time for new thread.
vol 1>
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=223615

novostrians-please repost recent articles/projects ect.
cheers

some pretty piccies
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/6571/102306571ml1114481246.jpg

current tallest in newcasle
Worth Place 12st/43m
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/0011/102800011ml1127706826.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e7/Newcastle_australia.jpg

SMH

New coal terminal for Newcastle approved

September 27, 2007 - 5:09PM

Federal government has approved the building of a new coal terminal in Newcastle in NSW, which it believes could boost coal exports by $1 billion.

In a statement, Treasurer Peter Costello said the government had approved the facility, to be built near Kooragang, under its foreign investment policy.

"The new coal terminal and shiploading facilities to be built near Kooragang, will include new rail infrastructure, stockyards and a deepening of the Hunter River," he said.

"The consortium building the terminal facilities - the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) - has estimated the project will create up to 1,000 extra jobs in the Hunter, boosting coal exports by $1 billion and generating up to 5,000 jobs across NSW."

The NCIG is made up of BHP Billiton, Centennial Coal, Donaldson Coal, Peabody Energy Australia Coal, Felix Resources and Whitehaven Coal.

Mr Costello said overcoming infrastructure bottlenecks was a key economic priority for Australia.

"The current bottlenecks have resulted in delays and unnecessary costs for exporters," he said.

"Earlier this year, there were lengthy queues of empty ships off the major east coast coal ports waiting to load cargoes bound for the thriving north Asian markets.

"I welcome the massive investment being undertaken by NCIG to help overcome the bottlenecks that have unnecessarily cost Australia jobs and growth."

© 2007 AAP

POSTED BY MELBNOVO

SMH

The Hunter gets a new hub

Carolyn Cummins Commercial Property Editor

September 29, 2007

NEWCASTLE'S city centre is poised to benefit from a series of big developments, as institutions and private investors target opportunities in the Hunter region.

GPT Group recently announced plans for a $500 million retail and entertainment centre in the main Hunter Street Mall, while Mirvac is pushing ahead with a $125 million redevelopment of the former Royal Newcastle Hospital site as a beachfront retail and apartment complex.

Tenders for the former BHP steelworks site are also being decided. The 150-hectare Port Waratah holding has sat almost unused since the blast furnaces shut in 1999, while the State Government undertook a $110 million remediation process. Among the favourites are Mirvac; a consortium including Toll; Buildev; and Eureka Funds Management.

The strength of the Newcastle office market has underpinned plans for a $50 million office complex in the Honeysuckle business precinct, called the HQo.

The 14,450-square-metre project will be one of Newcastle's most environmentally sustainable commercial developments, with a 4½-star Australian Building Greenhouse Rating. A consortium comprising AMP Capital Investors, Tuscan Corporation and Crone Partners has already leased one of the buildings in the complex to the health fund NIB.

CB Richard Ellis and Raine and Horne Newcastle have been appointed to lease a neighbouring, 5500-square-metre building, which is due for completion in July.

The Newcastle managing director of CB Richard Ellis, Angus Klem, said the HQo project would provide the only new A-grade office space in the city centre next year and there had already been strong inquiries from potential tenants.

"Office space users are expanding as a result of the growing local economy," Mr Klem said. "The [vacancy factor] as at January was 1.4 per cent and this is estimated to tighten further when the next vacancy statistics are issued in January, even with the recent completion of a new 10,000-office project at 670 Hunter Street."

Only half a floor of the Hunter Street project remains available for lease. Mr Klem said the lack of available space was driving up rents and the $295 a square metre being sought for the half-floor in Hunter Street was likely to be the last sub-$300 deal in Newcastle this year.

Mr Klem said a growing number of tenant inquiries had been from call centre operators and CB Richard Ellis had fielded interest in recent months in space ranging from 1000 square metres to 2500 square metres.

The strong performance of the region's commercial property market underpinned the recent launch of CBRE's Newcastle office.

Strong forecast population growth was helping to drive tenant and developer interest in the Hunter, with the region's population forecast to grow by 30 per cent, or 675,000 people, by 2030.

"There is a real trend developing that has seen large multinationals such as PricewaterhouseCoopers as well as major government organisations such as Hunter Water Corporation and the NSW Premier's Department setting up in Honeysuckle. It is fast becoming the commercial hub of Newcastle," Mr Klem said

POSTEDY BY THE VERY ACTIVE MELBNOVO

$150 million dollar residential plan for Pokolbin (prime wine-growing area) to accomodate 1400 people. I guess this has come about due to the lack of residential amenity in the area and the general increase in tourism to the Hunter Valley.

