A critical deadline is fast approaching for Newcastle's prized maritime heritage collection, with its current storage lease set to expire in March 2026 and no new home in sight. The situation has sparked heated debate within City of Newcastle council chambers, exposing tensions over governance, funding, and the future of what experts deem a collection of national significance.
An Invitation, Not a Subpoena: Councillor Defends Volunteer Group
At an extraordinary council meeting this week, Newcastle Independent councillor Peter Gittins hit back at what he described as the politicisation of the issue. Gittins, who is part of a working party trying to save the collection, addressed comments about repeated invitations for the Newcastle Maritime Heritage Society to brief the council.
"An invitation, deputy lord mayor, is not a subpoena," Cr Gittins stated firmly. He argued the process had been exploited for "political opportunism" and "scapegoating," rather than focusing on collaborative solutions. The invitations were reportedly declined by the society.
The Million-Dollar Question with a Tight Deadline
The core of the crisis is straightforward but daunting. The 8,500-item collection has been stored at the Newcastle Showground since 2022, following the closure of the Newcastle Maritime Centre in 2018. The council-funded lease for that space expires on 20 March 2026, and it will not be renewed.
With just three months remaining, councillors expressed deep concern over the lack of a concrete storage plan. The collection, assessed by a specialist as nationally significant, includes a vast array of artefacts that tell the story of Newcastle's rich maritime history.
Council CEO Jeremy Bath revealed details of a recent, unsuccessful grant application. The Newcastle Maritime Museum Society had sought $60,000 towards a $280,000 event planned for January 2026. The grant was conditionally approved but later withdrawn by the society after council staff raised concerns about a lack of supporting quotes and the tight delivery timeline.
Funding, Accountability and a Call to Collaborate
A council report outlined that the City of Newcastle has invested $1.46 million in in-kind and financial support for the society since at least 1998, including over $167,000 since 2018. The society's current funds are reportedly limited to $7,000, though it holds no debts.
Greens Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe stated the council had made every effort to support the group but needed clarity on plans post-March. Labor councillor Declan Clausen echoed this, stressing the motion was about "governance, accountability and risk" regarding public money, not a criticism of the volunteers' passion.
Cr Gittins defended the volunteers' efforts, noting representations had been made to multiple local councils and private companies in the search for a new home. "Undoubtedly, the reality is that without a suitable site to store the collection, fundraising and support from state and federal governments, the dream of a museum will remain just that, a dream," he said.
He issued a plea for unity: "It is time for the parties involved to bury the hatchet and to work together... to protect, preserve, and eventually display our nationally significant collection for present and future generations."
The council ultimately decided to lay the item on the table, extending another invitation for the society or its working party to provide information at a meeting in January 2026, as the clock continues to tick down towards the March deadline.
