Local Government NSW (LGNSW) will this Sunday present the prestigious Emeritus Mayor Award to Nuatali Nelmes, former Lord Mayor of Newcastle, in recognition of her outstanding service to local government and her enduring legacy of leadership, innovation and advocacy.
Elected to Newcastle City Council in 2008, Ms Nelmes became the city's youngest and second-ever female Lord Mayor in 2014. Across three consecutive terms, she was a transformative leader in local government who championed gender equity, sustainability and economic resilience.
Former Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes will be honoured with the Emeritus Mayor Award from Local Government NSW for her dedication and service to council and the community.
Local Government NSW President Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said the award acknowledges the significant impact Ms Nelmes has had on her community and the broader local government sector.
"Ms Nelmes' achievements exemplify the values of dedication, innovation and community leadership that the award celebrates," Mayor Miller OAM said.
"She has been a trailblazer for women in leadership and a tireless advocate for inclusive, sustainable and forward-thinking local government.
"Her legacy is one of bold vision and practical outcomes that have improved the lives of Novocastrians and set a benchmark for councils across the state. She has shown that leadership is not just about holding office, it's about lifting others up and creating lasting change.
"Her commitment to empowering women and driving sustainability has left an indelible mark on the local government sector."
Under Ms Nelmes' leadership, City of Newcastle became the first council in NSW to transition to 100% renewable energy in 2020, reducing its carbon footprint by 77%. She oversaw the delivery of the city's first 5MW solar farm and led the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With a strong focus on infrastructure Ms Nelmes oversaw the record delivery of more than $1 billion in public works, increasing the Council's annual capital works investment by 300% while maintaining strong operational surpluses. During her almost 10 years as Lord Mayor she saw Newcastle rise to NSW's leading council for development approval times.
As an advocate for gender equality, Ms Nelmes led Newcastle's first female-majority council and rebalanced the city's leadership team to reflect gender equity. She also established the Lord Mayor's Scholarship for Women with the University of Newcastle and the Women Empowered Scholarship with Hunter TAFE, supporting women pursuing education and careers in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Beyond Newcastle, Ms Nelmes has served on boards and committees, including ICLEI Oceania, the Global Covenant of Mayors and as Treasurer of LGNSW. Her role as a Director of Newcastle Airport helped it grow its value to almost $450 million and secured global partnerships advancing sustainability and NetZero initiatives, including Australia's endorsement of the CHAMP agreement at COP28.
Now a Professor of Practice at the University of Newcastle Business School, Ms Nelmes continues to contribute her expertise in strategy, business, urban revitalisation and inclusive growth.
The Emeritus Mayor Award is reserved for retired councillors who have served consecutive terms as mayors and demonstrated exemplary service. Ms Nelmes will be formally honoured by Local Government NSW at a ceremony on Sunday at Blackbutt Reserve, officiated by President Phyllis Miller OAM.
Ms Nelmes said she was deeply honoured to receive the Emeritus Mayor Award.
"This recognition reflects the collective effort of our community, council team, and partners who shared a vision for a more sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant Newcastle," Ms Nelmes said.
"Together, we delivered transformative projects in infrastructure, culture and housing that will benefit generations to come. I am proud of what we achieved and grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Newcastle."
Cr Declan Clausen, who served alongside Ms Nelmes as Deputy Lord Mayor for seven years and is now the city's longest-serving councillor, said her leadership transformed both the Council and the community.
"Nuatali's leadership was grounded in collaboration and shared purpose," Cr Clausen said.
"As Labor colleagues, we worked closely to build a more sustainable, inclusive and forward-looking Newcastle.
"She led with conviction and courage, empowering those around her and proving that progressive values can deliver real, lasting results for our community."
Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said Ms Nelmes' dedication to excellence was evident throughout her 16 years of service to the Newcastle local government area.
"Ms Nelmes joins a distinguished lineage of Lord Mayors whose long serving contributions have shaped our city's identity including Joy Cummings, John Tate, John McNaughton and even going back to Frank Purdue and Douglas McDougall," Cr Kerridge said.
"Like Emeritus Mayors Joy Cummings and John Tate, it is fitting that Ms Nelmes is recognised for her dedication and service to Newcastle. She takes her place among Mayors across the state and nation who have made a valuable contribution to public service."
Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe said it had been a privilege to collaborate with Ms Nelmes during her time on Council.
"Nuatali's extensive service to Newcastle spanning six years as a Councillor and 10 years as the Lord Mayor is deserving of this high honour," Cr McCabe said.
"During her time as Lord Mayor, she led a progressive Council that invested in bold, ambitious projects that have set the city as a leader through our public spaces, art gallery, climate policy and strategic plans.
"I extend my congratulations to Nuatali on receiving this award."
Key Achievements
Infrastructure and economic growth:
- delivered a $1 billion capital works program, creating thousands of local jobs and increasing annual investment by 300%
- increased capital works from $43 million to $170 million.
Major projects include:
- Bathers Way coastal walk - a world-class 6km coastal pathway
- new waste recovery centres and 5MW Summerhill Solar Farm
- $15 million upgrade of the State Heritage Register listed Newcastle Ocean Baths
- $10 million investment in Blackbutt Reserve
- oversaw record development approvals valued at over $9 billion
- reduced development application processing times, accelerating housing and business delivery to be NSW leading
- established a $100 million property-driven Future Fund to secure long-term financial sustainability
- championed investments in flood mitigation, tourism, event-led economic development, playground upgrades and digital infrastructure, including NSW's first digital library.
Housing innovation:
- Developed Newcastle's first Social and Affordable Housing Contributions Scheme, ensuring sustainable housing supply
- Formed a novel partnership with Homes NSW to accelerate social housing delivery across the region.
Established:
- Lord Mayor's Scholarship for Women (University of Newcastle)
- Women Empowered Scholarship (Hunter TAFE)
- advocated for women in sport, including early promotion of the Matildas, WNRL, and Australian Diamonds
- raised the Torres Strait Islander flag on City Hall for the first time, reinforcing cultural recognition and inclusion.
Cultural transformation:
- delivered the $50 million Newcastle Art Gallery redevelopment - the largest cultural investment in the city's history
- established the New Annual cultural festival, now a signature event
- partnered with Venues NSW to bring global music icons Pink and Elton John to Newcastle, generating $40 million economic impact
- returned the World Surf League Championship Tour after 25 years, delivering $15 million economic impact
- supported Newcastle 500 Supercars, Surfest, Writers Festival and Unity in Diversity Festival
- achieved a 60% increase in tourism through event-led economic development, investment in the after-dark economy, and Smart City infrastructure.
Leadership and inclusion:
- positioned Newcastle as a United Nations City and secured Australia's signatory status to CHAMP at COP28
- participated in the Harvard Bloomberg Mayors Leadership Initiative and launched the Bloomberg Climate Youth Grants Initiative
- served on ICLEI Oceania, Global Covenant of Mayors, and as Treasurer of LGNSW
- championed gender equity, leading Newcastle's first female-majority council.
