Dozens of council workers vented their frustration at management via an internal review of council operations with their comments posted on the council's website.

Newcastle general manager Lindy Hyam requested the comments to help determine the council's sustainability review, saying staff ideas were part of building a "winning culture".

The comments that have been made public have angered some staff who have said they believed submissions would remain for internal use only.

"The bullying culture needs to be dealt with. The hygiene of the organisation needs addressing," a comment said.

A key finding in the council's sustainability review identified the need to tackle the incidence of bullying and harassment.

"The first step to dealing with it [bullying] is recognising that it exists . . . It is now being addressed and will be a priority for the new team of directors to be appointed in the near future," Ms Hyam said yesterday.

Other comments described the human resources team as an impediment, said managers were creating barriers to change and a lack of communication was "getting in the way of achieving outcomes" for the community.

"I would encourage the General Manager, Lord Mayor and councillors to get out and find out about the Newcastle City workforce. They need to realise that they also represent the workers here at Newcastle City Council. We make the wheels in council run," one said.

Criticism of management was compounded with the accusation it ignored poor quality in service delivery.

Ms Hyam said all comments were considered in establishing the council's sustainability review.

She viewed about 150 staff submissions with two external advisers from the review team, who summarised comments and removed identifying characteristics before posting them online.

"A vast majority of the notes were very positive,"a council spokeswoman said.