Ordinary Council Meeting Tuesday 23 July 2024

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 23 July 2024. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions. 

Lord Mayoral Minutes  

Commitment to education and training opportunities

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported noting City of Newcastle's commitment to upskilling, training and education opportunities for the local community through programs such as Future Fit program for apprentices, trainees, undergraduates and graduates and the Lord Mayor's Scholarship Program.

Newcastle Premier League T20 cricket competition

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported that congratulated the Newcastle Hunters cricket club and their organising committee on the successful start of Season 3 of their Newcastle Premier League T20 cricket competition and acknowledged the significant role this multicultural cricket competition plays in supporting migrants and refugees in our community. 

It also recognised the significant impact that the City of Newcastle Grants and Sponsorship program has in supporting community organisations like these that build the diverse cultural fabric of the city.

Congratulating Novocastrian Olympians 

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported extending our heartfelt congratulations to the Novocastrian athletes selected to represent Australia at the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games and 2024 Paralympic Games.

Ordinary business 

Supplementary report - Special Business Rate audit outcome

Council noted the transparent and effective framework of City of Newcastle's SBR expenditure policy as confirmed by a recent independent audit of 2022/23 expenditure. The audit found that the SBR expenditure processes and controls are functioning as intended with few minor additional actions necessary at this time.

Adoption of public outcomes - Western Corridor road upgrades

Council unanimously approved the proposed scope of the (Western Corridor) Traffic Management Ancillary Works and endorsed consultation for the fixing of road levels on Longworth Avenue between Newcastle Road and Minmi Road, and at Minmi Road between Maryland Drive (east) and west of the Summerhill Road roundabout.

Heritage item - 13 Section Street, Mayfield

Council unanimously voted to endorse the planning proposal to amend Newcastle Local Environment Plan 2012 to create a new heritage item at 13 Section Street, Mayfield. The planning proposal will be forwarded to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for gateway determination, followed by community and agency consultation as required.

Tender report - Bar Beach rehabilitation and reinstatement

Council voted unanimously to accept a tender for the construction of the southern access ramp and walkway deflector wall at Bar Beach. 

Notices of Motion 

Improving turnover of city parking for the benefit of small businesses to increase trade in CBD of Newcastle 

Council unanimously supported an amended notice of motion to review the existing two-hour parking from 9am to 12pm on Saturdays and increase to the hours of 9am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays in the Hunter and King Street area to the east of Newcastle’s central business district.

Council will undertake, in line with the Parking Plan 2021, a staged review of timed parking restrictions in the area bound by King Street, Scott Street, Hunter Street, Darby Street and Pacific Street; with a view to improve parking turnover on weekday evenings and on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

Support for our creative workers

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion that noted City of Newcastle's ongoing support for the arts, cultural and creative industries in Newcastle. It acknowledged the need to plan how we support these industries in Newcastle over the next 10 years and committed, in the first 12 months of the next term of Council, to investigating options for retaining and increasing affordable creative workspaces across Newcastle and preparing a 10-year Cultural Plan for the city, which includes support for our creative workers and their creative workspaces as a strategic priority.

Confidential Reports

Tender report for processing of recyclables

Council unanimously voted to accept the tender from iQRenew for processing of recyclables.