Category: Australian News

The Newcastle Ocean Baths will become the backdrop for two of New Annual’s signature events as part of a 10-day program bringing iconic spaces to life with local stories. 

City of Newcastle’s flagship arts festival will return for its fifth edition in September, showcasing local people, places and performances alongside some of the best theatre, art and music from Australia and overseas. 

New Annual Festival Director Tory Loudon and Councillor Jenny Barrie celebrate the launch of the 2025 New Annual program at Newcastle Ocean Baths with artists and performers including trumpeter Tom Avgenicos, theatre maker Janie Gibson and cast members from Meet Me at the Baths, musician Tim Levinson and members of Newcastle band DUST.

Familiar landscapes including Camp Shortland, Nobbys Beach and The Station will be temporarily transformed into unexpected hubs of art and culture, while audiences will be invited to Meet Me at the Baths and SOAK up unique outdoor theatre and live music experiences at the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths. 

New Annual Festival Director Tory Loudon said City of Newcastle was committed to investing in and celebrating the breadth of creativity and diversity of local talent. 

“Supporting Newcastle’s creative community has been one of the real strengths of New Annual since it was established by City of Newcastle in 2021,” Ms Loudon said. 

“I’m proud to continue this tradition in 2025, with over 70% of this year’s program showcasing Newcastle’s artistic community.  

“We have commissioned new works from Newcastle artists this year, focusing on telling Newcastle stories in locations that are uniquely designed or chosen for a particular artwork or performance. 

“This year’s festival invites people to come and play, see their city differently and discover something new. We are taking art to the streets, parks and Baths of Newcastle. I look forward to seeing you there.” 

The 2025 program includes 23 signature events that span music, theatre, dance, visual arts and public art. More than 60% of the events are free and family friendly. 

Councillor Jenny Barrie, Chair of City of Newcastle’s Community and Culture Strategic Advisory Committee, said New Annual is a festival for the entire community. 

“City of Newcastle is proud to support and invest in arts and cultural opportunities, community pride and local identity through events such as New Annual,” Cr Barrie said. 

“With a predominance of free and low-cost events, the festival provides a valuable way to make art and culture accessible to more people within our community, while also acting as a drawcard for visitors from across our region and beyond.” 

Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said events such as New Annual help celebrate the vibrant cultural diversity of local communities while also driving economic growth.

“New Annual continues to strengthen Newcastle’s position as a centre for art, supporting around 1,500 visiting and local artists and attracting more than 121,500 visitors to the city during its first four years,” Mr Crakanthorp said. 

“Funding contributed by the NSW Government will create vital opportunities for local artists to display their craft, emerging artists to gain exposure, students to gain career placement in their field of study, and the local community members to engage with high calibre local art.” 

The festival will kick off on 26 September with a vibrant First Night Art Party in Laman Street to celebrate the community’s first look at the expanded Newcastle Art Gallery and will run through until 5 October. 

New Annual is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Transport for NSW Open Streets and Permit/Plug/Play Pilot programs, Multicultural NSW Stronger Together grant, Create NSW and the Destination NSW Regional Event Fund.  

The University of Newcastle, Equip Multimedia and Newcastle Art Gallery are presenting partners of the 2025 event. 

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday 21 July. For more information and to stay up-to-date with the latest New Annual news visit https://newannual.com/

2025 NEW ANNUAL FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Meet Me at the Baths

Take a seat on the Newcastle Ocean Baths’ beloved concrete bleachers, don a pair of headphones and become immersed in stranger-than-fiction stories inspired by real Novocastrians in this new site-specific work presented by local theatre company Whale Chorus and written by Ang Collins.  

Whilst you are there, check out The Bathers: Magical Memories, an outdoor photography exhibition, featuring the people and stories of the Newcastle Ocean Baths by Lee Illfield and Edwina Richards. 

SOAK: Live at the Baths

Five nights of sunset music performances at the Newcastle Ocean Baths curated by local musician and manager Tim Levinson (Urthboy and Elefant Tracks). 

