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One hundred and fifty-nine million dollars will be invested into infrastructure projects as part of City of Newcastle’s draft Budget for 2025-26.

This will facilitate the delivery of critical upgrades such as the renewal of Longworth Avenue and Minmi Road in Wallsend, the continued protection of Stockton’s coastline, multimillion-dollar improvements of local centres in the Hunter Street Mall and Georgetown, along with the finalisation of the design for stage two of the Newcastle Ocean Baths upgrade and a year-round aquatic facility at Lambton Pool.

Total expenditure of more than $430 million is proposed across 348 projects in line with the Council’s community strategic plan to ensure Newcastle continues to grow as a vibrant, welcoming city, offering boundless opportunities for residents, workers, and visitors alike.

The 2025-26 draft Budget and Delivery Program will go to Council on Tuesday night seeking support for it to be placed on public exhibition for community and stakeholder feedback throughout May.

CEO Jeremy Bath said financial sustainability remains at the heart of everything City of Newcastle does.

“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,” Mr Bath said.

“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.

“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.

“The projects in this year’s Budget are designed to support Newcastle’s growth while preserving the character and natural assets that make our city unique.”

Budget highlights include:

• $42.2 million on road rehabilitation, resurfacing and footpaths including $24.3 million on Longworth Avenue and Minmi Road Western Corridor Upgrades

• $22 million on recreation, aquatics and sports improvements including Foreshore Park

• $12.9 million on Coastal, City and Urban Centres including East End, Hunter Street Mall, and Georgetown Local Centres

• $9.4 million on waste management and the Summerhill Waste Management Centre

• $7.5 million on street and park trees, bushland and watercourses and Blackbutt Reserve

• $6.2 million on city-wide stormwater upgrades and flood planning and management works including Cooks Hill

• $5.5 million on footpath and pedestrian projects

• $5.4 million on cultural facilities including the Art Gallery, Libraries, Museum, Fort Scratchley and Civic Venues

• $5.2 million on coastal management including Stockton coastline protection work, estuary and wetlands

• $4.5 million on affordable housing

• $4.2 million on cycleway projects

• $1.5 million on climate action and sustainability initiatives

“Lambton Pool will be one of the big winners from this year’s Budget. Not only will the old roof of the grandstand be replaced, but $1 million has also been set aside to progress the design of a year-round indoor pool as promised by the previous elected Council,” Mr Bath said.

“Lighting will also be upgraded, and a platform for both the 25m and 50m pools will be installed to improve accessibility to help all swimmers safely enter the pools. 

“For the third year in a row Council will allocate $1 million to a sinking fund to ensure that when the time comes, Council has the money for the upgrading of Lambton Pool. On top of this another $1 million will be spent over the next 12 months on infrastructure upgrades at all of our five swimming pools.

“A second platform to improve pool accessibility will also be installed at Mayfield Pool over the winter recess break.

“Stockton swimming pool will also get a makeover with the playground equipment, barbecues, and picnic tables to be upgraded, along with new shade structures to be installed.

“Half a million dollars is included in the Budget to complete the design of the second stage of Newcastle Ocean Baths in anticipation of the development application being approved later this year.”

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,” Cr Kerridge said.

“I’m pleased the works program in the draft Budget has an increased emphasis on renewal and repair over new works.

“We are determined to strengthen Newcastle through prudent investment in service delivery, infrastructure, public spaces, and local communities.”

The Minns Labor Government welcomes data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) showing a sharp increase in crimes solved by police.

The study, Trends in police legal action rates 2009-2023, examines the rate of legal action taken by police across 11 categories of offences over 15 years.

It reveals a significant increase in charges laid over violent offences including robbery (up 20 percentage points), between 2009 and 2023.

There were also increases across the rates of legal action for domestic violence-related assault (up 7 percentage points), non-domestic assault (up 2 percentage points), sexual touching and other sexual offences (up 2 percentage points).

The rate of legal action taken over malicious damage to property offences rose 14 percentage points over the same period.  

Significant increases were also recorded across non-dwelling break and enters (up 13 percentage points), dwelling break and enters (up 8 percentage points), motor vehicle theft (up 8 percentage points) and steal from motor vehicle (up 3 percentage points).

The Government pays tribute to the hard work of the NSW Police Force in delivering these results, which show the risk of being caught is higher than ever before.

It is their diligence in thousands of cases over that time – pursuing leads, examining evidence, and working alongside victims – that has delivered this result.

The fact this was achieved amid the former government’s chronic shortage of police officers is a testament to the skill and dedication of police.

The Minns Labor Government is backing our police force through boosting pay for officers, along with paying recruits to attend the Goulburn academy as part of our commitment to community safety.

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

“Police are bringing more people to court than we’ve seen in a long time – a clear sign that their hard work is making a difference.

“Police don’t just catch offenders – they put in the tough, behind-the-scenes work to make sure those people are held accountable a process that is often complex, relentless, and doesn’t always get the credit it deserves.

“This is yet another example of the incredible work our officers do day in and day out. I want to give a genuine thank you to every officer out there giving their all to keep our community safe.”

Acting Attorney General Ron Hoenig said:

“These figures reveal more alleged domestic violence offenders and perpetrators of serious property crime are being charged and brought before the courts.

“Community safety is the priority of the NSW Government. We are continuing to invest in stronger protections for domestic violence victim-survivors and have made it harder for alleged offenders to get bail.

“At the same time, we have tightened the bail test for young people accused of repeat break and enter and motor theft offences to break the cycle of youth offending.”

In a major milestone, four wind, solar and battery projects have been granted the right to connect to new power lines in the South West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).

These landmark projects will help keep the lights on in NSW and deliver long-term benefits for local workers, communities and electricity consumers.

EnergyCo has granted access rights to wind, solar and large-scale battery projects with a combined generation capacity of 3.56 gigawatts. That’s enough to power more than 1.6 million homes a year.

This follows a competitive access rights tender process by AEMO Services Limited. The strong level of interest and competition between developers is a testament to the high quality of the renewable energy resources in the South West REZ.

The grant of access rights provides more certainty to communities in the south west of NSW about the renewable energy projects that will be developed in the region over coming years, The access fees paid by these projects will fund community benefits programs that will deliver legacy benefits informed by community priorities.

The projects are Origin Energy’s Yanco Delta wind farm, Spark Renewables Dinawan Energy Hub, Someva’s Pottinger Energy Park and BayWA’s Bullawah Wind Farm:

Developer	Project	Project Type	Maximum capacity (megawatts/MW)
Origin Energy Pty Ltd	Yanco Delta	Wind	1,460 MW
Spark Renewables	Dinawan Energy Hub	Wind, Solar and Battery	1,007 MW
Someva Pty Ltd/AGL Energy Hubs Ltd	Pottinger Energy Park	Wind and Battery	831.2 MW
BayWa r.e. Project Australia Pty Ltd	Bullawah Wind Farm	Wind	262.3 MW

The projects include more than 700 megawatts of battery storage, capable of powering up to 300,000 households during peak demand.

The granting of access rights is a key milestone in the Minns Labor Government’s plan to unlock reliable renewable energy for homes and businesses, and put downward pressure on prices.

The South-West REZ projects will play a critical role in ensuring reliable, more affordable and clean energy as the state’s existing power stations retire.

The REZ is expected to create more than 2,800 jobs at the height of construction. This includes opportunities for around 265 apprentices, reflecting a strong commitment to skills development and training.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe:

“The South West Renewable Energy Zone is expected to drive more than $17 billion in private investment in solar, wind and energy storage projects, and this landmark tender shows the high interest in investing in NSW.

“These projects will help ensure NSW has enough renewable energy generation and storage when coal-fired power stations retire. They also give certainty to host-communities, who will directly benefit from the fees paid by these companies to connect to the REZ.”

EnergyCo chief executive, Hannah McCaughey: 

“We had strong interest from industry in the South West Renewable Energy Zone access rights tender. The access scheme will also ensure we make the best use of new power lines, to put downward pressure on energy bills for everyone in NSW.

“The first projects are expected to come online from 2027 to 2030, which will help keep the lights on and secure our energy future.”

Further information:

What is a Renewable Energy Zone?

REZs will group new wind and solar power generation and batteries into locations where it can be efficiently stored and transmitted across NSW.

Five zones have been identified and will keep NSW electricity reliable as coal-fired power stations retire, delivering large amounts of new energy to power our regions and cities.

REZs will help deliver lower wholesale electricity costs and place downward pressure on customer bills through increased competition and efficient use of the network, while supporting local jobs and business opportunities during construction and operation.

Where is the South West Renewable Energy Zone?

The South West REZ is centred around Hay and takes in towns including Balranald and Buronga.

The location was chosen due to an abundance of high-quality wind and solar resources, proximity to existing and planned high voltage transmission including Project EnergyConnect, relative land-use compatibility and a strong pipeline of proposed projects.

At its peak, this REZ is expected to support over 2,000 construction jobs in the region.

A proud piece of Australia’s aviation history has been preserved for future generations with West Wyalong’s much-loved Douglas DC-3 Dakota going through a multi-month restoration to bring it back to its former glory in time for Anzac Day.

