Category: Newcastle News

City of Newcastle has thrown its support behind discussions to transform Surfest into one of the top 16 surfing contests in the world.

The plan would see the iconic Newcastle event line up in the Challenger Series, which is the second highest tier on the World Surfing League (WSL) calendar, contested by some of the top male and female surfers from across the globe.

Sarah Baum, Philippa Anderson, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Ryan Callinan, Julian Wilson and Jackson Baker at Merewether Beach.A Lord Mayoral Minute unanimously adopted this week called on City of Newcastle to advocate for the event with the NSW Government and the WSL.

The move is supported by Surfest founder Warren Smith, along with the city’s top surfers including Ryan Callinan, Jackson Baker, Julian Wilson, Sarah Baum and Philippa Anderson who joined Cr Nelmes at Merewether Beach today.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle has proven it’s more than capable of hosting major events.

“Newcastle has become a destination of choice for promoters around the world thanks to the success of major events such as the Supercars Newcastle 500, Paul McCartney, Elton John and Pink concerts, as well as various international rugby union, league, football and netball matches,” Cr Nelmes said.

“City of Newcastle also has a proud history of supporting world-class surfing as the founding sponsor of Surfest, which this year celebrated its 38^th anniversary as the largest surfing festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

“Newcastle’s reputation as a premier surfing destination was enhanced when we hosted the Rip Curl Newcastle Cup in 2021, marking the first time a combined male-and-female World Championship Tour event was held in NSW since 1999. 

“That event showcased Merewether Beach and Newcastle to a global audience of more than 10 million people and injected an estimated $15 million into the local economy.

“Securing Surfest as part of the Challenger Series in 2025 and beyond represents a significant opportunity that would bring substantial economic, cultural, and tourism benefits to Newcastle and the wider Hunter region.”

Surfest founder and Freeman of the City of Newcastle Warren Smith will meet with WSL officials in Queensland this week.

Mr Smith said the passion of Cr Nelmes and City of Newcastle’s support has resurrected the dream of adding Surfest to the six-event Challenger Series, which provides a stepping stone to the prestigious 10-event Championship Tour.

“When the World Surf League restructured it competition structure three years ago Surfest became a Qualifying Series event for the Asia-Pacific region, essentially a third-tier event,” Mr Smith said.

“If we’re successful in being added to the Challenger Series we’ll welcome the return of surfers from all over the world, all vying to earn a spot on the Championship Tour.”

Merewether professional surfer Jackson Baker said he’s extremely excited about the prospect of a Challenger Series event coming to his hometown and being hosted at his local beach.

“Having won Surfest in 2022, it would mean the world to me to have an opportunity to win a Challenger Series event at home,” Mr Baker said.

“I travel the world all year to compete at all the Challenger Series stops so having an event at home would definitely boost my chances at requalifying for the Championship Tour.”

Fellow Merewether surfer Philippa Anderson said it’s events like Surfest that inspire childhood dreams.

“From the age of 12 I watched Surfest at Newcastle Beach, then when it moved to Merewether where I started to compete a few years later. As an experienced surfer I now look back on how much those events meant to a young girl who had dreams to become a professional,” Ms Anderson said.

“If the Challenger Series comes to town all the young Novocastrians who aspire to follow in the footsteps of Mark Richards, Ryan Callinan, Morgan Cibilic and Jackson Baker will get to watch and maybe even surf with amazing female and male professional surfers.

“There’s just nothing that can compare to that. I hope we can get the event here and the rest is history.”

A groundbreaking planning tool designed by City of Newcastle, which has slashed determination times for simple developments by more than 75 per cent, will be rolled out across two Hunter councils. 

City of Newcastle will leverage a $1 million Federal grant to integrate and expand its award-winning Accelerated Development Application (ADA) system across Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook Shire Councils as part of a memoranda of understanding with its Hunter neighbours.

Since being introduced by Newcastle in 2022, the system has reduced the average assessment of low-impact, decision-ready development applications to seven days, down from the previous average of 40.

It has also helped cut Newcastle’s overall processing times by 30 per cent.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the three-council accord will springboard the acclaimed ADA into more efficient approvals for low-risk developments.

“This is a significant achievement that means our hard work and expertise is set to benefit our colleagues at Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook shire and ultimately more people across the Hunter,” Cr Nelmes said.

“I’m delighted that the vision of our staff is being recognised through this federal grant and I’m proud that City of Newcastle is leading and collaborating through this first-of-its-kind system, which is setting a benchmark for other councils across NSW.

