Community News
- intouch Magazine
- May 1
- 4 min read
Discover what's happening in your local community this May...
SYDNEY WRITERS' FESTIVAL ENJOYS A LITERARY LONG WEEKEND IN MAITLAND
Maitland Libraries will host the Sydney Writers' Festival Live & Local program this May, bringing celebrated authors and thinkers to local audiences across three days. This collaboration represents a significant cultural opportunity for the Maitland community to engage with Australia's premier literary event without travelling to Sydney.
From Thursday 22 to Saturday 24 May, literary enthusiasts can enjoy five livestreamed sessions direct from Sydney and a special in-person event. The program includes free and ticketed events at Maitland Library, East Maitland Library and Gillieston Heights Community Hub, making literature accessible across multiple locations in the region.
'We're thrilled to welcome the Sydney Writers' Festival Live & Local program back to Maitland in 2025,' says Maitland City Council Coordinator Community Participation Erin Pascall.
'This year's program expands into more library branches and finishes with a big Saturday night event for people who want to go all in with great conversations, a catered dinner and time to connect with fellow book lovers.' Free livestreamed sessions on Thursday and Friday will feature prominent literary figures including Markus Zusak, author of the international bestseller "The Book Thief"; acclaimed Australian writer Helen Garner; wilderness survivor and memoirist Gina Chick; Irish literary master Colm Tóibín; and the talented Moriarty sisters whose novels have captivated readers worldwide. Each one hour session requires booking due to limited seating, with discussions covering a range of compelling topics.
The festival concludes with a special event at Gillieston Heights Community Hub on Saturday, 24 May (4pm-8:30pm). For $35, guests will enjoy a catered evening featuring three livestreamed sessions and an in-person appearance by writer and broadcaster Yumi Stynes. This culminating celebration offers a perfect opportunity for book enthusiasts to gather, discuss ideas, and experience the festival atmosphere in a welcoming community setting.
For the full event schedule and bookings, visit www.maitlandlibrary.com.au/whats-on/upcoming-events.
NEWCASTLE'S DRAFT BUDGET ALLOCATES $159 MILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
City of Newcastle's draft Budget for 2025-26 will invest $159 million into infrastructure projects across the city, as part of a total $430 million expenditure proposal spanning 348 projects. Key infrastructure upgrades include the renewal of Longworth Avenue and Minmi Road in Wallsend, continued Stockton coastline protection, improvements to Hunter Street Mall and Georgetown local centres, completion of design work for Newcastle Ocean Baths' second stage upgrade, and a year-round aquatic facility at Lambton Pool. The 2025-26 draft Budget and Delivery Program will be presented to Council as we go to print, seeking approval for public exhibition throughout May.
CEO Jeremy Bath emphasised financial sustainability as central to the city's approach:
"Our careful financial planning ensures we can continue to invest in the services and projects that matter most to our community, whilst forecasting a small Budget surplus of $510,000 for next year."
"Prudent economic management has allowed us to increase our investment and services for our community without risking City of Newcastle's track record of financial sustainability," Mr. Bath said.
"We have worked extremely hard to diversify our income to make our Budget less reliant on rates, with 47% of our income next year to be funded via sources other than rates. This is why we will invest $2,145 per property on infrastructure projects, while limiting the average residential rate to $1,881.71."
Major budget allocations include:
• $42.2 million for road rehabilitation, resurfacing and footpaths
• $22 million for recreation, aquatics and sports improvements
• $12.9 million for coastal, city and urban centre enhancements
• $9.4 million for waste management
• $7.5 million for street and park trees, bushland and Blackbutt Reserve
Lambton Pool will receive significant attention with roof replacement for the grandstand, accessibility improvements, and
$1 million allocated to progress the design of a year-round indoor pool. For the third consecutive year, Council will contribute $1 million to a sinking fund for future Lambton Pool upgrades.
Additional pool improvements include accessibility enhancements at Mayfield Pool and upgrades to playground equipment, barbecues, and picnic areas at Stockton Swimming Pool. Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said the draft Budget will see City of Newcastle engaging with the community to shape a Newcastle that thrives for all.
"We recognise that our strength lies in collaboration, and we remain committed to working closely with the community to shape the future of our city," said Cr Kerridge.
"I'm pleased the works program in the draft Budget has an increased emphasis on renewal
and repair over new works," Cr Kerridge added.
"We are determined to strengthen Newcastle through prudent investment in service delivery, infrastructure, public spaces, and local communities."
BEACHGOERS … AND BLUEBOTTLES … FLOCK TO LAKE MAC COAST
Lake Mac lifeguards rescued more than 50 people and provided first aid to 2500 beachgoers during the 2024-25 beach season, which saw warm waters but numerous bluebottle invasions and storm surges. Between September and April, nearly 900,000 people visited Lake Macquarie beaches, with Caves Beach and Redhead Beach attracting around 250,000 visitors. While Redhead accounted for half the 109 beach closures due to its exposed nature, Caves Beach required the most rescues.
"We often find that people who get into trouble at our beaches swim in unpatrolled areas, don't visit frequently, or underestimate the danger or overestimate their own abilities in the surf," said Team Leader Beach Lifeguards Chris Wilson.
Unusually warm water temperatures were countered by massive bluebottle swarms, particularly in January and February, which accounted for 80% of first aid incidents.
"We get them every year, but they came ashore in extremely large swarms over a prolonged period, which we haven't seen for several years," Mr Wilson said.
Beach closures were primarily due to hazardous surf, dangerous rips, storms, and shark sightings. Lifeguards will spend the off-season training and delivering surf safety sessions before resuming patrols for the September/October school holidays.
