One hundred and fifty-nine million dollars will be invested into infrastructure projects as part of City of Newcastle's draft Budget for 2025-26.
This will facilitate the delivery of critical upgrades such as the renewal of Longworth Avenue and Minmi Road in Wallsend, the continued protection of Stockton's coastline, multimillion-dollar improvements of local centres in the Hunter Street Mall and Georgetown, along with the finalisation of the design for stage two of the Newcastle Ocean Baths upgrade and a year-round aquatic facility at Lambton Pool.
Total expenditure of more than $430 million is proposed across 348 projects in line with the Council's community strategic plan to ensure Newcastle continues to grow as a vibrant, welcoming city, offering boundless opportunities for residents, workers, and visitors alike.
The 2025-26 draft Budget and Delivery Program will go to Council on Tuesday night seeking support for it to be placed on public exhibition for community and stakeholder feedback throughout May.
CEO Jeremy Bath said financial sustainability remains at the heart of everything City of Newcastle does.
"Our careful financial planning ensures we can continue to invest in the services and projects that matter most to our community, whilst forecasting a small Budget surplus of $510,000 for next year," Mr Bath said.
"Prudent economic management has allowed us to increase our investment and services for our community without risking City of Newcastle's track record of financial sustainability.
"We have worked extremely hard to diversify our income to make our Budget less reliant on rates with 47% of our income next year to be funded via sources other than rates. This is why we will invest $2,145 per property on infrastructure projects, while limiting the average residential rate to $1,881.71.
"The projects in this year's Budget are designed to support Newcastle's growth while preserving the character and natural assets that make our city unique."
Budget highlights include:
• $42.2 million on road rehabilitation, resurfacing and footpaths including $24.3 million on Longworth Avenue and Minmi Road Western Corridor Upgrades
• $22 million on recreation, aquatics and sports improvements including Foreshore Park
• $12.9 million on Coastal, City and Urban Centres including East End, Hunter Street Mall, and Georgetown Local Centres
• $9.4 million on waste management and the Summerhill Waste Management Centre
• $7.5 million on street and park trees, bushland and watercourses and Blackbutt Reserve
• $6.2 million on city-wide stormwater upgrades and flood planning and management works including Cooks Hill
• $5.5 million on footpath and pedestrian projects
• $5.4 million on cultural facilities including the Art Gallery, Libraries, Museum, Fort Scratchley and Civic Venues
• $5.2 million on coastal management including Stockton coastline protection work, estuary and wetlands
• $4.5 million on affordable housing
• $4.2 million on cycleway projects
• $1.5 million on climate action and sustainability initiatives
"Lambton Pool will be one of the big winners from this year's Budget. Not only will the old roof of the grandstand be replaced, but $1 million has also been set aside to progress the design of a year-round indoor pool as promised by the previous elected Council," Mr Bath said.
"Lighting will also be upgraded, and a platform for both the 25m and 50m pools will be installed to improve accessibility to help all swimmers safely enter the pools.
"For the third year in a row Council will allocate $1 million to a sinking fund to ensure that when the time comes, Council has the money for the upgrading of Lambton Pool. On top of this another $1 million will be spent over the next 12 months on infrastructure upgrades at all of our five swimming pools.
"A second platform to improve pool accessibility will also be installed at Mayfield Pool over the winter recess break.
"Stockton swimming pool will also get a makeover with the playground equipment, barbecues, and picnic tables to be upgraded, along with new shade structures to be installed.
"Half a million dollars is included in the Budget to complete the design of the second stage of Newcastle Ocean Baths in anticipation of the development application being approved later this year."
Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said the draft Budget will see City of Newcastle engaging with the community to shape a Newcastle that thrives for all.
"We recognise that our strength lies in collaboration, and we remain committed to working closely with the community to shape the future of our city," Cr Kerridge said.
"I'm pleased the works program in the draft Budget has an increased emphasis on renewal and repair over new works.
"We are determined to strengthen Newcastle through prudent investment in service delivery, infrastructure, public spaces, and local communities."
