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
2015 Newcastle City Council election 2015 Newcastle City Council election The 2015 Newcastle City Council Council election took place on 7 May 2015 to elect one third of the members of Newcastle City Council in England. The elections took place on the same day as other local elections. During the election campaign, hustings were held by JesmondLocal in the North and South Jesmond Wards. The result saw the majority of governing Labour Party members increase in the council chamber, with winners in seats in the wards Castle and North Jesmond replacing one Liberal Democrat councillor each for these. Westerhope saw its third independent councillor elected,