Mandatory e-bike registration and tougher penalties are being proposed at Newcastle Council’s meeting tonight amid a spate of vandalism attacks on local sporting fields.
Liberal councillors Callum Pull and Jenny Barrie are launching a co-signed motion on Tuesday, 25 August, to prevent destructive behaviour by hoons on e-bikes.
The duo is pushing for mandatory e-bike registration in New South Wales (NSW) to make it easier for police to identify illegal e-bikes and help councils recover the costs of damage.
The motion is split into two parts, the first being to advocate for the NSW Government to implement mandatory e-bike registration, including a requirement to display a licence plate when on roads and public spaces.
The second is to increase fines related to the damage of community facilities and sporting fields in a bid to deter offenders.
In a statement from Councillor Pull, he said a registration scheme would help police to identify whether an e-bike is illegal simply by looking at it.
“Introducing a compulsory registration scheme will mean police can easily distinguish between legal and illegal e-bikes, helping to get the illegal bikes off the street and allowing surveillance technologies to identify e-bike users who are not following the law,” Cr Pull said.
On Sunday 14 June 2026, a large group of people on allegedly illegal electric vehicles alongside dirt bike riders gathered at Dangar Park.
Over 40 people were allegedly riding on unregistered trail bikes and caused damage in surrounding streets. Four people were arrested.
Meantime, overnight on Friday 26 June 2026, Hamilton Azzuri’s home ground at Smith Park was destroyed by vandals ripping up the grass.
Councillor Pull said it’s unfair for local ratepayers who are footing the bill.
“Ratepayers have been shelling out thousands of dollars every year to repair parks and fields that have been torn up by vandals,” Cr Pull said.
“We are asking for the power for ratepayers to be compensated for the cost of damaged fields.
“This will mean vandals pay for the cleanup of their own mess so that ratepayers won’t have to.”
Regulation of all vehicles within the public space is managed by the NSW Government, through Transport for NSW and NSW Police.
This means Cr Pull and Cr Barrie will push for Newcastle Council, via the Lord Mayor, to write to the Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison MP, Minister for Transport John Graham, several State Members and the Shadow Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Natalie Ward MLC.
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