Category: Newcastle News

Young Novocastrians have another chance to design and deliver local solutions to climate change with applications opening tomorrow for $150,000 in funding through City of Newcastle’s Youth Climate Action grants program.

Newcastle was one of only three Australian cities selected to receive $75,000 late last year from the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund.

City of Newcastle selected 12 projects to share in the grants, which led to initiatives such as a youth climate action summit, upcycling and recycling programs, and multi-media climate action projects.

Blue Minds co-creators Cooper Chapman and Kal Glanzing join City of Newcastle’s Dr Heather Stevens and a group of students from a variety of local high schools at Dixon Park Beach for the Blue Minds Youth Ocean Leadership summit.The initiative proved so popular, City of Newcastle exhausted its initial allocation and was able to successfully apply to Bloomberg Philanthropies for the second round of funding.

City of Newcastle’s Executive Manager of Environment and Sustainability Marnie Kikken said it’s vital we empower the next generation to have a meaningful role in achieving our net zero emissions objectives in the Newcastle Environment Strategy.

“We’re thrilled to support even more young people in designing and delivering local climate action projects that will bring Newcastle closer to reaching the target of net zero emissions by 2040,” Ms Kikken said.

“This expanded round of funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies allows us to not only amplify the voices of young people but also provide them with resources to ensure their priorities are front and centre in our city’s climate strategy.”

City of Newcastle’s Climate Change and Sustainability Manager Dr Heather Stevens said microgrants of between $1,500 and $7,500 will be available for 15 to 24-year-olds or organisations that represent them.

“If you have an idea about how to tackle the climate crisis, now is the chance to apply and make it happen,” Dr Stevens said.

“The last round funded a diverse range of projects, from upcycling programs to youth leadership training, so it’s great to build on that momentum with this new round of grants.”

Blue Minds Youth Ocean Leadership was one of the recipients of the initial round of funding, using the allocation to organise a free leadership summit for high school students at Dixon Park Surf Club today.

Program co-creator Kal Glanzing, one of Australia’s leading youth ocean and climate champions, and creator of the documentary Rising Up, said the grant helped continue Blue Minds’ mission of tackling eco-anxiety and creating a wave of change amongst young people. 

“Australian youth are going to be disproportionately impacted by climate change and they want to understand how they can rewrite the future for the better,” Mr Glanzing said.

“We are grateful that with support from City of Newcastle we can empower students in Newcastle and provide them with practical tools to address their climate change concerns.

“It’s exciting to think that the students who attended the Blue Minds leadership summit today, will have an opportunity to apply for a grant that can help bring their ideas to life.” 

Applications for the new round of Youth Climate Action Fund grants open on 12 March and close on 13 April 2025.

Information webinars will be held on 19 March and 2 April 2025.

For more information and to apply, visit:

https://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/community/grants-and-sponsorships/grants/youth-climate-action-grants

About Bloomberg Philanthropies:

Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. 

The organisation focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health.

Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a pro bono consultancy that works with mayors in cities around the world.

In 2024, Bloomberg Philanthropies invested $3.4 billion around the world.

Newcastle’s cultural credentials will take centre stage as part of a 10-year strategy that will guide City of Newcastle’s commitment to the local arts, culture and creative industries.

Expressions of interest are now being invited to support the research and development of City of Newcastle’s new Cultural Plan.

Cr Sinead Francis-Coan, City of Newcastle Executive Director of Creative and Community Services Alissa Jones, Cr Jenny Barrie and Cr Deahnna Richardson support the upcoming development of a 10-year Cultural Plan.

It will build on the achievements of the existing strategy, endorsed in 2016, and deliver a clear action plan for the next 10 years.

Community and Culture Strategic Advisory Committee Chair, Councillor Jenny Barrie, said Newcastle is an innovative and creative community.

“City of Newcastle has a long history of supporting and investing in arts and cultural opportunities, community pride and local identity,” Cr Barrie said.

