From music legends Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney to the Knights’ NRLW team, City of Newcastle (CN) had much to celebrate in 2023.

But, as the year winds down, the aforementioned events were just the tip of a big 12 months for the former steel city… and its residents.

Other achievements included a record $117.8 million capital works program, beginning the rejuvenation of Stockton Beach and a return to swimming at the Newcastle Ocean Baths.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, who became one of Newcastle’s longest-serving Lord Mayors, praised council staff and the community when reflecting on 2023.

“I want to thank the people of Newcastle,” she said.

“They’ve repeatedly supported CN to show leadership and make tough decisions to deliver the change our city has needed.

“I’d also like to recognise council’s staff across the entire organisation for continuing to serve the community, including residents, workers, visitors, groups and businesses. 

“2023 has given us all plenty of reasons to be proud of ourselves, proud to be Novocastrians, and proud to work for a local government that is leading the way.”

City of Newcastle demonstrated a commitment to sustainability, spending $376.5 million to provide services and facilities to more than 169,000 residents, while recording a modest surplus of $7.8 million.

Meanwhile, CN’s capital works program included the Lugar Park amenities upgrade in Kotara, drainage upgrades at Smith Street in Merewether, the multipurpose sports and community hub at Adamstown’s Myer Park, as well as road pavement stabilisation works at Kinta Drive in Beresfield and traffic control signals at Chinchen Street in Islington.

As part of the Local Centres Program, work is progressing at Orchardtown Road in New Lambton, with a future project for Georgetown in the planning stage.

CN’s ongoing investment in recreational spaces saw five local playgrounds officially opened in Fletcher, Waratah, Birmingham Gardens, Beresfield and Mayfield.

In January, Sir Elton John entertained almost 50,000 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium backed up by Paul McCartney’s historic first concert outside an Australian capital city.

The shows were secured as part of City of Newcastle’s Major Events Partnership with Venues NSW and injected an estimated $23 million into the local economy.

There was more entertainment benefits thanks to Come From Away’s record-breaking season at the Civic Theatre, with 21,500 theatregoers from across the Hunter and beyond attending 23 performances.

In May, Newcastle was hailed as the Top Tourism Town by Business NSW at the Local Government NSW Destination & Visitor Economy Conference, in recognition of its strategic initiatives to increase visitation and support tourism development for local operators.

Homegrown hero Emily van Egmond was awarded a Key to the City of Newcastle in August in recognition of the Matildas’ heroic efforts during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

New Annual returned in September with a range of amazing acts and performers.

Newcastle’s flagship arts and culture festival has registered about 95,000 visitors and featured more than 1,500 visiting and local artists during its first three years, encouraging council to endorse a new five-year commitment.

In October, the Knights’ women were honoured with a civic reception at City Hall after beating the Gold Coast Titans in the grand final to claim their second-straight NRLW premiership.

Newcastle also earned the right to host Game Two of the 2024 Women’s State of Origin series at McDonald Jones Stadium on 6 June.

Also that month, Stockton residents celebrated the arrival of a 75-metre-long dredger spraying a rainbow of sand off the coastline, depositing 100,000 cubic metres to help renourish the beach.

November saw City of Newcastle and the RAAF host the largest single day event in the region’s history with the Newcastle Williamtown Air Show attracting about 100,000 spectators and delivering an estimated economic output of $19.5 million, with hotels reporting a 97% occupancy rate over the weekend.

And, 2024, is expected to be bigger and better, with the fabulous Pink leading the charge.

For more news stories:

• Cocaine washes up on beaches between Newcastle and Sydney
• Dusk patrols to heighten safety in Port Stephens following recent drownings
• Motorists warned not to be ‘elfish’ near Newcastle road works

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