Jets grand final to inject millions into the region: Newcastle Tourism Industry Group

BY JARROD MELMETH

Newcastle's peak tourism body has projected the economic benefits from Saturday's Jets grand final home game against Melbourne Victory at McDonald Jones Stadium to be in the millions.

Hotels across the city are nearing or completely booked out as well as flights from Melbourne to Newcastle, as Melbourne Victory is expected to bring two to four thousand fans along for the ride.

Newcastle Tourism Industry Group Manager Gus Maher said the flow on effects for local businesses will be tremendous.

"There are so many people who will benefit from this such as our hotels, transport operators, cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs. Let's hope people also get out and listen to some live music.

"But, one of the biggest influences, is that these people will come to this great city, they will see how good it is and they will come back with their friends and relatives," Mr Maher said.

Meanwhile, fans have taken to social media to vent their anger after tickets sold out in both presale and general public sale in minutes and are now appearing on resale websites for up to $1300.

Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna said any members caught participating in scalping will be banned in the future.

Mr McKinna said another announcement regarding "member tickets" would be made on Tuesday.

@NewcastleJetsFC If any one offers you GF tickets at an inflated price do not buy and get their name and report to the Jets office, if these people are members we will ban them in the future

— Lawrie McKinna (@LawrieMcKinna) April 30, 2018

@NewcastleJetsFC We will make another announcement tomorrow regarding members tickets

— Lawrie McKinna (@LawrieMcKinna) April 30, 2018

Park and ride free for another month

BY JARROD MELMETH

Newcastle City Council has extended the free introductory period for the park and ride service from McDonald Jones Stadium until February 26. 

Originally the service would start costing commuters $2 return from the 26th of January, but, council says the extra time will be used to finalise a mobile phone app designed to make the payment as convenient as possible for commuters. 

Council CEO Jeremy Bath said there is still some work to do on the development of the app before it is ready to go.

Council recently surveyed users of the service to understand what improvements could be made.

More than nine in 10 of 243 respondents said they had recommended park and ride to a friend and more than half said they used it three days a week or more.

The vast majority of respondents or 86 per cent said the service times suited their commuting needs.

But earlier starting times were raised as a possible improvement for the return afternoon leg.

"We will look at the scheduling to see if we can move the pm starting time forward from 4.30pm to 3.30 or even 3pm in line with the feedback.

"Council is doing everything it can to make it easier for workers to get into the city during what is clearly a time of significant disruption, but which we know will ultimately lead to a vastly improved city for all," Mr Bath said.

The Park and ride bus at McDonald Jones Stadium. Image Supplied.

Park and Ride an Early Success

By MATT JOHNSTON

Newcastle's commuter park and ride service launched this morning, with initial reactions already prompting council to expand the service. The free shuttle from McDonald Jones Stadium into Newcastle's CBD already has over 500 registered users looking to save money on parking closer to town.

Newcastle City Council's interim Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Bath says it's been an early success, despite "inclement" weather and other factors. He says it's a fantastic result when you consider the weather and the fact that Mondays are traditional less busy in terms of traffic.

Over 100 people used the service this morning, who gave council "a really positive response". Jeremy says "everyone was happy with the service".

"We're already in discussions in regard to expanding the park and ride from 2018 to include the Newcastle Showground. I think undoubtedly based on the registrations and even just on today's first experience, there is a very strong demand from commuters for a park and ride service into the city."

The service is being touted by council as a money-saving measure for commuters, with the shuttle being free until the end of January 2018. After January, the cost will increase to $2, which still represents a saving when compared to parking costs in the central business district.

Registration for the service is still open, with council urging as many commuters to take up the scheme as possible. Timetables and details for stops are also available on the park and ride website.

http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/parkandride

Free Park And Ride Trial Set To Free Up Newcastle CBD Parking Spaces

BY IAN CROUCH and LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A new park and ride plan is expected to take up to 350 vehicles out of the Newcastle CBD each weekday.

From Monday, people can park at McDonald Jones Stadium and catch a free bus into the city every 15 minutes between 6.30 and 8.30 on weekday mornings, with a return service between 4.30 and 6pm.

Morning buses will stop at four locations and the afternoon return service will pick up commuters from Customs House, the corner of Perkins and King Streets, Civic and Marketown every 15 minutes.

It's expected to save workers $1400 a year in parking fees.

The free trial continues until January 29 when a $2 fee applies to park at the Stadium.

It's hoped the service will free up car parks for CBD shoppers and ease congestion while the light rail is built.

Revitalising Newcastle Director, Michael Cassel, said it's a great initiative. "It reduces the cost to the commuter, and I think businesses will appreciate just how many car spaces are freed-up throughout the day.

"Commuters will be able to easily get into the city and enjoy the activities that we're putting on as part of Revitalising Newcastle." 

The trial will also help gauge support for Council's push to extend the light rail line to Broadmeadow.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for people to vote with their cars by jumping on to this park and ride bus morning and afternoon," Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.

"This will be a huge benefit for us pushing our case for the expansion of the light rail network
out to this stadium precinct."

There will be alternative park and ride locations when the Newcastle Jets and Newcastle Knights have weekday evening matches at the stadium, but those locations have not yet been determined.

"So at the moment there's a lot of land around this precinct at Broadmeadow," Ms Nelmes said, "We're working with Venues NSW for those couple of times in the next 12 months where there are Knights or Jets games on a Friday to look for an alternative site; that's a work in progress."

She believes the service will operate smoothly.

"A lot of work has gone into ensuring the operations of this service will be as simple as possible, and as cheap as possible."

Commuters wanting to use the service must register for a free permit either online at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/parkandride or by calling Newcastle Council on 4974 2000.

Proud: Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Revitalising Newcastle Director, Michael Cassel. Image: Lauren Freemantle.

Park And Ride Service About To Start At McDonald Jones Stadium.

New Screen for McDonald Jones Stadium

BY TYLER FARDELL

Fans of the Newcastle Knights and the Newcastle Jets will be able to see the action much clearer with the installation of a brand new video screen.

The screen measures in at an impressive 98.3 square metres, three times larger than the current screen.

Work has already begun to remove the old screen, with the new screen expected to be up and running by November, still into the early rounds of the A-League season.

The upgrade has been welcomed by both the CEO of the Knights and the Jets, who say 'this is a major coup for the fans of both codes'.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot Macdonald was full of praise for the project.

"The old screen was quite hard to see and this is a big step up in quality and it will make it a better experience for those there on the day".

Photo source; Triple M