Lake Macquarie City Council has recommended funding 27 community and school‑led projects to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2026, alongside four university research projects tackling everything from low‑carbon construction to amphibian disease monitoring.
Councillors recommended $14,985 in funding be allocated through Council's NAIDOC Week Grants program to support culturally appropriate celebrations across the city, marking the national theme "50 Years of Deadly."
Activities to be funded range from Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremonies to bush tucker gardens, cultural art workshops, dance, storytelling, Indigenous games and whole‑school celebrations delivered in partnership with local Aboriginal community members and Elders.
Mayor Adam Shultz said the program supported locally led celebrations that brought communities together.
"NAIDOC Week is about recognising and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievements," he said.
"These grants support schools, community groups and organisations to deliver activities that are hands‑on, authentic and shaped by local Aboriginal knowledge holders."
Alongside the NAIDOC Week grants, Council also recommended $27,236 in funding for four projects under the 2025-2026 Environmental Research Grants program.
The research programs from University of Newcastle and Victoria University will explore:
- Low‑cement limecrete as a lower‑carbon alternative for residential buildings and council assets
- Rapid, in‑field testing to detect chytrid disease in vulnerable local frog populations
- What drives community uptake of electric vehicles and e‑buses in Lake Macquarie
- Non‑invasive imaging of tree roots using ground‑penetrating radar to support safer urban planning
Mayor Adam said the research grants contributed to evidence‑based decision‑making for the city.
"These projects look at practical challenges, from protecting frog populations and urban trees to understanding how people make choices about cleaner transport and construction," he said.
"They provide research that can inform future planning, policy and on‑ground decisions."
Council also endorsed a recommendation for Councillor Madeline Bishop to attend the NSW Public Libraries Association annual conference to represent Lake Macquarie at the sector forum focused on community‑centred library services, collaboration and leadership.
The recommendations at tonight's meeting align with Council's long‑term planning, which is shaped by the community's priorities for connected communities, care for the natural environment and trusted, accountable governance.
The full agenda and reports are available at meeting agendas and minutes.
The stream of tonight's meeting will be available online at lakemac.com.au within 48 hours.
