The Lock-Up is managed and administered by the Newcastle Historic Reserve Trust, a community trust under the Crown Lands Act of 1989, for the preservation and public use of the historic buildings of Hunter Street Newcastle.

The Department of Land and Water Conservation provides Crown Land for public purposes. It has established the Trust as a statutory corporation charged with the care, control and management of three buildings in the Newcastle Hunter Street Heritage Precinct; the Lock-Up (formerly known as the Newcastle Police Station, circa 1861), the former Telegraph Office (circa 1861) and the former Public Works Department (circa 1872). The buildings are part of the historic precinct bounded by Watt and Bolton Streets.

Through corporate leasing of the separate historic buildings, the Lock-Up provides a community resource with student and cultural programs and regular hours for public access to the museum, education centre and gallery.

Trustees

Brian Suters
John Carr
David Le Marchant
Anthony Deegan
Mark Metrikas
Kate Croll
Linda Babic
Chris McBriarty