Closer to Newcastle.....7000 lots and 180 hectares of "employment land" planned for an area west of both Wallsend and Maryland. The problem with this area is that is very poorly serviced by public transport and are quite car-dependant suburbs. No provision for a rail line or extra bus lines out there as yet.

Will be interesting to see how respective councils deal with these plans.

Guess AGAIN!

A slightly different render of the Bellevue apartments (Hunter street)

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3240/bellevueapartmentstq5.jpg

Found a proposed development for Wickham, called Aspect one. It equates to 10,800 m2 of office space.
4.5 star rating.
completion planned 2009.

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/4898/84439110ox5.png

More detailed information on the proposed 9 storey mixed-use development on 764-768 Hunter street. No renders though!

http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/22623/Development_Applications_Committee_Item_No_56.pdf

Good to see some stuff happening in NSW's best City.

If anyone is interested in the adaptive re-use of Lee Wharf C building, then check out this link....lots of plans etc......hope it turns out well!

http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/05_0007.asp

These pictures make me quite upset. Newcastle council should be doing a better job at preserving heritage buildings in the city.

Victoria theatre now.....
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/1944/800pxvictoriatheatre200gl1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Victoria Theatre in 1900
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/6892/vicyw8.png (http://imageshack.us)

We should restore this baby to its former glory. Such a shame a building like this just sitting there. Apparently the theatre has been left pretty much untouched, so I'm sure a refurb could be done.

GPO is another great building in the CBD just sitting there doing absolutely nothing.

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/5323/postio9.png (http://imageshack.us)

Found this on The Herald archive website for 12/10/2007.......

Down she comes

CONSTRUCTION giant Mirvac has taken ownership of the Royal Newcastle Hospital site and yesterday revealed details of its $300 million plans for a luxury hotel, upmarket apartments and retail precinct on the prized beachfront land.
Newcastle Herald 12/10/2007

Did anyone see this article?? I thought the devellopment was going to be $125 million?? How did it get up to $300 million??? Does mirvac have any luxury hotel brands??

Found this on The Herald archive website for 12/10/2007.......

Down she comes

CONSTRUCTION giant Mirvac has taken ownership of the Royal Newcastle Hospital site and yesterday revealed details of its $300 million plans for a luxury hotel, upmarket apartments and retail precinct on the prized beachfront land.
Newcastle Herald 12/10/2007

Did anyone see this article?? I thought the devellopment was going to be $125 million?? How did it get up to $300 million??? Does mirvac have any luxury hotel brands??

Mirvac have a lot of hotels/resorts/serviced apartments including The Sebel, Quay West and Citigate brands. Have a look at their website: MIRVAC (http://www.mirvac.com.au/default.asp) to see the massive list of their hotels as well as their huge portfolio of other development types (residential apartments, housing subdivisions, commercial offices, shopping centres etc.).

wow 300million dollars i posted renders of it ages ago i cant seem to find them though

I think what you posted on the previous Newcastle forum were "concept" plans. Mirvac has been exploring architectural submissions from various companies in order to make a decision this year about the design of the site. I'm not sure why the budget has gone from $125 million to $300 milion?? I hope this reflects an increase in the quality of the development!!!

Am aware of the Mirvac website but am not aware of which Mirvac-branded hotels are considered to be higher end. I think the hotel was touted as being a 4 or 4 and a half star hotel.

Are any of those buildings (Vic theatre, GPO, etc) heritage listed or protected in any way?

It's in such a sad state..

I'm not sure ncik.....i assume they have some level of protection.

I stumbled upon a site showing old photos of Darby street (in inner-city suburb of Cooks Hills) with buildings that are still in place today, but were in such grand condition with ornate awnings and verandahs still in place. Newcastle seems to be in a rush to build new buildings (of which it desperately needs) but it has left some great old buildings just sitting there in decay. I'm not sure if anyone has been to Bacchus restaurant in King street, which used to be the Mission theatre. The refurbishment has been outstanding in that particular building.

Check out this site......talks about various problems facing Newcastle in terms of urban development.

http://urbanworkbench.com/newcastles-problems-the-series

I went to Newcastle recently for the first time since I was a kid, and I have to say that I was shocked. The centre of town is pretty but half the shops were abandoned or for rent. Many of the pubs were boarded up and the further west you went the worse it got. Even the Hunter st mall was in bad shape, and the shopping areas were really daggy. Why is this? Are rents too expensive? What's going on?

Hey shaggers_jr, the answer to your question is a combination of the Newcastle earthquake and the rise of suburban shopping centres like Charlestown square and Westfield Kotara. Newcastle's CBD was deteriorating prior to the earthquake and the quake killed it off entirely.People stopped going into the CBD for shopping and it has been left to decay. In the past couple of years there have been more concerted efforts to invest money into the inner city. There are still SO MANY places boarded up or still up for rent, especially, as you said, in Newcastle West.

Did you get to go to Darby street, Honeysuckle and Beaumont Street...these are the livelier, eat streets around the city. The CBD continues to be unpopular as there is little to do there, there is a higher level of crime and is used merely as a place of work. There are an increasing number of residential developments being built in the CBD which will hopefully translate into more demand for bars, restaurants, cafes, especially at night. Not sure what the solution is...it would have been implemented if we knew the answer.

Lord Mayor Tate apparently wants smaller wine bars to spring up in the city, encouraging people to stay in the cbd after work and on the weekends.

i think once more resi goes in there, plus with the redevelopment of the hospital, it will eventually take off in the cbd. it's just a matter of time before it reaches that critical mass then the place will become really trendy due to (hopefully) gaining a rustic but revived feel. other areas around the centre that were once dull are getting stronger all the time so it will happen. there's a paradigm shift happening where people want to live in highrise apartments within cbd areas (i'm one of them). it will be quite interesting when it does all come together.

Render for 4 storey development on King street, Newcastle (between centrelink and car park). 3500 sqm of commercial space.

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/7661/kingstreetzi6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Another Jackson Teece project

^^ wow that looks nice!

Not sure if anyone watched "Not quite art" on the ABC last night. Newcastle-born Marcus Westbury looks into the plans for Newcastle's Regional art gallery and cultural precinct. Lots of images around Newcastle and a few more images of LAB's art gallery proposal. Later on, Westbury goes to Glasgow to explore its underground arts scene. Really interesting!!

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/notquiteart/

If you don't want to watch the whole thing, check out the program from minute 3:20 to 12:10.

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/2386/projectnewcastlejm8.png (http://imageshack.us)

New developement newcastle west.

nice looking 6 storey

some views of newcastle west from oct5
checkout newcastles new tallest-Pinnacle draped in green.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2066/1577592476_b83c8f4364_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2018/1576715153_fae4f41860_b.jpg

new building in Charlestown

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2076/1571203644_d01e363d40_b.jpg

i love charelstown now. Its becoming either the chatswood, liverpool or ryde of Newcastle

their are 3 developements under way in charelstown

the Landmark (picture above)

Sky Central (two eight storey towers)

Charelstown financial centre (5 storey)

I can't believe how quickly the "landmark building" has gone up!! Last time I was in Newcastle around August, it was barely started.

I think the Newcastle inner city bypass has helped to ease the amount of traffic going through Charlestown's section of the Pacific Highway. It has made it more pedestrian friendly. The height and size of the buildings under development gives a sense of solidity and the sense of a high street.

Thanks for the pics Cul!! By the way, any idea how Sky Central and Charlestown financial centre are coming along???

I can't believe pinnacle is still under wraps...what's with the delay???

lol its meant to be finished by demember.

Sky central is half done with one tower already up. Just one mreo to go

the finacial building site is clear and they are starting to build structure supports for the floors.

News also westfeild have officially finioshed the constuction wwork on Kotara. Hopefully the charlestown square developement will be delayed for a few years so that GPT can buld their new shopping district for newcastle

i love charelstown now. Its becoming either the chatswood, liverpool or ryde of Newcastle

their are 3 developements under way in charelstown

the Landmark (picture above)

Sky Central (two eight storey towers)

Charelstown financial centre (5 storey)

I think its almost becoming the Newcastle of Newcastle. ;)

lol its meant to be finished by demember.

Sky central is half done with one tower already up. Just one mreo to go

the finacial building site is clear and they are starting to build structure supports for the floors.

News also westfeild have officially finioshed the constuction wwork on Kotara. Hopefully the charlestown square developement will be delayed for a few years so that GPT can buld their new shopping district for newcastle

I thought there were two stages to Kotara. Have they also finished the old end upgrades near DJs?

I think its almost becoming the Newcastle of Newcastle. ;)

^^HAHA! :lol::lol:

yes everything is done. The old end upgrade was part of the fashion precinct stage. I dont think the cinema will be going in for quiet some time now lol

One new Project and another Two Project Updates

1. Cootes Salior house to be either torn down and turned into 8 storey apartments in newcastle east or renovated and revilatised and make a heritige building.

