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Hunter Park project funding receives ‘thumbs up’

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The Hunter Sports and Entertainment Precinct at Broadmeadow is one step closer to fruition, four years after the project was first unveiled.

The NSW Government announced on Tuesday 22 June it would allocate almost $7 million, from the 2021/22 Budget, to progress the business case that will transform 63 hectares surrounding the Newcastle Showground, Newcastle Entertainment Centre and McDonald Jones Stadium into a world-class lifestyle district known as Hunter Park.

But, the funding’s long overdue, according to Newcastle state MP Tim Crakanthorp, after planning for the redevelopment originally started under his predecessor Jodi McKay.

“After being swept aside following the election of the Liberal-National government in 2011, the project was revived in July 2017 by then-Sports Minister Stuart Ayres who revealed a draft concept plan for the site, which included a multi-purpose area, multi-purpose fields and a consolidated sports facility,” he said.

“Earlier this year, Infrastructure Australia listed it as a regional priority, while local stakeholders including Business Hunter, the Urban Development Institute of Australia – Hunter Chapter and the Property Council agree that Broadmeadow is Newcastle’s next major renewal precinct.

“I’m thrilled that ongoing advocacy has finally paid off.

“I’ve lost count of the number of times I have raised this in Parliament through speeches, questions and Budget Estimates, and by meeting with anyone who will give me the time of day.

“We want to be a global City, and that means we need world-class sports and entertainment facilities, which is exactly what is touted for this precinct.

“We need to get this right – and, now, the next stage begins to make sure Newcastle gets the facilities it needs and deserves.”

City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the news.

“This will be a truly transformative project for Newcastle and the Hunter region that’ll deliver on a key element in the NSW Government’s Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan 2036,” she said.

“Hunter Park is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create 8,000 jobs during construction, with more than 1,000 ongoing following its completion.

“In turn, turning a much-loved but aging and underutilised space into a contemporary mixed used precinct located at the geographical heart of Newcastle at Broadmeadow, just five kilometres from the Newcastle CBD.

“A key benefit for the region of Hunter Park is jobs.

“Once complete, the project would support new roles in sporting and entertainment-related industries including medical, educational, tourism and retailing as part of a new health and education and innovation ecosystem.

“It is a significant urban regeneration proposal, the size and scale of which has never been seen outside of Sydney, incorporating 50 hectares of exceptional public open and green spaces, state-of-the-art sporting facilities, leisure and entertainment zones, 13,000sqm of commercial space and more than 2,600 new homes, including much-needed social and affordable housing.

“I acknowledge the support of all Hunter councils and my fellows mayors, together with the national significance of Hunter Park being recognised by the federal government’s infrastructure advisor, Infrastructure Australia.

“City of Newcastle has been advocating for this as part of a genuine collaboration with NSW Government agencies, and I thank the board and CEO of Venues NSW, and the Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation for their work in securing this funding.”

City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath also praised today’s budget announcement.

“We’ll be able to provide a world-class sporting and entertainment hub with transport links, which local and visitors can enjoy day and night, all year round,” he said.

“Delivering an international-quality destination for sporting events and entertainment, with improved connectivity for public and active transport, it is expected to attract 1.8 million annual visitors and become home to around 6,000 residents, delivering exceptional liveability, sustainability and place outcomes.

“In what would likely be a multi-stage construction process over more than 10 years, Hunter Park will provide an opportunity to attract major private market investment into Newcastle, including an estimated $3.7 billion in economic output during construction and attracting almost $55 million annually from the NSW Government.

“City of Newcastle welcomes the NSW Government’s funding commitment and thanks NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes and NSW Minister for Sport Natalie Ward for their support for the Hunter Park concept.”

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