Lindeman, Nunzio Miano, Robert O’Connor, Nathan Paddison, Lori Pensini, Alice Pulvers, James R Randall, Zeljka Reljan-Music, Grace Kemarre Robinya, Paul Ryan, Jason Tolmie, Mick Turner and Mark Tweedie.
2021 JUDGES:
Lauretta Morton, Director Newcastle Art Gallery
Adam Porter, Head of Curatorial, Campbelltown Arts Centre
David Trout, Visual Artist, Head Teacher Fine Art, Newcastle Art School.
ABOUT THE KILGOUR PRIZE
Jack Noel Kilgour (1900–1987) was an Australian artist well-known for his academic approach to landscape and portrait painting. In 1987 Kilgour bequeathed funds for the creation of a major figurative and portrait art competition to be run in perpetuity. As one of Australia’s major art prizes, Newcastle Art Gallery is proud to be the home of the KILGOUR PRIZE.
More information: https://www.nag.org.au/Kilgour-Prize

City of Newcastle is extending hardship support to businesses and residents in the community affected by the latest restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said local businesses are likely to see a further slowdown in economic activity given the current COVID-19 restrictions in place across regional New South Wales, in addition to supply chain issues as a direct result of the Sydney lockdown.
“We understand that many people and small businesses in our community are facing an extremely challenging time,” said Cr Nelmes.
“City of Newcastle will offer hardship support to residents and business owners experiencing financial hardship through interest free payment plans, upon application, for the upcoming 2021/22 Rates Notice period.
“With 2021/22 Rates Notices arriving in mailboxes from mid-July, we encourage those experiencing financial hardship to reach out and contact City of Newcastle to discuss a payment plan. The next rates instalment is due on 31 August, so there is plenty of time to organise a plan.”
Ratepayers can enter into a flexible payment option including weekly, fortnightly and monthly instalments as well as other tailored plans. Financial planning and counselling assistance through one of City of Newcastle’s appointed community welfare agencies is also available to ratepayers experiencing hardship.
“In July 2020, during the height of COVID-19, we saw a large take-up from residents and businesses experiencing hardship and helped set up appropriate arrangements. $1.64 million in rates were deferred during the peak period, and City of Newcastle is extending the same support to help the community through this challenging time,” Cr Nelmes said.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the City’s $5.5 million COVID Community and Economic Resilience Package is continuing and is also focused on creating new economic opportunities by upskilling local talent and increasing business resilience to events like COVID-19 in the medium to long-term.
“City of Newcastle has called on businesses to develop training packages that address the skills gaps in the local economy, with a range of NewSkills training programs soon to be on offer. Target areas include identifying how businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors can build a more resilient business model and support emerging industries,” Cr Clausen said.
“City of Newcastle has invested $100,000 into e-Library resources under the Community and Economic Development Resilience Package, building on its existing repertoire of free adult and children’s e-books, newspapers, magazines, music and movie streaming services as well as online learning with the community able to access 5,800 additional e-book and audiobook titles, plus a new video streaming platform ‘Medici TV’ for those who don’t subscribe to Netflix, Stan, Foxtel and the like.”
We have also extended indefinitely our decision to waive library fines to encourage a more positive member experience and provide additional means for the community to access free resources for continued learning.
Newcastle Libraries’ members can also access more than 8,000 e-learning courses and 13,000 video tutorials free of charge on topics such as resume writing, skills for retraining, and how to start a business, via an online learning platform.
The benefit of these courses is the upskilling of the local workforce during a period of economic downturn, empowering people to learn while improving community wellbeing.
Ratepayers experiencing financial difficulties are encouraged to seek assistance by contacting City of Newcastle’s Rates Team on 02 4974 2307 or rates@ncc.nsw.gov.au
For more information, visit City of Newcastle’s Pay Your Rates webpage.

Police remain at the scene of a serious head-on crash in the Hunter region this afternoon.
Emergency services were called to Leggetts Drive, about 1km south of Pelaw Main, about 3.15pm (Thursday 15 July 2021), following reports a Toyota Corolla and a Ford Territory collided head-on.
The male driver of the Toyota was trapped by confinement for a short time, he was extricated and airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
The female driver of the Ford was able to free herself from the vehicle, she was assessed at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene, which will be examined by specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is underway.
Leggetts Drive is closed in both directions and will be for some time, local diversions are in place for north and southbound motorists at Whitebridge Road and Greta Street – for the latest traffic information please visit www.livetraffic.com.au.
Motorists are urged to avoid the area as peak hour approaches.
As inquiries continue, anyone with information about the crash is urged to come forward.