Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has welcomed a Federal investment of $1.14 million for road projects in Newcastle.
Ms Claydon said the funding was designed to stimulate local economies battered by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
“The funding will be delivered to the City of Newcastle to accelerate priority projects,” Ms Claydon said.
“Local spending on local projects is one of the best ways to get the economy moving.”
Ms Claydon said she’d written to the Deputy Prime Minister to back the City of Newcastle’s bid for funding of their priority projects and to seek assurances for a fair distribution of public funds.
“The funding will support priority projects from a list submitted to the Government in March,” Ms Claydon said.
“I was very concerned that this could turn into another sports rorts disaster so I wrote to the Deputy Prime Minister to back the bid and call for a fair distribution of these public funds.”
Ms Claydon said that while the modest roads infrastructure funding was welcome, it was still disappointing the Morrison Government excluded council workers from the JobKeeper program, forcing the State Government to fill the breach.
“I absolutely welcome this funding which will help stimulate local economic activity,” Ms Claydon said.
“It’s still unfortunate that the Government didn’t recognise the important of local economies and local jobs when it excluded council workers from the JobKeeper program.”
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City’s action to address climate change set to be strengthened
With City of Newcastle already leading the local government sector on climate action, the community and local businesses are now invited to learn about the development of a new strategy to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions even further as we continue to drive the City’s journey towards a net zero emissions future.
The City’s new climate action plan will outline specific goals and priorities for the next five years, paving the way to further positive environmental impacts, such as additional clean energy initiatives, resource efficiency, emissions reductions in supply chains and more sustainable transport.
Community engagement on the 2025 Climate Action Plan will help build on the achievements of the existing 2020 Carbon Water Management Action Plan (CWMAP), which winds up at year’s end.
The CWMAP helped slash carbon emissions through construction of a five-megawatt solar farm, installation of more than half a megawatt in rooftop solar panels on council facilities across the city and our suburbs, significant streetlight LED upgrades and a power purchase agreement that sees the City running on 100 per cent renewables.
Constructed on a former landfill site after securing a $6.5 million loan from Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation in 2018, our solar farm is the city’s single largest investment in a renewable project, following eight other solar installations at our Waratah Works Depot, Newcastle Art Gallery, City Hall, Wallsend and New Lambton libraries, No.1 and No.2 Sportsgrounds and Newcastle Museum.
The solar farm at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre builds on one of Australia’s most advanced renewable energy setups at a waste facility – with a 2.2megawatt landfill gas generator and a small wind turbine also located onsite.
Meanwhile, the City has begun transitioning to electric vehicles, installing electric vehicle charging stations to encourage EV take up and investigating the use of electric trucks to reduce diesel usage and further cut emissions.
“Through strong and consistent actions to reduce our emissions, in part due to our ambitious 2020 Carbon Water Management Action Plan, City of Newcastle is now recognised as one of the leading local government authorities when it comes to implementing initiatives to address climate change,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“After achieving so much over the past five years, in particular becoming the first NSW Council to become powered by 100 per cent renewable energy this year, our transformation to a sustainable city will continue under a new Climate Action Plan.”
“People can learn about the goals we’re looking to adopt in tackling climate change during the month-long public exhibition period.
“I encourage everyone to let us know what they think should be prioritised and what role not only the City but businesses and the community should take to realise net zero emissions.”
In May 2019, City of Newcastle recognised that there is a global climate change emergency and urgent need for real action on climate change.
In doing so, the City reaffirmed our commitment to a just economic transition for coal mining communities, including support for investment in hydrogen as an export energy, construction of large-scale renewables and pumped hydro, and manufacturing of electric vehicles.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the City also plays a strong advocacy role when it comes to pushing for action on climate change from the local government sector.
“City of Newcastle has long ensured local government steps in to fill the policy gaps left when other tiers of government and the private sector have failed to assist in reducing global emissions.