“By expanding the ADA program across the Hunter, we will help increase the planning capability and housing delivery in the region.”

The councils jointly secured the grant through the Australian Government’s Housing Support Program, part of the National Housing Accord target of 1.2 million new homes.

The system will be rolled out to Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook councils by City of Newcastle through training, support, shared expertise and mentoring.

City of Newcastle will also lead analysis and expansion of ADA, with input from the development sector, key stakeholders and artificial intelligence, to capture and speed up a greater share of applications.

The three councils will then collaborate to finetune the expanded ADA on an ongoing basis.

Muswellbrook Shire Mayor Steve Reynolds said gaining ADA as an approval tool would remove barriers to vital housing and development.

“Just like everyone who lives in the Hunter and across the state, our residents want housing that meets their needs,” Cr Reynolds said.

“Being able to share and take ownership of this proven system for Muswellbrook is going to help us address that need into the future.”

Upper Hunter Shire Mayor Maurice Collison praised the cooperation of the three councils in securing the federal grant and signing the memoranda of understanding.

“Newcastle, Muswellbrook and the Upper Hunter are unique places with their own unique qualities but we have many things in common – an expectation of timely approvals is one of them,” Cr Collison said.

“Already we’re seeing the benefits of working together and this shared approach to the benefits of ADA is a prime example.”

The ADA system has proven highly effective at slashing red tape around the hundreds of simple, decision-ready development applications made to City of Newcastle each year.

The higher efficiency frees council resources for more complex DAs, increasing capacity for merit assessment and responding to site constraints.

The system also improves the quality of information lodged and uses an eligibility checker to quickly determine if an application can be assessed through ADA. In the most recent financial year, ADA determinations accounted for 27 per cent of all applications determined by City of Newcastle.

City of Newcastle’s ADA pathway covers 10 types of developments. Most applications determined are residential, including alterations and additions, single dwellings and secondary dwellings.

A revised construction method has been selected to build the over-water section of the 2.6-kilometre viaduct across the Hunter River as part of the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace project.
Transport for NSW Regional Director North Anna Zycki said the method was revised following extensive community consultation.
“It was clear from the consultation that community members were concerned about potential flood impacts but also wanted reduced environmental impacts and faster delivery of the project,” Ms Zycki said.
“The project team will now use a single 80-metre temporary rock platform on the western side of the river, which removes the need for any dredging.
“Barges will be used to build the deep-water section of the viaduct on the eastern side of the river and these will be supported by a temporary 15-metre rock jetty that will allow material to be loaded and unloaded as the barges move across the river throughout the viaduct build.”  
During the consultation process Transport for NSW hosted five community information sessions in Millers Forest, Raymond Terrace, and Tarro, engaging over 170 residents.
“These sessions provided an opportunity for the community to give feedback on proposed bridge construction methods,” Ms Zycki said.
The first option proposed the use of two small rock jetties of approximately 25 metres, dredging and large barges in the Hunter River as originally contained in the Environmental Impact Statement. The second option involved the use of two temporary rock platforms in the Hunter River of up to 180 metres, built consecutively. 
“We had feedback from around 100 residents, some expressed concerns over the options and we listened, using their feedback to select this revised option,” Ms Zycki said.
“The use of barges in the deeper section of the river eliminates the need for dredging in the shallow section, which best addresses the issues of minimising flood effects and reducing environmental impacts.
“It provides safety advantages too by reducing the time it takes to build this viaduct by up to four months, which minimises the period for risk of increased flood impacts to properties, without the need for dredging in the river.”
The project team will continue proactive engagement with the community about potential flood impacts and mitigation options, including arranging meetings with individual property owners upon request. Construction will start immediately on the new viaduct with girder lifts for the bridge’s approach underway. 
The consultation summary report, including detailed responses from Transport to the feedback received from the community and stakeholders, is now available on our website at https://nswroads.work/m12rt-bridgeconstruction
More information about the project is available at: https://nswroads.work/m12rtportal 
The M1 extension includes upgrades to the surrounding road network, such as the Hexham Straight Widening, and is funded by the Australian and NSW governments. It will feature a 15-kilometre extension of the motorway, removing five sets of traffic lights and cutting nine minutes from travel times during peak periods.  
There will be new interchanges at Black Hill, Tarro, Tomago and Raymond Terrace, the Main North Rail Line, and the New England Highway, and is expected to be open to traffic in 2028.  

