A message from our Lord Mayor

The last 12 months have demonstrated, once again, the enduring resilience and strength of spirit embedded within our community.

From the lingering cloud of COVID-19 to the unprecedented wet weather caused by La Niña conditions, our city and our staff have been tried and tested but have risen to the challenges to succeed through adversity.

Together we have found new ways to build our community connections and better ways of responding to these uncertain times.

We expanded our Community and Economic Resilience Package by investing at least $10 million in the local economy to help combat the economic and social impacts of the lockdown in August 2021 in response to the COVID-19 Delta strain. This package built on last year’s $5.5 million investment, providing targeted responses for our community, and raising confidence in the city’s ability to rebound from the impacts of COVID-19, while also helping to create more than 100 new jobs in the LGA and increase total economic output by more than $27 million.

Community was also at the heart of several long-term strategies and visions adopted by the Council in the past 12 months, which will help provide the framework for Newcastle as a liveable, sustainable, and inclusive global city.

The Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022–2026 (DIAP) was unanimously adopted by the elected Council in February 2022. The DIAP acts as a roadmap to guide CN’s actions and establish strategies to ensure we create an inclusive community for all people who live, visit and work in Newcastle. In April 2022 Council also endorsed Newcastle’s new Community Strategic Plan, Newcastle 2040, which provides an ambitious long-term vision for Newcastle. Shaped by more than 5,000 community members as part of extensive community consultation undertaken over 12 months, Newcastle 2040 reflects the community’s values and vision for Newcastle, and will guide CN’s planning, projects, and policies in future years.

The shared vision in Newcastle 2040 also includes a renewed commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the macro blueprint for peace and prosperity that will continue to be championed by CN at a local level.

In line with the previous year’s record investment, we delivered a $100.6 million capital works program, investing in projects across Newcastle that are fundamental to enhancing the way our communities work and live, as well as ensuring we continue to be an attractive destination for visitors and investment.

In light of the challenges presented by the pandemic and the La Niña weather conditions, delivering these projects during the past 12 months has required an immense effort from CN staff and members of the community who play an active role in our projects throughout the public consultation process, and is an achievement to be congratulated.

Key projects delivered in the last 12 months include:

• Local Centre renewals at: - James Street Plaza, Hamilton - Joslin Street, Kotara - Llewellyn Street, Merewether - Shortland - Mitchell Street, Stockton • East End Village Hunter Street Sub-Stage 1 • National Park basketball courts • Watkins Street cycleway, The Junction to

Merewether • Dixon Park Surf Club upgrade • Yangan Drive, Beresfield, road reconstruction • Barrie Crescent, Stockton, protection structures • Street and park tree replacement program • Playground upgrades at Minmi Reserve, Kotara

Park, and McCauley Park in Tarro • No.1 Sportsground redevelopment. We began work on several major projects, including the long-awaited revitalisation of the Newcastle Ocean Baths, which kicked off with Stage 1 works to improve the safety, water quality and accessibility of the much-loved community facility. The $14.5 million first phase will focus on the pools, lower promenade and pumping system, addressing key issues identified through detailed community engagement and engineering advice.

In January, Newcastle Art Gallery closed its doors to allow for its long-awaited $40 million expansion to commence following the announcement of a $10 million grant from the Commonwealth and NSW Governments. The project will deliver an additional 1,600 m2 of exhibition space with dedicated areas for the Gallery’s significant $126 million collection on the lower level, while the upper level will cater for a variety of temporary exhibitions showcasing local, national, and international artists. In addition, the project includes a new café and retail shop, multi-purpose and educational program space, and a secure international standard loading dock, extending the building’s footprint east along Darby Street and Queen Street.

We also kicked off 2022 with a newly elected Council following the local government elections on 4 December 2021.

I’d like to thank Novocastrians for their trust and support upon my re-election as the Lord Mayor. It is an honour and a privilege to serve our local community in this important role. Seven new Councillors and 5 returning Councillors joined me to form the new 13-person Council, which includes 9 women for the first time in the city’s 220-year history, and I look forward to us working in collaboration and leadership to continue transforming our city to make Newcastle an even better place to live.

Councillor Nuatali Nelmes Lord Mayor of Newcastle