To help alleviate flooding in the Wallsend area, the City of Newcastle is delivering a $20.7M flood mitigation plan, helping Ironbark Creek better manage heavy rain events.
The planned upgrade includes installing a stormwater bypass across from Cowper St Bridge and widening and realigning the upstream section of the creek—flanked by sandstone to renew the existing concrete-walled channel.
Improvements at Cowper Street will follow the recently commenced demolition of a vacant building next to the Nelson St bridge.
The City of Newcastle acquired this in 2018 to facilitate the future widening of Hunter Water Corporation’s Ironbark Creek stormwater channel.
Widening the Hunter Water channel and replacing the Tyrrell St, Nelson St and Boscawen St bridges are key elements of the Ironbark Creek Flood Mitigation Plan.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the City was committed to improving Wallsend for current and future generations.
“We’re getting on with our $20.7 million, Council-endorsed work as part of the Ironbark Creek Flood Mitigation Plan along with traffic improvements and public amenity upgrades to Wallsend Town Centre, which will support businesses and residents,” Cr Nelmes said.
“The installation of the Cowper Street Bridge bypass culvert is a critical first step before the City can proceed with upgrades to the nearby intersection of Cowper and Kokera Street, replacing the roundabout with traffic signals.
“Further traffic improvements in Wallsend are planned under the Wallsend Local Centres Program, with detailed design for the upgrade of existing traffic signals at the intersection of Cowper and Nelson Streets to commence later in 2021, including blackspot funding from Transport for NSW.”
The new Tyrrell St Bridge was opened in April last year following the City’s $3.3 million replacement of the original 1930 built structure.
Detailed design of the replacement and raising of the Nelson and Boscawen St bridges are scheduled to commence later this year.
Information source: Media release, Apr 27, City of Newcastle