1. EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP BASED ON RESPECT AND UNITY

We will end the days of schoolyard politics and bickering and bring to Council a commitment to active listening, respecting a diversity of views and uniting Newcastle around a shared vision.

Policies

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• All major decisions are based on a process that involves community consultation and collaboration and are reflective of a diversity of opinions.

• Improve the effectiveness of meetings and the overall climate within council with an empasis on working as part of a wider team.

• A thorough, forensic investigation into the Scott Neylon/Jeremy Bath/Jason Sivo letters saga.

2. BACK TO THE BASICS - INFRASTRUCTURE AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES

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We will ensure that the focus is on delivering essential services by maintaining our roads, nurturing our parks and pools, collecting our waste, and protecting our infrastructure.

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Policies

• Focus on pavements, potholes, and footpaths and not glamour projects.

• The duplication and widening of Minmi Road has been announced by the current administration for more than three years and has not been treated as a priority. This essential upgrade will be one of our first priorities.

3. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY

We will ensure transparency in financial reporting, spending, and greater accountability overall because it is your money that the Council is spending.

Policies

• A review of the council’s accounting systems to ensure financial reporting standards are best practice in line with NSW Office of Local Government standards.

• Target rate increases to the lowest level possible to ensure our residents and businesses are not burdened by excessive rate rises.

4. EFFECTIVE PLANNING NOT PLANNING FOR DEVELOPMENT

Based on a clear strategy and detailed planning, we will protect our open spaces from over development, protect and preserve our valuable urban heritage and ensure that planning follows due process.

Policies

• Protecting our precious parks and green space from development. With our growing population and with backyards getting smaller, this green space is vital to our community’s mental and physical health.

• ​Providing council-owned land for social and affordable housing, as long as there are already sufficient social, cultural and environmental amenities in the neighbourhood. ​

5. A VISION FOR OUR NEWCASTLE - BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER THROUGH COMMUNITY

We will strive to make Newcastle a city that residents can enjoy fairly, equally, and together. Public facilities should bring our communities together rather than divide them by postcode.
 

Policies

• ​Review the fees charged to hire out council facilities for not-for-profit groups with a view to lowering or removing as many fees as possible. Not-for-profit groups and charities are required to pay prohibitive costs to hire out spaces owned by the community. This often makes these groups financially unviable, further isolating our community. After the COVID years, we need to bring our community together.

• Reinstate swimming lessons at inland pools.​

• Upgrading and maintaining our inland swimming pools and ocean baths. Our vision is that the whole community should have access to free outdoor swimming venues.

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