Newcastle Councillors voted last night against giving themselves a pay rise and decided to instead put the money into infrastructure projects.
Council voted to adopt a $90 million works program including $54 million to renew aging assets and $26 million towards new footpaths and street upgrades, as well as storm water management in Wallsend.
In Wallsend Tyrell, Boscawen and Nelson Street Bridges will be replaced as a part of the flood mitigation program but there's no time frame yet on when the work will start.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is welcoming the commitment to fixing the long-running flood issues in the town centre which will ensure the town is prepared for the next flood.
"There has been over a million dollars worth of funding for Newcastle City Council for flood mitigation from the state government but I'll continue to lobby the state government on behalf of the council and the people of Wallsend to make sure that we can get some funding as well. If there's $90 million in infrastructure money obviously I'll be looking to council to use some of that to building bridges," said Sonia Hornery.
Council also approved their budget for the next financial year last night which will include an 8 per cent rate rise as approved by iPart in 2015, but they say it will feel more like a 7 per cent rise.