“This has included the work of our Community and Culture Strategic Advisory Committee and the endorsement of our Cultural Precinct Plan to enhance cultural connectivity and encourage larger audiences across diverse venues.

“I look forward to the development of this new strategy, and our ongoing work with the local creative community to amplify existing and emerging opportunities across the cultural landscape.”

Councillors Deahnna Richardson and Sinead Francis-Coan, who also sit on the Community and Culture Strategic Advisory Committee, supported the upcoming development of the plan.

“This will build our long-term support for all those involved in this sector, from the established and emerging practitioners showcased through the Newcastle Museum, Civic Theatre, Newcastle Art Gallery and our libraries, to the millions of dollars in grant funding given to local artists, writers and performers through City of Newcastle’s grant programs. I look forward to fostering deeper connections with these communities as part of this plan,” Cr Richardson said.

“Newcastle is known for its vibrant cultural life and an amazing depth of talent within its performing and visual arts sector. Our previous cultural strategy enhanced this recognition through the establishment of our flagship New Annual arts festival and the expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery and I can’t wait to see this commitment continue for the next decade. With our new plan, I would also like to see increasing surety for local creatives, creative spaces and local nightlife,” Cr Francis-Coan said. 

The development of the Cultural Plan responds to a notice of motion endorsed by the previous elected council in July 2024.

City of Newcastle’s Executive Director of Creative and Community Services Alissa Jones said the strategy will articulate the role of local government as a partner, advocate, enabler, and investor in developing a local cultural and creative ecosystem.

“The Cultural Plan will investigate the city’s cultural infrastructure, consider the retention or increase of affordable creative workspaces and the use of City of Newcastle owned and managed facilities and services,” Ms Jones said.

“It will also determine focus areas for investment in programs and service delivery by City of Newcastle and include support for creative workers and their creative workspaces as a strategic priority.

“City of Newcastle is committed to a creative Newcastle and as our city grows we are seeking to ensure that the creative industries and community are properly supported.”

Plans for the development of the 10-year Cultural Plan were discussed as part of the first meeting of the new Community and Culture Strategic Advisory Committee last week.

Expressions of interest are open until 1 April via Tenderlink, with the plan expected to be finalised by the end of the year.

City of Newcastle will reshape its Strategic Sports Plan to meet the needs of an expanding population and enable more women and girls to train and compete.

Adopted by the elected Council in December 2020, the 10-year plan was designed to address future demand and inform the ongoing supply, maintenance and upgrade of sporting infrastructure across the Local Government Area.

City of Newcastle has already delivered or commenced 78 of the plan’s 93 recommendations, with more than $20 million invested into new and upgraded infrastructure over the past three years, but the rapid growth of women’s sport and a predicted population boom as part of the Broadmeadow Place Strategy have brought forward the need to update the plan.

Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz and City of Newcastle Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy join participants from local sporting clubs at the 2025 Sports SummitCity of Newcastle announced the review in front of more than 100 participants at last night’s fourth annual Sports Summit, which is designed to foster stronger relationships with local sporting groups.

Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy said City of Newcastle was committed to continuing collaboration with clubs and associations as part of the updated Strategic Sports Plan.

“We’re proud to work closely with our local clubs and governing bodies on the need for facility upgrades, ensuring players at every level of their chosen sport and the community have continued access to high quality sporting and leisure opportunities,” Ms Duffy said.

“In recent years this collaboration has led to the development of more inclusive, accessible and female-friendly facilities and amenities.

“That includes upgrades at Myers Park and Lugar Park, as well as major grandstand redevelopment projects at Darling Street Oval and Passmore Oval worth almost $6 million.”

Chair of City of Newcastle’s Sports Infrastructure Working Party, Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz, said the need for facilities that support universal access is greater than ever.

“We know that a governing body such as Northern NSW Football has set a goal of having 30,000 female participants by 2026 and they’ll all need somewhere to train and play,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.

“The Strategic Sports Plan covers 12 other field-based sports including athletics, AFL, baseball, cricket, croquet, equestrian, netball, rugby league, rugby union, softball, tennis, and touch football/Oztag.

