Category: Newcastle News

HSU members at John Hunter Hospital will band together with the local community to rally against HealthShare’s misguided decision to close their staff cafe, part of a spate of four closures across the state. 

Over 1,000 staff members across various medical fields rely on the retail outlets operated by HealthShare, and the cafe at John Hunter is an important venue for staff to relax and recharge, while enjoying an affordable coffee or meal. 

Alternative private providers do not accept a meal vouchers that staff receive when they work extended shifts.

A petition calling for the decision to be reversed has garnered 4,000 signatures.

The rally will be held outside the The Royal Newcastle Centre from 12:30pm on Thursday September 5.

“It’s not too late for HealthShare to reverse this regrettable and illogical decision,” said Gerard Hayes, HSU NSW Secretary. “The John Hunter Hospital cafe provides affordable meals for exhausted and stressed out health workers. Why disrupt something that’s working? 

“Management’s arguments make little sense.Reverse the decision and give exhausted hospital workers somewhere to relax.”

Thousands of cyclists and pedestrians will find it safer and easier to navigate a busy Newcastle intersection thanks to a $2 million upgrade being delivered by City of Newcastle.

Construction has kicked off on the project, which will address challenging safety and accessibility issues experienced at the existing crossing on Maud Street, near the intersection of Vera and Prince Street, Waratah West.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen and City of Newcastle Works Coordinator Trevor Cocksedge at the Maud Street upgrades.This crossing is used by more than 3,200 people each month and is a key link in the regionally-significant cycleway connecting the University of Newcastle’s Callaghan campus with the city centre.

The current pedestrian refuge will be replaced with a signalised crossing to reduce the risk of interactions between vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, while improved lane alignment, kerb extensions and shared paths will further boost safety at the intersection.

Stormwater upgrades, road resurfacing, landscaping and new kerb and guttering will also be delivered as part of the project, which is being partly funded by $300,000 from the NSW Government.

Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the upgrades will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those living and working in the area.

“We are committed to ensuring Newcastle is a cycling and pedestrian-friendly city,” Cr Clausen said.

“Feedback during the public exhibition of these plans indicated that the majority of the community supports the need for crossing improvements, enhanced pedestrian and cyclist safety, and connectivity.

“The upgrades will make it easier for students travelling to the nearby University by improving this important link in Newcastle’s wider cycleway network.

“The NSW Government funding for the new traffic signals that will be installed on Maud Street will further support these significant safety improvements and enhance the connection from the suburbs through to the city.” 

NSW Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said the upgrades will boost safety for pedestrians and cyclists commuting to and from the city and University.

“These upgrades will go a long way in supporting City of Newcastle’s vision to make Newcastle a cycling and pedestrian-friendly city, as well as supporting active lifestyles for people who choose to ride to work in the city, or the University,” Minister Moriarty said.

City of Newcastle Executive Director City Infrastructure Clint Thomson said the project will involve day and night work to minimise impacts on Maud Street. 

“Our team has worked with Transport for NSW to design and plan a solution for what is currently a challenging crossing to negotiate for pedestrians and cyclists,” Mr Thomson said. 

“These road safety improvements will also include improved lane alignment when traveling northbound on Maud Street, and kerb extensions and shared paths on Prince Street and Vera Street. Vera Street will be changed to a left-in only from Maud Street to further improve safety at this intersection.  

“There will be minor disruptions during the construction period with some temporary changes to traffic, cycling, and pedestrian access in the area. We encourage all road users to plan ahead and drive safely on our roads.”  

This project is part of City of Newcastle’s commitment to developing vibrant, safe and active public places, and is expected to be completed by October, subject to weather.

For more information and updates on this project, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/works 

First Nations culture will be celebrated at the heart of the expanded Newcastle Art Gallery following the acquisition of a significant work of art by internationally acclaimed Quandamooka artist Megan Cope.

