Category: Newcastle News

City of Newcastle will fund the operation of Park and Ride for the next month in response to Transport for NSW’s (TfNSW) refusal to publicly indicate whether it will continue to support the popular bus service beyond the end of this week.
CEO Jeremy Bath said the City’s commitment meant the service would continue from McDonald Jones Stadium to the CBD during April while a detailed examination of the cost of the service is undertaken.
“City of Newcastle will underwrite the Park and Ride for the month of April,” Mr Bath said.
“In a city that has traditionally refused to use public transport, the Park and Ride has proved Novocastrians will catch a bus to work when the service is affordable and reliable.
“More than 41,000 people have used the Park and Ride since it started in November 2017 in response to the impact of the construction of the NSW Government’s light rail project.
“While public transport is very clearly a responsibility of the NSW Government, we owe it to the almost 1,000 passengers that use the Park and Ride weekly to do everything we can to continue the service.
“Over the next four weeks we’ll undertake a detailed analysis of the costs of the Park and Ride operation. This will include speaking with bus operators, including Keolis Downer, to establish the true cost of running the Park and Ride service under a variety of hours of operation.
“We will also speak with users of the service to understand their needs vs their wants when it comes to public transport.
“During April, there will be no change to the current service with buses to operate weekdays from 7am to 9am from McDonald Jones Stadium and departing from the city to Broadmeadow between 3pm and 6.30pm.”
Mr Bath said that under the current model, he understood that the Park and Ride operates at a cost of approximately $500,000 a year.
He said the City would look at how to reduce the cost of operating the service, which for its first 16 months has been funded by the NSW Government.
“For the Park and Ride to continue the price will have to rise. The price of the service hasn’t increased since it was launched and that was done to encourage car enthusiasts to try public transport, often for the first time.
“However, if the City is going to bear the cost of the Park and Ride then we will need to re-examine the pricing model. But that decision can’t be made until we understand the true cost of operating the service as well as people’s willingness to pay for an express bus to the city and back.
“TfNSW’s refusal to confirm whether they will continue to fund the Park and Ride has created angst and frustration for its users. I have written to the 5,000 people registered with the Park and Ride today asking them for patience as we commence a review of the costs of the operation.”
Mr Bath said TfNSW was still yet to formally advise the City of its decision to withdraw funding for the service, almost a week after their agreed deadline.
“To date, we’ve heard nothing from TfNSW other than a promise more than a week ago to provide a decision by last Friday,” he said.
“This is despite four months of regular discussions in which we we were led to believe the Park and Ride would continue to be funded by the NSW Government.
“City of Newcastle is firmly of the opinion that it makes no sense to shut off funding to a public transport service that is incredibly popular, especially one that is a key promise in TfNSW’s own future transport plans,” he said.
Park and Ride users are reminded that the service will not operate Friday 29 March due to the Super Rugby match at McDonald Jones Stadium between the Waratahs and Sunwolves.
It will return to regular service from Monday 1 April 2019.

Business Improvement Association (BIA) Newcastle Now has been issued a ‘please explain’ over a $1.1 million discrepancy relating to employee expenses.  This follows a review of financial figures  provided by Newcastle Now as part of a City of Newcastle review of BIAs and their operations.
On 12 March, Newcastle Now submitted a breakdown of its expenses for the past three years, listing expenditure on wages of $244,949. Newcastle Now’s audited annual reports for the same three years (15/16, 16/17, 17/18) indicate it spent $1,384,488.95 on employee expenses. Each annual report stipulates that project expenses were separate to these employee expenses.
City of Newcastle had requested an itemised breakdown of expenses for the past three years from all BIAs: Newcastle, Hamilton, Wallsend and Mayfield. The request for information will form part of a draft report by AECOM which will be shared with BIAs next month.
The report will include a recommendation on how much of the $1,430,000 paid annually by select commercial property owners should be passed on to BIAs for promotion of their respective business areas. In December last year, Council resolved that a portion of these funds should be withheld from the BIAs and instead made available to the community via a contestable process to generate additional events and projects.
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said Newcastle Now’s breakdown of its expenses requires further explanation given the $1.1 million discrepancy between what the BIA has submitted to the AECOM review and their audited financial statements.
“Newcastle Now’s audited annual reports confirm it spent almost $1.4 million on wages in the past three years and a further $287,799.70 on administration expenses.
“Until I terminated its funding on 31 December last year, Newcastle Now was spending 56 per cent of its annual income on employee and administration expenses. This is money that ratepayers expect would be spent promoting the CBD.
“Trying to get accurate financial data has proved extremely difficult. Newcastle Now, along with BIAs in Hamilton, Mayfield and Lambton, wrote to me last month requesting additional time to provide a breakdown of their expenses during the past three years. I refused this request on the basis that BIAs were given two weeks to provide this information, which is more than enough time to detail how they had been spending ratepayers’ funds.
“It’s worth noting that the Wallsend BIA didn’t request additional time and in fact provided the required information in just a week. Ultimately, Hamilton and Mayfield submitted documents before the deadline, and Newcastle Now six days after the deadline.
“Newcastle Now’s financial explanation is concerning. Unless they can reasonably account for the $1.1 million discrepancy in their employee costs, my recommendation to Council will be that a new agreement shouldn’t be offered to Newcastle Now for the new financial year.
“It appears City of Newcastle and Newcastle Now remain a long way apart in terms of how they should be investing ratepayer funds in the CBD. The past 12 months were the most challenging faced by many traders in the Newcastle CBD due to the light rail construction. In a year when Newcastle Now should have been investing every last cent into promoting and activating the CBD, we now know that they instead spent more than half a million dollars on employee and administration costs.
“AECOM’s draft report will be released on 9 April. Council will then consider at its meeting on 16 April whether to place the report on public exhibition for 28 days with a final report coming back to the Council in late May.
“The report will recommend how the special rate funds should be split between the BIA and other groups interested in providing events and projects that promote, market or beautify the business areas of Newcastle, Hamilton, Wallsend and Mayfield.
“The report also recommends that administration and governance for all four BIAs could be undertaken by a shared resource, independent of City of Newcastle, for economies of scale.”

