Newcastle Greens seek to transfer bushland to city control for permanent conservation amid habitat loss.

Newcastle Greens councillors are pushing the state government to transfer three parcels of bushland near the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and John Hunter Hospital to the City of Newcastle for permanent protection. The land, part of the Jesmond Bushland Complex, has suffered habitat loss due to the $450 million bypass project, threatening native species like the squirrel glider. Councillors cite fragmented ownership and unclear management as key obstacles to conservation. They propose reclassifying the land as Community Land under council control and establishing a conservation agreement with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust to ensure long-term funding and protection. The motion highlights years of community and council efforts to preserve the area and calls for unified management to safeguard biodiversity. The council will decide whether to formally request support from state and federal officials to dedicate the land in perpetuity.