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Double fatality – Tea Gardens

Police remain at the scene of a double fatal crash near Port Stephens this afternoon.

Shortly before 1.40pm (Thursday 24 March 2022), emergency services were called to the Pacific Highway at Tea Gardens, near Viney Creek Road West, after reports of a crash involving two cars and a motorcycle.

Police have been told an Isuzu D-Max utility travelling southbound collided with a motorcycle and a Toyota station wagon, both travelling northbound.

The male motorcyclist died at the scene.

The female driver of the Toyota was trapped by confinement; however, she died at the scene a short time later.

The man and the woman have not yet been formally identified.

A female passenger of the Toyota was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital.

The male driver of the Isuzu suffered minor injuries and has been taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory testing.

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District have established a crime scene, which will be examined by specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit.

Northbound lanes of the Pacific Highway are closed, with a contraflow in place in one of the two southbound lanes. The northbound lanes are expected to be closed for a significant period of time.

Drivers are urged to expect delays and to drive to the conditions, with a large amount of water across the roads from wet weather today.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is underway.

Six charged over alleged cannabis cultivation and COVID-19 rental relief payment fraud

Detectives have charged six people – including three real estate agents – following an investigation into the alleged use of rental properties for the cultivation of cannabis, and fraudulent acquisition of COVID-19 rental relief payments.

Between July and August 2021, police dismantled a number of sophisticated hydroponic cannabis set-ups located within homes in the Fairfield area, seizing cannabis with a combined estimated potential street value of $2 million.

Officers attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command subsequently established Strike Force Delbo to investigate the activities of a criminal syndicate involved in the enhanced indoor cultivation of cannabis across Sydney’s south-west.

Strike force detectives were assisted throughout the investigation by NSW Fair Trading.

As part of ongoing inquiries, police identified several large-scale fraudulent applications submitted under the NSW Government COVID-19 Residential Tenancy Support Package scheme.

Following extensive inquiries, a 52-year-old man was arrested during a vehicle stop at Cecil Hills about 7am yesterday (Wednesday 23 March 2022).

During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police located and seized $5000 cash and mobile phones.

A short time later, a 44-year-old man was arrested at a home at Bonnyrigg, before officers executed a search warrant at a home at Cecil Hills. Several items were seized for further examination.

Both men were taken to Fairfield Police Station, where the older man – who is a real estate agent – was charged with 10 offences including; knowingly direct activities of criminal group, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, two counts of cultivate prohibited plant (commercial quantity), two counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, make false document to obtain financial advantage and use false document to obtain financial advantage.

The younger man was charged with cultivate prohibited plant (commercial quantity), and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

Both men were refused bail and are due to appear at Fairfield Local Court today (Thursday 24 March 2022).

Later that day, two men – both aged 35 – and a 37-year-old woman were arrested at Fairfield Police Station.

A 35-year-old Middleton Grange man – who is a real estate agent – was charged with nine offences including; participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, two counts of cultivate prohibited plant (commercial quantity), dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, attempt dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and make false document to obtain financial advantage.

A 35-year-old Smithfield man was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and two counts of cultivate prohibited plant (commercial quantity).

A 37-year-old woman – who is a real estate agent – was charged with eight offences including; participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, two counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, make false document to obtain financial advantage and use false document to obtain financial advantage.

All three were refused bail and are due to appear at Fairfield Local Court today (Thursday 24 March 2022).

About 10am, a 23-year-old man was arrested at Marrickville and charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and four counts of cultivate prohibited plant (commercial quantity). He appeared at Newtown Local Court the same day and was granted strict conditional bail to reappear at Fairfield Local Court on Tuesday 25 May 2022.

Fairfield City Police Area Command Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Luke Scott, said several of the syndicate’s members allegedly facilitated the frauds by abusing their employment in the real estate industry.

“We will be alleging these people used their position as trusted insiders in the real estate industry to defraud their own clientele and public money meant for those who need it most,” Det Insp Scott said.

“The properties that were allegedly utilised by this syndicate to grow cannabis were subleased to members of the public who had no idea their name was on the lease agreement, as was the case when it came to the fraudulently obtained rental relief and bond payments.

