Category: Newcastle News

Newcastle’s driverless shuttle will be available for racegoers and locals to test-ride in Wheeler Place this weekend.
Newcastle’s very own Aussie Racing Cars driver Charlotte Poynting joined Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes for the announcement today which comes at the same time as the release of City of Newcastle’s first mobile app.

“The driverless shuttle moves a bit slower than I will be around the track this weekend, but it’s just as exciting that this futuristic transport technology is being used in Newcastle,” Ms Poynting said.
“Newcastle is my home-town and it’s great to see the way the city is changing and embracing technology like never before.”
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the driverless shuttle will be operating in full driverless mode in Wheeler Place as part of a busy weekend of activities and events planned in Newcastle.
“Community members and racegoers keen to take a ride can turn up to Wheeler Place from 10am both Saturday and Sunday to experience driverless technology,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Keolis Downer staff including driverless shuttle specialists and trained chaperones will be onsite to answer people’s questions around the trial.”
The City has also developed a mobile app to make doing business with the City and finding key points of interest easier in line with its Smart City Strategy.
Improving the cultural experience for locals and visitors alike, the app will provide information on current and upcoming events, including late-breaking City-related news, feature attractions, accommodation and hospitality offerings
“A big part of making the city more attractive to visitors and prospective businesses is making its offerings and attractions more accessible,” Cr Nelmes said.
“And this app does just that. We are actively packaging information and data to make life easier in the City for residents, visitors and workers.
Wayfinding and a portal to report issues to the City for fixing are also among the new efficiencies offered by the app.
In future, it is expected to offer augmented reality content to enrich experiences, such as guided walking tours, and help improve awareness of Newcastle’s history and heritage buildings.
Business that would like to be included in the app can upload their relevant information to the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse, the same data source used in the newly refreshed Visit Newcastle website.
The City of Newcastle App is available for download via the Apple store and Google Play.

Police have launched a high-visibility operation for this year’s Coates Hire Newcastle 500 to ensure racegoers enjoy the event safely.
The finale of the Supercars Australia Championship Series begins with practice laps tomorrow (Friday 22 November), with the final race taking place at 4.15pm on Sunday (24 November 2019).
Operation Newcastle Supercars 2019 has been launched today to ensure the safety and security of more than 150,000 people – including competitors, officials and spectators – expected to descend on Newcastle this weekend.
General duties officers from Newcastle City Police District and across Northern Region, will be assisted by specialist police, from the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), Operations Support Groups (OSG), Dog Unit, PolAir, Licensing Police, Bicycle Unit, Youth Command (PCYC), Police Transport Command and Traffic & Highway Patrol Command throughout the operation.
Operation Newcastle Supercars 2019 Commander, Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell APM, was joined by General Manager of Operations Supercars Australia, Kurt Sakzewski, City of Newcastle councillor, Cr Peta Winney-Baartz, and Keolis Downer Hunter General Manager, Mark Dunlop today to officially launch the operation.
“We want all locals and visitors to have a great time, but our top priority is to ensure all spectators, officials and competitors are safe. There will be a large high-visibility police presence and any anti-social or dangerous behaviour will not be tolerated,” Assistant Commissioner Mitchell said.
“The past two years we have been very pleased with crowd behaviour, and we hope we can maintain this standard going forward. Local officers and specialist police will be out in force across the event footprint, focusing on road safety, crowd behaviour, alcohol-related violence, and minimising disruption to the local community.
“With more than 150,000 people expected to attend, police are urging motorists to be patient, remain vigilant with speed and fatigue, and drive to the conditions.
“The message is simple – do not drink to excess and if you’re planning on driving please make sure you have a Plan B,” Assistant Commissioner Mitchell said.
Additional Traffic & Highway Patrol officers will also be deployed to ensure racegoers and other motorists make it to and from their destinations safely.
Supercars Australia’s General Manager of Operations, Kurt Sakzewski said the drivers and the Supercars team love concluding their year in Newcastle.
“This is the third time Newcastle has hosted our final round and our teams can’t wait to get back here every year.
“Newcastle does a fantastic job of not only providing a beautiful backdrop to our Championship but is also a great host city to our teams and fans, many of whom bring their families from around Australia to enjoy the event.
“The event continues to evolve as a family-friendly event, with exhilarating racing and a well-coordinated transport system. We’re looking forward to seeing what Newcastle has to offer in 2019,” Mr Sakzewski said.
City of Newcastle Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the city was excited to host the third consecutive Newcastle 500, with the city continuing to be highlighted on the world stage.
“Newcastle continues to show Australia, and in fact the world, that it is one of the premier locations to host a major event,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.
“We look forward to delivering another safe, inclusive event for residents and visitors alike in 2019.”
For all special event traffic information, including road closures, special event clearways and live traffic reports, visit www.livetraffic.com.
Further information about the event, including venue maps, transport and parking availability, can be found at: www.supercars.com/newcastle/
Plan your trip to and from the venue precinct ahead of time. Extra bus, train, and light rail services have been scheduled, for more visit https://transportnsw.info/events/2019/11/supercars-newcastle-500

