Ross Kerridge Steps into Role as Newcastle’s 15th Lord Mayor, Outlining Ambitious Plans

Ross Kerridge has officially taken up his position as Newcastle’s 15th Lord Mayor, hitting the ground running by meeting with Premier Chris Minns to discuss his vision for the region.

Dr Kerridge, appearing on NBN News on Wednesday night, expressed his gratitude to the people of Newcastle for entrusting him with the role. “I would like to thank the community for their support,” he said. “I can only promise to do my best not to let them down.”

Dr Kerridge, who is set to conclude his medical career as an anaesthetist on 14 October  2024, said he is eager to collaborate with the state government to address some of the region’s most pressing challenges. High on his agenda are housing affordability and economic transformation, particularly as the local coal industry is anticipated to decline over the next decade.

In a meeting last Thursday, Premier Minns backed Dr Kerridge’s proposal to initiate an external independent review into allegations of a toxic culture within the council. “I believe this is the way forward,” Dr Kerridge said. “It would be disappointing if other councillors didn’t come on board. We need to negotiate the specific terms of reference, but I think this is essential for restoring trust.” he told NBN News.

Dr Kerridge confirmed he has met with Council CEO Jeremy Bath, who has recently returned from an extended holiday. When asked about Mr Bath’s commitment to his role moving forward, Dr Kerridge responded after a brief pause, “Yeah, as far as I know.”

Mr Bath has recently completed privately funded studies at Stanford University focusing on renewable energy—an area of significant interest for the council.

The Lord Mayor and the 12 councillors are set to convene next Tuesday night, where they will cast their votes to select the Deputy Lord Mayor.

In the broader Hunter region, including Dr Kerridge, seven of the nine Lord Mayors have been declared: Leah Anderson in Port Stephens, Adam Schultz in Lake Macquarie, Daniel Watton in Cessnock, Sue Moore in Singleton, Philip Penfold in Maitland, and Digby Raywood in Dungog. Muswellbrook and the Upper Hunter are expected to select their mayors later this month.

Dr Kerridge has also established a new office in City Hall, signalling a return to traditional governance spaces.

As he embarks on his mayoral journey, Dr Kerridge emphasised the importance of unity and progress. “We have significant challenges ahead, but I am confident that by working together, we can navigate this period of transition and build a stronger future for Newcastle.”