“Dating back to the Pathways to Sustainability Conference held in Newcastle in 1997 and subsequently by the development of local strategies and solutions through the Cities for Climate Protection Program, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and through development of practical implementation programs for local government in Australia and New Zealand, City of Newcastle has long led the way by working in partnerships to develop and implement strategies and initiatives to tackle climate change head on,” the Lord Mayor said.
City of Newcastle is a founding member of Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), a founding member of the Business Renewables Centre, a member of the Cities Power Partnership, a member of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, and recently became a Pioneer City for ICLEI’s CitiesWithNature program.
City of Newcastle has formally committed to the principles and targets of the Paris Climate Agreement.
An online information session will be held on Thursday 28 May at midday to provide further information on the City’s current and future initiatives before the draft plan goes on Public Exhibition later in the year.
Register here to register for the online session.
Participants are encouraged to submit three topics they’d like covered or questions on climate action in advance here
Under the 2020 CWMAP, to date City of Newcastle has:
The City’s new climate action plan will outline specific goals and priorities for the next five years, paving the way to further positive environmental impacts, such as additional clean energy initiatives, resource efficiency, emissions reductions in supply chains and more sustainable transport.
Community engagement on the 2025 Climate Action Plan will help build on the achievements of the existing 2020 Carbon Water Management Action Plan (CWMAP), which winds up at year’s end.
The CWMAP helped slash carbon emissions through construction of a five-megawatt solar farm, installation of more than half a megawatt in rooftop solar panels on council facilities across the city and our suburbs, significant streetlight LED upgrades and a power purchase agreement that sees the City running on 100 per cent renewables.
Constructed on a former landfill site after securing a $6.5 million loan from Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation in 2018, our solar farm is the city’s single largest investment in a renewable project, following eight other solar installations at our Waratah Works Depot, Newcastle Art Gallery, City Hall, Wallsend and New Lambton libraries, No.1 and No.2 Sportsgrounds and Newcastle Museum.
The solar farm at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre builds on one of Australia’s most advanced renewable energy setups at a waste facility – with a 2.2megawatt landfill gas generator and a small wind turbine also located onsite.
Meanwhile, the City has begun transitioning to electric vehicles, installing electric vehicle charging stations to encourage EV take up and investigating the use of electric trucks to reduce diesel usage and further cut emissions.
“Through strong and consistent actions to reduce our emissions, in part due to our ambitious 2020 Carbon Water Management Action Plan, City of Newcastle is now recognised as one of the leading local government authorities when it comes to implementing initiatives to address climate change,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“After achieving so much over the past five years, in particular becoming the first NSW Council to become powered by 100 per cent renewable energy this year, our transformation to a sustainable city will continue under a new Climate Action Plan.”
“People can learn about the goals we’re looking to adopt in tackling climate change during the month-long public exhibition period.
“I encourage everyone to let us know what they think should be prioritised and what role not only the City but businesses and the community should take to realise net zero emissions.”
In May 2019, City of Newcastle recognised that there is a global climate change emergency and urgent need for real action on climate change.
In doing so, the City reaffirmed our commitment to a just economic transition for coal mining communities, including support for investment in hydrogen as an export energy, construction of large-scale renewables and pumped hydro, and manufacturing of electric vehicles.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the City also plays a strong advocacy role when it comes to pushing for action on climate change from the local government sector.
“City of Newcastle has long ensured local government steps in to fill the policy gaps left when other tiers of government and the private sector have failed to assist in reducing global emissions.
“Dating back to the Pathways to Sustainability Conference held in Newcastle in 1997 and subsequently by the development of local strategies and solutions through the Cities for Climate Protection Program, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and through development of practical implementation programs for local government in Australia and New Zealand, City of Newcastle has long led the way by working in partnerships to develop and implement strategies and initiatives to tackle climate change head on,” the Lord Mayor said.
City of Newcastle is a founding member of Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), a founding member of the Business Renewables Centre, a member of the Cities Power Partnership, a member of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, and recently became a Pioneer City for ICLEI’s CitiesWithNature program.
