Jenny Barrie endorsed as Liberal candidate for Newcastle Lord Mayor by-election

newy.com.au – Newcastle councillor Jenny Barrie has been endorsed as the Liberal candidate for Lord Mayor ahead of the Newcastle by-election scheduled for 18 April 2026, positioning herself as an experienced contender focused on community safety, tourism and civic pride.

Cr Barrie has served as a councillor for five years and currently holds roles including Chair of the Community & Culture Advisory Committee, Chair of the Hamilton Community Safety Committee, Deputy Chair of the Strategy & Innovation Committee and Director of Newcastle Airport Partnership Company 2.

“It is a great honour and privilege to stand for Lord Mayor of our great City,” Cr Barrie said. “I’ve decided to run so that Newcastle voters have a candidate they can trust and support, and to offer Newcastle a fresh start.”

Cr Barrie said key priorities if elected would include tackling crime and antisocial behaviour, promoting tourism and major events, and restoring civic pride across the city.

She has been involved in establishing initiatives such as the Hamilton Community Safety Committee, which brings together community members, business owners, police and government representatives to address crime and antisocial behaviour in the suburb.

The committee recently secured support for the installation of Opal gates at Hamilton station, aimed at deterring fare evasion and reducing incidents of public order offences, drug-related activity, vandalism and antisocial behaviour.

Cr Barrie said she would expand the community safety committee model to other suburbs across Newcastle if elected.

“Every suburb is facing its own challenges – such as Wallsend which is having issues with vandalism and dirt bikes,” Cr Barrie said. “E-bikes are riding on footpaths at dangerous speeds.”

“Every week there are more cars being stolen, people are being harassed or having near-misses with e-bikes,” she said.

“These are just some of the many issues that I believe the expansion of community safety precinct committees will help address,” Cr Barrie said.

Cr Barrie also criticised support from other political groups for climate protest organisation Rising Tide.

“Rising Tide and civil disobedience have been allowed to cause mayhem without any proper compensation for businesses and residents,” Cr Barrie said. “Our city has missed out on significant tourism spends after two cruise ships were turned around due to the disruptive actions of Rising Tide.”

She said she would oppose the group’s actions and place a strong focus on growing tourism and major events in Newcastle.

As Chair of the Community & Culture Advisory Committee since 2024, Cr Barrie said the city had secured major events including the Foo Fighters, overseen the unveiling of the expanded Newcastle Art Gallery and delivered the 2025 New Annual Festival, which featured the ‘Soak’ installation at Newcastle Ocean Baths.

“We have seen the success of Major events here in Newcastle thanks to efficient and targeted investment in infrastructure and in events,” Cr Barrie said. “I want to see more community events such as the return of Hamilton’s Carnivale and the Wallsend Winter Fair.”

Cr Barrie said her experience raising two children as a single mother had reinforced the need for a council focused on delivering outcomes.

“If elected Lord Mayor I will cut through the noise and deliver a fresh start for Newcastle,” she said.

Fellow councillor Callum Pull backed her candidacy, saying she had the experience and credibility to lead the city.

“Cr Barrie is someone who knows how to work with all Councillors to deliver real results for Newcastle,” Cr Pull said.

“As a Councillor she is incredibly accomplished, having made a particularly strong impact on crime, advocated for coastal infrastructure and fought for business owners,” he said. “She is well respected across the chamber for her integrity, dedication and fighting spirit. I know she will be the Lord Mayor our city needs and deserves.”

Cr Pull said voters should consider the values candidates would bring to the role.

“Labor and the Greens offer more of the same,” Cr Pull said. “And the last time an Independent was elected Lord Mayor we ended up with Rising Tide and the Chinese Diplomat Scandal.”

“Only Jenny Barrie offers the real change our city needs,” he said. “She has the will to tackle the real issues facing our city in the years ahead. She has the record and the experience to deliver the fresh start Newcastle deserves.”