Category: Newcastle News

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 9 December 2025. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.

Ordinary business

New Lambton landslip – advocacy for Category D disaster assistance for displaced residents

Council voted unanimously on an amended motion to advocate to the NSW Government for a targeted resident assistance package under the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to support property owners within the New Lambton landslip Danger Area with rental accommodation. 

Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation memorandum of understanding

Council voted unanimously to endorse an updated memorandum of understanding with the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation. 

Adoption of Civic Public Domain Plan

Council unanimously endorsed an amended motion to defer the adoption of the Civic Public Domain Plan until funding pathways are clearly identified. Implementation will be contingent on securing external grant funding, and/or budget allocations determined by future resolution of Council. 

Adoption of Planning Agreements Policy

Council voted unanimously to approve the updated Planning Agreements Policy (December 2025). 

Review of Ministerial Investment Order 2011 for councils in NSW

Council voted unanimously to endorse the Chief Executive Officer writing to the Minister for Local Government, the State Member for Charlestown, the State Member for Newcastle, the State Member for Wallsend, and the Deputy Secretary Local Government, calling for a review of the NSW Ministerial Investment Order 2011 to broaden the range of authorised investments available to councils. 

Code of Conduct annual statistics

Council voted unanimously to receive City of Newcastle’s Code of Conduct Complaints Statistics Report for the period 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025.

Adoption of finance, property and performance policies

Council voted unanimously to approve the updated Investment and Borrowing Policy, Council Property Lease and Licence Policy and Future Fund Policy.  

Adoption of council policies – Community Grants Policy, Sponsorship Policy and Special Business Rate Expenditure Policy

Council voted unanimously on an amended motion to approve the updated Community Grants Policy, Sponsorship Policy and Special Business Rate Expenditure Policy.  

Notices of Motion 

Hamilton community safety audit 

Council unanimously endorsed an amended notice of motion supporting a Hamilton Community Safety Audit in 2026 and other related actions.

Advocacy for changes to the NSW Model Code of Meeting Practice

Council unanimously endorsed an amended notice of motion to write to the Minister for Local Government, with copies to the Shadow Minister for Local Government, Local Government NSW and the Hunter Joint Organisation, outlining Council’s position and calling for a review and amendment of the Model Code of Meeting Practice consistent with the resolution.

2025 Youth Mock Council

Council unanimously endorsed an amended notice of motion to congratulate the Newcastle Youth Council for delivering the 2025 Youth Mock Council and commend the students who participated in the event. Council received the Mock Council motions passed during the Mock Council debate, and will share them with the relevant officers, departments and Advisory and Standing Committees for consideration for inclusion in future City of Newcastle initiatives, works and programs.

Condolence and recognition of Mr Neill Pitt of Carrington

Council expressed condolences on the passing of Neil Pitt of Carrington and voted unanimously to request that the CEO commence the process to progress the proposed renaming of the Carrington Bridge (Cowper Street Bridge) as a tribute to Mr Pitt, including early engagement with relevant stakeholders to understand the necessary steps, approvals and criteria for progressing a future naming application.

Supporting recommendations of the State Government public toilet inquiry

Council voted unanimously to write to local Members, the Minister for Health and the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces requesting the NSW Government accept and implement the recommendations of the NSW Legislative Council public toilets inquiry and commit long-term funding to support councils to deliver safe, accessible and inclusive public toilets. 

Strzelecki Lookout safety review and community petition

Council unanimously endorsed an amended notice of motion to receive a community petition calling for urgent safety improvements at Strzelecki Lookout and request the Chief Executive Officer to consult with relevant agencies and progress the development and installation of crisis-support signage and undertake an infrastructure safety review of Strzelecki Lookout and the surrounding road corridor.

Local Government NSW Annual Conference 2025

Council unanimously endorsed a notice of motion to write to the newly elected LGNSW President Darcy Byrne, Treasurer Adam Shultz and Board offering our congratulations and reaffirming the City of Newcastle’s commitment to collaborative advocacy through LGNSW.

Update on the status of actions related to commemorative plaques

Council unanimously endorsed an amended notice of motion that the CEO provides an update on progress related to the action points outlined in the approved Council resolution on commemorative plaques from the extraordinary meeting on 14 January 2025.

Three teens and a child have been charged under Operation Soteria after an alleged pursuit in the states north today.

About 6.50am (Tuesday 9 December 2025), officers attached to Port-Stephens Hunter Police District attempted to stop a vehicle on the Pacific Highway, Heatherbrae.

When the vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated.

The vehicle allegedly continued towards Karuah where road spikes were deployed; however, the pursuit was terminated due to safety concerns.

A short time later officers attached to Operation Soteria observed the vehicle travelling north along the Pacific Highway, Tea Gardens.

Police will allege the vehicle crashed into a median strip before stopping near Nabiac. The vehicle then allegedly conducted a U-turn and crashed into two marked police vehicles.

The vehicle continued travelling northbound before road spikes were successfully deployed and the vehicle stopped after crashing into a road sign.

Four occupants allegedly ran from the scene; however, were arrested a short distance away.

They were taken to Taree Police Station where the driver – a 15-year-old boy – was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously and drive conveyance taken without consent of owner.

He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Bail Division Court today (Tuesday 9 December 2025) where he was granted bail to appear before a children’s court on Tuesday (16 December 2025).

The passengers – aged 11, 13 and 14 were charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

The 13-year-old boy was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Bail Division Court today (Tuesday 9 December 2025), where he was formally granted conditional bail to appear before a children’s court on Thursday 11 December 2025.

The 14-year-old boy was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Bail Division Court today (Tuesday 9 December 2025), where he was formally granted bail to appear before a children’s court on Monday 2 March 2026.

The 11-year-old boy was given conditional bail and will appear before a children’s court on Thursday 5 February 2026.

A toddler has died after being hit by a car in the state’s north yesterday evening.

About 5.40pm (Tuesday 9 December 2025), emergency services were called to a home on Lloyd George Grove, Tanilba Bay, following reports a child had been hit by a car.

Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District arrived to find a one-year-old girl had been hit by a Toyota utility on the property.

The toddler was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition where she later died.

The driver – a 25-year-old man – was uninjured and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Police have commenced an investigation into the cause of the crash.

A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.

A man has died after being found critically injured in a home near Newcastle this morning.

Emergency services were called to a unit block on Darby Street, Cooks Hill, about 3.20am today (Wednesday 10 December 2025), following reports of an assault.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and found a 53-year-old man inside a home unit.

The man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, died at the scene.

His death is being treated as suspicious.

A crime scene has been established and detectives from Newcastle City Police District have commenced an investigation.They are being assisted by State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.

City of Newcastle has begun determining the preferred layout for a new district level sports facility in Maryland, using community feedback to inform the final masterplan.

More than 120 submissions were received from sporting associations, clubs and individuals during the public exhibition period for the Creek Road sporting precinct, with over 90% in favour of the draft concept plans.

City of Newcastle’s Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy said the project has generated interest from a wide range of stakeholders.

“We heard from 106 individuals, six sporting associations and nine local clubs,” Ms Duffy said.

“They represented a variety of codes including football, rugby league, cricket, tennis, netball, cycling, touch football and Oz tag.

“As we move toward the design phase, we’ll consider all submissions alongside established criteria such as participation trends, female participation, potential for growth and shared use, to guide the most suitable sporting codes and layout for the site.”

The sporting facilities will be located on a five-hectare parcel of land, which sits at the south-western corner of a larger 30-hectare site at Creek Road owned by City of Newcastle.

Community members were invited to share their views on two concepts, which both included one all year-round rectangular field and one cricket field with four turf wickets. 

Two additional rectangular fields or one AFL field were proposed as part of the two options. 

Almost 34% of respondents want football to be accommodated at the five-hectare site, with 22% advocating for multi-sport facilities.

The draft masterplan also includes a dual-facing grandstand with change rooms, a canteen, storage facilities and public amenities.

Open spaces for training, cricket practice nets, fitness stations, car parking, new trees and landscaping are also proposed.

Chair of City of Newcastle’s Sports Infrastructure Working Party, Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz, said the key theme of the feedback was ensuring the site is a multisport space.

“As Minmi, Fletcher, Maryland and surrounding suburbs continue to attract more families it’s clear we need to accommodate a range of sporting codes at Creek Road,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.

“The community emphasised the need to facilitate female participation, with a desire for the grounds to have modern drainage and irrigation, and for the site to have adequate parking options.

“As the site contains a mix of natural areas including wetlands, the project will be designed to ensure the surrounding natural environment is also celebrated and protected, allowing for a range of active and passive recreation opportunities to co-exist within the precinct.”

Once the final masterplan has been developed, it will be presented to the elected Council for adoption next year. 

Detailed design work is expected to commence in the 2026/27 financial year. 

The project is likely to be delivered in stages during the next five to 10 years, with the support of government funding and external partnerships.

The allocation of grounds to specific sporting clubs will form a separate process during a later stage of the development.

The Albanese and Minns Governments have activated additional assistance for communities impacted by recent bushfires with a Natural Disaster Declaration for the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area.

In the Lake Macquarie area, the bushfire threatened homes in the townships of Redhead, Gateshead, Whitebridge and Dudley, requiring significant aviation support and causing damage to over 90 hectares of bushland.

The declaration activates a suite of support measures for residents, businesses, primary producers and the local council. People whose homes have been damaged may be eligible for immediate financial help as well as clean-up, rebuilding and recovery assistance.

Support has been made available under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Assistance measures that may be available, depending on eligibility include:
Assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items generally provided from evacuation or recovery centres.
Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living.
Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a basic, safe and habitable condition.
Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.
Financial support towards counter disaster activity undertaken by emergency service organisations to keep communities safe.

The Minns Labor Government understands people want to help, but we ask the community not to send physical donations. The best way to support those affected is by donating through GIVIT, our official disaster relief partner at https://www.givit.org.au/

The Natural Disaster Declaration for Lake Macquarie follows the earlier announcement of DRFA disaster assistance to communities in the 6 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Central Coast, Mid Coast, Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Warrumbungle and Dubbo.

To keep up to date with recovery advice and support go to nsw.gov.au/firerecoveryupdates

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain said:

I want people in the Lake Macquarie region to know the Albanese Government is here to support you. We are working closely with our New South Wales counterparts to ensure people get assistance as quickly as possible.

To have this happen to people just weeks before Christmas is especially tough, and as a community we are all here to help.”

NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

The Lake Macquarie community has endured a frightening and disruptive period of bushfires.

This declaration enables immediate access to essential support so people can begin to get back on their feet.

Recovery staff are on the ground with Council and emergency services, undertaking impact assessments and recovery planning to ensure resources are directed where they’re needed most, as quickly as possible.”

The Minns Labor Government is inviting the Swansea community to have their say on a new 10-year environmental plan to support ongoing dredging in Swansea Channel.

Transport for NSW has prepared a Review of Environmental Factors seeking environmental approval for dredging works to maintain safe and reliable access through the channel.

This consultation follows the third stage of maintenance dredging work completed earlier this year, which delivered improvements to navigability and safety in areas previously impacted by sediment build-up.

Following the busy boating season, an additional stage of maintenance dredging will take place next year.

The Review of Environmental Factors coincides with progress on the new Dredge and Sand Transfer System, a permanent solution designed to keep the channel open year-round.

Once approved, the Review of Environmental Factors will be valid for 10 years and will serve as the planning approval required to install and operate the new system.

Transport for NSW is working in partnership with the Australian Government and Lake Macquarie City Council as part of a multi-agency initiative.

In November 2024, the Federal Government committed $10 million to deliver the new dredge system in collaboration with the NSW Government and Council.

The NSW Government contributed an additional $6 million to fund the operation and maintain the dredging equipment.

