State of Our City Report
City of Newcastle
Newcastle is a liveable, sustainable, inclusive global city
The State of our City report outlines our progress towards Newcastle 2040, our shared community vision guiding City of Newcastle (CN)’s actions for the next decade. We track our progress towards this vision by focusing on the themes of Liveable, Sustainable, Creative and Achieving Together.
This report highlights our progress against our Community Strategic Plan (CSP) - Newcastle 2040
This report serves as a key accountability tool between the community and Council, mandated by section 428(2) of the Local Government Act 1993. It showcases our achievements, challenges and future plans from October 2021 to August 2024, ensuring our community stays informed and engaged in shaping Newcastle’s future.
While CN has a custodial role in initiating, preparing and delivering Newcastle 2040 on behalf of the community, it is not solely responsible for its implementation. Many of the issues and concerns facing Newcastle are complex and beyond the direct control and influence of CN, such as public transport, health, education, housing, planning, and employment. To deliver our vision, CN works with various stakeholders and partners, including other levels of government and their affiliated agencies, local businesses and industry, educational institutions, community groups, and other service providers.
Liveable
Our neighbourhoods are safe and thriving, with diverse and equitable housing and social and urban infrastructure that supports local living. Our public places bring people together for active living and social connection. We plan for identified growth areas, ensuring that the things we want and need are nearby and easily accessible.
Our city is walkable, connected by safe roads and accessible parking, and options for active transport are available, enabling access to services and facilities.
Our community is connected and equitable, and everyone is valued. We use innovation and technology and promote health, wellbeing and equal opportunities to increase residents’ quality of life.
CN uses indicators in our CSP Newcastle 2040.
The following is a snapshot of some of the projects completed during this period.
Newcastle Ocean Baths - Stage One Upgrades
CN completed Stage One upgrades to enhance safety and accessibility at Newcastle Ocean Baths. The baths reopened on December 21, 2023, and welcomed nearly 56,000 swimmers within the first 2 months.
Mitchell Street, Stockton
We invested $3.3 million in upgrading Mitchell Street, improving public spaces, increasing pedestrian and cyclist safety and adding 40 new trees to increase greenery in the area.
Shortland Local Centre
The Shortland Local Centre received upgrades including new footpaths, safety improvements and a vibrant community mural. These enhancements aimed to reduce driver speeds and improve pedestrian safety.
Orchardtown Road, New Lambton
The $3.7 million upgrade to Orchardtown Road, also known as Blackbutt Village, introduced a 40km/hr zone, pedestrian crossings and shared pathways. The improvements focused on safety and aesthetic enhancements to create a more inviting shopping environment.
Avon Street Reserve, Mayfield
This new playground encourages musical play with underground pipes and talk tubes, alongside multi-play equipment like swings, slides and climbing nets. The design fosters interaction and creativity among children.
Loch Ness Drive Park, Fletcher
Guided by Everyone Can Play principles, this renewed playground offers 41 inclusive activities across 2 levels, catering to children of all ages and abilities.
Harold Myers Park, Birmingham Gardens
The new playground at Harold Myers Park features 35 interactive activities, including slides, gangways and climbing walls, encouraging social interaction and physical activity.
Vera Wilson Park, Beresfield
This playground focuses on building strength and creativity with 24 challenging activities like climbing walls, commando tubes and play panels designed for children of all ages.
Rawson Park, Stockton
Rawson Park received new playground equipment designed to enhance the play experience for local children, with a focus on inclusivity and creativity.
Waratah Park, Waratah
Nestled in greenery, Waratah Park’s new playground features 22 activities including climbing nets, swings and a slide, all designed to blend with the natural surroundings.
Beresfield Pool Playground
This new playground features equipment like a nest swing, flying fox, inground trampoline and double slide, complemented by a shade sail, wider footpaths and picnic tables.
Hunter Street Cycleway
The concept designs for the Hunter Street Trial Cycleway - Stage 2 Extension were unanimously adopted by Council in December 2023. The project aims to improve safety and connect key suburbs to the city centre.
Passmore Oval
A new 2-storey structure at Passmore Oval includes female change rooms, disability amenities and a lift, enhancing accessibility. The $2.6 million project was a collaboration between CN and Hamilton Hawks Rugby Union Club.
Myers Park, Adamstown
Stage One works at Myers Park were completed in July 2023, transforming it into a multi-use sporting hub with improved playing surfaces and new facilities. The $1.25 million project was a collaboration between CN and Broadmeadow Magic Youth Football Club.
Lambton Pool Grandstand
The new $2.2 million grandstand at Lambton Pool accommodates 800 people and provides essential storage space. Recent upgrades also included safety improvements, repainting and pool maintenance.
