City of Newcastle (CN) welcomes the $2.3 million in funding from the NSW Government’s 2021-22 Coastal and Estuary Grants Program for the first of three protection structures to address immediate erosion risk at Stockton Beach.
This grant will be boosted by further funding from CN for the first protection structure to be delivered as part of the Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP) 2020. This will see CN’s investment at Stockton since the adoption of the Coastal Management Program in 2020 increase to $9.5 million. Council has already committed $27.5 million to protecting Stockton Beach.
The first protection structure will be located at the southern end of the existing Mitchell Street seawall (just south of Pembroke Street) in Stockton.
CN has completed the design of the protection structure and has recently awarded the tender for the work and this funding will enable construction on the first protection structure to commence in the first half of 2023. CN will continue to work with Stockton Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Group to ensure works respect the significance of the Stockton coastline to the Worimi people and protects their heritage.
The design of the structure considers its ability to address erosion from storm events, as well as long-term beach recession. It also considers the requirement to protect public assets at high-risk.
The beach protection structures, and the emergency works undertaken at Stockton Beach, complement the NSW Government’s proposed mass sand nourishment on the beach.
An investigation is underway following the fatal shooting of a man in the state’s Hunter Region overnight.
Shortly before 11pm (Tuesday 27 December 2022), emergency services responded to reports of a man being shot at a home on Traders Way, Heddon Greta, approximately 20km east of Cessnock.
NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the man, but he died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be aged 25.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene, which will be examined by specialist forensic police.
Detectives have commenced an investigation into the incident under Strike Force Roslyn.
The Illawarra is set to become a renewable energy and clean manufacturing powerhouse, following the release of the draft declaration of the Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).
The NSW Government is leading the transformation of our energy system by building five massive REZs across the State. The development of the REZs under the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap are critical to deliver cheap, reliable and clean electricity to homes and businesses in NSW as coal-fired power stations progressively close over the next 10 to 15 years.
Energy Minister Matt Kean said the Illawarra REZ draft declaration sets out additional transmission network capacity and the geographical area that will make up the Illawarra REZ.
“The Illawarra is well placed to become a renewable energy powerhouse, thanks to its existing energy, port and transport infrastructure, its highly skilled workforce and strong demand from existing industries to decarbonise,” Mr Kean said.
“The Illawarra REZ registration of interest attracted a significant response with 44 renewable generation and storage projects registering, representing more than 17 gigawatts of new projects which could unlock around $43 billion in potential investment.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Wollongong and the Illawarra Peter Poulos said once the REZ has been formally declared, we will begin the next phase of development, including engaging closely with the local community, industry, councils and other stakeholders.
“This REZ will ensure the Illawarra plays a central role in our renewable energy future, powering existing and emerging industries, including in offshore wind, green hydrogen and green steel production,” Mr Poulos said.
The draft declaration is now on public exhibition for six weeks until mid-February 2023 and can be viewed online at the link below. To provide feedback or to contact EnergyCo, please email contact@energyco.nsw.gov.au. For more information visit https://www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/ilw-rez
Parents are being reminded to make the most of the NSW Government’s $100 Creative Kids Voucher scheme, with plenty of school holiday programs, classes and other eligible experiences available to redeem the vouchersbefore the 31 December deadline.
Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said 1.7 million vouchers have been redeemed since the program was launched by the Liberal and Nationals Government four years ago, saving families $170 million and making it easier for school-aged children to participate in creative arts and cultural activities.
“The overwhelming enthusiasm for the scheme is a testament to the importance parents place on giving children enriching arts and cultural experiences and their appreciation for the cost-of-living supports offered by the Liberals and Nationals,” Mr Franklin said.
“The summer school holidays can put a lot of pressure on family budgets, so this is a timely reminder for parents to use the $100 vouchers to book experiences including school holiday workshops like dance, drama, music, art or coding classes before they expire on 31 December.” Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the success of the program is reflected in the strong up take. “Parents love the Creative Kids voucher and have been downloading and redeeming them since it launched, giving the voucher experience 99 per cent thumbs up,” Mr Dominello said. “The voucher gives kids the opportunity to continue to develop and nurture their creative abilities over the summer holidays.”
Current vouchers will expire on 31 December 2022, however, under the rules of the program they may be used to enrol in classes taking place in early 2023.
The vouchers enable parents, guardians and carers to claim a $100 rebate per child to put towards the cost of eligible creative arts and cultural programs.
