Local school commitments delivered

Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon, today announced that funding for three local schools under the Schools Upgrade Fund has been delivered by the Albanese Labor Government.

Successful projects in the Newcastle electorate under the Targeted Round are:

  • Belair Public School will receive $31,150 for playground upgrades
  • Heaton Public School will receive $50,000 to upgrade the creative play space
  • Mayfield West Demonstration School will receive $50,000 for air conditioning and air ventilation.

Ms Claydon said the funding for these commitments has now been confirmed and will be provided to the schools in coming weeks.

“We committed to funding for these important school upgrades – and we’ve delivered,” Ms Claydon said.

“This is terrific news for these schools – especially for their students.

“It means better equipment and facilities to help them learn and play in a top-class environment.

“I’m so proud of our local schools and students. Everyone has had a tough couple of years and this funding is part of our efforts to help them bounce back.”

The funding is part of the $270 million Schools Upgrade Fund which is being rolled-out by the Albanese Labor Government to boost school infrastructure for students, especially to combat the impacts of the pandemic.

Ms Claydon also encouraged local schools to apply for funding for projects under the open grant round.   

“The open grant round is worth $32 million and will be invested in things like new laptops and iPads, classroom upgrades and outdoor learning areas,” Ms Claydon said.

“I encourage all schools in Newcastle to apply.”

Funding will go to schools most in need towards small-scale projects worth up to $25,000 to create healthier and safer learning environments and help students get back on track after disruptions caused by COVID.

For more information on how to apply visit: www.education.gov.au/schools-upgrade-fund

THE KIMBERLEY NEEDS ALL FUNDING SUPPORTS TO BUILD BACK STRONGER

This week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese toured the flood ravaged Kimberley region with the Minister for Emergency Management, Senator Murray Watt, and Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan announcing funding for impacted families and individuals.

Upon seeing the extent of the damage and destruction, Prime Minister Albanese committed the Commonwealth Government to providing whatever support the Western Australian Government requires to rebuild and recover as quickly as possible from the unprecedented flooding event.

WA Greens Senator and Yamatji-Noongar woman, Dorinda Cox said:

“There’s a huge amount of work ahead to rebuild the lives and livelihoods of the communities in the Kimberley. We must guarantee that those families who lost everything do not suffer extended periods of displacement and are able to return home and be on Country as soon as it’s safe to do so.

“The individuals, families, organisations and businesses of Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and the smaller communities along the Martuwarra, must be provided all the same support and funding opportunities that other flood affected Australian communities have received.

“The Disaster Recovery Allowance of up to 13 weeks of income support is currently available to those who are eligible, but the one-off, means-tested, Disaster Recovery Payment of $1000 per adult and $400 per child remains outstanding as the Commonwealth waits for data to be released by the WA Department Fire and Emergency Services before these much needed payments can be activated. Why are these families who have lost everything and are in crisis still waiting?

“Past recovery efforts in our cyclone-prone regional areas have been slow and have unduly impacted struggling communities. With the support of the Commonwealth, the McGowan Government can capitalise on the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, to ensure an effective, long-term recovery in the Kimberley.

“Immediate support for families and small businesses is important, but the region relies heavily on the $2 billion dollar tourism industry, and we need to start planning for its recovery now as well.

“Following two tourist seasons of border closures, Broome and the Kimberley are going to need significant sector-specific stimulus funding to ensure international and domestic tourists return to the region as soon as possible.

“This flood is unprecedented in scale, but it won’t be the region’s last natural disaster. We need a policy framework that addresses climate change adaptation and mitigates loss and damage for regional and remote communities.

“The Albanese Government is committed to supporting our Pacific neighbours on the existential issue of loss and damage associated with the catastrophic effects of climate change. Now it must demonstrate that commitment to the First Peoples of the Kimberley who are impacted by a worsening climate.

“The Australian Government took a leadership role in the final days of negotiation at the COP27 in Egypt, when delegates were struggling to agree on how to fund and support poor and vulnerable nations to adapt to climate change. Now, they need to come good and start funding impacted communities in their own backyard to do the same.”

New grandstand to give spectators plenty to cheer about

The 60-year-old grandstand at Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre is set to be replaced as part of City of Newcastle’s ongoing investment in the much-loved community facility.

