Category: Newcastle News

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council Meeting of Tuesday 28 October 2025. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.

Ordinary business

Lord Mayor’s absence and delegations to the Deputy Lord Mayor

Council unanimously approved an amended motion to confirm arrangements in relation to the Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge’s leave of absence. 

Tabling of register of disclosures of interest annual report

Council voted to endorse the tabling of the Register of Disclosures of Interest for the financial year 2024/25.

Authorisation for signing of the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2025

Council voted unanimously to receive the draft Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2025 and refer them to the Audit Office of New South Wales in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993.

Housing targets for City of Newcastle

Council voted unanimously to call on the NSW Government to accelerate its investment in the enabling infrastructure required to provide 20,000 new homes through the Broadmeadow Place Strategy. Council supported continued advocacy for equitable inclusion in State Government housing reform programs and endorsed exploration of internal planning reforms to accelerate delivery of strategically aligned high-value developments.

Endorsement of public exhibition for the Code of Meeting Practice, Public Voice and Public Briefing Policy

Council endorsed an amended motion to place the Draft Code of Meeting Practice and the Draft Public Voice and Public Briefing Policy on public exhibition for 28 days in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993. 

Minmi Road development – transport infrastructure amendments

Council voted on an amended motion to approve the transport infrastructure amendments in Minmi Road, Minmi to be implemented by Winten Pty Ltd to support the Minmi East Subdivision. 

Emergency works at Summerhill Waste Management Centre 

Council noted a contract undertaken for the treatment and removal of contaminated stormwater at Summerhill Waste Management Centre, which occurred as a result of NSW East Coast Severe Weather from 18 May 2025.

Executive Monthly Performance Report

Council voted unanimously to receive the Executive Monthly Performance Report for September 2025.

Late item

Support for the Newcastle Yowies and hosting of the Koori Knockout

Council voted unanimously for the CEO to approach to the Newcastle Yowies to explore how the City of Newcastle can support and partner with them to host the Koori Knockout in Newcastle in 2026, including consideration of suitable venues, facilities, infrastructure, coordination, and community engagement opportunities.

Notices of Motion 

Celebrating the 45th anniversary of Newcastle’s sister city agreement with Ube Japan

Council voted unanimously on an amended notice of motion to endorse the delegation of Councillors Jenny Barrie and Mark Brooker to visit Ube City for three days in November 2025. Council also endorses the establishment of the Newcastle – Ube Sister City Committee to explore opportunities to grow the relationship between Newcastle and Ube. 

City of Newcastle is moving forward with its plans to renew and re-open the historic Shepherds Hill Cottage to the community. 

Work will get underway next week on a $850,000 project that will allow the enviably positioned building to begin its new life as a cafe. 

An aerial view of Shepherds Hill Cottage at the top of King Edward Park.

Executive Director Corporate Services, David Clarke, said the adaptive re-use of the Cottage is an essential step in City of Newcastle’s commitment to restoring and preserving the State significant site. 

“Shepherds Hill Cottage has stood watch over the city from King Edward Park since the 1890s and remains a cherished landmark along our coastline,” Mr Clarke said. 

“As custodians of this historic site we are committed to its long-term preservation and have already invested more than $1 million into the careful restoration of the heritage-listed building, under the guidance of a specialist architect. 

“We are now set to embark on the final stage of this renewal, which will deliver the infrastructure required to allow the former mess hall for military officers to come full circle and reopen as a café and restaurant. 

“This adaptive re-use will allow the community to once again make use of this remarkable site, ensuring it remains a living part of Newcastle’s story for generations to come.” 

The project is supported with a $465,000 grant from the NSW Government through the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund. 

State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said the project would allow visitors to step into the past while enjoying modern facilities. 

“Shepherds Hill Cottage is a much-loved site for Novocastrians, which is steeped in history while also being full of potential for the future,” Mr Crakanthorp said. 

“The NSW Government is proud to be able to deliver almost half a million dollars in funding for this project, which will unlock this beautiful site’s potential and be of great benefit to Novocastrians and tourists alike.” 

The 182sqm building sits at the mid-point on the popular Bathers Way coastal walk and has one of the best vantage points in Newcastle with views of the Pacific Ocean, Port Stephens and the Newcastle coastline through to Dudley. 