City of Newcastle has formally committed to the principles and targets of the Paris Climate Agreement.
An online information session will be held on Thursday 28 May at midday to provide further information on the City’s current and future initiatives before the draft plan goes on Public Exhibition later in the year.
Register here to register for the online session.
Participants are encouraged to submit three topics they’d like covered or questions on climate action in advance here
Under the 2020 CWMAP, to date City of Newcastle has:
- Reduced electricity usage by 14.45 per cent
- Upgraded 31 per cent of streetlights to LEDs
- Secured 100 per cent of electricity from renewable sources
- Reduced potable water usage by 8.59 per cent
- Slashed the City’s carbon footprint by 77.36 per cent, excluding emissions from Summerhill Waste Management Centre
- Reduced liquid fuel use by 6.97 per cent
Newcastle Ocean Baths restoration to receive $9.5 million from sale of local buildings
The Newcastle Ocean Baths will inherit $9.5 million towards its long-awaited restoration should Councillors agree to the sale of three City of Newcastle owned buildings.
City of Newcastle announced last September it intended to sell or lease the vacant Frederick Ash Building, along with the neighbouring properties that are currently home to the Blue Door Café and the Clarendon Hotel on Hunter Street.
If the sale is approved by the Council, the $9.5 million proceeds will be placed into a reserve to part fund the much needed restoration of the Newcastle Ocean Baths.
City of Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said that the City’s asset committee had endorsed the sale, contingent on allocating the proceeds from the sale of three Council owned buildings to the Newcastle Ocean Baths.
“The addition of $9.5 million to the restoration of Newcastle Ocean Baths allays any community concerns that the economic impact of COVID-19 would delay work proceeding to restore such an important site to the broader Newcastle community,” the Deputy Lord Mayor said.
“The engagement process to date involving the restoration of the Newcastle Ocean Baths has overwhelmingly shown that the people of Newcastle see the return to its former glory as an urgent project.
“While the impact of restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19 have significantly impacted on Council’s income this year, with the sale of these properties there is money in the bank to get the restoration of the Baths underway.’’
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said the sale cemented the Civic Precinct’s attractiveness as a tourism and hospitality hub.
“The sale completes City of Newcastle’s relocation from the former Civic Precinct to the new CBD in Newcastle West,” Mr Bath said.
“Should the Council support the sale, then Blue Door and the Clarendon Hotel will continue as is, and the Frederick Ash Building will likely to be converted to tourist accommodation.
“This decision allows for an adaptive reuse of the historic Frederick Ash Building, and further activation in the Civic Precinct. Importantly, its heritage is protected through the sale, given its listing on both local and state heritage registers.
“The future of the Civic Precinct is very exciting. The Roundhouse building is currently being converted to the city’s first five-star hotel in what is a $30 million project. Right next door workers are putting the final touches to a stunning $25 million restoration of the City Hall.
“Across the road, City of Newcastle is days away from being handed the keys to the new Visitor Information Centre. The former Civic Station sits in front of the recently completed Museum Park on what is the former heavy rail line.
“Just a few blocks to the east, work is progressing quickly on the $700 million East End development, which will see a stunning overhaul of the old Hunter Street Mall to include boutique shops and stunning apartments with harbour views. This includes the former David Jones building which is now also being converted to a five-star hotel.”
A business case for the sale of the buildings will help inform Councillors’ decision whether to sell or retain the three properties. The business case will show that the sale price is in line with a market valuation of the three properties, as well exceeds the NPV to retain the properties by almost $4.5 million.
The decision to proceed with the sale will go before Council on Tuesday 26 May.
Regional Code of Conduct Review Panel EOI: Hunter Joint Organisation
The Hunter Joint Organisation and its ten member councils are refreshing their Regional Code of Conduct Panel and are inviting Expression of Interest. The Hunter JO represents the ten councils in the Hunter region;
- Cessnock City Council
- Dungog Shire Council
- Lake Macquarie City Council
- Maitland City Council
- MidCoast Council
- Muswellbrook Shire Council
- Newcastle City Council
- Port Stephens Council
- Singleton Council
- Upper Hunter Shire Council.
