Category: Newcastle News

An international quest to find a missing photo album, gifted by New South Wales to the British monarchy in 1882, has made its way to Newcastle.
Newcastle City Library is currently hosting The Queen’s Album, a NSW State Archives touring exhibition commemorating 200 years since the birth of Queen Victoria.
The exhibition showcases a selection of 64 images included in a photo album presented to Queen Victoria, depicting scenes of the colony’s landscapes, people and buildings, as well as the industrial development of Newcastle.
 Three images showcasing the city’s industrial strength and economic progress around 1880 feature in the display, including views of the railway lines, harbour and Customs House,” City of Newcastle Manager Libraries and Learning Suzie Gately said.
“Documents mentioning the gift were rediscovered by the NSW State Archives in 2016, and this exhibition was inspired by the chance discovery last year of plate glass negatives for 48 of the 64 photographs found among the Archive’s 14 million items.”
NSW State Archives Senior Exhibitions Curator Dr Penny Stannard said the exhibition had reignited efforts to find the missing album in a mystery the public has been asked to help solve online and via a #QueensAlbum social media campaign on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
“The history of Newcastle as an industrial city was captured in the album, so we’re delighted to be sharing the exhibition with the local community,” she said.
“If we’re really lucky, it may even spark a new clue to the album’s location.
“Our search for this exquisitely presented collection of photographs given to Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle in February 1882 has spanned cultural collections in Australia and overseas to no avail, so we’re turning to the public to help locate it.
“Initial research by the NSW State Archives has revealed a design document and a prototype album, but the whereabouts of the final album is currently unknown.”
The Queen’s Album exhibition will remain on display at the library until Saturday 2 November 2019.
Join the public search for the #QueensAlbum on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram today and see how this unique exhibition unfolded at https://youtu.be/Q0MyO3xTVIQ.
For more information on The Queen’s Album exhibition and the wider NSW State Archives Collection visit https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/
 

The owner of the building recently leased by City of Newcastle as its new head office has agreed that the commercial terms can be made public.
The decision reveals that City of Newcastle secured a lease (gross lettable area) that is significantly less than the average price paid for A-grade office accommodation in the CBD.
 Spartohori Pty Ltd agreed Wednesday to a written request from Lord Mayor Cr Nuatali Nelmes to waive its right to commercial confidentiality over the lease.
 The annual amount to be paid in rent will now be included on City of Newcastle’s contract register, available at:
 www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Council/Our-Responsibilities/Access-to-Information/Contracts-Register
 The lease came into effect on 4 September this year, with City of Newcastle securing space within six floors of the new building for 15 years, with a first right of refusal (after the mortgagee) to buy the asset.
 The City will pay $276.92/m2 for the gross lettable area plus 63.36% of outgoings for the building, which is significantly less than the average gross A Grade rental in the Newcastle CBD of $500/m2.
 City of Newcastle’s rent can only increase by CPI, and even then by no more than 3%. This is 1% lower than the standard lease agreement for A-Grade office accommodation in the CBD.
 Lord Mayor Cr Nuatali Nelmes said she requested the owner of 12 Stewart Avenue to make the lease terms public.
 “In 2017 when the elected Council considered the lease, the owner was clear that the terms must be confidential. This is standard business practice noting he was negotiating leases with other parties for the same building.
 “Councillors voted in support of the recommendation to relocate the City’s administration centre to 12 Stewart Avenue and to maintain confidentiality on this information on commercial grounds.
 “With the owner having now finalised all leases for the building, I considered it a fair and reasonable time for the lease to be publicly available.
 “City of Newcastle secured a lease agreement that is significantly less on a per square metre basis than the average lease for A-Grade office accommodation in Newcastle, which is an excellent result for the city,” Cr Nelmes said.
 CEO Jeremy Bath said the favourable terms were reflective of the City of Newcastle’s position as the building’s anchor tenant.
 “The benefits of consolidating 450 staff previously spread across three buildings and 12 floors into one building and across just six floors, are obvious,” he said.
 “There is already noticeably more communication and collaboration occurring, confirming the expected efficiencies of being in the one location. There is an abundance of international research to show that we make better decisions when we collaborate. Council staff are no different.
“An independent business case by CBRE found that ratepayers are at least $13.5 million better off for the relocation. The sale of the Roundhouse building achieves significant savings in building maintenance and avoiding millions of dollars in redeveloping the 43-year-old building.
 “The $13.5 million public benefit calculated by CBRE doesn’t include the $16.5 million proceeds from the sale of the Roundhouse Building or the $22 million in interest that will be generated from investing these funds over the next 20 years. Should the elected Council support the sale of the Fredrick Ash Building next year, then this financial benefit to ratepayers will increase even further.
 “In recognising the financial benefits of leasing our head office over owning it, City of Newcastle has done what many others locally did years ago. Hunter Water, the Newcastle Herald, ANZ, Telstra, RMS, Coles, Kmart, Big W, David Jones and Woolworths have all recognised that there are significant financial gains from leasing a building rather than owning it.
 “The independent business case does not yet include plans to make the ground floor a dual space for customer service as well as the region’s first digital library. This will only enhance the public benefit of the move.”
 Representative and spokesperson for Spartohori Gregory Politis said in his emailed response to the Lord Mayor:
 “Now that lease arrangements, negotiations and commercial matters have been finalised with all tenants at 12 Stewart Avenue, and in the interest of the public good, I am of the mind that the commercial lease between Spartohori Pty Ltd and the City of Newcastle will no longer need to remain confidential on the grounds of commercial in confidence.
 “I therefore agree and permit the lessee to disclose all details pertaining to the above stated lease to the public.
 “I appreciate your patience and understanding regarding this commercial matter.”
 The total amount to be paid annually is:
 Rent – $2.080 million
Outgoings – $482,509
99 car spaces – $272,250
 Forecast rental income from the sublease of one floor with 20 car spaces – $500,000.
 Net expense – $2.335m
 Rent and outgoings for the new office are fully provided for in CN’s 2019/20 budget which was approved by the elected Council in June.