City of Newcastle has engaged a heritage consultant to oversee the construction work on the building and café space, which will include the installation of a new commercial kitchen and cool room as well as upgraded amenities. 

A new footpath and ramped access to the entrance will ensure the building caters for all members of the community, while interpretive signage will also be installed to highlight the heritage of the site. 

An expression of interest process was carried out to select a café operator for the site, with final negotiations underway with the successful applicant. 

The construction work will be followed by an internal fit-out by the operator, with the café expected to be open early to mid next year. 

Shepherds Hill Cottage forms part of the Newcastle Recreation Reserve and Shepherds Hill Defence Group Military Installations precinct listed on the NSW Heritage Register. 

The Cottage, battery observation post and gun emplacement were originally designed to defend Newcastle’s burgeoning coal port and later served as an integral command position up to the end of World War II. 

It is the only coastal defence site in Australia manned simultaneously during World War II by the Royal Australian Navy, Army and Royal Australian Airforce.  

From the early 2000s the cottage was leased to Marine Rescue NSW as one of their headquarters, until it sustained severe damage in the 2015 super storm.

Police are appealing for assistance to locate a woman missing from state’s Newcastle area.

Margaret Leis, aged 83, was last seen on Crebert Street, Mayfield, about 10am today (Thursday 30 October 2025).

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold serious concerns for her welfare due to her age and as she lives with dementia.

Margaret is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall, of thin build, with brown hair and blue eyes.

She was last seen wearing a grey/white jumper and a beige trench coat.

Margaret is believed to frequent Mayfield and Newcastle areas.

City of Newcastle is providing the opportunity to honour the hard work of outstanding Novocastrians as part of the 2026 Citizen of the Year Awards. 

Nominations are now open for the prestigious annual awards, celebrating those who have made a significant impact in Newcastle’s community. 

Award categories include Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year and Community Group of the Year. 

Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe said these awards are a chance to recognise people who make Newcastle a better place to live. 

“These awards shine a light on the everyday heroes who go above and beyond to support others, often without recognition,” Cr McCabe said.

“Whether it’s through volunteering, advocacy or simply lending a hand, these contributions strengthen our community and deserve to be celebrated.”

In 2025, the Community Group of the Year title was awarded to The Unforgettables, a choir dedicated to supporting people living with dementia and their carers.

Image: Associate Professors Michelle Kelly and Helen English, alongside the Unforgettables choir for people living with dementia, accepting the 2025 Community Group of the Year title at this year’s ceremony. The group meet every Saturday afternoon at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, providing a welcoming space where participants can engage with music.

Co-founder Associate Professor Helen English said the award meant a lot to everyone involved in the Unforgettables. 

“The choir was very proud to have been recognised as the Community Group of the Year, as recognition is so important when you are vulnerable and marginalised due to such an insidious disease,” Dr English said.

“As a result of the award the choir has been asked to sing at more events than it can possibly manage and has become an important icon for the University of Newcastle, singled out in our new Arts and Culture Strategy publication and performing as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations. 

“Dementia inclusive choirs are important for many reasons, including the social connections, joy in music and normalising through an accessible activity.

“Recognising our choir reinforces how vital these activities are for both cared-for and care-partners, and we thank City of Newcastle and the wider community.”  

Last year’s recipients also included Bailey Myers, who received the Citizen of the Year Award for his 4,500km journey across Australia on foot to raise funds for Indigenous literacy.

Sixteen-year-old Khuslen Batmandakh was named young Citizen of the Year for her dedication to improving literacy through the establishment of the book nook in Jesmond, providing free books to local families.

Nominations are now open online at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/citizenoftheyear and close on 11 December 2025.

A selection panel including the Deputy Lord Mayor, CEO, councillors and the 2025 Award recipients will determine the award winners, who will be announced at a ceremony early in 2026. 

A man has been charged following an alleged stabbing in the Lake Macquarie region yesterday.

Just after 4pm yesterday (Wednesday 29 October 2025), emergency services were called to Railway Parade, Belmont, following reports a man had been stabbed.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District attended and found a 40-year-old man with a stab wound to his upper body.

He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Police declared a crime scene and commenced an investigation.

