Hunter St revitalisation
Newcastle City Council is committed to revitalising Hunter Street and bringing people, life and amenity back into the Newcastle city centre.
At its meeting on 25 June 2009 counci resolved to develop a detailed Master Plan that delivers on Council’s priority for revitalisation of the city.
The staged revitalisation of Hunter Street between Newcomen and Denison Streets form the focus of the project.
The works will initially be concentrated on three precincts: The Mall, Civic and Cottage Creek subject to community endorsement of those three precincts established through a place making approach.
Download the map of the three precincts (250kb pdf).
The project will support the revitalisation and provision of public places that foster business vitality, community health, happiness and well being. It is underpinned by engagement with the local community, aiding the process of Place Management and the creation of desirable and safe public destinations.
It involves initiating engagement with Hunter Development Corporation, Roads & Traffic Authority, State Rail Authority, Newcastle Buses, University of Newcastle, Precinct Committee and the community.
The work will be staged over three years as finances permit.
Implementing the project
The first stage of the project will re-open Hunter Street Mall to calmed traffic flows by the end of October. Subsequently the Perkins Street bus shelters and toilets will be replaced in the 2009/10 financial year.
Council commissioned Place Partners to undertake a Place Making Pilot Project focussed on the section of Hunter Street between the western end of Hunter St Mall and Auckland St to deliver outcomes before the end of 2010.
Download a copy of the Hunter Street Revitalisation Civic Precinct Pilot Project report (6.6Mb pdf) with quick win strategies to improve Hunter Street.
A detailed Master Plan will also be developed for the remainder of Hunter Street. This will help determine future priorities, project stages and costs.
Subsequent stages of the projects will be developed from the Master Plan through engagement with the community in Place Making. These will focus on the precincts around Civic Station and Cottage Creek that will include:
- Streetscape changes to the width of the carriageway and footpath
- Parking and cycleways
- Improved surface treatments and finishes
- Planting of mature street trees in conjunction with new street furniture and signage
- The installation of public art in designated places and generally an overall improvement in the amenity of the street.
Project funding
The table below shows the funds potentially available for the project. It includes grants that will be applied for.
| Source | Amount 2009/2010 | Amount future years | Comments |
| Section 94 | $300,000 | To be determined | For Mall opening to traffic |
| Newcastle City Centre Precinct Committee | $400,000 | Place making in Hunter Street for projects agreed by mainstreet Committees | |
| Major Asset Preservation Committed Program | $206,000 | Perkins Street Shelter and Toilet | |
| Major Asset Preservation Program | $125,000 | Between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000 | Trees, signs, street furniture and line marking in year one. This will be added to by rehabilitation of pavement and road in subsequent years. |
| Management Plan | $150,000 | Variable | Detailed Master Plan in year one. As determined by Council in subsequent years. |
| NSW Community Building Partnerships Fund | $400,000 | Applied for suitable projects matched by Council funds. | |
| RLCIP Stage 2 | Variable | Variable | Suitable projects especially relating to heritage and linking communities. |
| Savings made available through interest free loans | Up to $170,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Available for Council to direct |
| Regional Roads Block Grant and 3 by 3 council determined projects | Nil | $500,000 | Available from routine grants and subject to approval of Council and RTA |
Grant funding opportunities are available though State and Federal funding programs, specifically the State Funded Community Building Partnerships grant and stage two of the Federal Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP) and Jobs Fund grants.
Background
The project has been identified to demonstrate Council’s role and commitment to its Pride of Place focus and is consistent with this Council's strategic priority of revitalisation of the City.
The project recognises the long term decline of Hunter Street and the desire of the Council and community to improve this unique site and engage with the community.
