Ordinary Council Meeting Tuesday 26 August

Council update: Ordinary Council Meeting Tuesday 26 August 2025 

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council Meeting of Tuesday 26 August 2025. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions. 

Lord Mayoral Minutes  

Acknowledging the significant contribution of the late Aubrey Brooks

A Lord Mayoral Minute noted the passing of Aubrey Brooks and acknowledged his significant contributions and advocacy to Newcastle’s steel history following the closure of BHP in 1999. 

Ordinary business 

Tabling of register of disclosures of interest

Council noted the tabling of the Register of Disclosures of Interest for the period 1 May to 31 July 2025 by the Chief Executive Officer.

Newcastle Maritime Heritage Working Party update

Council noted the Newcastle Maritime Heritage Working Party updates including the terms of reference, summary of collection, memorandum and meeting minutes for 19 June, 25 July and 12 August 2025.

Adoption of the draft Extended Stockton Coastal Management Program

Council voted unanimously to endorse the Extended Stockton Coastal Management Program and submit it to the Minister for Environment certification. 

Adoption of public exhibition for reclassification of land parcels from operational land to community land

Council voted unanimously to reclassify 22 public land parcels as Community Land and categorise them as Natural Areas in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993. 

Adoption of council policies

Council voted unanimously to approve the updated Planning Agreements Policy and Procurement Policy and change the instruments of delegation to the Lord Mayor, Development Applications Committee and Chief Executive Officer to remove awarding tenders from the additional functions reserved for Council, unless valued over $5 million.

Adoption of planning agreement for 1/21 Railway Street and 29 Bishopsgate Street 

Wickham

Council voted to endorse the Planning Agreement for 1/21 Railway Street and 29 Bishopsgate Street Wickham. 

Transport for NSW third-party delegation

Council voted unanimously to sub-delegate to the Chief Executive Officer the functions and authorisations granted under the Transport for NSW ‘Authorisation and Delegation Instrument to Councils’.

Executive Monthly Performance Report

Council voted to receive the Executive Monthly Performance Report for July 2025. 

Tender report - Mitchell Street - revetment remediation Stockton

Council voted to accept a tender for the Mitchell Street revetment renewal and upgrade project.

Tender report - provision of security services 

Council voted to accept a tender for the provision of an integrated range of security services for 90 City of Newcastle sites.

Notices of Motion 

Petition to retain open-air changing rooms as part of Stage 2 of the Newcastle Ocean Baths restoration project

Council supported a notice of motion to receive a petition from 2,035 signatories requesting the retention of open-air change rooms as part of Stage 2 of the restoration of the Newcastle Ocean Baths. Community consultation took place from 17 June 2024 until August 2024. A key theme from the consultation process was the provision of an open-air change room or open-air amenity.

Committee membership updates following the countback election of Siobhan Isherwood

Council formally congratulated Councillor Siobhan Isherwood on her election to City of Newcastle and appointed her as a Councillor representative to the Community and Culture Strategic Advisory Committee, Access Inclusion Standing Committee and Youth Council Standing Committee. 

Councillor seating arrangements

A notice of motion to alter seating arrangements for the current Council term, allowing all councillors to be seated to political groupings, was laid on the table.

Advocacy for addressing the impacts of cost shifting onto Local Government

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion noting the findings of the Local Government NSW Cost Shifting report for the 2023/2024 financial year, with a request to place a copy of the report on City of Newcastle's website. Council will write to the Premier, the NSW Treasurer and the NSW Minister for Local Government asking that they urgently address these costs through a combination of regulatory reform and appropriate funding.

Improving our engagements with foreign representatives

Council supported a notice of motion to reaffirm our support for all communities, including Tibetan and Taiwanese Novocastrians, and reiterated our commitment to building an inclusive city which respects and supports all residents regardless of their faith or background. 

Better utilisation of our former City Hall Chambers

Council supported a notice of motion to create a working party under the Community and Culture Advisory Committee to develop a plan which preserves, respects and shares our city’s rich history, while improving access to the former City Hall Chamber for members of the public.