A Newcastle man has been charged with an additional 45 sexual assault offences following an eight-month investigation.
In March 2019, detectives attached to Newcastle City Police District commenced an investigation following reports of alleged sexual and indecent assaults occurring between 2005 and 2014.
A 32-year-old man was arrested in August and charged with 10 offences, he remains before the courts on these matters.
Following further inquiries, yesterday (Wednesday 20 November 2019) the same man was taken to Newcastle Police Station and arrested.
He has been charged with a further 45 offences, including:

• Aggravated sexual assault (x26)
• Sexual intercourse without consent
• Aggravated indecent assault (x5)
• Indecent assault (x5)
• Common assault
• Incite person under age of 16 to commit act of indecency (x7)

He remains bail refused to face Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 19 December 2019.
Investigations are continuing.

City of Newcastle has its sights on establishing a cultural festival with nation-wide appeal in 2020 and is looking to the community to help make it uniquely Novocastrian.
The flagship event is planned to launch in late 2020 and will be shaped by engagement with residents across the local government area along with visual artists, musicians and performers.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the festival would mark another milestone in Newcastle’s transformation and demonstrate the City’s commitments to the arts.
“Through culture and the creative arts, we tell our city’s story, share our histories and understand our identity,” the Lord Mayor said.
“A key part of the process is listening to our community to ensure Novocastrians shape how this event looks and feels.
“We want a festival that will foster and support our existing grassroots arts and cultural scene while having broad appeal and the ability to attract new audiences.
“The community’s feedback will play a vital part in launching this new cultural initiative in 2020.”
Early consultation with the arts sector has identified that access to free events hosted at independent spaces as well as our City’s cultural institutions are important elements to consider, as is the need for a diversity of options.
The desire to host events in unique and iconic locations in Newcastle not usually associated with cultural events has also emerged as an exciting concept.
The festival will cater for all ages and have a mix of events that will be both free of charge and ticketed.
People are invited to have their say now to help shape art and culture in our city.
Step 1: Complete the survey
Step 2: Vote on the cultural experience wall
Consultation closes 5pm Wednesday 15 January, 2020.
For more information visit our Have Your Say page.
Australia’s flagship cultural events

Dark Mofo – Launceston Tasmania Sydney Festival – NSW Adelaide Festival – South Australia Vivid Festival Sydney – NSW Adelaide Fringe Festival – South Australia

Melbourne International Comedy Festival – Victoria Perth Festival – Western Australia Brisbane Festival – Queensland Garma Festival – Northern Territory