With the busy school swimming carnival season just weeks away, temporary seating structures have been installed while a DA is considered for the new grandstand, allowing up to 320 spectators to cheer on competitors, ahead of plans to commence work on the permanent grandstand during the winter.

Temporary-seating-structure-at-Lambton-Park-War-Memorial-Swimming-Centre.JPG

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the ongoing upgrades reflected the facility’s important role as Newcastle’s aquatic hub.

“City of Newcastle (CN) is committed to maintaining and investing in Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre to ensure the 185,000 community members, sporting clubs and visitors that enjoy the facility each year continue to enjoy quality sporting and leisure opportunities for active living and social connection,” Cr Clausen said.

“With the original concrete grandstand due to be replaced once the facility closes this winter, CN has installed temporary seating facilities with shade that will accommodate school swimming carnival spectators and pool visitors seeking a place to relax.

“Detailed designs for the new grandstand are in the process of being finalised but it will remain 75-metres long featuring six tiers and capacity to seat more than 700 people with accessible seating options and viewing platforms catering to wheelchairs and prams.

“Replacing the grandstand will complement a raft of recent improvements at the facility, with CN investing close to $1 million toward projects like a new 120-metre-long waterslide, water play area upgrades, and replacing the Olympic swimming pool’s diving blocks and new diving boards funded via a grant from the NSW Government.”

A Development Application has been lodged for the demolition of the existing grandstand and construction of a new concrete grandstand, with tenders for both expected to open in Autumn 2023.

A scheduled program of maintenance continues at Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre including safety upgrades, painting, and changeroom improvements, while design has started for a more efficient heating system.

Rents hit record highs – again

The rental system is totally broken. 
 

Already exorbitant Sydney rents have risen yet again to record highs, according to new rental data released today.
 

NSW renters desperately need an immediate rent freeze – until longer-term rental reform can be implemented, including cutting rents and ending unfair, no-grounds evictions.
 

So far all we’ve heard from Labor and Liberal are hollow words that tinker around the edges of the housing affordability crisis and refuse to face this rental crisis head-on.
 

Greens are committed to putting renters first and pushing the major parties to freeze and cut rents.

Years of special treatment for greedy developers and big investors have created this crisis.
 

Renters are being forced out of their homes and neighbourhoods, queuing up with hundreds of people just for an inspection, giving up precious family pets and avoiding basic maintenance requests because of fear of retribution.
 

This crisis isn’t going anywhere until we cut rents, end unfair, no-grounds evictions, and stop the special treatment of landlords and big investors profiting from what should be a basic human right.
 

The Greens will push the next government to freeze and cut rents, stop unfair, no-grounds evictions, properly tax mega-mansions and trophy homes, and build a system of housing that works for everyone, not corporate profiteers.

AUSTRALIAN GREENS CALL ON GOVERNMENT TO DO MORE TO PUT AN END TO IRAN’S EXECUTIONS OF PROTESTORS

Australian Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John has today written to the Iranian Ambassador stating his political sponsorship of Majid Kazemi following the Iranian authorities sentencing him to death on 9th January 2023. 

The Iranian diaspora in Australia is greatly concerned for Majid Kazemi, as the Iranian authorities have continued to carry out executions of people who joined protests following Jina Amini’s death. The United Nations Human Rights office has said that the recent executions of Mohammad Mahdi Karami and Seyed Mohammad Hosseini followed “unfair trials based on forced confessions”.

The Australian Greens are calling on the Australian Government to do more than the current sanctions that are in place on some Iranian officials. The current sanctions do not go far enough and are not as strong as those imposed by other countries, including Canada. 

The community is desperately calling for more to be done to show Iranian authorities that these abhorrent acts will not be tolerated. 

Senator Steele-John, spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Peace and Nuclear Disarmament said:

“Every day we wake up to the news that more Iranian freedom protestors have been sentenced to death. This must end. The international community must keep putting pressure on Iranian authorities to free those innocent civilians who are subject to fatal penalties because they were crying out for freedom in their country.”

“Today I have written to the Iranian Ambassador, stating my political sponsorship of Majid Kazemi. Majid Kazemi has family in Australia and he was sentenced to death on 9th January 2023. 