2. Glendale transport interchange is one step closer to becoming a reality

3. Scafolding on Pinnacle is starting to come down bit by bit, so far the first 2 floors or uncovered

^thats great news about Pinnalce. how long has it been going 3 years? finally a new tallest for newcastle.

construction work started on the glass house in whickham today.

Here are a few newer pics of the steel river development at mayfield.....too bad more stuff like this hasn't be proposed for Newcastle CBD!!

Hope you like!!
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/756/5239726bl1190331981pk3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/6306/5239726al1190331981nk2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3149/5239726ml1190331981it1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Everyone, check out this website....it has got some awesome designs for areas in Newcastle.

Schreiber Hamilton is a Newcastle-based architectural firm with some great ideas.

http://www.scha.com.au/

Click on Residential, then move cursor over Multi Residential. Grey boxes will appear, each representing a different project. Check out Honeysuckle West and Honeysuckle East, both are proposals for the Honeysuckle development area. They look very cool, especially the East proposal.

Even better than that, click on Commercial and move cursor over Commercial Projects. Check out Broadmeadow medical centre. It is a speculative project design but it looks awesome. Build it now I say!!! Some other interesting bits and pieces in the website as well.

OMG MELB MY MAN U REALLY OUT DID URSELF THIS TIME!

that looks amazing i hope if thats constructed it stays exactly the same!

Glad you liked the steel river building. Did you check out the Broadmeadow medical centre building in www.scha.com.au

It is awesome!!

Some old pics of Newy...

Eastern end of Hunter Street...check out the tram!
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/7572/448pxnewcastle1950jr8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Hunter Street...look how busy it looks!!
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/6707/465pxnewcastle1968sh4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

yeah i did. Looks like something they would build in dubia lol

in the first pic im now very sad that they got rid of the tram lines :(. they could of turned it into light rail or something

the 2nd pic is what newy would look like if their was no such thing as urban sprawl

The the mayfeild developement it looks like something you would see in the ryde district. Maybe mayfeild is becoming the ryde of newy

ABC Newcastle

$360m solar farm in the works

Posted November 16, 2007 14:40:00


Australian company CBD Energy has announced plans to build a $360 million solar farm and manufacturing plant in the New South Wales Hunter Valley.

CBD Energy says the first stage of the project will cost $60 million. It involves the construction of a five-megawatt solar farm on land near Raymond Terrace, north of Newcastle, which it hopes to complete by June next year.

Output will eventually be expanded to 30 megawatts, providing enough green electricity for more than 30,000 homes.

CBD executive chairman Gerry McGowan says the next stage will be building a factory to make a revolutionary new type of thin-film solar panel.

"We'll manufacture [it] for a tenth of the cost of conventional PV technology," he said.

The federal Coalition has promised to contribute $20 million to the first stage of the project, if it is re-elected.

Smell like an election is in the air!! This wouldn't hsve anything to do with Paterson being a marginal for the coalition????

I hope it goes ahead regardless. The Hunter needs to clean up its image in regards to the environment. So many large coal-fired power stations in the region.

Some old pics of Newy...

Eastern end of Hunter Street...check out the tram!
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/7572/448pxnewcastle1950jr8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Hunter Street...look how busy it looks!!
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/6707/465pxnewcastle1968sh4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I love these pictures! Especially the one with the tram in it.
How extensive was the Newcastle tram network? When and why did they get rid of it?

They ar great pics aren't they!!! Apparently, trams ran in Newy from 1887 to 1950, weh they removed for reasons that I'm not aware of. There is still a tram which has wheels atached to it which conducts tours in Newcastle. I'm not sure how extensive the network was.
http://www.famous-tram.com.au/history/

I'm still trying to work out where the second picture was taken from....I think it is of the (now) Hunter street mall, but I'm not too sure. Does anyone else have any ideas???? It is a great pic...look at all those people and cool signage.

Here is a bit more info on the tram substation and the routes themselves (Plattsburg by the way, is out near Wallsend).
The source is: http://www.aussieheritage.com.au/listings/nsw/Newcastle/HunterStreetTramwaySubstationformer/4873


The Former Hunter Street Tramway Substation has historical and social significance as the only substantial relic remaining of the tramway era in the City of Newcastle`s central business district.

The site has been associated with the operation of the tramways since their inception on the 13 th Ably, 1887. An earlier tram engine shed on this site housed steam trams which entered the shed from a siding off Hunter Street, to the east of the shed.

The Former Hunter Street Tramway Substation, erected in 1924 and completed in 1925, was part of the State Tramways system, which, in 1926, carried 339,411,765 passengers, employed 11,246 people and 228 and one half miles of tramway were open for traffic.

