City of Newcastle

History

The Awabakal and Worimi peoples are acknowledged by council as the traditional custodians of the land and waters of Newcastle.

Municipality of Newcastle

Main article: Municipality of Newcastle (New South Wales)

Following the passing of the Municipalities Act 1858 by the New South Wales parliament, the Municipality of Newcastle was proclaimed on 7 June 1859. The new Municipality was divided into three wards – City, Macquarie, and Honeysuckle.{{Gazette NSW | access-date = 2 December 2018

Creation of modern council

The Greater Newcastle Act 1937 merged the City of Newcastle with 10 of its suburban municipalities to form the City of Greater Newcastle. The Act also transferred parts of the Lake Macquarie Shire and Tarro Shire to the new city. The amalgamations and transfers took effect from 2 April 1938.{{Gazette NSW | access-date = 29 November 2018

The newly created City of Greater Newcastle was subsequently renamed to City of Newcastle on 23 March 1949.{{Gazette NSW | access-date = 29 November 2018

21st Century proposed amalgamation

After a 2015 review by the NSW Government Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal found that Newcastle City Council was not "fit for the future", it was recommended that the City of Newcastle merge with Lake Macquarie City Council. However, the Minister for Local Government subsequently proposed that Newcastle City Council instead merge with Port Stephens Council to form a new council with an area of 1045 km2 and support a population of approximately 230,000. The outcome of an independent review was completed by mid–2016. On 14 February 2017, the NSW Government announced it would not be proceeding with further regional council mergers, including the Newcastle City Council and Port Stephens Council merger.

Suburbs, towns and villages

The towns and villages in the City of Newcastle are split into four wards – Ward 1, Ward 2, Ward 3, Ward 4. These include:

;Ward 1

• Carrington
• Cooks Hill
• Islington
• Maryville
• Mayfield
• Mayfield East
• Mayfield North
• Mayfield West
• Newcastle
• Newcastle East
• Newcastle West
• Stockton
• The Hill
• Tighes Hill
• Warabrook
• Wickham ;Ward 2
• Adamstown
• Adamstown Heights
• Bar Beach
• Broadmeadow
• Cooks Hill
• Hamilton
• Hamilton East
• Hamilton South
• Kotara
• Merewether
• Merewether Heights
• Newcastle West
• The Junction ;Ward 3
• Birmingham Gardens
• Callaghan
• Georgetown
• Jesmond
• Hamilton North
• Kotara
• Lambton
• New Lambton
• New Lambton Heights
• North Lambton
• Rankin Park
• Wallsend
• Waratah
• Waratah West ;Ward 4
• Beresfield
• Black Hill
• Elermore Vale
• Fletcher
• Hexham
• Lenaghan
• Maryland
• Minmi
• Sandgate
• Shortland
• Tarro
• Wallsend

;Notes:

Demographics

At the 2021 census, there were people in the City of Newcastle local government area, of these 49.1 per cent were Male and 50.9 per cent were Female. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 4.4 per cent of the population, which was higher than the national and state averages of 3.2 and 3.4 per cent respectively. The median age of people in the City of Newcastle was 37 years, just below the national median of 38. Children aged 0 – 14 years made up 16.2 per cent of the population and people aged 65 years and over made up 16.9 per cent of the population. Of people in the area aged 15 years and over, 38.7 per cent were married and 12.7 per cent were either divorced or separated.

Population growth in the City of Newcastle between the 2001 census and the 2006 census was 3.91 per cent; and in the subsequent ten years to the 2016 census, population growth was 9.64 per cent. When compared with total population growth of Australia for the same periods, being 5.78 per cent and 17.86 per cent respectively, population growth in the City of Newcastle local government area was significantly lower than the national average. The median weekly income for residents within the City of Newcastle was marginally higher than the national average.

At the 2021 census, 80.8% of residents in the City of Newcastle local government area stated their country of birth as Australia significantly exceeding the national average of 66.9%. Almost 60% of all residents in the City of Newcastle nominated a religion with Catholicism being at almost 25%, which was slightly higher than the national average of 22.6%. As at the 2016 census, households in the City of Newcastle local government area had a significantly lower than average proportion (11.6%) where a language other than English is spoken (national average was 22.2%).

Council

Current composition and election method

Newcastle City Council is composed of thirteen councillors, including the Lord Mayor, generally for a fixed four-year term of office. The Lord Mayor is directly elected while the twelve other Councillors are elected proportionally as four separate wards, each electing three Councillors. The most recent election was held on 14 September 2024. The current makeup of the council, including the Lord Mayor, is as follows:

The current Council, largely elected in September 2024, in order of election by ward is:

Election results

2024

Sister cities

Newcastle Council has sister city relations with the following cities:

Coat of arms

Notes

References

Notes

References

1. "City of Newcastle {{!}} About the profile areas". Informed Decision community {{!}} demographic resources.
2. "City of Newcastle {{!}} About the profile areas". Informed Decision community {{!}} demographic resources.
3. "Suburb Search – Local Council Boundaries – Hunter (HT) – Newcastle City Council". [[New South Wales Division of Local Government]].
4. (4 October 2023). "The Legislative Assembly District of Newcastle". [[New South Wales Electoral Commission]].
5. (4 October 2023). "The Legislative Assembly District of Wallsend". [[New South Wales Electoral Commission]].
6. (4 October 2023). "The Legislative Assembly District of Charlestown". [[New South Wales Electoral Commission]].
7. (4 October 2023). "The Legislative Assembly District of Port Stephens". [[New South Wales Electoral Commission]].
8. (19 November 2019). "Profile of the electoral division of Newcastle (NSW)". [[Australian Electoral Commission]].
9. (18 September 2024). "Kerridge declares victory in Newcastle Lord Mayor race".
10. "Aboriginal Culture, City of Newcastle, Australia.".
11. {{Cite Legislation AU. NSW. num_act. mao1867n12213. Municipalities Act 1867
12. {{Cite Legislation AU. NSW. num_act. gna1937n20208. Greater Newcastle Act 1937
13. Docherty, p. 299
14. (20 October 2015). "Four Hunter councils deemed 'unfit for future'". [[ABC News (Australia).
15. (January 2016). "Merger proposal: Newcastle City Council, Port Stephens Council". [[Government of New South Wales]].
16. (14 February 2017). "Stronger Councils Stronger Communities". [[Government of New South Wales]].
17. "Council Ward Boundaries".
18. {{Census 2001 AUS
19. {{Census 2006 AUS
20. {{Census 2011 AUS
21. {{Census 2016 AUS
22. {{Census 2021 AUS
23. "Media statement - Councillor Sinead Francis-Coan". City of Newcastle.
24. Low, Charles. (1971). "A Roll of Australian Arms". Rigby Limited.
25. "Council History". City of Newcastle.
26. (8 February 1921). "NEWCASTLE COUNCIL.". Newcastle Morning Herald And Miners' Advocate.
27. (8 February 1921). "A CITY". The Newcastle Sun.
28. (1 March 1945). ""The End Crowns the Work"". Newcastle Morning Herald And Miners' Advocate.
29. (17 September 1952). "Identity Badges For Aldermen". Newcastle Morning Herald And Miners' Advocate.
30. (5 July 1947). "£160 Cost To "Register" Council Crest". Newcastle Morning Herald And Miners' Advocate.