What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
Newcastle's direction is set out in Newcastle 2040 (its Community Strategic Plan) and 'Delivering Newcastle 2040' (the Delivery Program 2025–2029 and annual Operational Plan), with a record 2026/27 Budget of around $458M.
The City of Newcastle delivers roads, waste, libraries, art gallery and museum, parks and beaches, planning and major civic projects across the regional capital of the Hunter. Its Delivery Program is the elected council's statement of commitment for its term.
The 2026/27 Budget is a record ~$458M of projects and services, including more than $128M of infrastructure and a modest forecast operating surplus.
Underway now
Newcastle Climate Action Plan 2026–2030
2026–2030A 77-action climate roadmap targeting net zero council operations by 2030, endorsed by councillors in June 2026.
Planned / committed
Newcastle Arena / Broadmeadow entertainment & conference centre
design funded Jun 2026A proposed ~12,000-seat arena and entertainment & conference centre at Broadmeadow (project estimated at ~$499M); the NSW Government committed about $15M in June 2026 to finish the design.
FOGO upgrade to weekly green bin
mid-2027An upgrade of the garden-organics green bin to a weekly food-and-garden-organics (FOGO) service, scheduled for mid-2027.