This handsome two storeyed rendered building, whose careful detailing includes high quality decorative rain water goods, is considered to be an important item of Regional Environmental Heritage and provides a handsome contribution to the character of the streetscape.
Official Values: Not Available
Description:
HISTORY
The first tramway in the Newcastle District, which was from Perkins Street to Plattsburg, was opened on July 13 ` 1887. The distance was seven and a half miles of single track, with four crossing loops, at Honeysuckle Point, Webster Street, Hamilton, Morehead Street, Lambton and Wallsend.

There was a half hourly service to Hamilton, and an hourly service to Plattsburg. There were three sections on each route, the fares for each section were three pence by ticket and four pence by cash.

The Traffic Manager of the NSW Trams, Mr. E. J. Doran, was the first Telegraph Operator at the Perkins Street Box.

The Railway Commissioner`s first Report on the working of the line, for the five and one half months ending in December, 1887, was as follows: This line was constructed to connect the city of Newcastle with the coal mining townships of Lambton and Wallsend. The Capital cost of the line was 62,104 Pounds, inclusive of the rolling stock. At the close of 1887 it had been in operation for five and one half months only, and the working expenses for that time amounted to 4128 Pounds, while the revenue was only 3949 Pounds, showing a loss on working of 179 Pounds. The net earnings of this tramway must be 2484 Pounds annually to make it self supporting.

In the following year, the Chief Commissioner, Mr. E. M. G. Eddy, in his report stated that the gross revenue derived from working was 9552 Pounds, of which 95.44% or 9117 Pounds was absorbed in working expenses, leaving 435 Pounds only as profit to pay interest upon the capital cost of the line.

To commence the service, six combined motors and cars were despatched from Sydney by two colliers, the Tasmania and the Alhambra. These were landed at the Dyke, and then subsequently brought by rail to Newcastle. Subsequently two motors and six cars were despatched to Newcastle by the same steamers. When the Hawkesbury Bridge was completed in 1889, the rolling stock was sent by rail.

No further extensions of the service took place until the end of 1893. On the 12 th December, 1893, the line was extended from Perkins Street to Parnell Place, a distance of 62 chains.

The history of the endeavours to bring about the electrification of the Newcastle District Tramways dates back to 1907, when the proposal was made by a deputation of the Mayors of Newcastle, Wickham, Hamilton and Plattsburg to the Railway Commissioners. From that time onwards the deputations, who made similar representations, are too numerous for recapitulation.

Early in 1915 approval was given for the construction of a Power House in Zara Street, Newcastle East, and later on in 1919, when Hunter Street was being reformed, a single track was laid in from Telford Street to Perkins Street. Otherwise very little progress was made for some time owing to the severe conditions brought about by the War and it was not until late in 1922 that a deputation, comprising representatives of seven Councils in the Newcastle District, waited upon Mr. R. T. Ball, Minister for Public Works and Railways, on the question, and they were informed by the Minister that a sum of money would be placed at the disposal of the Railway Commissioners in connection With the electrification of the Newcastle service.

The Railway Commissioners, as soon as the money was made available, wasted no time and a commencement was made with the Mayfield line.

For the year ended 30th June, 1923, the full cost of construction and equipment, including the cost of electrification to date, amounted to 1,037,685 Pounds.

The rolling stock of the district`s services comprised 56 steam motors, 120 cars, 11 ballast trucks, 2 motor sprinklers, 3 breakdown cars and 2 hearses.

To completely equip Newcastle electrically, 150 cars will be required.

On March 28 1924, Mr. E. J. Doran, Tramway Traffic Manager, arrived in Newcastle to make a general inspection of the tramway work in progress and particularly of the preparation for an electric service to Broadmeadow.

Mr. Doran stated that it was expected that the Hamilton Substation would be in operation in a few weeks and that the completion of the other Substation in Hunter Street would follow quickly afterwards.

The State Library photographs of 1925 depict the Hunter Street Tramway Substation, complete with its machinery.

its official charelstown square has been given the all clear for expansion

^great. ill alert the President!

you do that cul

Pic of 123 Scott street development:

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/4107/123po8.png (http://imageshack.us)

A 12 storey apartment building has been approved for union street. no pics though!!

http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/25261/4_Union_Report.pdf

more details on union street...with some diagrams:

http://www.ncc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/25262/4_Union_appendix_A.pdf

^thanks melbnov. ive scaled elevations . cant bloody see heights. BUT if typical resi floor= 3m ,then overall height = 41m.
ill add to emporis
cellphone-i was kidding. ;-)
cheers

lol i know.

