Our response to COVID-19

Kerb-side collection services continue as usual. Please continue to put your bins out on your regular day.

Further FAQs on Waste services can be found: COVID-19 Waste services 

City of Newcastle has temporarily suspended its customer service counter at 12 Stewart Avenue following a decline in patronage and to further comply with social distancing measures.

Customers can instead access support between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday on (02) 4974 2000, on webchat or via our online Customer Request Form.

The Digital Print Services' shopfront at 357 Hunter Street has now closed.

Yes, you can go to the library, museum or art gallery under our COVID-19 safe guidelines. Please note opening hours and access may have changed.

Read about changes at our facilities to plan your visit.  

City of Newcastle has suspended its commuter bus Park and Ride service following a decline in patronage of more than 85% since COVID-19 began affecting the Hunter.

All registered Park and Ride users were notified of the change via their registered mobile phone number and email address.  

City of Newcastle community halls reopen for existing bookings from 1 July 2020. No new or casual bookings will be taken.

For more information contact customer service.

Council is currently working on establishing an alternative process to facilitate Public Voice, Development Applications Committee and Ordinary Council meetings while also complying with COVID-19 restrictions.

This process may be subject to change.

To find out more visit Council Meetings. We strongly encourage members of the public to access the Council meetings via the Council Meeting webcast. 

Council has developed a comprehensive community and business support package.

Find out more: Community and Economic Resilience Package. 

We've relaxed normal planning controls to allow construction to continue over weekends in line with a direction from the Planning Minister.

This will allow workers to maintain social distancing while continuing construction projects and keeping our economy ticking. 

We've implemented a range of flexible approaches to allow essential businesses and service providers to respond to the city's changing needs in line with advice from the NSW Government and Federal Government.

This includes flexible truck delivery times for supermarkets and extended operating hours for doctors' surgeries. Read more about the City provides community financial hardship support in response to COVID-19. 

Lifeguards are monitoring public safety and reminding the public to adhere to the Public Health Orders at beaches, while Parking officers are playing a similar role on City streets as they focus only on essential enforcement for the safety of road users and the general public    

NSW Police is the enforcement agency responsible and will be notified if restrictions are not observed.

Crime Stoppers - 1800 333 000.  

Cleaning regimes will not be increased due to the sheer number of facilities across the city: 120-plus playgrounds.

The State Government has advised the community to use these facilities with caution.

Food inspection fees have been waived on inspections carried out between 27 April 2020 and 30 June 2020.

City of Newcastle will refund holders of a valid Outdoor Trading (Dining) approval one quarter of their annual payments and/or not invoice those premises that pay in instalments for the time period between 30 March 2020 and 30 June 2020. Due to premises with valid Outdoor Trading (Dining) approvals being subject to restrictions as a result of Public Health Order 2020 (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement). 

City of Newcastle will contact valid Outdoor Trading (Dining) approval holders to arrange the refund. It is anticipated the refunds will be completed by 30 June 2020.

In line with the latest Public Health Order the beaches are open, as well as the Newcastle and Merewether Ocean Baths and the Bogey Hole.

As we head into Winter, only selected beaches are patrolled by Lifeguards. Bar, Nobbys and Merewether beaches are patrolled 8am - 4.30pm.

Remember, red and yellow flags are a visual sign that beaches are open and normal lifeguard patrols are operational. Red flags are a visual signal that the beach is closed and that normal lifeguard patrols have ceased. Swimming or surfing at a beach where a red flag is flying is at your own risk.

The latest Public Health Order permits outdoor gatherings of 10 people (including members of your household), yet you must practise social distancing even within the gathering.

Refer to our neighbouring council websites for the latest updates on beaches in Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens.

Merewether and Newcastle Ocean Baths are open, subject to the regular maintenance and cleaning schedule.

Newcastle and Merewether (temporarily) Ocean Baths are patrolled by Lifeguards 8am to 4.30pm.

Social distancing and the Public Health Order guidelines must always be adhered to when using the Ocean Baths.

City-owned swim centres are closed following the season's end.

City of Newcastle has opened skateparks, playgrounds, barbecues, shelters, sports grounds and exercise equipment, as well as Blackbutt and Richley Reserve. 

The community can use public spaces to exercise or gather in small groups, however social distancing must be practised. 

It is recommended that outdoor equipment, such as playgrounds and outdoor exercise facilities, is used cautiously and that hands are washed afterwards.

Blackbutt and Richley Reserve playgrounds, walking trails, open spaces are open as is the boardwalk and animal enclosures with strict one way foot traffic flow and social distancing measures in place. All public programming, such as animal feedings, are temporarily suspended.

As we continue to do all we can to further limit the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities, we urge people to use public space in a way that keeps everyone safe by: 

• Practising social distancing (1.5m between people) 
• Limiting gatherings to 20 people (including members of the same household) practising social distancing within the group  
• Practising good handwashing hygiene 
• Staying at home if you have the mildest symptoms  

Public barbecues and shelters are open in line with the latest Public Health Order.

Dog owners are encouraged to walk their pets at fenced, off-leash dog parks, which are open.

Please remain 1.5m from other people and stay at home if you have even the mildest of symptoms.

Outdoor exercise is permitted under the latest Public Health Order.

