EDITION 1 2021

City News

Kotara makeover unveiled Help shape your vision for Newcastle Sprucing up your neighbourhood

Kotara residents aren’t the only ones who’ll be noticing a few changes next time they visit their neighbourhood shopping area, with crews recently completing work on Llewellyn Street in Merewether as part of our Local Centres Program. Areas across Newcastle are being upgraded as part of this program, which is designed to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, and create welcoming spaces for communities to gather and shop local. MITCHELL STREET, STOCKTON Work at Mitchell Street, Stockton began in early March, with construction in James Street Plaza, Hamilton and L-R City of Newcastle Works Coordinator Alex Dunn, Newcastle Lord Mayor Sandgate Road, Shortland scheduled to start in mid-2021. Nuatali Nelmes, Hannah and Justin Keegan of the General Washington Hotel, Further community consultation is planned for the renewal and City of Newcastle Project Planner Sarah Horan at Mitchell Street, Stockton of Orchardtown Road at Blackbutt Village in New Lambton ahead of construction next financial year. centre projects with Joslin Message from the Wallsend will also benefit from multiple upgrades under Street in Kotara, Council Street the program, including improvements to stormwater Lord Mayor in Cooks Hill and Llewellyn infrastructure under the Cowper Street bridge, and traffic Street in Merewether all The start to 2021 has brought improvements at the intersections of Cowper and Kokera recently benefiting from an with it plenty of new projects Streets, and Cowper and Nelson Streets. and initiatives across our city. overhaul of the underground We welcomed the inaugural stormwater systems, which New Annual festival, which helped us avoid flooding attracted more than 30,000 like we’ve seen in the past people and supported more during the record rainfall than 750 artists, staff and throughout March. crew. Newcastle’s emergence Robust community as an events city was further engagement remains a cemented with the World priority this year as we seek to Surfing League showcasing progress a range of projects, Merewether to the world and masterplans and plans of dozens of enticing local events management for areas ranging from Food Month including Wickham, Wallsend to the SailFest Regatta. and Carrington, as well as National Park, Newcastle Key projects are taking Ocean Baths and the Harbour shape or almost finished Foreshore precinct. across Newcastle, including the major redevelopment of We are also reaching out to

No.1 Sportsground, which is all members of the community COVER STORY scheduled to reopen towards to help us create a new the end of the year and will shared vision for the future position the city to attract of Newcastle through our $2.4 million makeover elite sporting events. Community Strategy Plan, Newcastle 2040, as we work for Kotara unveiled Construction of the Bathers together to create a smart, Way - South Newcastle liveable and sustainable Have you visited Joslin Street, Kotara lately? We’ve given Beach project continues as global city. it a $2.4 million upgrade including a fresh, vibrant look we work towards reactivating with new trees, furniture and a fantastic public space for this area as a vibrant and I’m thrilled about the the community to enjoy. It features a fun sandstone stack, attractive hub for visitors and upcoming launch of our stepping logs for children to explore, relaxing areas to sit, residents, while local centres new podcast series, Your and a drinking water fountain with accompanying doggy across Newcastle are also Newcastle, which I’m hosting bowl for your four-legged friends. receiving plenty of attention alongside a great line-up of Drains, footpaths and road surfaces were also improved with works to improve guests. Keep your eyes on our as part of the project, while a new pedestrian refuge pedestrian and cyclist safety, Facebook account to find out provides a safer place to cross the road between and create welcoming spaces more details about how you Rae Crescent and the local shopping area. for communities to gather can listen in. and shop local. Significant In the future we’ll also be collaborating with students from drainage upgrades are an Nuatali Nelmes, the nearby Kotara South Public School to design a new important part of our local Lord Mayor of Newcastle climbable caterpillar sculpture to bring the space to life. Thousands embrace inaugural New Annual festival