Under the Local Government Act 1993 and the Code of Conduct framework, Councils are required to establish a Panel of Conduct Reviewers, to inquire into complaints alleging breaches of the Code by the Mayor, Councillors or General Manager.
Councils may enter into an arrangement with one or more other Councils to share a Regional Panel. Hunter JO Member Councils have agreed to establish a Regional Panel of Conduct Reviewers for a period of up to four years commencing 13 August 2020.
The Hunter Joint Organisation (Hunter JO) invites Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons for appointment to a Regional Code of Conduct Review Panel. Persons seeking appointment must satisfy the criteria specified in the EOI and nominate their schedule of fees.
To complete an Expression of Interest, please use the following link to access the documentation through Tenderlink: https://www.tenderlink.com/regionalprocurement/
select ‘All Current Tenders’ and Notice Number: REGPRO-918363.
For any questions on the EOI process, please contact the Hunter JO Chief Executive Officer on 02 4978 4040, or by email to admin@hunterjo.com.au.
Expressions of Interest close at 5 pm on Friday 19 June 2020.
Weather warning for this weekend
Hazardous conditions are expected for coastal activities, such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing along Newcastle’s coastline.
Numerous accessways to Stockton Beach will remain closed over the weekend with the possibility of further coastal erosion in Stockton due to the impact of the weather. King Street and Little Beach access is likely to remain open but conditions will be monitored and access may change.
Please stay safe when moving around coastal areas, and adhere to warning signs. Coastal erosion can change beach conditions dramatically and quickly. This can lead to sand cliff collapses without warning.
To stay up to date on the weather warnings, please follow the Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/, and for emergencies, the State Emergency Service https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/ 13 25 00.
Service station employee threatened with samurai sword and baseball bat – Sandgate
An investigation is underway following an armed robbery at a service station near Newcastle overnight.
About 1.45am (Friday 22 May 2020), emergency services were called to a service station on Maitland Road, Sandgate, after reports of an armed robbery.
Police have been told two unknown men entered the station and approached the counter, threatening the employee – a 24-year-old man – with a samurai sword and baseball bat, while demanding money.
The men stole cash, before fleeing the scene on foot towards Mangrove Road.
The employee was not physically injured.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist forensic police.
As inquiries continue, anyone who may have dashcam vision or CCTV from the surrounding area, or who may have noticed suspicious activity, are urged to contact detectives at Newcastle Police Station on (02) 4929 0999.
Man dies in single-vehicle crash – Maitland
A man has died after a single-vehicle crash in the state’s Hunter region today.
About 10.35am (Friday 22 May 2020), emergency services were called to John Renshaw Drive, Buchanan, after an Isuzu utility left the roadway and crashed into a tree.
The driver and sole occupant, a 61-year-old man, was found trapped in the vehicle before being released a short time later.
Emergency services attempted to revive the man, however he died at the scene.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Man charged – Muswellbrook
A man wanted on five outstanding warrants has been arrested by police following a vehicle stop near Muswellbrook.
An extensive police operation was conducted in the Nundle area yesterday (Wednesday 20 May 2020), involving officers from Hunter Valley Police District, Oxley Police District, and other specialist commands.
Just after 6.30pm, a 34-year-old man was arrested following a vehicle stop on the New England Highway at Muswellbrook.
He was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station before being transferred to Muswellbrook and Maitland Hospitals.
Upon his release from hospital, he was conveyed back to Muswellbrook Police Station.
The man has been charged with five outstanding warrants relating to traffic, property, judicial and revocation of parole offences.
He was also charged with three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV), two counts of common assault (DV) and one count of intentionally or recklessly destroy/damage property (DV related).
The Muswellbrook man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Friday 22 May 2020).
Inquiries are continuing.
