Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes kicked off her re-election campaign by unveiling a bold vision with impactful initiatives for the local community.

Elected to the role in 2014, the City of Newcastle (CN) councillor has overseen significant development across the LGA, with $1 billion being invested in public infrastructure over the past decade.

Now, several focus areas have been identified in Newcastle Labor’s Positive Vision document, delivered to every house in the region ahead of the NSW Local Government Elections on Saturday 14 September.

The key priorities include:

• Increasing investment into public infrastructure like roads, footpaths, national parks and the ocean baths
• Building more public and social housing
• Delivering 35 new playgrounds across the region
• Several environmental commitments including planting 8,500 trees, using 100% renewable energy and fixing Stockton Beach
• Supporting live music with grants, also by expanding the Newcastle Art Gallery and boosting the New Annual Festival

Assistant Minister for a Future Made in Australia Senator Tim Ayres congratulated the local Labor government for its commitment to improving the region.

“The Newcastle community should get behind Nuatali and the team to make sure they continue to play their crucial role by investing into capital works to make this a better place to live,” he said at the party’s official launch on Friday 6 September.

“They’ll also make sure the Hunter still has a role as a manufacturing powerhouse in the future.

“One of the reasons the region’s going to be a major economic force in Australia is because it knows how to compete for global investment and deliver industrial capabilities.

“A key part of that is strong local government.”

Cr Nelmes said she and her team were set on their commitments.

“We have a really important role to play in partnering with both the state and federal government… to create jobs and opportunities in our city,” she explained.

“That is what we have been doing for several years and that is what we will continue to do for the people of Newcastle.

“My vision is backed by a record of delivery to get the job done.

“And, I make no apologies for being ambitious for our City.

“Making it sustainable for future generations has been at the core of a lot of our policymaking and that’s why we are recognised as leaders in local government for the environment and sustainability.

“We also want to ensure that we resurrect the night-time economy, and we make Newcastle an attractive place for visitors, as well as young people to have higher education and diverse job opportunities.”

Newcastle Labor’s experienced and united team is:

• Lord Mayoral candidate: Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes
• Ward 1 candidates: Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, Sandra Feltham, Rachel Smoothy
• Ward 2: Paige Johnson, Cr Carol Duncan, Justine Clark
• Ward 3: Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Cr Peta Winney-Baartz, Cr Margaret Wood, Phillip Millard
• Ward 4: Cr Elizabeth Adamczyk, Cr Deahnna Richardson, Jimmy Scott

Early voting opens on Saturday 7 September.

For more news stories:

• Dr Ross Kerridge targets Newcastle Lord Mayoral position
• It’s time for change, says Lord Mayor hopeful Callum Pull
• It’s a true honour to be Lord Mayor of Newcastle: Nelmes

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