Special Business Rate City/Darby Street Contestable Round 2026

Special Business Rates (SBR) are collected from businesses in Newcastle City Centre / Darby Street, Hamilton, Mayfield, New Lambton and Wallsend, and are reserved exclusively for the promotion, beautification and economic development of these business precincts. Annual funding for the most creative and innovative project proposals is distributed through a competitive application process. 

The 2026 Special Business Rates City Contestable Funding program will open for applications from 6 July (9am EST) to 2 August 2026 (Midnight EST). 

In 2026/27 the SBR City contestable funding program offers $880,000 for projects that benefit the City Centre / Darby Street SBR precinct.

An information session for this round will be held on Wednesday 24 June at 10am to provide details on eligibility criteria, assessment criteria and application process, as well as provide the chance to ask any questions you may have. Please register here. 

For further information, please visit Special Business Rates page.