EDITION 3 2023
City News
Reducing the risk of flooding Environmental roadmap for Newcastle What's on in your events city Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with City of Newcastle staff Ben Lovell, Blake Illfield, Luke Jaszczyk and Mitchell Drew celebrate the completion of a stormwater upgrade that will reduce flooding on University Drive.
Message from the Lord Mayor As summer approaches, now is a great time to get out and explore the natural beauty and public facilities on offer across Newcastle. Enjoying the water is easy in our city with five inland pools, which have been refreshed and upgraded with safety improvements, extensive repainting, and maintenance of pool tiles and promenades, as well as shaded seating structures at several pools and a new shaded playground at Beresfield. Our lifeguards are back on duty ready to ensure the community enjoys the warmer weather safely.
sporting and aquatic facilities, while also making it easier for people to get around Newcastle with $5 million for new cycleways and $1.2 million to extend our city’s footpath network. We're continuing to deliver infrastructure upgrades across the city, including the completion of a major stormwater project, ongoing investment in our Local Centres and planning for critical road upgrades in our western corridor to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety.
We’re also upgrading more recreational and open spaces for our community as part of another record $137 million capital works program in 2023/24.
We're creating a positive environmental legacy for generations to come, with our recently adopted Newcastle Environment Strategy providing us with a 10-year roadmap for a sustainable Newcastle.
This includes investing $19.7 million into new and improved parks, playgrounds,
Nuatali Nelmes Lord Mayor of Newcastle
Stormwater improvements will reduce flooding on University Drive.
Flood improvements for busy road We’ve just completed a $5 million stormwater upgrade that will significantly reduce the risk of flooding at University Drive, Waratah West. The major thoroughfare to the Mater Hospital and University of Newcastle was notorious for flooding due to overflows from Boatman Creek. A 100-year-old brick culvert, which restricted the capacity of the creek and posed a blockage risk, has now been replaced with a new sandstone channel, reducing likelihood and severity of flooding during major rain events. We also constructed a new cycleway pedestrian bridge above the stormwater channel as part of the project to maintain access for students and the community and continue to be an important link in our city's wider cycleway network.
Families from across the region make the most of the facilities at the Wallsend Active Hub.
Playground upgrades on the way Families will have more reasons to visit their local park following our $1 million investment into upgraded playground equipment and new amenities. Rawson Park at Stockton, Adamstown No.2, Waratah’s Coolamin Reserve and Lambton Park playground will receive new equipment as part of our annual improvement program, while Islington Park playground will be upgraded with new rubber soft fall matting. Designs for the playgrounds are currently being finalised, with construction expected to start early in the new year. We’ve also enhanced the experience of visiting Newcastle’s largest playground, with new toilet amenities at the Wallsend Active Hub.
Cr Elizabeth Adamczyk, President of the Newcastle Cycleways Movement Sam Reich, Cr Carol Duncan, Cr Charlotte McCabe and Cr Katrina Wark announce community consultation into stage two of the Hunter Street cycleway
Safer cycleway connections We're continuing to deliver safe, connected and convenient cycleways across the city, with almost $5 million being allocated to projects under our 2023/24 capital works budget. Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen at the 5MW solar farm at Summerhill Waste Management Centre, which plays an important role in City of Newcastle's commitment to renewable energy
Sustainability roadmap for the city Renewable energy initiatives, a transition to electric transport, connected wildlife corridors and sustainable construction materials are at the heart of our newly adopted Newcastle Environment Strategy. Designed to create an environmental legacy for future generations, the Strategy sets out a 10-year roadmap for a sustainable Newcastle, with 15 key actions identified to be delivered within the first four years. The Strategy is based on a shared community vision for our environment, having been informed by more than 4,500 pieces of feedback from over 2,600 community members and environmental experts during the Community Strategic Plan engagement program. It continues our decades-long action and advocacy to protect and improve our environment, while also investing in progressive actions to ensure our city is more sustainable.
