The City of Newcastle is seeking community feedback for the new Foreshore Park designs, with major upgrades to increase the area’s playspace by eight times.
An accessible, inclusive playground the size of eight basketball courts, including open areas to skate and play, community gardens, and space to hold major events are apart of the designs.
There are plans to incorporate Newcastle’s Indigenous heritage with a significant water play space that links back to the Harbour Foreshore’s original shoreline.
A cultural heritage walk is also proposed telling the Awabakal stories like Mulubinba, the place of many sea ferns, canoe hunting on the harbour, recognising post-1880 stories and redeveloping Newcastle.
Luke Russell from Guraki Aboriginal Advisory Committee strongly supported the new cultural elements within the designs.
“I’m really pleased there is a significant increase in the representation of Guuri culture in the Foreshore Park concept with the plan reflecting equal parts Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage,” Russell said.
“City of Newcastle’s engagement on this project has resulted in a positive outcome for the community.”
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the concept had been developed based on consultation with the Foreshore Park Community Reference Group.
“It’s wonderful to have an incredible regional scale inclusive playground based on input from our community as the cornerstone of the preliminary concept for our city’s iconic Foreshore Park,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Now more than ever, we value our open spaces and parks, and this project is a great collaboration between City of Newcastle, Variety the Children’s Charity and our community which will transform the Harbour Foreshore into a more inviting recreational space and major event venue for everyone to enjoy.”
One of the new designs’ main headline features is the inclusive all accessible ‘Variety Livvi’s Place’ playspace delivered in partnership with Variety the Children’s Charity.
To help finalise the draft masterplan, the community can have their say about the new designs until February 26, at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay.
Information Source: Media Release, Feb 16, City of Newcastle