Community News
- intouch Magazine
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
Discover what's happening in your local community this May...
BALANCED BUDGET SUPPORTS A 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, including 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.
Budget highlights
Key investments include:
$29 million on road renewal and 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
$7.0 million on bridge renewal and upgrades, including bridge replacement at Cottage Creek, Hunter Street
$6.4 million on stormwater upgrades, flood planning and management, including Union Street, Cooks Hill stormwater drainage rehabilitation
$5.2 million on 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 and the trial Hunter Street cycleway
$3.4 million on climate action and sustainability initiatives, including community energy projects 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 existing infrastructure and delivering major projects that will have a real 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 sports grounds.
"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."
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."
The draft 2026/27 Budget and Operational Plan is now on public exhibition for community feedback. Visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au.
HUNTER WATER TAPS INTO SANDBEDS AS DAM LEVELS FALL
Hunter Water has begun drawing drinking water from the Tomago Sandbeds, as dam levels across the Lower Hunter continue to decline.
Overall water storage levels have dropped more than 20 per cent since November, with below-average rainfall reducing inflows into catchments. Storages currently sit at 63.7 per cent capacity, and the Bureau of Meteorology Source: City of Newcastle is forecasting warmer and drier conditions to persist through autumn and into winter, with an
increased chance of El Niño developing later in the year.
The Tomago Sandbeds can provide up to 20 per cent of the region's drinking water during times of shortfall, and Hunter Water's Executive Manager Customer Delivery, Glen Robinson, said activating them now provides important flexibility.
"Operating the Sandbeds now gives us additional flexibility in managing our water system and helps ensure supplies remain available for the community," Mr Robinson said.
Customers may notice temporary changes to the taste or colour of their tap water. Groundwater contains higher levels of naturally occurring minerals such as iron and manganese, which can occasionally cause some discolouration — though Mr Robinson confirmed this is not a health concern. Water from the Sandbeds is tested at multiple points before entering the network, and results are published on the Hunter Water website.
With storage levels forecast to reach the 60 per cent trigger point for Level 1 water restrictions around mid to late June at the earliest, Hunter Water is encouraging the community to start saving water now. Simple steps include watering gardens before 10am or after 4pm, promptly fixing leaking taps, limiting showers to four minutes, and waiting for a full load before running the washing machine or dishwasher. For more information, visit www.hunterwater.com.au/tomago.
ROSEMARIE MILSOM APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF ADELAIDE WRITERS' WEEK
After 14 years as the founding director of Newcastle Writers Festival, Rosemarie Milsom has announced she will step down
in late May to take up the role of Director of Adelaide Writers' Week. Milsom established Newcastle Writers Festival in 2012 while working as a Newcastle Herald journalist, with the inaugural event held in April 2013. Her appointment to Adelaide comes less than a month after she delivered the most successful festival in the organisation's history, with record ticket sales.
"It has been an extraordinary privilege to lead Newcastle Writers Festival," Milsom said.
"I am deeply proud of what we have built - a festival that reflects the vibrancy, diversity and intellectual curiosity of its community." Newcastle Writers Festival President Kate Robinson paid tribute to Milsom's contribution.
"Rosemarie has not only delivered outstanding programs year after year, but has also built strong relationships with audiences, writers, partners and supporters that will endure well beyond her tenure. Our loss is Adelaide's gain."
Plans for the leadership transition will be announced in due course.
