NOVONEWS
NovoNews
ISSUE 004 JULY 2021
COVID-19 too close for complacency
Newcastle community members are concerned over the harsh and “unsightly” tree pruning undertaken by Ausgrid around power lines . See page 10
NovoCulture
With a curiosity for creatures and an extraordinary talent for drawing, bestselling author and illustrator Sami Bayly is releasing her third and final illustrated book.
Newcastle is 160 kilometres north of Sydney but close enough to be feeling the impact of the NSW Government’s latest COVID lockdown, which has been extended to July 16.
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NovoHistory
See page 2 Frothers Espresso’s Jesse Madigan and Mae Anagnostis serving takeaway only at the entry to the Merewether cafe on Glebe Road
Another step towards Hunter Park Like so many party planners in the time of a pandemic, the organisers of Lambton’s 150th birthday celebrations had to adapt, and quickly. See page 21
NovoSociety
Patrick Prest has donated blood 500 times over the past 60 years, a commitment that could well have saved up to 1500 lives. See page 13
The proposed Hunter Park is set to receive NSW Budget funding as the Broadmeadow sports and entertainment precinct edges closer to becoming a world-class facility. The NSW Budget announced last month contains $6.7M to help develop the business case to push the significant project along. Home to Newcastle Showground, McDonald Jones Stadium and Newcastle Entertainment Centre, the Broadmeadow precinct would be transformed into a 63-hectare multipurpose site, featuring international sporting grounds, residential buildings and entertainment facilities. Four years ago, former Sports Minister Stuart Ayres initially announced the redevelopment and it has since struggled to gain traction. However, earlier this year, Infrastructure Australia listed the project as a regional priority while other local stakeholders
supported the renewal project. State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp has been an advocate for the project since he was elected and welcomed the funding. “I’ve lost count of the number of times I have raised this in Parliament through speeches, questions and Budget Estimates,” Crakanthorp said. “We want to be a global city, and that means we need world-class sports and entertainment facilities, which is exactly what is touted for this precinct. “We need to get this precinct right, and now the next stage begins to make sure Newcastle gets the facilities it needs and deserves.” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes also welcomed the funding and said progress on the new project had been a long time coming. “We’ve long advocated for Hunter Park as the next major catalytic urban renewal project for our city,” Cr Nelmes said, adding it would mean thousands
of new homes, including much-needed social and affordable housing, as well as world-class aquatic and entertainment facilities, and cycling and walking infrastructure. “The world-class sporting facilities are particularly exciting for our region.” Cr Nelmes said concept plans identified the site’s potential for hosting future Commonwealth Games.
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