Featuring local and globally renowned music talent including post punk quintet Dust, globally acclaimed pop violinist Joel Sunny, virtuoso beatboxer Tom Thum, with Dobby and Freyja Garbett, breakout R&B/hip hop artists Boy Soda, A.Girl and Dean Brady + legendary local DJs Jayteehazard and GNGR. 

Public Art Trail

Follow the self-guided art trail to experience vibrant, surprising and immersive art along the Newcastle Foreshore and in shipping containers near Nobbys Beach and Camp Shortland. Hero works include: 

• Argo Escargot, Jen Denzin. A cargo full of tall tales, lost histories and a healthy dose of the absurd, all housed in a shipping container at Camp Shortland. 

• Listen to a Starfish, Diana Chester and Damian Ricketson. Lie down, close your eyes and listen to field recordings from Newcastle’s shore and rock pools in a sensory sound installation that will help you hear and feel our beloved coastline. 

• Anchor, Heidi Axelsen & Hugo Moline. Enter the camera obscura near Nobbys Beach and see the world differently. Flipping images of the world outside upside down – this is a playful take on perception. 

• Mini Putt Putt Golf, Rosie Deacon x Jen Denzin. Tee-off on a colourful and whimsical 6-hole mini putt putt course, built especially for New Annual. 

Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer and Night Night

Take in a theatre show at the Newcastle Museum featuring family programming from one of the best theatre companies in Australia, The Last Great Hunt (WA).  

Alvin Sputnik – a theatrical masterpiece that will warm your soul, and Night Night – a cinematic stage adventure – like a Wes Anderson film brought to life! 

First Rhythms

First Nations composer and musician, Adam Manning joins forces with renowned contemporary ensemble, Australian Art Orchestra for a performance that reimagines clapsticks, First Nations rhythms and visual art to explore the living pulse of Country. 

POV

A kid with a camera, two adults, no rehearsals. Just real reactions. Prepare to be transformed by this uplifting and unpredictable family portrait.  

SURGE

Curated by Tantrum Youth Arts and transforming Newcastle Museum for one night only, SURGE is a punk explosion of new performance, music, and interactive, visual and installation art. 

Ghosts Between Streams II

A groundbreaking collaboration featuring jazz, strings and visual art, led by one of Australia’s boldest jazz innovators, Tom Avgenicos. This visionary team showcase the story of the Coquun/Hunter River. 

Chicken

Don Murphy is a proud Irish man, a hopeless ketamine addict and one of his generation’s greatest actors. He also happens to be a chicken. A one-woman show by Eva O’Connor (Ireland) that is bonkers and unbelievably brilliant. 

Spooky Men’s Chorale

Experience a men’s choir in a league of their own live on stage at City Hall. Join the singing workshop in the afternoon and be part of the evening’s finale. 

Dancefloor Conversion Therapy

Jonny Hawkins was once on the straight and narrow, now they’re on the queer and wide. A show for clubbers, ravers, party people and all who’ve been born again on the dancefloor. Join the built-in after party in the laneway at Bernie’s Bar. 

First Night Art Party

A free night of music, movement and art on Laman Street, featuring high-energy sets from Haiku Hands, Kira Puru and Devaura, roving performances, and stunning projections by Art Thinking lighting up the outside of the newly reimagined Newcastle Art Gallery.  

Global Gathering

Lighting up Beaumont Street, Hamilton with the sights, sounds and flavours of the world. Led by MCs Australian journalist, author and screenwriter Benjamin Law and Chinese-Australian writer, comedian, and curator Jennifer Wong, the event will feature performances across two stages, including cooking demonstrations, family-friendly workshops, live music and dance. 

La Ronde – Spiegeltent Newcastle

Step into the Spiegeltent and surrender to the intoxicating world of La Ronde. At the centre of this heady cocktail of circus, live music and comedy will be groundbreaking headliners, world-class provocateurs and captivating raw energy direct from the European underground.

