The City of Newcastle has put together a list of frequently asked about vacant/derelict buildings.

What is Council doing about derelict buildings?

1. Planning for revitalisation

The Newcastle City Centre Plan sets out the vision for the City Centre and the actions for revitalisation of the City Centre.

Find out more about the City Centre Plan.

2. Monitoring and education

Council staff carry out proactive monitoring as well as regular surveillance of areas with derelict buildings. They also provide current information to respond to community requests.

Council regularly sends letters to building owners to ensure they are aware of their responsilbities to maintain their buildings.

3. Direct action on specific sites

The owners of specific buildings identified as being unsecure are contacted and requested take immediate action to address these sites.

What powers does council have to action derelict buildings?

Under the Local Government Act, council can serve an order on the owner or occupier of a building/premise if it is not in a safe or healthy condition. The order requires the owner/occupier to take action to ensure land/premises are returned to or kept in a safe or healthy condition.

Under the powers provided in the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act, if a building

• is or is likely to become a danger to the public or
• is so dilapidated as to be prejudicial to its occupants or to persons or property in the neighbourhood

Council can serve an order on the owner of a building:

• To repair or make structural alterations to a building
• To demolition or remove a building.

Council can also order owners to build structures to protect persons or property on/in public places if a derelict building is dangerous and in the immediate vicinity of a public place.

What specific actions can Council require building owners to take?

Actions for derelict buildings include:

• requiring buildings to be boarded up to prevent unauthorised entry
• requiring land or structures to be fenced off to protect the public
• removing rubbish accumulated in the property
• removing overgrown vegetation on the property
• removing/repairing structures such as signs or awnings

What action can Council take if the owner fails to act on an order?

If the owner fails to carry out the actions required in an order under the Local Government Act or the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act, council can

• issue a Penalty Infringement Notice

• take legal action in the Local Court
• take legal action in the Land & Environment Court
• carry out the actions required in the order and seek to recover the costs from the owner.

What can Council do about buildings that are unsightly or covered in graffiti?

Council has set up a graffiti hotline - 1800 223 840. The graffiti hotline is a graffiti reporting service provided by The City of Newcastle to collect information about instances of graffiti across Newcastle.

Under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act, council can issue an order to alter, obliterate, demolish or remove an advertisement/advertising structure if it is unsightly, objectionable or injurious to the amenity of any natural landscape, foreshore, public reserve or public place at or near where the advertisement is displayed.

What is the status of the following prominent sites?

• 643-651 Hunter St, Newcastle West (former Empire Hotel)
• 96-100 Hunter St, Newcastle (former Post Office)
• 509 Hunter St, Newcastle (former Jolly Rogers Nightclub)
• 569 Hunter St, Newcastle (former Star Hotel)
• 88 Scott Street, Newcastle (former Coutt’s Sailors Home)
• 237 Hunter Street, Newcastle (former Lucky Country Hotel)
• 22 Council Street, Wallsend (former Salvation Army)