Year in review
energy of the region.
The expanded Gallery will deliver an additional 1,600m2 of exhibition space, allowing more of the city’s $145 million collection to be displayed and enabling the hosting of major national and international exhibitions.
The first new exhibition spaces opened to the public in September 2025 during the New Annual festival, with a full reopening scheduled for late February 2026.
This project is proudly supported by all levels of government and the community, including the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation, the Federal and NSW Governments, and of course CN.
New multipurpose facility at Blackbutt Reserve
CN delivered a major milestone in the Blackbutt Reserve Plan of Management with the completion of a $3.2 million multipurpose community facility and café in the Carnley Avenue recreation area. The new facility provides a dedicated space for environmental education, community meetings and events, and includes Durk’s Café + Eatery, offering dining
The project was partially funded through the NSW Government’s Resources for Regions grant program, with over $800,000 contributed to support regional
The
Acknowledgment of Country
CN acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Local Government Area (LGA). We acknowledge that Country for Aboriginal peoples is an interconnected set of ancient relationships. We acknowledge the custodianship of the Traditional Custodians of this land and the care and stewardship they have performed in this place since time immemorial.
“Wunyibu wunyibu warra wunyibu wunyibu gkuuba Aboriginal burrai.” Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.
Our financial summary
CN spent $399.4 million to provide services and facilities to more than 176,000 residents in 2024/2025. We managed $3.9 billion of assets including roads, bridges, drains, land, halls, recreation and leisure facilities, libraries and parks for the benefit of the local and visiting community.