Newcastle News – Page 61

Extraordinary Council Meeting Tuesday 14 January 2025

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 14 January 2025. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.

Notices of Motion

Shark Management Program in Newcastle

Council supported a notice of motion to respond to the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) 2024 Preferences Survey to indicate its support for shark mitigation technology measures such as drones, SMART Drumlines and tagged shark listening stations. An amendment was supported that opted to leave the question about shark nets blank with the addition of a Part B. Another amendment was supported that reiterates the DPI is best placed to manage the Shark Meshing Program in a coordinated manner across NSW and emphasises the importance of broad community consultation, a robust state-wide public education campaign, and continued funding and leadership from DPI for shark detection technologies.

Management and replacement of commemorative plaques in the City of Newcastle

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion to explore the cost and replacement of a range of commemorative plaques that have been stolen from prominent locations in Newcastle since October 2024.

Heritage listing of Newcastle Ocean Baths

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion that formally reaffirms Council’s support for the proposed listing of the Newcastle Ocean Baths to the Heritage Council of NSW via a submission, noting Council’s record of investment in enhancing the Baths while safeguarding their enduring heritage values.

Pressurised washing of footpaths in Main Street business precinct areas

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion to improve the amenity of heavily populated main streets through high pressure cleaning of footpaths, noting the Business Improvement Associations of Hamilton, Newcastle, Wallsend and Mayfield have identified that footpaths on their main streets would benefit from a water pressure washing at least once every four years.

City of Newcastle moves forward with independent review

Community members are being invited to have their say on the terms of reference that will guide an independent review of City of Newcastle’s processes, procedures and performance.

Councillors unanimously voted at the December Council meeting to undertake a review, which will be conducted by Davidson Business Advisory.

Lord Mayor Dr Ross Kerridge said the purpose is to provide an independent review of City of Newcastle’s performance, processes and procedures to uphold public trust and enhance governance.

“I am committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and excellence in our governance,” Cr Kerridge said.

“The goal is to objectively assess our current practices and identify areas for potential improvement. This review is not about restructuring or reducing Council operations but about providing independent assurance of our performance and compliance with regulated obligations.”

Cr Kerridge said the review provides the opportunity for community input.

From Monday 13 January to Wednesday 29 January 2025 the community is invited to provide submissions and feedback on the terms of reference as resolved by Council at the December meeting, which covers five themes:

1. General Governance – assessing the adequacy of City of Newcastle’s general governance processes

2. Financial Governance – assessing the adequacy of City of Newcastle’s financial governance processes

3. Compliance – assessing City of Newcastle’s compliance against key legislative requirements

4. Engagement – assessing City of Newcastle’s processes to engage the community

5. Major Projects – assessing City of Newcastle’s governance of major projects

“I am pleased that we are moving forward with this important review and that it offers the opportunity for community submissions and feedback on the scope. Davidson Business Advisory has established a secure portal for this input to be lodged directly with them and this mechanism enables respondents to opt for their submission to be treated as confidential if they wish,” Cr Kerridge said.

Deputy Lord Mayor Callum Pull, who brought the Notice of Motion to the December Council meeting, said the review will be led by Davidson Business Advisory, who have worked with more than 100 local governments across Australia and are experienced in undertaking similar governance and performance reviews, with oversight from City of Newcastle’s Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee.

“Davidson’s lead consultant, Colin Jensen spent 14 years as the CEO of the largest local government in Australia, the City of Brisbane. Prior to this he was Director General of the Queensland Government Infrastructure and Planning Department, and has extensive experience in navigating complex, highly regulated environments,” Cr Pull said.

Davidson will prepare a report for City of Newcastle’s Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee prior to the review findings being presented to the elected Council later this year.

Submissions to the Independent Review can be made via the external, secure portal here.

Man charged after offensive graffiti located on shopfront – Newcastle

A man has been charged after he allegedly painted offensive graffiti on a shopfront in Newcastle this morning.

About 7.30am (Sunday 12 January 2025), a man approached a chemist on Beaumont Street, Hamilton, before he allegedly painted an offensive symbol on a side wall of the premises.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District were notified and established a crime scene.

Following inquiries, about 10am, the 47-year-old man was arrested nearby and taken to Newcastle Police Station.

He was charged with intentionally mark premises etc without prescribed consent and knowingly display by public act Nazi symbol without excuse.

The man was refused bail and will appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Monday 13 January 2025).

The NSW Police Force takes hate crimes seriously and encourages anyone who is the victim of a hate crime or witnesses a hate crime to report the matter to police through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through Triple Zero (000).

It is important that the community and police continue to work together to make NSW a safer place for everyone.

City of Newcastle committees seeking fresh voices

Young Novocastrians are being given the chance to raise awareness of the issues that affect their lives and provide strategic advice on how to make Newcastle a better place to live.

Expressions of interest are now open for City of Newcastle’s Youth Council Standing Committee, which gives people aged 15 to 25 a platform to promote the interests of their peers, develop leadership skills and encourage youth participation in community matters.

The Youth Advisory Committee helps with initiatives such as the Youth Mock Council, seen here in the former Council Chambers in 2022.It is one of eight advisory committees now seeking volunteers who are keen to have a direct impact on local issues, policies and initiatives that make a difference in Newcastle.

