There are a number of different plans and policies which Council uses when making decisions on future development.

Some policies are prepared by the NSW State Government and can be viewed on the NSW Department of Planning Web Page .

Some of Council's policies are available in paper copy. To purchase a paper copy please contact the Customer Inquiry Centre at 282 King Street Newcastle. Purchases can be made in person or via phone on 02 4974 2030 with credit card details.

Information on some of the planning policies Council has are shown below.

The Newcastle Urban Strategy

The Newcastle Urban Strategy (NUS) provides direction for the development and management of Newcastle over a 25 year period. It is also flexible to accommodate future economic trends and the social and environmental needs and aspirations of the community.

The Strategy’s key objective is to promote existing neighbourhoods as mixed use centres 'urban villages' with higher employment and housing densities than in the past, and with buildings and streetscape works that celebrate local identity and respect local character.

At the core of the Newcastle Urban Strategy are:

• The principles of Newcastle Urbanism that establish an approach to urban growth, planning, management and urban design
• Strategy statements that establish Council’s approach to various matters such as place management, regional planning, transport planning and density.

Obtaining the document

 Newcastle Urban Strategy (7.2 Mb).

For more detailed information and supporting documentation, refer to the Newcastle Urban Strategy Background Report (Update 2005) available from our Customer Enquiry Centre.

Both the Newcastle Urban Strategy (Update 2009) and the Newcastle Urban Strategy Background Report (Update 2009) can be purchased from our Customer Enquiry Centre. Purchases can be arranged by phoning 02 4974 2030.

Newcastle Industrial Land Analysis 

The Newcastle Industrial Lands Analysis was completed in 2005. The study identifies Newcastle's current industrial land resources and current and future industrial land demands that will enable Council to make informed decisions on the provision of industrial land over the next 20 years. In 2009 Wakefield Planning was commissioned to review and update the 2005 analysis.

Obtaining the document

The Industrial Land Analysis Final Report (August 2005) incorporating the 2009 Review Report can be purchased for $275 from our Customer Enquiry Centre, either in person or by phoning 02 4974 2030 with your credit card details. 

The following extracts of the Industrial Land Analysis Final Report 2005 and Wakefield Planning 2009 Review Report are available for download:

• The 2005 Analysis -  Executive Summary (88 kb)
• The 2009 Review -  Executive Summary and Overall Findings and Recommendations (98 kb)

Floor Space Survey

Council carried out a census of all the floorspace and associated employment within the Newcastle city centre in 2001 to provide accurate and detailed information for current and future planning purposes. The Floorspace and Employment Survey won a Commendation in the 2002 National Awards for Innovation in Local Government.

The survey results are presented both in tables and maps, with the finest detail being at the level of city blocks.

Obtaining the document

The publication can be purchased in a range of formats as follows:

• Summary Report $55
• Report - hard copy $330
• Report - CD Rom $275

Prices include tax. These publications can be purchased from our Customer Enquiry Centre, either in person or by phoning 02 4974 2030, with your credit card details ready.

Lower Hunter Regional Strategy

The Lower Hunter Regional Strategy has been prepared by the Department of Planning and applies to five Local Government Areas: Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Maitland and Cessnock Council.

The aim of the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy is to ensure that adequate land is available to sustainably accommodate the projected housing and employment growth in the Hunter Region over the next 25 years.

The Lower Hunter Regional Strategy identifies the hierarchy within the Lower Hunter Region. This includes Regional Cities, Major Regional Centres, Specialised centres, Town centres, Renewal Corridors and Stand-alone shopping centres. The strategy also covers the future needs for employment, transport, housing, the environment, heritage and water.

Obtaining the document

 Lower Hunter Regional Strategy (4.03 Mb)

Community Plan 2006-2010

Council developed a Community Plan (2006 - 2010) to cover cultural, recreational and social issues in Newcastle. Council is currently engaged in developing a Social Plan that will cover the next five years and seek to deliver the Newcastle 2030 strategic directions.  More information on the Community Plan (2006-2010) can be found on the social planning page.

Obtaining the document

 Community Plan (2006-2010) (580Kb)

Plans of Management

A Plan of Management sets out goals and objectives for managing public or community land. It establishes where the land is, how it can be used, and how it must be cared for.

The Local Government Act (1993) requires all councils in NSW to prepare Plans of Management to ensure that they manage public land in a responsible way for their communities.

Council has grouped Newcastle's parks and reserves into categories of similar function and prepared generic Plans of Management for them. There are 6 generic plans covering the majority of parks, and there are 4 individual plans for larger and more complex sites - The foreshore, National Park, Beresfield Golf Course and Wallsend Brickworks Park.

When did we last review our Plans of Management?

The Local Government Act was amended in January 1999 and this amendment required all councils to change their plans to cover

• The inclusion of standard core objectives
• Tighter control on leasing
• Introduction of a new category - cultural significance
• Greater accountability for any threatened habitats or species

Current Plans of Management

Newcastle Council has now adopted these Plans of Management for its open space:

•  The Bushlands Plan of Management (2.26 Mb)
•  The Foreshore Plan of Management (10.48 Mb)
• Heritage Places Strategic Plan and Plans of Management
• National Park Plan of Management
• Neighbourhood Parks Plan of Management
• Parks – General Community Use Plan of Management
• Playgrounds Plan of Management
•  Sportslands Plan of Management (925 kb) 
• Beresfield Golf Course Plan of Management
• Wallsend Brickworks Park Plan of Management

Obtaining the Documents

Plans can by purchased from our Customer Enquiry Centre for a price of $A40.00. Purchases can be made in person or arranged by phoning 02 4974 2030 during normal business hours, with your credit card details ready.