Category: Newcastle News

City of Newcastle’s timely and targeted response to COVID-19 has been praised as best practice crisis leadership delivering clear and measurable benefits to the community and local business.
An independent assessment by the Hunter Research Foundation (HRF) Centre at the University of Newcastle the City “acted quickly and decisively” in developing its Community and Economic Resilience Package (CERP), which was announced on 20 March last year, almost two weeks before NSW went into lockdown.
The $5.5 million package was unanimously endorsed by Councillors on 24 March, a week before the Federal Government announced its own rescue package for workers with the JobKeeper program.
Commissioned by the City of Newcastle, the HRF Centre report said the “well-rounded” nature of the package was one of its key strengths, giving careful consideration to those most likely to be affected by the pandemic including vulnerable populations, the unemployed and small business.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said she was proud of the way the City responded to what was the single largest social and economic crisis since World War Two.
Since adopting the initial support package, City of Newcastle has continued to invest significantly to assist the community’s recovery from COVID-19, with an additional $2.5 million added to a second phase of the CERP. The City pivoted a range of existing programs, grants and sponsorships to best serve the most vulnerable populations affected by COVID-19, while events such as New Annual provided a significant economic boost for the local arts sector and the community.
“Newcastle has a history of pulling together when faced with challenges, from the 1989 earthquake and closure of BHP to the devastation of the Pasha Bulker storms in 2007,” Cr Nelmes said.
“When the threat of COVID-19 began to take shape early last year, we very quickly considered how we could deliver social, economic and well-being outcomes that would support our community through the unknown impacts that were still to come
“It was important to give our community confidence that City of Newcastle was stepping up and leaning in at a time when there was so much social and economic disruption.
“The outstanding efforts of City of Newcastle staff meant that with early planning and quick mobilisation of resources, we were able to put together a meaningful package of actions that could be implemented swiftly to help those who needed it most.”
The CERP included 10 programs across a range of financial relief, business and community support:

• Rapid Response Grants provided urgent funds to assist local organisations servicing the most vulnerable community members with $172,466 for food, care packages and counselling.
• Boost Our City Community Grants provided 32 organisations with $512,172 to assist with increased demand for services including scaling food preparation and distribution, technology assistance for vulnerable communities and increased counselling.
• Rent Relief Program provided $732,000 in rent reductions for 60 local businesses and community organisations.
• Financial Hardship Program provided $1.25M in financial relief to 761 ratepayers.
• Lean in Newy enabled 2,349 members of the community to provide ‘acts of kindness’, with 60 businesses financially benefiting from rewards earned by participants.
• Online training programs provided 149 residents with access to tailored training packages during a time when businesses were unable to operate.

Cr Nelmes said the CERP was the catalyst for calling on 17 city leaders from business, industry, creative arts, social services and government to come together as the City Taskforce.
Meeting monthly to identify critical local issues, the Taskforce developed both immediate interventions as well as detailed analysis shared with State and Federal Government on the local impacts and opportunities for Government to provide meaningful and focused support.
The Taskforce demonstrated how City of Newcastle could provide community leadership by collaborating with institutions and service providers to help them do what they do best for the benefit of the community.
This included $500,000 in targeted support for the hardest-hit industries through the Industry Response Program, as well as the establishment of the Greater Newcastle Youth Employment Charter that provided a symbolic and tangible way for business to signal to our youth, the group most impacted by COVID-19, that we had their backs.
Dr Anthea Bill, HRF Centre Lead Economist and co-author of the report, said the City was an early mover, designing and presenting to Council executive almost two weeks before NSW went into lockdown.
“The approach was two-pronged: broad support for Newcastle residents generally, and targeted support, which anticipated larger impacts for particular parts of the community,” Dr Bill said.
“Targeted support included the City’s rapid roll-out of community grants to assist organisations helping those in urgent need. Feedback from the evaluation shows this enabled select not-for-profits to better meet the needs of their clients during the early-phase of the pandemic.”
Cr Nelmes said the legacy impacts from COVID are real and that the City was continuing to support the economic recovery and growth across the community, with the Economic Development Strategy, currently on public exhibition, outlining 68 actions to support local people and business.
A copy of the HRF Centre can be accessed online via the City of Newcastle website.

Formalising a long-standing relationship, City of Newcastle has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fort Scratchley Historical Society (FSHS) Incorporated, in a shared commitment to uphold the significant military history and cultural importance of Newcastle’s iconic Fort.
The MoU was signed today by Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and FSHS President Frank Carter in the presence of Newcastle Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz, who represents City of Newcastle on the FSHS Committee.

