Category: Newcastle News

Newcastle Art Gallery will re-open Tuesday following the NSW Premier’s announcement that cultural institutions can re-open from 1 June amid easing COVID-19 restrictions.
The Gallery will re-open to visitors with separate, two-hour daily sessions from Tuesday 2 June – 10am to noon and 2pm to 4pm.
After first booking their attendance online, up to 40 people per session will be able to view HOMEWARD BOUND: the art and life of Tom Gleghorn and REPEATER: from the collection, an exhibition exploring repetition drawn from the Gallery’s collection.
Visitor numbers will be monitored through a ticketing system and extra cleaning and touch-free hand sanitisers will be provided as part of our focus on keeping our guests and staff safe. Signage and floor decal markers will help ensure social distancing.
“We are delighted to re-open Newcastle Art Gallery in a way that’s safe to the public,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“With regional tourism permitted from 1 June we’re looking forward to safely welcoming visitors back to our Gallery while giving some of the 1,000 people who have viewed our current exhibition online the chance to see Tom Gleghorn’s works of art in person.
“Thanks to our staff who over the past two months have delivered a range of quality online programs, such as virtual exhibition tours, a collection recreation challenge, weekly Art Cart activities, Youth Week programming as well as a collaborative online exhibition with regional Galleries across NSW.”
While public programs remain suspended, the Gallery will continue to share the collection and digital experiences via its website and social media.
Newcastle Museum remains temporarily closed to the public while a plan for its safe re-opening, mindful of the facility’s interactive attractions, is developed.

A teenage boy has been arrested following the alleged stabbing of a 16-year-old boy while travelling on a train in East Maitland yesterday.
About 7.20pm (Thursday 28 May 2020), two boys aged 16, were travelling on a train between Beresfield and Maitland Railway Station.
The pair, who are known to each other, became involved in a verbal argument that quickly escalated to one of the boys producing a knife and stabbing the other in the abdomen.
The injured boy alighted from the train at Victoria Street Railway Station where he approached a train guard for assistance.
The train doors were locked as the train left the station, and police were called.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District arrived at Maitland Railway Station where they entered the train carriage and arrested the youth.
He was taken to Maitland Police Station where he is assisting with inquiries.
The injured boy was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital for further treatment.
Inquiries continue.

A teenage boy has now been charged following investigations into the stabbing of a 16-year-old boy in East Maitland yesterday.
Police will allege the incident occurred about 7.20pm yesterday (Thursday 28 May 2020), when two boys aged 16, were travelling on a train between Beresfield and Maitland Railway Station.
The pair, who are known to each other, became involved in a verbal argument before one of the boys produced a knife and stabbed the other in the abdomen.
The injured boy alighted from the train at Victoria Street Railway Station where he approached a train guard for assistance.
The train doors were locked as the train left the station, and police were called.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District arrived at Maitland Railway Station where they entered the train carriage and arrested the youth.
He was taken to Maitland Police Station where he was later charged with wound with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, reckless wounding and having custody of a knife in a public place.
He was bail refused and will appear in Broadmeadow Children’s Court today (Friday 29 May 2020).
The injured boy underwent surgery and remains in a stable condition.

City of Newcastle has welcomed the announcement of a Special Activation Precinct at Williamtown that’s expected to generate jobs and boost the greater Newcastle economy.
The Special Activation Precinct covers up to 10,000 hectares of land in and around Newcastle Airport and RAAF Base Williamtown and means the State Government will tailor infrastructure investment to support local needs.
Essential services that businesses need to operate will be provided by the NSW Government and may include roads and utilities such as water, electricity, stormwater, waste management and digital connectivity.
^{(L-R):  Deputy Mayor Port Stephens Council Chris Doohan, BAE Systems Director Aircraft Sustainment and Training Andrew Chapman, The Hon. Taylor Martin MLC, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Deputy Premier The Hon. John Barilaro and The Hon. Catherine Cusack MLC – Parliamentary Secretary inside a BAE Systems hangar at Williamtown.}
Aligning with the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan, the project could spur upgrades to Newcastle Airport’s runway and terminal, the M1’s extension to Raymond Terrace and new road links to the airport and Port of Newcastle.
“The announcement of a Williamtown Special Activation precinct is great news for Newcastle and the Hunter, bringing thousands of skilled jobs along with unlocking key development lands,” the Lord Mayor said.
“It’s especially welcome at a time when thousands of jobs have been lost in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie due to the coronavirus pandemic, because the Special Activation Precinct will provide direct and indirect jobs for decades to come.
“Special Activation Precincts have a high potential to create significant employment and drive investment in engine industries, those that employ a higher proportion of people in our region compared to others.”
^{Deputy Premier The Hon. John Barilaro co-piloted by Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.}
The Special Activation Precinct will build on the defence, aviation and technology commercial activity of the Astra Aerolab announced last year.
The 76-hectare site adjoining the airport and Williamtown RAAF Base, home to Australia’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter fleet, will become the country’s pre-eminent space for aviation, defence and aerospace-related manufacturing, maintenance, research and education.
Paralleling the twin aerospace developments will be passenger growth at Newcastle Airport, with a minimum 2.6 million-passenger throughout expected by 2036.
The anticipated growth and expansion of passenger flights will be supported by improved public transport between the airport and city centre, as well as runway surface and freight-handling capacity upgrades.
New employment opportunities will also arise from domestic and defence aircraft maintenance.

