City of Newcastle

The City of Newcastle is a local government area in the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia. The City of Newcastle incorporates much of the area of the Newcastle metropolitan area.

This article is about the Australian local government area. For the metropolitan area, see Newcastle, New South Wales. For the English city, see Newcastle upon Tyne. For other cities, see Newcastle (disambiguation).

City of Newcastle
New South Wales
Location in New South Wales
Aerial view of Newcastle
Coordinates32°55.7′S 151°46.9′E
Population168,873 (2021 census)[1] (39th)
 • Density862.2/km2 (2,233/sq mi)
Area187 km2 (72.2 sq mi)[2]
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10)
 • Summer (DST)AEDT (UTC+11)
Lord MayorNuatali Nelmes (Labor)[3]
Location162 km (101 mi) NNE of Sydney
Council seat12 Stewart Avenue, Newcastle
RegionHunter[4]
CountyNorthumberland
State electorate(s)
Federal division(s)
WebsiteCity of Newcastle
LGAs around City of Newcastle:
Maitland Port Stephens Port Stephens
Cessnock City of Newcastle Tasman Sea
Lake Macquarie Lake Macquarie Tasman Sea

The Lord Mayor of City of Newcastle Council is Councillor Nuatali Nelmes, a Labor politician.[3] Nelmes was elected at a by-election on 15 November 2014 following the resignation of Jeff McCloy, the former Lord Mayor.[10] The Awabakal and Worimi peoples are acknowledged by council as the traditional custodians of the land and waters of Newcastle.[11]

History

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.[12] Eight years later, the Municipalities Act 1867 classified the Newcastle Municipality as a "Borough".[13]

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.[14] The amalgamations and transfers took effect from 2 April 1938.[15]

The newly created City of Greater Newcastle was subsequently renamed to City of Newcastle on 23 March 1949.[16]

Municipality Date established Population[17]
1891 1901 1911 1921
Adamstown 31 December 1885 2,030 2,420 2,660 3,959
Carrington 28 March 1887 2,137 2,547 2,685 3,115
Hamilton 11 December 1871 4,844 6,124 7,908 14,196
Lambton 26 June 1871 3,436 3,159 2,796 3,691
Merewether 20 August 1885 4,399 4,547 4,151 5,908
New Lambton 1 August 1889 1,548 1,578 1,827 3,550
Stockton 12 October 1889 2,417 2,549 2,106 4,598
Wallsend 27 February 1874 6,945 6,997 6,007 6,446
Waratah 23 February 1871 2,718 3,080 4,419 12,192
Wickham 25 February 1871 6,582 7,752 8,434 12,151

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.[18] 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 1,045 km2 (403 sq mi) and support a population of approximately 230,000.[19] 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.[20]

Demographics

At the 2016 census, there were 155,411 people in the City of Newcastle local government area, of these 49.3 per cent were male and 50.7 per cent were female. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 3.5 per cent of the population, which was higher than the national and state averages of 2.9 and 2.9 per cent. 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 16.9 per cent of the population and people aged 65 years and over made up 16 per cent of the population. Of people in the area aged 15 years and over, 40.7 per cent were married and 15.4 per cent were either divorced or separated.[1]

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.[21][22][1] The median weekly income for residents within the City of Newcastle was marginally lower than the national average.[1]

At the 2016 census, over 80% of residents in the City of Newcastle local government area stated their country of birth as Australia significantly exceeding the national average of 66.7%. 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%).[1]

