Category: Newcastle News

Almost seven months after the members of the Newcastle Maritime Museum Society (NMMS) unanimously voted to wind up, the future of the 7,500 piece collection remains up in the air.
The decision to wind up followed an earlier decision by the Board of the NMMS not to extend its lease on its former building on Honeysuckle Drive.
The timelines committed to by NMMS for winding up have lapsed including an agreed deadline to provide City of Newcastle with key financial information.
The NMMS through its lawyers Peter Evans and Associates wrote to City of Newcastle’s (CN) CEO Jeremy Bath on 22 August 2018 demanding that a list of items “be disposed of in order to discharge the liabilities”.
The NMMS lawyers subsequently wrote to CN on 13 September 2018 that it would “be necessary for us to advise our client to activate Rule 29 of the Constitution and place the Society into voluntary liquidation”. To date the NMMS Board has not done this.
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said the most important outcome being sought by Council is that the city’s maritime history is preserved in Newcastle.
“The Board of the Maritime Museum emailed me a list of their creditors in June with debts totalling $212,000.
“The Board of the Newcastle Maritime Museum Society have proposed to pay debts by selling items from the collection. However, to date the Board have failed to produce financial records to substantiate any of these debts. This is especially critical given more than $144,000 of this debt is listed in the NMMS’s email as being owed to a number of the Museum’s directors and their former General Manager.
“I met with three of the Newcastle Maritime Museum’s directors on the third of October. At that meeting they assured me that evidence validating all financial claims would be produced within two weeks.  A final deadline issued to NMMS for producing the information lapsed on Friday.
“As the trustee of the Maritime Museum’s collection, Council is responsible for disposing of items (whether by sale other otherwise).  In disposing of items, Council is committed to ensuring the disposal is in keeping with the Museum’s Collection Management Policy and Procedures.
“The Museum’s Collection Management Policy makes clear that the monies from disposal can only be used in limited and appropriate circumstances. Specifically, it states: Any monies received by the governing body from the disposal of objects should be applied solely for the upgrading of the collection either by purchase or by conservation.
“It is for this reason that City of Newcastle is calling on the Board of the Newcastle Maritime Museum Society to abandon its seven month push to sell items of the collection. Further, with no way of raising monies to clear debts they claim are owed to them, we further call upon them to waive any personal claims so that the Maritime Museum can be voluntarily wound up as their members voted on the 21^st of May.
“Right now, the collection is safe. When HDC and Property NSW instructed the Maritime Museum to vacate their museum and storage properties, Council secured a temporary storage site for the collection at Carrington courtesy of a generous offer from Thales. However, this agreement runs only to September 2020 and as of right now, the collection remains under the control of the Newcastle Maritime Museum Society.
“Until the Maritime Museum Society formally winds up and transfers ownership of the collection to Council, City of Newcastle cannot begin the process of reviewing the 7,500 items and creating a new exhibition space. The Newcastle Museum stands ready to become the new permanent home of the collection. Newcastle Museum has the capacity to allocate a significant exhibition space which will ensure the Maritime Museum collection remains permanently accessible to the people of Newcastle and its visitors.
“The City of Newcastle calls on the NMMS to act and eliminate the risk that at some point, a creditor will appoint a liquidator and a fire sale will send the collection into private hands. This would be an unnecessary and tragic outcome for our city’s maritime history,” Jeremy Bath said.

City of Newcastle welcomes the news of a record number of passengers travelling into Newcastle Airport on the first day of this year’s Newcastle 500 Supercars event.
Newcastle Airport has reported more than 5,200 passengers on Friday 23 November, an 11 per cent increase on last year and a new record – despite bushfires that impacted flights.

More than 2 million people watched on TV as the 2018 Virgin Australia Supercars champion was crowned in our city and Supercars also recently reported a record breaking year thanks to significant increases in viewing audiences across television and digital platforms for the Newcastle 500.
These excellent results speak to the success of the event and position us as a destination city with a growing reputation for hosting great events, said Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.
“It’s been a massive year for growth in the Newcastle tourism industry,” said the Lord Mayor.
“Following on the incredible success of our second Supercars race, the City this week announced a landmark deal bringing the first five-star hotel to Newcastle by 2020.
“Our City’s revitalisation is tantalisingly close to completion and by early next year the new light rail transport system will be up and running.
“We are clearly firing on all cylinders in attracting visitors to Newcastle, with incredibly popular major events, a greater selection of flights in to our airport, high quality accommodation and improved public transport in the CBD.
“The powerful combination indicates we are a destination city poised for significant economic growth in our tourism sector.”

