Around The Chambers
INDIGENOUS LEADER AUNTY THERESA DARGIN, LORD MAYOR NUATALI NELMES, DEPUTY LORD MAYOR DECLAN CLAUSEN, NEWCASTLE PRIDE PRESIDENT LEE-ANNE MCDOUGALL, NEWCASTLE PRIDE VICE PRESIDENT HELLEN RICHARDS AND CITY OF NEWCASTLE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION PARTNER STEFANIE ABRAHAMS WITH THE PROGRESS PRIDE FLAG BEFORE IT WAS RAISED AT CITY HALL
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY? PROGRESS PRIDE FLAG RAISED AT CITY HALL IN SUPPORT OF LGBTIQ+ COMMUNITY City of Newcastle has thrown its support behind the LGBTIQ+ community by flying the Progress Pride Flag at City Hall for the first time (coinciding with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras running from 18 February - 6 March) Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the importance of celebrating our diverse community could not be underestimated at a time when fostering inclusivity is one of City of Newcastle's main priorities. "City of Newcastle is committed to ensuring our city celebrates diversity and advocates for inclusivity in support of our LGBTIQ+ community," Cr Nelmes said. "Flying the flag demonstrates to our local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer community members that our city stands with them, not only during Mardi Gras, but at all times." The Progress Pride Flag will be flown together with the Australian, United Nations, New South Wales, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at City Hall until Sunday 6 March and will also be flown to coincide with future days and events, including International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia & Transphobia, Pride Month, Wear it Purple Day, Newcastle Pride Festival and Trans Day of Remembrance.
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• FAMILY & COMMUNITY
NEWCASTLE OCEAN BATHS UPGRADE TO BEGIN 14 MARCH The long-awaited revitalisation of the Newcastle Ocean Baths will kick off on 14 March with stage one to improve the safety, water quality and accessibility of the much-loved community facility. The first phase of the $14.5m spend will focus on the pools, the lower promenade and pumping system, addressing critical issues identified through detailed community engagement and engineering advice. The Ocean Baths will be closed for the duration of the work, which is expected to be completed by mid-2023. Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle had worked with the construction contractor on a program to limit the overall disruption to users and impact just one summer season.
"City of Newcastle has worked closely with the Newcastle Ocean Baths Community Reference Group and other stakeholders during the planning and design stages of this project, with improved public health and safety, accessibility, and community preferences among the key considerations," Cr Nelmes said. "Staff have worked closely with the contractor on a plan to limit disruption to users, including keeping the Baths open through this current summer season and aiming to open before summer 2023. "With the Newcastle Ocean Baths turning 100 this November, we are committed to ensuring this upgrade meets the needs of current and future users and look forward to this project delivering significantly improved facilities, which can be enjoyed for the community for years to come."