Community feedback is now sought on the environmental considerations for the dredging program, including potential impacts during construction and ongoing operations.

Residents are invited to meet the project team at the Swansea Library Ocean Room, 228 Pacific Highway, on the following dates:

Monday 8 December, 3pm–6pm

Tuesday 9 December, 10am–1pm

For more information on the Review of Environmental Factors and to provide feedback, visit the Have Your Say page.

Have Your Say closes on 21 December 2025.

Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley said:

We’ve worked incredibly hard to get Swansea Channel to where it is today, moving tens of thousands of cubic metres of sand to keep the waterway open, safe and operating the way it should.

As we wrap up the year, we’re closer than ever to locking in a long-term solution that will keep the channel reliably open all year round.

For locals who depend on the channel – for business, for boating or simply to enjoy the lake – this is a significant step toward securing a new Dredge and Sand Transfer System and giving people confidence that the waterway will stay accessible.

I encourage everyone to get involved in the Have Your Say process. Strong community input will help us shape a better, more resilient future for everyone who loves and uses our waterways.”

The Newcastle Inner City Bypass is collaborating with several agencies to mitigate impacts to native plant species across the project site, including the vulnerable Tetratheca juncea (Black-eyed Susan). Transport for NSW, the Hunter Region Landcare Network, Trees in Newcastle and Fulton Hogan have collaborated to collect plant species before impact by the Newcastle Inner City Bypass – Rankin Park to Jesmond project. The conservation efforts included salvage of the vulnerable Tetratheca juncea (Black-eyed Susan). As part of the salvage of the threatened species, the team carried out the collection of seeds, cuttings and other native plant material to use at their nursery located at Redhead, Lake Macquarie. Plant propagation of various species, including a range of Eucalyptus, is already underway in nurseries managed by Landcare and Trees in Newcastle. Seed has been collected from felled trees that are otherwise difficult to collect due to their height. On top of this work, the project team has also salvaged suitable trees to be reused as bridge timber in the maintenance of Transport’s heritage bridges. In addition, suitable felled timber has been provided to Local Land Services for reuse in river restoration projects and to local Indigenous people to produce cultural weapons and tools to enable the continuation of cultural practices. The historic Araucaria bidwillii (Bunya pine tree) from the Jesmond roundabout has also been donated to a local guitar making school while appropriate timber will be reused onsite for fauna habitat and rehabilitation during landscaping. Revisions throughout the design process have seen the project corridor moved east from the original design alignment to minimise the impacts to flora, in particular to threatened species. Clearing within the project boundary has been reduced to the greatest extent practicable, resulting in around an eight-hectare reduction in native vegetation clearing against the 44-hectare limit originally approved for the project. Biodiversity offsets have been provided in accordance with the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Policy for Major Projects. This includes 3,244 ecosystem credits and 12,690 species credits. This includes offsetting for fringe impacts to the existing bushland. Sonia Hornery, Member for Wallsend: “The Newcastle Inner City Bypass will provide traffic relief for the local community by removing up to 30,000 vehicles each day from the existing route of Lookout Road, Croudace Street and Newcastle Road. “A key benefit of this project is Transport for NSW’s commitment to the preservation and restoration of native plant biodiversity, particularly for threatened species like Tetratheca juncea. “By valuing plant rehabilitation, the project ensures the ecological health of the area is maintained, supporting local wildlife, and sustaining the region’s natural environment for future generations.” Sharon Claydon, Member for Newcastle: “Newcastle expects major projects to proceed while protecting the precious environment that makes our region so special – that’s exactly what this work is doing. We’re delivering critical infrastructure while safeguarding vulnerable species like the Black-eyed Susan.” “This is smart, responsible project delivery. By redesigning the corridor and working with our incredible local Landcare groups, we’re keeping native plants in the landscape and reducing impacts wherever possible.” “The Newcastle Inner City Bypass will ease congestion for tens of thousands of motorists, and these environmental protections mean we can do it without sacrificing the natural environment our community values so deeply.”