A man will appear in court tomorrow after being charged with assaulting, choking and detaining a woman at Newcastle last week, during a domestic altercation.
About 11am on Friday 22 March 2019, a 42-year-old man attended a home at Hamilton East where he was allowed entry by the 43-year-old female occupant.
During a conversation the man allegedly grabbed the woman around the throat from behind, until she fell to the ground.
After standing on the woman’s chest and neck, the man punched her in the face, and threatened her.
The man then armed himself with a hammer and forced the woman to travel with him to his home at Bolton Point.
The man allegedly took the woman’s phone and held her against her will.
After several hours the man returned the woman to her home, but allegedly kept her home and car keys.
The woman contacted friends, and police from the Northern Region Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team were notified and commenced their inquiries.
About 2.50pm today (Tuesday 26 March 2019), investigators arrested the 42-year-old man at Bunkerville without incident.
The man was conveyed to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with detain for advantage (DV), intentionally choke person without consent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and stalking/intimidation.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 27 March 2019).

Following is a summary of the Ordinary Council meeting for Tuesday 26 March 2019. NB: It is not a full record of resolutions.
Lord Mayoral Minute
A Lord Mayoral minute was supported to write to the Mayor of Christchurch and the New Zealand Prime Minister expressing Newcastle’s condolences. A prayer and two-minute silence led by local Imam Mohamed Khames was also supported.
Ordinary business
Six month performance report on the 2018-2022 delivery program
The report was received and noted.
Summerhill Waste Management Centre proposed commercial fees and charges 2019/20
Council voted to place the draft amended 2019/20 Schedule of Commercial Fees and Charges for Waste Services on Public Exhibition for 28 days.
Executive monthly performance report 
Council received the executive monthly performance report for February 2019.
Adoption of revised instruments of delegations to the Lord Mayor and Chief Executive Officer
Council resolved to adopt the revised Instrument of Delegations regarding Newcastle Airport to the Lord Mayor and Chief Executive, who remain Directors of the Newcastle Airport Partnership Board.
Appointment of voting delegate to the 2019 National General Assembly of Local Government
Council resolved to appoint the Lord Mayor to exercise Council’s voting rights at the 2019 Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly or appoint a delegate from among the Councillor attendees.
Appointment of replacement councillor representative to the Audit and Risk committee
Council appointed Cr Matthew Byrne to the Audit and Risk Committee for the remaining term of Council following the resignation of Cr Jason Dunn.
Adoption of amendment to Newcastle DCP 2012 section 6.02 heritage Conservation Areas
Council voted to endorse an amendment to the local planning framework to create a heritage conservation area in Hamilton.
233 Wharf Road and 150 & 150a Scott Street Newcastle – Endorsement of amendment to Newcastle LEP 2012
Council endorsed a Planning Proposal to rezone and reclassify land at 233 Wharf Road and rezone part of 150a Scott Street. The proposal will now be forwarded to the Minister for Planning and Environment, and a report sent back to Council following public exhibition and public hearing on the proposal.
Fort Wallace, Stockton – Adoption of amendment to Newcastle LEP 2012 and Newcastle DCP 2012 section 6.15
Council endorsed a planning proposal to rezone the Fort Wallace site from SP2 Infrastructure (Defence) to R2 Low Density Residential, RE2 Private Recreation and E2 Environmental Conservation, and amend controls relating to building height, lot size and heritage.
Chinchen Street Islington – proposed traffic signals at Clyde Street and related traffic, pedestrian and cycleways improvements
Council resolved to approve the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of Chinchen and Clyde streets, Islington; kerb extensions at nearby Nelson Street and the realignment of the intersection of Clyde Street and Chatham Road to improve pedestrian, cyclist and motorist safety.
Dogs in Open Space Plan
City of Newcastle will build the city’s first fenced dog park where owners can legally let their dogs roam free inside their very own playground after Council resolved to adopt the Dogs in Open Space Plan.
Mobile food vending vehicles – local approvals policy
Council approved the Mobile Food Vending Vehicles Policy (MFVVP) which provides a framework for the operation of mobile food vending vehicles in the City of Newcastle.
Notices of Motion
Light Rail Expansion – John Hunter Hospital and the Newcastle Inner City Bypass
A NOM advocating for the expansion of the Light Rail Network to John Hunter Hospital and the University of Newcastle was supported by Council.
Mobile black spot funding for Newcastle to Sydney train
A NOM requesting Council work with the Hunter Joint Organisation, the Commonwealth, Transport for NSW and Sydney Trains to advocate for mobile black spot funding to address gaps in reception between Newcastle and Sydney along the inter-city rail line, was supported.
Affordable housing scheme for Newcastle
A NOM requesting Council acknowledge State Government changes to its affordable housing policy, and that Council develops its own policy for negotiating with developers in connection with affordable housing DAs, was supported.
Beaumont Street Carnivale
Another NOM acknowledging the diligent work undertaken by a range of groups and individuals to conduct Carnivale in Beaumont Street, Hamilton on Sunday, 10 March 2019, was supported.
Cowper Street Bridge Lighting
A NOM requesting Council investigate a proposal to install LED strip lighting under the Cowper St Bridge as the first step in providing a strong visual connection between Honeysuckle, Wickham and Carrington, was supported.

