Category: Newcastle News

Lord Mayoral Minutes
Protecting City of Newcastle jobs
A Lord Mayoral Minute calling on both the Federal and NSW Governments to commit to protecting Council jobs, by ensuring that local government is included in any future COVID-19 economic measures, was supported.
ICLEI Oceania – CitiesWithNature initiative
A LMM to accept an invitation from ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) Oceania to become a Pioneer City for the new CitiesWithNature Australia Initiative, aimed at recognising and enhancing the value of nature in and around cities across the world, was supported.
COVID-19 financial support
Another LMM calling on the state and federal governments to deliver financial support and stimulus to help local governments continue effective operations, and provide essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic, was supported.
City of Newcastle Fast-track Infrastructure Stimulus Opportunities
Another LMM seeking NSW and Federal Government support for a dedicated local infrastructure stimulus program, with funding for both large-scale projects and a ‘Local Government New Deal’ aimed at protecting jobs through smaller infrastructure projects, was supported.
Ordinary Business
Practice Note: Code of Meeting practice
Council resolved to receive the Practice Note to the Code of Meeting Practice to allow it to meet remotely to manage the risk of transmission of coronavirus.
ICLEI Regional Executive Committee
Council has endorsed nomination of the Lord Mayor for the ICLEI Oceania regional executive committee.
Executive monthly performance report
The Executive Monthly Performance Report for March 2020 was received.
Notices of motion:
Extended powers of planning minister
A Notice of Motion to express opposition to the recent changes to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, which grant the Minister for Planning Rob Stokes unprecedented powers to override planning decisions made by local councils, planning panels, the Independent Planning Commission, was supported. An amendment was moved to leave the item on the table for future discussion in light of recent changes.

Llewellyn Street, Merewether, will soon be overhauled with new street furniture and shade trees among a range of cosmetic and infrastructure improvements to make the local centre a more attractive and accessible shopping destination.
The $3 million Lewellyn Street local centre upgrade borrows design elements from the nearby Bathers Way – especially concrete and timber installations – and includes footpath and drainage replacements to make the shopping, dining and heath care hub safer and more user friendly.
The improvements will include comfortable, fixed street furniture, new shade trees and low-level gardens to take the edge off summer heat.

A platform with fixed seating at the corner of Dent Street will allow alfresco dining, while bench seating and bar tables with stools along Llewellyn Street create a more functional streetscape along with bike racks and a bubbler.
Ward 2 Councillor Carol Duncan said Llewellyn Street’s physical and functional overhaul would make it a more appealing place to do business and meet friends for coffee or a meal.
“The Llewellyn Street upgrade will create a more-appealing gathering place by addressing existing issues of accessibility, stormwater management and visitor comfort courtesy of new street furniture and shading,” Councillor Duncan said.
“Due to an increase in development and associated road safety issues, flooding and infrastructure needs, Llewellyn Street was identified as a priority project within the City’s local centre renewal program, which has already seen the multimillion-dollar upgrades of the Beresfield and Carrington town centres.
“Like those projects, new road surfaces, kerb and gutter replacements and reconfigured parking spaces will improve access and, together with pedestrian lighting upgrades that includes a smart pole for free Wi-Fi, make the area safer at night.”

Pedestrians and cyclists will enjoy improved amenity courtesy of raised zebra crossings, new cycle lanes, traffic-calming treatments and a new 40km/hr speed limit.
Speed humps and gardens at the intersections of Morgan, Winsor and Merewether streets will also help slow passing traffic.
The project follows extensive public consultation that began in 2016 when the City engaged with the community to develop a Public Domain Plan.
It was publicly exhibited in November and December that year before being approved by Newcastle Traffic Committee and the elected Council.
Work on the project is expected to start in July and take about 12 months to complete.

A pedestrian has died after being hit by a truck in the Hunter region this morning.
Just after 7am (Wednesday 29 April 2020), emergency services were called to Lang Street, Kurri Kurri, following reports that a man had been hit by a truck.
The man, believed to be aged in his 70s, was unable to be revived and died at the scene.
The male truck driver has been taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory drug and alcohol testing.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District have established a crime scene, with Lang Street currently closed between Mitchell Avenue and Greta Street.
The road is expected to be closed for some time as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who may have dashcam vision, is urged to contact police.
 

