City of Newcastle Government Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal found that Newcastle City Council was not "fit for the future", it was recommended that the City of Newcastle merge with Lake Macquarie City Council. However, the Minister for Local Government subsequently proposed that Newcastle City Council instead merge with Port Stephens Council to form a new council with an area of and support a population of approximately 230,000. The outcome of an independent review was completed by mid–2016. On 14 February 2017, the NSW Government announced it would not be proceeding with further regional council mergers, including the Newcastle City Council and Port
Shelling of Newcastle flashes, the submarine ceased its attack and submerged before the Australian gunners could open fire on it. "I-21" began her bombardment of Newcastle two hours after the attack on Sydney. At this time submarine was from Newcastle, and was sailing eastwards as her deck gun was stern-mounted. Prior to the attack the submarine's gun crew had prepared 34 rounds of ammunition; these comprised 26 conventional rounds and eight illumination rounds. The target of the attack was the BHP steelworks in the city. Between 2:15 am and 2:31 am "I-21" fired 34 shells at Newcastle. These rounds landed over a wide