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2 March 2021

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Cityscape

Cityscape 

Cities ~ Rise or Spread

4 January 2021 Press

Blueprint for Central Sydney’s Future. The most detailed planning review of the city centre in more than four decades is set to play a critical role in Sydney’s recovery from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Lord Mayor Clover Moore

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Cityscape 

‘Weedscape’ ~ There’s An Idea

9 December 20209 December 2020 Press

Weeds: the woes and wonders of the plant out of place. By Ben Knight Seen as noxious, there is an unappreciated side to weeds.   “Weeds are the pioneer plants… the first to colonise new settings.” It’s hard to find

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Cityscape Newcastle 

At Last, that Carpark to Go

8 December 20208 December 2020 Press

Public space will connect Harbour to Cathedral. Inspired by Rome’s Spanish Steps, council hopes to create a stunning  corridor from Christ Church Cathedral to the harbour. This 2007 viewpoint from atop the former tower shows the King Street car park

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Cityscape Newcastle 

Now It’s a ‘Piazza’

3 December 20204 December 2020 Press

New Piazza unveiled at former Newcastle railway station. The NSW Government’s $6 million landscaping project at the former Newcastle Railway Station is now The Station Piazza – a community space that acknowledges site’s heritage. Minister for Planning and Public Spaces

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Architecture 

Concrete ~ Brutal or Beautiful?

16 November 2020 Editor

Concrete architecture: beauty or beast? By Ben Knight If you can look beyond the harsh exterior of brutalist architecture, you may find there is a little bit of beauty in buildings made of concrete. Government offices in Bull Street Newcastle.

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Cityscape 

The Rise of Privately-owned Public Space

26 October 2020 Press

You can’t sit with us: the rise of privately-owned public spaces. By Ben Knight The emergence of these pseudo-public spaces raises fundamental questions about the value of a public domain that is by the public, for the public. At Sydney’s

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Architecture 

Architecture and the Sounds of Silence

15 October 2020 Press

Our experience of the built environment is more than what we see. By Ben Knight When it comes to architecture we often judge a book by its cover. And while the aesthetic of architecture is essential, it only tells part

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Community Gardens 

Make Vital Use of Public Space

8 October 2020 Press

Food for thought: edible public spaces. The time is ripe for bringing food production back into urban life through our use of public space. By Ben Knight Edible landscape designs in public spaces could help us reconnect with our food

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Cityscape NSW aka In the News 

‘Central Square’ at Sydney’s Central Station

24 September 202024 September 2020 Press

A public square at Sydney’s Central station is City of Sydney’s vision for a high-tech, green, and people-friendly precinct. Concept design for Central Square at Central Station – Image: City of Sydney. Following Council endorsement of the initial design concepts,

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Parks & Waterways Newcastle 

Foreshore Park Shadier For Sure

23 September 202023 September 2020 Press

7,000 square metres of additional shade at Foreshore Park. Artist’s impression of indicative 2022 canopy results in one section of Foreshore Park. A four-year tree replacement program in Foreshore Park began in 2017 in preparation for the Newcastle 500 Supercars.

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Cityscape 

Vision for an Alfresco City

22 September 202022 September 2020 Press

Post-pandemic vision for a 24-hour city. Barrack Street Sydney NSW – Photo:City of Sydney AU. Sydney City Council envisages a 24-hour alfresco city for social life to continue in a new pandemic era. A recovery plan focusses on reactivating the

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Architecture 

Empire State Building 9th Photo Comp

10 September 2020 Press

Empire State Building Ninth Annual Photo Contest.  Paul Seibert’s winning photo in 2019. The Empire State Building (ESB) Observatory launched its 9th photo competition on 11 September. Entries are open, but only to amateur photographers from across the United States.

