Category: Newcastle News

Following is a summary of the Ordinary Council Meeting for Tuesday 24 March 2020. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.
Lord Mayoral Minute
A Lord Mayoral Minute to develop a Community and Economic Resilience package to assist Novocastrians through this period of unprecedented disruption caused by COVID-19 was supported.
A report on the proposed package was presented to council and adopted. City of Newcastle in consultation with key stakeholders has developed a two-phase community and economic resilience package in response to the evolving COVID-19 crisis which will be implemented.
Ordinary business 
Public Exhibition of Draft Our Budget 2020/21 (Delivery Program 2018 -2022 and operational plan 2020/21) and draft fees and charges 2020/21
Council resolved to place the draft 2020/21 Our Budget (2018-2022 Delivery Program and 2020/21 Operational Plan) on public exhibition.
Appointment of voting delegate for the 2020 National General Assembly of Local Government and Endorsement of motions.
Council has voted to appoint the Lord Mayor or delegate to exercise Council’s voting rights at the 2020 Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly. The Australian Local Government Association is the national voice of local government, representing 537 Councils across the country.
Adoption of Fern Bay and North Stockton Strategy
Council has voted to adopt the Fern Bay and North Stockton Strategy and Implementation Plan.
Proposed road closures – 35 Robert Street and 22 Annie Street, Wickham
Council voted to close a section of road reserve at John Street, Wickham, and sell the land as two separate parcels. The sale revenue will be transferred to City of Newcastle’s ‘Works Program: Specific Projects’ internal reserve.
Executive Monthly Performance Report
Council has received the Executive Monthly Performance Report for February 2020.
Notices of Motion
Submission to review Disability Inclusion Act
A Notice of Motion to prepare a submission to the NSW Government’s Review of the Disability Inclusion Act was supported by council.
The submission will support ongoing funding to Newcastle based disability advocacy organisations (including Disability Advocacy NSW and Community Disability Alliance Hunter) and will convey its concern regarding the lack of NSW Government funding to implement the mandated Disability Inclusion Action Plans, that are required under the Act.
The submission will also note the impacts of the changing demographic profile of Newcastle, including its ageing population, which increases pressure on local government to provide accessible services without any additional Government funding.
The Future for Waste
A Notice of Motion on the Future of Waste was supported by councillors. The NOM notes the release of two Issues Papers (Cleaning Up Our Act – The Future for Waste and Resource Recovery in NSW and Redirecting the Future of Plastic in NSW) by the NSW Government. It also notes that City of Newcastle paid $32.7 million in the s88 waste levy in the last financial year, and received $176,290 in NSW Waste Less, Recycle More grants (equal to just 0.6 per cent of waste levy paid).
Councillors voted for the City to make a submission to both Issues Papers, consistent with its previously adopted positions, encouraging the State funding to support waste avoidance and recovery, including grants to support councils with major capital, develop a local circular economy, and support for local manufacturing using recycled product and to also deliver consistent education campaigns to promote waste avoidance and recycling.
Support of Wildlife Carers
A notice of Motion to support Wildlife carers was introduced with the officer’s recommendation supported. The NSW Government was commended on the creation of The Wildlife Heroes Bushfire Emergency Fund 2019 grant program and the important work undertaken by volunteer wildlife carers to rehabilitate wildlife recognised. The supported recommendation also notes the important work undertaken by the City’s Blackbutt Reserve volunteers who focus on animal care and education activities.
Social infrastructure, the community pantry
A Notice of Motion to install a ‘community pantry’ was introduced with the officer’s recommendation supported. In consultation and collaboration with Newcastle’s network of Specialist Homelessness Service providers council will identify potential uses of community assets for the distribution of outreach hampers, parcels and vouchers. It will also explore resources and guidance on the City of Newcastle website to inform the community about grassroots initiatives aimed at helping homeless people.
COVID-19 response measures 
A late Notice of Motion was introduced for Council to provide clear communications to all Newcastle residents on the steps being taken to minimise the spread of the Covid 19 virus and to discuss the provision of financial relief to Newcastle people.

