City of Newcastle has voted to support the campaign to protect Link Road Forest through the creation of a national park.

The decision followed an extraordinary council meeting on 16 December, where councillors endorsed a Notice of Motion supporting the Link Road Forest campaign and requesting discussions with the NSW Government about public acquisition of the land.

The vote comes after the NSW Government fast-tracked the rezoning of the 574-hectare site for the proposed Eden Estates housing development.

Recent coverage of the council meeting focused on growing community concern about the environmental importance of Link Road Forest, including its role as habitat for threatened species and wildlife corridors in western Newcastle.

The motion also called for further investigation into the environmental and community benefits of establishing a national park.

For campaigners, the council vote reflects increasing local support for permanent protection of Link Road Forest and ongoing opposition to large-scale clearing associated with the proposed development.

Original reporting by Oli Goeldner, 17 December 2025, in Newcastle Weekly.