City's vision locked in following record community input

An ambitious long-term vision for Newcastle shaped by more than 5,000 community members was unanimously endorsed at last night’s Council Meeting. 

A record number of people contributed their thoughts on achieving a liveable, sustainable inclusive global city, as part of extensive community consultation undertaken over a 12-month period for Newcastle's new Community Strategic Plan, Newcastle 2040. 

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle 2040 reflects the community's values and vision for Newcastle, and will guide City of Newcastle's planning, projects and policies in future years. 

"Newcastle 2040 has been developed with the input of more residents than ever before with an engagement program, which met people where they were through outreach at events, schools and community facilities in addition to surveys," Cr Nelmes said. 

"We were committed to ensuring a true representation of our community was reflected through consultation by listening to people from all stages and walks of life regarding their ideas and priorities for our city’s future. 

“I'd like to thank every one of the 5,440 people who gave input during the development of Newcastle 2040.  

"Although Newcastle is already incredible, we must continue to plan and implement actions to ensure we maintain the city's liveability while managing population growth, providing opportunities for economic development and diversification and making Newcastle a place for all as we become a global city." 

Community collaboration undertaken to inform Newcastle's updated vision included thousands of interactions such as face-to-face conversations, workshops, surveys, online feedback, advisory committees and stakeholder engagement. 

Priorities and objectives set out in Newcastle 2040 focus on four key themes including Liveable Newcastle, Sustainable Newcastle, Creative Newcastle and Achieving Together. 

A commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture, our planet, inclusion, supporting local, innovation and social justice principles underpins Newcastle 2040 and informs the actions City of Newcastle undertakes. 

The shared vision for Newcastle 2040 includes a commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, a macro blueprint for peace and prosperity that will be championed by City of Newcastle at the local level. 

Local Councils are required to prepare a Community Strategic Plan every four years and they must be adopted by June 30 of the year following a local government election.