Newcastle Rail Corridor Rezoning Approved

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle City Council has given the green light to rezoning the former heavy rail corridor.

Greens Councillor, John Mackenzie was the only councillor to speak on the issue at last night's meeting who argued there was no evidence the land would not be needed for future transport needs and questioned the objectivity of 137 submissions in support of the rezoning.

The decision clears the way for a mix of open space, university buildings and residential and commercial buildings along the corridor between Worth Place and Watt Street.

Hunter Development Corporation CEO, Michael Cassel has welcomed the decision.

“Newcastle is undergoing enormous change and Council is embracing this in its decision making to realise its vision of a smart, liveable and sustainable city. These decisions are not always popular and often they are difficult, but they are essential to creating an activated city that attracts people, tourism, jobs and enhances liveability,” he said.

He also stressed that any proposed building on the corridor after it's rezoned would be subject to the usual development approvals process which includes imput from the community.

The rezoning application will now be submitted to the NSW Depart of Planning and Environment for consideration.

The Newcastle Rail Corridor At Market Street Before and After With An Artist's Impression Of What It Could Look Like Picture: the herald.com.au

  

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.

Light Rail On Track To Be Laid Over The Weekend

BY MATT JOHNSTON

Following the arrival of 12 kilometres of light rail track in Newcastle last Thursday, preparations are underway to have the track laid by the beginning of next week.A track slab will be poured at the intersection of Hunter and Merewether streets on the weekend, followed by the installation of the first tracks in the embattled project.

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance is claiming this as an important milestone for the project. He's praised the team involved with the project for their hard work trying to maintain the works schedule. He says "it's all systems go" down at the site.

Mr Constance is claiming it as a win for the Berejiklian government, saying they're determined to just "[get] on with the job".

"It'll be a project that progresses very quickly, and at the end of the day,  the city is going to get a fantastic light rail project that is going to transform the community."

The work is "tracking along nicely", and although nothing can be guaranteed, Mr Constance is confident the rest of the light rail work will be delivered on time. He says this will not only benefit the wider community, but also the businesses that have seen a downturn in profit as a result of construction.

Both the Andrew Constance and Michael Cassel, program director for Revitalising Newcastle, are urging people to support the affected businesses. To show Novocastrains the CBD is still open for business, Revitalising Newcastle will be hosting a Christmas program that features rides and Christmas displays in Wheeler Place, story readings at Newcastle Museum, a treasure hunt, and Santa photos.

For more details, visit the Revitalising Newcastle calendar.

Photo credit: Revitalising Newcastle

Newcastle 500 Transport Strategy Should make Travel a Breeze

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The transport plan for how thousands of people will be getting around during the Supercars Newcastle 500 event has finally been released.

There will be an integrated ticketing option with 300 additional buses and 90 more train services scheduled for the three-day event.

Park and ride services will be located not only from McDonald Jones Stadium to the Honeysuckle precinct, but also added across Newcastle Harbour at Stockton for the ferry service.

There will be two ferries running which can carry 200 passengers and crew each. The ferries will be running every 5 to 10 minutes.

Newcastle 500 Event Manager Kurt Sakzewski says the plan will easily enable 150,000 commuters to get in and out.

"We want to make sure all of those people can get in and out of the event in an easy manner and that's why we've introduced this integrated ticketing option so people will be able to come in whether it's via bus, ferry, train, in coming from Sydney and the outer regions,"

Event Manager Kurt Sakzewski.

"They'll be coming into Newcastle here, they'll be delivered to the gate and after the even, they'll take the same routes home as well," said Kurt Sakzewski.

The ticket you've purchased to get into the event itself will give you free public transport whatever it may be.

"The great thing about the integrated ticket is it doesn't matter what version of public transport that you want to take, you can get on a bus, get on a ferry, get on a train, you just show your event ticket and it just gives you access all of the way through for no extra cost," said Kurt Sakzewski.

Revitalising Newcastle Program Director Michael Cassel says they've tried to prepare for anything.

"We will have a command centre running throughout the three days to the event. That command centre will include everyone from police, event organisers, Keolis Downer, and people from NSW Transport so we'll be able to monitor what's going on and we'll be able to make changes as we move throughout the day and the night."

Event organisers have planned for people coming into the city from every possible way and they say this year will be a very good test to see how well they've planned.

"We can assess how it actually works after year one but we also keep an eye on where our ticket sales are from as well so gives us a little heads up but really it will be after the event itself that we will know the exact details and obviously in year two we will apply that to the plan," said Kurt Sakzewski.

Kurt admits it will be interesting to see how well people will be moved in and out of city on the Friday and Saturday nights but they've been working with police and every other transport agency to ensure everyone gets out in a timely manner.

The biggest piece of advice the organisers have is to catch public transport. Don't drive.

"We really want to encourage people to take public transport. All major events government use public transport to ferry people in and out and that would be the most efficient and least disruptive way to get in and out of the event," said Michael Cassel.

Hunter Street light rail construction to start next month

BY JARROD MELMETH

Light rail construction on Hunter Street will start from September 12 between Auckland and Darby Streets.

Works will include relocating essential services such as water, gas, electricity and telecommunications, civil construction work including road reconfiguration and laying light rail track on the road.

Traffic will be temporarily diverted around construction zones during the build, Honeysuckle Drive, Wharf Road and King Street will be available for road users to get around the city centre.

Revitalising Newcastle Program Director Michael Cassel says the construction area will be closed to ensure the safety of the construction personnel.

"It's also to ensure that we get through the zone as quickly as possible, we have elected to put diversions in place for traffic and will close that section of the road down.

On what is next for the light rail construction Mr Cassel says the project will progress through all of Hunter Street and Scott Street throughout the next 12 months.

"We are very cautious not to set very tight deadlines because as we have always said we are subject to weather and what we find in the ground and they are always challenging. We have worked hard to make sure the traffic diversions will work well; we have worked very hard to ensure there is ample parking for people who wish to drive into the city, but we are also improving public transport to give everyone an option.

"The light rail team has spent over a year laying the groundwork to ensure light rail construction will run as smoothly as possible. This includes creating new pedestrian and vehicle access points between Hunter Street and the harbour. It’s now time to get on with installing light rail tracks," Mr Cassel said.

Mr Cassel also reiterated the steps being taken by Revitalising Newcastle, to help surrounding businesses through the construction.

"We are ensuring that footpaths remain open and the entrances to all businesses remain open throughout the construction period. We are also putting on lots of planned activities to draw people back into the city, as well as lots of information and updates regularly on the best ways to move around the city," Mr Cassel said. 

Work in the Auckland and Darby Street construction zone is due to be completed by the end of 2017.

Light rail construction works at Auckland & Darby Streets Newcastle.

Interpretation plan to pay respect to 'The Store' past

BY JARROD MELMETH

Revitalising Newcastle say a move by the State Government to demolish 'The Store' building, to make way for a bus and coach terminal as part of the Newcastle Interchange project will pay respect to the history of the site.

Records illustrate the significance of the building which reflects an important aspect of the socio-economical system of the region, once standing as Newcastle's premier shopping destination until the 1960's.

News of the demolition has sparked a range of emotions from the wider community, with some saying developments like these happen way too often where buildings are left to stand bare for so long and then be deemed "structurally unsafe", torn down and, turned into the next revitalization venture.

Plans for the site include an interpretation plan which, according to program director Michael Cassel will aim to capture the essence of the sites former use.

"Interpretation plans really try to reflect the way in which a site was used and why there is such a connection. Historically it has been a place of gathering for the people of Newcastle, so we are trying to reflect that through different things like public art, story boards and information rather than just a plain facade, something that tells you a story so you can understand the importance of the site.

"We have come up with what we think is the best option," Mr Cassel said.

The decision has also been supported by the Hunter Business Chamber with Chamber President Jonathan Vandervoort applauding the next step being taken in the revitalisation of Newcastle.

"Back in 2015, the Chamber celebrated the State Government's acquisition of The Store building as a positive step forward to deliver an opportunity to add to the amenity of the current interchange design and provide a range of useful opportunities.

"Although The Store has been an important part of Newcastle West for many years, the Chamber notes the buildings are in poor condition and are a possible safety hazard in their current state," Mr

The Store as it stands today.

Newcastle Interchange under construction
at the rear of  'The Store'.

New road to help ease the oncoming congestion

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Revitalising Newcastle is working to make driving around the CBD a little easier.

Construction is underway on a new road connecting Honeysuckle Drive and Hunter Street at Worth Place. The idea is that the new road will assist traffic flow in the city centre during light rail construction and when light rail is operational.

The work is due to be completed in the coming weeks.

Another road connection will be built at Steel Street next year.

Michael Cassel says "we are transforming the way people move around the city".

Image supplied.

The closer light rail construction comes, the more worried businesses get.

BY JESSICA ROUSE

There are renewed concerns for Hunter Street businesses as light rail construction looms in the Newcastle CBD.

Sections of Hunter Street will start to be closed off in September when work begins which is when most businesses say they're worried they'll feel the pinch.

Newcastle isn't the first city to go through the business upset with the plight mirroring some retailers on George Street in Sydney which has been a construction zone for around two years.

The government say they're prepared to adapt their plans if things go awry, but MP Tim Crakanthorp says even then a lot of small businesses just won't be able to survive.

Image www.newcastlenow.org.au

With up to 1,000 car parks disappearing and essentially one lane of traffic being taken away as well, Tim Crakanthorp just can't see it working for everyone.

"I think if you can stick it out for that period of time and only perhaps the bigger businesses can do that, there will be benefits at the end of it but then again they're also deeply concerned about the parking."

On the other hand, Program Director of Revitalising Newcastle Michael Cassel says they're doing as much as they can to ensure businesses don't lose out.

"We're doing a lot with businesses, we've employed precinct managers, we're working very hard to make sure businesses thrive through this period. We've got lots of activities, we're bringing more people back to the city during that period of disruption and we will pop out the other end with a much-improved transport system."

Proposed restoration for Newcastle Station

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI

Revitalising Newcastle is one step closer to restoring the city's railway station and delivering on its promise to the community after lodging a development application earlier this week.

The plans are looking to restore the site's heritage features in the hopes of turning it into a high-profile tourist destination.

Stage one of the proposal involves reinstating a balcony on the building's first level, creating openings onto Scott Street for pedestrian access and filling in the area between platforms to create a large, open space for public use.

Newcastle Railine [Image: The Fifth Estate]

Program Director, Michael Cassel says the ideas behind the restoration are largely inspired by the community.

"[They want] something that's iconic, something that has food and beverage offering and something that they can be proud of so if you have visitors that come to Newcastle you can say 'hey, let's go down to Newcastle Railway Station, it's the place to be.'"

He says the stage one plans will breathe life back into the precinct.

"We want to ensure this valuable and much-loved city asset does not sit unused any longer. The last thing anyone wants is to see this beautiful building sit and rot."

But Property Council of Australia Hunter Director, Andrew Fletcher says if the site isn't restored to its fullest potential, then Newcastle could miss out on vital tourism opportunities.

"International visitors from the Asia-Pacific and China...are going to start streaming through Newcastle Airport in the next few years," he said.

"If we don't have a draw card, a globally competitive tourism draw card in the city centre of Newcastle then those visitors will bypass our regional capital altogether and will take their valuable export dollars straight to Sydney and to other parts of Australia."

Andrew Fletcher says he wants to see the railway station become a real cultural icon for Newcastle.

"Something that could really stamp the brand of the city in the same way that the Opera House does for Sydney or the Mona does for Hobart. Cities all around the world that are well-known and they're competitive, have these kinds of cultural institutions that people love to come and visit and Newcastle needs one of its own."

The project is now awaiting Council approval before restoration work begins.

Wickham Transport Interchange To Be Open Before Christmas

BY IAN CROUCH

Trains will be running all the way to the Newcastle Interchange at Wickham in time for the V8 Supercars event in November.

Revitalising Newcastle Project Director, Michael Cassel said construction of the $200-million interchange building on Stewart Avenue is on time and on budget, with work on the internal fitout to finished by October.

It means commuters will be able to connect with trains, buses and taxis at the new interchange, with timetables to be overhauled in 2018 and light rail services to start in 2019.

Artist's Impression of The Newcastle Interchange

New transport interchange dubbed the Newcastle Interchange

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It may not win any awards for thinking outside of the box, but the new transport interchange in Newcastle's West has been officially dubbed the Newcastle Interchange.

Upon a recommendation from the Geographical Names Board and after 65 submissions, the NSW Government settled on the name which, despite getting some heavy criticism,  Revitalising Newcastle Program Director Michael Cassel says it reflects the role of the interchange as a gateway to the great city.

The Newcastle Interchange is being delivered as a part of the NSW Government's $510 million program to revitalise the city.

Image courtesy of the Newcastle Herald.

Light Rail Construction to Bring More Trees to Newcastle

BY GEORGIA LUPTON

Newcastle's light rail system will not only bring a cleaner, greener transport option to the city, but will also bring more trees.

The New South Wales Government has teamed up with Newcastle City Council to develop the Tree Offset Strategy.

Revitalising Newcastle Program Director Michael Cassel says the strategy will see two trees planted for every tree removed.

Trees are expected to be removed near the Wickham Transport Interchange as roadworks are carried out.

The Council will work with the program to determine where new trees will be planted, with potential locations including the former heavy rail corridor.

Michael Cassel says the interchange design intends on having the smallest environmental impact possible.

The New South Wales Government is investing $510 million on the revitalisation program to bring people into the CBD.