Georgetown Set For Major Upgrade

 BY IAN CROUCH

The Newcastle suburb of Georgetown is in for a major facelift, with council approving a multi-million dollar upgrade overnight.

Work will start in coming months on a new landscaped pedestrian plaza, improved footpaths, street furniture, lighting and street trees to improve safety and amenity for pedestrians and cyclists.

Council has committed $9.9 million next financial year to revitalisation projects in the East End, Hunter Street Mall and local town centre upgrades at Orchardtown Road, New Lambton and Georgetown. 

 

Major facelift earmarked for Georgetown's shopping precinct. Picture: City of Newcastle

Georgetown and Waratah local centres set to receive upgrades

BY JAMES CARTER    

Newcastle Council passed a motion confirming future streetscape works to Georgetown Road and Station Street in Waratah.

The upgrades are part of the Local Centres Works program which has completed similar projects in Beresfield, Carrington, Kotara, Mereweather and Stockton in recent years. 

The projects require community consultation and concept design planning but are expected to attract more customers to the business strips. 

Station Street in Waratah was included in the motion after an amendment by Councilor Andrea Rufo. 

A number of issues were raised in the meeting by Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz about tired and dated public domain in the areas. 

"Infrastructure like footpaths, roads, street furniture, garden beds, street-tree selection and signage could be improved. There are also some pedestrian and cycling connectivity issues."

"Parking, of course, will always be at a premium at our popular local centres, so I really look forward to hearing the ideas of locals and local businesses about how we can maximise turnover." she said

Assistance for shopkeepers to improve their street appeal and shopfronts was raised at the meeting and supported by the councilors. 

The Georgetown Road local area
Image: Google Maps

Children left shaken after they were approached by a man in Georgetown

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Investigations are continuing into three children who were approached by a man in Georgetown on Saturday.

At about 6:15pm two girls aged 16 and 14 and a 13-year-old boy were riding their bikes along Christo Road when they noticed a man walking.

The man stopped and spoke to the girls who kept riding, and then a short time later when one of the children stopped to tie their shoelace the man ran towards her.

She rode away and the man was last seen walking north along Cowper Street.

The man is described as being in his 20's, of Caucasian appearance, approximately 180cm tall, clean shaven and was reported to have been wearing dark pants and a blue hooded jacket.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Newcastle Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.