“The Australian Government’s response to Iran since Jina Ahmini’s death in September 2022 has been too slow and has fallen short of what the community is asking for. 

“The Australian Greens are calling on the Australian government to expand the Magnitsky sanctions, including financial asset freezing and further visa bans on people linked to the Iranian regime including key security officials, Basiji Militia, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp and the morality police.

“The Iranian diaspora community has been calling for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to be listed as a terrorist organisation, and the Australian Government must start listening. This would send a strong signal that Australia will not stay silent in the face of human rights abuses and will act to punish perpetrators who are accountable for these heinous crimes.

“The Australian Greens will continue to call on the Iranian government to end its violent crackdown on protesters and request the release of all arrested protestors. We will continue to pressure the Australian Government to do more.”

SAFEGUARD RULES RELEASED TODAY MUST GO FURTHER TO CURB COAL AND GAS: GREENS

The draft Safeguard Mechanism rules released by the Federal Labor government today don’t go far enough and risk continuing to be captured by coal and gas interests.

The safeguard mechanism is primarily about regulating coal, oil and gas, with 57% of emissions covered by the scheme coming from those sectors. 

The Chubb Review into carbon credits also released yesterday reinforces the Greens’ concerns about allowing unlimited offsetting as part of the Safeguard Mechanism reform. The use of Australian Carbon Credit Units instead of actual emission cuts, including those represented by Safeguard Mechanism Credits, risks filling the scheme with hot air.

The government is likely to need the Greens’ backing in the Senate for the rules, which are a disallowable instrument, and to pass the enabling legislation currently before the Parliament.

The Greens want to work with the government to ensure the Safeguard Mechanism delivers real and deep cuts to pollution, not just dodgy offsetting and an excuse for coal and gas to expand and keep polluting.

More than half of the facilities currently covered by the Safeguard Mechanism are coal or gas projects and the 118 coal, oil and gas projects in the investment pipeline will sabotage the Safeguard Mechanism unless they are dealt with by the government.

Acting Greens Leader Mehreen Faruqi said:

“Labor’s Safeguard Mechanism is giving coal and gas a green light to keep expanding as long as they buy enough offsets.

“Coal and gas are making record profits. Buying offsets is just coins down the back of the couch for them. Coal and gas can’t be allowed to just buy their way out of real pollution cuts with dodgy offsetting.

“Coal and gas are causing the climate crisis, but Labor wants more.

“Labor says this law is about Australian industry, but really it’s directly about coal, oil and gas, with 57% of the pollution covered by the law coming from those three climate-destroying industries.

“The Greens want to work with the government to ensure the Safeguard Mechanism delivers real and deep pollution cuts, not just dodgy offsetting and an excuse for coal and gas to expand and keep polluting.

“The Greens will use our balance of power position to push Labor to stop opening up new coal and gas projects and ensure real cuts to pollution, not just hot air.

“The more we let coal and gas off the hook, the more everyone else will have to do. Australian households and manufacturing shouldn’t be asked to do more just so coal and gas can keep on expanding.”

Success of Sir Elton John’s Newcastle tour extends across the city

The sun may have gone down on Sir Elton John’s first and last Newcastle tour, but local tourism and hospitality operators are still revelling in the wake of the event’s success.

Large crowds flocked to McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday, and again on Tuesday, for the first stop on the Australian leg of the mega-star’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, injecting more than $12 million into the local visitor economy.

Of the more than 50,000 tickets sold for two performances, 11,000 tickets were purchased by visitors from outside Newcastle, 2,000 from interstate and more than 120 by international visitors.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the city was still buzzing after Sir Elton John’s two performances that have shone a spotlight on Newcastle and elevated its status as a national events destination.

“It has been an amazing week here in Newcastle for locals and visitors with Sir Elton John performing in our city for the first-time on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour,” Cr Nelmes said.

“City of Newcastle partnered with Venues NSW to secure Newcastle as the first stop on the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in Australia under a strategic Major Events Partnership and would like to congratulate the event organisers for putting on a fantastic show for our locals and visitors.


“Attracting headline acts of this calibre is a testament to Newcastle’s growth as a world-class event city and indicative of our maturing local economy.