Incident activity

• Ongoing – Until further notice

Details

A limited number of buses are replacing trains between Epping and Hornsby due to a tree in the overhead wiring at Normanhurst. Some services may end and start at Hornsby or run via the North Shore Line. Check transport apps for service changes. Delay travel if possible, make other travel arrangements or allow plenty of extra travel time.

A partnership between Homes NSW and Hume Housing will see 13 new homes built in Raymond Terrace through a land deal and funding from the Federal Government’s Social and Affordable Accelerator Fund (SHAF).

The innovative arrangement will see Homes NSW contribute land where three ageing dwellings currently sit. Hume Housing will manage the project transforming the site into six two-bedroom social homes, and seven new affordable townhouses – an uplift of more than four times the homes previously at the site.

Hume Housing will manage both the affordable and social homes, with the social homes to remain owned by Homes NSW.

The partnership is made possible through the Community Housing Providers (CHP) Direct Dealing Policy which provides CHPs opportunities to partner with Homes NSW in delivering more, better quality, fit for purpose and modern homes for people in need.

The Raymond Terrace project is the first to commence under the policy and Hume Housing will receive a $1.5 million grant from the SHAF to support the project’s delivery.

This project is supported by Port Stephens Council Raymond Terrace Masterplan which brings together State and Local Government and the Community Housing Sector in addressing the housing crisis through the delivery of greater housing diversity and affordability in Regional NSW.

Hume Housing worked closely with Port Stephens Council on their Development Application (DA) which was lodged last week.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said

“This partnership marks a significant milestone in addressing housing needs in the Hunter Region.

“Through strategic collaborations like this, Homes NSW is proud to facilitate the transformation of underutilised spaces into vibrant communities.

“This project alone is growing the supply of homes in Raymond Terrace with the number of households who will benefit with a new place to call home increasing from three to thirteen.

“By working together with Hume Housing, we are not only revitalising the community of Raymond Terrace but also setting a precedent for innovative housing solutions.”

State Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said:

“This shows what can be achieved when all levels of government work together, alongside our community housing partners, to deliver more homes for local families.

“This desperately needed project will be the biggest investment in social housing in Port Stephens for more than a decade.”

Federal Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson said:

“Funding from the Albanese Labor Government in partnership with the State, and local provider Hume Housing will deliver 13 new homes in Raymond Terrace. A great initiative and worthy project for our region. A step toward addressing the housing crisis for people in need.”

Hume Housing Chief Executive Officer Brad Braithwaite said:

“Hume Housing is excited to be working alongside Minister Jackson and Homes NSW on developing innovative models for building strong communities and delivering more high quality affordable and social housing in the Hunter.

“Although Hume is a non-profit community housing provider, we are investing in this pilot project using our cherished reserves because we see it as a model with great potential for providing more significant and diverse housing solutions at scale for this region in the future.

“This is a relatively small pilot project, but we are very hopeful that from little things big things come. This collaboration demonstrates the impact of councils, state government, and community housing providers working together to tackle the housing crisis.”

For more information on the CHP Direct Dealing Policy visit: www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/land-and-housing-corporation/plans-and-policies/community-housing-providers-direct-dealing-policy

A draft plan to maximise year-round use of the sporting fields at Waratah Park and enhance its accessibility, amenities and recreation opportunities has been developed to guide future upgrades.

City of Newcastle has worked with sporting groups and key stakeholders on the 10-year plan, which sets out a vision for the historic park and recreational precinct to meet the community’s needs.

City of Newcastle’s Sports Infrastructure Working Party Chair Peta Winney-Baartz discusses the draft Masterplan with sports club representatives at Waratah Park.

It builds on recent improvements to the site, including the installation of cricket sight screens and upgraded changerooms at Waratah Oval, and the replacement of the existing playground with new equipment at Waratah Park. An upgrade of the cricket nets is also underway.

Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz, Chair of City of Newcastle’s Sports Infrastructure Working Party, said the masterplan would enhance the usage and accessibility of the site.

“City of Newcastle is committed to upgrading sporting facilities across the community for the benefit of all as part of our Strategic Sports Plan 2020,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.

“During the past 12 months, we have sought extensive feedback from key user groups including sporting groups and the nearby Callaghan College, to inform the development of the draft masterplan for Waratah Park.

“It includes provision for improved and inclusive amenities, leverages opportunities for passive and active recreation whilst retaining the heritage significance of the park.

“We look forward to sharing this plan with the broader community to seek additional feedback and support for its long-term vision.”

The draft masterplan will guide the staged provision of infrastructure to meet the recreation and sporting needs of the community.