Westfeild has lodged for another developement aplication for DJ'as to be expanded to three levels and increasing its floor size for 10000 square metres to 15000 square meters. They would also like to add an extra 15 shops and extra 100 car park spaces on the roof.

hows pinnacle looking?
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/8086/104428086ml1194477134.jpg

great old bldgs in newcastle
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/2842/104472842ml1195803226.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/9267/104349267ml1191893128.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/2314/104332314ml1195428404.jpg

great old bldgs in newcastle
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/2842/104472842ml1195803226.jpg


And bloody old cars by the look of it too!

I got a glimps of it yesterday unfortuantely scaffolding hasnt come down as far as the top two floors for what i could see (maybe it was the first floor)

ABC Newcastle

Businesses show interest in Newcastle civic arcade revamp

Posted November 28, 2007 09:03:00

More than 40 national and international companies have registered an interest in a multi-million dollar redevelopment of Newcastle council's civic arcade site.

The council wants to use the site for an expansion of the Civic Theatre and develop a central Library, but is also working with University of Newcastle to provide student accommodation.

Lord Mayor John Tate says while it will take some time before the council moves to formal expressions of interest, a study has shown the site has great potential.

"There's a lot of investigative activity going on in the CBD [central business district] in relation to buildings," he said.

"I think we're on the threshold of a major boom in development in terms of office space and residential.

"Getting actual bricks and mortar coming out of the ground is a long way from expressions of interest, but you've got to start with an expression of interest before you can get to a real building."

ABC Newcastle

Industry to go from Wickham

Posted November 28, 2007 09:00:00

Industry will be phased out in the Newcastle suburb of Wickham as part of a plan to transform the area into an urban village.

Newcastle council last night adopted the Wickham development control plan, which includes changing the urban structure of the suburb through the creation of new streets with pedestrian and cycle linkages.

The plan recommends the development of a village square and improved access to Wickham Park.

Lord Mayor John Tate says there will also be more residential and office development.

"It's a big transition that we'll see taking place in the Wickham area," he said.

"It's logical that happen because it is close to the harbour, it's walking distance to the marina, Honeysuckle and of course takes you around to the beaches, so it'll be a very desirable area to live.

"You'll look back in perhaps five [years] time and it'll be a very different Wickham from what we see today."

^thats great news! I wonder if any of the developments will reach the max height of the newcastle plan.

i hope they reach at least 30/ 40 m in whickham area it would look really cool. I still hope for 90 but 40 is more what the council will probably do

do the state government regional plans for cities like newcastle supercede councils own limits? if so we may see the 90m mark if there is demand. i still don't get why wollongong gets 120m in its plan and newcastle only 90m.

I guess its becasue its a tourist based city and theirs alot of redidential dmeand and that csues commerical demand. I guess thast why they are allowing higher buildings becasue wolongong is so cramped inbetween the coast and mountian sides.

Newy if needed residential demand could build out west towards the f3 becasue the government and council dont give a crap about suburban sprawl.

im a newby and find the newcastle section great im an ex novacastrian and find it an interesting read thanks guys

^hi, welcome.
so do you still live in newcatsle or near? or now in sydney?
i was born in Waratah and spent most of childhood there. still go back every year to visit relatives at sunny Edgeworth and beuatiful Fennel bay.


some random shots

Newcastle station
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2232/2088273707_4ee5cacbcf_b.jpg

postcard
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2343/2083386920_2cb2b30558_o.jpg

currently tallest "building" in newcastle- the 60m silos at carrington
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2011/2089063098_74b0160004_b.jpg

lots of new flats, lots of old flats @ newcastle beach
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2098/2089091370_4ed8de4a25_b.jpg

baths
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2124/2088307527_3425e333f2_b.jpg

i live on the far north coast of nsw but want to move back to the hunter in the near future

some random shots

Newcastle station
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2232/2088273707_4ee5cacbcf_b.jpg



That's a very odd shot of newcastle station? It looks more like Civic to me. I guess it taken down a little from the terminus. I Also thought Newcastle station had at least another two lines where it finishes.

yep

So is it Civic? LOL

probably. on flickr it said a newcastle station.

i have been to newcastle 3 years ago and it was like on this pictures. there is nobody walking on the streets....with all the beaches is would have potential. i found newcastle is a scary place.:cheers:

cheers from germany

LOL yes, i knew it wasn't newcastle, it's Civic I am 99% sure.