This includes plans to extend the Hunter Street trial cycleway beyond the successful first stage, which was installed between Worth Place and National Park Street in 2021. We've recently received feedback from the community on the proposed second stage, which will run on both sides of the road between National Park Street and Ivy Street, separated from other traffic. Once linked with stage one, this two kilometre long dedicated lane for cyclists will connect commuters, residents and visitors from the suburbs of Islington and Tighes Hill into the city. We've also recently completed shared pathways at Illoura Street, Jesmond and Allowah Street, Waratah, with both projects providing missing links in our cycling and footpath networks to improve safety, amenity and accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians.
Works update A westbound render of the proposed two lanes and separate turning lane on Minmi Road at Wallsend.
Reducing congestion in western corridor We're moving forward on plans to reduce traffic congestion in the growing western corridor. Residents and motorists were recently asked for their feedback on concept designs for the first two stages of a large-scale infrastructure program, which will significantly improve traffic flow along two key roads connecting Wallsend, Maryland, Fletcher and Minmi to Newcastle and the wider region. This includes widening and upgrading both
Longworth Avenue and Minmi Road (from Summerhill Road to Maryland Drive east) to create two lanes of traffic in each direction on both roads to help remove bottlenecks, reduce travel times, improve safety, cater for population growth and increased vehicle movements in the area. Following community feedback, design options for both projects are being completed and will be presented to Council for adoption.
Completed Raised Crossing at Wilkinson Avenue, Birmingham Gardens Stormwater upgrades at Kenrick Street, The Junction Multipurpose sports and community hub at Myer Park, Adamstown Shade shelter and seating at Harold Myers Park, Birmingham Gardens Raised crossing and pedestrian improvements at Wallarah Road, Lambton
Underway Footpath and pedestrian improvements at McCaffery Drive, Rankin Park Upgrades to Darling Street Grandstand, Hamilton South A render of the proposed changes in Georgetown Local Centre.
Creating safer, more vibrant local centres Projects to improve the look and feel of neighbourhood shopping precincts in New Lambton and Georgetown are moving forward as part of our Local Centres program. Work is well underway at Orchardtown Road, New Lambton, where we’ve constructed two new footpaths, planted more than 60 street trees, completed drainage upgrades and improved access for pedestrians and shoppers in the western car park. Improvements to the shopfronts, footpaths and carparking in the main local centre area are scheduled for completion late 2023. Planning is also underway for the Georgetown Local Centre, with a draft public domain plan featuring roadway, footpath and cycleway upgrades as well as extensive landscaping, open for community feedback until 11 December via the Have Your Say page on our website.
The dredger in action of Stockton Beach
Upgrades to Passmore Oval Grandstand, Wickham
Significant step forward for Stockton
Accessible amenities upgrade at Wallsend Swimming Centre
Work to buffer Stockton from further coastal erosion has reached a significant milestone.
Drainage improvements at George Street, Mayfield East
During October and November, a 75-metrelong dredge was used to deposit an initial 100,000 cubic metres of amenity sand to help renourish Stockton Beach.
Coming Up Civic Theatre Newcastle
The placement was the next step towards a long-term solution for Stockton, with the NSW Government managing further investigation and planning to source the 2.4 million cubic metres of sand required for mass sand nourishment.
underfloor waterproofing
The current amenity sand nourishment and planning for future sand dredging at Stockton was made possible through $4.7 million from the Federal Government, $1.5 million from City of Newcastle and project management from the NSW Government.
Drainage improvements
Shared path at Minmi Road, Fletcher Road rehabilitation at Awabakal Drive, Maryland
at Lewis Street, Maryville Floodlight upgrades at Corroba Oval, Stockton
OU R E V E N T S CI T Y Thousands flock to New Annual festival We're thrilled with the success of our third New Annual festival, which returned to the city with 10 days of art, culture and creativity from 22 September until 1 October. Thousands of locals and visitors flocked to our flagship cultural event, which delivered a diverse program of dance, circus, visual art, music, and theatre by local and nationally renowned artists. New Annual provides a fantastic boost for the local creative arts, live music and tourism sectors, and is the catalyst for Newcastle’s cultural events sector to take centre stage alongside leading national events. Earp Distilling Co hosted the debut of Newcastle play 'Spewy' during New Annual.
