Newcastle councillors have voted to keep the city's name if a forced merger with Port Stephens goes ahead.
The government-appointed delegate has recommended the new council be called Hunter Coast, however the majority of councillors don't like it.
Instead they think it should be named the City of Newcastle or the City of Greater Newcastle.
Liberal Councillor, BRAD LUKE spoke against the motion, arguing councils such as Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie were not named after specific cities or towns and a name like Hunter Coast was a more collaborative approach.