“The nature of this fraud is particularly scandalous and predatory; the community won’t tolerate it, and those involved now have our court system to answer to,” Det Insp Scott said.

Greens urge Labor to rethink dumping PPL commitment

The Greens have responded with alarm to reports that Labor will dump its policy to add superannuation contributions to parental leave payments, abandoning young families and women at a time of mounting cost of living pressures and rising rates of poverty and homelessness among older women.

Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters said:

“If reports are true that Labor will not add superannuation on parental leave, they would be joining the Liberals in giving a middle finger to Australian families, and especially women.

“Dumping its longstanding commitment to pay superannuation on paid parental leave wouldn’t just be small-target politics, it would be bad politics that would betray and disadvantage women.

“Women bear the brunt of our unjust PPL system, punished for their unpaid family work with tiny super balances. It’s shameful that in one of the richest countries in the world, the reward for women for taking time out of the workforce to raise children is often poverty in retirement.

“The government’s retirement income review recommended paying super on parental leave as an important equity measure. Australian parents will be rightly disgusted if both big parties ignore that recommendation.

“Reports assert that Labor say this won’t be a vote changing issue – but if both big parties short-change women, women will change their vote.

“Earlier this month I announced the Greens’ fully costed plan to boost paid parental leave, including adding super contributions, and in balance of power after the election we’ll push the next government to do the right thing and make it happen.”

University students still unsafe after five years of inaction

The Greens have called on universities to take a zero tolerance approach to sexual violence and harassment on campuses, after the results of the latest National Student Safety Survey revealed that many university settings remain unsafe and unsupportive of student survivors, especially young women.

Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters said:

“It’s shocking how little has changed since the 2017 survey that formed part of the Human Rights Commission’s Change the Course report.

“The findings of this latest survey reveal that students, particularly female students, remain unsafe and unsupported in many university settings.

“Students have been speaking out for years about sexual violence and harassment on campuses across the country, hoping that sharing their traumatic experiences would lead to universities taking action and being held accountable.

“Organisations like End Rape on Campus have worked tirelessly to keep these issues in the spotlight and get universities to ensure student safety.

“Today’s results show that not enough has been done.

“Universities must finally take this matter seriously. They need genuine zero tolerance policies; transparent, timely complaints procedures; and appropriate support to students from the moment they raise concerns. Universities must ensure residential colleges have professional, trauma-informed staff and clear accountability for enforcing sexual harassment policies. They must engage EROC and survivors in designing, implementing, and evaluating education programs, reporting mechanisms, and support services.

“The National Plan to End Violence Against Women should include specific indicators for university settings to hold universities to account and ensure students are safe and respected.”

As Senate inquiry shines light on proposed ‘climate bomb’, Traditional Owners give no consent to frack Beetaloo Basin

Following an extraordinary day of testimony at the Senate inquiry into oil and gas exploration and production in the Beetaloo Basin, The Greens have today reiterated their support for Traditional Owners who continue to oppose the proposed ‘climate bomb’ fracking project.

At the Darwin hearing, chaired by Yamatji Noongar woman and Australian Greens Senator for WA Dorinda Cox, Traditional Owners expressed concerns at the continued absence of Free, Prior and Informed consent.

The Greens are also deeply concerned to hear testimony to the Inquiry that:

if fracking goes ahead in the Beetaloo,it will be impossible for the Government or Opposition to meet their Net Zero by 2050 targets
The promise to require all emissions to be offset as a condition of lifting the NT fracking moratorium in 2018 has now been abandoned. The NT government falsely claims they can’t require gas companies to force offsets and are relying on Angus Taylor to do it.
Government bureaucrats and politicians are having more meetings with the gas industry than Traditional Owners and pastoralists combined.
The head of the Department approving drilling wells came straight from the gas company and exploration permit holder, Santos.
Pastoralists plead that gas companies and agriculture can’t coexist in the Territory. There is simply not enough water for Traditional Owners, Pastoralists and gas companies
Fracking poses serious contamination risks to groundwater, soil and air
The initial exploration of wells alone will use 2.2 billion litres of precious water, and release at least 1 million tonnes of emissions
Santos and Sweetpea have not undertaken stakeholder engagement prior to the development of Environmental Plans.

“In the middle of the climate emergency, the Northern Territory Labor government supported by the Federal Liberal and Labor parties want to open up Australia’s biggest ever gas field for oil and gas fracking by big corporations,” Senator Dorinda Cox said today.

“Traditional Owners have been very clear – they don’t want this fracking to go ahead. They don’t want their lands and waters to be poisoned. They don’t want this climate bomb. There is no free, prior and informed consent – and this should be a necessity given the enormous scale of this potential climate disaster.”

Senator Thorpe added that, “Successive governments have undermined First Nations land rights and heritage protections to favour big corporations, who often make big donations to the Liberal and Labor parties. We need to balance the scales.”

Scott Morrison is doling out $50 million of public money to big gas companies to frack the Territory, including long-term Liberal allies like Empire Energy and just announced another $50 million more today to prepare studies for where the pipelines will go

The handful of companies and their owners involved in this proposed project have collectively donated $3.7 million to the two major parties over the decade.

Committee hearings remain ongoing. On Friday, the Senate Committee is expected to hear testimony from gas companies Origin Energy, Tamboran, Santos Limited as well as three federal Government Departments.

$708.6 million to continue specialist medical training across Australia

To help get more local doctors trained in the specialties Australia needs, the Morrison Government is providing $708.6 million to continue the Specialist Training Program (STP) for four years from 2022.

Since 2010, more than $1.4 billion has been invested towards the program, which supports training positions outside of traditional metropolitan teaching hospitals.

The program allows participants to train in a multitude of medical environments, including private hospitals, specialist rooms, clinics and day surgeries, Aboriginal Medical Services and non-clinical settings.

Minister for Regional Health, Dr David Gillespie said the extension of the program will mean 920 full-time equivalent places annually, with at least 50 per cent of training to occur in regional, rural and remote locations or private settings.

“This four-year extension of the Specialist Training Program allows specialist trainees to continue to take the opportunity to train in rural communities, which we know creates a higher likelihood they will remain or return after their training is completed,” Dr Gillespie said.

“Already the program has benefitted more than 190 regional, rural, and remote locations, and has seen an increase in rural training from 309 full-time equivalent places in 2018 to 380 places in 2020.

“This investment, coupled with our investment in rural GP and rural generalist training, is part of our deliberate strategy to grow our rural medical workforce.”

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said that an important focus for the program from 2022 will be to increase the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specialist workforce, aligning the program with the recently released National Medical Workforce Strategy.

“Our Government is committed to improving access to quality health care for all Australians, regardless of where they live. This program is an important foundation for that,” Minister Hunt said.

“The program will help to deliver actions of the National Medical Workforce Strategy, including an increase in specialist training opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“This ensures that Indigenous Australians and regional Australia more broadly will benefit from a redistribution of the program’s existing specialist workforce, ensuring more services and training can be delivered where it is needed most.”

The additional funding to extend the program is being provided to 13 non-GP specialist medical colleges already funded under the Specialist Training Program. The funded colleges are:

Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD)
Australasian College of Emergency Medicine (ACEM)
Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP)
Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA)
College of Intensive Care Medicine (CICM)
Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA)
Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP)
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG)
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO)
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP)
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR)
Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA)

Further information about the program can be found on the Department of Health’s Specialist Training Program web page.

The Australian Government invests $4.2 million to get specialists in the bush

The Morrison Joyce Government is investing more than $4 million across country Australia to increase access to specialists for patients and encourage more specialists to undertake their training in regional, rural and remote areas.

The funding will be shared across eight projects that will support more specialists – such as dermatologists, emergency medicine specialists, sports and exercise physicians, surgeons and psychiatrists – to undertake rural and regional placements and training.

Federal Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie said the investment through the Morrison Joyce Government’s Flexible Approach to Training in Expanded Settings (FATES) program will use innovative approaches to better support trainee specialists in locations with shortages of specialists.

“There is strong evidence that undertaking medical training in a regional or rural setting increases retention rates,” former regional doctor, Dr Gillespie said.

“The Morrison Joyce Government is rapidly expanding and innovating rural training opportunities not only for non-GP specialists such as this, but for GPs, nurses and allied health professionals.

