Ward 3 Councillors


Councillor Mark Brooker (IND)

First elected in 2024

 

Membership on CN Committees: 

Access Inclusion Advisory Committee - Member

Guraki Aboriginal Standing Committee - Member

Strategy and Innovation Advisory Committee - Member

 

Membership on External Committees: 

HCCRPP Alternate Delegates - Member


E: [email protected] 


Mark Brooker was first elected to Council in September 2024. He is proud to have stood independently been elected without party affiliation.

Mark has lived and worked in Newcastle and the Hunter for more than 30 years, and in Ward 3 in particular since 2007.  

As the publisher of a monthly community newspaper, The Local, which serves a number of the suburbs making up Ward 3, Mark has been a committed and passionate advocate for his community.

Prior to commencing his own publication in 2014 Mark enjoyed a career spanning more than 20 years in media sales and general management with some of Australia’s largest regional newspaper publishers. 



Vacant



A Councillor will be elected via Countback Election on Tuesday 5 August 2025, following the tragic passing of Sinéad Francis-Coan. 


Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz (ALP)
First elected in 2017

E: [email protected]


Membership on CN Committees: 
Infrastructure Strategic Advisory Committee - Chair
Public Art Standing Committee - Member
Guraki Aboriginal Standing Committee - Member

Membership on External Committees:
HCCRPP Alternate Delegates - Member
Fort Scratchley Historical Society Incorporated - Member
Hunter Sports Centre Incorporated - Member

Peta is a proud Novocastrian living, working, and raising her four children locally, alongside her partner Alister.

 

She is an Educator with over 25 years’ experience in the Family/Youth sector. Peta sits on the Board of Hunter Homeless Connect and Hunter Rugby and is passionate about all things ‘Newcastle”.

 

She works closely with many local organisations and advocates for all and is particularity interested in the provision of facilities and services for local community groups.

 

Peta is particularly driven to engage young people and make sure they are heard while ensuring that we have a thriving, activated and amazing place to live!