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NSW · Hunter · Local council, made simple

City of Newcastle

The regional capital of the Hunter and the second-largest city in NSW — around 176,900 people across the harbour city, beaches and suburbs from Mayfield and Wallsend to Merewether and Stockton. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, beaches, libraries, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.

City profile
Population: ~176,900 (2024)
Mayor & councillors
Lord Mayor: Gavin Morris (Independent)
Elections & voting
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Crime & safety
Higher than NSW across the board — read the context
The City of Newcastle council area (official LGA boundary). Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Everyday essentials

The things people actually need from the council — fast.

Bins & recycling

When's my bin day?

Your collection days and what goes in each bin.

Check bin day →Report a problem

Something needs fixing?

Potholes, dumped rubbish, broken lights — how to report it to City of Newcastle.

How to report →

Open for your feedback

See all →

Things City of Newcastle wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.

Get to know your council

The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.

Rates & fees

This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.

2025–26 rate peg: 5.1%

Open →Budget & finances

How financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.

Meets 6 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks

Open →Crime & safety

Newcastle's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.

Higher than NSW across the board — read the context

Open →Mayor & councillors

Who represents you, by ward — and where to read their official profiles.

Lord Mayor: Gavin Morris (Independent)

Open →Elections & voting

When the next council election is, and how voting works.

Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028

Open →Contact & services

How to reach the council and report a problem.

Customer service: (02) 4974 2000

Open →City profile

The basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.

Population: ~176,900 (2024)

Open →
What the council is working onRecent deliveries, what's underway and what's planned next — each with a source.Priorities →

What's happening

55 updates

Auto-collected from City of Newcastle's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).

Email alerts aren't switched on yet

We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from City of Newcastleshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.