City of Newcastle (CN) is set to invest a record $458 million into projects and services across the Local Government Area (LGA) in the next financial year.
It comes after councillors unanimously voted to adopt the 2026/27 Budget during the week.
The fiscal blueprint includes more than $128 million to maintain and deliver infrastructure throughout Newcastle to meet the needs of the growing population.
CEO Jeremy Bath admitted a modest forecast operating surplus of $450,000 in 2026/27 would keep CN well-positioned to deal with potential unexpected costs as they arise.
“The current environment and burgeoning cost-of-living pressures are challenging,” he 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 warehouse blaze, without sending us into the red.
“This is a continuation of our responsible financial budgeting over the past decade.
“CN last year ranked ninth in the state for financial sustainability and the only local organisation 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.”
Council’s acting chief financial officer Scott Moore thanked residents for their thoughtful and constructive feedback, too, with 100 submissions received during its recent public exhibition.
“We had a record number [this year], which reinforced the need for us to continue balancing our investment in services and infrastructure with careful financial management,” he 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 LGA.”
Council also voted for the continuation of the $2 entry at its inland pools at Beresfield, Wallsend, Mayfield and Stockton, and the implementation of a $2 fee for all concession card holders at Lambton Park War Memorial Swim Centre.
CN will seek to identify how the cost of these subsidised payments can be absorbed into the 2026/27 Budget as part of its September quarterly review.
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