This includes improving the field layout and upgrading the floodlights, irrigation and drainage to maximise the year-round use of the park, with the provision of five grounds for rugby union or league, three turf and one synthetic cricket wicket, and eight Oztag fields.

Upgraded amenities and a formalised car park with accessible parking spaces will ensure the precinct is more inclusive, while informal seating, a three metre wide shared pathway around the park, fitness stations and multi-sport court are also proposed.

Members of the community are invited to find out more and have their say online via City of Newcastle’s website by 27 September.

Newcastle’s brightest minds in business, placemaking and culture will share in $850,000 of City of Newcastle funding that has delivered homegrown hits Shakespeare under the Stars, Sculptures at Scratchley and Big Picture Fest. 

Whale Chorus Creative Director Janie Gibson and Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes

The latest Special Business Rates (SBR) funding round is open to applicants from Monday, offering a chance to back big ideas for Darby Street and the City Centre. 

Recent successful applicants for SBR funding include the seaside spectacular Sculptures at Scratchley, street art blockbuster Big Picture Fest and popular Shakespeare under the Stars event by creative Janie Gibson who also leads Voices of Joan, the acclaimed production now headlining the Sydney Fringe Festival. 

In an effort to increase the benefits to local businesses the SBR program will now encourage successful recipients to source at least 75 per cent of the associated supplies and services from businesses within the precinct.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle through SBR funding has a proud record of strengthening the social, economic and cultural fabric of the city.

“This investment enriches local business precincts, and City of Newcastle takes pride in supporting events and initiatives that promote our city and boost our economy,” Cr Nelmes said.

“One benefit SBR is that it has supported Newcastle’s astonishing grassroots arts and cultural scene, with new events and activations drawing thousands of people to the city.” 

Janie Gibson, Creative Director of Whale Chorus Theatre Company, is also the award-winning creator of the SBR-backed Joan of Arc reimagining Voices of Joan, who brought Shakespeare Under the Stars to thousands in Pacific Park in December with support through the funding.

Ms Gibson said the SBR funding can be a springboard for Novocastrians with big ideas

“The SBR program is an incredible initiative that invites creative activations to enrich our city. We had almost 2000 people come to Shakespeare Under the Stars last year,” Ms Gibson said.

“It is so exciting to see our city’s places come alive with theatre and bring our community together. I would encourage anyone with a great idea to apply.”

Kendall Brooks, Chair of the Newcastle City Centre Business Improvement Association, said the provision for grant recipients to source local in their projects would be a win for the whole community.

“The Special Business Rates grants program provides a range of opportunities and supports events, activations, beautification, and other innovative projects within the precinct,” Ms Brooks said. 

“These initiatives directly benefit local businesses by increasing visitation and enhancing the precinct so it becomes an even more lively and attractive destination for dining, shopping, and leisure.”

Earlier this year, City of Newcastle took applications for a pool of $90,000 in SBR funding for projects in Wallsend and Hamilton.

The latest successful projects for Wallsend are Curious Legends’ Halloween event at Wallsend and Purple Card Project’s Wallsend Op Shop Trail. For Hamilton, the latest successful project is the Newcastle Fringe Festival 2025.

Expressions of interest for Darby Street and City Centre SBR funding open September 2 and close at 4pm October 7, 2024.

City of Newcastle will host online public information sessions on the process at 11am, September 10 and 5pm, September 12, 2024.

For more information including registration for the sessions visit: Special Business Rates Program – City of Newcastle (nsw.gov.au)

A woman will face court charged following a crash in the state’s Hunter Region earlier this week.

About 6pm on Wednesday, 28 August 2024, police were told a 57-year-old woman was driving a Mazda sedan eastbound on the New England Highway in East Maitland, approaching the intersection with Mitchell Drive.

As she entered the intersection, the vehicle crashed into a traffic light pole.

The woman was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for minor injuries.

Officers attached to the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command attended and attempted to conduct a roadside breath test but were unsuccessful.

The woman was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station where she underwent a breath analysis, which returned an alleged reading of 0.342.

She was charged with refusing to submit to a breath test and driving with high range PCA.

She was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice to appear before Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 25 September, 2024.

The Hunter region will benefit from more than $2.33 million from the NSW Government to improve road safety in the area.

The funding is part of a $202 million investment to deliver vital safety upgrades to regional roads, as the Minns Labor Government continues work to reduce the New South Wales road toll and reduce the tragic impact of road trauma on communities across the state.

Delivered as part of the New South Wales Government’s $2.8 billion road safety budget, round two of the Towards Zero-Safer Roads Program, will support 72 separate road safety projects across regional, rural and remote parts of the state. 

