Integrated and Accessible Transport We have been working closely with our transport providers to improve the user experience and encourage our community to increasingly use public transport options. We have also been focused on making the City a safe and enjoyable place for cycling.
43%
agree Newcastle LGA is a cycle friendly area (very satisfied, satisfied or not concerned)
We have been looking at opportunities to reduce cars on the road, particularly in the CBD, through projects like our park and ride program and our improvements to cycling infrastructure. We have also been making our city a safer and easier place to navigate with our EasyPark app and upgrades to our road networks.
Our achievements Local roads resurfacing 74,575m2 Local roads surface rejuvenation 162,402m2 Replacement of 300 street name signs
Park and Ride
64,100
single occupant vehicle trips into/ out of the city centre removed
The Newcastle Cycleways Map and Guide was revised, and 10,000 copies printed and distributed in late 2018 Seven bike maintenance classes were held Resurfacing of 20 streets and laneways
39,223
passengers one-way July-June
300
street signs replaced
6
transport stops upgraded
Protected Environment Our community told us that the environment is very important to them. We have been focusing on delivering beautiful and useable spaces. We have been particularly proud of the work we have rolled out with our waste collection. The City is working with our community to reduce the amount of waste going to land fill.
14,500
solar panels have been installed at the Summerhill solar farm
CN was the first in the state to switch over to 100% renewable energy sources. This has been achieved in part through the installation of our own solar panels on our assets. As a result of what our community told us in the Newcastle 2030 we are now a cleaner and greener city.
Our achievements
1,500 environmental health inspections completed 4,111 participants in garage sale trail
249,273 tonnes waste received
44%
waste diversion rate for community collection
22,113 tonnes
of waste exported for recycling
1,200 trees planted
Museum wins Climate Council National Energy Efficiency award
4,628 LED energy efficient streetlights scheduled for upgrade
Two new electric vehicle charging stations have been installed for use by the public at No.2 Sportsground
Vibrant, Safe and Active Public Places We know that our community wants spaces and places that are vibrant, safe and active. The City has been working on spaces for all people, with more play areas, more off leash dog areas and existing parks upgraded to be more accessible and safer for all.
1.2 million beach goers
100 rescues 78%
think Newcastle is more safe or as safe as similar sized cities
We have been working on making our beaches and pools safer too, by running water safety programs for primary school children and adequate lifeguard supervision.
Our achievements Lifeguards delivered water safety to 13,000 primary school children Four playgrounds delivered at Wallsend, Stockton, Richley Reserve and Adamstown Installation of outdoor exercise equipment at Stockton
Adoption of Dogs in Open Space Plan
(Summer community survey results)
4
playgrounds delivered at Wallsend, Stockton, Richley Reserve and Adamstown
14
off-leash areas with one fenced area under construction
Installation of accessible pathway at Islington Park
Our Libraries presented seven exhibitions and attracted 23,260 visitors to the Lovett Gallery
Inclusive Community Fundamental to the character of our City is being inclusive. One of the great ways we encourage an inclusive community is by providing opportunities for the community to come together. Key events like Seniors Week, Count Us in, NAIDOC Week and Unity in Diversity Festival
are great opportunities to celebrate the diverse groups within the community. We also provide core services, such as the home library service, so groups who are less able bodied can still enjoy the City’s resources.
Library delivered
2,292
learning and cultural experiences, with
77,169
Our achievements Disability awareness training was delivered to our customer service staff
participants
Installation of an accessible pathway at Islington
1,342
Free microchipping in conjunction with CN’s responsible pet ownership program
18 targeted programs for local aboriginal communities, which attracted 145 participants
Libraries support for Hunter Homeless Connect day event
targeted children’s and youth program which attracted
78%
feel welcomed and connected with their local community (Winter community survey results)
Act 4 SDGs Day – Youth Council
Liveable Built Environment We know our city is an excellent place to live. We are working with the community to ensure our coastal environment is protected and enhanced. Although growth is essential, we have been focused on ensuring that new development is sympathetic to the community and protects
Mean net determination times for Development Applications (DAs)
68 days 87%
think Newcastle is somewhat to extremely liveable (Winter community survey results)
8
heritage conservation areas Average value of DAs approved/month
$84.1m
heritage while allowing for new housing which is in high demand. We have been working on connecting communities through improved cycle and road networks as well as parking. Proper planning ensures that the right developments are built in the right places.
Our achievements West End stage 1 Public Domain Plan (adopted 2018) West End stage 2 streetscape Masterplan (adopted 2019) East End Stage 1 streetscape Masterplan (adopted 2018).
Daily reporting of building activities to the Building Professionals Board Affordable Living Plan has been adopted
All but one of the 11 recommendations of the Heritage Conservation Area Review Report have been completed (91%)
Smart and Innovative Our city is leading the way with our smart and innovative infrastructure and economy. Central to having a very smart city, is working with business, government and the community to create excellent strategic outcomes.
More than
150
Smart Poles installed across our LGA
We know that a smart city is a connected city and we are continuing to expand our wifi network, roll out smart poles and run events like the Innovative Quarterly event series to keep the community connected.
Our achievements 792 people participated in the IQ events, an increase of 17% 150 smart poles installed
Celebrated at our major events
60 connection hubs for free wifi across the city
8,000
The Newcastle Visitor & Convention Bureau generated $9.5M plus in economic impacts to the city through various business events
$60,000 investment into marketing and trade activities to promote Newcastle as a business event destination
people celebrated the city’s diversity at Australia Day in Foreshore Park
30,000
people celebrated New Year’s Eve along our foreshore
162,000
people celebrated Newcastle 500 2018
Over 59 major bids and EOIs responded to
Open and Collaborative Leadership Central to all good governance is a commitment to being open and collaborative. We are proud of our improvements in this area. We are engaging frequently with the community, making sure they have opportunities to ask questions and have a say on what the City is doing and how we are doing it.
7,344
visitors to our customer counter
We keep our community front of mind with how we operate as a council and endeavour to better address the community’s wants and needs in all our activities. Transparency is essential and we are committed to operating in a way that our community is proud of.
Our achievements Adopted a Code of Conduct for Councillors Adopted a Code of Conduct for staff
3,315
participated in our quarterly community surveys
131,590 calls taken on 4974 2000
152 seconds
average wait time for the Customer call centre
Adopted a Procedure for Administration of the Code of Conduct
Introduction of paperlite initiatives to become a paperlite organisation Maintained 560 fleet and plant vehicles with approximately 6,500 repairs and services completed Queue call-back feature has been implemented on CN’s main phone line