“Major events are a key part of City of Newcastle’s Destination Management Plan as a primary driver of the local tourism visitor economy, delivering both an immediate and ongoing benefit for the community and economy, with greater visitation, investment and liveability outcomes.

“City of Newcastle is committed to ongoing strategic investment in major events and tourism through event sponsorship, industry development, tourism brand refresh Seek Off Beat and targeted marketing campaigns which are integral to building a thriving, diverse and robust visitor economy.”

The upcoming expansion of Newcastle Airport will pave the way for attracting more international events, while international hotel brands like Crystalbrook and QT have already recognised Newcastle’s expanding tourism appeal, investing millions of dollars to open five-star hotels in the city.

“What we have seen this week is nothing short of record breaking. The first performance has driven unprecedented demand on a Sunday which is typically our quietest day of the week,” QT Newcastle General Manager Michael Stamboulidis said.

Local hospitality operators like Earp Distilling Co. have been welcoming guests from as far flung as the Whitsundays to Victoria over the past few days according to manager Cameron Burns.

“We’ve been run off our feet, thanks to Elton. This tour has been huge for local tourism and hospitality operators. The more we can help bring events like this to Newcastle, the better,” Mr Burns said.

McDonald Jones Stadium Venue Manager Dean Mantle said the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour has been a major success.

“McDonald Jones Stadium is officially back open for concerts after successfully staging two at-capacity Elton John shows,” Mantle said.

“While it had been more than 30 years between concerts, the success of this tour will only strengthen McDonald Jones Stadium’s position to secure more major events of this scale, complementing the offering from our sporting partners, the Newcastle Knights and Newcastle Jets.

“The success of this event was made possible due to the strong partnership between Venues NSW, City of Newcastle, Michael Chugg and Frontier Touring.”

The next generation of nurses and midwives

Aspiring nurses and midwives are encouraged to choose a rewarding career with NSW Health, with support available through cadetship and scholarship programs in 2023.

Applications are now open for NSW Health’s Enrolled Nurse Scholarships, Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Cadetship Program and Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Scholarships.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said eligible school leavers and people considering a career change can apply for these cadetships and scholarships across NSW, which will provide professional and financial support to help them achieve their goals.

“The NSW health system is the best in the country because of our amazing workforce providing world-class healthcare to local communities every day. If you are an aspiring nurse or midwife, there is no better place to learn and work than in our public hospitals,” Mr Hazzard said.

“These cadetship and scholarship programs will also help further boost and upskill our nursing and midwifery workforce to meet the growing demand in our public hospitals across NSW into the future.”

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said nurses and midwives are a vital part of our health system, especially in rural and regional NSW.  

“I encourage anyone who wants to become a nurse or midwife to start their career with NSW Health by applying for these cadetships and scholarships, which provide guidance and opportunities to explore a variety of clinical settings,” Mrs Taylor said.

“Placements are available in our rural and regional hospitals, which are great places for nurses and midwives to build their skills and knowledge across a broad range of specialities, while caring and advocating for their local community.”

The Enrolled Nurse Scholarships offer a position in the Diploma of Nursing program, cover course fees and lead to employment as an enrolled nurse in a NSW Health facility, following standard recruitment and registration processes.

Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the cadetships and scholarships would help kickstart the careers of NSW’s future nurses and midwives. 

“The Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to providing world-class training to create a pipeline of skilled healthcare workers,” Mr Henskens said.

“These opportunities create workforce pathways so nurses and midwives in training are getting the practical skills and experience they need for jobs in the health sector.”

The Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Cadetship Program, and Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Scholarships provide Aboriginal people with the opportunity to receive financial and professional support during their university studies.

Nurse cadet Maya Svagelli said the Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Cadetship Program helped her to build confidence in her nursing skills and knowledge.

“The best aspects of the cadetship was the experience of working in varied healthcare settings. I was able to work in different areas such as inpatient aged care, inpatient orthopaedics and primary healthcare settings,” Ms Svagelli said.

“I would highly encourage Aboriginal nursing students to apply for this program for the experience and support that is provided to you throughout your degree.”

