End of the Line
Newcastle’s heavy rail line was truncated nearly six months ago, but this week marked the end of the line for the Nile Inquiry on the planning process in Newcastle and the broader Hunter Region.
The Property Council’s submission to the Nile Inquiry back in October 2014 rejected the narrow perception that the NSW Government’s $460 million investment in urban renewal projects and public transport infrastructure was to benefit the property industry.
It demonstrated why claims that developers were “eyeing off” the heavy rail corridor could not be substantiated.
It clearly laid out the things our Newcastle Renewal Taskforce said were not negotiable in terms of the heavy rail corridor;
- North-South connections at-grade to reconnect the city and waterfront
- Pedestrian and cycle friendly East-West Links
- Much more than a simple beautifcation program
- Activated Public Domain
And it detailed why the claim that the people of Newcastle were never consulted on truncation of the heavy rail line at Wickham was a complete furphy.
The issue had been a political football in Newcastle for decades and the subject of at least 30 separate Government reports which recommended truncation.
Furthermore, nearly 700 submissions were received when the current Government embarked on a process of unprecedented community consultation.
Now the Premier has also responded to the Interim and Final Reports of the inquiry by stating “. . . the NSW Government has engaged continuously with the community and stakeholders for many years to inform decisions.”
He has reminded the committee that new height controls for the East End developments ensure buildings will not exceed the parapet of the nave of Christ Church Cathedral and were set in response to community views.
And he has assured the community that deep, local consultation will occur on all future developments, with two of the JRPP’s members nominated by the City of Newcastle and the continuation of UrbanGrowth NSW’s Design Newcastle process.
New research from the Property Council shows over 1,700 new dwellings, worth more than $900 million, have been constructed or approved for the Newcastle Urban Renewal Precinct in less than three years.
Surely the sceptics can now accept a decade of sustained policy development and community consultation has led to this position.
One that represents a quantum leap in confidence and proves the value of the public and private sectors working together.
One that will create a more competitive and liveable city sooner.