Around the Chambers
In case you missed it, during lockdown the ten council chambers that make up the greater Hunter region continued to be busy with numerous projects to help make our communities better places to live, work and invest in – especially in light of the impacts that the global pandemic has had on our local lifestyle. Combined with local government authorities and business chambers, everyone is working to make our region a better place – and for that, as residents, we are incredibly grateful.
For those who are frequent visitors to the intouch website platform, you'll know that we have continued to be a hub of information about local council projects – there's something new to be found at www.intouchmagazine.com.au each and every day. Here's just a few projects going on in your local area this month.
NEWCASTLE
Wind farms offer up billions of investment dollars for Newcastle
A renewable energy industry built on large-scale offshore wind farms could unlock billions of dollars in investment and create thousands of jobs in Newcastle, offering a sustainable future for the city.
Speaking at an online event last month hosted by Friends of the Earth and Climate Council exploring Australia's opportunity in offshore wind, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle was perfectly positioned to embrace this new industry.
"Features that make us one of the largest coal regions also position us perfectly to become a major national and international clean energy player," Cr Nelmes said.
"This includes a highly skilled workforce, our accessibility to the National Energy Grid and the untapped potential of the Port of Newcastle to become an export hub for 'green' manufactured resources and materials such as green steel and hydrogen.
"This industry offers many benefits, but its development must be done with guarantees in place that would ensure the employment of local workers and use of local materials for the benefit of our communities."
Offshore wind farms have been developed globally for almost 30 years as a viable source of renewable energy. A number of sites around Australia have been identified for possible offshore wind farms, including two potential projects off the coast of Newcastle.
Cr Nelmes said this industry has the potential to deliver a host of benefits for the state and our region but was mindful of the need for measures to be put in place to protect and deliver local jobs.
"City of Newcastle has a long history of supporting and implementing renewable energy projects, including becoming the first local government in NSW to move to 100 per cent renewable electricity," Cr Nelmes said.
"With the correct legislative and regulatory framework, offshore wind along the coast of Newcastle has the potential to play a significant role in sustaining our state's future energy needs, could unlock billions in new investment in renewable energy infrastructure and provide a significant boost to the local economy."
No. 1 Sportsground set to celebrate centenary with a makeover
It has been over ten years since the last international match was held at No. 1 Sportsground, when our Australian women's team defeated South Africa in the 2009 ICC Women's World Cup. But soon, Newcastle could host elite cricket and AFL matches again, with the redevelopment of Newcastle's No. 1 Sportsground drawing closer to completion.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the redevelopment would solidify Newcastle's position as a world-class events city, as well as benefit local sportspeople who play at National Park's No. 1 Sportsground regularly.
"No. 1 Sportsground was designed and constructed in 1921, officially opening in 1922, and in that time, the venue has hosted a variety of sporting and non-sporting events," Cr Nelmes said.
"The redevelopment, which coincides with the venue's centenary, will deliver regular users of the ground improved facilities and provide our city with an economic boost through the attraction of major sporting events.
"Novocastrians love their sport, and I'm really looking forward to No. 1 Sportsground hosting the Australian Deaf Games cricket fixtures in April 2022, as well as the possibility of hosting pre-season AFL fixtures and regional Big Bash League matches."
Work on the new lighting is nearing completion, and turf has been laid with the iconic Newcastle venue set to reopen in 2022 after the new turf has had a chance to establish. Preliminary design work is also underway for a future upgrade of the player amenities.
The makeover includes a rebuilt playing surface with increased playing field size to achieve the minimum standard required for first grade AFL and elite cricket matches, lighting upgrade to enable evening fixtures, a new sub-soil irrigation and drainage system, new player dugout benches, construction of seven new cricket wickets, new sight screens, new oval perimeter fencing and additional bleacher seating to almost double the seated capacity from 400 to 790.
Dixon Park SLSC new ATV to help save lives this summer season
Dixon Park Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) has received funding from Port Waratah Coal Services to purchase a new all-terrain vehicle that provides lifeguards quick access along the beach for when seconds matter during a rescue.
The small four-wheel-drive vehicle is equipped with storage racks for rescue boards, which ensures it is ready to go at all times. The vehicle safely transports resuscitation equipment and members of the public who are in distress and is used to tow the rescue boat to and from the beach.
Last year, lifeguards at Dixon Park SLSC watched over 30,161 people at Dixon Park Beach during 2,726 patrol hours. They made 291 preventative actions, attended 26 first aid incidents and performed nine surf rescues.