The MoU sets out to guide the joint partners on how they will work together to uphold Fort Scratchley as a treasured part of Newcastle’s military history as well as being an important city tourist attraction.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the City looked forward to continuing to build on the momentum established over the years with FSHS, in a new shared commitment to jointly uphold the cultural significance of the landmark site to the benefit of the community.
“Fort Scratchley is consistently recognised as one of Newcastle’s premier cultural tourist destinations,” Cr Nelmes said.
“It is important that both the community and visitors can experience one of Newcastle’s most iconic landmarks for generations to come and learn all about the role the Fort has played in our city’s military history.
“City of Newcastle will continue to play a significant role in providing FSHS with financial, promotional and management support in their work toward advocating for one of our City’s most iconic attractions.”
Newcastle Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz, who represents City of Newcastle on the FSHS Committee, said she was delighted to witness the signing of the MoU and to formalise the long-standing relationship.
“Both parties acknowledge the significant historical and cultural importance of Fort Scratchley, and the signing today formally recognises the important work undertaken by the FSHS and its dedicated volunteers,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.
“FSHS are passionate volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the Fort’s museum rooms and offer the community guided tours, conduct tunnel tours, and fire the historic guns each day.
“City of Newcastle’s shared commitment with FSHS to uphold the Fort’s cultural significance will ensure it is preserved for future generations to experience.”

A man will face court next month charged over a serious crash in Lake Macquarie last year.
About 9.15pm on Monday 19 October 2020, emergency services were called to Bareki Road, Eleebana, following reports a Honda Civic travelling north and a Ford Mondeo travelling south collided at the intersection of Eleebana Road.
The driver of the Honda – a 46-year-old man from Abermain – was trapped for a short time before being taken to John Hunter Hospital with serious internal injuries; he has since been released from hospital.
Two children in the Ford – aged five and six-weeks-old – suffered serious head injuries and were taken to John Hunter Hospital. They have since been released from hospital.
The male driver of the Ford, aged 36, and his female passenger, aged 31, were uninjured during the crash.
Officers attached to the Hunter Crash Investigation Unit commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Following extensive inquiries, police attended a home on Cessnock Road, Abermain, and spoke with a 46-year-old man.
He was issued with a future court attendance notice for the following offences:

• Dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – drive manner dangerous
• Cause bodily harm by misconduct in charge of motor vehicle (x2)
• Negligent driving (occasioning grievous bodily harm)
• Negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm)
• Drive vehicle illicit drug present in blood
• Not keep left of dividing line-not class B/C vehicle

He is due to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 21 April 2021.

Two people have been charged over the fatal stabbing of a man in Broadmeadow earlier this month.
About 8.20pm on Sunday 7 March 2021, 56-year-old Christopher Ward suffered a critical stab wound to his stomach.
He was taken to John Hunter Hospital, where later died on Tuesday 9 March 2021.
Detectives from Newcastle City Police District, with assistance from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, established Strike Force Mailey to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested a 46-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman at Honeysuckle Drive, Honeysuckle, about 3pm today (Tuesday 16 March 2021).
The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with murder.
The woman was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
Police will allege in court that the 56-year-old man was fatally stabbed during an altercation with the younger man at a Broadmeadow home earlier this month.
The pair were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 17 March 2021).
All three people were known to each other.

A man has been charged with murder following the death of a teenage boy in Lake Macquarie earlier today.
About 12.30am (Tuesday 16 March 2021), police were called to a unit on Charlestown Road, Charlestown, following reports a teenage boy was found unresponsive.
Upon arrival, police located the body of a 16-year-old boy inside the unit.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.
Following inquiries, a 24-year-old man was arrested in a carpark on Weakleys Drive, Thornton, about 2.10am.
The man was taken to Maitland Police Station, before being transferred to the Mater Hospital.
He was subsequently released and taken to Belmont Police Station, where he was charged with murder.
The man was refused bail to appear at Belmont Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 17 March 2021).
The pair are known to each other.
Investigations are ongoing.

Two people have been arrested in relation to the fatal stabbing of a man in Broadmeadow earlier this month.
About 8.20pm on Sunday 7 March 2021, 56-year-old Christopher Ward suffered a critical stab wound to his stomach.
He was taken to John Hunter Hospital where later died on Tuesday 9 March 2021.
Detectives from Newcastle City Police District, with assistance from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, established Strike Force Mailey to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested a 46-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman on Honeysuckle Drive, Honeysuckle, about 3pm today (Tuesday 16 March 2021).
The pair have been taken to Newcastle Police Station as inquiries continue.

A man has been arrested following the suspicious death of a teenager in Lake Macquarie overnight.
About 12.30am (Tuesday 16 March 2021), police were called to a unit on Charlestown Road, Charlestown, following reports a teenage boy was found unresponsive.
Upon arrival, officers located a 16-year-old boy deceased inside the unit.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the teen’s death.
As a result of inquiries, a 24-year-old man was arrested in a restaurant carpark on Weakleys Drive, Thornton, about 2.10am.
He was taken to Maitland Police Station before being transferred to the Mater Hospital for treatment.
Upon his release, he was taken to Belmont Police Station where he is currently assisting police with their inquiries.
Investigations are ongoing.
The pair are known to each other.

