Our Time Has Come

Our Time Has ComeChairman of the Property Council’s Hunter Division and Newcastle Renewal Taskforce, Edward Crawford, has heralded todays announcement by the NSW Government of Newcastle’s light rail route as a landmark day that will reshape Hunter St as the key destination within the city. “The Hunter St option will create a City Centre that is authentically Novocastrian” “Mike Baird started this process as the State’s Treasurer, when he said less than twelve months ago that Newcastle’s time has come” “As Premier of NSW, he now gets to deliver on the promise.” Mr Crawford also singled out Member for Newcastle, Tim Owen MP and his colleague Andrew Cornwell MP, Member for Charlestown, for their dogged determination to transform The Hunter’s economic epicentre. “We’ve already seen close to $1 Billion in private sector investment pour into Newcastle since plans were released for revitalisation of the City Centre and a CBD light rail system.” Mr Crawford said the Newcastle Renewal Taskforce had made the most comprehensive submission to the NSW Government’s plans to run Light Rail from Wickham to Newcastle Beach. “We mapped activation opportunities, used a matrix to assess the potential routes and looked at strategies for the Wickham Transport Interchange.” “All the facts and local market insights pointed clearly to Hunter St as the best light rail route.” “This decision will turbo-charge key activity areas around the new University campus, Civic and the East End. “Whether you’re a student, worker, resident or visitor, this route will deliver more people to the front doors of their destination” “It sets up Newcastle for a generation of smart growth and will help create a vibrant, world-class regional capital.” Mr Crawford paid respect to the extensive process of community consultation and said the debate about how to best support the vision for reconnecting the city to the waterfront was now over. “This announcement is confirmation of a gold-plated public transport solution to drive urban renewal forward.” “Now is the time for all sides of politics at both state and local government levels to get behind an implementation plan which will create a more competitive and liveable city for our community.” Media Enquiries- Edward Crawford – 0431 365 780.