Community News
Discover what's happening in your local community this March...
Image Source: City of Newcastle.
STRATEGIC PUSH TO SECURE MAJOR EVENTS DELIVERS MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR WINDFALL FOR NEWCASTLE
City of Newcastle's investment in major events has injected more than $2.5 million into the local economy during the first two months of 2025, with plans to expand its major events strategy.
The successful start to 2025 has seen five events delivered with City of Newcastle's support, including the debut of the Howlin' Country Music Festival. The festival attracted almost 13,000 people, with more than 8,000 visitors from outside Newcastle, generating a $1.6 million economic boost to the city. City of Newcastle's Executive Director of Creative and Community Services, Alissa Jones, highlighted the significant impact of major events on the region.
"City of Newcastle is committed to attracting, retaining and delivering events that provide immediate and ongoing benefits for the community and economy," Ms Jones said.
"This includes millions of dollars in direct expenditure alongside increased destination awareness, repeat tourism, and support for local jobs."
The momentum builds on a successful 2024, which saw 26 City-supported events deliver an $18 million economic boost, attracting approximately 86,000 local attendees, 53,000 day visitors, and 73,000 accommodation nights. A partnership between City of Newcastle and Venues NSW has been particularly fruitful, bringing top-tier events, including Elton John,
Paul McCartney, and the 2024 Women's State of Origin match to McDonald Jones Stadium. Since 2022, these events have attracted more than half a million people and generated around $65 million for the local economy.
The city's event calendar continues to grow, with upcoming Wallabies, Wallaroos, and Matildas matches, plus the Women's State of Origin and NRLW Magic Round, expected to draw tens of thousands more visitors. Recent events supported by City of Newcastle include Beach 5s ($235,000 economic benefit), Girls Day Out – Women in Sport ($24,000), Island Triathlon Festival ($252,000), Shaw and Partners Iron Series ($412,000), and Howlin' Country ($1.6 million).
Source: Lake Macquarie City Council.
PLAN OUTLINES 10-YEAR VISION FOR LAKE MACQUARIE
Lake Macquarie City Council is moving forward with its framework to guide the city’s economic, environmental, social and governance goals over the next 10 years.
Late last month, Councillors voted to approve the Community Strategic Plan 2025-2035 (CSP), which identifies key challenges and risks over the next decade and how to achieve the city’s long-term goals.
The plan’s endorsement follows more than a year of community engagement, during which more than 32,000 residents of all ages and from all walks of life engaged with Council on their priorities for Lake Macquarie.
Transport – in particular, advocacy to the NSW and Federal Governments on their responsibility for main roads and
public transport is front and centre. Walking and cycling infrastructure, local roads and enhancement of the city’s natural
environment were the most commonly raised themes.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said the aim was to ensure that Council understood and outlined the needs and
desires of people who lived and worked in Lake Macquarie and visitors to the city.
“The key themes and messages from our community were used to update our vision for the future,” he said.
“These priorities will act as our guiding principles for the next 10 years as we strive to improve our city.”
The CSP is reviewed at the beginning of each new Council term, helping guide other key documents, including the four-year Delivery Program and annual Operational Plan.
Its four main goals, outlining what Lake Macquarie should be like in 2035, describe a city:
• That protects and showcases its natural environment and is resilient to change
• With a diverse and thriving economy
• Where people want to live and work and feel connected to each other
• Where Council operates with good governance, trust, transparency and respect.
Mayor Shultz said the CSP also outlined partner organisations, including the private sector and other levels of government, that Council would need to collaborate with to achieve its goals.
“As we grow the city, advocacy to State and Federal Governments regarding their responsibilities, including improved public transport, will continue to be front and centre,” he said.
The new CSP will come into effect from 1 July. Go to lakemac.com.au to download the 2025-2035 CSP.
Source: Lake Macquarie City Council.
2025 LAKE MAC AWARDS FINALISTS DIVE HEAD-FIRST TOWARDS EXCELLENCE
World champion cliff-diver Rhiannon Iffland, Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie volunteer Lee Baines and acclaimed mural artist Goya Torres are among more than 60 high-achieving finalists in the 2025 Lake Mac Awards.
The awards are the peak civic recognition for work done in the local community each year, from charities lending a hand, to sports stars making an impact on the world stage.
This year’s awards include 13 categories, with the Lake Mac Ambassador being the city’s top accolade.
Former RAAF ‘Top Gun’ pilot and local businessman Matt Hall, named 2024 Lake Mac Ambassador, will hand the baton to one of six finalists.
Among them are:
• Dr Alyce Barnes, a physical activity researcher who has spearheaded groundbreaking campaigns to increase
physical activity among girls and women
• Aaron Carter, Deputy Principal Wellbeing at Wiripaang Public School, who has helped the school develop into a leader in
community engagement
• Bradley Dunn, CEO of the Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Suicide Prevention Network, the largest network of its kind in Australia
• Rhiannon Iffland, who took out an unprecedented eighth world cliff-diving title last November and has mentored other
young divers across NSW
• Ann-Maria Martin, Founder of Survivor’s R Us, for supporting survivors of domestic violence and advocating on their behalf
• Anna Noon, Co-founder of The Groundswell Collective and an advocate for social, environmental and climate issues.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said winners would be announced at a gala dinner on Friday, 28 March.
“It is inspirational to learn more about the incredible achievements and efforts of people in Lake Macquarie, right across the spread of our 13 award categories,” he said.
“All of our finalists display passion, determination and skill in their chosen fields, and the community groups and events who made the list are out there tirelessly doing fantastic things for our city.”
The Lake Mac Community Group of the Year and Lake Mac Volunteer of the Year feature the longest lists of finalist names this year, with seven apiece.
“Those numbers don’t just reflect how difficult it was for this year’s judges – they show how much good is being done behind the scenes from one end of our city to the other, often without any attention or fanfare for those
responsible,” Mayor Adam said.
“The Lake Mac Awards provide an opportunity to shine a light on those great people and groups and give everyone else in the community someone to aspire to and admire.”
This year’s Lake Mac Awards are proudly sponsored by Allambi Care and Avondale University.
Go to lakemac.com.au to book tickets for the Lake Mac Awards gala evening and find out more about the awards program.