Despite regional communities only accounting for a third of the state’s population, tragically, deaths on regional roads make up approximately two thirds of all road deaths.

The Towards Zero – Safer Roads Program, is a road safety infrastructure upgrade and speed management program aimed at delivering sustainable and long-term reduction in road trauma across the NSW road network by addressing high risk locations. 

Upgrades to improve safety may include, installing safety barriers and shoulder widening to help reduce the risk of crashes on higher speed country roads.

Roads to benefit from the funding in the Hunter include:

• T C Frith Avenue, Speers Point –  $179,300

• Wangi Road, Toronto –  $311,672

• Pacific Highway, Pampoolah –  $423,522

• Maitland Road, Mayfield –  $670,103

• Kamilaroi Highway, Quipolly Creek –  $383,873

• Kamilaroi Highway, Tall Crown –  $367,538

A full list of regional road safety upgrades to be delivered under this funding can be found here: https://towardszero.nsw.gov.au/safesystem/safe-roads

Yasmin Catley, Minister for the Hunter said:

“Having the best road infrastructure in place can mean the difference between life and death, and our goal is to give road users the best possible chance in the event of an accident.

“We want our roads in the Hunter to be safe for residents who use the roads every day as well as people visiting our beautiful region, and this funding will help make that a reality.

“From improving sign visibility to increasing the space between traffic travelling in opposite directions, even the smallest upgrades can make a difference.”

Jenny Aitchison, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads said:

“With $202 million to target and improve safety on roads in our regional areas, lives will be saved.

“These upgrades will make our roads safer for all road users, locals and visitors, and this investment will go a long way towards achieving the goal of ensuring everyone gets home safely every time to their loved ones.

“The projects under this program vary in size, location and cost, but the really important thing they have in common is that they will all improve the safety of the people driving on them.” 

City of Newcastle has celebrated the NSW Government’s announcement of $252.2 million to employ more apprentices and trainees in the local government sector across the state.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig joined Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen at City of Newcastle’s Works Depot today, meeting apprentices such as Jazmin Webber, who recently won the Young Achiever’s Award at the Minister’s Awards for Women in Local Government.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig joins Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and City of Newcastle staff at the Works Depot.More than 170 hopeful applicants have already put their names forward for City of Newcastle’s 2025 intake, with 12 positions on offer across the organisation in areas including human resources, civil construction, painting, horticulture and greenkeeping.

Three roles have been targeted towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as part of City of Newcastle’s commitment to its Aboriginal Employment Strategy.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle is committed to providing well trained, skilled staff to meet the workforce challenges of the future.

“We’re focused on making a real difference in our community as a diverse, inclusive and culturally welcoming employer of choice,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Each year our apprentice and trainee program proves incredibly popular as we provide pathways into employment with mentoring from highly skilled professionals across a wide range of roles.

“It’s fantastic to see the positive outcomes of this program, from Jazmin’s well-deserved recognition at the Minister’s awards to the 74 people who have gone through this program and secured full-time employment at the City of Newcastle during the past four years.”

Minister Hoenig said the funding will provide a much-needed boost for councils which are responsible for providing the services and facilities communities use every day.

“It will mean young people can pursue careers within their own communities, which will revitalise local training networks and importantly keep people in our regions,” Minister Hoenig said.

“With the housing crisis the state government’s number one focus, this investment will also make sure councils are well equipped to build the infrastructure and facilities to support growing communities.”

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig with Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and City of Newcastle apprentice Jazmin Webber.Jazmin Webber became City of Newcastle’s first female carpenter after securing an apprenticeship in 2022 and is currently one of 40 apprentices, trainees, graduates and undergraduates completing their on-the-job training.

Ms Webber originally wanted to pursue a career in medicine when she finished high school but has no regrets about her chosen career path.

“The best thing about an apprenticeship with City of Newcastle is the variety and strong mentorship support. I’ve worked on a range of different projects with a rotation of different mentors since starting in 2022,” Ms Webber said.

“I’m in the third year of my carpentry apprenticeship and I’m still learning so much. Every day I get a little bit more comfortable working on my own.

“I love putting in the extra effort to make City of Newcastle a great place to work by attending Workplace Health and Safety meetings and putting forward initiatives regarding mental health.

“I’m determined to finish my apprenticeship and secure a permanent position as a carpenter with City of Newcastle.”

Successful applicants will begin working for City of Newcastle in late January 2025.

For any questions regarding apprenticeships and traineeships contact futurefit@ncc.nsw.gov.au