Newcastle Meals on Wheels will soon have an improved ability to provide for its clients after receiving a $20,526 NSW Government Community Building Partnership grant.
The not-for-profit organisation joins 17 others sharing in $300,000 from the 2019 round of the program.
Other beneficiaries include the St Vincent de Paul Society, who will receive $30,000 for renewable energy provision at its Matthew Talbot Centre and associated transitional housing properties, and Mayfield United Junior Soccer Football Club who will upgrade their changerooms to be more user-friendly with a $20,000 grant.
“These organisations work hard for their communities, so I’m thrilled that they were successful with their applications,” Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said.
“It was very competitive process, which only highlights the calibre of the people within these organisations and wonderful contributions they make to Newcastle.”
Newcastle Meals on Wheels General Manager Damien Isaacs said the support was a godsend.
“Our Catering Kitchen pushes out well over 5000 meals a week and that takes a huge toll on our cooking equipment,” he said.
“We plan to upgrade our combi-therm oven and our Hobart mixer with this support, and it is well-timed for us as the pandemic increases dependence on our service and also multiplies the strain on old equipment.
“In order to support the most vulnerable in our community and keep prices affordable, we depend heavily on support like this.”

All known asbestos is due to be removed from Newcastle East Public School buildings by the end of the year, in a win for the school community.
The calls for asbestos removal were launched by State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp and the school community earlier this year, after it was revealed on the first day of Term 1 that friable asbestos had been found in the school’s heritage building during its renovation over the summer holidays.
The Department’s action on this was queried through recent Budget Estimates, where Mr Crakanthorp asked several questions through the Upper House.
In response, it was confirmed that all known asbestos will be progressively removed from buildings by the end of 2020, while artificial turf will be laid on already-encapsulated asbestos in the school playground.
In addition, Mr Crakanthorp’s questioning revealed that $1.4 million has been spent on removing asbestos from the school to 25 March 2020, while almost $150,000 has been spent on replacing potentially contaminated and subsequently destroyed library books and sports equipment.
“This is a big win for the Newcastle East school community, and after the start to the year they had it will be very welcome,” Mr Crakanthorp said.
“I need to thank Minister Sarah Mitchell for acting on mine and the parents’ calls to have the known asbestos removed from this school.
“Ultimately what we needed was some peace of mind for this community, and I’m thrilled that the parent body and I have been able to work together to achieve this.”

Police are appealing for public assistance after several gravesites were damaged by graffiti at a cemetery on the Mid North Coast.
This morning (Friday 24 April 2020), officers from Manning-Great Lakes Police District were called to a cemetery on The Lakes Way, Tuncurry, following reports of damage to several headstones.
Police arrived and located at least a dozen gravesites damaged by white spray paint.
Detectives have commenced an investigation into the incident.
Police believe the damage occurred sometime between 11am yesterday (Thursday 23 April) and 9am today (Friday 24 April).
Police are urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the Forster and Tuncurry areas between these times, anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam vision, or who may have any information which could assist investigators is urged to contact Taree Police Station on 6552 0399 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

A man has been charged after spitting at a police officer at a home in the Hunter region yesterday.
About 10.30am (Wednesday 22 April 2020), an officer from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended a home on Berkley Street, Stroud, to speak to the occupants about a domestic violence related incident.
Police spoke to a 29-year-old man at the home and were refused entry. As the senior constable walked away, he was allegedly spat on.
The man was arrested and during a search of the home, a 32-year-old woman was located inside.
He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic), and assault officer in execution of duty.
The man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 23 April 2020).

A woman has been charged after spitting at a police officer following a vehicle stop in Lake Macquarie yesterday.
About 7.40am (Tuesday 21 April 2020), an officer attached to Lake Macquarie Highway Patrol stopped a Subaru Forester on Anzac Parade, Teralba, for the purpose of a random breath test.
Police spoke to the driver, a 30-year-old man, who initially refused to undergo both a drug and alcohol test.
The passenger, a 20-year-old woman, exited the vehicle and became verbally abusive. After being warned to maintain social distance, the woman is alleged to have struck the officer in the chest before she spat at him.
Further police attended to assist, and the driver was subjected to roadside drug test, returning a positive detection for cannabis.
He was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station for a secondary test which also returned a positive result, the sample has been sent for analysis.
This morning (Wednesday 22 April 2020), the woman was issued a court attendance notice for two counts of assault officer in execution of duty, and one count each of resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty, behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school, and intimidate police officer in execution of duty.
She is due to appear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 4 August 2020.
A one-year-old child was also in the vehicle at the time and a child-at-risk notification has been submitted to the Department of Family and Community Services.