Work is set to begin on the next stage of City of Newcastle’s East End Village project, with onsite crews mobilising next week to commence improvements on Hunter Street between Thorn and Wolfe streets, and Wolfe Street between King and Scott streets.
The project will enhance the area for cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers through new paving, roadway, and footpaths. Upgrades to stormwater pipes are also planned as part of the wider effort to replace the Hunter Street Mall with a reinstated traditional high street.
Streetscape improvements will include multi-function street lighting, new street furniture, extensive landscaping, and an extension of the two-way cycleway on the northern side of Hunter Street.
Last year, underground site investigations were conducted to prepare for the main construction, which follows the completion of upgrades between Perkins and Brown streets. That section reopened to the community earlier this month.
City of Newcastle’s Interim Executive Director of City Infrastructure, Robert Dudgeon, highlighted the importance of community involvement in shaping the East End Streetscape Masterplan.
“This is a shared vision developed in consultation with the community, which will see the reinstatement of a traditional high street where people can enjoy boutique retail opportunities and outdoor dining,” Mr Dudgeon said.
“When we complete this stage of the project, we will have invested more than $16 million, which is being delivered in sections to minimise disruption for local residents and businesses as much as possible.”
“The staged nature of the program also allows us to align our improvements with other developments in the area, including those being undertaken by Iris Capital, as we work collaboratively to enhance the lifestyle and experience offered within our city centre.”
This current work represents the third phase of five planned for the East End Village project. Initial construction focused on the block bounded by Hunter, Wolfe, King and Perkins streets, delivering new paving, service upgrades, street furniture, gardens, trees, and significant upgrades to stormwater, drainage, cycleways and footpaths.
The recently completed second phase transformed a key pedestrian and cyclist entry point between Perkins and Brown streets, improving and extending the streetscape with new trees, landscaping, paving, and utility upgrades including road realignment.
Preliminary design is underway for the remaining stages along Hunter Street between Thorn and Newcomen, and Market Street, with work scheduled for delivery during the current Council term.
For the latest updates on current and future stages, visit the project page on City of Newcastle’s website.
IMAGE | An artist’s impression of the upgraded streetscape that will be delivered as part of the next stage of the East End Village project.