Heading into his second term as a Councillor representative on the Youth Council Standing Committee, Newcastle’s youngest ever elected Councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor Callum Pull says it’s vital to engage the next generation in local government matters.

“These young representatives are the future leaders of our city, so we need to respect their ideas,” Cr Pull said.

“Our members work together to identify key issues impacting youth and develop strategies that encourage solutions and contribute to a more inclusive and youth-friendly Newcastle.

“By fostering youth leadership, promoting active participation, and giving young people a voice in local matters, we are not only empowering the next generation but also strengthening the fabric of our community.”

Community representatives serve on a voluntary basis for the four-year Council term and have an active role in organising activities for young people, as well as guiding the implementation of the Newcastle 2040 Community Strategic Plan.

Members can provide advice for organisations wishing to develop programs and activities for young people and help to facilitate interactions between people with diverse interests and backgrounds.

Representatives also develop leadership skills through planning youth initiatives and staging events during Youth Week celebrations, as well as helping to allocate Youth Week grants and assisting Council to prepare applications.

The Youth Council is one of eight advisory committees run by City of Newcastle.

The other committees seeking new members are the:

• Access Inclusion Standing Committee

• Guraki Aboriginal Standing Committee

• Public Art Standing Committee

• Community & Culture Strategic Advisory Committee

• Infrastructure Strategic Advisory Committee

• Liveable Cities Strategic Advisory Committee

• Strategy & Innovation Strategic Advisory Committee

Expressions of interest are open until 24 January 2025. For more information visit:

https://haveyoursay.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/standing-strategic-advisory-committees

Appeal to locate missing teenage girl – Mayfield

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from the Newcastle area.

Shilah Imbornone, aged 16, was last seen in Mayfield about 1pm on Tuesday (17 December 2024).

When she could not be located or contacted, officers attached to the Newcastle City Police District were notified on Tuesday 31 December 2024 and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for Shilah’s welfare due to her age.

She is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall, of thin build with brown hair and brown eyes.

Shilah is known to frequent the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter Valley areas.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to call Newcastle City Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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 information via NSW Police social media pages.

Free fitness station puts active ageing on the agenda

Older Novocastrians have a new way to enjoy the benefits of getting fit and staying active thanks to a collaboration between City of Newcastle, Port Waratah and the Hunter Ageing Alliance.

A fitness station has been installed in Maryville between the Drop In The Ocean Playground and the Throsby Creek bridge, featuring a range of age-friendly exercise equipment such as a leg and chest press, stretch station, exercise bike, elliptical trainer and a shoulder mobility wheel.

City of Newcastle’s Recreational Projects Officer Ben Barrett, Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge, Karen Marples from Port Waratah Coal Services, Dr John Ward from the Hunter Ageing Alliance and Natasha Whyte from ActiveStrongerBetter join some regular users of the Maryville fitness station.

The project was delivered by City of Newcastle, which also invested $40,000, after the Hunter Ageing Alliance successfully secured a $40,000 grant from Port Waratah’s Community Investment program.

Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said City of Newcastle is always striving to make the city more inclusive and accessible.

“We’re committed to promoting the health and wellbeing of everyone in our community,” Cr Kerridge said.

“Age-friendly fitness equipment means everyone can participate, providing older residents the same opportunities to remain physically, intellectually, and socially active as younger residents.

“I’m particularly enthusiastic about this project as a Doctor. Exercise is a key part of what’s called prehabilitation in medicine, which is a process that aims to enhance a patient’s physical and psychological function to support them before, during and after surgery. This can improve survival rates after major operations and leads to a faster and better recovery. My colleagues at John Hunter Hospital are national leaders in this new field of medicine.

“This project exemplifies the goals of City of Newcastle’s Disability and Inclusion Action Plan to create and contribute to liveable and accessible public places.”

CEO of Port Waratah Coal Services, Hennie du Plooy, said this is a great example of a community organisation identifying an opportunity to benefit our city.

“Port Waratah is proud to be an active member of our local community and to partner with community organisations to make Newcastle a more active, smarter and sustainable city,”
Mr du Plooy said.

“Our collaboration with Hunter Ageing Alliance and City of Newcastle to install new exercise stations in Maryville has delivered free-to-access, long-term equipment to enhance local lifestyles, health and wellbeing for people of all ages in a picturesque setting along Throsby Creek.”

Dr John Ward from the Hunter Ageing Alliance said the evidence for the benefit of exercise for older people is overwhelming.

“Exercise allows for maintained independence, helps people stay at home longer and builds confidence,” Dr Ward said.

“Exercise is the most effective strategy for the prevention of falls injuries and Type 2 Diabetes and helps with the treatment of most chronic health conditions.

“It’s important to have exercise equipment in public spaces that is user-friendly for older people but can be used by anyone.

“We hope this equipment can be the first of many such exercise hubs in public areas in Newcastle.”

Appeal to locate teenage girl missing from Newcastle

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from the Newcastle area.

Serena-Rose Mallia, aged 15, was last seen in Blackhill about 3pm on Tuesday (31 December 2024).

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

Police and family hold concerns for Serena’s welfare due to her age.

She is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 155cm tall, of medium build and brown hair with blonde highlights.

Police believe Serena-Rose may be in the Balmain area in Sydney’s inner west.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to call Newcastle Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.