THE City of Newcastle has announced its 2022-23 Budget, with Stockton set to be supported through the next financial year.

The $424 million budget is the largest in its history and forecasts a modest surplus of $1.2 million, and is a return to the black following a $40 million hit to the Council’s income over the past two years from lockdowns and COVID-19 restrictions that forced the closure of many of its facilities including City Hall, the Civic Theatre and its fleet of parking meters.

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Stockton will see $1.3 million to continue implementing actions from the Stockton Coastal Management Plan, alongside a number of other projects funded under several other streams.

Works funded will include South Mitchell Street Seawall and Dalby Oval (buried protection structures), Stockton Beach sand nourishment, Punt Road public toilet demolition, a new toilet at Stockton South Boat Ramp, work on the Astra Street Endangered Ecological Community Action Plan, revegetation on Hunter River Foreshore, a breakwater protection structure on King Street, repair zone three of Mitchell Street seawall, Stockton Coast coastal emergency works and laneways, infiltration and relieved sags in Stockton.

These will be funded under the following:

• $17.8 million for cultural and recreational facilities including libraries, parks, aquatic centres and civic venues, with $8.3 million for environmental sustainability projects and $1.5 million for street and park trees to address urban heat island impacts.
• $5.9 million on stormwater upgrades to address flooding to property and businesses.
• $2.1 million for community infrastructure and amenities including public toilets, community buildings and caravan parks.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the draft budget represented a commitment to deliver services and infrastructure that support our city and natural environment while also returning the budget to surplus.

“Our track record of strong financial management meant that during the pandemic we were able to dip into our savings to stimulate the local economy and generate hundreds of jobs when many other employers were forced to lay people off.

“This budget continues our commitment to stimulating the local economy, with independent modelling showing our record infrastructure program will create up to 740 new jobs while providing the local economy with a $325 million boost.

“We’re increasing our capital works program by almost 30 per cent to deliver a record $132 million investment across a range of projects, which are fundamental to improving the way our community works and lives, as well as ensuring we continue to be an attractive destination for visitors and investment,” Mayor Nelmes said.

By Tara CAMPBELL