More than 4,200 providers are participating in the program, including artists, cultural practitioners, arts, screen, and creative organisations across NSW. Eligible programs include creative workshops, music tutorials, art classes, dramatic and performing arts classes and coding. Consumables such as art and craft supplies are not eligible under the initiative. The Creative Kids Voucher is one of four vouchers NSW families can access to help with household budgets and cost of living pressures. Between Creative and Active Kids, Before and After School Care and the Premier’s Back to School vouchers, parents and carers can access around $850 in savings per child through the MyServiceNSW account or via the Service NSW app. NSW families can access further savings through the NSW Savings Finder and the FuelCheck app to help with travel costs on the road this summer. For more information including details on how to apply for a 2022 Creative Kids voucher before the 31 December deadline, visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-creative-kids-voucher
It’s a day of giving. It’s a day for relaxing together with family and friends.
And for many Australians, it is a day that is so central to their faith.
Of course, not everyone gets to take it easy today. If you’re rostered on somewhere, I want to say thank you for your service to others.
If you’re working because you’ve volunteered your time to make Christmas better for your fellow Australians – whether you’re serving lunch to those in need or you’re keeping our beaches safe – I want to express my gratitude and my admiration.
The same goes to all our emergency service workers, and of course all Australian Defence Force personnel, whether they’re serving here, or far from home overseas. Thank you to every single one of you.
Whatever form Christmas Day takes for you, may it be a very happy one. And may Santa be good to every child.
The Sixth Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue was held in Beijing on 21 December 2022. Australia’s Foreign Minister, Penny Wong and China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, met to exchange views on bilateral, regional and international issues of interest.
50 years on from the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides reiterated the importance of a stable, constructive relationship to both sides, the region and the world. They agreed to a relationship based on mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and navigating differences, in keeping with our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The two sides agreed to maintain high-level engagement, and to commence or restart dialogue in areas including:
Bilateral relations
Trade and economic issues
Consular affairs
Climate change
Defence, and
Regional and international issues
They also agreed to support people-to-people exchanges, including the 1.5 track High-Level Dialogue, the Australia-China CEO Roundtable and visits by bilateral business delegations.
The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States and the High Representative of the European Union strongly condemn the Taliban’s recent decisions to ban women from universities, to continue to bar girls from secondary schools, and to impose other harsh restrictions on the ability of women and girls in Afghanistan to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The Taliban’s oppressive measures against Afghan girls and women have been relentless and systemic. Over the last 16 months, the Taliban have issued no fewer than 16 decrees and edicts that, among other things, constrain women’s mobility, remove women from places of work, require head-to-toe coverings for women, ban women from using public spaces such as parks and gyms and leave widows and women-headed households in dire circumstances by the requirement of male guardianship. These policies make clear the Taliban’s disregard for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Afghanistan.
Afghan women’s ingenuity and dynamism are needed urgently to help relieve profound and staggering economic and humanitarian needs. A stable, economically viable, and peaceful Afghanistan is only attainable and sustainable if all Afghans, including women and girls, can fully, equally, and meaningfully participate in and contribute to the country’s future and development.
We stand with all Afghans in their demand to exercise their human rights consistent with Afghanistan’s obligations under international law. With these moves, the Taliban are further isolating themselves from the Afghan population and the international community. We urge the Taliban to immediately abandon the new oppressive measures with respect to university education for women and girls and to, without delay, reverse the existing decision to prohibit girls’ access to secondary school.
Taliban policies designed to erase women from public life will have consequences for how our countries engage with the Taliban. Our foremost concern will continue to be the welfare, rights, and freedoms of the people of Afghanistan.
Today I announce the appointment of Mr Justin Hayhurst as Australia’s next Ambassador to Japan, commencing in early 2023.
Australia and Japan share a Special Strategic Partnership, with an aligned strategic agenda, strong commercial relations, and enduring people-to-people links.
Japan is Australia’s second-largest trading partner, second-largest export market, and third-largest source of imports.
We are close, trusted and active partners in multilateral, regional and in plurilateral frameworks, including the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue, Quad, the East Asia Summit, World Trade Organization and G20.
Our security and defence relationship is critical to both nations and supports regional stability, prosperity and peace, enabled by a bilateral Reciprocal Access Agreement and the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation signed by Prime Ministers this year.
Mr Hayhurst is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Deputy Secretary of the Geostrategic Group and Australia’s Senior Quad Official.
He was previously First Assistant Secretary International in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Mr Hayhurst has served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission, Beijing, and in the Philippines.
