Newcastle councillors have stopped short on making a decision to rezone the disused rail corridor.
They deferred the vote last night on rezoning the land between Worth Place and Newcastle Railway Station which would've cleared the way for development.
Instead they've left the proposal on the table to allow for a briefing from council officers with an invitation to Urban Growth.
Councillor also want a report from the state government demonstrating the rail corridor is no longer needed for the city's transport needs.
Urban Growth wants the 4.25 hectare parcel of land rezoned to allow for mixed use development including public recreation as well as public education and tourist use of the corridor.
The plan also provides for up to 12 buildings and 3 new parks.
However Andrew Fletcher from the Property Council has slammed council's decision, saying it's putting the city's revitalisation at risk.
"Council weren't being asked last night to give any final stamp of approval. They were merely being asked to keep the process moving forward - to take the rezoning to what's called a Gateway Process, which triggered another round of community consultations. So, by demanding further reports and further briefings, they're really risking the jobs and growth from the $2 billion investment pipeline in the city centre," he said.
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| Andrew Fletcher |