City of Newcastle’s Ordinary Council Meeting will proceed tonight under limited and restricted conditions to meet all health and government requirements including:
The Council chamber will be limited to a capacity of 25 people with each person required to sit at least 1.5 metres apart. This will accommodate Councillors and essential staff only.

• The Hunter Room in City Hall will be set up to screen the meeting webcast for overflow attendees who are essential. This room will also have limited seating to meet the requirements of social distancing.
• The meeting time will be limited to 2 hours with the most critical items taking priority.

In the interests of their health and safety, members of the public are encouraged to access the meeting via the webcast at home as only essential attendees are permitted to attend.
Tonight’s ordinary council meeting will be webcast live from 6pm.

All City of Newcastle cultural facilities have closed until further notice but will continue to engage audiences online following a national directive to close all non-essential services to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Newcastle Art Gallery, Civic Theatre and Newcastle Museum, including the attached Newcastle Shop and Visitor Information Centre, have closed as a further public health precaution after yesterday’s temporary closure of library branches and last week’s shutdown of Fort Scratchley. The café at the Civic Theatre will remain open, serving takeaway customers only.
“While we believe that heritage and culture are important elements of a healthy community, in order for our city and organisation to focus on doing everything in our power to manage this pandemic, our cultural facilities will be closed until further notice,” Interim Director of City Wide Services Alissa Jones said.
“Our cultural facilities’ staff and volunteers know this is a difficult time for Newcastle and the rest of the world, but also understand that the technology available to most households today allows the show to go on in cyberspace.
“Accordingly, the staff and volunteers of Newcastle Museum, Fort Scratchley Historical Society, Civic Theatre and the Art Gallery have set about creating online resources, developing cultural programming and curating materials and other activities involved in caring for and promoting the City’s collections.”
Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said her team drew hope and courage from the city’s history of resilience in difficult times.
“We have survived adversity in our past and we will again,” Ms Baird said.
“We will utilise this time to care for the Museum’s collection and heritage assets and focus our efforts on entertaining and informing the community in different ways until it’s safe to welcome you back in person.”
Director of Newcastle Art Gallery Lauretta Morton said the gallery looked forward to raising spirits online and via digital channels.
“During our closure, the Art Gallery team will develop new initiatives to connect to our audiences through our website and social media channels,” Ms Morton said. “We will be sharing virtual tours of exhibitions, collection highlights and behind-the-scenes videos. Our popular family ArtCart program activity sheets will also be available online.
“The Gallery plays an important role supporting the health and wellbeing of our community and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to the Gallery as soon as possible.”
Civic Services Manager Delia O’Hara said most Civic Theatre shows that had to be postponed had been re-scheduled.
“These include the Very Popular Theatre Company’s production of Chess, Tim Minchin’s Back and Carl Barron. Tickets are on sale for these and other future performances, both online and by phone, while our shopfront ticket office is temporarily closed, so we look forward to welcoming our audience back later in 2020.
“Over at our Visitor Information Centre (VIC), staff are hard at work preparing for the move later in the year to the newly renovated Civic Station building, which will be a vastly superior VIC that caters to Newcastle’s bright future of tourism post-COVID-19.
“Visitor information is always available at visitnewcastle.com.au.”
For further information on City of Newcastle’s response to COVID-19 please visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19

A man has been charged after allegedly drink driving in the state’s Hunter region yesterday.
About 4.15pm (Tuesday 24 March 2020), Officers from Hunter Valley Police District noticed a Holden Commodore stopped in the middle of the road on the Pacific Way, Muswellbrook.
As police approached the vehicle, it allegedly drove off, before stopping on Tobruk Avenue.
The driver – a 42-year-old man – was subjected to a roadside breath test, which returned a positive reading, before being arrested and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station.
The man allegedly returned a breath analysis reading of 0.274 and was charged with high range PCA and assault police.
Police will allege in court that the man claimed he had COVID-19 and intentionally coughed at the police officer when he was asked to submit to a breath test.
He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on Monday 6 April 2020.

A man has been charged after an alleged incident left another man with a punctured lung in the state’s Hunter region.
Around 9.20pm on Sunday 22 March 2020, a 48-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman were in a room of a hotel in William Street, Raymond Terrace, when it is alleged a man broke into the room by smashing a window.
It is alleged he threw a piece of glass which struck the 48-year-old in the chest. The 31-year-old man then left the room.
Police were contacted and commenced an investigation. A crime scene was established, and the injured man was taken to John Hunter Hospital with a suspected punctured lung.
At 8.30pm on Monday 23 March 2020, police found the 31-year-old man in the boot of a car at Raymond Terrace. He was arrested after a short struggle with police and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.
He man was charged with special aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence and resist police.
The man was refused bail to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court today (Tuesday 24 March 2020).

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man after he was swept off rocks in the Port Stephens area earlier today.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District have been told two men were on rocks at Boulder Bay, south of Fingal Bay, about 10am (Sunday 22 March 2020), when they were swept into the ocean by a wave.
Two friends, who were nearby, threw life jackets to the men, but only one was able to grab it.
Surf lifesavers were alerted and attended the scene and found the body of a 32-year-old man. They rescued the second man, who had a life jacket; he was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.
Officers are now waiting to speak with all surviving members of the group to establish the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
Police believe the deceased man was visiting the area from Merrylands.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Risky driver behaviour at level crossings will be targeted by police in support of a campaign in parts of the state’s Upper Hunter.
From today (Monday 23 March 2020) to Friday 3 April, police from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and Hunter Valley Police District will be increasing patrols at level crossings in the Upper Hunter region.
The campaign is aimed at increasing public safety and awareness around rail level crossings in regional NSW – part of an ongoing series of enforcement campaigns between the NSW Police Force and the NSW Centre for Road Safety at Transport for NSW.
During the campaign police will be on the look-out for motorists disobeying level crossing flashing lights and stop signs; vehicles queuing over the railway tracks; speeding near level crossings; and drivers who are distracted by illegal use of mobile phones.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Command’s Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said people need to take personal responsibility when around level crossings to ensure the path is clear.
“Speed and distractions are both major factors when it comes to level crossing collisions. Those few moments of inattention can be fatal.
“Police will be targeting drivers speeding near level crossings and those who are distracted. The consequences of a car or truck hitting a train are severe, so ‘Train to Stop’.
“Police issued almost 1,000 penalty notices for level crossing traffic offences in the past two years.
“We all have a responsibility when behind the wheel, not only for ourselves, passengers and other road users, but also train passengers and crew,” AC Corboy said.
Through the road safety campaign Towards Zero, the NSW Government is working hard to drive the road toll down by highlighting the only acceptable number when it comes to deaths and serious injuries on NSW roads is zero.
Member for Upper Hunter, Michael Johnsen MP, said there was no excuse for putting yours and other lives on the line at level crossings.
“Trains can travel at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour and can take up to one-and-a-half kilometres to come to a complete stop,” Mr Johnsen said.
“That means that by the time they see you, it’s often too late. Signs, flashing lights, boom gates and markings are all there for a good reason, and drivers, riders and pedestrians need to pay attention.
“We all have a duty of care when driving, not only for ourselves, passengers and other road users, but also for train passengers and crew.
“Come on Upper Hunter, we can do this. We can do the right thing and keep everyone safe.”
Between July 2008 and January 2020 there have been 76 collisions between trains and cars at level crossings in NSW, resulting in eight people losing their lives and 13 suffering serious injuries – all of which could have been easily avoided.
The penalty for disobeying controls is three demerit points and a $457 fine.

Police are appealing for public assistance as they attempt to clarify the circumstances surrounding a reported child approach at Scone overnight.
An eight-year-old girl has told officers from Hunter Valley Police District, she was in the front yard of her home when a man got out of a ute and grabbed her by the wrist about 6pm Monday (23 March 2020).
The child pulled away and ran indoors and alerted her mother, but the vehicle had left the scene.
Police are now inquiring into the incident and are appealing for anyone with information.
They have a description of a man they believe may be able to assist with inquiries.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance aged about 40, with a thin build, short brown hair and a tattoo on his right hand.
At the time he was wearing a red shirt and green shorts and left in a red utility.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact Muswellbrook Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

City of Newcastle will seek the support of Councillors on Tuesday evening to place its draft 2020-21 Budget (known as the Operational Plan) on public exhibition.
The draft Budget, which was prepared before the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a pandemic virus, forecasts an operating surplus of $3.1 million and includes a $83 million works program.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said staff would spend the next six weeks reshaping the draft Budget in light of COVID-19.
“We understand that every business, whether small, medium or large, is suffering enormously from the impacts of COVID-19 and will likely be affected for the foreseeable future.
“We also know that there are some small businesses locally that may not survive the immediate downturn in economic activity.
“Our role is to identify how we assist and support our community. Our 2020-21 Budget is the tool through which we will direct much of this support with regard to our bottom-line, knowing that it will be impacted as a result.”
“Council will also Tuesday night consider a proposed Community and Economic Resilience Package designed to provide immediate support to businesses and individuals impacted by COVID-19.
“Newcastle has a long history of dealing with economic adversity, which gives us the confidence to know that as a community we can get through this together. It will be challenging and have personal impact, but with community mindedness, we will come out the other side.
“We’re especially focused on social cohesion and those in our community now facing unemployment, as well as the elderly who are required to live in isolation for the next few months in order to minimise their exposure to COVID-19.
“As a Council, we must do all we can to help our City get back up,” Cr Nelmes said.
CEO Jeremy Bath said the impact on the local economy from COVID-19 is likely to linger for many years.
“Like all Councils, we have a legislative requirement to have an approved budget in place from 1 July 2020. This means we must place the draft budget on public exhibition now so that the community and Councillors have enough time to consider whether it appropriately addresses community needs.
“A revised budget will be circulated with Councillors and the community in late May which will include an increased works program, recognising that City of Newcastle can help reduce this extraordinary decline in local economic activity through bringing forward capital works to occur in 2021 and 2022.
“Staff have started quantifying the financial impact of COVID-19 on the City’s finances. In the past two weeks, we have seen the cancellation or postponement of 81 bookings and live theatre shows.
“These bookings account for $595,000 in lost income for the next three months. The financial impact for next year’s budget will of course be far, far greater.
“We are also seeing significant falls in our incomes from the reduced receipt of commercial waste at Summerhill Waste Management Centre, facility and sporting field bookings, our long-term investments and parking meters.
“The draft budget will now be boosted to help support our community through this time of crisis. The proposed 2021 works program is likely to largely remain, with most of the changes to be the inclusion of works that were intended to occur in 2022,” Mr Bath said.
The draft Budget includes a $19 million investment in key initiatives at Summerhill Waste Management Centre, including the expansion of Cell 9 for landfill and construction of the Organics Recycling Facility; $9.2 million on Urban Centre and City Centre revitalisation; and $5 million to continue the revitalisation of the city’s coastline.
Other highlights include:
·       $11.8 million on road and transport infrastructure projects;
·       $26.7 million to city wide services (including $2.7 million on aquatic centres, $3.2 million on recreation, parks, sporting facilities and open space as well as $19 million on waste initiatives);
·       $6.7 million towards stormwater projects;
·       $7 million towards environment;
·       $3.5 million on Smart City projects and strategy; and
·       $5.2 million towards replacing outdated fleet.
A further $3.5 million has also been set aside to combat coastal erosion in Stockton through short-to-medium-term measures permitted under the Coastal Zone Management Plan, approved by the NSW Government in August 2018.
Should the Government approve long-term measures via the Stockton Coastal Management Program, which the City will submit by 30 June 2020, Council will consider funding contributions through its quarterly budget review process, along with options for external funding.
The draft budget is available to view in full on the City’s website here.

City of Newcastle has made the difficult decision to limit its library service to digital only, as part of its continuing efforts to limit the transmission of COVID-19 in our community.
All front facing services and branch operations have been temporarily suspended.
City of Newcastle accepts the advice of the Federal Government that many non-essential services should be temporarily shut down to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The City’s libraries will continue to offer a broad range of digital programs, content and services online.
Novocastrians are encouraged to download the free Newcastle Library App which provides home access to the e-library, including adult and children’s e-books, newspapers, magazines, music and movie streaming services and online learning.
To access the e-library visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Library
For further information on City of Newcastle’s response to COVID-19 please visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19