Newcastle holds an important place in the story of our nation's development. It was the first mainland convict settlement established outside of Sydney, providing significant resources to support the colony, including coal, timber, building lime, and salt. 

Coal mining commenced from 1801, using convict labour and experimental technologies. The mining of coal is a significant aspect of our nation's history. Newcastle provides many important links to this story reflected in items such as the first coal mines, the convict lumber yard, the breakwater and the port, and the historic buildings within James Flecther Hospital. All of these items are important aspects of our city's heritage.

Identifying Newcastle's heritage

Two major surveys identify and describe the heritage of Newcastle:

• The Newcastle City Wide Heritage Study 1997
• The Newcastle Archaeological Management Plan 1997

For information about Heritage Items or Heritage Conservation Areas search Newcastle Heritage Register and see the pages on Heritage Publications, Heritage Items and Heritage Conservation Areas.

Heritage Act 1977 review

The Minister for Planning the Hon. Frank Sartor released the expert report into the Heritage Act Review on 19 March 2008. To view the expert panel report  click here. The 105-page report contains 65 recommendations, including greater rigour in the heritage listing process and retaining key elements of the current system including local and State listings and a Heritage Council. The report will now be considered by the NSW Government.