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About Our Annual Report
The report outlines City of Newcastle’s (CN’s) performance of our Community Strategic Plan (CSP), Newcastle 2030, and achievement of the 2020/21 Our Budget. The annual report also presents CN’s audited financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2021.
The report provides an insight into the strategic future and key actions in 2020/2021 for each of the city’s seven strategic directions, demonstrating our commitment to deliver on our 2030 vision.
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The annual report is CN’s primary tool for reporting to our community and stakeholders on service delivery and financial performance and is a vital part of our overall governance framework and commitment to transparency and accountability.
In addition to meeting our legislative obligations, the objectives of this report are to:
communicate our vision and strategic directions to the community instil community confidence in our ability to show strong leadership and deliver on our promises demonstrate our commitment to good governance as an accountable and transparent local government promote CN to investors locally, and with our international neighbours and partners build confidence and satisfaction in the partnerships that are being created with other levels of government, community groups, local business and industry leaders through key projects and services recognise the achievements of our organisation position CN as an employer of choice.
Sustainable Development Goals
We are committed to contributing towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have adopted the SDGs and New Urban Agenda as cornerstones for our planning.
In September 2015, Australia was one of 193 countries to commit to the SDGs. These goals provide a global roadmap for all countries to work towards a better world for current and future generations.
To ensure we continue to support our community’s vision for a smart, liveable and sustainable global city, it is important that we apply this global framework.
These global goals are significant and will take time to achieve; however, it is important to recognise the steps we are taking to progress these goals. This is our second year reporting against the SDGs and it is our intention to continually improve our methods of reporting to help us achieve these global standards.
SDG focus areas
The table below illustrates some key initiatives undertaken by CN during the 2020/2021 financial year that supported progress in the achievement of the SDGs.
We are working with cities around the world to take action.
We are one of 11 cities that took part in the Cities Challenge, run by the University of Melbourne and the Banksia Foundation.
We are connecting with business and academics.
We are making SDG 11 real in our city.
We are working on an indicator framework for SDG 11 alignment.
Our outcomes are transparency, commitment, accountability and monitoring progress to achieve the SDG targets in our local context.
We are building on our legacy of action in this space.
We were the first local government in NSW to switch over to 100% renewable energy. This will benefit the environment, as well as CN financially, over the coming decades.
We have a significant role to play in the region as a city leader.
Our Climate Action Plan sets a clear path forward for the organisation, the community and the city as a whole to reduce emissions.
We work top down and bottom up.
We chair the SDG High Level Collaborative.
We were a founding member of the SDG Hunter Region Task Force.
We have a significant role to play in the region as a leader.
We want to advocate for action in our region and continue to support, encourage and collaborate with business, educational institutions, other local governments, community organisations and the community.
