Newcastle’s Council Street upgrade is complete.
After 25 months, and $6 million, the Cooks Hill address now boasts 8,000 new street plants, 18 new trees, additional parking spaces, public art and stormwater improvements.
The popular eat street, which was once plagued with flooding issues, traffic congestion and overgrown tree roots, was officially reopened by Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes on Friday.
“City of Newcastle has been working with local residents and businesses on this project for years given the historic flooding issues in the area and it’s fantastic to see this major $6 million upgrade complete,” she said.
“The community and local business owners’ input has been critical in making a range of improvements to the area, including stormwater issues, pedestrian safety, vehicle movements and car parking, while creating an appealing, well-functioning streetscape to support local businesses.”
The upgrade, Cr Nelmes said, would not only help to mitigate stormwater flooding in the local area but also delivered a streetscape that included a fun new ‘selfie’ wall mural by local artist Trevor Dickinson.
“Trevor Dickinson’s interactive’ selfie’ mural wall wraps up the project, bringing the new space to life by injecting fun with his bold use of colour whilst capturing the character and charm of the area,” Cr Nelmes said.
One-way only traffic would also enhance the functionality of the street for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists, Cr Nelmes said, discouraging illegal U-turns being made at the Darby Street and Council Street intersection, and significantly improving street safety.
Apart from Cr Nelmes, Three Monkeys Cafe owner Anthony Strachan, Autumn Rooms owner Ben Richardson, and Project Manager Patrick Burgess were also at the official opening.
Mr Strachan said he had already started to see the benefits of the project.
“The renewal of this area is a great thing for local businesses,” he said. “The better it looks, the more people are going to come.
“It’s nice to see people already enjoying the new street furniture and interacting with the street art.”
The Council Street renewal is the result of community feedback sought in 2015.
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