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

Ruby-Lee Camilleri, aged 13, was last seen on Fowler Street, Hamilton South, about 9.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 16 July 2025).

When she was unable to be located or contacted, officers attached to Newcastle Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police hold concerns for her welfare due to her age.

Ruby-Lee is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 155cm tall, with a thin build, short brown hair and blue eyes.

She was last seen wearing a grey hoodie and black shorts.

She is known to use the Newcastle, Hamilton South and Waratah West areas.

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

The ship’s company of HMAS Stuart has today been recognised, with approximately 150 personnel among the first in the nation to receive the Australian Operational Service Medal (AOSM) – Indo-Pacific, during a ceremony at Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia. 

This is the Australian Defence Force’s newest medal, acknowledging the role Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have, and continue, to play in operations throughout our Indo-Pacific region. 

The recognition highlights the vital contribution of ADF personnel to Australia’s national interest and their ongoing role in supporting peace, stability and security across the Indo-Pacific region. 

The AOSM, instituted by the Governor-General in January this year, can be awarded to ADF personnel of all ranks who have completed 30 days of operational service on certain ADF operations. 

Approximately 15,000 current and former-serving ADF personnel will be recognised for their contributions and service.

Minister for Defence Personnel, the Hon Matt Keogh MP:

“It was a great honour to attend the presentation of the first Australian Operational Service Medals – Indo Pacific to ADF personnel for their dedication in operations in this most vital of regions for Australia’s national security.

“This medal recognises the contribution of over 15,000 ADF personnel for their service in the Indo-Pacific region since 2005. Behind each medal is a story of service – years of deployments and moments spent away from home. 

“The Australian Government is committed to recognising the service of ADF personnel, and Defence’s continued engagement in the pursuit of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.”

The Greens (WA) are calling for the WA Labor government to amend prescribed burning programs to exclude tingle forests, after a prescribed burn earlier this year felled almost 100 of the rare trees found nowhere else on earth. 

The Greens (WA) Forests and Woodlands spokesperson Jess Beckerling MLC said the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions prescribed burning program was having a catastrophic impact on the fragile tingle forest ecosystems of the Southwest. 

“Hundreds of tingle trees were burned in the Giants Forest near Walpole last year and now – after months of asking by conservation groups, the media and the Greens – it has finally been confirmed that 95 irreplaceable red tingle trees were felled during that burn. 

“This is absolutely devastating; it is time for DBCA to acknowledge that prescribed burning in mature tingle forest is doing far more harm than good and to commit to a major overhaul of burning practices to protect biodiversity and improve fire mitigation outcomes.”

“The Noongar people who protected these forests for tens of thousands of years never burnt tingle forests like this because they are not adapted to be resilient to fire.  

“On top of that, over the last 25 years the red tingle forests have lost about 200mm of average rainfall as a result of our warming and drying climate, putting even further pressure on this fragile ecosystem. 

“We must exclude fire from tingle forests.”

The Greens are demanding the government immediately release the final report of the National Climate Risk Assessment in the wake of yesterday’s Pabai v Commonwealth decision, where the Federal Court acknowledged the devastating climate impacts facing Torres Strait Islander communities — but disappointingly found the government had no legal duty of care.

The second phase of the National Climate Risk Assessment was due to be completed in 2024 to inform Australia’s upcoming National Adaptation Plan, yet the government has failed to release the final report or explain the delay, with its own website stating updates should have been given throughout 2024. 

This follows the government;s refusal to release a separate 2023 report by the Office of National Intelligence on climate change and national security, claiming it is classified.

Australian Greens Assistant Spokesperson for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Steph Hodgins-May 

“This vital report identifies the most pressing climate risks facing our country, and it’s nowhere to be seen.

“While the waves are literally lapping at the doors of our Torres Strait Island family, the government is withholding crucial information needed to respond to the urgent threats to their livelihoods, homes and culture..

