Quite simply, Callum Pull thought now was the “right time” to vie for the City of Newcastle (CN) Lord Mayor’s role.
After serving a term on the current council, the Newcastle Liberal representative felt frustrated by the inner workings of the assembly and deemed it necessary to lead the transformation moving forward.
So, he’ll face incumbent Nuatali Nelmes (Labor), Dr Ross Kerridge (Independent), Charlotte McCabe (The Green), Stephen O’Brien (Socialist Alliance) and Milton Caine (Independent) for the top job when residents head to the polls for the NSW Local Government Elections on Saturday 14 September.
“I truly believe our city needs new leadership,” the Ward 4 councillor said.
“And, after a decade under Labor, a change is definitely required.
“We’re offering a policy program of lower rates, better roads and fresh governance, so we can build a greater Newcastle.
“I’m really looking forward to sharing more of our team’s vision and our plan for the years ahead of what a city under Newcastle Liberals’ administration can look like.”
Cr Pull suffered a major setback when the party’s headquarters failed to lodge a nomination for Matt Bailey, who was eyeing off Ward 3.
While he’ll be missing from the race, Rochelle Manning (Ward 1) and Jenny Barrie (Ward 2) will stand alongside the young aspirant for council.
“It was disappointing but it’s no reflection on our local candidates,” he said.
“After serving on council for three years, you gain a lot of experience.
“You not only understand how it works, you recognise what you want to fix and how you go about fixing it.
“So, I feel more qualified than ever.
“That’s why I’m stepping up to try and become the Lord Mayor.
“I’m really, really looking forward to the challenge.
They all talked about just how important that [Australia Day] was, what it meant to them and how significant it was that they could choose our national day to be the date they join us as Australians.
Callum Pull
“And, I think in our team, you see a mix of renewal and know-how.
“We’ve got two experienced councillors in Jenny and myself, and one absolutely fresh face in Rochelle.
“It’s a great mix and we all get along fantastically.
“This is the most united Liberal team that we’ve ever put forward.”
Cr Pull has already indicated there were several issues on his radar.
“CN’s indulged in pet projects far too long,” he said.
“For example, I represent Ward 4, which is the city’s western suburbs.
“We never, ever get our fair share of funding.
“The amount of money that is poured into concrete on South Newcastle Beach, that doesn’t hit your streetscapes or fill your potholes, is just wasted.
“Also, the excess Labor’s frittering away on the communications budget doesn’t make sense either.
“How many advertisements do you see for council?
“They spend a third of their budget fixing unnecessary things and the other two-thirds telling you about it.
“So, people feel like they’re being short-changed, that council isn’t investing enough where it matters.
“That’s the perception I and the Newcastle Liberals want to turn around.”
Cr Pull is also passionate about restoring traditional Australia Day formalities in City of Newcastle.
In 2024, council staged a citizenship ceremony at Newcastle City Hall on 24 January – two days before the national holiday date.
“I guess that’s number one for me,” he said.
“I want CN to become a responsible council that provides the services that we’re expected to.
“So, it means hosting Australia Day and citizenship ceremonies on 26 January.
“I’ve had conversations with people who’ve been naturalised in Newcastle.
“They all talked about just how important that day was, what it meant to them and how significant it was that they could choose our national day to be the date they join us as Australians.
“Every new citizen should have the right to pick when they want to take their oath.
“But, that was a Lord Mayor classic… she unilaterally made the decision under the cover of Christmas in 2022.
“The elected council wasn’t consulted at all.
“Sadly, that representative of the top-down leadership style that Nuatali Nelmes has employed over the past 10 years she’s been Lord Mayor.
“As well, I want council to be filling potholes at a much better rate than we are.
“We need to cut the red and green tape, too, so we can actually provide the housing the people of this city need.
“We’re also keen to revitalise cultural and precinct activations by introducing a City Activations Strategy and advocating for the return of the annual Wallsend Winter Fair and Carnivale events.
“We’ll consult with the city’s businessowners, performers and residents.
“Neighbouring cities have regular activations that we can look to as examples.
“Maitland’s Taste festival is a project I’d like us to consider having in our urban centres.
“The Wallsend Winter Fair and Hamilton Carnivale are two iconic Newcastle events with broad appeal that have fallen over in recent years.
“They were led by the business community and ultimately killed off during the pandemic.
“However, council has the ability to help those events get up and running again.
“A City Activations Strategy would provide a clear framework and outline our expectations of how council can support them in the future.
“There is a lot to do and a very, very short time to do it, but we’re absolutely committed to seeing it through.”
So, why should people vote for the Newcastle Liberals?
“Because we’ve got the passion, the vision and the experience to get the job done,” Cr Pull said.
“We know this city needs change and only we can offer it.”
For more news stories:
- It’s a true honour to be Lord Mayor of Newcastle: Nelmes
- Dr Ross Kerridge targets Newcastle Lord Mayoral position
- Newcastle Greens launch four-prong assault on council elections
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