City of Newcastle believes the financial hit from COVID-19 is largely in the rear-view mirror and is predicting a decade of record infrastructure spending and balanced budgets.
The council will place its 2022-23 Budget on public exhibition for community feedback this week.
The $424 million budget is the largest in its history and includes a record $132 million for infrastructure projects including the long-awaited expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery, the much-needed revitalisation of the Newcastle Ocean Baths, the construction of two new major recycling facilities in Wallsend and a record spend on new cycleways.
The draft Budget forecasts a modest surplus of $1.2 million, and is a return to the black following a $40 million hit to the council’s income over the past two years from lockdowns and COVID-19 restrictions that forced the closure of many of its facilities including City Hall, the Civic Theatre and its fleet of parking meters.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the draft Budget represented a commitment to deliver services and infrastructure that support our city and natural environment while also returning the budget to surplus.
“Our track record of strong financial management meant that during the pandemic we were able to dip into our savings to stimulate the local economy and generate hundreds of jobs when many other employers were forced to lay people off,” Cr Nelmes said.
“This budget continues our commitment to stimulating the local economy, with independent modelling showing our record infrastructure program will create up to 740 new jobs while providing the local economy with a $325 million boost.
“We’re increasing our capital works program by almost 30% to deliver a record $132 million investment across a range of projects, which are fundamental to improving the way our community works and lives, as well as ensuring we continue to be an attractive destination for visitors and investment.
“The budget includes more than $50 million being invested across four city changing projects that will deliver key outcomes for the community.
“Five million dollars will be allocated towards planning a plastic, glass and paper recovery facility and $9.4 million to begin construction of an organics processing facility, which will allow our food waste to be recycled to a commercially saleable product at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre.
“We will kick off construction of the Newcastle Art Gallery expansion with a $17.4 million investment, while we will also spend $18.6 million to protect the RAMSAR-listed Hunter Wetlands by remediating and improving environmental management of the former Astra Street landfill site in Shortland.
“Investment in services and facilities across the city remains a key priority under this Budget, with $5.8 million to continue the Newcastle Ocean Baths upgrade, $16 million for upgrades to local roads, bridges and footpaths, and $7.9 million for coastal, city and urban centre revitalisation projects including upgrades at our much-loved Blackbutt Reserve.”
Councillors will consider the draft Budget at next Tuesday’s Council meeting and vote to place it on public exhibition for four weeks to allow for community feedback.
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