The vintage warbird has been a fixture in the town since it was moved from Cootamundra to Lions Park in March 1983.

Restoration on the plane and its installation in Lions Park was completed in the past week.

Bland Shire Council received $167,670 from the NSW Government to repair and upgrade the plane, including site works, concreting, paint stripping and re-painting.

The DC-3 saw service with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) between 1950 and 1974, before being bought by Cootamundra aviator and airline operator Jack Masling OAM for spare parts.

But the local Lions Club decided the old bomber deserved a different fate and approached him about saving it, and Mr Masling agreed to donate the plane to the club as a memorial.

West Wyalong resident John Hudson owned the transport company that moved the plane from Cootamundra to West Wyalong, and says it was quite the effort, with the normally one-hour trip taking a painstaking four hours.

Once relocated, the plane was reassembled by RAAF personnel from Wagga Wagga who were billeted in town overnight and treated to a celebratory BBQ.

The West Wyalong DC-3 was built in 1943 in Oklahoma City and served as a transport aircraft and flying classroom for multi-engine training, search and rescue, navigation and anti-submarine warfare, clocking up 4,254 flying hours before it was retired.

The first DC-3 prototype flew in 1935, starting as a passenger liner in the US but the planes quickly earned a reputation with the US military for freight and transport and supported the D-Day landings at Normandy.

DC3’s are affectionately dubbed ‘biscuit bombers’ for their role doing food drops to troops, including on Papua New Guinea’s Kokoda Track during World War II.

After the war these workhorses became a mainstay of global passenger and freight services in regional areas because of their low running costs and ability to perform on rough airfields and with low maintenance.

The restored DC-3 can be viewed in Lions Park every day of the week.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“It’s wonderful to see this local landmark and tourist attraction get a new lease on life and I hope visitors take a moment to pause and reflect on the meaning of service this Anzac Day.

“New landscaping around the plane will make it more accessible for residents and visitors, and will keep this piece of local history, which is a source of immense community pride at the heart of West Wyalong for years to come.”

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“It is fantastic to see the Douglas DC-3 Dakota has been restored to its former glory just in time for the 110th anniversary of Anzac Day. 

“Local landmarks like this allow communities to gain a deeper understanding of the service and sacrifice of our veterans during times of conflict.”

Bland Shire Council Mayor Cr Brian Monaghan said:

“The restoration effort, done in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force’s Heritage Restoration Team, is one of the most unique projects he’s seen during his time with council.

“This has been a truly rewarding experience for Bland Shire Council, it’s not every day you get the opportunity to restore a piece of Australia’s aviation history and breathe new life into something so iconic.

“The DC-3 Dakota is a beloved landmark in West Wyalong and this restoration ensures its continued presence as an important part of our community as the plane is not only a piece of the past, but a symbol of our community’s pride, and I’m incredibly pleased about the work that’s gone into it.”

Plane transporter John Hudson said:

“We had quite the crowd that day, I took the fuselage, and another bloke took the wings and we had a police escort and everything.

“We couldn’t come down the main road and had to follow the creek and we only took out one powerline and blew a transformer so not a bad effort.”

The Albanese Labor Government’s plan to establish a critical minerals strategic reserve is good news for mining projects, regional communities and workers across NSW.

With leading deposits of critical minerals – including antimony, cobalt and rare earth elements – the NSW mining industry would benefit from a re-elected Albanese Labor Government.

The critical minerals strategic reserve also complements the Minns Labor Government’s efforts to support projects as they enter production, including through our $250 million royalty deferral, which begins on 1 July 2025. 

NSW has more than 10 critical minerals and high-tech metals projects that are ready for investment. They need around $7.6 billion in capital investment value and are expected to generate about 4,600 jobs during construction and 2,700 ongoing jobs.

I look forward to working with Prime Minister Albanese, Federal Resources Minister King and a re-elected Labor government to bring these projects to life and support Australia’s ambition to be a leading producer and supplier of critical minerals.

There will be a lot of people disappointed by this decision – and we understand that. We’re disappointed too.

The Crime Commission is entirely independent.

The Commission has said the use of complex discretionary trusts to conceal the proceeds of crime is a national problem that requires legislative reform.

That’s why the Commission – alongside several other State and Commonwealth agencies – is contributing to the development of a national approach to beneficial ownership disclosure obligations.

The NSW Government supports legislative change to ensure that people who engage in corrupt conduct are not able to hide the proceeds of these crimes.

Mr Obeid’s actions were one of the most serious examples of the misuse of public office in NSW.