This is Newcastle Station.
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/426/800pxnewcastlerailwaystdv2.th.jpg (http://img258.imageshack.us/my.php?image=800pxnewcastlerailwaystdv2.jpg)

i have been to newcastle 3 years ago and it was like on this pictures. there is nobody walking on the streets....with all the beaches is would have potential. i found newcastle is a scary place.:cheers:

cheers from germany
Hunter and king streets get quite busy saturday nights, maybe you should have taken a walk through Islington along pacfic highway.

lol your answer lies within the suburban malls of glendale, kotara and charelstown

thats where everyone is

This is Newcastle Station.
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/426/800pxnewcastlerailwaystdv2.th.jpg (http://img258.imageshack.us/my.php?image=800pxnewcastlerailwaystdv2.jpg)

That's a bit better! I was about to say, the main station of Newcastle is extremely unremarkable!

The Herald


18 December 2007 - 9:03AM


Sartor report reveals Hunter is state's ... . grow zone


THE Hunter's reputation as the state's regional economic powerhouse has strengthened with figures showing $2.6 billion worth of state-significant development was approved in the region last financial year.

The figure is twice that of Sydney's western suburbs and five times that of Wollongong.

Of the 18 state-significant sites earmarked for major developments in NSW over the next few years, half are in the Hunter.

The figures are contained in a recently released report card on the NSW Department of Planning's activities over the 2006-07 financial year, which records the work done by the department on all state-significant projects with a capital investment of more than $30 million.

State Planning Minister Frank Sartor cited the figures yesterday as yet more proof that the Hunter was "the engine room of the state's economy".

"It's a strong growth region and that's why the Government has a 25-year Lower Hunter Strategy and a city centre initiative for Newcastle," he said.

"Both these initiatives will ensure that the growth continues."

Mining development features prominently in the department's "major development monitor", with Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group's $922 million coal-loader plan the biggest development approved last year.

Approval of the Austar mine, at Cessnock, the Anvil Hill pit, at Muswellbrook, Donaldson's Abel underground mine and modifications to the Bengalla mine, at Muswellbrook, are included in the report but residential and commercial developments approved in the Hunter have outstripped all other regions.

Heading the list was the approval of the $350 million, 947-lot residential subdivision at Fern Bay, approval of the $100 million Dan land residential estate at Fletcher, near Minmi, and the approval of the master plan for the $125 million redevelopment of the prime Royal Newcastle Hospital site.

Another $75 million worth of developments at Honeysuckle added to the region's extraordinary run, including approval of the $40 million HQO building and the $35 million next stage of works in the Lee Wharf precinct.

Mr Sartor said in the report that his department approved $14.5 billion worth of projects statewide last year.

The Hunter's sizeable share was a reflection of the confidence being shown by investors in the region and its economic credentials.

Such investments had created thousands of jobs, while creating better housing affordability, better environmental results and more business opportunities, the minister said.

The report suggests that the Hunter's boom period will almost certainly continue for the next decade, with nine out of 18 state-significant development sites in the region.

That list includes two of the biggest developments in the region, the $1.8 billion Huntlee development, at Cessnock and Singleton, and the massive redevelopment of the old BHP site.

The list takes in the contentious residential development plans for Catherine Hill Bay, Nords Wharf and Gwandalan, in Lake Macquarie.

bring on the "city centre initiative for Newcastle"

whooo god i love us!

i was having lunch on darby street yesterday when i read this article in the local herald. i found it interesting that large cruise ships are stopping in newcastle, even if only for the day. it's a good sign, i wish i was there a day earlier, there was apparently a good vibe in the cbd and in the markets. apparently many more cruise ships will be stopping at newcastle harbour. i bet the main drawcard is the hunter valley wineries but apparently most people just strolled the city.

A titan comes calling
22 December 2007 - 9:29PM
By TESS CAMPBELL
http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/a-titan-comes-calling/1150281.html

http://static.yourguide.com.au/images/viewimages/?image=398946&size=3&prev=http%3A%2F%2Ftheherald%2Eyourguide%2Ecom%2Eau%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fgeneral%2Fa%2Dtitan%2Dcomes%2Dcalling%2F1150281%2Ehtml
IMPOSING: The passengers float in five-star luxury while soaking up a few rays aboard the Mercury yesterday.- Pictures by Kitty Hill

http://static.yourguide.com.au/images/viewimages/?image=398947&size=3&prev=http%3A%2F%2Ftheherald%2Eyourguide%2Ecom%2Eau%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fgeneral%2Fa%2Dtitan%2Dcomes%2Dcalling%2F1150281%2Ehtml
BOOM: The cruise ship Mercury's arrival yesterday.

