The Nile Inquiry and Moving Newcastle Forward

On Friday 21 November 2014, I entered Newcastle City Hall ready to deliver an address on behalf of the young people of Newcastle ahead of major decisions being made that aimed to contribute to our city's renewal. From the moment I entered the room I felt excluded, I did not fit the crowd. Piercing eyes hit me like lazers and in Julie Bishop style maintained their intensity for the duration of my time within the Inquiry room. They knew from that first moment that I wasn't a Save Our Rail sympathiser, rather that I had a plan and vision to cater for Newcastle's youth that didn't fit their post-colonial agenda. Below is the speech that I presented to the inquiry amidst jeers and taunts from the noisy minority of backward Novocastrians:

"My name is Matthew Newman, I am an 18 year old Novocastrian not concerned, but excited about decisions being made in Newcastle. For the first time in Newcastle’s history we are seeing record levels of investment and interest on an international scale which promises to deliver a city that is vibrant and energetic whilst maintaining its character.

I aim to use this opportunity to spell out the need to create a city that is Workable, Liveable and Connected for the adults of tomorrow. Today’s youth, often labelled Generation Z, are pragmatic, intelligent and insightful in everything we do, despite this, young people have not been included in the renewal discussion. Newcastle needs not be created to accommodate Australia’s aging population and turn into a macro retirement village. We need to embrace the talent, innovation and charisma of our city’s youth so that Newcastle is ready to accept the challenges the future undoubtedly holds. 

Some of you might have per-conceived expectations and opinions on how to renew Newcastle, and no matter the response you gauge from the community your solidified opinions will not wane. I understand this, but I would request that you take the time to consider my point of view and why it is so important that the progress that has been made in Newcastle is not halted. I am going to explore 3 key aspects of Newcastle’s renewal that are central to creating a city for the future. We need a city that is workable, liveable and connected.

To my first point, making the city Workable. This means supporting and developing a means by which employment can be sustained in the long term. The current proposals for the East end development, light rail implementation and the Wickham interchange will create thousands of construction jobs for a decade which will then translate into retail and commercial positions looking into the future. Bringing thousands of additional people into the city on a daily basis presents obvious economic benefits of the city and will generate a culture of prosperity whereby people will want to start up and support new and existing businesses contrary to the once derelict and deserted situation.

This leads into my next point of making the city liveable. This starts with bringing people into the city to live and delivering the services to support their lifestyles. The GPT group’s plan to build 500 apartments in the East End on top of the thousands that plan to be built in other projects stretching throughout the city will provide a population to support the small to medium enterprises that will occupy the currently empty facades. 

Whilst on this note it is important to consider transport situation. A noisy minority have rattled about the removal of the rail line as the end of all efficient transport solutions in the city. This couldn’t be further the truth and all arguments they put forward are entrenched in emotion, neglecting the facts presented in the Review of Environmental Factors submissions report and the AECOM transport management and accessibility plan. Both outline an effective and reliable transport network that includes buses, light rail and I believe could be bolstered by an extension of the city’s ferry network – including terminals at Wickham to support the interchange and an additional one at Nobby’s beach to support the crowd who come to the city for our world class beaches. This would subdue any pressure on the existing and new transport systems whilst providing an added benefit to the city.

Lastly, let’s make Newcastle connected. First and foremost we must remove the rail line that divides our harbour from the city. Interestingly when the rail line was first installed in 1857, Community sentiment was staunchly opposed to its construction with fears that it will ‘divide the city’. Ironically, as was the case some 157 years ago, again the noisy minority made a case of opposition to progress in the city, and how history has repeated itself! It seems is the case that there are people who fear the future, who fear progress and who fear development. We need to move forward and connect our city, with our harbour whilst embracing our beaches and West End. Imagine a city which is not limited in potential and can prosper with an open planned layout.

Our representatives need to stop their political opportunism and constant endeavors to create political advantage through emotion filled campaigns based on fear. We as a city do feel let down by the ICAC revelations, but our mission to see this city prosper should not be perturbed. Newcastle needs us to unite and work with the decisions that have been made rather than continuing a debate that has raged longer then I have been alive. The current indecision is hurting business confidence and the positive steps that have been taken as part of this long journey are being put at risk. We need to create a city that will support and accommodate the wants and needs of the adults of tomorrow and I implore this committee to not disturb the progress that is being made. When considering the contents of your final report, consider the young people of Newcastle and consider your role in creating a workable, liveable and connected city for us to inherit"

Are you a young Novocastrian who also wants to see progress continued in our city? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

 Email: youngandpolitical@outlook.com