All eyes are on the NSW State Budget and the likely funding of suburban stadium redevelopment in Sydney; meanwhile, Newcastle awaits an update on the proposed ‘Hunter Park’ in Broadmeadow.
The Broadmeadow sports and entertainment precinct is currently home to the historic Newcastle Showground, the McDonald Jones Stadium, and the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.
Redevelopments would see 63 hectares of land transformed into an international sporting, residential and entertainment precinct called Hunter Park.
Earlier this year, Infrastructure Australia listed the project as a regional priority, while local stakeholders, including Business Hunter, the Urban Development Institute of Australia – Hunter Chapter and the Property Council, agree that Broadmeadow is Newcastle’s next major renewal precinct.
However, after the cancellation of the $810M ANZ Stadium redevelopment, the NSW Government is expected to redirect funding into its boutique stadiums strategy with significant upgrades proposed for Penrith, Kogarah and Brookvale stadiums.
State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp urged the NSW Government to look north of the Hawkesbury River and consider injecting funds into the Hunter region.
Crakanthorp said it was outrageous if another major Sydney sports project received a cash injection while the Hunter was left with nothing.
“In 2017 the Sports Minister arrived in Newcastle with some pretty pictures and big plans, but four years down the track we have little to show for it,” he said.
“This Government has spent over $1 billion on the Sydney Football Stadium and Bankwest Stadium, and now they’re looking at throwing more cash at Sydney.
“The Government needs to fulfil its languishing commitments in the Hunter before it funds more new Sydney projects.
“The precinct would deliver a huge boost to the local economy and jobs, both during construction and as part of its ongoing operations – it’s time for the Government to provide Newcastle with its fair share and fund this project.”
The call for funding comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a $66M commitment to the Newcastle Airport, upgrading the runway to international standards.
— Dan Cox (@CoxDan) May 6, 2021
“This will ensure that we can take larger flights, and we can back the future of the Hunter and its considerable potential that it has,” Morrison said.
The funding, which is a part of the Federal Budget, would see the runway widen by 7.5 metres on both sides, accommodating wide-bodied, long haul aircrafts to fly in and out of Williamtown.
The 2021-22 NSW Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, June 22, 2021.
Hayley McMahon