The people of NSW need to have faith that public institutions and elected officials are acting in the public interest. That faith is central to a working and healthy democracy.

It’s why we support these important oversight bodies, like the Crime Commission and the ICAC – because they hold all of us to account.

The Minns Labor Government is charting the course for Port Stephens to become a global sailing destination when Newcastle Airport’s upgraded international terminal opens in August 2025.

The region’s pristine waters will again welcome thousands of sailors and spectators to Sail Port Stephens, one of Australia’s largest regattas proudly supported by the Minns Labor Government.

The Sail Port Stephens Performance Series commences on 25-27 April 2025 and will include the NSW Yachting Championships, TP52 Gold Cup Act 3, Rob Hampshire Cup, InterClub 40 Challenge and Super RC Series. It will be followed by the Sail Port Stephens Bay Series on 2-4 May 2025 and the dinghy divisions from 3-4 May 2025.

Port Stephens is already beloved by domestic visitors and was recently named Wotif’s 2025 Aussie Town of the Year for its beaches, sand dunes, sea life, national parks and dining.

The NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW has supported Sail Port Stephens over many years, helping the event grow to become a major visitor drawcard for the region.

The latest Tourism Research Australia data shows the Port Stephens visitor economy is booming. The region welcomed 836,300 domestic overnight visitors in the year ending December 2024, up four per cent year on year. Domestic overnight visitor expenditure injected $683 million into the local visitor economy. There were 25,300 international visitors to Port Stephens during the period, who spent $11 million during their trip.

Situated on the doorstep of Port Stephens, the new Newcastle Airport’s international terminal will enhance access to the destination for both racing and leisure boating enthusiasts.

Destination NSW has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Newcastle Airport to help the airport secure new international and domestic routes.

Minister for Tourism Steve Kamper said:

“Sail Port Stephens has built a reputation as one of the premier events on the Australian sailing calendar and is expected to generate more than $2 million in visitor expenditure in 2025 for the region.

“The event plays a key role in promoting Port Stephens as a world-class destination for major national and international regattas, increasing visitation to the area and boosting the local visitor economy.

“The Minns Labor Government is proud to be promoting of one of Australia’s most scenic and celebrated sailing waterways to the world.”

Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said:

“Port Stephens offers visitors the whole package – stunning beaches, lush national parks, and sparkling waters for sailing enthusiasts.

“The upgraded Newcastle Airport will bring exciting new opportunities to the region and boost participation in events such as Sail Port Stephens, ensuring a bright future for the local businesses who contribute to the growth of our visitor economy. We’re setting the stage for our region to become a true international sailing destination.”

Mayor of Port Stephens Leah Anderson said:

“It’s always fantastic to see our shores buzzing with excitement as we welcome sailors, enthusiasts and spectators from all over Australia.

“Sail Port Stephens is not only a thrilling sporting spectacle but it’s also a significant contributor to our local economy. So many of our local businesses receive extra visitors and the event is of huge benefit to our hotels, marinas, cafes, restaurants and shops.”

Sail Port Stephens Co-founder Paul O’Rourke said:

“Port Stephens offers an incredible sailing experience with consistent nor’easters, spectacular scenery and the versatility of its sheltered bay and open water racetracks.

“The support for Sail Port Stephens through Destination NSW has been key to the event’s growth from its original week-long regatta format to a month-long sailing super event and we look forward to further elevating the region as a global sailing destination.”  

More than 200 demountables will be removed from schools in Parramatta as the Minns Labor Government continues work on its record building program to fix the school infrastructure backlog left by the Liberals and Nationals.

The Liberals and the Nationals neglected schools in Western Sydney over their 12 years in government, allowing the number of demountables to explode, and leaving children learning in temporary classrooms over the long-term.

As part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to deliver for growing Western Sydney communities, there are a number of school upgrades underway in the Parramatta area.

Once complete these projects will see more than 200 demountables removed from schools in the Parramatta area, replacing them with high-quality, permanent school facilities.

Projects in the planning, design or construction phases include:

• Carlingford West Public School upgrade
• Cumberland High school upgrade
• Darcy Road Public School upgrade
• Girraween Public School upgrade
• Dundas Public School upgrade
• Melrose Park new high school
• Melrose Park Public School redevelopment
• Newington Public School Upgrade
• Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High School upgrade
• Northmead Public School upgrade
• Parramatta East Public School upgrade
• Telopea Public School upgrade
• Wentworth Point Public School upgrade (stage 2)

The Minns Labor Government will also remove 21 demountables from Parramatta East Public School and provide more play space for local students, progressing our commitment to the local community, with plans now on exhibition for community feedback.

