NOVONEWS
NovoNews
ISSUE 003 MAY 2021
School Strike 4 Climate
Schematic designs for the $780M expansion of the John Hunter Hospital and John Hunter Children’s Hospital were revealed by Health Minister Brad Hazzard on May 25... See page 3
NovoCulture
In celebration of World Bee Day on Thursday, May 20, passionate bee advocates came together and raised money and awareness for one of the most important pollinators on the planet.
Rain, hail or shine; hundreds of local school students and other community members battled the cold pouring rain and demanded climate justice at the ‘School Strike 4 Climate’ at Civic Park on Friday, May 21. See page 4
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School students protest at School Strike 4 Climate
NovoBusiness
Newcastle City Budget to fund over 300 local projects The Hunter Disability Expo was in Newcastle from Friday, May 21, where 130 exhibitors helped to connect people with disabilities to much-needed services. See page 8
NovoSociety
Women who have suffered or been killed at the hands of violence were honoured in a candlelight vigil on May 5, where Newcastle locals took a stand against domestic violence and remembered loved ones lost. See page 20
A part of the City’s 2021/2022 Budget, Newcastle will see an investment of $330M over the next 12 months, with more than 300 projects and $90.4M in upgrades and community infrastructure. Improved footpaths, new cycleways, and stormwater upgrades to reduce flooding are among the projects under the Budget which has received strong support from the community. Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Budget focused on providing real benefits for the community in their everyday lives. “Whether it’s more shade on our streets and parks with $1 million to maintain and plant new trees or making it easier for people to get around Newcastle with $2.8 million for new cycleways,” Cr Nelmes said. “We’re investing $13.7 million to improve and maintain our roads, bridges and pathways we manage on behalf of the community, while $7.7 million will be invested into projects to address
localised flooding and improve stormwater systems.” Cr Nelmes said there was $9.1M for parks, playgrounds, sporting, and aquatic facilities, which included $4M towards the Newcastle Ocean Baths Stage 1 upgrades. “City of Newcastle’s 2021/22 Budget is a commitment to providing the services that make our city an attractive and inclusive place to live and work, now and into the future.” City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said a vital focus of the Budget was to continue on the path of financial sustainability and deliver the essential services expected of local government. “We’re building on six years of stable and consistent Budgets that have protected services and local jobs, and we will continue to carefully balance the needs of our community with the demands of good financial governance,” Bath said. “This is so we can continue to support Newcastle as it prepares for its population to hit 200,000 over the next 20 years.”
Other highlights of the Budget include $11M for waste management, $10.5M for environmental and sustainability projects, $2M towards the expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery, $5M on transport and $8.1M for urban centre renewals. Some of those urban developments include the East End Public Domain Plan, Wallsend and Orchardtown Road (New Lambton) local centre upgrades, and the Wickham Masterplan.
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