A 30-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Belmont Hospital under police guard for treatment of minor injuries.

He was later taken to Belmont Police Station, where he was charged with wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The man was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 2 today (Thursday 30 October 2025).

A man has been charged following a fire at a Hunter Valley community club earlier this month.

About 8am on Sunday 19 October 2025, police responded to reports of a fire at a Cessnock community club on Short Street, Cessnock.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended and found that entry had been gained to the foyer area of the club and a fire set with what police believed to be an accelerant. The fire failed to spread before self-extinguishing.

A crime scene was established and an investigation commenced into the circumstances of the fire.

Following a joint investigation from Hunter Valley Police District Proactive Crime Team and Hunter Valley Detectives, about 7:30am today (Wednesday 29 October 2025), officers arrested a 39-year-old man at a house in Kurri Kurri.

He was taken to Cessnock Police Station where he was then charged with two offences – break and enter with intent to commit serious indictable offence and damage property by fire/explosive.

He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Wednesday 19 November 2025.

A former priest has been charged with additional historic sexual assault offences following an investigation by police.

In April 2025, police attached to the Mid North Coast Police District received a report of historical sexual assault offences and began an investigation.

Police were told that the alleged offences occurred between 1982 and 1984 at a church in the northern Riverina region of western NSW.

Following extensive inquiries, police arrested an 82-year-old Kotara man at Waratah Police Station about 9.00am Monday 27 October 2025.

He was charged by Mid North Coast Detectives with an additional three counts of sexual assault (Cat 4) indecent act with person under 16 years of age.

He was granted bail to appear before Griffith Local Court Thursday 4 December 2025.

City of Newcastle will celebrate the 45th anniversary of its Sister City relationship with Ube City in Japan next month, recognising a long-standing partnership founded on goodwill, mutual understanding and friendship.

The relationship was formally established on 21 November 1980 following the advocacy of Newcastle Lord Mayor Joy Cummings, who acknowledged the common ties shared by the similarly sized harbour cities and their industrial backgrounds.

Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe, Councillor Mark Brooker, Councillor Jenny Barrie and Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton. The group is pictured holding a copy of the limited-edition publication Iconic Loved Unexpected – Newcastle Art Gallery Collection, which will be gifted to Ube City during the upcoming delegation.​Sister Cities are designed to foster cultural, educational and economic relations between communities and promote peaceful co-existence worldwide.

To mark the 45th anniversary, Councillor Jenny Barrie and Councillor Mark Brooker will lead a Newcastle delegation to Ube from 31 October to 2 November, following an invitation from Mayor of Ube Keiji Shinozaki.

Councillor Jenny Barrie said that the Sister City relationship continues to deliver educational and cultural benefits to both cities.

“Our long-running student exchange program has seen young people from both cities immerse themselves in each other’s cultures, strengthening connections and promoting mutual respect,” Cr Barrie said.

“We are proud to celebrate this milestone and continue building the next chapter of our relationship, one that embraces innovation, creativity and mutual respect.”

“The trip will reaffirm our enduring friendship through cultural exchange and is an opportunity to strengthen investment and trade ties with our Japanese industry partners.

“The partnership between Newcastle-based cleantech company MCi Carbon and Mitsubishi Ube Cement Corporation is a wonderful example of how collaboration between our cities can deliver real-world innovation and create economic opportunity.”

Earlier this year, Mitsubishi Ube Cement Corporation invested US$5 million in MCi Carbon and signed a long-term collaboration agreement to accelerate the decarbonisation of Japan’s cement and concrete industries.

A notice of motion to be tabled at Tuesday’s Council meeting calls for the establishment of the Newcastle-Ube Sister City Committee, to explore opportunities to grow the relationship as the 50th anniversary approaches in 2030.

Committee members would include Councillors, representatives from business, industry and educational institutions, as well as community members with an interest in strengthening international connections.

Councillor Mark Brooker said the milestone reflects Newcastle’s global outlook and the important role Sister City relationships can play in connecting communities.

“For 45 years, our relationship with Ube has symbolised how people-to-people connection can foster broader cultural, educational and economic benefits.

“The anniversary also marks both reflection and renewal for the Sister City arrangement.

