Category: Newcastle News

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has welcomed Federal Labor’s announcement of a $62 million Beaches and Coastlines Climate Adaptation Plan, arguing the coastal community of Stockton would be well positioned to take advantage of the commitment.
Ms Claydon visited Stockton today to discuss the plan with residents and representatives of the Stockton Community Liaison Group, highlighting the potential for this funding to support the work of state and local government to address erosion issues.
“Communities like Stockton are already seeing the dire impacts of climate change and coastal erosion. We can’t leave them stranded,” Ms Claydon said.
“While state and local government bear primary responsibility for addressing coastal erosion, Federal Labor acknowledges the extent of problem and has developed a $50 million Coastal Rehabilitation Fund which communities like Stockton can benefit from.”
Ms Claydon said the Coastal Rehabilitation Fund would work with communities, local government and the Australian Coastal Councils Association to directly support coastal rehabilitation projects that restore beaches and improve their resilience.
“I’m respectful that council is already working with the local community and state government to develop a long-term plan to address the issues, as is prescribed under state legislation.
“Once the preferred solution has been identified, council will be able to apply for co-funding from this federal program, should Labor be privileged to win government.”
Ms Claydon said the Liberals had betrayed coastal communities.
“Under the Liberals, all climate adaptation work that was in place under the former Labor government has been completely defunded. Not only that, but climate adaptation was totally excluded from their 2017 Review of Climate Change Policies,” Ms Claydon said.
“The only way to get strong action on climate change and coastal erosion at this election is to vote Labor.”
This election is a choice between strong action on climate change and support for local communities to address coastal erosion or more tax loopholes for the top end of town.
Only Labor will provide urgent action and overdue leadership to step up the fight to protect Australia’s environment and hand on a better environment to the next generation.

City of Newcastle has begun replacing its fleet of petrol-powered cars by purchasing two electric models engineered for better performance, efficiency and sustainability.
The Renault Kangoo (pictured below) and Hyundai Ioniq will replace existing fleet cars that were up for renewal and will be joined by similar makes and models in the next financial year.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Program Coordinator – City Innovation and Sustainability, Adam Clarke 
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the emerging fleet of new vehicles was just another example of the City’s increasing uptake of new, Smart City technology that will provide improved environmental outcomes.
“City of Newcastle recognises the great benefits of adopting new and emerging technology as we continue to make decisions to reduce our carbon footprint”, the Lord Mayor said.
“By announcing our intention to transition from petrol-powered vehicles to electric models, we are hoping other organisations and individuals will follow our lead. With large fleet purchases, Governments can play a key role in developing the second hand electric vehicle (EV) market and making EVs more affordable.
“The introduction of these and future vehicles into the City’s fleet, a new solar-farm at Summerhill, the existing solar already powering City-owned facilities and the imminent trial of our driverless vehicle, will help us reach our target to generate 30 per cent of electricity from renewable sources.”
The Hyundai Ioniq
Last year the City of Newcastle, in partnership with the NRMA, rolled out an Electric Vehicle Fast Charger Network station at Wallsend.
The Wallsend fast-charger enables electric vehicle journeys between Sydney and the Hunter region and is a vital step to unlocking Northern NSW for drivers of EVs..
The City of Newcastle is currently rolling out eight public charging stations at four sites across the CBD, and will install charge points for its own fleet at the City’s new administration office at 12 Stewart Avenue.

A woman has died following a two-car crash in Lake Macquarie this morning.
About 7.25am, emergency services were called to the intersection of Avonlea Street and the Pacific Highway, Belmont North following reports of a head-on crash.
It’s understood a Ford Falcon travelling southbound and a Mitsubishi Colt travelling northbound collided.
The 50-year-old female driver of the Mitsubishi died at the scene, while the female driver of the Ford Falcon was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, her condition is unknown.
The Pacific Highway was closed northbound, with local traffic diversions in place.
 

Late 19th and early 20th century subdivision plans of Hunter suburbs feature in a new Newcastle Library exhibition that offers a fascinating look at our early neighbourhoods.
Around 70 hand-drawn plans used to promote land sales will be displayed from the archives of auctioneers Creer and Berkeley, the surveyor Alfred Francis Hall and the Merewether Estate.

“Subdivision plans are a very visual and colourful way to explore the history of our suburbs,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, who will open Streets of Our Town tonight, said.
“This exhibition offers the chance to take a look at early Cooks Hill, Merewether, Hamilton and other suburbs across greater Newcastle.
“The plans were designed to advertise the sale of land to home buyers and help them select their special block on which to build the lives that would ultimately form modern-day Newcastle as we know it. The plans reveal the early evolution of our residential suburbs across the greater Newcastle area.”

Some 2,500 subdivision plans from the library’s collection will be digitised this year, making them searchable online at the Library’s Newcastle Collections Online
The subdivisions were created on land owned by the Crown, coal companies, private interests and individuals. Some were designed for the convenience of workers, close to industries and other employment, while others offered a seaside or lakeside lifestyle.

