Category: Newcastle News

The Charlestown electorate is set to benefit from a funding boost to support our community’s most vulnerable thanks to the Minns Labor Government’s new Homelessness Innovation Fund.

Pacific Link Housing Limited has received $505,902 in funding to provide supported transitional accommodation to women over 55 and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women over 45 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness under the ‘Mount Hutton Meanwhile Use’ program. 

Announced at the 2024/25 NSW Budget, the Homelessness Innovation Fund is providingmore than $16.6 million in funding for partner organisations with innovative solutions and a strong track record of supporting people facing homelessness.

In less than a year, the game-changing program has already provided funding for 42 innovative projects, adding 504 additional beds for rough sleepers in New South Wales.

Of the more than 40 successful projects so far, eight are either Aboriginal-led or providing targeted support for Aboriginal people, ten are designed to support victim-survivors of domestic and family violence and six are specifically for women at risk of homelessness.

These latest investments are timely with the 2025 Street Count data revealing an 8 per cent uptick in rough sleepers across New South Wales. 

The Homelessness Innovation Fund is a core part of the historic $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW program, the state’s largest ever investment in public housing and homelessness services.

More than $80 million remains available over the next three years, and we encourage accredited housing providers and homelessness services to apply.

For more information about the Fund, go to: https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/housing/homelessness-innovation-fund.html

Hon Jodie Harrison MP, Member for Charlestown:

“This “meanwhile use” project is part of the Minns Labor Government’s work to deliver innovative and practical solutions to improve homelessness support for our community’s most vulnerable.

“With increases in the number of people sleeping rough across our state, we’re making sure community housing providers are getting more support to drive innovation and reform, ensuring more people have a safe roof over their heads at one of the most difficult times in their lives.”

Hon Rose Jackson MLC, Minister for Housing and Homelessness:

“I am so proud of what we’ve achieved in just the past 10 months with the game-changing Homelessness Innovation Fund which was created in direct response to the calls from the sector as well as people with lived experience of homelessness.

“Many of the projects which have received funding so far have already transformed outcomes for vulnerable people in our communities and there are so many more benefits to come as we continue roll out this program.”

A Public Briefing Committee will be held on Thursday on the final report for the independent review of City of Newcastle’s processes, procedures and performance. 

The review was completed by Davidson Business Advisory following a unanimous resolution of Councillors of a Notice of Motion by Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Callum Pull at the 10 December 2024 Ordinary Council meeting.

The review, conducted by Davidson Business Advisory, focused on providing assurance regarding the City of Newcastle’s performance, compliance, and transparency. It assessed City of Newcastle’s operations across six key themes: 

1. General Governance: Evaluation of the adequacy of governance processes.
2. Financial Governance: Assessment of financial governance structures and controls.
3. Compliance: Review of adherence to key legislative requirements.
4. Engagement: Examination of community engagement processes.
5. Major Projects: Evaluation of governance and oversight of major projects.
6. Organisational Culture: Assessment of tools and reports related to workplace culture.

City of Newcastle’s Audit Risk & Improvement Committee Chair and voting members were consulted at each phase and accepted the final report. It will be tabled to the Ordinary Council Meeting on 27 May for consideration by Councillors. 

Davidson Business Advisory have worked with more than 100 local governments across Australia and are experienced in undertaking similar governance and performance reviews. 

The Public Briefing Committee will be held in the Council Chambers on Thursday 8 May from 6pm. Community members can also watch the livestream of the meeting online via the City of Newcastle website.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the Muswellbrook area.

Robert Baker, aged 41, was last seen at Muswellbrook about 2.30pm on Saturday 19 April 2025.

When he could not be located or contacted, he was reported missing to officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District, who commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for Robert as his disappearance is out of character.

Robert is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 165-170cm tall, thin build, shaved head, fair complexion, brown-coloured eyes and tattoos on his forearms.

Inquiries by police reveal he may have been seen recently in the Hamilton and Newcastle areas.

Robert is known to frequent the areas of Muswellbrook, Scone and Newcastle.

Anyone who may have seen Robert or who have information into his whereabouts are urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A man and woman are in police custody for firearm offences allegedly committed on the state’s Lower Hunter region.

Late yesterday evening (Sunday 4 May 2025), officers from Port Stephens Police District were notified by a member of the public of a video on social media allegedly depicting a man driving a vehicle and shooting a firearm out the window out of the vehicle on two separate occasions in the Lower Hunter region.

The incidents are believed to have occurred within the past 24 hours.

Officers immediately commenced an investigation into the matter.

About 2.35am it will be alleged officers were conducting covert surveillance of a white Mazda CX5 in Burley Street, Tenambit, when the man fired a single gunshot into the air from the parked vehicle.

With the assistance of PolAir the vehicle was followed to a home on Coal Point Road, Coal Point.

Local police – supported by officers from the Tactical Operations Unit – activated a permitter of the address.