“We are the custodians of this enduring relationship and look forward to keeping the momentum going as we approach the 50th anniversary,” Cr Brooker said.

“This milestone is not just a celebration of our shared history, but a springboard for future collaboration.”

Over the decades, Newcastle and Ube have developed strong connections through education, youth exchange, art, sport and innovation.

The relationship also reflects Newcastle’s role in the foundation of the Australian Sister Cities Association, which emerged from the first Australian Sister Cities Conference held in Newcastle in 1979.

The cost of the travel is no more than $7,500.

Four teens have been charged after allegedly stealing a car and fleeing from police across the Hunter Region yesterday.

About 6am (Sunday 26 October 2025), police received a report that a stolen Mazda SUV had been driving dangerously on the Pacific Highway, Tomago, with reports passengers were throwing items at other drivers.

Officers attached to Maitland Highway Patrol attended and began patrolling the area searching for the vehicle.

During this search police located the Mazda travelling on the Pacific Highway, Hexham, about 8am the same day.

Police directed the vehicle to stop; however, when the driver allegedly failed to do so a pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit continued along the highway towards Hexham Bridge, Hexham, with the Mazda allegedly reaching speeds of 180km/h in a signposted 60km/h zone.

As the pursuit reached the bridge the SUV collided with a concrete barrier; however, it continued along the highway before stopping at the intersection of the Pacific Highway and Old Punt Road.

Four teens exited the vehicle and attempted to run from the scene; however, police arrested the group before taking them to Raymond Terrace Police Station.

The alleged driver – a 15-year-old boy – was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, take & drive conveyance w/o consent of owner, class A motor vehicle exceed speed more than 45 km/h, and breach of bail.

The other three teens – all aged 15 – were charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, with one teenage boy also being charged with breach of bail.

All four teens were refused bail to appear before children’s court today (Monday 27 October 2025).

City of Newcastle is delivering new places to play across the city, with the first two playground upgrades now open as part of a $750,000 investment this financial year.

Local families were treated to a community celebration at Maryland today to officially mark the completion of the new playground and half-court basketball space at Beauford Avenue Reserve.

Councillors Callum Pull, Deahnna Richardson, Cr Elizabeth Adamczyk join City of Newcastle Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy, parents and children to celebrate the completion of the playground upgrade at Beauford Avenue Reserve in Maryland.It follows the installation of a refreshed playground at Stockton Swimming Centre, which opened in time for the start of the swimming season last month.

Work is also progressing at the Morpeth Road Reserve playground at Waratah, while construction at Johnson Park playground at Lambton is set to commence in the coming months.

Artist’s impression of the new playground to be built at Johnson Park Playground Lambton.Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Bath said City of Newcastle is committed to enhancing recreational opportunities for the community.

“Through our annual Playground Replacement Program we’ve been able to upgrade, replace or improve 28 popular parks and recreational areas across the region since 2018, ensuring every suburb has access to safe, modern and inclusive recreational facilities,” Mr Bath said.

“This year we’re investing $750,000 into four neighbourhood playground projects, with two already complete and another two on their way for communities to enjoy.

“It’s part of a broader investment in outdoor recreation, with our 2025/26 Budget also including $10 million for the Foreshore Park inclusive playspace, Newcastle’s first regional-level playground.

“I can’t wait to see it open and attracting thousands of people to the east end.”

City of Newcastle has invested more than $14 million into playground projects across Newcastle during the past seven years.

City of Newcastle Executive Manager Community and Recreation, Lynn Duffy, said the Playground Replacement Program plays an important role in supporting community wellbeing.

“Playgrounds do more than provide equipment for children, they bring people together, encourage physical activity and support social and emotional development,” Ms Duffy said.

“The Maryland playground now features a variety of new play equipment designed to spark creativity and encourage physical development in younger children, alongside a new half-court basketball area for older kids and teens.

“The improvements include accessible pathways, shaded seating and soft-fall surfacing to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all users.

“Stockton families are also benefitting from a recently completed upgrade to the recreation space at the swimming centre, which features upgraded play equipment, family-friendly barbecue facilities, shaded picnic areas and accessible footpaths.”

City of Newcastle maintains 116 playgrounds across the local government area.

Visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/works to stay up to date on progress on playgrounds in your area.