Construction is set to commence on the next stage of the revitalisation of the city’s East End enabling the reinstatement of the Hunter Street Mall as a traditional high street.
This stage of the project is expected to cost $1.9 million and will focus on a section of Hunter Street bound by Perkins and Brown Street, as a key pedestrian and cyclist entry point to the East End Village.
Wider footpaths will make way for alfresco dining and new street trees will increase shade cover, with the work also to include upgraded street lighting, road surfaces and stormwater infrastructure.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the next phase of the project represents an important step in revitalising a historic part of the city undergoing rapid and transformative renewal.
“City of Newcastle is investing in the future of our East End cultural heritage precinct, with this next phase of public domain works aimed at creating opportunities for new development, retail, public spaces and providing notable links to the harbour,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Our vision for the East End Village is to reinstate Hunter Street as a traditional high street and as an attractive destination for locals and visitors to enjoy, with enhanced outdoor dining and unique local retail opportunities.
“We will be improving pedestrian accessibility, enhancing lighting and providing important cycling links to improve the functionality of entering the precinct.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said delivering these outcomes for the community have taken significant collaboration as well as public and private sector investment.
“City of Newcastle is proud to have undertaken significant planning work to protect the heritage of the East End, including the protection of important view corridors which are so iconic for our city,” Cr Clausen said.
“We are working closely with Iris Capital to deliver upgraded, high quality public amenity through our adopted East End Streetscape Plan, with the first $5 million stage already delivered by the City of Newcastle at the block bound by Hunter Street, Wolfe Street, King Street and Perkins Street.
“Together with Iris Capital and its contractors we are working to best coordinate the sequence of works in this next phase to reduce the impact on the community.”
The East End Village project is being delivered under the City Centre Revitalisation Program, one of City of Newcastle’s four Priority Projects. Visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/eastend for more information.