“This investment will improve distribution and supply of specialist medical training in areas of undersupply that will also meet the needs of regional, rural and remote communities.”

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said several of the projects will trial new methods for supervising non-GP specialist trainees, including remote supervision, rotation of supervisors, and a hybrid model which blends on-site and remote supervision.

“One in particular will be delivered as a consortia approach in collaboration with the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association, to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people trained as non-GP medical specialists across most specialities,” Minister Hunt said.

Dr Gillespie said he often heard dermatologists and psychiatrists are in short supply in country Australia, and three projects funded in today’s announcement would directly assist with getting more of these two specialities to the bush.

“The Australasian College of Dermatologists will roll out two programs that will boost training opportunities for this speciality in Townsville, Darwin and Katherine,” Dr Gillespie said.

“Psychiatrists are in undersupply nationally, especially in rural and remote areas. The funded project being ran by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists will employ three specialists that will play a crucial role in implementing the national Rural Psychiatry Training Pathway.”

Projects are located in Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, with others focussed more broadly in rural and remote area across Australia so that all country patients can benefit from this investment.

The FATES program will run for four years from 2021-22, providing a total of $29.5 million for new and innovative approaches to non-GP medical specialist training, and support for trainee specialists to transition to rural practice.

Project details:

Specialist medical college	Project title	Location	Funding amount
Australasian College of Dermatologists	An innovative and collaborative model of hybrid supervision for specialist dermatology training in Townsville.	Townsville, QLD	$455,731
Australasian College of Dermatologists	NT Supervisory Rotational System	Darwin/Katherine, NT	$612,128
Australasian College of Emergency Medicine	Blended Remote Trainee Supervision Pilot	South West Victoria (Warrnambool) and Townsville, QLD	$324,000
Australasian College of Sports and Exercise Physicians	Remote Supervision Pilot	Broome, WA	$205,607
The College of Intensive Care Medicine	WA Training Pathway Project	Western Australia	$418,026
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists	Rural Director of Training Pilot Program	To be determined	$830,366
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons	Rural Accreditation – Addressing Barriers to Rural Specialist Training	National	$848,196
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists	Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association Specialist Trainee Support Program (AIDA STSP)	National	$501,977

City seeks action from Deputy Premier’s Taskforce to return sand to Stockton Beach

The first meeting of the Deputy Premier’s Stockton Beach Taskforce since Deputy Premier Paul Toole inspected erosion at Stockton Beach with Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes last month is set to occur tomorrow.

After a meeting hiatus last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Taskforce will be an opportunity to progress the actions of Stockton’s Coastal Management Program including returning sand and amenity to Stockton Beach.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole and Member of Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp inspect the beach erosion at Stockton in February.

An evaluation report in December last year found that an ongoing program of sand top-ups will be more cost effective and efficient than structures like an artificial headland, in terms of buffering the coastline and returning a permanent beach at Stockton.

This followed an extensive evaluation process that considered four feasible coastal management options to complement the mass sand nourishment identified in the Stockton Coastal Management Program 2020.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the Taskforce meeting and said City of Newcastle is looking to the State Government for action on the approvals required to get sand onto Stockton Beach.

“We appreciate the work undertaken by the State Government to identify offshore sand sources suitable for replenishing sand on Stockton Beach and the commitment by the former Deputy Premier to fund the work required for a mining licence for offshore sand extraction,” Cr Nelmes said.

City of Newcastle has provided the State Government with a report detailing several possible planning approval pathways and the technical studies that may be needed to support the approval process, including possible environmental assessments.

“City of Newcastle has asked the State Government to review this document and confirm if the offshore sand extraction is a regional or state significant project and the associated planning approvals required to ensure sand is returned to Stockton Beach.

“With tomorrow’s Taskforce meeting we are hoping for confirmation of State Government funding, knowing that at least $21 million is required for the initial mass sand nourishment of Stockton Beach.”

The certified Stockton Coastal Management Program 2020 identified the need for an initial 2.4 million m³of sand as part of a mass sand nourishment program and, to complement this, a regular program of sand top ups of around 146,000 m³ to maintain the buffer to the coastline and to provide beach amenity for the community.

