July 2021 No images? Click here In line with the recent Public Health Order, City of Newcastle’s facilities remain open while abiding by the one person per four square metre rule. The wearing of face masks indoors is mandatory. For more information visit NSW Health and to find out how we're responding to COVID-19 visit our website.The temperatures are low, but the city is buzzing with activities to keep young spirits high. Rug up and make some magical moments these winter school holidays by doing a bit a spot of whale watching at the beach. Head over to Whats On for some great ideas on how to fire up your creativity these school holidays. A highlight this month was a very special visitor to Newcastle. The Governor General of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley, attended a civil service to mark the completion of City Hall's stunning restoration. We've invested $20 million in the project, completed in stages under the Newcastle City Hall Conservation Management Plan adopted by Council in 2008, including works to the clock tower and the building’s iconic sandstone façade to preserve this important piece of history for many more years to come. In recognition of Shortland local Robert ‘Bob’ Palmer's incredible contribution to the community, the Shortland Devils Rugby League Football Club and to local Rugby League Tuxford Park oval has been renamed. On 12 December last year, Mr Palmer was killed in his beloved suburb of Shortland leading to an outpouring of grief from the local community. Mr Palmer’s family and the wider community came together for a special ceremony to dedicate the ground. Have you joined the home composting revolution? We're offering Newcastle households the opportunity to take up home composting and reduce the amount of food waste going to landfill by claiming up to 75% discount on select composting, worm farming or bokashi bin products for your home. Thank you to everyone who helped us mark World Environment Day by planting more than 5,500 native grasses, groundcovers, shrubs and trees in Jesmond. We've partnered with the Greater Bank to plant 20,000 new trees throughout Newcastle, so if you'd like to get involved, join one of our community planting days. Hunter Homeless Connect is the beneficiary of the Annual Lord Mayor Prayer Breakfast. This local organisation provides vital suport to people experiencing homelessness or doing it tough. Lambton locals were given a sneak peek at the restoration of the city’s oldest library building as part of a celebration of Lambton’s 150th anniversary. The century-old heritage protected building has been undergoing a significant facelift during the past 18 months and has been closed to the public since COVID-19 restrictions came into force in March 2020. Lastly we're very proud City of Newcastle has received a number of awards this month. City of Newcastle has been recognised with two major awards at the New South Wales Local Government Awards. The City’s COVID-19 Community and Economic Resilience Package, as well as its Community and Civic Hub, which includes the Digital Library, Council Chambers and Customer Service Centre, won first place in their respective categories. Not to be outdone Newcastle Museum earned industry's highest honour at a national award for their 1x4 exhibition and the Art Gallery was highly commended for their exhibition On Stillness. Mentoring program gives rise to more tourism experiencesSourdough making classes, quirky art workshops and sight-seeing bike rides with a twist will be served up to tourists as part of a push to expand Newcastle’s tourism experiences. We invested $150,000 in a Product Mentoring Development Program to support fifteen local businesses develop and promote new products and experiences to a wider market. Increasing the number of bespoke bookable experiences in Newcastle is one of the priority initiatives in the City’s Destination Management Plan. The program results have been fantastic, with the launch of a new business called Newy Rides, new opportunities developed by Baked Uprising and Mitch Revs Gallery, Urban Hum refined their tourism experience while other businesses expanded their operations, employed new staff and relaunched products, which were put on hold by COVID-19. The program has been such a success that facilitators, Sparrowly Group, will provide training for another 10 businesses with funding from the City's NewSkills Program. Participants in the initial program included Baked Uprising, Blackbutt Reserve, Christ Church Cathedral, CoastXP, Earp Distilling Co, Mitch Revs Gallery,Newcastle Afoot, Newcastle Backroad Tours, Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, Newcastle Ghost Tours, Newy Rides, Nova Cruises, The Lock-Up, Underground Epicureans and Urban Hum. Lighting up James Street PlazaLast month, more than 800 people voted on their preferred option for an interactive lighting display at James Street Plaza, Hamilton. And the winner is … Microcosmic Mosaic! This abstract design celebrates Hamilton’s character with vibrancy and energy. Bright colours and bold lines will explore Hamilton’s people, place, community and culture – in a nod to the mosaic designs found along Beaumont Street. The full-length interactive lighting display will be installed when the upgrade of James Street Plaza is complete. To get involved and have your say on projects in your local area, join our community panel. Are you having trouble paying your rates?If you're experiencing financial difficulties there are a number of ways we can help including:
Visit our website for further information or to discuss any of these options please contact our Debt Management Team on 02 4974 2307 or rates@ncc.nsw.gov.au. Picture thisHave you spotted any whales lately? They've been coming close to shore this season and we've seen some amazing photos and videos posted to social media. Our blog has the lowdown on where to get the best view. Dom from @coast.xp snapped this awesome pic and shared it on Sunday 27 June for ORCCA census Day. Nice one Dom. TAG US on Instagram @citynewcastle.au to have your pic featured. Stay up to date Subscribe to the City of Newcastle's monthly newsletter for essential information on projects, events and Council news. |