A bomb threat has closed down the first Newcastle council meeting of the year.
A source told the Newcastle Herald that a member of a community group had made the threat on the office building in Stewart Avenue, Newcastle West.
The meeting began soon after 6pm before lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes suddenly adjourned proceedings at about 6.20pm.
The councillors filed back in a few minutes later after City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath deemed the threat "not credible".
"The person is known to me and called back three minutes after making the threat to staff to apologise and retract it as a misunderstood joke," Mr Bath said.
"We have spoken to the police, who are comfortable with my decision to continue the meeting."