“The government has both the power and the responsibility to protect climate vulnerable communities, but how can they do that if the climate risk report is being kept from the very people it should be protecting?

“Australians, especially Torres Straight Islander and Aboriginal communities, deserve the truth. They deserve to know what the climate risks are, and what their government is doing about them. 

“With Parliament returning next week, our message to the government is simple: show us this report, and work with us on real, urgent climate action for current and future generations.” 

Opening the ACT’s first safe injecting room should be a priority during this term of government, says Leader of the ACT Greens, Shane Rattenbury.

Leader of the ACT Greens, Shane Rattenbury:

“In cities like Sydney and Melbourne, safe injecting rooms have been operating for years. But despite Canberra at times recording the highest rate of drug-induced deaths per capita in the country, we still don’t have one.

“A commitment to investigate a safe injecting room was hard-won by the Greens in the last Parliamentary Agreement—but Labor dragged their feet for most of the term–having done no work on this while holding the portfolio.

“It wasn’t until three years in, after a cabinet reshuffle handed the drug harm reduction portfolio to Greens Minister Emma Davidson, that this critical work finally began–with a review into how, not if, but how this work would happen.

“The fact is, this reform is thirty years overdue. Every delay, every review, means more preventable overdose deaths—and that is simply unacceptable.

“If we’re serious about saving lives, we need to treat drug use as a health issue, not a criminal one. That means backing evidence-based, community-led harm reduction services—not leaving people to use alone on the streets.

“Right now we need outcomes— the Greens are flexible on location for this site, but we’re absolutely clear on the need for action. No matter whether it’s co-located with the fixed-site pill testing clinic in Civic or some other location that suits users, what matters is getting it done–and getting it done soon.

“The Greens are really clear: today we’re calling on the government to set-up a safe injecting room in this city before the end of the year. This morning I have written to the Health Minister outlining this ask, and offering the Greens’ support for a collaborative, cross-party approach to making this a reality

This morning’s reporting that housing approvals have reached an all-time low underscores the urgent need for a government-owned housing developer, says ACT Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury.

A draft report from Pegasus Economics has identified workforce shortages as the greatest barrier to meeting the government’s target of building 30,000 homes over the next decade—none of which are currently price-capped or guaranteed to be affordable.

Quotes attributable to Leader of the ACT Greens, Shane Rattenbury:

“If the government is serious about building affordable housing in Canberra—and I stress affordable—then it should be leading the charge by hiring and retaining its own workforce to build it.

“Relying solely on the same private market that caused the housing crisis to fix the housing crisis is a recipe for disaster. This is the same sector that drove prices up in the first place–and now we’re kidding ourselves that they’ll fix it.

“The government’s goal to build 30,000 new homes is certainly commendable, but without a plan to retain a workforce and ensure those homes are actually affordable to someone on minimum wage, it’s really a drop in the ocean.

“During the election, the Greens commissioned independent modelling that showed how a government developer can help us avoid tradie shortages while providing housing at prices everyday people can actually afford—by offering steady, secure work through a consistent pipeline of public builds.

Tackling the housing shortage while ensuring quality of life for residents guided the Urban Design Review Panel’s (UDRP) decision making as they assessed $1.45 billion in developments in Newcastle during the past 12 months.

The UDRP completed a total of 67 individual design review sessions in 2024, offering guidance to City of Newcastle staff and applicants on 49 different development proposals.

The Store development The projects are included in UDRP’s 2024 Annual Report, which will be tabled at next week’s Council meeting.

The Report highlights several significant developments, as well as smaller projects that benefited from design advice.

Proposals reviewed include the DOMA Group’s $130 million twin-tower luxury apartment complex known as The Store, as well as developments such as a $19.4 million educational establishment on University Drive at Callaghan, a $6.1 million residential building in Hamilton and co-living housing on Denison Street in Newcastle West worth almost $12 million.

City of Newcastle’s Executive Director Planning and Environment Michelle Bisson said the UDRP plays a vital role in improving the design quality of new developments.