Third man charged following fatal fight at Hamilton South last year
A third man has been charged as part of an ongoing investigation into the death of another man at Newcastle last year.
About 3.30am on Friday 8 March 2019, police were called to Donald Street, Hamilton, following reports of men fighting in the street.
When police arrived, they were told the men had left the area.
A short time later, officers were called to a unit on Coady Street, Hamilton South, where they found the body of a 51-year-old man, and a 23-year-old man unconscious, suffering head injuries.
The injured man was treated at the scene by paramedics before he was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District commenced inquiries into the incident under Strike Force Delline.
So far during the investigation, two men – aged 25 and 26 – have been charged and remain before the courts.
Following further inquiries, a 32-year-old man was arrested at a unit at Hamilton South about 4.20pm yesterday (Wednesday 20 May 2020).
The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasion actual bodily harm.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 21 May 2020).
Inquiries under Strike Force Delline are continuing.
Electric vehicle chargers installed portside
City of Newcastle has teamed up with Port of Newcastle to deliver a new electric vehicle charging station on Wharf Road to add to the city’s growing network.
Two new 22-kilowatt chargers in the carpark next to Harry’s Café de Wheels follow three others installed by the City outside No.2 Sportsground and another smaller charging station on Laman St, Cooks Hill, last year.
Thanks to City of Newcastle’s 100 per cent renewable electricity contract, motorists can now power up using renewable energy from four parking bays either side of the two new chargers.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Novocastrians were increasingly embracing sustainable transport and that the new installation had been strategically located.
Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor with Port of Newcastle’s Simon Byrnes at today’s opening.
“This third charging hub is part of readying Newcastle for a future in which Australians dramatically reduce their transport emissions by driving renewable energy-powered EVs,” Councillor Nelmes said.
“There are now 19 different EV models available in Australia with a typical range of 480km, and we’re seeing more and more on local streets.
“We’ve located this facility close to inner-city businesses and tourist attractions in the hope that, like chargers installed in Wallsend’s town centre, they draw motorists from the M1 Motorway.
“We are delighted to partner with the Port of Newcastle in leading this transition to more sustainable transport, which we outlined in our own 2017 Smart City Strategy.”
The new chargers will initially be free before user-pay fees are later introduced.
Port of Newcastle Chief Commercial Officer Simon Byrnes said partnerships were critical to achieving the Port’s diversification and sustainability goals.
“It is a pleasure to partner with the City of Newcastle to help expand its electric vehicle charging network and promote renewable energy and sustainable transport options in the region,” Mr Byrnes said.
“Today I am excited to unveil the first four electric vehicles in our Port of Newcastle fleet. We expect to complete the transition to an electric fleet by the end of 2021, saving more than 48 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
One of four new Port of Newcastle electric vehicles.
“Port of Newcastle is serious about its commitment to the environment and creating a prosperous future for the communities it supports. Ultimately, we are striving to create a safe, sustainable and socially responsible Port for the future.”
Australian sales of fully electric and plug-in hybrid cars more than tripled in 2019 to 6,718 units, according to the Electric Vehicle Council, as sales of petrol and diesel vehicles fell eight per cent.
NSW is now well covered with around 300 public charging stations, which the City will add to with another site in Cooks Hill’s Queen Street carpark later in 2020.
Last year a 50-kilowatt fast charger and two 22-kilowatt chargers were installed at No.2 Sportsground.
One of the No.2 Sportsground chargers.
The fast charger can charge an average vehicle to around 80 per cent capacity in 30-40 minutes, while the smaller chargers take around two hours.
“Our EV charger network has now recorded 1,000 charging sessions, 800 hours of charging time and 15,000-kilowatt hours of 100 per cent renewable energy,” the Lord Mayor said.
The roll out of EV infrastructure is part of the $13 million Smart Moves Newcastle project, which received $5 million under the Federal Government’s Smart Cities and Suburbs program in 2017.
The City has also begun transitioning its fleet with the purchase of electric vehicles and investigations into electric waste trucks.