What's on in your city If you're looking for something to do during the next few months we're supporting a packed schedule of events as part of our annual events sponsorship program, and our ongoing partnership with Venues NSW, which are designed to increase visitation and provide an important economic boost for local businesses. Whether you want to get in the Christmas spirit, listen to an international pop powerhouse or check out some top sporting action, there's plenty to see and do in Newcastle. Check out the list or explore more at whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au 3 December: Bikers for Kids Newcastle Toy Run, Connolly Park, Carrington 9 December: Shredability's King of Concrete skateboarding competition 2-9 January: 2024 Toyota Australian Country Cricket Championships, various locations including No.1 Sportsground 19-21 January: 2024 Diving NSW Country Championships, Lambton Swimming Centre
Blockbuster show kicking off national tour at Civic Theatre One of the world’s most iconic and highest selling musicals of all time, The Rocky Horror Show, will kick off a national tour at Civic Theatre Newcastle in January.
13-20 January: 2024 Australian Deaf Games, various locations
Previously sold out in London, Sydney and Melbourne, this 50th anniversary world tour will continue its global celebrations in 2024 with a new Australian production of the iconic rock'n'roll musical.
10 February to 17 March: Surfest, various locations including Merewether Beach
The show will open at Civic Theatre from 12 January for three weeks only, with Australian superstar Jason Donovan as Frank N Furter and Myf Warhurst as the narrator.
13 February: Pink Summer Carnival tour, McDonald Jones Stadium
The Rocky Horror Show will be the first in a line-up of world class productions brought to Newcastle by leading British theatre producer Sir Howard Panter of Trafalgar Entertainment.
15-17 March: RENT the Musical, Civic Theatre
The production runs for 120 minutes including intermission and is recommended for ages 12 and older. Tickets are on sale now via www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au
NEWCASTLE
FREE EXHIBITION
TICKETED EXHIBITION
FREE EVENT
More Than Sport exhibition
Australia In Space
Free Santa selfies and pawtraits
4 November 2023 to 24 Feb 2024 Lovett Gallery, Newcastle City Library
15 November 2023 to 10 March 2024 Newcastle Museum
Throughout December Wheeler Place and Hunter Street Mall
Deaf Sports Australia welcomes you to the first major exhibition about the role of sport in Australian Deaf culture. The exhibition shares stories of Deaf Sports in Australia and on the world stage. Sport has been a key motivator for people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing to connect with one another for over 140 years.
Australia in Space is touching down at Newcastle Museum! Explore the interactive exhibit by Questacon and Australia’s role in the global space industry, from our position on Earth, to lift-off, orbit and beyond. Recommended for ages five years and up.
Snap a selfie or pet pawtrait with Santa and his elves in front of the towering Wheeler Place Christmas tree on December 1, 2, 8 and 9 from 5pm to 7pm. Or take a break from choosing gifts in the Hunter Street Mall to grab a DIY Christmas photo with our festive props from 11 to 24 December (times vary)
TICKETED CONCERT
FREE EVENT
FREE EVENT
Messiah in the City
A Very Special One Song Sing
NYE celebrations
10 December City Hall
21 December Wheeler Place
31 Decemeber Queens Wharf & Market Street Lawn
Get into the festive spirit with Newcastle University Choir, internationally renowned soloists and the Christ Church Camerata orchestra.
Civic Theatre Newcastle and The Sum of the Parts (music) present A Very Special One Song Sing. Join the festive fun and come together at Wheeler Place from 5.30pm to learn the words and perform a live community rendition of Paul Kelly's Christmas classic 'How to Make Gravy'.
A carnival of family-friendly fun awaits this New Year's Eve at Queens Wharf. Leap into 2024 with inflatables, rides and amusements, alongside art workshops, live DJs and a dedicated Kids Zone and Sensory Area. Witness the amazing aerobatic Paul Bennet airshow before finishing off with our 9pm fireworks finale launched from Dyke Point.
The Messiah's most famous movement, the Hallelujah Chorus is one of the most famous and inspirational choral works ever written. Immerse yourself in Handel’s masterpiece and the world’s most loved choral work.
Find something new
whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au