Maryland Dog Park
Stage 1 of Maryland Dog Park introduced a fully fenced off-leash area with dog-friendly amenities. Future works will include separate spaces for large and small dogs, additional seating and a formalised car park.
University Drive Stormwater Upgrades
This $5 million project reduced flood risk on University Drive by replacing an old culvert and rehabilitating the creek. A new pedestrian bridge ensures continued access for students and the community.
Sustainable
Our environment sustains our community, economy, health and wellbeing. It is at the heart of all that we do. Our city acts on climate change to achieve net zero emissions and build resilience in our community, infrastructure and natural areas. We protect, enhance and connect our green and blue networks, and we’re transforming our city through circular economy solutions.
CN uses indicators in our CSP Newcastle 2040.
The following is a snapshot of some of the projects completed during this period.
CN completed the latest stage of the award-winning Ironbark Creek rehabilitation, restoring 350m of creek line from Croudace Road, Elermore Vale, to Lewis Street Oval, Wallsend.
The project focused on renaturalising the channel by replacing weeds with native plants, installing rockwork to protect the creek, and improving water flow and flood predictability. This stage, finished in June 2023, continued over a decade of efforts to enhance the ecosystem, benefiting local wildlife and habitat.
We partnered with the University of Newcastle (UoN) and the Fauna Research Alliance to survey Squirrel Gliders in Blackbutt and Richley Reserves and Jesmond Bushland between July 23 and June 24. We installed 75 additional nest boxes, used thermal drone technology to monitor the gliders, and collected genetic samples for future use. This project aims to inform long-term conservation efforts to support the survival of Squirrel Gliders, which face threats from habitat loss, fire, and predation.
CN cares for 107,708 street and park trees that provide shade, amenity, clean air, rainwater capture, and a sense of place no matter where you live, work or play across the city.
In delivering our tree management program, we prioritise the life, health and vitality of our urban forest canopy and the safety of our community.
In 2023/2024, we invested $1.95 million to nurture our urban forest, which resulted in us planting over 2,000 street and park trees.
It also contributed to delivering the Street Garden program, which supports residents to plant native understorey on their nature strip, and in turn supports the essential pollinators of our urban forest.
We recognise the pivotal role our urban forest plays not only in beautifying our city and reducing the urban heat island impacts from climate change, but also in sequestering carbon.
CN secured $21 million in NSW Government funding for mass sand nourishment and coastal protection at Stockton Beach. Collaborating with key community and Aboriginal groups, we completed environmental assessments, emergency coastal works and sand scraping, and secured $3 million for the Mitchell Street Buried Terminal Protection Structure.
Under the $6.2 million Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program grant, 130,000m 3 of sand was placed in the surf zone at the southern end of Stockton Beach. Completed on 4 November 2023, this phase improved beach amenity and resilience to storm damage.
Next steps include finalising investigations and environmental approvals for sourcing sand from the north arm of the Hunter River and offshore borrow areas.
- CN is transitioning our fleet to electric vehicles (EVs), building on successful trials.
- We are using 100% renewable energy in operations to cut fossil fuel use.
- We partnered with Ausgrid to replace main road streetlights with energy-efficient LEDs, and upgraded lighting at Civic Theatre and City Hall, reducing energy use by 85%.
- We installed a 100kW solar system and battery at Summerhill.
- We installed EV chargers for our fleet at Summerhill, Waratah Works depot and Dixon Park Beach, and upgraded the 50kW charger at No.2 Sportsground.
Creative
Our city is vibrant, inclusive and creative. Newcastle is a destination known for its culture, heritage, entertainment and innovative ideas. We are excited about the city’s opportunities in the areas of jobs, education and the economy.
Multiculturalism, Aboriginal culture, diverse communities and the arts are celebrated.
Locals and visitors gather for events and cultural experiences, and to feel part of the community. Newcastle is driven by city-shaping partnerships that enhance our opportunities and attract people to live, play and invest in our city.
CN uses indicators in our CSP Newcastle 2040.
The following is a snapshot of some of the projects completed during this period.
CN launched a new campaign aimed at capturing a larger share of the leisure tourism market by promoting the city’s eclectic and unexpected attractions. Through the ‘Seek Off Beat’ campaign, Newcastle was positioned as a premier tourism destination, highlighting both quirky and signature experiences.
The new tagline encouraged visitors to look beyond traditional perceptions of the city and uncover its vibrant mix of culture, history and coastal charm. With a focus on increasing day and overnight visits, CN maintained its colourful brand while showcasing the city’s unique and diverse tourism offerings.