The new three-storey building on Albert Street East will include 24 new classrooms, six common areas, six large multipurpose spaces, a new support learning unit with three classrooms, a new school library, new student bathrooms and a new administration area with separate public and student entrances.

The school upgrade will also include the refurbishment of six existing classrooms, conversion of the existing library into a staff room, and the provision of more staff parking.

The planning application for the upgrade, known as a Review of Environmental Factors (REF), is now on public exhibition until Monday, 21 April 2025. To view the plans or make a submission, visit the NSW Planning Portal link on the department’s project webpage.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s record $8.9 billion investment to deliver new and upgraded schools across NSW, including a record $3.6 billion for schools in Western Sydney.

We are committed to building and upgrading schools where they are needed most, as we tackle the school infrastructure backlog after more than a decade of neglect by the Liberals and Nationals.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“Demountables were always intended to be a temporary stop-gap measure, but due to 12 years of gross mismanagement and neglect by the Liberals and Nationals, they became a permanent fixture at many Western Sydney schools.

“In the Parramatta area we were elected with a clear promise to the community that we would clean up the school infrastructure mess left by the former government.

“As we upgrade and build new schools, we are removing more than 200 demountables and replacing them with permanent, high-quality classrooms and school buildings.

“We cannot rebuild public education across Western Sydney overnight, but we are committed to finally delivering world-class facilities, so every child can access a high-quality education in their local area.”

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:

“This Parramatta East Public School upgrade will have a lasting impact on the lives of local students academically, physically and creatively for years to come. 

“Making these investments in public schools ensures our schools remain valuable community assets, providing benefits to local families and children for generations.”

City of Newcastle’s Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme reached a major milestone after Councillors endorsed a planning proposal at last night’s Ordinary Council Meeting to bring it into effect.

The scheme sets out how contributions towards affordable housing will be collected from new developments.

Executive Director of Planning and Environment, Michelle Bisson, said the scheme showed that City of Newcastle was not just talking about the need for more affordable housing, but acting to achieve it.

“The Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme has been developed through extensive consultation and analysis to ensure that it is does not impact on development feasibility and overall housing supply,” Ms Bisson said.

“It is a transparent, evidence-based framework that provides certainty for developers and recognises the importance of affordably priced housing for Novocastrians today and in the future.”

The scheme was on public exhibition from November 2024 to February 2025, with amendments made based on submissions to clarify how it is to be applied, implemented and administered.

City of Newcastle’s Affordable Housing Working Party Chair Councillor Elizabeth Adamczyk said the scheme was a key initiative to work towards a target of 15% of all housing being affordable housing.

“Many households in Newcastle are already in rental stress which has only increased with the cost-of-living crisis, and our population is forecast to grow significantly, so making sure there are affordable rental housing options available right across our city is incredibly important,” Cr Adamczyk said.

“This is part of our comprehensive local approach to address the serious shortfall of available affordable rental housing that already exists in our city, and one that recognises it as critical social infrastructure that supports our diverse, inclusive, and strong community.”

Affordable housing is available to support very low to moderate income households experiencing housing stress, which occurs where housing costs are greater than 30% of gross household income after other basic living costs.

The scheme will now be forwarded to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for finalisation after which it will be phased in over time to allow developers opportunity to factor it in prior to purchasing sites.

The NSW Minns Labor Government has passed legislation to officially establish SafeWork NSW as a standalone regulator as it continues strengthening protections for workers.

The new structure ensures SafeWork NSW will become a strong, robust and fit-for-purpose workplace health and safety regulator.

Under the former government, SafeWork NSW was hidden within the Department of Customer of Service and was not able to fully fulfil the functions expected of the state’s work health and safety regulator. 

The new executive agency will be led by a SafeWork Commissioner, with recruitment currently underway.

The SafeWork Commissioner will lead the agency with clear authority to enforce compliance, promote best practices and engage meaningfully with workers, unions and businesses across all industries in NSW. 

The new standalone regular will also feature an Advisory Council of experts to provide advice to the Minister for Work Health and Safety and SafeWork NSW on how it can support both workers and businesses in creating the safest possible workplaces.

The Council will be made up of representatives from employer organisations, unions, a WHS expert and injured workers.  

These reforms to SafeWork NSW reflect the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to preventing workplace deaths, injuries and illnesses.

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“Every worker has the right to go home safely at the end of the day.

“This bill passing the Parliament is important for worker safety in New South Wales.

“We are slowly turning things around at SafeWork NSW as we restore it to being a regulator with teeth.

“The former government let down workers when it came to safety, and we are cleaning up their mess.”