A man reported missing from Port Stephens has been located safe and well.
The 45-year-old man was reported missing to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District after leaving the Fingal Spit area about 5pm on Tuesday (26 May 2020).
Following inquiries, the man was located at Salamander Bay about 2pm today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
Police would like to thank the media and community for their assistance.

Youth unemployment has been identified as a focus area for the COVID-19 City Taskforce.
The Taskforce was formed by City of Newcastle and consists of 17 leaders and CEOs working to deliver localised responses to the economic and social challenges posed by COVID-19.
Hunter Research Foundation’s Lead Economist Dr Anthea Bill, who has been providing briefings to the Taskforce, highlighted in a forum with Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes on Monday that 18.7% of young people aged 15 to 24 in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie are now unemployed.
Nationally, swathes more have been left underemployed with their work hours reduced due to widespread closures and social distancing measures, bringing the national youth underutilisation rate – that is, unemployment and underemployment combined – to a staggering 37%, affecting more than one in three young people.
The Lord Mayor said this had been felt most profoundly throughout the City across the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors.
“We know from the City Taskforce’s joint, industry-specific response to COVID-19, that some sectors have been impacted more than others, and naturally this has affected specific population groups such as youth,” the Lord Mayor said.
“This has been a driving force behind the Taskforce’s advocacy work, directing support where it’s most needed.”
Since its inaugural meeting on 17 April, the Taskforce has jointly penned a letter to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, urging the NSW Government to consider the plight of international students in the COVID-19 climate – many of whom have lost casual jobs and are unable to return home – and provide urgent financial assistance.
Looking at the bigger picture, the overall unemployment rate for Newcastle and Lake Macquarie jumped from 3.6% in January to 7.7% in April, with 9,900 people estimated to have lost their jobs between March and April.
“No economy is prepared to deal with the fallout from a global pandemic,” the Lord Mayor said.
“However, owing to City of Newcastle’s strong financial position going into COVID-19, we are committed to delivering a record capital works program next year as part of our broader range of community support, which will help create local jobs and provide training to ensure our youth have the necessary skills to be employable in the emerging economy.
“This in addition to our joint advocacy work with the City Taskforce, neighbouring Councils and State and Federal members to attract stimulus funding for catalyst areas, including the Newcastle Airport expansion and Port of Newcastle diversification, on top of the City’s $2.5 million investment in graduate, apprentice and trainee recruitment this financial year.”

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the Port Stephens area.
Daniel Skinner, aged 45, was last seen swimming with a friend at Fingal Spit, Fingal Bay, about 5pm yesterday (Tuesday 26 May 2020).
Both men exited the water with assistance from NSW Surf Life Saving members before Daniel left the area.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District commenced a search for the man however he could not be located.
Police and friends hold serious concerns for his welfare.
A search is currently underway at Fingal Bay with Nelson Bay Police being assisted by the Marine Area Command, Police Rescue and SES volunteers.
Daniel is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, with a medium build and brown hair.
He is known to frequent the Fingal Bay, Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay areas, and currently has no fixed place of abode.
Anyone with information about Daniel’s whereabouts is urged to contact police.