Were you among more than 30,000 people who came to Newcastle’s inaugural New Annual arts festival in February? City of Newcastle’s new flagship cultural event was a huge success in its first outing, delivering more than 50 events and activities across the city in a vital boost for the local creative arts and live music sectors, which have been heavily impacted by COVID-19. Over 500 visual and performing artists, and 250 staff, crew and volunteers were involved in New Annual, including five key acts commissioned from the Newcastle area with support from Create NSW. More reasons to get out and play City of Newcastle has invested more than $1 million since 2019 towards developing and establishing the festival, generating growth We know how important More recently, we have opportunities for the Newcastle arts and culture sector. replaced the playground at parks and playgrounds are New Annual will return to the city from 24 September to 3 October 2021. Novocastrian Park in New to our community, offering Visit newannual.com to find out more. neighbourhood hubs for Lambton, which included exercise, recreation and the installation of a new rope social opportunities. climber, swings, slides and other equipment that will That’s why during the past cater for a range of ages. five years City of Newcastle An upgrade of the Dangar has delivered more than Park playground in Mayfield $6.5 million in new and was also completed in April, upgraded playgrounds featuring a new climbing across our city and frame and rocker, along with suburbs and will deliver an a larger swing set. additional $1.4 million this financial year. Work on the playgrounds at Gross Street Reserve in We’re continuing this Tighes Hill and King Edward work in 2020-21, with five Park was scheduled to playgrounds getting an begin in April, while we’re overhaul as part of our also continuing to plan program including the $1.2 towards the construction million inclusive playground of the highly anticipated at Stevenson Park, Mayfield, $1.5 million active hub at which opened in December. Federal Park in Wallsend.

What’s ON in your events city

Looking for something to do on the weekend? We’ve recently launched Newcastle’s new home of events online - the What’s ON website - offering a one-stop shop for all events across the Local Government Area. Our dedicated platform features everything from markets to sporting matches, concerts to festivals, talks to workshops, and a whole lot more. Follow City of Newcastle on facebook to Find something new find out What's ON near you. If you don't want to miss a thing you can also subscribe to our whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au What's ON newsletter. Visit whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au Help shape Newcastle 2040 will reflect the community’s values and will guide your vision for the City’s project delivery plans Newcastle 2040 and annual budgets. We’ll use it to develop our What will you be doing in 2040? investment priorities, whether it be What about your families, friends how much to spend on footpaths and neighbours? through to the types of festivals the City hosts and attracts. During the coming months we’ll be asking the community to Engagement opportunities will be tell us what they want Newcastle hosted in a range of locations and to look like in 2040. we look forward to listening and learning from the community as we The services and facilities develop our shared vision for the required for the future are being future of Newcastle. explored as we prepare a new Community Strategic Plan on To stay up-to-date with behalf of the community. opportunities for community feedback, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay

New one-stop-shop for grant funding

We’re making it easier for local businesses, community groups, sporting clubs, not-for-profits and individuals to access more than 1,000 grant funding opportunities through a new online service. Newcastle Grant Finder provides a comprehensive listing of funding opportunities from City of Newcastle as well as State and Federal governments, allowing users to track opportunities. You can also access grant writing tips and search a directory of external professional writers offering services to help prepare applications. Visit newcastle.grantguru.com.au

Newcastle Grant Finder Launch. Caption (L-R): Baptist Care Hope Street Group Manager Phil Eastbury; Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz; Maryland Fletcher Football Club President Dave Carter; and Maryland Fletcher Football Club Vice-President Tom Marshall, pictured at Maryland Football Club.

