Balanced budget supports strong future for Newcastle

City of Newcastle is planning to deliver 274 projects and forecasting a fifth consecutive surplus as it releases its draft Budget for the upcoming financial year.

The 2026/27 Budget will invest $128.5 million in infrastructure to deliver everyday benefits for the community while also completing major projects like the Western Corridor road upgrades and the city’s largest ever children’s playground at Foreshore Park.

CEO Jeremy Bath said a commitment to responsible financial management means City of Newcastle can maintain its high level of service and infrastructure delivery.

“After many years of measured and deliberate decision-making, Council is well placed to continue investing sustainably in Newcastle’s future,” Mr Bath said.

“City of Newcastle will spend $458 million in the coming financial year, delivering important services and infrastructure for the community, from Bar Beach to Beresfield and everywhere in between.

“We’re also forecasting a modest $1.4 million surplus, which means we can confidently commit to the high level of service delivery the community expects, while also being well positioned to weather unforeseen challenges.”

Councillors will vote to place the 2026/27 draft Budget and Operational Plan on public exhibition for community feedback at Tuesday night’s Council meeting.

Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe encouraged the community to have their say on the proposed plans.

“Community feedback plays an important role in everything we do, and inviting the community to have some input on the plan gives people an opportunity to influence what we’ll deliver across Newcastle,” Cr McCabe said.

“Taking the time to get familiar with the plan is a great way for people to learn more about what Council does to make Newcastle a better place, and to understand what is proposed for the next 12 months.”

Highlights of the Budget include:

• $29 million on road renewal and road upgrades, including the Western Corridor Road Upgrades at Minmi Road and Longworth Avenue

• $20.1 million on City and Civic venues, aquatics and recreation and sports improvements, including the Foreshore Park play space

• $8.1 million on waste management and Summerhill Waste Management Centre

• $7.6 million on footpath and pedestrian access and mobility projects including citywide renewal programs

• $7.0 million on bridge renewal and upgrades including bridge replacement at Cottage Creek, Hunter Street

• $6.4 million on city-wide stormwater upgrades, flood planning and management works, including Union Street, Cooks Hill stormwater drainage rehabilitation

• $5.2 million coastal, city, and urban centres including Georgetown Local Centre and East End Hunter Street Mall

• $4.3 million on coastal management including seawall repairs at Mitchell Street, Stockton

• $4.3 million on cycleway projects including Broadmeadow to Hamilton East, Lambton Park to Croudace Street, and the trial Hunter Street cycleway

• $3.4 million on climate action and sustainability initiatives including community energy projects, electric and low‑emission transport, and solar and battery initiatives

• $3.4 million on street and park trees, bushland and watercourses, and Blackbutt Reserve

• $1.9 million on affordable housing including the Rail Bridge Row Affordable Housing Project.

Mr Bath said the Budget strikes the right balance between renewing and maintaining existing infrastructure assets across Newcastle and delivering major projects that will have an impact on people’s lives.

“Our road renewal and upgrade program covers everything from improving hundreds of local streets to finishing Council’s largest ever road project at Wallsend,” Mr Bath said.

“There is continued investment in affordable housing, delivering active transport and improving changerooms, lighting and drainage at our sportsgrounds.

“We’re also focussing on the natural environment with more new street and park trees, bushland and watercourse improvements, coastal management actions and ongoing work at Blackbutt Reserve.

“Our commitment to climate action includes a city-wide community battery project, repairing the Mitchell Street seawall, and city-wide stormwater upgrades as we help make Newcastle more resilient in years to come.

“We’re continuing to invest in services our community expects including reliable waste services, fast development application processing times and high-quality cultural spaces like our libraries, theatres and art gallery.”

Executive Manager Finance & Property and Acting Chief Financial Officer Scott Moore said City of Newcastle is maintaining its status as the Hunter’s most financially sustainable council.

“We have delivered nine budget surpluses in the past 12 years, and this Budget sets us up to do so once again,” Mr Moore said.

“It has been developed so we can continue to meet the changing needs and expectations of our community, while ensuring we’re financially healthy now and into the future.

“It is incumbent on City of Newcastle to spend ratepayer money responsibly, and savvy long-term financial planning across more than a decade has us well-placed to continue delivering a high level of service for the community while ensuring we give them the best value for money we can.”