18 June 2013
The allocation of $340 million to revitalise Newcastle included in the NSW budget is good news for the city, says the Urban Taskforce.
Todays announcement that the Newcastle Port will be sold as a long term lease will generate significant funds that can be ploughed back into Newcastle to revitalise the centre, says Urban Taskforce CEO, Chris Johnson. Within the commitment to spend $340 million on the city is an initial allocation of $10 million to plan for a light rail between Wickham and Newcastle with the potential for further extensions.
The studies need to also look at how to better connect the city to the water. The images presented by the government show a corridor with light rail but no urban activation that is needed to increase connectivity.
A bolder plan is needed to make the light rail corridor pedestrian friendly and safe through the activity that comes from buildings.
The Hunter also gains from infrastructure commitments including the wastewater networks at Farley and Lochinvar in the Maitland area which are expected to allow up to 10,000 new homes to be built.
It is good to see Newcastle city getting a special focus from Macquarie Street.
