{"id":33183,"date":"2025-06-15T00:46:42","date_gmt":"2025-06-14T14:46:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=33183"},"modified":"2025-06-15T00:46:42","modified_gmt":"2025-06-14T14:46:42","slug":"city-of-newcastle-prioritises-asset-renewal-in-record-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/15\/city-of-newcastle-prioritises-asset-renewal-in-record-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"City of Newcastle prioritises asset renewal in record Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Councillors will vote on the adoption of the 2025\/26 Budget and Delivery Program at Tuesday night’s Council meeting, which will see more than $154 million invested across 344 projects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This includes 192 projects addressing road and traffic network improvements, 138 projects supporting cycleways and pedestrian networks and 86 projects that will focus on recreation and sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CEO Jeremy Bath said next year City of Newcastle’s average infrastructure spend per property will be about 10% greater than the average residential property will pay in rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“A $154 million capital works program means we are going to invest almost $2,100 per property improving infrastructure, which is $200 more than the average annual residential rate,\u201d Mr Bath said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“This means we\u2019re investing more than 100% of the average annual rate paid into improving the city’s infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“City of Newcastle’s capital works program is also $50 million higher than any other local council in the region, representing our commitment to meeting the needs and expectations of our growing community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We\u2019re balancing the need for new infrastructure with maintaining our assets, with a record $58 million being invested into the renewal and maintenance of existing infrastructure, which represents more than half of our total infrastructure spend.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chief Financial Officer David Clarke said City of Newcastle undertook an extensive communications campaign to support the public exhibition of the draft 2025\/26 Budget and Delivery Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The key themes that emerged from community feedback were active transport infrastructure such as footpaths and cycleways, as well as parks, playgrounds and sporting facilities,” Mr Clarke said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Other areas of interest included local centre upgrades, support for night-time trade and special entertainment precincts, the need for more affordable housing, as well as flooding and drainage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Changes have been made to the draft Budget following public exhibition to incorporate the delivery of the commemorative plaque audit and replacement plan, the estimated costs of the proposed $2 inland swimming pool entry fee trial at Mayfield, Wallsend, Stockton and Beresfield, as well as 13 additional apprentices and trainees to be employed by City of Newcastle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Despite the challenges, we are forecasting a small surplus of $250,000, providing us with the financial capacity to maintain services and meet the commitments we’ve made to the community.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other highlights of the 2025\/26 Budget include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n