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Parks & Waterways Newcastle 

Gregson Park ~ Down Memory Lane

9 September 202028 September 2020 Press

Shaping the future of Gregson Park. Gregson Park eastern gate circa 1970. Council wants people to share memories, stories, and ideas about Gregson Park to guide the renewal of the historic park in Hamilton. City of Newcastle has begun community

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Architecture Railways NSW aka In the News 

Central Station Roof Has a Touch of Kurri

8 September 202013 September 2020 Press

New roof changing Central Station’s skyline. Concept for Sydney Central Station by John McAslan + Partners. A “feature roof” is being erected over Central Station as part of the Sydney Metro construction works. The roof over the Northern Concourse is

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Architecture Newcastle 

Architecture ~ Aesthetics or Quality

8 September 2020 Press

Architecture: the fine line between inspired and copied. Court House 2016, Hunter Street Newcastle, NSW, Australia. By Ben Knight When it comes to architecture, imitation could be the sincerest – and most sensible – form of flattery. Architects draw inspiration

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Homelessness Cityscape Society & People 

Defensive Architecture ~ Design Most Hostile

3 September 20205 September 2020 Press

Increasingly hostile designs are emerging to keep members of the public out of public space.  By Ben Knight Spikes added to fountain perimeter to detract homeless population from loitering around bus stop in city center. Image credit. Spikes, bars and

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Planning & Development Cityscape Newcastle 

Bathers Way Underway

19 August 202025 August 2020 Press

South Newcastle Beach transformation begins. Construction of a $12.6 million extension of Bathers Way Coastal Pathway has begun. The project will take around two years to complete and aims to re-activate South Newcastle Beach with a kiosk, new public amenities,

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In the News Cityscape 

Ruin Photography

2 August 202026 August 2020 Editor

What ruin photography reveals about urban decay and renewal. By Ben Knight Myola Street near Litchfield Park Mayfield East 2014 There’s something intriguing about an abandoned building. If you scroll through Instagram, you’ll come across photos that celebrate this very

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Parks & Waterways Newcastle Heritage & Historical 

Future of Gregson Park Hamilton

12 June 202028 September 2020 Press

Situated in the heart of Hamilton, the 131-year-old Gregson Park is getting a masterplan process that includes community-wide engagement. Gregson Park view of Steel Street circa 1970. From Monday council will undertake a site analysis of the former Hamilton Bowling

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Cityscape Newcastle 

The Lanes Around Hunter St Mall

28 May 202026 August 2020 Press

Wider footpaths for outdoor dining, landscaping, and a traffic closure aim to revive two long-dormant laneways in Newcastle’s CBD. Concept for Market Street lawn. Additions to the East End Stage One Streetscape plan were approved by Council this week. Work

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UNSW Planning & Development Cityscape Environment & Pollution 

Pandemic Exposes Car-dominated Cities

14 May 202026 August 2020 Editor

How streets could become more liveable and inclusive post-coronavirus. Surveys are showing that the majority of people think things are better with fewer cars, less pollution, quieter and safer streets. By Ben Knight . Wider footpaths, separated cycleways and pedestrian-friendly

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Cityscape Newcastle Environment & Pollution 

‘Urban Forest’ Sounds Nice

4 May 202026 August 2020 Press

Councillor Dunn joins city Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes tree planting in Tyrell Street, Wallsend. City of Newcastle is capitalising on autumn rains by planting hundreds of street trees across Newcastle as part of the Living Streets Program to expand the

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Arts Lake Macquarie Cityscape 

When Technology Becomes Art

21 February 202026 August 2020 Press

Art meets technology in new street installations. Immersive artist Huw Jones at Charletown’s Peason Street wall. Lake Macquarie City Council has commissioned five artworks as part of the Charlestown CREATE project. The high-tech artworks will turn streetscapes into a musical

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Agriculture Community Cityscape 

Community gardens: coming to a nature strip near you

11 February 202026 August 2020 Press

What started as a form of gardening activism, planted the seeds for a blossoming community movement, centred on inclusivity, sustainability and participation. Look closely in any suburb, and you will find nature strips like this one on Myrtle Street in

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Cityscape 

Nine Lives for Hunter Street Mall

13 January 202026 August 2020 Press

Work is underway on residential and retail development in Hunter Street Mall as part of Iris Capital’s $700 million East End project. Former Scotts & David Jones – corner of Hunter and Perkins streets. Bounded by Hunter, Wolfe, King and

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Cityscape Commercial & Tourism Property 

Maitland’s Renew Project Targets Vacant Properties

7 January 202026 August 2020 Press

Local artist Helen Hopcroft has been busy making herself at home in Central Maitland, setting up shop as part of a successful Create Maitland partnership with a local property owner, in conjunction with Maitland City Council. The Create Maitland project 

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Arts Lake Macquarie Cityscape 

Artists’ Call for Charlestown Mall

29 December 201926 August 2020 Press

Opportunity to design furniture for Charlestown’s soon to be revitalised mall. An artist will have the opportunity to have their work feature in the heart of Charlestown as Lake Macquarie City Council seeks expressions of interest for creative furniture designs