They say every dog has its day, and that is certainly the case for local pooches who can now roam free in the city’s first fenced dog park.
The new facility at Acacia Avenue Reserve, North Lambton was officially opened today with creatures great and small converging on the park to celebrate.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the unveiling of the dog park is fantastic for our dog-loving city and is the culmination of significant community feedback.
“After a strong response to the development of our Dogs in Open Space Plan, including more than 1,000 community submissions, it was clear that catering for our four-legged friends is extremely important to our city,” he said.
“Delivering a fenced off-leash area for the city came through as one of the major pieces of feedback and we’ve worked since then on identifying the best location in consultation with the community.
“The community’s input has been reflected in the unique way the park has been constructed with special areas for both large and small dogs to play in comfort. I’m thrilled with this space and know it will be a vibrant and popular place for people and their pets to be active and play outside.”
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the new park was a premier facility for dog owners wanting their pets to enjoy time off-leash and socialising in a contained environment.
“The dog park is encircled by a 1.5 metre-high chain-mesh fence and contains 452 metres of accessible pathway throughout,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The park is now equipped with two shelters and tables, two dog bubblers and dog dispenser bags, ensuring comfort for dogs and their owners.
“A unique and popular feature of the park is the dedicated areas for small and large dogs to enjoy. The 1.5 hectare fenced area is the ultimate space for pet owners to bring their dogs without the worry of them wandering off into traffic.”
The City of Newcastle has one of the highest rates of dog ownership in the State with more than 44,300 registered dogs calling the city home.
The existing off-leash area at the reserve’s lower level will be retained providing an overflow from the fenced area.
City of Newcastle rangers were on hand at the opening event to provide free microchipping, dog care packs and information on responsible dog ownership.

Rankin Park families have a new $150,000 playground on McCaffrey Drive as City of Newcastle continues its rollout of new and upgraded facilities across the local government area.
The Coldstream Reserve facility follows delivery of three other new playgrounds by the City this year in Adamstown, Wallsend, and the incredibly popular Stockton Active Hub on the Stockton foreshore.

“Up to five of Newcastle’s 119 playgrounds are included annually in the City’s asset renewal works program,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“Two more upgrades are set to be delivered in Wallsend at Carrington Street Reserve and Brickworks Park over the next 12 months.”
The Lord Mayor and locals will gather in Coldstream Reserve Saturday to officially open the facility, which was built by City of Newcastle as a replacement for another nearby playground which had to be closed because of mine subsidence.
“I’m delighted to deliver this new playground for the Rankin Park community,” Councillor Nelmes said.
“This is the fourth playground we’ve opened this year and I know how much pleasure they bring for both kids and their families.
“After the forced closure of the Rosedale Crescent playground, the community was consulted to choose a new location, and the consensus was Coldstream Reserve just a few hundred metres away. The feedback so far is that the kids absolutely love it.”
The playground includes a range of options to challenge young bodies and minds, including a rope-based play system, platforms and slide, swing set and balance logs.
Funded by Subsidence Advisory NSW in partnership with City of Newcastle, the playground blends with the slope of the reserve, changing levels via steps in a sandstone retaining wall.
Equipment colours match surrounding eucalypts and the play area, which is fenced off from McCaffrey Drive, is accessible via a path that also leads to picnic tables under a timber shade structure.
Playgrounds earmarked for an overhaul are selected and prioritised from a biennial independent audit that assesses their existing condition against current safety standards and guidelines.
The community is invited to celebrate the opening of the new playground tomorrow, Saturday 19 October 2019 from 10.30am.
Image caption: Two-year-old George Outram with Ari Boorer, 2.