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has called on young Novocastrians to have their say on the issues that matter in the 2019 Newcastle Youth Survey.

Ms Claydon said she had launched an online survey for Novocastrians aged between 13 and 24.
“Government should be for all Australians, but recently too many young people have told me they feel locked out of the political process or they don’t know how to go about making their voices heard,” Ms Claydon said.
“I want to give young people the chance to have their voices heard on everything from government spending to the things that are having an impact on their lives.”
Ms Claydon said the survey results would help her to understand the personal and political priorities of young people
“Young people regularly share their concerns with me that decisions are being made against their best interests,” Ms Claydon said.
“These results will help me to better represent young Novocastrians in the Federal Parliament.”
Ms Claydon said all survey participants would go into a draw to win a prize.
“As a thank you for taking part, all entries will go into the prize draw to win a $100 gift voucher.
“I will also recognise the most thoughtful contribution to the open-ended questions with another $100 gift voucher.”
The survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019NewcastleYouthSurvey

The New England Highway remains closed to southbound traffic following the death of a motorcyclist in a collision in the Hunter Valley tonight.
Emergency services were called to the New England Highway near Whittingham, after a motorcycle and two cars collided shortly before 7.30pm (Friday 22 March 2019).
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District rendered assistance; however, the 50-year-old rider died at the scene.
All southbound traffic on the New England Highway is closed at the Golden Highway; diversions are in place. Northbound traffic is reduced to a single lane.
Officers from the Crash Investigation Unit are en route to the scene and traffic is expected to be disrupted for some hours.

Police are pleading with motorists and pedestrians in Newcastle’s CBD to take care around the light rail corridor.
Officers from Police Transport Command, Traffic & Highway Patrol Command and Newcastle Police District have been regularly patrolling around the Hunter Street transport system since it went live on Monday 18 February 2019.
Northern Region Traffic Tactician Chief Inspector Amanda Calder said officers have observed a number of dangerous incidents putting the lives of not only drivers at risk, but also bystanders and light rail commuters.
“The light rail has been up and running for more than a month and the vast majority of people are aware of the changed road network and have adapted to the changes,” Ch Insp Calder said.
“There are some drivers who are not paying attention and are making serious mistakes with their actions endangering themselves and others along Hunter Street and Stewart Avenue.
“Officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol have observed several near-misses during this first month of operation, with the most common offences being vehicles driving on the tram tracks; running red lights at light rail crossings; and pedestrians – who are often distracted and looking at their phones – jaywalking across the tracks.
“One driver was seen by police to drive onto the rail track on Hunter Street, cross to the wrong side of the road and drive into the path of an oncoming tram, before proceeding through a red light before police could stop the car,” Ch Insp Calder said.
Chief Inspector Calder is encouraging motorists to use their common sense and take their time on the roads to adapt to the new road conditions.
“We’re asking the community to not let these issues become long term habits, be safe and alert at all times when near the light rail network,” Ch Insp Calder said.
For more information on the Newcastle Light Rail visit www.newcastletransport.info/light-rail.

A cyclist has died after being hit by a truck at Newcastle this morning.
Just before 9.30am (Wednesday 20 March 2019), emergency services were called to the intersection of King and Perkins streets, Newcastle East, after a cyclist and a truck collided.
The cyclist, a woman, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, she died at the scene.
She has not been formally identified.
The truck driver was uninjured and taken to the Mater Hospital for mandatory testing.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and will investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Two men have been injured during a home invasion at Lake Macquarie at the weekend.
Police have been told two men, dressed in black and armed with a baseball bat and crowbar, forced their way into a home on Harrison Street, Cardiff, about 11pm yesterday (Sunday 17 March 2019).
They assaulted two men, aged 41 and 46, before fleeing in a vehicle.
Officers from the Lake Macquarie Police District and NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived a short time later and established a crime scene.
The men were taken to John Hunter Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to come forward.