BASKETBALLERS will take it to the streets in Newcastle under a range of events sharing more than $800,000 in business rate funds, City of Newcastle has announced.
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The 15 events will share in the special business rate charged of business operators in Darby Street and the CBD.
The money formerly went to business improvement associations, but was opened more widely after the council terminated its agreement with the groups including Newcastle Now.
Lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the funds allocated on Tuesday would deliver a calendar intended "to attract tens of thousands of people to the city centre".
"From music and street art festivals, to a new interactive app showcasing our city's iconic heritage buildings, this round of funding will inject regular and varied activity to the CBD, and help deliver two events in Hamilton and Wallsend," Cr Nelmes said.
Playground Park will in January host a three-on-three basketball tournament on temporary half-courts in Wheeler Place, Customs House plaza and Honeysuckle.
Spokeswoman Sally Leacy said the event would bring "the largest urban team sport in the world" into the city on January 18 and 19.
"We're planning for Newcastle to become Australia's home of three-on-three basketball, a phenomenon which has taken-off overseas and brought thousands of visitors to host cities across the world," Ms Leacy said.
A second round of expressions of interest for areas including Wallsend, New Lambton and Hamilton will open next year.
THE RECIPIENTS
Peninsula City (Storyhaus): Our city is your story, $124,850
A series of six videos uncovering local stories that promote Newcastle as a Creative City. The videos will engage the community in the new dreams and aspirations locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
Newcastle Afoot: Major Street Art Festival, $120,100
A community event that will bring 12 local, national and international artists to transform Newcastle's streetscapes. The event will celebrate our creative culture with 12 large murals being painted across the weekend.
Makers & Traders: Maps and micro-activations, $106,000
Two major place activation programs for Christmas 2019 and International Women's Day 2020. Also develop two seasonal maps to promote Makers & Traders in the City Centre / Darby Street precinct.
Playgrounds Park: 3x3 basketball, $88,741
A new summer 3-on-3 basketball tournament at three street venues in the Newcastle CBD. The tournament has been endorsed by the international body and will attract players from across NSW.
Out of the Square Media: History Here, $78,300
An app-based initiative that will use augmented reality to bring key historical moments to life by animating archival photos.
Makers & Traders: Customisable walking trails, $60,000
An app-based initiative that will allow Novacastrians and visitors to follow localised custom trails to find makers, traders and places of interest.
Hunter and King Street Traders: Eastend.com, $56,600
A central website for approximately 140 businesses and stakeholders to collaborate, promote their precinct and obtain discounts.
Newcastle Live Music Taskforce: Sounds Station, $43,000
A free community event at The Station to showcase and celebrate Newcastle's live music industry and engage the community with the vibrant East End heritage precinct.
HUNTERhunter: Precinct Marketing Campaign, $40,200
A multi-media marketing campaign to promote Newcastle's city centre and Darby Street precinct.
Flux Movement: Active spaces, $30,000
A place-making initiative in Hunter Street mall to improve amenity and enable Parkour training and competitions.
The Y Project: TRACKS Tram Line Gigs, $27,072
A live music and youth engagement program in eight different locations along the Newcastle light rail line. These all-age events will be hosted collaboratively with local businesses and feature a wide range of young musicians from the local area.
Kafey Cafe: Super-duper Carts, $20,000
A place activation project in Hunter Street Mall including a go-kart rally during the 2019 Newcastle 500 Supercars event.
NSW Rural Doctors Network: Hamilton Urban Art Jam, $15,000
A community event that will bring local and national artists to transform a Hamilton Alleyway into an exciting outdoor graffiti gallery.
Screen Hunter: The Real Film Festival, $8,228
Support for the Real Film Festival which is providing a new capacity building program for Newcastle businesses and enterprises as part of its 2019 events.
Wallsend Baptist Church: Wallsend Christmas Carols, $8000
A free community event at Wallsend including children's activities, food stalls, stage performances and fireworks.