Councillors will be asked to support the City’s first new library since 2006, when they meet next Tuesday evening.
A $2.8 million Digital Library inside the entry to the City’s new Council Administration Centre in Newcastle West is expected to attract 50,000 people in its first year, and would be twice the size of existing libraries in Stockton, Lambton, Beresfield, Adamstown, Mayfield and the City Local History branch.
A programable robot, podcasting studio, virtual reality equipment, interactive digital storywall and 3D printer are just some of the technologies that will be available to the community within the Digital Library.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Digital Library takes the best elements of traditional libraries and enhances the experience with modern technology.
“The Digital Library experience provides cutting edge digital experiences combined with the most popular elements of the traditional library space. It aims to create opportunities to experience emerging technologies and spark innovation, while still being a flexible place for people to learn, relax and collaborate.
“The 510m2 Digital Library will be the largest ever after only the City and Wallsend libraries. It will create unique digital experiences that will be a first for the city and region, while still meeting the core principles of connecting communities through sharing knowledge and information.
“Earlier this year Council unanimously supported our 2019 Library Strategy, which included digital inclusion, creativity and innovation as an updated vision for our library network.
“Our Library Strategy involved consulting with more than 1,300 people on what services they want and need in 2019 and beyond from our libraries.
“Additionally, the feedback from the community since we first went public with the concept of a Digital Library has been overwhelmingly positive.
“The $2.8 million cost of the Digital Library will largely be funded using the $2 million proceeds of the 2015 sale of the historic School of Arts building on Hunter Street. A condition of the sale was that the proceeds could only be used for future library infrastructure.
“Building the Library inside the entry to our Council Administration Centre also means we will avoid about $3.2 million in costs that would have been incurred had we proceeded to build a standalone Digital Library in the local area,” she said.
Manager Libraries and Learning Suzie Gately said Newcastle West is the perfect location for the region’s first Digital Library.
“Earlier this year, Councillors were presented data showing that the recent boom in population in Newcastle West, Wickham and Honeysuckle had created a critical need in the area for a new library service.
“The Digital Library will be located opposite the Newcastle Interchange, which means it’s convenient to train, light rail, bus, bicycle and kiss-and-ride transport modes.
“The Digital Library has been designed so that it can be quickly placed into onsite storage to allow the space to also act as the Council Chamber when meetings occur several times each month,” she said.
Major elements of the Digital Library include:
·       A Robot to create a unique user experience and participate as the source of community coding workshops
·       VR – virtual reality equipment to showcase new technologies
·       An Interactive digital story wall – inspired by the Christchurch City Library, telling stories of Newcastle’s heritage, inviting customers to  explore online exhibitions and displaying vision from key city attractions such as Blackbutt Reserve and the Anzac Memorial Walk
·       A digital “green” room with podcast equipment will be bookable by the public
·       Programming activities for all ages focussed on science and technology, such as coding, podcast or VR workshops
·       A digital ‘Magic Box’ that replicates pages from any of the digitised items from the City’s Rare Book collection
·       A 3D printer alongside a multifunction print and scan device for public use
·       The ability to borrow from the retail styled collections of the latest bestsellers through the self-loan kiosk and return your items on the self-return shelves
·       Access to thousands of digital collection titles to complement the modest collection for adults and children
·       A dedicated Pressreader table with access to 6,000 newspaper and magazine titles
·       Hublets – tablets available to borrow in the library – useful for those without devices
·       Ereaders for loan
·       Targeted digital inclusion support for eGov services
·       Automated print and payment system, which allows members to pay for printing, copying, fines and services both online and onsite by using credit on their library cards.

A second charity that helps women in need has been made a City of Newcastle charity partner for the 2019 Newcastle 500.
The City’s third, annual Supercars function for community and business leaders will help raise money and awareness for Nova for Women and Children, a charity that assists women and children escaping domestic and family violence, at risk of homelessness, or currently experiencing it.
^{GYBS founder Mel Histon (left) with Lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Nova for Women and Children CEO Kelly Hansen.}
‘Nova’ joins Got Your Back Sista as the second beneficiary of Saturday’s charity auction at Fort Scratchley, which will be followed by International White Ribbon Day on Monday.
“We’re delighted to be able to leverage this year’s event to help another wonderful charity that helps vulnerable women,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“Nova for Women and Children and Got Your Back Sista are charity organisations that are there for women and children at a time when they most need support.
“The past two events have also coincided with White Ribbon Day, so through this function we’re maintaining and bolstering support for a cause that no one can argue with – campaigning against the disturbing, ongoing incidence of domestic violence.”
Nova for Women and Children are a local service that have provided emergency accommodation and specialist case management support, to women and children in crisis for over 35 years.
“We are extremely grateful to be welcomed as the City’s second charity partner for Newcastle’s biggest event,” CEO Kelly Hansen said.
‘We’re really looking forward to the day because this is a great opportunity for us to raise our profile and precious funds for homeless women and their children, and others in crisis.”

Got Your Back Sista (GYBS) became the City’s first official charity partner in 2017 and helps women and children who’ve fled domestic violence set-up a safe home.
“The luncheon is a great opportunity to share our message that domestic violence is never acceptable and that we are there for any victims of it,” GYBS Founder Melissa Histon said.
“We work to help women start their lives again and live independently, so we are profoundly grateful once again for the support of both the City of Newcastle and Supercars.”
Supported by an army of volunteers from both organisations, Histon and Nova’s operations manager, Lee Liewes, will address guests before six auction items go under the hammer.
They include an all-expenses paid three-night trip for two to Auckland’s Avani Metropolis hotel, a catered corporate suite for 20 people at the Knights-Manly NRL game next year at McDonald Jones Stadium, and a night’s stay for two at a five-star hotel in Sydney