“If you take into consideration the Broadmeadow Place Strategy, we’re likely to see a population increase of 40,000 residents in that area alone, so we need to ensure we’re getting maximum use out of the 152 fields City of Newcastle manages.

“Reviewing the plan will help us secure State and Federal government funding for new and upgraded sporting facility bathrooms, change rooms and lighting, while we also continue to upgrade everything from field layout to drainage and irrigation.”

City of Newcastle will call for expressions of interest for an independent consultant to update the Strategic Sports Plan in the next financial year.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a boy missing from the Hunter Region.

Austin Glynn, aged 13, was last seen about 9am on Saturday 1 March, 2025, at Rutherford.

When he could not be located he was reported missing to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District and inquiries commenced into his whereabouts.

He is described as being Caucasian in appearance, 160cm tall, with a solid build and short brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a red hat, grey shirt and black track pants.

Police and family hold concerns for Austin’s welfare due to his age and having several medical conditions.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage boy missing from Elermore Vale.

Jade Smith, aged 17, was last seen about 8.30am on Tuesday 4 March, 2025, at Elermore Vale.

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police hold concerns for Jade’s welfare due to his age and several medical conditions he suffers.

He is described as Caucasian in appearance, 185cm tall with a large build with dark hair and brown eyes.

He is known to frequent the Elermore Vale, Kahibah, Charlestown, Hamilton South, Redhead, Richmond Vale, Wilberforce, Marsden Park, Croydon, Dee Why.

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. 

Organised Crime Squad detectives have charged two men for alleged firearm theft in Port Stephens.

About 7pm on Monday 10 February 2025, officers attached to Port Stephens Hunter Police District attended an address on Salamander Way in Salamander Bay where four firearms had reportedly been stolen.

Local police commenced initial inquiries and the next day (Tuesday 11 February 2025), officers attached to Newcastle Police District attempted to stop a black Toyota Hilux in Hillsborough, before a pursuit was initiated.

A short time later, the vehicle was located abandoned at a school in Hillsborough.

During a search of the surrounding area, police located three of the four stolen firearms.

The matter was then referred to State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad under Strike Force Blaine.

Following further inquiries, about 3.40am on Monday 3 March 2025, strike force detectives executed a boat inspection on a boat in Shoal Bay, where they arrested two men – both aged 23.

The men were taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station, where the men were charged with the break and enter in which the firearms were stolen, as well as the police pursuit.

Both men were refused bail and appeared in Raymond Terrace Local Court the same day.

Community groups have labelled the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy’s decision not to announce funding for Local Energy Hubs at last night’s Hunter Community Alliance (HCA) Assembly as a missed opportunity.

An extensive listening process before the Assembly found residents wanting access to more information and opportunities about large scale renewable energy projects slated for the region, and how renewable energy and energy efficiency can lower energy bills at a household and business level.

Which is why they called on Minister Chris Bowen to address the information gap with Local Energy Hubs.

The Renewable Energy Alliance (RE-Alliance), alongside partners Community Power Agency and Yes2Renewables, has been calling on the Federal Government to fund Local Energy Hubs in renewable energy regions like the Hunter.

Local Energy Hubs would be physical centres with a strong outreach program staffed by independent local experts to help build trust and provide accurate information about what’s happening in renewable energy regions.

Hunter Jobs Alliance Coordinator Justin Page said:

“We’re disappointed. Our community needs access to clear information and resources to leverage renewable energy investment into local opportunities. Local Energy Hubs would provide this.”

RE-Alliance National Director Andrew Bray said:

“The Government is rightly focussed on progressing Australia’s shift to renewables to lower emissions as quickly as possible.

“But the rollout is at serious risk if governments continue to sideline the needs of regional and rural communities in the process.

“Without access to information, it is much harder for communities to realise the long-term benefits that this generational change can bring.

“It is disappointing that when presented with this ask from such a broad range of community organisations – from churches to community groups to unions – that the Minister still hasn’t made a commitment to funding Local Energy Hubs for regions like the Hunter.”

