East End upgrades coming soon

A $5M project, a part of the East End Public Domain Plan, will start in May with new paving, landscaping, and public amenity improvements in and around Hunter St Mall.

The start date for first stage upgrades was voted on last night (April 27), with the Councillors awarding Statewide Civil the construction contract.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the City of Newcastle was committed to delivering well-planned infrastructure for a growing city.  

“The vision of the East End Public Domain Plan looks to reinstate Hunter Street as a traditional high street and an attractive destination for locals and visitors, with outdoor dining and boutique retail opportunities,” Cr Nelmes said. 

“The project will increase accessibility and public amenity and will be complemented by trees and plants to create a greener city centre.”

She said the central location to Newcastle Beach, the Harbour and restaurants provided a boost for nearby businesses.

“The project complements other improvements in the precinct, including Iris Capital’s $750 million East End development which will see the former David Jones building become a five-star QT Hotel, and the planned refurbishment of the Victoria Theatre on Perkins Street,” Cr Nelmes said.

East End Public Domain Plan is a part of a plan to reinvent the city’s commercial centre as a tourism, residential and hospitality hub.

First stage upgrades will begin on the block bound by Hunter St, Wolfe St, King St and Perkins St.

Work will include stormwater upgrades, a kerbed road on Hunter St, pedestrian and cycle pathways, smart lighting, public Wi-Fi and electric vehicle charging points.  

Iris Capital Development Manager Jamie Boswell said the upgrade strengthened the mall’s appeal to visitors. 

“Like so many Novocastrians, we’re thrilled to see Newcastle’s historic mall come back to life with new development, residents, retail options and now improved public space,” Boswell said. 

Information source: Media release, Apr 28, City of Newcastle

_{Information source: Media release, Apr 28, City of Newcastle}