A man will appear in court today after being extradited from Queensland over the alleged sexual assault of a boy in the Hunter region last year.
In September 2019, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation after reports a 12-year-old boy had been sexually assaulted by a man who was known to him.
Following extensive investigations, and after attempts to locate the man, detectives applied for and were granted an arrest warrant.
As a result of further inquiries, a 21-year-old man was arrested by officers from the Queensland Police Service’s Child Protection and Investigation Unit at a home in Tinara, Queensland, on Monday (18 November 2019).
Detectives travelled to Queensland, where they applied for and were granted the man’s extradition to NSW at Maryborough Magistrates Court yesterday (Tuesday 19 November 2019).
The man was escorted by detectives on a flight to Sydney and taken to Mascot Police Station, where he was charged with intentionally sexually touch child between 10 and 16 years (DV) and have sexual intercourse with child between 10 and 14 years.
Police will allege in court that the man sexually assaulted the boy – then aged 11 – on two occasions in December 2018.
He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Wednesday 20 November 2019).

Police will TOMORROW launch a high-visibility operation for this year’s Coates Hire Newcastle 500.
Operation Newcastle Supercars 2019 will commence tomorrow (Thursday 21 November 2019), until Monday 25 November 2019, to ensure the safety and security of competitors, officials, the local community and tens of thousands of spectators expected to attend throughout the event.
General duties officers from Newcastle City Police District and across Northern Region, will be assisted by specialist police, from the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), Operations Support Groups (OSG), Dog Unit, PolAir, Licensing Police, Bicycle Unit, Youth Command (PCYC), Police Transport Command and Traffic & Highway Patrol Command throughout the operation.

An off-duty police officer has been injured following an alleged assault in the state’s Hunter region overnight.
About 8pm yesterday (Tuesday 19 November 2019), a 43-year-old man was walking his dogs on Park Street, East Maitland when he observed a white BMW driving at high speed.
The vehicle stopped a short distance away and the off-duty officer – a detective senior constable attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District – called out to the driver, a 32-year-old man.
The younger man approached the off-duty officer before he allegedly threatened and assaulted him.
Bystanders attempted to intervene as the 43-year-old announced his appointment as an officer and attempted to arrest him.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter PD arrived a short time later and arrested the man.
He was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with common assault, assault police, affray, resist arrest, drive whilst suspended, drive under the influence of alcohol and negligent driving.
He was refused bail to face Maitland Local Court today (Wednesday 20 November 2019).
The officer suffered minor grazes and bruising however he did not require hospital treatment.

Fifteen events and promotions ranging from a street basketball tournament to a public art festival will share in more than $820,000 in the first round of funding aimed at activating the city centre and other commercial areas.
The funding is delivered through City of Newcastle’s Special Business Rate, which uses a business levy paid by property owners in the CBD and Darby Street to drive visitation and vibrancy.

“Newcastle is set for a jampacked schedule of events, activations and promotional initiatives intended to attract tens of thousands of people to the city centre,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“From music and street art festivals, to a new interactive app showcasing our city’s iconic heritage buildings, this round of funding will inject regular and varied activity to the CBD, and help deliver two events in Hamilton and Wallsend.
“The second round of expressions of interest for local business districts, such as Wallsend, New Lambton and Hamilton, will open in the New Year and we’re looking forward to seeing what innovative and unique ideas are out there.”
Hundreds of basketballers will descend on Newcastle in January to contest an inaugural three-on-three basketball tournament, to be staged by successful applicant Playgrounds Park.
The tournament will see the teams and their entourages rotate between Wheeler Place, Customs House Plaza and Honeysuckle, where quick paced, 10-minute matches will be played on world-class temporary half courts.
“Our event will bring 3 on 3 basketball, which is the largest urban team sport in the world, into the heart of Newcastle’s city centre from January 18 to 19,” Playgrounds Park’s spokeswoman Sally Leacy said.
“We’re planning for Newcastle to become Australia’s home of 3 on 3 basketball, a phenomenon which has taken-off overseas and brought thousands of visitors to host cities across the world.”
Another grant recipient, Big Picture Festival, expects to draw 15,000 people to the city to see large murals painted by world-renowned artists and to enjoy a ‘block party’, tech installations and art projections.
In another drawcard, tourists, students and heritage buffs will explore the city’s history through the History Here initiative, giving smart phone users a look back in time at Newcastle Post Office, Civic Theatre and Bank Corner with an augmented reality experience.
The full list of SBRP funding recipients is available on City of Newcastle’s website here.