“All offered the buyers the opportunity to build their dream home,” Manager Libraries and Learning Suzie Gately said. “Auctioneers offered incentives to prospective buyers to attract people to the sales, such as free trams, coaches and trains. This ensured that buyers were at the right place at the right time to purchase their preferred block of land.”

Another exhibition, Ten Years of Newcastle Productions: the art of Trevor Dickinson, is being launched Friday evening.

The exhibition includes drawings, murals and zines of Newcastle’s iconic buildings, houses and places, some of which have now disappeared.
Dickinson’s murals hold a special place in the heart of many Novocastrians. The murals at the tunnel at Merewether and the Newcastle Museum have featured in thousands of wedding, Instagram and family photos.

The exhibitions will be launched at Newcastle Library on Friday 10 May at 6pm and be open until 20 July.

A woman has been charged following an alleged stabbing in the state’s Hunter region last week.
About 1am on Sunday 5 May 2019, two women, aged 25 and 33, were at a licenced premises on Vincent Street, Cessnock, when an argument broke out.
As a result, the 33-year-old woman was evicted.
A short time later, she returned as the 25-year-old woman was leaving the building.
It’s alleged the older woman then stabbed her several times in the back and face.
Bystanders flagged down a passing police vehicle, while the injured woman was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment, she was released the following day.
Following extensive inquiries, a 33-year-old woman attended Cessnock Police Station about 5pm yesterday (Thursday 9 May 2019), where she was arrested.
She’s been charged with wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
She was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Friday 10 May 2019).

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon and Labor’s Shadow Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy and Member for Shortland, Pat Conroy MP hosted a Hydrogen Roundtable in Newcastle today.
Ms Claydon said the event brought together researchers, industry and port representatives to discuss the potential for Newcastle to play a leading role in the burgeoning global industry, especially in light of Federal Labor’s $1.1 billion National Hydrogen Plan.
“If elected, Labor will invest $1.1 billion into development, research, demonstration and pre-commercial deployment of clean hydrogen technology.  I’d like to see Newcastle and the Hunter secure as much of that as possible,” Ms Claydon said.
“Hydrogen has the potential to be a game changer for our region and our environment and could be a key driver in the local transition we need to make to a low-carbon future.”
Mr Conroy said there are significant domestic opportunities for Australia to develop a globally competitive hydrogen sector.
“Hydrogen has enormous potential to help decarbonise our planet, employ tens of thousands of Australians and produce billions of dollars of export revenue,” Mr Conroy said.
“The market potential is massive. Globally, the hydrogen market is expected to reach $215 billion by 2022 and demand is forecast to grow exponentially from there.”
Ms Claydon said Newcastle and the Hunter was uniquely placed to capitalise on the opportunities that hydrogen offers.
“Our region already has a world-class network of energy expertise and capability and is perfectly placed to capitalise on the hydrogen boom,” Ms Claydon said.
“Add this to the fact that we have a deep water port and you have the key ingredients for a prosperous hydrogen hub.”
This election is a choice between Labor’s plan for increased investment in renewables and commitment to driving a low-carbon future, or bigger tax loopholes for the top end of town under the Liberals.
Only Labor has a commitment to the industries and jobs of the future, including our $1.14 billion National Hydrogen Plan, and our commitment to 50 per cent renewables by 2030.

A Shorten Labor Government will invest $450,000 into a three-year project to boost employment outcomes for young people across the Newcastle-Hunter region.
This election will be a choice between Labor, which will give students the education and opportunity they deserve, or more cuts and chaos under the Liberals.
Ms Claydon said that current employment outcomes for young people were concerning.
“A recent study found it can take two-and-a-half years for young people to gain full-time work after they finish their studies[1]. More needs to be done to help young people transition into employment,” Ms Claydon said.
“In its first year this project will provide up to 100 young people from across the Newcastle-Hunter region with intensive personalised support.”
Ms Claydon said face-to-face participation would be available in both Newcastle and the Central Coast, with online opportunities for those who find it hard to travel.
“The university will work with a range of partners including TAFE, local schools and community groups to identify prospective participants who have been out of work for six months or more.
“Participants will benefit from individual needs-assessments undertaken by career experts and support to boost their skillset and develop the personal qualities that employers are looking for. They will also get help to create effective resumes, and help preparing for interviews.”
Ms Claydon said the program would apply a new methodology based on research undertaken by the Foundation for Young Australians into ‘soft skills’ and ‘enterprise skills’.
“The program will draw on the university’s expertise in delivering and evaluating equity and enabling programs that build resilience and connections for people experiencing disadvantage. It is designed to build on and complement existing job network services.”
University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky AO said the project would reduce the gap between completing study at school, TAFE or university and moving into a full-time job.
“This project will be a real collaboration across schools, TAFE, community groups and the university to help young people gain the confidence and additional skills they need to move into the workforce,” Professor Zelinsky said.
“An outstanding education is just one ingredient to getting a job – this project will help develop the complementary skills people need when they move into the world of paid work.”
A Shorten Labor Government will uncap university places and invest $3.2 billion into TAFE, university and skills training.
[1] Foundation for Young Australians, ‘New Work Reality Report’ 2018