The NSW Government announced the largest workforce boost in the nation’s history in the 2022-23 Budget with a $4.5 billion investment over four years for 10,148 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff to hospitals and health services across NSW.

The NSW Government is also incentivising hard-to-fill, critical roles in hospitals and health facilities with an $883 million investment targeted at recruiting and retaining staff in regional, rural and remote areas.

Station upgrades to support firefighting women

Seven priority fire stations will be upgraded to provide fit-for-purpose amenities under the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $50 million investment aimed at supporting female firefighters.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean, Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke and Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Commissioner Paul Baxter visited Merrylands today to announce the first upgrades for fire stations at Coledale, Cooma, Merewether, Merrylands, Singleton, The Entrance and Thredbo.
 
Mr Kean said work will focus on new toilets, showers and change rooms to break down barriers that stop women becoming firefighters.
 
“No matter where a woman works, they should have access to appropriate facilities and this investment will ensure our fire stations offer that. Modernising our stations is a vital part of attracting more women to firefighting and strengthening our frontline emergency services,” Mr Kean said.
 
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the $50 million 2022-23 Budget investment is being progressively rolled out over 10 years.
 
“We want to make sure everyone feels comfortable in the workplace. With more women joining the firefighting ranks, access to appropriate amenities at fire stations is essential. These upgrades will see more women feeling welcomed, respected and comfortable at work and a valued part of the local team,” Mrs Taylor said.
 
Ms Cooke said many fire stations across NSW were constructed decades ago and are not appropriate for a modern and diverse workforce.
 
“Every graduation it’s pleasing to see dozens more women joining the firefighting ranks, and as the State’s first female Emergency Services Minister, I’m immensely proud to be delivering a program that will make it easier for women of the future to follow their lead,” Ms Cooke said.
 
Ten per cent of FRNSW’s permanent firefighters and 13 per cent of on-call firefighters are women.
 
Commissioner Baxter said FRNSW is committed to the safety and wellbeing of firefighters and providing a more inclusive work environment.
 
“This investment will help improve workplace conditions for all firefighters by providing men and women with private, separate facilities to ensure our people feel comfortable at work,” Commissioner Baxter said.
 
Design work for the Merrylands Fire Station upgrade has been completed and construction will commence in May.
 
An additional 12 fire stations are expected to be upgraded in the 2023-24 financial year.

Elton John travels road paved with economic gold to Australia’s burgeoning global event destination

Global superstar Elton John is heading to Newcastle this week on a yellow brick road paved with gold for the local economy as the revitalised city cements its transformation into an event powerhouse.

The international music icon will kick off his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour of Australia and New Zealand with two concerts in Newcastle on 8 and 10 January, which are expected to inject around $12 million into the local economy.

His visit will launch a lucrative period for the seventh largest city in Australia, with major events set to attract hundreds of thousands of spectators to Newcastle, provide global exposure and deliver an economic boost worth tens of millions of dollars.

Events include an extended run of the critically acclaimed Broadway musical Come From Away at the historic Civic Theatre in February, the season-opening race of the Supercars Championship on March 10-12 and Australia’s largest annual surfing festival, Surfest, which attracts some of the world’s top surfers and will culminate in a thrilling finals showdown on 25-26 March.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said in the past decade, Newcastle has been transformed into an innovative global city, capturing the attention of investors, event promoters and visitors from around the world.

“We are a city on the rise, with more than $1.85 billion in new developments approved in Newcastle during the last financial year and record levels of private investment delivering entertainment, tourism and hospitality options alongside major residential and retail developments,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Newcastle’s revitalisation has driven our burgeoning events and tourism economy, which continues to grow off the back of a strategic focus and investment by City of Newcastle.

“Events deliver both an immediate and ongoing benefit for the community and economy, with greater visitation, investment and liveability outcomes. Ongoing investment in events and tourism is integral to building a thriving, diverse and robust economy.”

Newcastle’s record of hosting national and international events stretches back to 1985 when Surfest was launched as the richest professional surfing competition in the world.

But its evolution as an events city shifted gears when City of Newcastle and the NSW Government helped secure the Supercars Newcastle 500 for five years from 2017.

Since then, it has opened up further opportunities to host and deliver national and international events on a significant scale, including the 2018 A-League grand final, 2020 SAANZAR Rugby Championship and the 2021 World Surf League Championship Tour event.

