'Big ticket items': Newcastle council budget approved despite split over spending

OPPOSITION: Independent Newcastle councillor John Church was critical of the council's rate rise and spending decisions in the adopted budget. Picture: Simone De Peak

Newcastle council's record budget has been given the final tick, but not without questions over productivity and infrastructure backlog spending from the city's Independent councillor.

Councillors on Tuesday voted to adopt the $424 million budget, which includes a $132 million infrastructure spend and predicted return to surplus.