“We want to get moving with the extraction approvals required to get sand onto Stockton Beach and we recognise the important role the Stockton Beach Taskforce plays in coordinating the various government departments who need to work together to make that happen,” Cr Nelmes said.

The Deputy Premier’s Stockton Beach Taskforce was established to provide advice and recommendations to both the NSW Government and City of Newcastle on such issues as sand sourcing, actions to mitigate the loss of community amenity and seeking the priority capital and operational funding required.

Chance for last slide down iconic Lambton Swimming Centre attraction before replacement

Local children have the chance to take one more slide down the towering spiral waterslide at Lambton Swimming Centre before the iconic attraction is updated.

City of Newcastle has progressed plans to replace the 22-year-old enclosed raft waterslide, with the project awarded to Australian Waterslides & Leisure.

Locals-Bella-and-Tom-enjoying-the-waterslide-at-Lambton-Swimming-Centre-1.jpg
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the 120m-long twisting waterslide will remain in operation until the end of the April school holidays, with work to commence on replacement once the Lambton Swimming Centre closes for winter.

“The existing waterslide will continue to operate throughout the remainder of the current season, ready for locals to enjoy the new waterslide when the pool reopens for the 2022/23 summer season,” Cr Nelmes said.

Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the waterslide has been a hit since its installation, with hundreds of people flocking to Lambton Swimming Centre during the school holidays to make a splash down the popular attraction.

“I encourage local kids, whose parents may have enjoyed climbing up the 9-metre-high tower to splash down the waterslide when it was originally installed in 2000, to take one more slide down the popular attraction before it is replaced,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.

A like-for-like replacement of the waterslide will be installed at the site of the existing slide within Lambton Swimming Centre and the project will make use of the existing supporting infrastructure.

The Lambton Swimming Centre was developed as the City of Newcastle’s (CN) first inland swimming pool and was opened in 1963. An average of 184,000 people visit the popular facility annually.

During the last winter closure period, annual maintenance was undertaken at Lambton Swimming Centre, which included painting and upkeep throughout the facility.

Elsewhere at City of Newcastle inland pools, new playgrounds were recently constructed at Wallsend Swimming Centre and Mayfield Swimming Centre, and a new accessible changeroom area was created at Mayfield Swimming Centre. Further exciting improvements for our local pools will be unveiled in the 2022/23 budget in April.

Ordinary Council Meeting Tuesday 22 March 2022

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council Meeting of Tuesday 22 March 2022. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.

Lord Mayoral Minute

Federal Election Priorities

A Lord Mayoral Minute regarding federal election priorities was supported ahead of the May 2022 election. City of Newcastle will prepare an election priorities document to enable advocacy for funding and delivery of projects and policies, consistent with CN priorities and budget commitments.

Priorities include, but are not limited to Newcastle Airport Terminal expansion, Richmond Vale Rail Trail, National Park No.1 Sportsground redevelopment, Hunter Park (Broadmeadow Sports and Entertainment Precinct), Sporting Facility Fund, Surf Lifesaving Club redevelopment funding, Stockton Coastal Erosion mitigation and sand replenishment.

Ordinary Business

Endorsement of motions to the 2022 National General Assembly of Local Government
Council endorsed 11 motions for submission to the 2022 Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly, which is being held from 19-22 June 2022 at the National Convention Centre, Canberra.

Public exhibition of Wickham Masterplan update 2022
Council voted to place the draft Wickham Masterplan 2021 Update (2022 amendment) on public exhibition for 28 days and receive a report following the exhibition period.

Exhibition of Planning Proposal and Development Control Plan for Community Infrastructure Incentives at Wickham
Council supported the Planning Proposal to amend the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012 in order to implement the Draft Wickham Masterplan 2021 Update (2022 Amendment).

City of Newcastle will forward the Planning Proposal to the Minister for Planning for ‘Gateway Determination’.

Council also voted to place the Planning Proposal, subject to Gateway Determination, on public exhibition for 28 days.

Exhibition of Draft Newcastle Development Control Plan Section 6.03 Wickham
Council voted to place the draft Newcastle Development Control Plan 2012 Section 6.03 Wickham on public exhibition for 28 days.

Council will receive a report on submissions received after the public exhibition period including any further amendments made in response to submissions.

