Fifty hectares of surplus State Government land, adjacent to the city centre and running along Newcastle’s picturesque Harbour, is ripe for development. Angus Dawson, General Manager of the State Government’s Honeysuckle Development Corporation, believes that in the next five to ten years this project has the potential to generate 5,000 jobs and inject $900 million into the local economy.
Set up in 1992, the Honeysuckle Development Corporation received funding from the State and Federal Governments to the tune of $100 million. Some $61 million of this has been earmarked for community projects. The Corporation is now self funding through the ongoing sale of land.
Through a combination of commercial, retail, entertainment, public open space and residential developments, the aim is to create an active, lively waterfront that will open up the cultural and commercial heart of Newcastle to the harbour.
“The project is a major catalyst for the re imaging and repackaging of Newcastle,” Angus Dawson said. “With the City centre on its doorstep, three minutes from spectacular beaches and land at reasonable prices, it is very much a unique project.”
Having worked in the development industry all over the world, Angus Dawson said it has never been as good as Newcastle. “The approach is what can we all do together,” he said. “If there is a problem all involved come together to solve it. With high quality community consultation a key element, the result is that the aims of the City, the community, State Government and the Corporation are all being met.”
Projects that have been approved, or are under way, include a four star hotel, a recreational marina, entertainment complex, an open space pedestrian precinct, medium density residential developments and single dwellings.
“Council worked closely with the community, State Government and the Corporation to establish DCP 40,” said Jenny Groman, City Strategist Urban Form and Design. “Now in place for a year, development applications are being received for sites never before envisaged for redevelopment. Revitalisation of adjacent sites to Honeysuckle is another spin off.”
The Development Control Plan meets a number of needs, such as preserving heritage buildings but, at the same time, allows for higher rise developments in less sensitive areas. Any development applications that are consistent with the DCP are fast tracked by Council to avoid unnecessary delays.
For further information contact Angus Dawson, telephone (02) 4927 3800