The Newcastle Williamtown Air Show, hosted by the city and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), was the largest single-day event in the region's history, attracting nearly 85,000 people on November 18 and 19, 2023.
On Saturday, a free community day featured viewing areas and family-friendly activities at Nobbys Beach, Foreshore Park, and Stockton, where spectators enjoyed thrilling aerial displays by both historical and modern aircraft.
On Sunday, RAAF Base Williamtown welcomed approximately 25,000 visitors for ground displays, including a virtual reality marquee and various military equipment from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Defence industry.
CN launched the 10-day New Annual cultural festival, celebrating art, culture and creativity. In 2022, over 140 performances and activities across 32 venues attracted nearly 40,000 attendees. Highlights included the Van Gogh Alive Exhibition, which drew 84,000 visitors and generated an estimated $7.7 million for the local economy.
CN has committed to a 5-year investment in the festival, securing its status as the city’s flagship arts event until at least 2028. The festival has featured over 1,500 artists and attracted around 95,000 visitors in its first 3 years. CN is also encouraging local artist participation through the ‘Made New’ program.
We established Newcastle as a prime destination for major acts through strategic partnerships and high-profile performances.
Welcomed Elton John to McDonald Jones Stadium for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in January 2023, drawing 30,000 attendees each night and injecting over $5.8 million into the local economy. Of the 50,000+ tickets sold, 10,859 were purchased by out-of-town visitors, including 2,556 from interstate and over 120 international attendees.
Partnered with Venues NSW to bring Paul McCartney to McDonald Jones Stadium on 24 October 2023, marking his first visit to Newcastle and debut performance in Australia outside a capital city.
Hosted the 50th anniversary production of The Rocky Horror Show at the Civic Theatre, setting a new box office record with nearly 23,000 tickets sold. Featuring Jason Donovan and Myf Warhurst, it attracted audiences from across Australia and internationally, highlighting Newcastle’s demand for high-calibre productions.
CN’s Museum and Libraries hosted 13 exhibitions, amplifying community voices, celebrating cultural collections and sharing Newcastle’s stories. These initiatives highlight our commitment to preserving Newcastle’s cultural heritage, enriching the community and promoting inclusivity.
Exhibitions included:
Sea Monsters: Prehistoric Ocean Predators: Presented the largest-ever exhibition at Newcastle Museum during spring 2022, featuring life-sized replicas and real fossils in partnership with the Australian National Maritime Museum and Queensland Museum Network.
Gould – Treasures of the Hunter: Showcased rare volumes of Gould’s Birds of Australia from Newcastle Libraries’ Rare Book Collection.
1X4 Exhibition: Continued its tour in Lilydale, Deniliquin and Tamworth.
Storytime with Uncle Amos Simon at Wallsend Library: Shared Awabakal and Gathang language and culture through songs and rhymes, now embedded in children’s events.
Unabbreviated exhibition: Celebrated with record-breaking participation of 375 individuals, including queer scholars, musicians and artists.
SHRALP exhibition: Welcomed the skating community, fostering connection to the Museum’s past and present.
Hunter Science Festival: Hosted at Newcastle Museum during National Science Week, the festival attracted 4,215 individuals with hands-on science activities and demonstrations by University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute.
Achieving Together
Our people come together to collaborate, share great ideas and opportunities, and co-create positive change for our organisation and city. Our culture is one of trust and understanding, where honest conversations empower our people, customers and community.
We value diverse perspectives and deliver what we promise. Our strength is growing our capability to manage community and customer expectations and continuously improve our service delivery.
CN uses indicators in our CSP Newcastle 2040.
2022-2024 Financial Snapshot
Capital Works Summary
The following is a snapshot of some of the projects completed during this period.
Aboriginal Employment Strategy 2022–2025
CN launched our latest Aboriginal Employment Strategy 2022–2025 (AES). The AES aims to create a culturally safe workplace for all employees at CN and build deep, genuine relationships with the local Aboriginal community.
The AES will also help us increase the number of Aboriginal employees working at CN at all levels, retain existing Aboriginal employees and create real employment pathways.
CN launched a 3-year Customer Experience (CX) Transformation Program to improve service delivery and capabilities. In the second year, we focused on embedding customer-centric approaches and enhancing service delivery to manage expectations and deliver on promises.
Key initiatives included:
CX training: Continued organisation-wide training for over 1,100 staff, introducing new employees to customer-centric practices and embedding TRuST Principles (Transparent, Respectful, You, Simple, Timely). We also established a monthly TRuST Award for recognising trust-building behaviours.
