City of Newcastle will invest a record $458 million into projects and services across the local government area next year under a Budget driven by community benefits and financial sustainability.
Councillors unanimously voted Tuesday night to adopt the 2026/27 Budget, which includes more than $128 million to maintain and deliver infrastructure across Newcastle to meet the needs of the growing population.
Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Bath said a modest forecast operating surplus of $450,000 in 2026/27 will keep City of Newcastle well positioned to deal with potential unexpected costs as they arise.
"The current environment and growing cost of living pressures are challenging," Mr Bath said.
"Maintaining an annual surplus in the past has allowed us to react when the community has needed us in situations like Wickham wool sheds fire, the Lambton landslip, and the recent Mayfield fire, without sending us into the red.
"This is a continuation of our responsible financial budgeting over the past decade, with City of Newcastle last year ranked ninth in the state for financial sustainability and the only local council in the top 20 ranked councils in NSW.
"We have a duty to be responsible with ratepayer funds, especially in a challenging economic environment where everyone is feeling the pinch of rising costs, and this Budget reflects our commitment to sound financial management and sustainability."
City of Newcastle's Acting Chief Financial Officer Scott Moore said this Budget reflects the thoughtful and constructive feedback provided by the community, with 100 submissions received during its recent public exhibition.
"We had a record number of submissions this year, which reinforced the need for us to continue balancing our investment in services and infrastructure with careful financial management," Mr Moore said.
"Key themes included a desire to see us focus on cost-of-living pressures, the impact of fees and charges on community groups and organisations, and equitable allocation of spending.
"This Budget meets those expectations, from providing everyday benefits in areas such as road renewal, cycleways, and footpaths, and delivering congestion relief for those who travel through our city's Western Corridor, to continuing the ongoing renewal and maintenance of our assets across the city.
"In setting our fees and charges for the next financial year we've reaffirmed our commitments to equity, inclusion and access, with targeted concessions for charities and not-for-profit organisations who use facilities across Newcastle."
City of Newcastle continues to provide highly subsidised access to Crown Land, with rent capped at $625 per year to enable groups like Surf Life Saving Clubs, Scouts, Girl Guides, Men's Sheds and sporting clubs to focus on delivering important services to the community.
Further support is provided through fee reductions at Summerhill Waste Management Centre for charitable organisations while funding will be provided in rates assistance relief for eligible customers experiencing financial hardship.
Council also voted last night for the continuation of the $2 entry fee at its inland pools at Beresfield, Wallsend, Mayfield and Stockton, and the implementation of a $2 entry fee for all concession card holders at Lambton Park War Memorial Swim Centre.
The Council will seek to identify how the cost of these subsidised entry fees can be absorbed into the 2026/27 Budget as part of its September quarterly review.