Employment zones reform
Council received a report on the NSW Government’s changes to employment zones in all NSW Local Environment Plans. City of Newcastle will make a formal submission to the Department of Planning and Environment raising concerns about the short timeframe to consider the significant reform.

Elizabeth Street, Tighes Hill – proposed raised crossing at Union Street
Council approved the proposed upgrade of the pedestrian crossing in Elizabeth Street Tighes Hill, near Union Street, to a raised crossing with kerb extensions.

Tauranga Road, New Lambton – half road closure at Lambton Road
Council approved the proposed half road closure of Tauranga Road at Lambton Road, Lambton, and implement one-way northbound traffic flow between Thalaba Road and Lambton Road.

Executive monthly performance report
Council received the executive monthly performance report for February 2022, which reports on City of Newcastle’s monthly performance.

Tender report – Lambton Pool waterslide replacement
Council voted to approve an exemption to tender under Section 55(3)(i) of the Local Government Act 1993 for the design, supply and installation of a waterslide at Lambton Swimming Centre.

Organics Processing Facility
Council voted to accept a variation to contract 2019/144T for the design and construction of an organics processing facility for combined food organics and garden organics at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre to enable food waste to be brought forward by four years.

Notices of Motion

Support for east coast submarine naval base in Newcastle
Council did not endorse a Notice of Motion asking for City of Newcastle to support the building of the new east coast future Navy base in Newcastle.

Supporting the National ‘Statement from the Heart’ for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition campaign
Council endorsed a Notice of Motion calling for City of Newcastle to support the National ‘Statement from The Heart’ and the campaign for Constitutional Recognition of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, and to recognise that 26 May represents the fifth anniversary of the Statement from The Heart.

Council will partner with the Gurakiai Aboriginal Advisory Committee, Local Government NSW and From the Heart to hold public forums in Newcastle to raise community awareness of the issues.

Preservation and repurposing of Shepherds Hill Observation Post
Council endorsed an amended notice of motion to write to the Minister for Defence to seek funding for feasibility investigations and concept plan for the adaptive reuse of the Shepherds Hill Observation Post, which could include activities such as whale watching.

Refugee / asylum seekers – humanitarian settlement
Council supported a Notice of Motion calling for the Lord Mayor to write to the NSW members of the Senate and House of Representatives and the current Minister for Home Affairs, Karen Andrews, requesting urgent humanitarian settlement for all refugees and asylum seekers who seek sanctuary and a safe home in Australia. As a Refugee Welcome City, CN offers its support to assist stakeholders to settle those refugees and asylum seekers as soon as possible after leaving detention.

Council also endorsed adding City of Newcastle to the list of local councils supporting the Back your Neighbour campaign.

Newcastle Surf Lifesaving Clubs
Council supported an amended Notice of Motion noting that the development of a Coastal Management Plan is underway, and significant investment has already been made into coastal assets. City of Newcastle will continue to explore future funding options with Federal, State, and external stakeholders to maximise the functionality of local Surf Lifesaving Clubs, which will provide a community service and increase tourism visitation to enjoy Newcastle’s beautiful beaches and outdoor recreational lifestyle.

Gas Decarbonisation
Council supported a Notice of Motion to write to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and various Ministers to urgently develop a gas decarbonisation roadmap, setting business, industry and households up to be resilient and sustainable in a decarbonising world, while safeguarding jobs in important manufacturing industries.

Newcastle West Safety Audit
Council supported a Notice of Motion to conduct a crime prevention through environmental design safety audit for the ‘West End’ after dark precinct during the detailed design phase of the West End city centre revitalisation program of works in consultation with residents, NSW Police, local venue operators, Councillors, City of Newcastle staff, and other key stakeholders.

City of Newcastle Creative Hoardings Program
Council supported a Notice of Motion to investigate the feasibility of initiating a Newcastle Creative Hoardings Program, whereby developers with construction sites in high visibility areas must cover their hoardings with street art concepts, created by local street artists (wherever possible) as endorsed by the City’s Public Art Reference Group.

The Motion also noted that the popular Big Picture Festival is returning later in 2022 as a part of the Special Business Rate Program, and event organisers propose to collaborate with other SBR street art projects to create a more holistic and broader initiative.