At 5.15am the man – aged 27 – walked out of the home where he was arrested without incident.

A short time later police entered the premises and arrested a 22-year-old woman in connection with the matter.

Both have been taken to Toronto Police Station.

Inquiries are continuing.

There are no reports of any person being injured or any property being damaged

City of Newcastle has cooked up a series of special events to commemorate the 10th anniversary of being formally recognised as a Refugee Welcome Zone.

The Neighbourly Newy program was launched at Newcastle Museum today with a Community Chef Challenge, a one-day food and culture festival featuring Afghan, Arabic, Indian and African food makers, storytellers, and musicians.

City of Newcastle’s Community Development Facilitator Heidi Chappelow and Councillor Elizabeth Adamczyk join Arabic, Indian and African food makers at the Community Chef Challenge at Newcastle Museum.The regional cuisines were created by local women from diverse cultural backgrounds who are determined to open their own food businesses, having completed a Food Handling Certificate through Atwea College.

Director Museum Archive Libraries and Learning Julie Baird said the Community Chef Challenge celebrates City of Newcastle’s commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive city for people of all cultures.

“Delivering this event, in partnership with Atwea College and Mosaic Multicultural Connections, provided a supportive platform for refugee and migrant women to build confidence, connect with community and showcase their cultures and cooking talents,” Ms Baird said.

“It’s a great way to start Neighbourly Newy, an initiative codesigned by the City of Newcastle, Multicultural Action Group and other stakeholders, to help build genuine social cohesion, strengthen intercultural connections and contribute to a more welcoming and equitable Newcastle.”

Chair of City of Newcastle’s Access Inclusion Standing Committee, Councillor Elizabeth Adamczyk, said Neighbourly Newy offers a diverse range of community-building experiences and activities.

“The program aims to nourish and strengthen community in Newcastle as a city where everyone should feel they can belong, participate, and thrive in social, cultural, economic and civic life,” Cr Adamczyk said.

“Numerous experiences and activities across arts, sports, music, and food are on offer to enjoy.

“Central to the initiative is encouraging deeper community connections – by promoting inclusivity and belonging, celebrating the richness of diversity, and directly rejecting exclusion, racism and discrimination in any form.

“We are inviting everyone to play a part in Neighbourly Newy, strengthening community ties to make our city even more safe, inclusive and welcoming.”

City of Newcastle will mark the official 10-year anniversary of becoming a Refugee Welcome Zone with a Multicultural Services Expo on 28 May at Wallsend Diggers Club, in partnership with the Multicultural Neighbourhood Centre.

The event will showcase services and contributions of multicultural communities and unveil City of Newcastle’s 10-year Refugee Welcome Zone Anniversary Publication, which will highlight initiatives from the past decade that have supported refugees and multicultural communities.

The Neighbourly Newy program will continue on 10 and 11 June, when Welcoming Australia presents Upstander Training at No. 2 Sportsground, which is designed to empower participants to help prevent racism and discrimination in their communities.

This will be followed by Refugee Week celebrations on 18 June, with an event at City Hall co-hosted by City of Newcastle and Zara’s House, where refugee community leaders, service providers and elected officials will acknowledge the many outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations to refugee empowerment in our city.

The community is invited to contribute initiatives which will be considered for inclusion on the Neighbourly Newy program.

To find Neighbourly Newy events visit City of Newcastle’s What’s On page

Novocastrians are being given their first view of Newcastle Art Gallery’s significantly expanded footprint as the scaffolding starts to come down around the once-in-a-generation project.

New frontages along Darby, Queen and Laman streets have been exposed as the exterior nears completion, revealing walls of glass along the ground floor and a modern architectural design sympathetic to the original building’s iconic Brutalist style.

New facades along Laman and Darby streets have been revealed as the scaffolding starts to come down around the expanded Newcastle Art Gallery.

The windows along Darby Street will soon also offer a view of the Gallery’s latest commission, designed by Newcastle-based artist Maggie Hensel-Brown, which will be installed next month.

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said it was exciting to be able to give locals a taste of what is to come at the reimagined Gallery.

“Throughout the construction period, we’ve been able to share glimpses of the work happening inside the gallery, but the removal of the scaffolding allows our community to better appreciate the significance of the building’s physical expansion,” Ms Morton said.

“By extending the building’s footprint east along Darby Street and Queen Street, we’re able to more than double the size of the Gallery, which will provide greater access to one of Australia’s most significant public collections of art and a wider range of prominent local, national and international exhibitions.

“To celebrate the new spaces, we’re commissioning and acquiring several new works of art for specific sites within the expanded Gallery.

“This includes working with local artist Maggie Hensel-Brown, whose intricate needle lace work, Process, progress, repeat will be photographically reproduced and installed during June across the windows in the Gallery’s Learning Studio, which fronts onto Darby Street.

“It’s fantastic to see all elements of the construction progress, ahead of the commissioning of the gallery spaces and our planned reopening in September.”

The removal of the scaffolding and hoarding is also making way for work to refresh the public spaces surrounding the Art Gallery.

This will include renewing the footpaths, seating and lighting, completing new landscaping and undertaking important stormwater and drainage upgrades.

Visit City of Newcastle’s project page to stay up-to-date with the latest progress.

The project is supported by $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnerships and $5 million from the New South Wales Government under the Regional Recovery Package, as well as $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest, Margaret Olley Trust, and community fundraising over many years. A further $1 million is currently being sought through the Foundation’s public fundraising campaign.

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 29 April 2025. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions. 

Lord Mayoral Minutes  

Acknowledging the significant contribution of the late Brian Suters AM

An amended Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported that noted with great sadness the passing of leading architect and Freeman of the City, Brian Suters AM, and acknowledged his significant body of work and contribution to our city’s look, feel and cultural landscape.

Ordinary business 

Adoption of Council Policies

Council voted unanimously to approve the Asset Management Policy, Community Infrastructure Incentives Policy, amended Compliance and Enforcement Policy and amended Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy.

Endorsement of public exhibition for draft 2025/26 Delivering Newcastle 2040

Council unanimously adopted an amended motion to publicly exhibit the draft 2025/2026 Delivering Newcastle 2040, draft 2025/2026 Fees and Charges and draft 2025-2035 Long-Term Financial Plan for 28 days prior to the final consideration by Council.

1/21 Railway Street, Wickham – exhibition of draft planning agreement

Council voted unanimously to place the draft planning agreement and explanatory note for 1/21 Railway Street Wickham on public exhibition for a minimum of 28 days. Council will receive a report following the conclusion of the public exhibition.

Endorsement of public exhibition for reclassification of land parcels from Operational Land to Community Land

Council voted unanimously to publicly exhibit the proposed reclassification of 22 public land parcels from Operational Land to Community Land, or road segment to Community Land, and the categorisation of these land parcels as Natural Area, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993.

Lease for Newcastle Maritime Museum Society collection

Council voted unanimously on an amended motion to extend storage support to the Newcastle Maritime Museum Society’s privately owned collection under the Public and Members grandstands at the Newcastle Showground for a further and final 12 months until 20 March 2026 to facilitate transition to an ongoing sustainable NMMS collection storage outcome.

Newcastle Airport briefing to Councillors

Council noted a report summarising the Newcastle Airport briefing provided to Council on 18 March 2025, which included an update and overview of the financial performance, strategic growth trajectory and governance arrangements of Newcastle Airport.

Executive Monthly Performance Report

Council voted to receive the Executive Monthly Performance Report for March 2025.

Notices of Motion 

Support for sporting field upgrades in the western corridor

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion noting that City of Newcastle’s 2020 Strategic Sports Plan identified the need for improved sporting facilities in the western suburbs in Newcastle to accommodate the existing and future population. The motion noted the election commitment by the Federal Member for Newcastle to fund $3 million towards much-needed field drainage and irrigation upgrades and accessibility upgrades to the car park at Upper Reserve in Wallsend. Council will investigate funding opportunities for the remaining amenities and lighting upgrades required at Upper Reserve, consistent with the Strategic Sports Plan and other strategic priorities.

Public buses in Newcastle 

Council supported an amended notice of motion to acknowledge and understand the state of service provision on buses in the Newcastle Local Government Area and request greater advocacy from NSW Members of Parliament for positive action in improving public transport servicing in the region.

Police are appealing for assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from the Lake Macquarie region.

Indi Warby, aged 14, was last seen at Windale about 5pm on Saturday 26 April 2025.

When she was unable to located, officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified at 8pm on Monday 28 April 2025 and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for her welfare due to her age.

Indi is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160-165cm tall, of thin build and with blonde hair and a nose piercing.

She is known to frequent the Windale and Charlestown areas.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the State’s north coast.

Beau Keys, aged 29, was last seen in the Jesmond area about 11.30am today (Sunday 27 April 2025).

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Family and police hold concerns for his welfare due to him acting out of character.

Beau is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, of medium build, fair complexion, with brown hair and brown-coloured eyes.

Beau is known to frequent the Tea Gardens, Bulahdelah and Jesmond areas.

A man has been charged after the fatal shooting of a man in Newcastle earlier this week.

Emergency services were called to the Bar Beach carpark on Memorial Drive about 11.40pm (Wednesday 23 April 2025) and found a man with a gunshot wound.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the 18-year-old man, but he died at the scene.

A crime scene was established by officers attached to Newcastle City Police District.

Police have been told a group of people were fighting in the car park when a white SUV drove up and a man armed with a firearm got out, fired, and left in the vehicle.

An investigation commenced involving detectives from Newcastle, assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.

About 11.20am today (Friday 25 April 2025), a 22-year-old was arrested at Newcastle Police station, where he was charged with murder.

The man was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court tomorrow (Saturday 26 April 2025).

Investigations under Strike Force Bolwarra continue.