Blueprint for the Future of Newcastle

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A blueprint for the next 20 years of living in Newcastle has been created with everything from transport needs to housing.

The Draft Greater Metropolitan Plan has been released this morning looking forward to what the region should look like in 2036 and what challenges it presents.

Gary White, the NSW Chief Planner was in Newcastle this morning to announce the plan and said the city is a great example of one that has completely transformed from being just an industrial town.

"It's all about telling a story, a very exciting story about a city transforming itself from an industrial base into a new world economy over the next 30 years, it's a city which I believe will be talked about around the world as being an exemplary example of how a community transforms itself."

"When you start to hear things about cruise boats coming into your harbour when you start to hear about the strength that's coming out of the education sector, the strength that's coming out of health, your starting to see the front end of the very exciting process of the transformation of Newcastle," said Gary White.

The plan includes plans for the continued revitalisation of Newcastle, the growth of and our use of aerospace, and being strategic about the delivery of housing and jobs.

Local Mayors, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald and
NSW Chief Planner Gary White at Fort Scratchley this morning.

Gary White says looking forward it's important to think strategically particularly when it comes to jobs.

"We need to create jobs in the right sectors, the sectors such as education, the sectors such as health an also recognising that there's a creative economy and a creative manufacturing economy. There are sectors associated with defence, they're all emerging, they're all opportunities that are presenting themselves for our future community as we go forward."

Greater Newcastle is expected to grow to 700,000 people in 2036 with the potential to continue growing well past that date.

"I believe in 10, 15, 20 years time people will be very proud to say they've come from Newcastle because I think it will be an exemplary example of a city that has transformed itself into a modern economy," said Gary White.

The plan is on exhibition until February 28 next year
http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Plans-for-your-area/Greater-Newcastle-metropolitan-planning 

Smart City looking Towards a Smart Future

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It seems the Federal Government has recognised just how smart the city of Newcastle really is.

Newcastle City Council is today welcoming $5 million from the government under their Smart Cities and Suburbs program to put towards council's Smart Move Newcastle, part of Council's Smart City vision to boost the use of digital technology throughout the city in vehicles and infrastructure.

Assistant Minister for Cities Angus Taylor and
Newcastle Council Interim CEO Angus Taylor.

Council is more than matching the government's amount together with their partners putting $10 million towards the project as well.

Assistant Minister for Cities Angus Taylor was in Newcastle today to announce the funding and says Newcastle has the potential to lead the rest of the world.

"We'll be pioneering technology here for Australia and that are leading not just Australia but the world. This is a great opportunity not just to make Newcastle a better place to live and work but also give Newcastle the chance to really be a pioneer Australia wide and globally in these sorts of technologies," said Minister Taylor.

The funding will go towards supporting a range of initiatives including:
- An electric vehicle hub
- Autonomous vehicle trials
- Bus stops with technology to provide real-time information such as when the next bus is due
- Roads with real-time traffic analysis to give emergency vehicles green lights and alert commuters of traffic jams
- Sensors in buildings to monitor and manage energy use
- Cameras in smart light poles to analyse cloud coverage and estimate solar energy production

Council Interim CEO Jeremy Bath said the digital solutions will better the city in terms of infrastructure, transport and everything in between.

"Newcastle is a city that has always prided itself on its innovation and the Federal Government is joining with council and a number of companies from around Australia and indeed across the world showing they have the faith and the belief in Newcastle," said Jeremy.

"We really welcome the funding and welcome the interest from the Federal Government, Angus you can come back anytime with the chequebook!" said Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald.