Category: Newcastle News

The impact of the global coronavirus pandemic is being felt at a local level and our community of Newcastle will only get through this health crisis by working together.
We all need to practice good hygiene and social distancing measures including:

• covering our coughs and sneezes with our elbow or a tissue;
• avoiding handshaking and other physical greetings;
• washing our hands often with soap and water and/or using alcohol-based hand sanitisers;
• regularly disinfecting high touch surfaces, such as tables, kitchen benches and doorknobs; and
• if unwell, avoiding contact with others by staying more than 1.5 metres away.

In these uncertain times, it is essential you have access to information that is clear and consistent.
The following are official Government websites you can rely on:

• Health updates on coronavirus – www.health.gov.au and https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx
• Health Information in languages other than English here.
• Information about the Government’s one-off stimulus payment here.
• Income support for people older than 21 and under the Age Pension age – JobSeeker Payment.
• Income support for people 21 and younger – Youth Allowance for Job Seekers.
• Advice for Australians overseas – Smartraveller & Consular Assistance.
• Information for temporary visa holders – Department of Home Affairs.

If you need someone to talk to, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Suicide Callback on 1300 659 467 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
You cannot always trust information you read on social media – including on Facebook pages and messages – or you receive via email or text messages.
Even if the information comes from people you know and trust, it does not make it true. You can only rely on official information.
In the coming weeks and months, there will be issues that emerge in our community that will need to be addressed by the Government and Labor remains committed to helping solve them.
Labor will continue to work constructively with the Government to protect Australian lives and jobs.

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 is working with Hunter Surf Life Saving to monitor crowds at local beaches and ocean baths to ensure compliance with the Public Health Order limiting non-essential outdoor gatherings to less than 500 people.
While the public spaces remain open, the City is advising residents and visitors to practice social distancing, including maintaining a 1.5 metre space from others, as we work with our State and Federal Government partners to limit the spread of COVID-19.
City of Newcastle Interim Director of City Wide Services Alissa Jones said that while local beaches rarely see crowds as large as those of Bondi and Clovelly, the City would remain vigilant and take action in the interests of public safety if required.
“Although Newcastle beaches don’t typically experience the dense crowds of Bondi Beach which was closed today by NSW Police, we will be actively monitoring numbers at our beaches and baths to help enforce the limit on non-essential outdoor gatherings to fewer than 500 people,” Ms Jones said.
“We all have a role to play in preventing the spread of a COVID-19 and City of Newcastle will be implementing social distancing conditions at our beaches and baths in partnership with Hunter Surf Life Saving.”
City of Newcastle usually provides lifeguards at beaches and ocean baths from Monday to Saturday, along with Hunter Surf Life Saving (HSLS) volunteers who patrol beaches on Saturday and Sunday.
The City will now join HSLS to patrol on Sundays, working in partnership to:
·       Monitor the numbers of attendees at our beaches and baths
·       Report to City officers and HSLS if numbers are getting close to 500
·       Advise visitors to our beaches the need for social distancing
·       Install signage at all beaches and the baths including health messaging such as advice on social distancing measures and the restrictions on non-essential gatherings.
For more information on City of Newcastle’s response to the COVID-19 visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

City of Newcastle will give businesses flexibility to ease pressures relating to COVID-19 by enabling more truck deliveries to supermarkets, longer hours for doctors’ surgeries and provisions for social distancing among outdoor diners at restaurants.
The more flexible approach will allow essential businesses and service providers to operate more responsively to the City’s changing needs in line with the latest advice from the NSW Government.
This will enable:

• more flexible delivery times and truck movements at supermarkets
• doctors’ surgeries to stay open longer
• restrictions on the use of footpaths to be eased for food premises to help patrons practise effective social distancing

Lord Mayor of Newcastle Nuatali Nelmes said the sensible approach complements the Community and Economic Resilience package currently under development by City of Newcastle staff.
“One of the ways we can help ease pressures right now is to be pragmatic in our approach to regulation in line with the latest advice from the NSW Government,” Councillor Nelmes said.
“Supermarkets struggling to meet unprecedented demand can increase the number of daily deliveries, and their delivery trucks can arrive later or earlier than usual to help ensure shelves remain stocked. We only ask that businesses let their neighbours know about the changes and likewise ask for understanding from nearby residents.
“Medical practices will be able to stay open longer or set up flexible testing arrangements which will ease the demand on hospitals and support our wonderful health system and frontline medicos.
“Restaurateurs will enjoy more flexibility with outdoor dining options for safe social distancing in line with Government directives as we continue to use levers at our disposal to facilitate community and economic resilience.”
Meanwhile, City of Newcastle continues to work with government agencies to limit the spread of the virus.
Accordingly, a decision has been made to close Fort Scratchley until further notice in order prioritise the wellbeing of visitors and volunteers from the Fort Scratchley Historical Society who run the facility.
The closure is consistent with advice from Museums & Galleries of NSW encouraging all volunteer-run museums and galleries to close and for all volunteer support programs to be suspended temporarily.
City of Newcastle’s broader volunteer services have also been suspended temporarily.

The City of Newcastle is developing a Community and Economic Resilience package, to assist Novocastrians through a period of unprecedented social and economic disruption caused by the spread of COVID-19.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle is taking proactive actions that will benefit our community in what is perhaps the City’s greatest ever challenge.
“People may be isolated for periods of time, small businesses will face supply chain issues and reduced economic activity, and the unemployment rate is likely to rise.
“Collectively, we can get through this and City of Newcastle is doing all that it can to facilitate community and economic resilience.”
Part of City of Newcastle’s work includes the development of a Community and Economic Resilience Response.
“This situation requires us to consider how we can deliver economic and well-being outcomes that will support our community,” Cr Nelmes said.
“The principles we have used are about expanding existing platforms and focusing on strategic legacy items for economic and community resilience.
“For example, we will look at ways of developing our local skills base, accelerating digital literacy for small business and growing community cohesion.
“Talented and diverse teams across the City of Newcastle are also putting together measures in response to COVID-19.
“These resilience measures are being informed by international experts and seek to focus on areas where local government can support local businesses and organisations do what they do best.
“The measures will complement the previously announced Federal and NSW Government stimulus packages.
“A second phase of the resilience package likely to be announced in May will be a multi-million dollar increase in the City’s planned capital works program for the next financial year.
“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,” Cr Nelmes added.
The COVID-19 economic resilience package will be considered at Tuesday night’s ordinary council meeting and then factored into the City’s upcoming Quarterly Budget Review.
Further information about the City’s response is available at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/covid-19.

Blackbutt Reserve’s 182 hectares of eucalypt bushland, trails and recreational facilities remain open as the City continues to work with the State and Federal Government on limiting the spread of COVID-19.
However, activities and services requiring Blackbutt staff to have close contact with members of the public have been suspended in line with current social-separation guidelines (social distancing) to protect visitors, staff and volunteers.
All wildlife shows, animal encounters, public-feeding talks and the operation of the kiosk are suspended until further notice, with bookings for private encounters to be fully refunded.
Bookings for Blackbutt’s BBQ shelters will be honoured should customers choose to proceed.
For more information on our response to COVID-19, visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

City of Newcastle is continuing to work with the State and Federal Government on limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Following restrictions placed on events under the NSW Government Public Health Order, which states outdoor events of more than 500 must not be held before 14 June 2020, the City is implementing a number of measured responses.
Since the Order was issued, the City has been notified of around 30 cancellations or postponements of public events on community land.
For licensed events that have notified the City of cancellation, we will refund the application fee. Similarly, application fees will be refunded for any sports licences that have been issued for events now cancelled.
The City is also supporting event organisers postpone to another date free of charge, providing their preferred new date is available.
Given the current uncertainty around events, the City’s annual Event Sponsorship Program (ESP) will be deferred until after the Public Health Order is repealed. This will give event organisers more certainty when planning their event and related sponsorship applications. The City will provide more information as soon as a new opening date for the program is confirmed.
The City continues to plan a proposed flagship cultural event previously scheduled for later in 2020. While it had been scheduled to fit the national cultural festival calendar, the timing is now under review as we work with the cultural and arts sector on new programming.
The City’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Team meets daily to assess the latest advice and formulate plans for maintaining services.
The health, safety and wellbeing of our workforce are its paramount concerns, and the City has implemented a daily update for employees on the response, including advice around social distancing and hygiene.
The response to COVID-19, including how social distancing should work for City of Newcastle employees, is developing in line with advice from our Government partners daily.
Should it be necessary, the City’s indoor workforce is well placed to work from home given the recent rollout of laptops and migration to cloud-based services.
For more information on cancellations and events and programs at our facilities, go to https://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Council/News/Latest-News/Events-and-public-gatherings

City of Newcastle (CN) is working in collaboration with government partners including NSW Health to ensure our city is prepared in the event of the further spread of COVID-19 to the region.
In order to do all we can to limit the transmission of the virus and to prioritise the wellbeing of staff and the community, the end of season closure will be brought forward to Monday 23March for City-owned swimming centres across the local government area.

City of Newcastle Interim Director City Wide Services Alissa Jones said the decision affected the City-operated Beresfield Swimming Centre, along with Lambton, Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend Swimming Centres, operated by BlueFit Aquatics.
“In collaboration with BlueFit we have brought forward the final day of the season to 23 March 2020 as part of our commitment to the health and wellbeing of staff and the community,” Ms Jones said.
“This means that all swimming centres in Newcastle will be closed from Monday 23 March 2020.
“City of Newcastle will continue to provide lifeguard services at our beaches and ocean baths. Information on patrol hours can be found on our website.
“The City’s key objectives are to provide timely information about any changes to services or the operation of our facilities and to support the State and Federal Governments to manage the impact of the pandemic.
“City of Newcastle will adjust operations to further protect public health and the health of our staff and volunteers.
“City of Newcastle is working with staff affected by the early closure of the Beresfield Swimming Centre to minimise the adverse impact on them.”
BlueFit CEO Todd McHardy said BlueFit has considered a number of strategic approaches to ensure the best outcomes for both community and staff.
“The responsible solution across the Newcastle region is to bring forward the winter closure for all facilities to commence on Monday 23 March 2020, the final day of trade being Sunday 22 March 2020,” Mr McHardy said.
“Safety is our number one priority and with ongoing government-imposed reductions in mass gathering numbers and further recommendations on social distancing, we believe closing the Newcastle swimming venues will limit the transmission of the virus in our community.
“We recognise the financial impact this has on our staff and the broader community, therefore, BlueFit has developed a safety net strategy to support our team and customers in times of hardship in an effort to reduce the impact across our network.
“All learn to swim program participants will be notified through separate correspondence of relevant closures and program disruption. We are committed to supporting both the community and our staff through this period and we are grateful for the strong partnership we have with the City of Newcastle to assist us through these tough decisions.
“We feel the impact on the community will be minimal given we are entering the end of the summer season and with the magnificent beaches and ocean baths available in Newcastle, and prioritises the health and wellbeing of staff and the broader community.”
Further information about the City’s response is available at Newcastle.nsw.gov.au/covid-19