There is an opportunity to redevelop an existing sports and entertainment precinct five kilometres from the Newcastle CBD.
The layout of the precinct and connectivity between facilities and existing public transport is poor. There is also an opportunity to make better use of underutilised land and improve sustainability outcomes.
The proposal represents the next phase of urban regeneration following the revitalisation of the Newcastle CBD.
The precinct supports multiple objectives of the NSW Government and City of Newcastle, including:
- achieve neighbourhoods where daily needs are within a 15-minute walk
- providing sports and entertainment facilities to attract national and international events
- stimulating innovation and jobs to support Newcastle’s transition to a knowledge economy
- creating public spaces and achieving liveability outcomes (i.e. improved connections to public transport and public space).
The 2019 Australian Infrastructure Audit found that in areas outside of fast-growing cities, green, blue and recreation infrastructure is often fragmented across multiple assets and expensive to maintain.
Potential options to address the proposal include:
- new sports infrastructure, such as an aquatic leisure centre
- multi-purpose venues for other entertainment and sporting events
- green infrastructure for local amenity, sustainability and resilience outcomes
- residential and mixed-use development
- accessibility improvements within the precinct. including new pedestrian facilities.
Proponent to develop potential investment options (Stage 2 of Infrastructure Australia’s Assessment Framework).
In 2021, the NSW Government allocated $6.7 million for the development of a final business case for the precinct (referred to as Hunter Park). The business case is expected to be lodged with the NSW Government in early 2023.