The proposed Hunter Park is set to receive NSW Budget funding as the Broadmeadow sports and entertainment precinct edges closer to becoming a world-class facility.
The NSW Budget was announced today and contains $6.7M to help develop the business case to push the significant project along.
Home to Newcastle Showground, McDonald Jones Stadium and Newcastle Entertainment Centre, the Broadmeadow precinct would be transformed into a 63-hectare multipurpose site, featuring international sporting grounds, residential buildings and entertainment facilities.
Four years ago, former Sports Minister Stuart Ayres initially announced the redevelopment and it has since struggled to gain traction.
However, earlier this year, Infrastructure Australia listed the project as a regional priority while other local stakeholders supported the renewal project.
State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp has welcomed the funding and has been an advocate for the project since he was elected.
“I’ve lost count of the number of times I have raised this in Parliament through speeches, questions and Budget Estimates,” Crakanthorp said.
“We want to be a global city, and that means we need world-class sports and entertainment facilities, which is exactly what is touted for this precinct.
“We need to get this precinct right, and now the next stage begins to make sure Newcastle gets the facilities it needs and deserves.”
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes also welcomed the funding and said progress on the new project had been a long time coming.
“We’ve long advocated for Hunter Park as the next major catalytic urban renewal project for our city,” Cr Nelmes said, adding it would mean thousands of new homes, including much-needed social and affordable housing, as well as world-class aquatic and entertainment facilities, and cycling and walking infrastructure.
“The world-class sporting facilities are particularly exciting for our region.”
Cr Nelmes said concept plans identified the site’s potential for hosting future Commonwealth Games.
“So, it’s not unrealistic to think that we could see Olympic-standard aquatic and athletic facilities, accessible to the community and supporting infrastructure evocative of Sydney Olympic Park.”
She said early estimates anticipated the precinct could generate 2600 new homes, more than 8000 jobs during construction, more than 1000 ongoing jobs at completion, and 30 hectares of quality public spaces.
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said Hunter Park was the next big step for Newcastle’s transformation into an international-quality destination.
“With improved connectivity for public and active transport, it is expected to attract 1.8M annual visitors and become home to around 6000 residents, delivering exceptional liveability, sustainability and place outcomes,” Bath said.
“In what would likely be a multi-stage construction process over more than 10 years, Hunter Park will provide an opportunity to attract major private market investment into Newcastle, including an estimated $3.7B in economic output during construction and attracting almost $55M annually from the NSW Government.”
NSW Treasurer Dom Perrottet said the $6.7M investment would lay the groundwork for developing a revitalised precinct that would deliver ongoing benefits to the Hunter’s economy.
“The Hunter Park project has the potential to further cement Newcastle’s place as the gateway city to northern NSW, drawing visitors from across the country to significant sporting and entertainment events,” he said.
The development of a final business case will include comprehensive engagement with stakeholders, community and the private market over the next two years.
NSW Minister for Sport Natalie Ward said the funding would explore how world-class sports facilities could underpin major urban renewal outcomes.
“The Hunter has produced some of the biggest stars in Australian sport from Ray Baartz to Belinda Clark and Andrew Johns,” she said.
“This investment is a pathway to see how we can continue to leave a strong and vibrant legacy in Newcastle with quality sports and entertainment facilities, while offering so much more for the people of the Hunter Region and beyond.”
Hayley McMahon