Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 24 March. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.
Ordinary business
City of Newcastle Committees Annual Reports
Council received 2025 annual reports from the Access and Inclusion Standing Committee, Asset Advisory Committee, Community and Culture Strategic Advisory Committee, Future Fund Governance Committee, Guraki Aboriginal Standing Committee, Infrastructure Strategic Advisory Committee, Liveable Cities Strategic Advisory Committee, Public Art Standing Committee, Strategy and Innovation Strategic Advisory Committee and Youth Council Standing Committee.
Adoption of Community Land Plan of Management
Council voted unanimously to adopt the Community Land Plan of Management, which guides the future management of all Council owned or managed public land classified as ‘community’ under the Local Government Act.
Executive Monthly Performance Report
Council voted unanimously to receive the Executive Monthly Performance Report for February 2026.
Tender report – processing of FOGO
Council voted unanimously to accept a tender for the processing of Food and Garden Organics (FOGO) at a third-party facility for City of Newcastle and Port Stephens Council. City of Newcastle conducted the tender process on behalf of the Councils.
Notices of Motion
Strengthening seniors programming and progressing Newcastle as an age-friendly city
Council unanimously supported an amended notice of motion to hold an expression of interest process for membership of the Seniors Reference Group. The group would continue to advise Council on the options for planning and delivery of seniors-relevant activities and strategic priorities to support Newcastle becoming a more age-friendly city.
Bringing Newcastle buses back into public hands
Council supported an amended notice of motion to write to the Minister for Transport and local State members for Newcastle, Charlestown and Wallsend to express support for the State Government to bring the bus contract back into public hands and provide increased funding to create a quality bus service worthy of NSW’s second largest city.
Mater maintenance mess
Council voted to lay on the table a notice of motion to write to the Minister for Health and local State member for Wallsend seeking that the Public-Private Partnership with Novacare for the Mater Hospital be terminated and maintenance brought back into public hands.
Celebrating one million stories in Refugee Week 2026
Council unanimously supported a notice of motion for City of Newcastle to work with local agencies, schools and cultural organisations to celebrate Refugee Week 2026 as part of the Neighbourly Newy Program.
International Women’s Day 2026 – standing against domestic violence
Council unanimously supported an amended notice of motion to request that the CEO investigate State and Federal grant funding programs alongside community organisations to support the development of a City of Newcastle Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy.
Participatory budgeting and project co-design
Council supported an amended notice of motion that City of Newcastle explores a trial of participatory budgeting as part of the development of the 2027/28 Budget and Delivery Program, focusing on a clearly defined and manageable component of the budget to manage risks and strengthen representativeness.