I thank Chargé d’Affaires Peter Roberts for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Japan since July 2022.
The Federal Executive of the Liberal Party of Australia has received the final report of the Review of the 2022 Federal Election.
I would like to thank Brian Loughnane AO and Senator the Hon Jane Hume and the many people who assisted, including Liberal Party members and supporters who made over 600 submissions.
The Review is thorough and forward looking. It makes 49 recommendations relating to: the parliamentary team; Party structure; executives and memberships; pre-selections and candidates; demographics; and campaign preparedness.
While acknowledging the Party has a numbers of strengths, the Review also makes frank assessments about where we can do better.
While the election result in May was disappointing, the Liberal Party is determined to rebuild and offer Australians the strongest possible alternative at the next election.
The Federal Executive will carefully consider the Review and its recommendations, with a clear focus on making our Party stronger and returning to Government.
Significant impacts of three consecutive La Niña events added to the challenge of ensuring Newcastle’s famous coastline from Stockton in the north to Burwood Beach in the south remained safe and accessible for the community to enjoy.
Throughout 2022, City of Newcastle (CN) has delivered a program of work along the coastline which includes the emergency response to severe weather events which caused havoc along the coastline and damaged several coastal assets while at the same time undertaking the investigations and planning for coastal management over the longer term.
In the north, this program of work included completing emergency repair works at Stockton Beach where further beach erosion resulted from the series of weather events earlier in the year.
CN is also moving ahead with the work required to receive and place sand on Stockton Beach, with placement designs and environmental approvals expected to be finalised in early 2023.
In the shorter-term, CN has awarded the tender to build the first of three buried terminal protection structures designed to significantly reduce the chances of erosion in the event of large swells. Construction is anticipated to start early next year on the first structure, which will consist of underground vertical concrete piles that extend from street level to 8.5m below ground at the southern end of the Mitchell Street rock sea wall.
Significant work has also been undertaken on the development of the Extended Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP), which progresses the Stockton 2020 CMP and extends the boundaries of the Program north to the Local Government Area border. The revised series of draft management actions listed in the Extended CMP will be circulated to community representatives, and their feedback will be considered in the final set of actions, which will go on public exhibition in mid-2023.
South of the harbour, good progress is being made on the stage one upgrade of the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths, with renewal of the pools and promenades on track for completion by mid-2023, ahead of re-opening of the baths for swimming by next summer. Consultation on stage two of the upgrade, which centres on the pavilion buildings, will commence early next year.
Just down the coastline work continues on the upgrade to Bathers Way at South Newcastle Beach. Improvements to stormwater drainage, removal of contaminated materials and measures to stabilise the cliff line in the area have been undertaken in addition to the upgrade works, leading to unavoidable program delays, along with supply chain and labour impacts of COVID-19. Despite this the lower promenade is almost complete, and the much-anticipated skate park and skate bowl are taking shape, with the facility expected to be completed in Autumn, and opened by mid-2023.
CN is moving forward with another key link in the city’s iconic coastal walkway, with tenders called for the design of the next stage of Bathers Way, which will create a more accessible shared path through the State heritage-listed King Edward Park. Once appointed, the design consultant will build upon an existing concept layout, with community consultation to inform the final design.
At Bar Beach, a series of emergency repairs have been undertaken following major storm events in April. Temporary stairs have been installed to allow lifeguards direct access from the viewing tower and promenade to the beach, as well as improving access to amenities and upgrades to access for lifesaving vehicles.
Further works are planned to follow the busy summer period, including improvements to accessways at four points between Bar Beach and Merewether Beach. The Bar Beach promenade area will also be upgraded, including construction of a new disabled access ramp, new stairs, upgrades to seawalls and the installation of new handrails.
The stretch of coastline between Bar Beach and Merewether is a key focal point for the development of the Southern Beaches Coastal Management Program (CMP), which is currently underway. The Southern Beaches CMP will cover the length of coastline from Nobbys in the north to Glenrock in the south, providing a long-term program of actions required to adapt to immediate and future changes on our coast. Community consultation on the development of the plan will occur throughout 2023.
Dixon Park’s new kiosk will be up and running for summer, completing the building’s transformation, including the iconic Mark Richards mural, which has been expertly renewed by Up&Up Inspirations. Sunnyboy Kiosk will serve up to 15 flavours of gelato, fresh juices, acai bowls, pastries, fish and chips, and hamburgers, with ample shade and seating, all overlooking Bathers Way – delivered as part of City of Newcastle’s ongoing coastal revitalisation works.
