The planned Broadmeadow Precinct Regeneration has been acknowledged as a national significance project by the Federal Government’s infrastructure advisor.
Redevelopments would see 63 hectares of land transformed into an international sporting, residential and entertainment precinct called ‘Hunter Park’.
Only five kilometres from Newcastle’s CBD, the land in question is currently home to the McDonald Jones Stadium, the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, show grounds, hockey fields and the harness racing track.
Following the City of Newcastle’s multi-year advocacy, Infrastructure Australia, the independent national authority on projects of national significance, announced the redevelopment on its annual Infrastructure Priority List.
Another project announced is the Newcastle Airport Capacity Expansion which would see direct flights to countries including the United States, China, Singapore, Russia, Japan, and South Africa.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the priority list confirmed Newcastle’s status as one of Australia’s most important cities.
“The independent advisor has now confirmed the importance of these infrastructure projects on a national scale,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Both the Newcastle Airport Precinct and Hunter Park have already been recognised as Catalyst Areas in the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan and City of Newcastle’s new Economic Development Strategy.
“I invite both the State and Federal Governments to be investment partners in these initiatives in their upcoming budget announcements; the value of these projects to the local, regional and national economy is significant and worth many billions of dollars.”
A promotional video by Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC) and Venues NSW was uploaded last year, which took a bird’s eye view over the proposed development.
The video showcases a state of the art precinct with international sporting facilities, multipurpose entertainment venues, retail, coffee shops, a four-star hotel, adventure parks, and more than 3000 apartments.
Planning and Open Spaces Minister Rob Stokes told the Newcastle Herald in December 2020 that Venues NSW had grand plans for the precinct.
“I’m very keen to see the plans, and I’ll do whatever I can in my position as planning minister to support the proponents in their efforts,” Stokes said.
“There’s quite a bit of granular work that needs to be done in terms of a business case for the site—that is a matter for Venues NSW.”
The Broadmeadow Precinct Regeneration project would generate up to 8,000 jobs, with 1,000 of them ongoing.
The Newcastle Airport Capacity Expansion has been designated by the NSW Government as a Special Activation Precinct due to its potential to stimulate the economy.
Newcastle Airport CEO, Dr Peter Cock said upgrading the airport to Code E status would revolutionise the Newcastle region, the industry, and the nation.
“The inclusion on IA’s priority list further demonstrates that this project is one of national significance with huge potential,” Cock said.
“It strongly reinforces the link between upgrading the Airport to international status and the global defence and aerospace precinct it sits in.”
The City of Newcastle will submit Stage 2 submissions to Infrastructure Australia in collaboration with Venues NSW, HCCDC and Newcastle Airport.
Hayley McMahon
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