Newcastle lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes puts up wishlist for 2022 federal election

Newcastle lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes put up a list of 31 items she wanted the federal government to commit money to, which was supported at Tuesday's council meeting.

"These are all very large complex projects, but also city shaping and city changing projects that have a significant impact for local residents, but also a positive impact for our economy, Cr Nelmes said.

The list also included No 1 Sportsground upgrades, Richmond Vale Rail Trail, surf lifesaving club redevelopment, Stockton sand replenishment, the Lower Hunter freight corridor, affordable housing initiatives, improved mobile coverage, flood mitigation at Wallsend, the Newcastle Interchange ferry terminal, the University of Newcastle STEMM Regional Transformation Hub, Newcastle to Sydney very fast rail, an offshore wind project and GP Access funding among others.

On a wider scale, the motion also called for commitment to establish a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution and creation of a Makarrata Commission, building of an Australian strategic fleet, indexation of financial assistance grants to 1 per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue and adaptation and mitigation initiatives to address climate change.

Some of the projects are already underway, with further funding needed to complete them, such as No 1. Sportsground, while others are future projects including the airport terminal expansion.

"I know that's a lot," Cr Nelmes said." But it's not every year you're in the middle of a federal election.

"This does build on... advocacy. A lot of this advocacy we have done in years gone by with a couple of extra additions that are timely, I believe."

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Fellow Labor councillor Margaret Wood said the federal government needed to step up and acknowledge the need for "adequate funding" for adaptation and mitigation efforts in relation to climate change and extreme weather events.

"I think that, in particular, our coastal facilities, including our surf lifesaving clubs are really at the front end of exposure to extremes of climate," she said.

She said the costs of improving and relocating these facilities would be high, and can only be the responsibility of other levels of government "because local government simply just doesn't have the money".

"It's not just a matter of a local council having the resources to contribute to the continuation of much loved community facilities," she said.

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