Generously donated by the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation, Kinyingarra Guwinyanba (Off Country) features 44 poles adorned with a bouquet of rock oyster shells, which will be suspended within the new central atrium of the Gallery and be visible from the ground and first floors.

Artist Megan CopeEach pole is approximately two metres long and shaped from cypress pine, which has been collected by the artist and Quandamooka community collaborators from Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island).

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes thanked the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation for the culturally important work of art, which is expected to attract international interest.

“Newcastle Art Gallery is dedicated to honouring the culture and traditions of our First Nations communities, so it’s fitting that such a significant work of art will fill the atrium of our expanded Gallery,” Cr Nelmes said.

“In recent years, Megan has exhibited across the globe at major exhibitions and institutions in cities including Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Milan, and Quebec.

“We’re thrilled to become the custodian of Megan’s world-renowned creativity and passion through this generous donation from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation, who continue to play a valuable role in supporting the Gallery, its expansion and the growth of its collection.”  

Chair Suzie Galwey said the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation is incredibly proud to present a major artwork by Indigenous artist Megan Cope to the Gallery Collection.

“Members and supporters of the Foundation are eagerly anticipating this important work being added to the gallery’s already nationally acclaimed collection,” Ms Galwey said.

This gift is in addition to the Foundations’ $13-million philanthropic fundraising goal for the building expansion.

“We would like to take this opportunity to encourage the community to be part of the story and join us in our final fundraising push to bring this long-awaited cultural asset to completion,” Ms Galwey said.

Kinyingarra Guwinyanba, meaning ‘place of oyster rocks’ in Jandai and Gowar language, is part of Megan Cope’s ongoing project of on-and-off-Country oyster-shell based sculptures, which investigate the impact of the early colonial lime-burning industry and devastation of both Aboriginal middens and oyster reefs in Quandamooka Sea Country.

Kinyingarra Guwinyanba (Off Country)Empty oyster shells are attached to marine-resistant wood poles planted in intertidal zones to help propagate new oyster reefs, which themselves are living sculptures and an ancestral technology.

Megan Cope said Kinyingarra Guwinyanba is a project she started in 2022 on her traditional Country.

“Kinyingarra Guwinyanba is a living, generative land and sea artwork that demonstrates how art can physically heal country that has been colonised through the practice of ecologically restorative and ancestral processes,” Ms Cope said.

“By suspending the sculpture in the Gallery, I hope it will help us connect with the two worlds of the intertidal zone, to that feeling of being buoyant when swimming and being able to see both above and below.”

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said Newcastle Art Gallery was also looking forward to welcoming Megan back to Newcastle later this month as part of City of Newcastle’s New Annual festival.

Megan is working with the Gallery to present Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House, a site-specific socially engaged project designed with the University of Newcastle’s Architecture students that will take place in a custom-built temporary structure at Honeysuckle Marina from 27 September to 6 October.

“It is an honour to not only acquire Megan’s incredible work of art into our Gallery’s nationally significant collection, but to also partner with her on our New Annual locally based participatory project celebrating local oysters, collaboration and environmental stewardship,” Ms Morton said.

“Kinyingarra Guwinyanba (Off Country) 2022 will be suspended in the 11-metre-high central atrium – essentially in the ‘heart’ of our reimagined Art Gallery. Beyond its evident artistic merit, it strongly signals the Gallery’s commitment to support First Nations artists, works of scale and artists of calibre.

“While the Gallery has strong representation of First Nations paintings and works on paper, this represents a significant addition to the Gallery’s holdings of sculpture by First Nations artists. Moreover, it aligns with the Gallery’s ambitions to support living artists. 

“We are incredibly grateful to the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation for their continued generosity in support of our Art Gallery.”

The Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project is supported by $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnerships and $5 million from the New South Wales Government under the Regional Recovery Package, as well as $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest, Margaret Olley Trust, and community fundraising over many years.

A further $1 million is currently being sought through the Foundation’s public fundraising campaign.

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.