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Cityscape Event & Venue Heritage & Historical 

City Hall’s 90th

12 December 201927 August 2020 Press

Ninety years ago this week a new City Hall and the Civic Theatre dubbed “Civic Block” were opened. Newcastle City Hall under construction in 1929 Council had outgrown its Watt Street premises – a former military offices during the days

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Community Cityscape 

More Rail Corridor Rezoning

11 December 201927 August 2020 Press

A proposal to rezone a section of Newcastle’s former rail corridor for community space will be open for public feedback early next year. Pictured ~ Rail corridor land under rezoning, on western border of Market Street Lawn. Planning Proposal for

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Community Cityscape Heritage & Historical Opinion 

Ocean Baths Engagement Brought Forward

26 November 201929 October 2020 Editor

City of Newcastle has “brought forward” planned engagement on the Newcastle and Merewether ocean baths’ pavilions, citing “community interest in the sites’ futures.” Newcastle Ocean Baths awaiting renovation in 2019. When Newcastle City Council (“City of Newcastle”) sought expressions of

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Alerts

Water Supply Outages Muswellbrook
Alert & Warning 

Water Supply Outages Muswellbrook

5 February 2021 media

Meanwhile…

Woop Woop

Events

Newy’s New Annual Arts Festival
Newcastle Event & Venue 

Newy’s New Annual Arts Festival

8 February 2021 Press

Arts Festival makes Newcastle the place to visit this month. An intimate art gallery performance by a renowned Australian musician, an augmented reality experience celebrating indigenous culture, and a discussion on women in leadership with Australia’s first female Prime Minister,

OpinionsView all

Renewal of Gas Exploration Permits off Newcastle
Energy & Renewables NSW aka In the News Opinion 

Renewal of Gas Exploration Permits off Newcastle

12 February 202112 February 2021 Press

Gas companies making plans to drill offshore from Newcastle. Opponents fear the PEP 11 gas exploration permit off the coasts of Sydney and Newcastle will be renewed today by Federal Resources Minister Keith Pitt. The joint venture companies currently holding

WeatherView all

La Niña Peaks But Effects Continue
Weather 

La Niña Peaks But Effects Continue

3 February 2021 Press

The 2020–21 La Niña is likely to have peaked with respect to atmospheric and oceanic patterns in the tropical Pacific. However impacts associated with La Niña, such as above average rainfall in eastern and northern Australia, are expected to persist

ShippingView all

Shipping Cartel Fined
Port & Shipping 

Shipping Cartel Fined

6 February 20216 February 2021 Press

Shipping cartel fines now total $83.5 million after WWO conviction. Norwegian-based global shipping company Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean AS (WWO) has been convicted of criminal cartel conduct and ordered by the Federal Court to pay a fine of $24 million, in

FarmingView all

Agriculture Faces Profitable Year
Agriculture 

Agriculture Faces Profitable Year

4 February 2021 Press

Australian agriculture looking to profitable year ahead – industry outlook. Australia’s agricultural sector is set to enjoy an overall profitable year ahead – underpinned by high commodity prices, positive seasonal conditions and low interest rates, and despite expected continuing trade

ScienceView all

Pioneeer Solar Energy Researcher Honoured
Physics & Energy 

Pioneeer Solar Energy Researcher Honoured

31 January 2021 Press

Australian father of photovoltaics awarded prestigious 2021 Japan Prize. By Stefanie Menezes UNSW Sydney solar expert Martin Green has been honoured with the Japan Prize for transforming the photovoltaics industry. Professor Martin Green. Photo ~ University of NSW. Professor Martin

TechView all

Give Back Our Data
Internet 

Give Back Our Data

8 February 2021 Press

Tim Berners-Lee’s plan to save the internet: give us back control of our data. By Pieter Verdegem Senior Lecturer, School of Media and Communication, University of Westminster Releasing his creation for free 30 years ago, the inventor of the world wide

HistoryView all

Not a mirage, Actually a Mirage
Upper Hunter Heritage & Historical 

Not a mirage, Actually a Mirage

5 February 20215 February 2021 Press

Two jet fighter planes – a Macchi and a Mirage – are making their home at Scone Regional Airport. Restored by volunteers. they will become part of the Warbird Visitor Attraction. The Mirage A3-44 will travel by road from the

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