This was capped off last year with the staging of Van Gogh Alive, which saw 84,000 people flock to the city to experience the immersive, multi-sensory display of the painter’s iconic artworks. Newcastle was the first regional city in Australia to host the event.

Promoter Andrew Kay said he would return to the city with more major events following the success of the 2022 season.

“We were absolutely thrilled by the reception we received in Newcastle and the Hunter. With over 84,000 tickets sold in just five weeks, the region has shown its appetite and appreciation for quality events,” Mr Kay said.

“Van Gogh Alive was welcomed by the entire community and businesses with whom we partnered, including the City of Newcastle. We will be back with more major events.”

Venues NSW and McDonald Jones Stadium CEO Kerrie Mather was equally positive about Newcastle’s ability to host major events.

“The stage is set for an historic week in Newcastle when the one-and-only Elton John comes to town for the very first, and final, time,” Ms Mather said.

“It’s incredibly exciting to have Elton John kick off his farewell tour of Australia and New Zealand in Newcastle, and we can’t wait to see McDonald Jones Stadium come alive during his two shows that must be seen live.

“Elton John at McDonald Jones Stadium will be the perfect way to celebrate the start of the new year and is just a taste of the major events to look forward to over the coming 12 months.”

International hotel brands Crystalbrook and QT have recognised Newcastle’s expanding tourism appeal, investing millions of dollars to open five-star hotels in the city, while the upcoming expansion of Newcastle Airport will pave the way for more international events.

“From 2024 our expanded terminal will have the ability to welcome hundreds of thousands of international passengers annually as a result of airfield upgrades that will cater to larger aircraft,” Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock said.

“This will enable direct flights between Newcastle and destinations in Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.

“Newcastle’s future as an international tourism and major events destination is bright, and the Federal Government’s $55 million funding towards the expansion of Newcastle Airport’s terminal and $66 million towards the airfield upgrade will be instrumental in transitioning Newcastle from a thriving regional centre to an emerging global city.

“Combined with the arrival of two new luxury hotels, Newcastle’s appeal as a host destination for large-scale international events is becoming even more attractive.”

Background

  • Prior to COVID-19, Newcastle’s tourism industry contributed $1 billion to the local economy each year, with more than five million international and domestic travellers visiting in 2019.
  • City of Newcastle worked with Venues NSW to secure the historic Elton John concerts for Newcastle as part of a Major Events Partnership.
  • This partnership also saw McDonald Jones Stadium (home of the Newcastle Knights and Newcastle Jets) host a round of the 2022 FOX Australian Supercross Championship, while the Newcastle Entertainment Centre hosted a sold-out international netball fixture between Australia and England.
  • Elton John’s two concerts will attract more than 30,000 visitors from outside the Newcastle LGA, including over 2500 interstate visitors and more than 100 international visitors. It has an estimated economic impact of $10 million – $12 million.
  • The Supercross had an audience of more than 15,000 people with over 13,000 from outside the Newcastle LGA and almost 500 interstate visitors, with an estimated economic impact of $3 million.
  • Venues NSW estimated that events at both McDonald Jones Stadium and Newcastle Entertainment Centre will drive $50 million dollars of economic impact into the Newcastle LGA in the 2022/23 financial year.
  • Van Gogh Alive attracted 84,000 visitors over five weeks, which eclipsed its attendance totals during its season in Canberra.
  • The World Surf League’s 2021 Championship Tour event in Newcastle had an estimated benefit of more than $15 million to the local economy, while also showcasing Newcastle to a global audience of more than 10 million viewers.
  • The 2018 A-League grand final delivered an estimated $1.7 million windfall in visitor expenditure over the weekend.
  • The 2017 Matildas v Brazil match in Newcastle attracted an Australian crowd record for a women’s soccer match of almost 17,000 people and generated half a million dollars for the city via 330 bed nights.
  • Each Supercars Newcastle 500 event delivers an average $36.2 million in economic output and creates 149 jobs.
  • The TV audience for Newcastle 500 event in 2017 peaked at more than 1.8 million viewers with an average of 1.3 million people tuning in to the three-day event.