The Newcastle Greens have slammed the NSW Government for failing to deliver social and affordable housing on the Honeysuckle HQ site.
While welcoming plans to revitalise the Newcastle Harbour precinct, the party believes the landmark $1.6 billion project – announced this week – falls short of the mark to address accommodation woes in the city, labelling it a “broken promise”.
DOMA Group was announced to proceed with the venture, known as Newcastle Quay, which will take place over six stages across 15 years.
It’ll provide about 1,000 new homes, as well as commercial and retail areas to support around 4,000 workers, alongside jobs, hospitality, tourism and cultural offerings on the iconic locale.
The masterplan also features more than 11,000 square metres of public open space, including a park known as Honeysuckle Green, a Wickham School of Arts-anchored plaza, improved pedestrian connections and shared sectors designed to maximise community access to the harbourfront.
However, local councillor Charlotte McCabe said Novocastrians had been “fleeced” again.
“Premier Chris Minns’ promise of 30% social and affordable housing when government land is developed means investment in Sydney… not in Newcastle,” she stated.
“We finally see the plans for the final piece in the Honeysuckle puzzle, the mix of commercial space among new housing points towards a new liveable community space for Newcastle.
“In 2023, the NSW Government vowed that the 30% social and affordable housing commitments would apply to this precinct.
“Sadly, it’s just like Broadmeadow.
“Once the concepts are revealed, we see Newcastle’s social and affordable housing investment is going down to Sydney instead.
“In opposition, Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp called for social and affordable housing quotas to be applied to both Broadmeadow and Honeysuckle.
“But, now, he’s happily promoting plans for Newcastle to miss out again.
“It’s one view in opposition… and another in government.
“This is state-owned land located in Newcastle that will be sold off by the government for development.
“Novocastrians should be seeing the social return and housing for everyone.
“However, once again, like Broadmeadow, our 30% social and affordable housing quotas will head straight down the M1.
“Our communities are looking to their leaders and rightfully asking, who’s standing up for them?
“Who’s fighting for investment in social and community services and housing as a human right in Newcastle?”
Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC) selected the private developer to transform the precinct into a vibrant waterfront destination.
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