“The panel provides independent, impartial, and expert advice to City of Newcastle and applicants about the quality of the urban design and amenity of development proposals and strategic design projects,” Ms Bisson said.

“The increase in demand for their services has seen the panel increase to seven members, plus the Chairperson, which has helped to cover the large number of applications.”

“The collective experience of the UDRP members consistently grounds the advice in real-world experience, while balancing the practicalities and challenges of property development and construction.”

East End developmentChairperson Dr Philip Pollard said the panel enjoys providing input into smaller projects as much as high-profile applications.

“We continue to see the face of Newcastle change and develop in an exciting manner, but we’re mindful of the wonderful Indigenous and colonial heritage we’ve inherited,” Dr Pollard said.

“We’re delighted to see an increase of instances where applicants are presenting designs prior to the Development Application stage, proving applicants value of our advice.”

The UDRP also acts as the Design Integrity Panel for some developments in Newcastle to ensure their quality and original detail is maintained or improved through to construction completion.

In 2024, the UDRP oversaw progress on 17 projects such as the Dairy Farmers Towers in Newcastle West, a 16-dwelling project on Church Street in Mayfield and Stages 3 and 4 of the Hunter Street development, part of the East End project by Iris Capital.

The Minns Labor Government is today launching the NSW Housing Pattern Book of low-rise designs, alongside a a world-first new Complying Development pathway, that will speed up the delivery of new homes significantly.

Housing remains the single biggest cost of living pressure people across NSW are facing with a recent NSW Productivity Commission report finding that Sydney is losing twice as many young people as it is gaining, putting us at risk of becoming a city with no grandchildren.

Following the launch of an international pattern book design competition in 2024, the Government Architect has now endorsed eight terrace, townhouse and manorhouse designs for families, young people and downsizers that will be available for $1,000 a design.

However, for the first six months, the Government is significantly subsidising access to these world class designs with each pattern being made available to everyone for $1 per pattern.

The price for each design is a significant discount on the professional fees that potential builders or homeowners would usually pay for a custom architecturally designed home that could be estimated to cost over $20,000.

The Pattern Book was created to be affordable, easy to build, and sustainable. With each design to be adaptable for different family sizes and housing needs, this includes different room formations and layout, helping to create vibrant, diverse communities that reflect the people who live in them.

Every purchase of a design, also comes with a complimentary Landscape Pattern to help new home-owners design their own garden that maximises biodiversity and suits the climate they’re living in.

A new ten-day approval pathway has been developed by the NSW Government alongside the Pattern Book to fast-track these high-quality homes, cutting major costs and delays that normally plague home-builders.

This new, fast-tracked pathway will create the opportunity for these architect designed homes to commence construction within ten days of an application being made, subject to all appropriate assessments being completed.

The Complying Development pathway will be available from 30 July 2025.

The delivery of homes through the NSW Housing Pattern Book is further supported by the Minns Labor Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms that have made terraces, townhouses and manorhouses broadly permissable across NSW.

This laid the groundwork for the arrival of the Pattern Book, unlocking expansive opportunities for the designs to be adopted and built around transport hubs and town centres.

The NSW Housing Pattern Book will be advertised to potential home-buyers and builders through an advertising campaign that is also being launched today, highlighting the benefits of using a pattern book design.

The NSW Housing Pattern Book, together with the Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, is designed to make the housing system fairer by increasing housing supply, giving people more choice in where they want to live and supporting communities that have been locked out of housing for too long, held back by rising costs and a planning system that made it too hard to build homes.

This is all part of the Minns Government’s plan to build a better and fairer NSW with more homes and services, so young people, families and downsizers have somewhere to live in the communities they choose.

To choose your next home, please visit – https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/nsw-housing-pattern-book

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns:

“For too long, too many people in NSW have been locked out of the housing market by rising costs and a system that made it too hard to build. We’re changing that.

