McCabe seeks Greens preselection for Newcastle Lord Mayor by-election

newy.com.au – Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Charlotte McCabe has nominated for Greens preselection to contest the City of Newcastle Lord Mayor by-election triggered by Dr Ross Kerridge’s resignation.

The move makes McCabe the first councillor to publicly confirm she is seeking her party’s endorsement for the top job, with the by-election expected to be held in mid-April while a date is settled with the NSW Electoral Commission.

In a statement on Wednesday, McCabe said she had “put myself forward as a candidate in the pre-selection process with the Newcastle Greens” and that once party members had decided “we’ll be making a public announcement”.

McCabe said stepping into the Lord Mayor’s role during Kerridge’s medical leave had strengthened her resolve to run. “Whilst acting in the role during the Lord Mayor’s absence I feel I’ve proven I can work with a diverse group of councillors to deliver for the community,” she said.

She said the period had been “an unexpected privilege” and allowed her to show “calm, collaborative leadership that recognises the contributions of all elected councillors, resulting in positive negotiations and good quality decision making”.

City of Newcastle confirmed Kerridge resigned on Monday 9 February 2026, effective immediately, after writing to chief executive Jeremy Bath to prioritise his health and family as he continued to experience side-effects of recent cancer treatment.

Under section 231(3) of the Local Government Act, the deputy lord mayor exercises the functions of the lord mayor when the office is vacant, meaning McCabe will act in the role until the by-election is held.

McCabe said Newcastle faced “big challenges that will require courage and resolve”, arguing “the cost-shifting from state and federal governments are effectively setting Councils up to fail”.

“If we’re going to address the housing crisis, improve our public transport, and stabilise our vulnerable coastline, we need a Mayor who will put Newcastle front and centre in the considerations of the Premier and the Prime Minister,” she said.

McCabe, who was the Greens’ lord mayoral candidate at the 2024 local government election, said she had also run as a state candidate in 2019 and as a federal candidate in 2022 and 2025.

She thanked Kerridge for his service, saying he had been “deeply committed to returning to the role after taking some time off for medical treatment” and that resigning “must have been a difficult one for him to make”.

City of Newcastle said the Electoral Commission had been contacted and the by-election date would be finalised over the coming week.