Website improvements: Enhanced the most visited pages for better digital CX and accessibility, increasing the website accessibility score from 58.8% to 79.4%.
Digital self-service: Launched forms for Rates Direct Debit, Change of Details and Pensioner Concession Applications, leading to a 41% increase in customers using digital channels. Introduced the DA Fee Estimate Calculator for instant service.
CN Grants and sponsorships have supported a wide range of successful initiatives.
Our Arts, Culture & History grant program supports activities that promote and celebrate our rich heritage and our creative, diverse community. CN supports professional not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations by providing funding to grow sustainability and serve as a funding base that organisations can leverage with other funding providers.
Funding has helped Grainery Care maintain an Outdoor Foodcare Delivery Space, enabled the University of Newcastle to establish an employment clinic and a student grocery hub for newly arrived migrants, and assisted with the creation of Newcastle's first Community Textile Recovery Hub in Wallsend.
Environmental grants have supported programs like Apnom's energy-saving initiative focused on food security and community nutrition. The Special Business Rate program has also boosted local precincts, contributing to events like the Newcastle Fringe Festival in Hamilton, Streets Alive in Wallsend, and the Wallsend Op Shop Trail.
Major events funding has supported Hockey NSW in hosting premier tournaments, further strengthening Newcastle's reputation as a vibrant events city.
Youth Week Grants is a program designed to support events that celebrate and highlight the contribution that young people make to the Newcastle community.
The Count Us In grant program provides small grants to support events, activities and programs that demonstrate and celebrate inclusion.
What's Next
CN is dedicated to creating well-planned, meaningful, and accessible places that foster sustainable, healthy, and inclusive communities. Our efforts have significantly enhanced streets, open spaces, and neighbourhood centers, each reflecting unique character and heritage. However, as we look to the future, we face several key challenges and opportunities in our ongoing mission to improve Newcastle for all residents.
Newcastle 2040 Review
In 2024 we checked back in with our community to see if the community's priorities are still relevant in our Community Strategic Plan Newcastle 2040.
We heard that our vision for Newcastle to be a liveable, sustainable, inclusive global city remains relevant and aligns with our community’s aspirations.
Liveability and Wellbeing Survey
City of Newcastle conducts a community survey every two years to track liveability and social wellbeing, aligning with the Newcastle 2040 plan. Surveys in 2022 and 2024 gathered insights from over 470 residents each, including Mandarin speakers, to assess quality of life and trust in CN, helping monitor progress toward strategic goals.
Quality of Life:
2022: 93% of residents rated their quality of life as "good," "very good," or "excellent," with 32% reporting improvements.
2024: A similar 93% rated their quality of life positively, but only 30% reported improvements in recent years.
Housing and Affordability:
2022: 33% of residents agreed that Newcastle offers diverse housing options; 45% felt they could afford a reasonable standard of housing.
2024: Only 24% agreed that diverse housing options exist, and 47% felt they could afford a reasonable standard of housing, indicating a drop in satisfaction.
Trust in CN:
2022: 71% of residents expressed some level of trust in CN, with 43% agreeing that CN acts in the best interests of the community.
2024: Trust remained steady at 71%, with 39% agreeing that CN acts in the community’s best interests.
Social Connectivity and Community Engagement:
2022: 96% of residents participated regularly in personal social activities, with high levels of community engagement.
2024: Social connectivity remained strong, with 96% still engaged in social activities, but satisfaction with access to community facilities, parks, and health services declined.
Green Spaces:
2022: 88% of residents were satisfied with access to parks, natural areas, and open spaces.
2024: Satisfaction with access to green spaces dropped slightly to 80%.
Cycle Friendliness:
2022: 59% of residents agreed that Newcastle was a cycle-friendly city.
2024: Satisfaction with cycling infrastructure declined, with fewer residents agreeing that Newcastle is cycle-friendly.
While Newcastle continues to offer a high quality of life for most residents, rising concerns around housing affordability, trust in local governance, and access to essential services are shaping a more complex picture of life in the city.
Green spaces, though slightly less positively rated in 2024, remain a key strength that contributes to Newcastle's overall appeal.
Addressing these emerging challenges, while continuing to invest in vital public amenities such as parks, cycling infrastructure, and natural areas, will be critical to maintaining Newcastle’s liveability and ensuring it remains a desirable place to live, work, and invest.
The State of our City report demonstrates our commitment to building a Newcastle that thrives both now and in the future. By working together with our community, we have made significant strides towards achieving the goals set out in the Newcastle 2040 vision.
We will continue to work together to ensure Newcastle is a liveable, sustainable, inclusive global city.
