New Video Showcases Newcastle's Evolution From Industrial Town to Renewable Powerhouse

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A new video has been released looking back at Newcastle's transformation from the "steel city" to a clean energy leader, and Newcastle Council becoming the first council in Australia to make the switch to 100 percent renewables.

Council's initiatives which helped them reach the achievement include introducing solar panels to council buildings, enhancing electric vehicle infrastructure, and switching to sustainable public transport options, in addition to significant investment in the Summerhill Solar Farm.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen says the City of Newcastle is "exceptionally pleased" to have been showcased for their work as a member of the Climate Council and the Cities Power Partnership.

"We were the very first council in Australia to embrace 100 percent renewables," said Cr Clausen.

"We did it in a way that means we're saving money for rate-payers and returning those savings back into community infrastructure, so it's a really great outcome."

The City of Newcastle's operations have been completely powered by renewable energy since New Year's Day - and the council has more plans to improve waste management, expand active transport, and help out businesses and households with their energy use as well.

Local businesses such as the Carrington Bowling Club, which are featured in the video,  have also launched significant community campaigns to raise money for renewables too - the club now saves more than a thousand dollars a month thanks to their own solar panels.

David Craven, Director of the Cities Power Partnership, says the community's involvement in renewable energy initiatives has been just as exciting as the council's efforts.

"It's fantastic to see what the council is doing, but this is also clearly something that's deeper than just the council taking action," said Mr Craven.

"The community themselves are getting behind this, and we can see that there's a real thirst for renewable energy in the community of Newcastle."

Concerns have been raised from the community and environmental groups regarding the continued impact of the Port of Newcastle - the busiest coal export port in the world - and Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group's recent application to increase their coal terminal capacity on Kooragang island from 66 to 79 million tonnes of coal per year.

"I think we're seeing the economics of coal really heading in the wrong direction for those kinds of applications. These things are going to play out in the market anyway," Mr Craven said. 

Newcastle Council say they are committed to sustainable development, working closely with partners, including operators like the Port of Newcastle, to look at how they can continue to diversify.

"Coal is an exceptionally important commodity for Newcastle and the Hunter region, and we want to look closely on how to reduce the impact they have on the environment. We've been working really closely with partners, by adopting sustainable development goals with Port Waratah Coal services," said Cr Clausen.

"Newcastle still has a reputation to be a steel city, and it's certainly a reputation that when you talk to people from outside the region that we're a dirty city."

"This is a really unique way of showcasing the amount of change that has happened in Newcastle, and we hope that that will lead to positive outcomes in terms of what other cities can do as well."

Watch the video here.

Image credit: https://citiespowerpartnership.org.au/

Second City Symposium in Newcastle

BY SANZIANA TIMIS

The University of Newcastle's Hunter Research Foundation Centre will host an internationally-attended conference called "Second Cities: Smaller and Smarter symposium," taking place on the 29th and 30th of October.

With pressure on major metropolitan areas to accommodate an increase in population growth, experts say sustainability needs to come from outside these areas.

Second cities have greater opportunities to provide laid-back liveability conditions for residents, in comparison to the difficulties faced in big cities regarding house affordability, congestion and access to jobs. 

The conference will discuss innovation, infrastructure and the liveability for second cities such as Newcastle. Leading practitioners in the industry will develop plans of economic sustainability, including the 2018 Hunter Business Leader and host of the event, Kyle Loades, who vouches for the national necessity of second cities,

"Major metropolitan areas such as Melbourne and Sydney are growing fast and frankly they're struggling to keep up with the infrastructure and quality of life."

"This is where second cities such as Newcastle help people thrive and survive, to work and live a quality life."

                                                                             Source:https://www.visitnewcastle.com.au/

Smart City looking Towards a Smart Future

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It seems the Federal Government has recognised just how smart the city of Newcastle really is.

Newcastle City Council is today welcoming $5 million from the government under their Smart Cities and Suburbs program to put towards council's Smart Move Newcastle, part of Council's Smart City vision to boost the use of digital technology throughout the city in vehicles and infrastructure.

Assistant Minister for Cities Angus Taylor and
Newcastle Council Interim CEO Angus Taylor.

Council is more than matching the government's amount together with their partners putting $10 million towards the project as well.

Assistant Minister for Cities Angus Taylor was in Newcastle today to announce the funding and says Newcastle has the potential to lead the rest of the world.

"We'll be pioneering technology here for Australia and that are leading not just Australia but the world. This is a great opportunity not just to make Newcastle a better place to live and work but also give Newcastle the chance to really be a pioneer Australia wide and globally in these sorts of technologies," said Minister Taylor.

The funding will go towards supporting a range of initiatives including:
- An electric vehicle hub
- Autonomous vehicle trials
- Bus stops with technology to provide real-time information such as when the next bus is due
- Roads with real-time traffic analysis to give emergency vehicles green lights and alert commuters of traffic jams
- Sensors in buildings to monitor and manage energy use
- Cameras in smart light poles to analyse cloud coverage and estimate solar energy production

Council Interim CEO Jeremy Bath said the digital solutions will better the city in terms of infrastructure, transport and everything in between.

"Newcastle is a city that has always prided itself on its innovation and the Federal Government is joining with council and a number of companies from around Australia and indeed across the world showing they have the faith and the belief in Newcastle," said Jeremy.

"We really welcome the funding and welcome the interest from the Federal Government, Angus you can come back anytime with the chequebook!" said Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald.