It's all About Building for the Future: Premier Berejiklian Thrilled with Newcastle Interchange

BY JESSICA ROUSE

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says she's absolutely thrilled with the Newcastle Interchange and the progress the light rail project is making.

The Premier is in Newcastle today to present the political outlook for the Hunter at the Property Council's final lunch of the year, and while she was here she also inspected the progress on the $650 million-plus investment the government has made in Revitalising Newcastle.

Since the Revitalising Newcastle program started, the city's population has grown by 4.6 per cent and employment has increased as well, up 9 per cent.

Private investment has jumped too, with the project triggering $2 billion.

Revitalising Newcastle's Michael Cassell, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot
MacDonald, and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

Premier Berejiklian said despite all of the hassles along the way, she's thrilled the government stuck to their guns and delivered.

"I remember people were complaining to me about why are you building the light rail and now people are saying we want an increased network, we want you to further increase the network so I remember at the time getting absolute criticism for announcing the light rail project,"

"I'm glad we stuck to our guns. It's going to be fantastic for Newcastle , but also the broader region. This is all about building for the future."

"I've learnt one thing about Newcastle, there is a minority of people that don't want to see things change because they've got vested interests, the vast majority of people want to see Newcastle move ahead and that's who we're batting for, those people who are invested in the future, invested in giving kids a go here in Newcastle and making sure Newcastle has the opportunity to become an even greater city - it is a great place already to live and work."

The Premier defended the cost of the light rail project after reports today suggested it was double the cost of similar projects across the state.

"There's no point taking down all of the wires from the heavy rail if you weren't going to do this, and I've heard some unfair criticism about the light rail project costing a bit more than other projects, that's because other projects have wire at the top of them like Canberra. We've chosen to make this wireless because we're preparing this for the future," said Premier Berejiklian.   

Image David Threlfo Twitter.

Constance Tells Union Bosses To "Go Back To Sleep" At Newcastle Transport Interchange Official Opening

BY IAN CROUCH

NSW Transport Minister, Andrew Constance has taken a swipe at union bosses during today's official opening of the Newcastle Transport Interchange.

The $200 million transport hub will be the focal point of public transport into and out of Newcastle, with around a thousand train services a day connecting commuters to Maitland, the Hunter Valley and the Central Coast and Sydney.

The route 110 shuttle bus will take commuters into the city from Stewart Avenue while work continues on planning approval for a coach interchange on the site of The Store in Hunter Street.

Construction of Newcastle's Light Rail project is under way and is on schedule to begin running from the new interchange in 2019.

On Friday, officials from the Rail Tram and Bus Union staged a small protest outside the interchange calling for Andrew Constance to step down over the underpayment of bus drivers and missing or cancelled services by Newcastle's private transport operator, Keolis Downer.

The minister said the company needed to be given a "fair go" to allow them to "bed-in" the new network and that the government will work through any issues which have arisen.

Today, union secretary, Alex Claassens described the interchange as a waste of taxpayer's money by essentially re-opening the Wickham Train Station which was closed three years ago.

Andrew Constance dismissed the criticism.

"The union bosses should just go back to sleep. Seriously, they call for my resignation every day of the week. I love it. They have nothing to contribute, they're rent seekers and (they should) just go back to sleep," he said.

Parliamentary Secretary For The Hunter Scot MacDonald and Transport Minister Constance At Today's Official Opening

Newcastle Interchange To Open Ahead Of Schedule

BY IAN CROUCH

The state government says work on the Newcastle Interchange at Wickham is ahead of schedule, with trains to start running from October 15 instead of November.

The Stewart Avenue transport hub will officially open on October 16, however the first train will leave the interchange at 1.44am on Sunday October 15, bound for Fassifern.

Empty trains will start running along the line from Hamilton in coming weeks as part of final testing.

Newcastle Interchange To Open In October

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'.

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.