Independent report commends rapid response to COVID-19

City of Newcastle’s timely and targeted response to COVID-19 has been praised as an example of crisis leadership that delivered clear and measurable benefits to our community. An independent assessment by the Hunter Research Foundation (HRF) Centre at the University of Newcastle said the City “acted quickly and decisively” in developing its $5.5 million Community and Economic Resilience Package (CERP), which was announced on 20 March last year, almost two weeks before NSW went into lockdown. Since then, City of Newcastle has continued to invest significantly to assist the community’s recovery from COVID-19, with an additional $2.5 million added to a second phase of the CERP. The City also adjusted a range of existing programs, grants and sponsorships to best serve the most vulnerable populations affected by COVID-19. A copy of the HRF Centre report can be accessed online via newcastle.nsw.gov.au/CERP Which bin week is it? For those who like to have the bin days handy on the fridge or elsewhere at home, visit Civil works newcastle.nsw.gov.au/collectiondays and enter Our annual Waste Calendar and Services your address to see your bin collection day and update Guide is moving online, with residents now able download a printable PDF. to download a PDF of their bin collection days or access the information through the free To get the information anywhere, download the Underway City of Newcastle app. free City of Newcastle app to your smartphone to see your bin collection day and details, No.1 Sportsground and access a PDF of your waste calendar. redevelopment You can also use the app to book a bulk waste collection, report a missed collection, or report Bathers Way, South a damaged or missing bin. Newcastle If you’re not online, using a smartphone or have City centre to Merewether access to a printer, don’t worry – we’ll still be cycleway – stage able to print off a copy for you. Simply contact one, Merewether our Customer Call Centre on 4974 2000. The new Waste Calendar will be ready Mitchell Street to access from 1 July, 2021. upgrade, Stockton To download the app simply search ‘City of Warabrook wetlands Newcastle’ on the Apple Store or Google Play. pathway renewal, Warabrook concept plans that will be Stage 1 of Barrie Crescent rock bag available on our website in structure, Stockton Newcastle mid May with detail design Ocean Baths to follow. Construction is Your Newcastle upgrade expected to commence in podcast coming the second half of this year. Completed progresses The Newcastle Ocean soon Joslin Street local centre Baths upgrade is a staged There’s a new way to find out upgrade, Kotara City of Newcastle is moving project that will begin with what’s happening in your city. ahead with the first stage the restoration of the pool The Your Newcastle podcast Llewellyn Street local of the Newcastle Ocean and promenades in the explores events, projects, initiatives centre upgrade, Baths upgrade. second half of 2021 as part and identities in your backyard. Merewether We have been working of Stage 1. Stage 2 will focus Hosted by Lord Mayor Nuatali closely with the Community on the upper concourse Nelmes and starring guest Reference Group to develop and pavilion building. cycleway bypass at co-hosts, the podcast will feature Newcastle Harbour exciting and interesting guests as we take five to showcase Kaiyutibbin Creek the very best City of Newcastle rehabilitation, Rankin Park has to offer. Looking for school holiday activities, what’s on at the City’s cultural facilities, or want to learn Upcoming more about projects happening Hunter Street cycleway near you? It’s Your Newcastle. trial, Newcastle West Coming soon to podcast streaming platforms and the Ironbark Creek City of Newcastle website. rehabilitation stage 5b

Stormwater improvements, Cowper Street, Wallsend

Stay up-to-date with the latest news Wallsend active hub Subscribe to our monthly newsletter for the latest information on projects, events and city happenings, delivered straight to your email inbox. Sign up now at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/newsletter TICKETED EVENT FREE EVENT BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

Mother's Day High Tea WARWAR: The Art of Torres Our Forgotten Diva - an evening Sunday 9 May, 11.30am Strait to remember Florence Austral City Hall 29 May until 22 August 2 June and 14 July, 6pm - 7pm Newcastle Art Gallery Digital Library Enjoy a delicious Alice in Wonderland High Tea in the Showcasing the evolution and strength Join Hilary Oliver from the Florence historic City Hall. High tea, Mimosa of Torres Strait Islander tradition and Austral Society to remember our on arrival and ‘Tweedledumb society, this exhibition features more forgotten diva. Austral made her and Mum’ kids’ corner. Bookings than 130 works of art from Newcastle début with the British National essential through Civic Theatre. Art Gallery’s collection and galleries, Opera Company in 1922 and was museums and private collections across an instant success, later moving to Australia, including some never previously Newcastle to teach at the NSW State seen outside of the Torres Strait Islands. Conservatorium of Music.

FREE EVENT TICKETED EVENT FREE EVENT

Dry to Dry Impermanence by The Castanet Club 4 June until mid-August Sydney Dance Company From 11 July Lovett Gallery, Newcastle Library Wednesday 9 June, 7.30pm Newcastle Museum Civic Theatre A stunning tour of Kakadu through During the 1980s a group of young illustrations by Liz Anelli and the A thrilling exploration of the friends lit up Newcastle with a extraordinary story of the yearly juxtaposition of beauty and kaleidoscope of music, comedy, and weather cycle and changing wildlife devastation performed live on goodwill. The Castanet Club – an of Kakadu National Park, written stage by the Australian String exhibition you can dance to! will let by award-winning author Pamela Quartet with the full might of Sydney visitors step inside the wonderous Freeman. Enjoy a beautiful narrative Dance Company’s ensemble. This is world of the Castanet Club, that explores the unique story of one an epic, driven performance that packs a cabaret act that achieved of Australia's most amazing landscapes. an emotional punch. international acclaim.

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