Newcastle council reveals potential locations for Maritime Museum relocation

BY JARROD MELMETH

Newcastle council have revealed potential new locations for the Maritime Museum's collection following a decision to close its doors by the Museum society on Wednesday.

Council's CEO Jeremy Bath said council is currently in discussions with the board of the maritime museum about inheriting the collection.

"Hunter Development Corporation, who is the landlord for the museum and Newcastle City Council are going to be working together to try and identify ways that we can actually ensure the collection is exhibited, and that it is exhibited in a multitude of ways.

"One obvious way, of course, is for the Newcastle Museum to have a permanent exhibition, but there are other ways that we can make sure that the museums' collection is available for people to touch and feel and really learn from.

"That might be through the Port authority; through the new cruise terminal; it might be through outdoor exhibitions down at Honeysuckle.

"There is a lot of different ways that we can make sure that this collection is still available for the people to really come and learn from," Mr Bath said.

Newcastle Maritime Museum. Photo: MGNSW.

Doma wins tender for 35 Honeysuckle Drive

BY JARROD MELMETH

Doma Group has been unveiled as the winner of a new residential and retail development at 35 Honeysuckle Drive.

The proposal features 92 apartments and 1,533m² of retail space adjacent to another one of Doma's residential developments at 21 Honeysuckle Drive.

The successful proposal by Doma Group beat shortlisted designs from other national developers and was selected by an independent design review panel consisting of members from the Office of the Government Architect NSW, Newcastle City Council and the Newcastle Urban Design Consultation Group.

Hunter Development Corporation Chief Executive Michael Cassel said the proposal offers the community the public spaces they have been asking for.

"To achieve this outcome, we ran a comprehensive design-focused process and it has produced architectural excellence that I am confident the community will value.

HDC expects Doma Group to obtain development approval by the end of 2018 and construction to commence around mid-2019.

Artist impressions supplied.

Artists impressions supplied.

State Government Putting Nearly $1 million Back into Newcastle

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The state government is putting nearly $1 million back into Newcastle for six community projects.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald announced the funding for the infrastructure projects which will be funded under the annual Newcastle Port Community Contribution program.

"This is a dividend that comes back to the Newcastle Port region every year, about $1 million, and it was set up when the Port was put through a long term lease so there's a return every year that goes back to the community to put towards assets, build community programs and that sort of thing," said Scot MacDonald.

The largest project to be funded from the nearly $1 million is $450,000 towards an 'active hub' in Griffith Park at South Stockton. The $1.25 million hub is set to feature a skate plaza, children's adventure playground and barbecue and picnic facilities.

Artist impression of the planned 'active hub' at Stockton.
Image Newcastle City Council

"Although this is only a short ferry ride from the Newcastle city centre, it is important to provide great facilities all around the port, not just the city side," said Scot MacDonald.

Along with money towards the hub, other projects getting some funding include:
- $135,000 for five research-based place activation initiatives by the University of Newcastle
- $365,000 for an upgrade of council-owned open space landscaping near "Wine Selectors" and Lee Wharf residential apartments in Honeysuckle to improve the link between the city adn the harbour
- $50,000 towards the Light Up Newcastle Chinese Lantern Walk in 2018 and;
- $148,000 for a public art installation at the historic Newcastle Railway Station of the "Newcastle Flyer" steam train

"I think it's important to honour the heritage and this is going towards a representation of the 'Newcastle Flyer' - that'll be a public art installation up at Newcastle Railway Station. There's no doubt that the CBD and the corridor and the Port are going through a lot of change so this is about remembering and respecting that heritage," said Scot MacDonald.

He adds all the projects will benefit both the city and the harbourside, improving the link between them and honouring the history of all of Newcastle.

"Everybody appreciates the city is going through a lot of change and the Port is seeing a lot of development but it's important that the public can access it and appreciate it and it's family friendly. I think these are really good initiatives."

Construction on Hunter Street connection underway

BY BROOKE HEINZ

A new road designed to ease traffic caused by the construction of the Newcastle light rail is set to be completed "in the coming weeks", according to Revitalising Newcastle program director Michael Cassel.

Asphalt has been laid for the roadway, which links Honeysuckle Drive and Hunter Street at Worth Place.

While the Worth Place connection will temporarily close later this year to allow for light rail construction, once reopened the road will be a permanent link between the CBD and Honeysuckle.

A second, permanent connecting roadway at Steel Street will be constructed in 2018.

Newcastle to receive $175,000 for 'Safe Spaces' within the city

BY JAMES WARD

The NSW Government's investment of $175,000 towards safe spaces within Newcastle's CBD will greatly improve the safety of patrons within Newcastle and create a safer and more vibrant nightlife experience.

Hamilton is one of seven precincts to receive this investment from the State Government as anti-social and criminal behaviour have greatly affected the suburb of Hamilton.

The other precincts include East End, Darby Street, The Junction, West End and Honeysuckle that will all receive a safe space to help prevent anti-social behaviour.

Hamilton Chamber of Commerce President, Nathan Errington, says the investment "is going to improve the nightlife and it's going to make people feel safer in Hamilton." 

Hamilton will receive one safe space that will be situated at the train station end of Hamilton in order to prevent anti-social behaviour that has increased in that part of Hamilton.

"Its 25,000 (how much Hamilton will receive) and its one space in Hamilton and that will be the train station park," Errington said.

This grant comes after popular Hamilton pub, The Sydney Junction Hotel, which is situated at the train station end of Hamilton, was placed on  Liquor and Gaming NSW's violent venues list after a number of alcohol-related incidents occurred at the establishment. 

"The focus is on the train station end of Hamilton where there has been a lot of anti-social behaviour and to upgrade the park so that it defers that anti-social behaviour that has been identified by the police," Errington said.

The safe spaces will be developed across the city and will include better lighting, landscaping, seating and signage to improve the appearance of the areas whilst reducing opportunities for vandalism and criminal and anti-social behaviour.

The safe spaces will act as a far safer refuge for patrons around the area and therefore create a far greater nightlife experience for people going out into town

Sydney Junction Hotel, Trip Advisor