“This Pattern Book is about giving people more choice, faster approvals, and affordable, high-quality homes – whether you’re a young person trying to get in, a family needing more space, or a downsizer looking to stay close to the community you know.

“This is a practical step to make the housing system fairer – and make sure NSW remains a place where the next generation can afford to live and thrive.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The NSW Housing Pattern Book allows people to select an architect designed home, that comes with a landscape plan and an approval pathway that only takes a week to complete so they can start building almost immediately.  

“Much of Sydney was built on pattern books. They look great, they’re simple and cost-effective. We’re accelerating these designs with their own approval pathway so those wishing to build can get an approval in one week.

“The NSW Housing Pattern Book takes the guesswork and the delay out of home-building. These designs are high-quality, easy to build, and for the first six months, they’ll cost $1.

“These designs offer choice, with less complexity, making it easier to build homes in NSW.”

Government Architect NSW Abbie Galvin said:

“I am excited to be able to share these patterns that can be used by the development industry, architects, planners, councils and communities.

“The pattern book offers practical and sustainable designs that can be adapted to suit many neighbourhoods, positively contributing to the character of a street.

“We are making it quicker and easier to build new low-rise homes that offer housing diversity for the whole community.”

Bunnings Chief Financial Officer Michael Howard said:

“This is a great step toward making sustainable, affordable homes more accessible, and I’m sure will be welcome news for those looking to build.

“At a time when the construction sector is doing it tough, this initiative will provide much-needed support and boost housing options across NSW.

“Bunnings is ready to help builders, developers and homeowners bring these architect-designed homes to life.”

The state’s first tenants of public modular housing have moved into their new homes marking an important milestone as the Minns Labor Government continues to pull every single lever to deliver more, well located homes sooner.

Over 150 people will have a safe place to call home, as the NSW Government delivers 90 modular homes over the next year. This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s record $6.6 billion Building Homes for New South Wales Program.

After the first three modular homes were brought online last month in Wollongong, residents have officially moved in.

Modular housing provides a cost effective and time efficient alternative to traditional building methods, meaning homes can be brought online faster. Modular homes can be delivered approximately 20% faster than traditional methods with time savings expected to increase over time.

Further, this program delivers on the Minns Labor Government’s agenda to promote local manufacturing jobs by creating over 4,000 quality jobs in factories and on building sites across Sydney and regional New South Wales.

Shortly after forming government the Minns Labor Government convened the Modular Housing Taskforce, an expert cross industry panel who provided advice to government on barriers to the utilisation of and ways modular housing could be harnessed to deliver more homes, sooner in New South Wales.

This follows twelve years of privatisation, sell offs and neglect under the former Liberal National Government who oversaw a net reduction in our states public housing from 110,805 in 2014 to 95,765 in 2023.  Further, between 2017 and 2021 their completion of 2,257 social homes, paled in comparison to the number they sold off or removed – 3,269.

Since being elected the Minns Labor, Government has been working to build a better New South Wales, with more, quality housing, located near the essential infrastructure people rely on.

In the past year the Minns Labor Government has delivered 1,711 new social and affordable homes, the largest increase in government-built public, community homes in over a decade.

A further ten modular social homes are expected to be delivered by the end of this year, with five in Shellharbour and five in Lake Macquarie. Planning for an addition 80 to be delivered by this time next year is well underway.

Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales said:

“Housing affordability and availability is the single biggest pressure facing the people of New South Wales.

“The fact is we need to increase our supply of public housing stock. Today is an important milestone in our work to do that, sooner through nontraditional methods.

“Modular housing allows us to deliver high quality homes in less time. It allows us to build more homes and create more skilled construction and manufacturing jobs.

Rose Jackson, Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness said:

“We are directly building public housing again and we are doing it fast.

“These 90 modular homes are just the beginning. We are rebuilding the public housing system after a decade of sell-offs and neglect.

“This is about building homes and creating jobs. It means more work for tradies, manufacturers and apprentices right across the state.