Cycling Gets A Boost In Newcastle

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle City Council is hoping to capitalise on the city's newfound love of cycling since the COVID-19 restrictions began in March by fast tracking work on a new cycleway.

Council is allocating $3.1 million from its COVID-19 stimulus budget to build a 1.1km shared path between Merewether Beach and Glebe Road at The Junction.

Plans include a 2.5m wide bi-directional path along Watkins Street and Coane Street, between Watkins and John Parade, with new and upgraded crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes hopes the project will encourage more residents to make the switch to pedal power.

“By prioritising our investment in Newcastle’s cycleway infrastructure we hope to help encourage this surge of interest to continue beyond the current climate, enabling cycling to play an even larger role within Newcastle’s transport mix now and in the future,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.

“The cycleway will create an important connection with one of the city’s favourite coastal destinations and encourage more people to make the switch to pedal power.

“We are committed to promoting cycling as a genuine transport option for residents, families, commuters and recreational users, which is why expansion and improvement of the cycleway network is one of the City’s priority projects.

“Improving and expanding Newcastle’s cycling network is an important investment in the future of our city, in line with the adopted Newcastle Cycling Strategy and Action Plan.”

The project is part of almost $5 million allocated to cycleway projects under Council's revised 2020-21 capital works budget, including funding for the missing cycleway link on University Drive between  Blue Gum Road and the inner-city bypass at Birmingham Gardens.

Councilor and cycling enthusiast, John Mackenzie has welcomed the funding.

"I am pleased to see these cycleways projects being prioritised within the revised budget and look forward to seeing them progress during the next 12 months and beyond," he said.

Concept designs for the Merewether Beach to The Junction cycleway will go on public exhibition from Monday 29 June until Monday 27 via the City of Newcastle website.

Newcastle Councillor John Mackenzie and Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes

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