"The summer patrol started on Saturday, and we are very pleased to have the new vehicle ready to go in an emergency. It's a critical piece of our lifesaving equipment," said Peter Brown, President of the Dixon Park Surf Life Saving Club.
"The vehicle will be used by the lifeguards to patrol the beach and perform our regular duties and allows for quick and easy access across the sand when it's needed most."
Port Waratah's Manager of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs, Trudie Larnach, said that supporting safety on our local beaches is an important partnership to Port Waratah.
"Living in Australia, we love the water, and this new vehicle will improve the safety of everyone enjoying Dixon Park Beach."
"Our Community Investment and Partnership Programme invest in community partnerships to improve the health, wellbeing and lifestyle of people living and visiting Newcastle and the Hunter Region."
"We're proud to partner with Dixon Park Surf Life Saving Club to deliver this project for the community."
The vehicle is replacing the Club's older model, purchased with funding from Port Waratah in 2015.
Port Waratah invests $750,000 each year to help local organisations, charities and initiatives across six priority areas, including health, environment, education, community, diversity and youth sport.
LAKE MACQUARIE
Smart meters show Fernleigh a family favourite
Pedestrian and cyclist activity on the Fernleigh Track and other shared pathways across Lake Macquarie has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 lockdown, with usage data showing a 50 per cent increase in the past two months.
Smart meters installed near the Whitebridge Fernleigh Track entrance show that in the two months from 21 May to 21 July, an average of 367 pedestrians and 823 cyclists used that section of the iconic 15km former rail corridor daily on weekends.
Over the following two months, from 21 July to 21 September, that jumped to 569 pedestrians and 1225 cyclists – an increase of 55 per cent and 49 per cent, respectively.
Spring's spectacular first weekend lured a total of 2563 people to the Whitebridge stretch of the Fernleigh Track – the most on any day over the past four months.
A smart meter installed on the Tramway Track at Glendale revealed even more significant average daily increases.
There, daily weekend use by pedestrians jumped 160 per cent, with a 76 per cent increase in cyclists.
"This smart technology backs up what we have heard anecdotally and seeing for ourselves," Manager Asset Management Helen Plummer said.
"Demand for outdoor exercise spaces, particularly along our shared pathways, is at unprecedented levels during the COVID lockdown."
Council installed the smart meters in October 2020, providing 24/7 usage counts.
With more people using the Fernleigh Track, Council has received an increasing number of requests for maintenance.
Crews have been busy over the past three months repairing cracks, fixing track fencing and removing rocks and dirt that fall from the verges on either side of the track.
But despite record numbers using the city's shared pathways, there has been no increase in the number of complaints about antisocial behaviour or dangerous practices.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser congratulated the community on the result.
"That's a fantastic reflection on the vast majority of people who do the right thing, abide by the rules and share the track kindly with others," Cr Fraser said.
"Outdoor recreation and exercise are so important for our physical and mental wellbeing, now more than ever. This new usage data shows us we're on the right track investing further to expand the city's shared pathway network and promote active transport across Lake Macquarie."
Work began this month on the final stage of the Speers Point to Glendale shared path, while more than 600m of pathway has been laid along the southern section of the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track, which will link the Belmont end of the Fernleigh Track to Blacksmiths.
Go to www.lakemac.com.au/For-residents/Recreation/Walking-and-cycling for more information about the Fernleigh Track and other shared pathways in Lake Macquarie.
PORT STEPHENS
Port Stephens Council is calling on the community to nominate local heroes who have supported or inspired others, shown leadership or excelled in their field as part of the 2021 Annual Awards. Held on Australia Day each year, the awards are an opportunity to recognise the people who have made an important contribution to our place.
Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer says the Annual Awards are a way to say thanks to those who have supported our community over the past year.
"Port Stephens is full of amazing people, and we pull together when times are tough. In the past year alone, we've dealt with the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and been impacted by a natural disaster," Mayor Palmer said.
"These awards are a way that we can say thanks to those people who support us, lead us, inspire us and make us proud.
Council Are seeking nominations for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Freeman of Port Stephens, the Port Stephens Medal, Sportsperson of the Year, Cultural Endeavour and Environmental Citizen of the Year.
Nominations close 11:59pm Sunday 31 October 2021. For more information and to nominate, visit portstephens.nsw.gov.au/awards.
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