City of Newcastle has removed the emergency order on a boarding house in Bourke Street Carrington, allowing it to re-open seven months after regulatory action was taken to protect residents from serious fire safety breaches.
The regulatory action undertaken by the City has significantly improved the fire safety of the Carrington boarding house, City Director of Governance David Clarke said.
“The Emergency Development Control Order was issued in 2018 because of significant risks to lives in the event of a fire at the Carrington premises due to serious fire safety compliance issues and unauthorised works,” he said.
“These risks were deemed to be so significant that the emergency order required removal of all persons from the premises and substantial remedial work to make the premises compliant.”
At the time of issuing the emergency orders, the premises had a total of 36 bedrooms, of which a large number were unauthorised and non-compliant with fire safety measures.
These unauthorised bedrooms have been removed, with 16 bedrooms now able to be occupied, all of which comply with fire safety requirements.
To achieve a safe, compliant boarding house, a large number of unauthorised structures have also been removed and substantial additional fire safety measures implemented.
Self-closing fire doors with smoke seals have been installed, along with smoke detectors, an upgraded fire detection & alarm system and building occupant warning system.
A fire-isolated internal stairwell that had been compromised through unauthorised works, has also been re-instated.
Following a final inspection of the Carrington premises undertaken today to ensure these improvements comply with fire safety requirements, the City has been able to remove the emergency order.
Mr Clarke said City of Newcastle intends to issue additional orders to enable the owner to install a fire sprinkler system in the boarding house which will further improve the safety of residents at the Carrington boarding house.
In December last year, City of Newcastle allowed a Mayfield boarding house to be re-opened after the same owner complied with similar regulatory action taken as part of the boarding house compliance program.
“It has only been through our regulatory action that the owner has complied to ensure the safety of residents at both premises,” Mr Clarke  said.
“While we understand the inconvenience for the men who live at the boarding houses, turning a blind eye to the serious fire safety deficiencies was never an option we could responsibly take.”

Kenyan-born Zac Ekandi has vivid memories of the day he walked into Nairobi’s British Council office 17 years ago tasked with making the biggest decision of his teenage life.
Mr Ekandi, then 18, was researching options to study abroad. After telling his parents of his desire to study overseas, the family met with a British Council agent to discuss his options.

Kenyan Zac Ekandi became a new citizen today after 17 years in Newcastle 
“I remember when I went to see the British Council agent I said I don’t want to go to a big city – big cities are always full of traffic and I wanted somewhere quiet,” he said.
“The agent gave me information about studying in Manchester UK and Newcastle Australia and I applied to both universities to study Computer Science.”
When offers soon followed for places at both universities, it was the promise of a ‘quiet, coastal lifestyle at Newcastle where I’d be happy most’ that stole Mr Ekandi’s heart.
“The agent told me that I’d be most happy here, and I am.”

Today, more than 17 years after trading in Nairobi for Newcastle, the 39-year-old and 249 other people from more than 41 different countries became Newcastle’s newest citizens when they took their oaths and affirmations at City Hall.
“It’s always a great honour to welcome new citizens from all corners of the globe,” said City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.
“Newcastle is a welcoming city for people of all cultures and religious backgrounds. We are proud to be a culturally diverse, inclusive community.”
Aboriginal elder Aunty Phyllis Darcey gave a Welcome to Country and entertainment was be provided by indigenous dance group, Wakakulang.

Mr Ekandi, of Jesmond, said becoming an Australian Citizen was a long-held goal and something that he is very proud to be achieving today.
“I am extremely excited as it was something that I wanted to do and the last part of the process that I wanted to complete,” he said.
“I think one of the things I like so much about Newcastle is the community. I’ve made a lot of friends here, and they’ve been very helpful.
“That’s the kind of community Newcastle is. It’s great.”

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon today announced that Labor will invest $120,000 for priority projects at four public schools in Newcastle.
Ms Claydon said that if Labor is elected, it will deliver:

• $50,000 to upgrade the basketball courts at Glendore Public School
• $25,000 towards digital media equipment for the annual Digital Media Festival at Callaghan College
• $25,000 towards outdoor improvements at New Lambton Public School including a new fence and soft fall surfaces
• $20,000 for Stockton Public School to create an outdoor learning play area and sensory garden

“These projects will improve the amenity of these schools and improve educational outcomes,” Ms Claydon said.
“Today’s announcement is on top of the extra $19.4 million that Newcastle’s public schools will receive in the first three years of a Shorten Labor Government.
“Labor will invest an extra $14 billion into Australia’s public schools to give all children the opportunity to reach their full potential, no matter where they live, or how much their parents earn.
“The extra funding will mean more individual attention for students, and more help with the basics such as reading, writing, maths and science.
“At the election there is a clear choice for voters – Labor’s investment in public schools, or the Liberals tax loopholes for the top end of town.”