People need to adhere to restrictions in terms of gatherings and social distancing when exercising. It is ok to exercise alone, or with a group (limited to 20 people including members of the same household), as long as you adhere to social distancing rules.  

City of Newcastle (CN) is working with sporting clubs to issue training licensing agreements for the remainder of the 2020 winter season. We’re also working with neighbouring councils to enable a safe return to training and competition as soon as possible.

COVID-19 signage advising of no large gatherings and outlining proper hygiene requirements will be posted on amenities at grounds where changerooms and canteens will remain closed.Toilets will remain open, and in cases where they are accessed via a changeroom, the toilet may still be used but the changerooms may not.

For more information on licensing arrangements and the ongoing use of sporting fields and amenities, please contact Ben Barrett.  

The Australian Government’s Public Health Orders does not prevent any sporting organisation from resuming training. NSW State Sporting Organisations can start training immediately so long as they comply with the current Public Health Orders.

CN is working with all levels of government and sporting associations to help get organisations back training. Goal posts have been erected and sporting fields are being prepared for a return to competition. Junior sport can resume from 1 July 2020, however there is still no advice on a return to competition for adult sport.

To ensure consistency, sporting organisations may train in groups up to a maximum of 10 people, provided they comply with the physical distancing measures of 1.5 metres separation. The basic rule is “arrive, play sport, leave.”

All participants should be strongly encouraged to download the Government’s CovidSafe app.

Government-prescribed rules for returning to training:

• No close contact or tackling is allowed as it is within 1.5m distancing limit;
• An area of 4m² is required per person (i.e. a minimum of 40m² for 10 people);
• There may be more than one group of 10 people at the same time at the same outdoor venue providing that clearly defined and separated areas of more than 40m2 for each group are allocated.
• No ‘mixing’ of people (including coaches) between separate groups of 10 people.
• Coaches, referees and spectators are included with participants in the total number attending (i.e. a maximum total of 10 people);
• Spectators or people providing transport should remain in their vehicle or leave the venue where possible.

To minimise the risk of contracting or transmitting COVID-19:

• Do not attend any sport if you are unwell and experiencing symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, fever, fatigue or shortness of breath
• Do not attend sport if, in the last 14 days, you have been unwell or had close contact with a known or suspected case of COVID-19
• Anyone who is unwell should see a doctor in accordance with NSW Public Health Authority guidelines.

It is strongly suggested that all participants:

• Prepare or dress for sport at home;
• Shower at home before and after sport;
• Bring hand wash or sanitiser to wash / sanitise your hands before and after sport;
• Bring their own drink bottle, towel etc;
• Avoid unnecessary contact (i.e. shaking hands, ‘high fives’ etc)
• If required, changing or putting on gear before and / or after sport should be done in, or near to, your own vehicle – or elsewhere away from the playing area;
• All equipment (particularly if touched by hands) should be wiped clean afterwards (e.g. balls, temporary goals etc);
• If there is a playing group of less than 10 and spectators are present, 1.5m distancing must be observed by spectators;
• Participants should gradually return to training to reduce the risk of injury.

Below is a list links for organisations and individuals to access regarding further information

• Sport Australia & AIS - Framework for rebooting sport
• Sport Australia & AIS - Return to Sport Toolkit
• Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 3) 2020
• NSW Office of Sport - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
• NSW Government - What you can and cant do under rules

More information will be known soon on organised sport as the City follows national guidelines for the resumption of sport and recreation activities, and the Australian Institute of Sport Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment. 

The NSW Office of Sport is working on the development of guidelines for each sport in line with the AIS Framework.

Ahead of further easing of restrictions, the City is undertaking an assessment of each change room and canteen area to identify the occupancy limit based on social distancing restrictions of 1.5m and 4sqm/person.

New rules were announced by the Prime Minister on 8 May, some of which became NSW law on 15 May. The changes include easing the restrictions on visitors to households and permitting small outdoor gatherings. A detailed overview of what you can and can’t do under the rules is provided by NSW Health.

You should not leave your house if you have the mildest symptoms.

Everyone must continue to practise physical distancing and good hygiene.

Under the latest Public Health Order gatherings in your home are restricted to 20 visitors only. Visiting children are included in the 20 person limit. You can have guests from any household - just as long as you have no more than 20 visitors at one time. 

Visitors numbers are limited to 20, even if you are meeting outdoor in your backyard.

If your household has more than 5 family members (e.g. 2 adults, 4 children = 6 members) you may have 15 visitors. 

If you are over 70 years of age and have a pre-existing medical condition, the NSW Health recommends you limit the number of visitors to your home and take care.

You are encouraged to practise physical distancing and good hygiene even when visiting family or friends.

From 15 May 2020, restaurants, cafes, clubs and pubs can seat up to 10 people at a time, in addition to providing takeaway service. Opening for 10 patrons at one time will be the operator’s decision. 

While some operators have chosen to close their doors temporarily, others have set up new takeaway and home delivery options to continue dishing up customers’ favourites. Show your support for local businesses doing it tough by checking out what your favourite venue has on offer. 

Please check directly with any cafes, restaurants, clubs or bars when they are open, as their hours of operation may have changed during COVID-19 restrictions.

Boat ramps are the responsibility of Transport Road & Maritime Services.