Storytime sessions at Newcastle Libraries are helping to introduce Newcastle families to Indigenous perspectives on early learning.
Newcastle Libraries collaborated with Rainbow Crow Cultural Collective on an innovative program that transforms its popular Storytime and Babytime sessions into an Aboriginal-led early literacy program.

The free Wayapa Babytime and Storytime programs are being delivered by qualified Aboriginal Health Practitioner and Cultural Consultant Sarah Corrigan, with around 20 families taking part in the booked-out trial running at the City Library during March. A four-week term will begin at Wallsend Library from 4 May, with bookings opening in early April.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the new addition to the Libraries’ stimulating suite of Early Literacy programs
“City of Newcastle is committed to supporting initiatives that encourage social inclusion and community connections,” she said.
“The Wayapa programs are open to all families, fostering knowledge sharing and community building.”
Councillor Carol Duncan said the program was an important addition to the Libraries’ programming.
“This program will help embed Aboriginal perspectives into our early literacy programs, providing an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous families to experience cultural connections and early learning experiences in a welcoming and inclusive space,” Cr Duncan said.

Wayapa is an earth, mind, body, spirit practice that promotes wellbeing. It is based on ancient Indigenous knowledge about living in harmony with the environment and connection with the world’s oldest living continual culture.
Wayapa Babytime provides an opportunity for carers to slow down and connect inwards with themselves, their baby and the environment, while Wayapa Storytime uses storytelling, movement and nature-based craft to introduce children to Aboriginal-based earth mindfulness, promoting sustainability, connection and community.
Ms Corrigan said the program introduced parents to Aboriginal ways of learning, showing them how they can use easily accessible household and natural resources to stimulate their child’s development.
“Wayapa connects everyone, regardless of background or age, to Indigenous Australians’ deep, spiritual connection to Country,” she said.
“For children the natural environment is the best playground and for parents it’s the cheapest. Wayapa offers a way for parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, grandies and carers to use the natural environment as a starting point for sensory play.
“The collaboration with Newcastle Libraries has been a wonderful opportunity share and show the strength and value of Aboriginal culture with everyone.
“It makes me happy that the families who come along are growing up bubs and little ones who will have a greater respect and understanding of First Nation Australians’ beliefs and culture. The future generations will hopefully be able to walk together to care for Country in partnership.”

City of Newcastle is continuing its support for the live music industry with a further $20,000 injection to encourage gigs during the upcoming bumper event month of April.
The second instalment of Live Music Grants follows the success of earlier this year, where incentives of up to $500 per event were provided to venues for hosting live acts during the New Annual festival.

City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said after a successful initial program, the convergence of multiple events in April was the perfect time to bring live music back to the city.
“City of Newcastle is committed to a creating a vibrant city and supporting our cultural sector, and we know live music is key to achieving these goals,” the Lord Mayor said.
“During the New Annual festival, there were over 40 live music events at 16 venues across Newcastle because of our Live Music Grants, giving a much-needed boost to our home-grown talent and the local hospitality ecosystem needed to nurture the future Trophy Eyes, Muzzy Pep, Silverchair, Screaming Jets, Amy Vee, Raave Tapes, and Gooch Palms.
“Live Music Grants is one of the many City of Newcastle initiatives providing support and promotion of the city’s unique creative scene as part of our commitment to delivering the Live Music Strategy.
“Live music events funded by the second-round of the program will take place between 6 and 20 April to coincide with other significant events across the city, including the Rip Curl Newcastle Cup World Tour surfing, Sailfest Regatta, Women’s Rugby 7s, New Run and Newcastle Food Month.”
Newcastle Councillor Carol Duncan said April is shaping up to be an exciting month.
“With an influx of visitors set to flock to Newcastle over April, we’re activating the city by helping local venues to host a wide range of live music,” Cr Duncan said.
“A vibrant live music scene is vital to ensuring Newcastle continues to develop its bustling arts and culture scene, and provide a lively, diverse and safe night-time economy to benefit the entire community.
“April is going to be an exciting month for the city and we look forward to welcoming new and returning visitors to experience the Newcastle difference.”
Live Music Grants applications are now open and close on 22 March 2021.
Visit City of Newcastle’s Grants and Sponsorship’s webpage for more information.

Police are appealing for public assistance following a reported child approach at Scone.
About 1.45pm yesterday (Friday 12 March 2021), a 14-year-old girl was walking along Susan Street when an SUV stopped near her.
The driver called out to the girl and asked if she would like a lift; however, she declined, and the man continued driving.
The girl went to a nearby home and alerted family members, who then contacted police.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended and commenced inquiries.
An investigation into the incident is underway and police are appealing for assistance to identify the man and clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He’s described as being of African appearance, about in his 40s or 50s, with a medium build and wearing a dark green shirt.
The vehicle is described as being a grey or silver SUV with Queensland registration plates.