Broadmeadow precinct regeneration
There is an opportunity to redevelop an existing sports and entertainment precinct five kilometres from the Newcastle CBD.
The existing 63-hectare precinct at Broadmeadow contains a variety of sporting facilities and serves some commercial uses. The site was first established in 1970 and most of the facilities are now reaching the end of their usable life.
The layout of the precinct and connectivity between facilities is poor. There is also an opportunity to make better use of underutilised land.
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:
- 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).
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 fields and arenas
- multi-purpose venues for other entertainment and sporting events
- green infrastructure for local amenity
- residential and mixed-use development
- accessibility improvements within the precinct.
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
Refer to Infrastructure Glossary for terms and definitions.