More information on the Local Energy Hubs model can be found at: localenergyhubs.org.au.

Katrina Pastourmoglou from Valentine is the Swansea Local Woman of the Year 2025 for her efforts supporting the surf life saving community and Mark Hughes Foundation.  

The Local Women of the Year Awards recognise and celebrate progressive thinkers, everyday heroes, social advocates and innovative role models.  

This year, 93 women have been nominated by their local MPs to be acknowledged during NSW Women’s Week (2-8 March); an annual week-long celebration of women in NSW through a program of activities that empower women and promote gender equality. 

Award recipient Katrina Pastourmoglou was nominated by Yasmin Catley MP – Member for Swansea for her outstanding work in the community as a volunteer with Swansea – Belmont Surf Life Saving Club and the Mark Hughes Foundation.  

For more than a decade Katrina has served as the Secretary and Director of the Swansea – Belmont Surf Life Saving Club. Volunteering her time to support the club to host community events and surf life saving carnivals. In 2023, Katrina’s service to surf life saving was acknowledged by the Hunter Branch of Surf Life Saving when she was named Administrator of the Year.  

Katrina has also served as a volunteer with the mark Hughes Foundation, giving up her time to work in the office on administrative tasks and supporting fund raising efforts.  

Each Local Woman of the Year award recipient will receive their certificates at the 2025 NSW Women of the Year Awards ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Sydney on Thursday 6 March. 

Recipients who volunteer and live in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW will also be added to the 2024 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll; a public tribute to recognise the vast number of women who volunteer their time and energy to help others. 

To learn more about the Women of the Year Awards program and view the livestream, click here.  For more about Hidden Treasures click here. 

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said: 

“The Local Woman of the Year 2025 recognises, celebrates, and honours the contributions of women and girls across NSW. Local MPs across the state have nominated stellar women in their communities whose contributions are an inspiration to everyone. Congratulations and thank you to all the Local Women of the Year – this is recognition you deserve.”  

The Hon. Yasmin Catley MP – Member for Swansea said: 

“I’m so proud to have Katrina Pastourmoglou as an exceptional role model in our community, dedicating her efforts to making Swansea a better place for all women and inspiring others to work towards a brighter future.” 

ore great progress has been made on the Hexham Straight Widening project on the Pacific Highway, with demolition of the old northbound bridge over Ironbark Creek/Toohrnbing now complete.

The southbound bridge over Ironbark Creek has been open to traffic since November 2024 and is currently carrying two lanes of traffic in each direction.

Construction is now underway on the second new crossing, which will become the northbound bridge.
When both structures are complete, each will carry three lanes of traffic.

The Hexham Straight Widening Project is part of the broader $2.24 billion M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace, which is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments.

The Australian Government committing $1.79 billion and the NSW Government is committing $448 million.
The project is expected to open to traffic in 2026.

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon:

“It’s great to see one of the new bridges already in operation and to see such good progress being made on the second new crossing.

“This project will help tens of thousands of people get where they are going more quickly and safely, while also being a catalyst for major economic growth in our region.

“I know Novocastrians will be so pleased to see this milestone reached and I look forward to the entire Hexham Straight Widening project being completed by next year.”

State Minister for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp:

“It’s fantastic to see this progress. The Pacific Highway, or Maitland Road as it’s also known, is a vital local roadway, and this project will help thousands of people get to where they’re going more quickly and easily.

“Once complete, the Hexham Straight Widening will ensure a stronger road network for our local community, motorists and the freight industry.

“The Australian and NSW governments are proud to work together to deliver infrastructure that will meet the needs of the community and motorists now and into the future.”

Police are appealing for information following a shooting at a house in Waratah West this morning.

Police attached to Newcastle City Police District responded following reports a shot was fired at a house on Acacia Avenue, Waratah West, about 6.30am (Wednesday 5 March, 2025).

They established a crime scene and conducted a canvass of the area.

No injuries have been reported.

A crime scene has been established and police investigations are continuing.