$1 million to help Newcastle bring local ideas to life

Community, sporting and other groups in a further 12 Newcastle suburbs can now apply for grants to turn local ideas into projects that deliver better parks, sporting spaces and community facilities around the Port.

Applications are now open, offering grants from $25,000 to $250,000 for projects focused on attracting visitors to Newcastle and building community pride.

From upgraded community facilities to better parks and public spaces, Round 10 of the fund will support projects and events that make Newcastle more vibrant and enjoyable for locals, visitors and community groups.

Following feedback from the community, eligibility has been expanded from sections of East Newcastle, Wickham, Carrington and Stockton to include the following:

• Newcastle West
• Cooks Hill
• Islington
• Hamilton
• Mayfield
• Mayfield North
• Mayfield West
• Tighes Hill
• Kooragang Island
• Bar Beach
• Civic Park and King Edward Park
• Newcastle Sportsgrounds, including National Park Street, Parkway Avenue, Union Street and Parry Street

The Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund has invested more than $9.8 million back into community projects, with funding from the lease of the Port of Newcastle.

In recent years, the fund has backed a range of projects including:

• $500,000 - Soul Hub – to fit out a purpose-built community hub, including a new kitchen, dining area and wellbeing spaces for vulnerable community members.
• $250,000 - Paymasters Café – to for restoration and conservation of original heritage features and upgrading safety elements.
• $150,000 – Cottage Creek – public domain artwork that complements the landscape and cultural narrative of Honeysuckle and the waterfront.
• $81,578 – Newcastle Outrigger Canoe Club – to supply new canoes suitable for recreational paddling and competitive racing, and improving access for school and college groups.
• $64,000 - Marine Rescue Newcastle – to support emergency response capability.

Applications will close on 9 November 2026. For further information about the program, including guidelines and eligibility criteria, go to nsw.gov.au/npccf.

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:

“The Hunter is full of people who know exactly what their community needs.

“This fund gives them the backing to take a good idea off the page and turn it into something people can see, use and benefit from.

“Opening the fund to more communities means more local ideas can get off the ground.

“The best ideas often come from the people who live and breathe their community every day. We’re backing those ideas and helping locals turn them into something that will make a real difference.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“The Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund is about making sure communities across Newcastle see the benefits of having one of Australia’s busiest ports on their doorstep.

“We’ve listened to local communities, and this latest round opens the fund to 12 more suburbs, giving more local groups the chance to turn good ideas into projects.

“Whether it’s a better park, an upgraded sporting or community facility, a local event or protecting Newcastle’s heritage, this funding is about making a real difference where people live, work and play.

“We want to see local ideas become a reality, so I encourage eligible organisations to get their applications in and put forward projects that will make their community an even better place to live and visit.”

Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said:

"The Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund has already delivered important projects across Newcastle, from the Macquarie Pier Revitalisation Project at Nobbys Beach to grassroots community facilities such as Carrington Community Cricket Nets.

"I am pleased to see the funding footprint expanded, giving more community groups access to this fund to put forward ideas for parks, facilities, heritage, sport and community use.

"I encourage eligible groups to look at what is possible through Round 10 and apply for projects that will benefit locals and visitors for years to come."

Case Study: Soul Hub Newcastle

For more than a decade, Soul Hub has been a place of support, connection and hope for people doing it tough across Newcastle and the Hunter.

A $500,000 Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund grant in September 2023 helped transform its Hunter Street premises into a welcoming community hub, complete with a kitchen and dining area, health and wellbeing spaces, a reception and café zone, and equipment to support more people.

The upgraded facility has enabled Soul Hub to expand the meals, support services and community programs it offers, creating a safe place where people can access help, build connections and feel a sense of belonging.

By bringing a range of services together under one roof, the hub makes it easier for people to get the support they need in a welcoming and respectful environment.

Today, Soul Hub continues to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable Novocastrians, helping people access the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Soul Hub General Manager Mr Matthew Ortiger said:

“The Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund has made an incredible difference, not just to Soul Hub, but to the thousands of people who turn to us for support each year.

“This funding helped us create a welcoming space where people can share a meal, access vital services, build connections and find hope during some of the toughest times in their lives.

“The fit out of our Hunter Street hub has transformed the way we support the community, allowing us to bring more services together under one roof and help more people when they need it most.

“I'd encourage other community organisations to apply for the next round. For us, this funding helped turn a vision into reality, and we're seeing the impact in our community every day.”