A man has died after he was attacked in his home at Lake Macquarie this morning.
Emergency services were called to the home on Lonus Avenue at Whitebridge about 2.30am (Monday 17 December 2018), and found a 60-year-old man with a serious injury to his arm.
The man was treated at the scene by paramedics; however, he died at John Hunter Hospital a short time later.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District have established a crime scene and initiated inquiries.
They’ve been told three people – with their faces covered and armed with baseball bats and knives – broke into the home and attacked the man in his bedroom.
The man’s two brothers were home at the time but were not injured.
Inquiries are now underway by detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District, assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.
Police are investigating if this was a targeted attack.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner after a child drowned in a backyard in Port Stephens yesterday.
About 6.40pm (Sunday 16 December 2018), police were called to a home on Marsh Road, Bobs Farm, after a 19-month-old boy was found unconscious in a backyard swimming pool.
NSW Ambulance paramedics attended and performed CPR, however, he died at the scene.
A crime scene was established and officers from Port Stephens Police District will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Initial investigations suggest there were no suspicious circumstances involved.

More than 40 people have been caught with drugs during a music festival at Port Macquarie over the past two days.
The ‘Festival of the Sun’ event was conducted within a holiday park at Port Macquarie between 13-16 December 2018. About 3000 people were in attendance.
Officers from Mid North Coast Police District conducted an operation to police the event, including a drug dog operation.
During the operation, 41 people were detected with drugs, including cannabis, MDMA, cocaine and LSD.
One man, aged 27, was allegedly found to be in possession of 55 MDMA capsules. He was charged with supply prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug.
He was conditionally bailed to appear at Port Macquarie Local Court on Wednesday 9 January 2019.
Other alleged offenders were issued field court attendance notices, infringement notices, cannabis cautions and warnings.
On-site medical services treated about 40 persons at the event for various issues.

A man has been charged following an alleged assault near Newcastle today.
About 2am (Saturday 15 December 2018), emergency services were called to Beaumont Street, Hamilton, following reports of an assault.
Police have been told a 25-year-old man and a 43-year-old man were allegedly involved in an altercation.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and arrested the 25-year-old man.
He was taken to Newcastle City Police Station where he was charged with affray and behave in offensive manner in/near public place.
He was granted conditional bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 17 January 2019.
NSW Ambulance paramedics attended the scene, however the 43-year-old man declined treatment.

Police have charged a man after he was allegedly found to be in possession of drugs and a firearm in a carpark at Lake Haven on the state’s Central Coast yesterday.
About 11pm (Friday 14 December 2018) officers from Morisset Police Transport Command were patrolling Lake Haven when they came across a Toyota Corolla parked across three car spaces at a fast food restaurant in Lake Haven.
The window of the car was open, and the engine was running as police took a closer look.
A man sitting in the driver’s seat was woken by officers who then searched his car.
Police allegedly located a loaded .22 pistol with ammunition, a sling shot, black handled spike/shiv, a small quantity of drugs believed to be cannabis, methamphetamine and pills, two mobile phones and drug paraphernalia.
The 30-year-old man was arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station where he was charged with firearm and drug possession and having custody of an offensive implement.
He was refused bail and will appear in Wyong Local Court today (Saturday 15 December 2018).

Novocastrians are bearing the brunt of ongoing cuts at Centrelink, with many being forced to wait for up to six months for applications for pensions or income support to be processed.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said the number of Novocastrians contacting her for help after going months without income was distressing.
“My office takes too many calls from desperate constituents forced to live on nothing and navigate a system that seems rigged to demoralise and delay,” Ms Claydon said.
“With well over 35,000 Novocastrians on income support or pensions, the impact of these cuts has been felt widely across our community.
“Staff morale is also an all-time low with department jobs being cut and outsourced to labour hire firms.”
Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services Linda Burney said the Federal Government had cut and outsourced 2,500 Centrelink jobs in the past three years.
“Centrelink is in crisis under the Liberals. It’s under-staffed and under-resourced,” Ms Burney said.
“We have heard shocking stories of people waiting hours to speak to someone on the phone, or waiting months for their allowances or pensions.”
“The only winners of the cuts are labour hire firms who charge the taxpayer more, but pay their staff less.”
Labor has committed to invest in Centrelink’s workforce with 1,200 permanent, full-time, properly trained staff, who are best able to deal with the complex issues facing income support recipients.

Novocastrian families are invited to roll up their sleeves and unleash their DIY home renovation skills this New Year’s Eve on a pop-up Funhouse on Market Street Lawn provided by the City of Newcastle and presenting partner Port of Newcastle.
The giant cardboard Funhouse will form the centrepiece of a fun family-friendly evening inspired by a colourful cast of roving characters and local makers, while Foreshore revellers also enjoy a free outdoor concert headlined by legendary rockers Dragon.

An epic 15-minute fireworks display will follow and be bigger and better than ever, with an explosion of colour launched from Stockton’s Griffiths Park offering uninterrupted views from the harbour’s southern shore.
A line up of live music, including Bowie Unzipped, will drive the party beat across the foreshore as market stalls and food vans round out the list of attractions.
“Our New Year’s Eve event will see families celebrate with a hands-on creative collaboration for the whole community and a fantastic line-up of entertainment throughout the evening – before enjoying our fireworks display,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“I want to thank Port of Newcastle for partnering with the City to provide this safe and fun activation to celebrate the New Year.”

CEO Craig Carmody said the Port was proud to be part of the celebration.
“Since our first shipment in 1799, the Port and the City have grown and prospered together,” he said. “We are proud to partner with the City of Newcastle to deliver a celebration for the community that will mark the beginning of our 220th year of commercial shipping in the Port.”
In keeping with the night’s DIY vibe, event goers can let their creativity run wild across a number of maker stations, designing and decorating their own colourful cardboard costumes before taking part in a giant musical parade led by professional performers.
Working with a team of experienced local makers and artists, all comers will be provided with fun materials to decorate the multi-roomed Funhouse.
Inflatable slides and jumping castles will be on offer in the family-friendly zone, while local artist Bliss Cavanagh of Happy Senses creates a safe and magical sensory experience harbour side for people with disabilities and their families.
Cr Nelmes said New Year’s Eve is one of the most exciting nights of the year and it’s important to ensure that celebrations can be enjoyed by every member of the community.
“This is a night designed to be welcoming, accessible and inclusive of everyone, with a wide range of entertainment for all ages,” she said.
“Following positive feedback from last year’s event, we’re repeating the VIP Sensory Area, which provides a safe base from where registered participants can explore the whole event or simply relax and enjoy the music and fireworks.”
For more information, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au or follow us on Twitter (@CityNewcastle), Facebook (@CityNewcastle.au) and Instagram (CityNewcastle).
EVENT SPECIFICS
ENTERTAINMENT
NYE Concert Stage, in the car park east of Queens Wharf
ARTIST SCHEDULE
5:00 – 5:30pm: Ultraviolet
5:50 – 6:35PM: GW Freebird Blues
6:55 – 7:40PM: Bowie Unzipped
8:00 – 9:00PM: Dragon
9:00 – 9:15PM: Fireworks Finale
MC: Grant Walmsley
Family Fun Zone, Market Street Lawn
Join in the DIY fun at the giant cardboard Funhouse or make and decorate a costume to take part in the hourly parades along the event precinct. Work off some energy on the safe and accessible inflatable slides and jumping castles and enjoy the free family-friendly entertainment.
Food Alley, Market Street Lawn and along Wharf Road
Discover the range of mouth-watering treats on offer from a wide range of food vans, located in the New Year’s Eve food alley at either end of the event precinct. From burgers to desserts and everything in between, the vendors will have something to suit every taste.
Best Seats in the House Competition
Keep an eye out on City of Newcastle’s social media channels for the chance to win the Best Seats in the House for your family or friends. You could win seats in a comfy space with the best view of the fireworks, including a gourmet hamper with nibbles and drinks for the group.
VIP Sensory Area, west of Queens Wharf
Following the success of last year’s pilot, local artist Bliss Cavanagh will once again create a very special VIP Sensory Area to help make the event more accessible, safe and fun for people with disabilities. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity, as spaces are limited! Register now via our online form at www.studiobliss.com/nye2018.
For more information about our VIP Sensory Area contact Bliss Cavanagh on 0415 701188 or https://www.studiobliss.com/nye2018
Foreshore Precinct
Find the perfect place to sit back and relax along the harbour side precinct, stretching from Honeysuckle to Foreshore Park, and get ready to be amazed by the colourful pyrotechnic display on show during the 9pm fireworks.
TRANSPORT INFORMATION
Public Transport
Newcastle buses and ferries will be in service throughout the event, with a range of set down areas throughout the CBD. For timetables, travel plans, ticket and fare information call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 between 6pm and 10pm seven days a week.
Trains will also be running to the Newcastle Interchange on their normal schedules.
Parking
We’re offering free parking in our King Street Parking Station from 5pm to 10.30pm. Parking is also available in designated areas throughout the CBD. Off-street paid parking is available at Care Park Lee Wharf, Mall Parking Station, Wilson Parking, Civic Park West carpark and East End Beach and Nobbys Beach parking areas.
Ride your Bike
A bike valet service will be available next to Lynch’s Hub. Ride your bikes into the hub, have your bike valeted there (BYO bike locks) and pick it up at the end of the night. Places are limited. You can also pre-order a gourmet picnic hamper online at Lynch’s Hub to be ready for pick-up when you drop off your bike.
Road Closures 
The following streets will be closed from Monday 31 December to Tuesday 1 January.

• Wharf Road (Watt Street to Argyle Street) from 6am – 3am
• Wharf Road eastbound (Merewether Street to Argyle Street) from 6am – 3am
• Scott Street, eastbound (Darby Street to Watt Street) from 3pm – 9.30pm (NYE)

A truck driver has been taken to hospital following a crash north of Sydney early this morning.
The crash happened just after 1am (Friday 14 December 2018), when a B-double truck travelling northbound on the M1, south of the Hawkesbury River Bridge, Brooklyn, hit the dividing rock wall rapturing the fuel tank.
The truck driver, a 46-year-old man was taken to Gosford Hospital in a stable condition.
An operation is now underway to unload the truck before it can be removed.
Significant traffic delays are expected with lane three northbound of the M1 remaining closed.
For the latest traffic information visit www.livetraffic.com.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.