Let’s talk about Nuatali Nelmes. You know her—Newcastle’s 14th Lord Mayor, the woman who clung to power like a barnacle on the hull of a sinking ship. After 16 years in local government, she’s finally resigned. But let’s be clear: this wasn’t some noble act of self-sacrifice. Nelmes was voted out as Mayor at the last election. The people of Newcastle spoke, and they said, “Enough.” Yet, like so many politicians who just can’t take a hint, she stayed on council, refusing to fully step aside. Why? Because that’s what politicians do. They hang on, even when the public has clearly moved on.
Now, here’s the kicker: as Nelmes finally steps down, the council has decided to replace her not with a by-election—you know, that thing where actual voters get a say—but with a count back of the last election. Let that sink in. Instead of letting the people of Newcastle decide who represents them, the council is going to dig through old ballots and handpick her replacement. Does that sound like democracy to you? Or does it sound like a bunch of bureaucrats rigging the system to avoid accountability?
Let’s talk about Nelmes’ legacy, because it’s a doozy. This is the woman who caved to a handful of whiny East End residents and killed the V8 Supercars—an event that brought millions of dollars into the city and put Newcastle on the map. Why? Because a small, vocal minority didn’t like the noise. Instead of standing up for the broader interests of the city, Nelmes folded like a cheap suit. And don’t even get me started on her cozy relationship with groups like Rising Tide, whose idea of activism is blocking ports and sabotaging the economy. Economic terrorism, anyone? Yet Nelmes seemed fine with it. In fact, she practically endorsed it.
And now, as she exits stage left, we’re left with more questions than answers. Will the former Mayor of Cessnock—who also lost their mayoralty but is still clinging to a council seat—follow her example and finally step aside? Or will they, too, cling to power like it’s their birthright? And why is the council so afraid of a by-election? What are they hiding? Why don’t they trust the people of Newcastle to make their own decisions?
Here’s the truth: local government should be about serving the people, not serving yourself. It should be about fresh ideas, not stale bureaucrats recycling the same old failures. Nuatali Nelmes’ resignation is a chance for Newcastle to start over, but the council’s decision to conduct a count back instead of a by-election is a slap in the face to democracy. It’s a reminder that, too often, the people in power care more about keeping power than they do about the people they’re supposed to serve.
So, goodbye, Nuatali. And to the council: don’t think we don’t see what you’re doing. The people of Newcastle deserve better. They deserve leaders who listen, who lead, and who know when to step aside. And they deserve a real say in who represents them. Anything less is just more of the same—and Newcastle has had enough of that.