An advanced network of sensors spread across the city has put Newcastle on the front foot to combat a range of local environmental issues.
The City’s ‘Envirosensing’ network and Internet of Things (IoT) project, which will be officially launched today, is the culmination of three years of work to build one of the most advanced smart city infrastructure systems in Australia.
The system is designed to measure a range of environmental conditions including temperature, humidity, wind direction, air quality, water usage, soil moisture and solar irradiance.
The infrastructure also allows for the pilot deployment of smart bin sensors, smart parking sensors and other smart city applications.
Data collected by the sensors can help the City better understand and respond to issues such as urban heat island effect, air pollution, flood management and water sustainability, as well as monitor the performance of urban systems and assets.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle is leading the way when it comes to investment in and uptake of technology.
“The launch is a significant milestone, marking the completion of the base infrastructure required to start deploying applications that not only solve the city’s challenges but also harness exciting opportunities,” Cr Nelmes said.
“An example of how these sensors can be used is in combatting the phenomenon of higher temperatures in areas with a lot of buildings and pavement, known as the Urban Heat Island effect.
“Studies show that Urban Heat Islands are associated with higher pollution and negative health conditions, especially for the elderly and young children. This technology will be integral to exploring possible actions to mitigate urban warming.”
Today’s launch will also showcase custom-designed adaptable sensor housings developed with local industrial design outfit Design Anthology, which are integrated into the city’s growing smart pole network and can be accessed by the City’s research and industry partners to develop new technologies and help solve city challenges.
Cr Nelmes said this network will establish Newcastle as an experimental testbed for progressing research, prototyping and entrepreneurial activity.
“The scope of this system’s potential is as far-reaching as the imagination of the researchers and entrepreneurs we hope to attract to solve an open-ended range of challenges using sensing and data,” the Lord Mayor said.
“This infrastructure will allow us to focus on optimisation, efficiency and evidence-based decisions in our journey towards becoming a smart, sustainable and liveable global city.”
The NSW Government supported the deployment of smart city infrastructure through a $5 million grant via the Restart NSW-funded Hunter Innovation Project. A partnership with the State Government will see the City of Newcastle invest an additional $2 million over three years.

A woman appeared in court today charged over the alleged supply of synthetic cannabis from a tobacconist near Newcastle.
Officers from the Police Transport and Public Safety Command attached to Newcastle commenced an investigation after receiving information regarding prohibited drugs in Mayfield.
Following inquiries, a search warrant was executed at a tobacconist on Hanbury Street, Mayfield, about 10am yesterday (Thursday 17 October 2019).
During the search, police located and seized 1.25 kilograms of cannabis, 52 glass water pipes, cash and documentation.
A 56-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and taken to Waratah Police Station where she was charged with supply prohibited drug, knowingly supply psychoactive substance for human consumption, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and display waterpipe in shop.
The woman was refused bail and appeared before Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 18 October 2019), where she was granted conditional bail to appear before the same court on Thursday 19 December 2019.

A man will face court today charged over an alleged armed robbery in West Wallsend.
About 10.50am yesterday (Wednesday 16 October 2019), a 28-year-old man entered a store on Carrington Street, West Wallsend.
Police will allege the man – armed with a knife – threatened a 31-year-old female employee and demanded cash.
He then fled the scene in a Toyota Camry with alleged stolen number plates.
While officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were responding to the initial call, a Traffic & Highway Patrol vehicle noticed the Toyota Camry allegedly travelling at speed.
Officers stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver.
A subsequent search of the vehicle allegedly located clothing and cash.
He was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station.
He was charged with robbery whilst armed, goods in custody and two counts of fraud.
He was refused bail to face Toronto Local Court today (Thursday 17 October 2019).

A man will face court next month after allegedly defrauding a Newcastle business of close to $40,000 over a one year period.
In September 2019, detectives from Newcastle City Police District commenced an investigation into several alleged fraudulent transactions at a business on Lang Road, Broadmeadow between September 2018 and September 2019.
Following extensive inquiries, yesterday (Wednesday 16 October 2019), a 48-year-old man presented to Newcastle Police Station where he was arrested.
Police will allege the man, who was an employee at the time, fraudulently obtained $38,620.30.
He was charged with steal property as clerk/servant more than $15,000 and dishonestly obtain property by deception. He was granted conditional bail to face Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 28 November 2019.
Investigations are continuing.

A man has been charged with alleged sexual assault offences in the Lake Macquarie region.
In September 2019, detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District commenced an investigation after reports a 14-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted by a man known to her.
Following extensive inquiries, yesterday (Wednesday 16 October 2019) a 44-year-old man was arrested at a Gateshead address.
He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with three counts of aggravated sexual assault under 16 years of age.
He was refused bail to face Belmont Local Court today (Thursday 17 October 2019).
Investigations are continuing.

A fourth man has been charged following an investigation into an armed robbery that occurred late last year in the Hunter Valley.
About 4.50am on Saturday 22^nd December 2018, three men allegedly forced entry into a licence club in the town of Greta, near Maitland.
The club was closed at the time, when the trio, allegedly armed with a firearm, a baseball bat and a sword, approached an employee, who was the only staff member present.
The group allegedly attacked the employee before collecting a number of items and leaving the location in a car driven by a fourth man.
Strike Force Timbrell was established by State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime squad to investigate the incident.
About 9.15am (Wednesday 16 October 2019) a 26-year-old man was conveyed from a correctional facility in Cessnock to Newcastle Police Station.
He was charged with robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon and refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 16 October 2019).