Calls for Improvements on Light Rail's Fourth Birthday

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

Saturday marks four years since Newcastle's light rail service got up-and-running, however, rather than celebrating, there's been calls to improve the service's operations. 

Opal data shows public transport patronage in the city has dropped to barley half of what is was before the pandemic, going from 103,000 passengers in 2019, to 61,500 in 2022. 

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, attributed the lack of passengers to a poor business plan, and said the transport route isn't affective in its current state. 

The service has struggled to increase patronage numbers to pre-COVID levels, prompting calls to make trips free across the city. 

In their recently-announced Transport Plan for Newcastle, The NSW Greens committed to the idea, saying they will eliminate fees if they form government next month. 

There's also been calls to extend the service across Newcastle to McDonald Jones Stadium, as the venue continues to book more international sports and music events. 

Tim Crakanthorp said, while State Labor has not considered making the it free, they would work to preserve and extend the network. 

"If we get elected, we'll give Transport for NSW a real hurry-on to get these transport corridors preserved. That allows us to free-up access points to Hunter Park." 

Elton John set to land in Newcastle on farewell tour

BY RAVELLE EATON

Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour will be coming to McDonald Jones Stadium next year.

Newcastle Council is hoping the concert will encourage the local economy, in an effort to return to the state of pre-COVID tourism, worth $1.27 billion.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says it's going to be great for the region.

"Newcastle is once again showing Australia and the world that we're a global events city," she said.

"Attracting one of the biggest names in music, Elton John, to play a stadium concert in front of thousands of cheering Novocastrians and tourists."

The 30,000 seat stadium is one of only four stops on Elton's Australian tour, which arrives on January 10, 2023.

Tickets go on sale on August 1 - they're expected to sell out.

Venues NSW Group General Manager Acquisition Stephen Saunders, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Elton John impersonator, and McDonald Jones Stadium Venue Manager Dean Mantle.

Calls for Hunter Representative On New Committee Managing NSW Stadiums and Showgrounds

The state opposition is moving a notice of motion, calling on the Berejiklian Government to include a representative from the Hunter on a new board and advisory committee to manage venues throughout NSW.

The Berejiklian Government will put forward legislation in Parliament this week, which will bring together a range of sporting and entertainment venues throughout NSW under a single board, including Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle Entertainment Centre and Newcastle Showground.

Shadow Minister for Sport Lynda Voltz says given the importance of McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle Entertainment Centre and Newcastle Showground to the network of venues in NSW, the Hunter region should be represented.

“It’s not good enough for the current government to give assurances about Newcastle’s venues having a strong voice at the table; we want to make sure of it by making it a requirement,” she said.

“Merging the existing Venues NSW with the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust creates a huge body where smaller venues risk having their needs overlooked.”

State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said that given the size and importance of the Newcastle facilities to the region, the Hunter deserves a seat at the table.

“McDonald Jones Stadium plays a crucial role in driving Hunter tourism, including as the host for several international soccer matches in the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup,” he said.

“However the Government’s focus has been solely on Sydney stadiums, while our long-mooted redevelopment of the precinct into a world class facility has been relegated to the backburner.

“The redevelopment of the Hunter Sports and Entertainment precinct must be one of the key projects Venues NSW progresses in the coming years and it is critical we have local representation on the board and advisory committee to move this stalled project forward.

“Yet again we have seen this Sydney-centric government completely forget about Newcastle and the Hunter region when setting up the board and committee - Labor’s amendment will address this,” Tim Crakanthorp said.

McDonald Jones Stadium will be managed by a central venues authority Picture: austadiums.com

Newcastle Set To Host Games After Aus Kiwi Bid Wins Hosting Rights For 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle is gearing up to host games in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup after the joint bid by Australia and New Zealand was successful overnight.

The joint venture outbid Columbia, to make history as the first co-Confederation to host the tournament and the first time it's being staged in the Southern Hemisphere.

Newcastle is set to play host to some of the visiting teams who will stay and train here while McDonald Jones Stadium is expected to be a match venue, drawing thousands of visitors to the city.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes has welcomed the news, saying the vote had the Australia - and indeed Novocastrian - football fans cheering.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Australia to showcase the Matildas’ and Newcastle Jets W-League talent on home turf and strengthen ties with our neighbours across the ditch while also unlocking economic benefits and driving positive social impacts for women and girls,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Australia staged the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, which included Newcastle hosting two group stage matches, a semi-final and third place playoff at McDonald Jones Stadium, reinforcing Newcastle’s reputation for hosting world-class sporting tournaments.

“Even more recently, Newcastle hosted the Matildas in the Olympic qualifier against Vietnam at McDonald Jones Stadium on 6 March  in their qualification to the upcoming Olympics.

“Winning the 2023 Women’s World Cup bid reaffirms Australia’s ability to attract top-tier sporting codes and I can’t wait to join fans in the stands here in Newcastle.”

The Australian-New Zealand bid was rated the most technically proficient in FIFA’s report, ahead of Japan and Colombia.

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held from 10 July to 20 August 2023.

Newcastle in the frame to host teams and games in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

Drive-Through COVID-19 Clinic To Open At McDonald Jones Stadium

BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter New England Health is hoping to put the lid on COVID-19 in Newcastle with a new testing station set to open this week.

The six-lane drive-through clinic will open at McDonald Jones Stadium this Friday.

It will be open for 10 days and will be able to test 900 people a day for coronavirus.

With case numbers stabilising in the region it's hoped the drive-through clinic will be able to capture any COVID-19 cases still circulating in the community.

Hunter New England Health says anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough or shortness of breath should get tested.

A drive-through COVID-19 testing station opens this Friday at McDonald Jones Stadium Picture: dailytelegraph.com.au

Newcastle's Park And Ride Service Extended

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Council has committed to funding the park and ride service from McDonald Jones Stadium into the city for at least another year.

For the past 4 months, council has funded the service on a month-to-month basis after state funding ended with the opening of the light rail line.

Council has now locked in a contract with Keolis Downer which will see the cost of a return trip increase slightly to $4.60.

Around 1000 people use the service each week and council hopes the consistent patronage will help push the case for extending the light rail line.

McDonald Jones Stadium Manager Brett Campbell, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and commuter Jenni Payne

Hunter Misses Out On Women's Rugby World Cup in 2021

BY IAN CROUCH

The Hunter has missed out on hosting the women's Rugby World Cup in 2021.

World Rugby bosses voted in Dublin overnight to award the tournament instead to New Zealand despite a late pitch by Australian officials and strong support from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Rugby Australia was confident of securing the rights to become the first southern hemisphere nation to host the tournament after securing $10 million dollars in government funding - $7 million more than what was promised to New Zealand.

The tournament would've injected millions of dollars into the Hunter economy, with 11 teams based around the Hunter and the final at McDonald Jones Stadium.

McDonald Jones Stadium Misses Out On Women's Rugby World Cup