Selected historical census data for the City of Newcastle local government area
Census year2001[21]2006[22]2011[2]2016[1]
PopulationEstimated residents on Census night136,413141,753148,535155,411
LGA rank in terms of size within New South Wales18th
% of New South Wales population2.15%Decrease 2.08%
% of Australian population0.73%Decrease 0.71%Decrease 0.69%Decrease 0.66%
Cultural and language diversity
Ancestry,
top responses		English29.2%Increase 29.3%
Australian30.4%Decrease 27.7%
Irish8.9%Increase 9.6%
Scottish8.0%Increase 8.3%
German2.9%Increase 3.0%
Language,
top responses
(other than English)		Mandarinn/cIncrease 0.4%Increase 0.6%Increase 1.2%
Macedonian1.1%Decrease 0.9%Decrease 0.8%Decrease 0.7%
Italian0.9%Decrease 0.7%Steady 0.7%Decrease 0.5%
Greek0.7%Steady 0.7%Decrease 0.6%Decrease 0.5%
Arabicn/cSteady n/cIncrease 0.4%Increase 0.5%
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation,
top responses		No Religion12.7%Increase 16.3%Increase 22.6%Increase 32.8%
Catholic26.6%Decrease 26.1%Decrease 25.3%Decrease 22.2%
Anglican27.0%Decrease 25.0%Decrease 22.3%Decrease 17.0%
Uniting Church8.2%Decrease 7.0%Decrease 5.9%Decrease 4.2%
Presbyterian and Reformed4.1%Decrease 3.5%Decrease 3.2%
Median weekly incomes
Personal incomeMedian weekly personal incomeA$409A$563A$660
% of Australian median income87.8%Increase 97.6%Increase 99.7%
Family incomeMedian weekly family incomeA$1,132A$1,530A$1,778
% of Australian median income96.7%Increase 103.3%Decrease 102.5%
Household incomeMedian weekly household incomeA$885A$1,165A$1,368
% of Australian median income86.2%Increase 94.4%Increase 95.1%
Dwelling structure
Dwelling typeSeparate house74.6%Decrease 73.3%Increase 73.5%Decrease 71.1%
Semi-detached, terrace or townhouse10.0%Increase 10.9%Increase 12.1%Increase 15.4%
Flat or apartment14.1%Increase 14.9%Decrease 13.9%Decrease 12.7%

Council
See also: List of mayors and lord mayors of Newcastle

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 in September 2021.[10][23][24][25][26] The Lord Mayor elected at that time, Jeff McCloy, resigned in 2014, and a by-election for Lord Mayor was held on 15 November 2014. The current makeup of the council, including the Lord Mayor, is as follows:

PartyCouncillors
  Labor Party 7
  Liberal Party 3
  Independents 1
  The Greens 2
Total 13

The current Council, elected in September 2021, in order of election by ward is:

WardCouncillorPartyNotes
Lord Mayor   Nuatali Nelmes Labor
Ward One   Declan Clausen Labor
  John MacKenzie Greens
  John Church Independent
Ward Two   Jenny Barrie Liberal
  Carol Duncan Labor
  Charlotte McCabe Greens
Ward Three   Peta Winney-Baartz Labor
  Katrina Wark Liberal
  Margaret Wood Labor
Ward Four   Deahnna Richardson Labor
  Elizabeth Adamczyk Labor
  Callum Pull Liberal

Sister cities

Newcastle Council has sister city relations with the following cities:

City Prefecture/State Country Year
Ube  Yamaguchi  Japan 1980
Dubbo  New South Wales  Australia 1995
Arcadia  California  United States

Coat of arms
Coat of arms of the City of Newcastle
Adopted
Formal grant by the Kings of Arms, 20 March 1961 (Earl Marshal's Warrant, 8 March 1961).[27]
Crest
Out of a Mural Crown Or a Mount Vert thereon a Lighthouse proper.
Helm
A closed Helmet, mantling per pale Vert and Azure, doubled Or.
Escutcheon
Vert, on a Pile Or another Azure charged with a Lymphad the sail furled proper Flagged Gules, on a Chief Gold a Fleece also proper banded also Gold between a Lozenge and Wheel Sable.
Supporters
On either side a Seagull wings elevated and addorsed proper gorged with a Mural Crown Or.
Compartment
Sand and foaming waves.
Motto
Enterprise
Symbolism
The escutcheon elements represent the status of Newcastle as a port city, with the blue waters projecting into the fertile green of the land. The gold chief and chevron represent wealth and fertility and the chevron also symbolises the beaches between land and sea. The Lymphad symbolises shipping and maritime trade. In the chief, the gold field also represents wealth and fertility, with a golden fleece for the produce and wealth of agriculture. The black lozenge represents the coal industry, upon which much of Newcastle's wealth is built, and the wheel represents the wheels of industry and trade. The compartment comprises sand and waves for the numerous beaches of the area, while the seagull supporters are a common aquatic bird of the city and are symbolic of the coastal position. The supporters are gorged (collared) by a mural crown to represent civic authority. The crest comprises a lighthouse upon a green mount representing the Nobbys Head Light on Nobbys Head, a prominent feature of the city that also alludes to the importance of shipping. The crest emerged from a gold Mural crown that represents civic authority.[27][28]
Previous versions
Following the proclamation of Newcastle as a city in 1885, the Council engaged James Sayers, Newcastle manager of the London Chartered Bank, to design a Council Seal. Sayers' design featured a shield surmounted by a scroll with the words "City of Newcastle" and another scroll beneath with the Latin motto "Finis coronat opus" ("The end crowns the work"). The shield featured Nobbys Head and Lighthouse, with three sailing ships, a loaded coal truck, and three bales of wool.[29][30] This badge was readopted in 1938 by the new City of Greater Newcastle with the amended council name.[31][32][33]
Other versions
The flag adopted by the Council features the full armorial achievement on a bicolour of the city's official colours adopted in 1923, Cinnamon Brown and Emerald Green   . The colours are those used by the 35th Battalion "Newcastle's Own Regiment".[28]

References
  • Docherty, James (1977). The Second City: Social and Urban Change in Newcastle, New South Wales 1900 – c. 1929 (PDF) (Thesis). Australian National University. Retrieved 30 November 2018.

Notes
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Newcastle (C)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  2. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Newcastle (Local Government Area)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  3. "New mayor Labor's Nuatali Nelmes cruises to victory". Newcastle Herald. 15 November 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  4. "Suburb Search – Local Council Boundaries – Hunter (HT) – Newcastle City Council". New South Wales Division of Local Government. Archived from the original on 26 March 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  5. "Newcastle". New South Wales Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  6. "Wallsend". New South Wales Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  7. "Charlestown". New South Wales Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  8. "Port Stephens". New South Wales Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  9. "Newcastle". Australian Electoral Commission. 26 July 2012. Archived from the original on 21 May 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  10. "Mayor Tally Sheet" (PDF). Newcastle City Council Election 2012. Australian Election Company. September 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  11. "Aboriginal Culture, City of Newcastle, Australia". Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  12. "Municipality of Newcastle – Proclamation (105)". Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales. 8 June 1859. p. 1293. Retrieved 2 December 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. Municipalities Act 1867 (NSW)
  14. Greater Newcastle Act 1937 (NSW)
  15. "Greater Newcastle Act 1937 – Proclamation (5)". Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales. 14 January 1938. p. 82. Retrieved 29 November 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. "Local Government Act 1919 – Proclamation (55)". Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales. 1 April 1949. p. 990. Retrieved 29 November 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. Docherty, p. 299
  18. "Four Hunter councils deemed 'unfit for future'". ABC News. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  19. "Merger proposal: Newcastle City Council, Port Stephens Council" (PDF). Government of New South Wales. January 2016. p. 8. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  20. "Stronger Councils Stronger Communities". Government of New South Wales. 14 February 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  21. Australian Bureau of Statistics (9 March 2006). "Newcastle (C)". 2001 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  22. Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Newcastle (C)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  23. "Final Result in Order of Standing: Ward One" (PDF). Newcastle City Council Election 2012. Australian Election Company. 21 September 2012. p. 24. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  24. "Final Result in Order of Standing: Ward Two" (PDF). Newcastle City Council Election 2012. Australian Election Company. 21 September 2012. p. 24. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  25. "Final Result in Order of Standing: Ward Three" (PDF). Newcastle City Council Election 2012. Australian Election Company. 20 September 2012. p. 22. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  26. "Final Result in Order of Standing: Ward Four" (PDF). Newcastle City Council Election 2012. Australian Election Company. 21 September 2012. p. 24. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  27. Low, Charles (1971). A Roll of Australian Arms. Adelaide: Rigby Limited. pp. 17–18. ISBN 0-85179-149-2.
  28. "Council History". City of Newcastle. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  29. "NEWCASTLE COUNCIL". Newcastle Morning Herald And Miners' Advocate. Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. 8 February 1921. p. 5. Retrieved 8 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  30. "A CITY". The Newcastle Sun. Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. 8 February 1921. p. 5. Retrieved 8 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  31. ""The End Crowns the Work"". Newcastle Morning Herald And Miners' Advocate. Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. 1 March 1945. p. 3. Retrieved 8 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  32. "Identity Badges For Aldermen". Newcastle Morning Herald And Miners' Advocate. Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. 17 September 1952. p. 2. Retrieved 8 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  33. "£160 Cost To "Register" Council Crest". Newcastle Morning Herald And Miners' Advocate. Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. 5 July 1947. p. 5. Retrieved 8 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
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