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 26 May 2020. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.
Lord Mayoral Minutes
A Lord Mayoral Minute to extend condolences to the wife and family of former Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor and union leader Denis Nichols upon his passing was supported.
Another Lord Mayoral Minute endorsing the formation of the Climate Emergency Australia Council and continued advocacy and collaboration on climate change was supported.
A Lord Mayoral for City of Newcastle to make a submission to draft determination on prices for Hunter Water Corporation from 1 July 2020 was supported.
Ordinary business
Adoption of Local Strategic Planning Statement
Council resolved to adopt the Local Strategic Planning Statement.
Exhibition of draft heritage strategy
Council voted to place the draft Heritage Strategy 2020-30 on public exhibition for 28 days.
Amendment to Newcastle LEP 2012 – Create new heritage item for Parkway Avenue, Newcastle
Council has endorsed a proposal to amend the Newcastle LEP 2012 to create a new heritage item for Parkway Avenue and will have the  proposal forwarded to the Department of Planning for formal recognition.
Adoption of the updated East End Stage One Streetscape Plan
Council has adopted traffic changes to the Hunter Street Newcastle East End Stage One Streetscape Plan, which now includes works between Perkins Street and Brown Street after the block wasn’t upgraded during the Light Rail project.
Crown Reserves Management – devolved land
Council has endorsed an application to Crown Lands to change the status of three Crown Reserves -Federal Park, Wallsend, Waratah Park and West Park Adamstown – to ensure their ongoing use for sport and recreation Plans of Managements.
March quarterly review budget review statement
Council received the March Quarterly Budget Review Statement.
Executive monthly performance report
Council received the Executive Monthly Performance Report.
Notices of Motions
City of Newcastle rating policy
Council supported a Notice of Motion to apply $2.6 million from a standard rate peg in 2020/21 to hardship measures targeted at individual rate payers experiencing financial hardship, including due to COVID-19 pandemic. 
Skilled work regional visa (491) and changes impacting City of Newcastle
Another NOM was supported to write to the Premier, Deputy Premier and NSW Ministers requesting Newcastle and Wollongong be considered ‘regional’ for the purposes of the 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa, as per the Commonwealth definition.

Newcastle sporting fans craving top-class cricket and AFL matches will soon have it delivered on their doorstep as the City prepares for a major redevelopment of No.1 Sportsground.
The multi-million-dollar refurbishment will commence in September this year and deliver a major economic boost for the city. The extent of the works, which include an increase to the field size and additional seating, will ensure the ground is capable of hosting pre-season AFL matches and ‘Big Bash’-style cricket fixtures right in the heart of the city.
“This important redevelopment will now give our City the opportunity to extend our sporting reach on the main stage beyond NRL, Super Rugby and Supercars to also include elite-level cricket and AFL,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
No.1 Sportsground could again host first-class cricket and AFL matches 
“No.1 Sportsground has not seen a significant redevelopment such as this since it was constructed in 1922. The upgrades include an upsized playing field, seven new cricket wickets, a new sight screen and an additional 390 new seats.
“Not only will our investment in this project attract top-class sporting codes, it will also benefit those playing at regional and grassroots levels who use No.1 Sportsground year-in, year-out.”
City of Newcastle is now inviting tenders for the multi-million reconstruction of the ground, expected to take up to 12 months to complete.
Plans to relocate clubs affected by the ground’s closure throughout the 2020/21 summer and 2021 winter sporting seasons have already been prearranged.
Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon welcomed the upgrade and said it was a step in the right direction for both regional and high-level cricket codes.
“We have received advice from Council on their plans to upgrade the playing surface of No. 1 Sportsground and are pleased they intend to upgrade it to a top tier standard,” Mr Germon said.
“It should provide excellent quality for Newcastle cricketers and is an important step towards meeting the required standards for high level cricket.”
Chairman of Newcastle Cricket District Association Paul Marjoribanks said the renovations would help meet the day-night scheduling demands of the modern cricket era.
“The proposed upgrades will provide significant benefits to both local and regional cricket and also give Newcastle the opportunity to again host first-class cricket matches,” Mr Marjoribanks said.
“In particular the upgrades to the lighting will allow cricket to be played at night – which will bring it into line with modern-day cricket scheduling.”
As well as an increase in the size of the playing surface, improvements will be made to the drainage, irrigation, sub soil material and the turf.
A new perimeter fence will also be installed with new access gates, and the ground’s lighting will also be upgraded to support elite level sport.
Bleacher-style seating will also be installed, which will almost double the seating capacity of the ground from 400 to 790 people.