http://static.yourguide.com.au/images/viewimages/?image=398948&size=3&prev=http%3A%2F%2Ftheherald%2Eyourguide%2Ecom%2Eau%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fgeneral%2Fa%2Dtitan%2Dcomes%2Dcalling%2F1150281%2Ehtml
THE VIEW: Stockton, as seen from on board.

http://static.yourguide.com.au/images/viewimages/?image=398949&size=3&prev=http%3A%2F%2Ftheherald%2Eyourguide%2Ecom%2Eau%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fgeneral%2Fa%2Dtitan%2Dcomes%2Dcalling%2F1150281%2Ehtml
LUXURY: The ship's Champagne Bar.


GUNFIRE awoke a sleepy city yesterday to the arrival of the biggest passenger ship to hit the Hunter.

A 7am boom from Fort Scratchley greeted the 14-deck Celebrity Cruises vessel Mercury as she entered Newcastle.

The ship reigned over the harbour for just 12 hours, its imposing figure reinforcing Newcastle's arrival as a prominent player in international cruising destinations.

The visit generated an estimated $500,000 for the area and Cruise Hunter's David Brown said it garnered rave reviews from the almost 3000 passengers and crew who explored ashore.

"The welcome passengers received in Newcastle is being hailed as the best of the trip," Mr Brown said.

The usually towering coal ships of the city's horizon bobbed like apples alongside the imposing vessel, which was docked at Dyke Point.

Tenders ferried passengers to their shore excursions at Port Stephens, Maitland, the Hunter vineyards and Newcastle's city centre and beaches.

Novocastrian passenger Martyn Hoare said Newcastle's reputation as a steel city was quickly shattered after 12 hours.

He organised a private sight-seeing tour for some of the international friends he made on board, ending with a typical Australian barbecue at a Jewells hotel.

On board the liner, a duty-free shopping mall offers fine jewellery and expensive designer clothing to try out in the ship's many entertainment hubs: the Celebrity theatre, casino, five bars and restaurants.

Floating in five-star luxury comes at a price. A standard lower-level room costs about $US1200 per person for a 14-day cruise but the royal suites come with spa, dining for six, a separate bedroom and baby grand piano at a cost of about $US13,000 per person.

The Mercury will be back on its return leg on 18 January and again on 15 February .

hows the hospital site going looks like there got scaffolding up post pics please

28 December 2007 - 9:01AM


Check out this article and a few piccies
http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/24m-facelift-for-dilapidated-sites/1152924.html

The Herald

$24m facelift for dilapidated sites

By JACQUI JONES


$24m facelift for dilapidated sites

TWO dilapidated Newcastle hotel sites are set for major redevelopments worth a total $24 million, which would include new buildings of seven and 15 storeys.

Plans have been lodged with Newcastle City Council for the transformation of the former Empire Hotel site on Hunter Street and the Great Northern Hotel on Scott Street.

The Empire Hotel site has development approval for 72 residential units but it is believed developers resubmitted new plans after building height limits were increased under the Newcastle City Centre Plan.

The new $21 million proposal is for a 15-storey building on the 2084-square metre site.

It would include 113 one- and two-bedroom serviced apartments and 580 square metres of retail space.

Existing buildings would be demolished but the Empire Hotel facade retained.

A report prepared by consultants Urbis on behalf of applicant Obsidian Holdings, said the development would enhance and bring vitality to the city's west end.


The $3 million plan for the Great Northern Hotel includes renovating the heritage-listed six-storey building.

There would be new bars and restaurants and 96 hotel rooms would become 92 rooms with ensuites.

A new seven-storey building on the eastern end of the site, facing Scott Street, would house 21 one-bedroom studio suites and a roof-top restaurant.

Applicant Oceania Clarke said in its development application that the building had been allowed to fall into a state of significant disrepair.

cool. is there many cranes in the newcastle skyline at the moment ?
hows the city centre plan going am suprized the council hasnt tried to reduce the height limit or have they

The empire hotel development I believe is basically the Knightsbridge towers. It will be nice to see a 15 storey tower for the west end of Hunter street. hopefully a sign of things to come.

Here is a link to the Knightsbridge development:
http://www.knightsbridgetower.com.au/main.swf

^^ Looks good! In the gallery, they show you views from the apartments. Is the land in front a part of the Honeysuckle development?

cool has has the knightsbridge tower started yet it has been gonna happen for years
that project link i saw years ago isnt it meant to be 14 storeys not 10 i have an article out of the daily telegraph that said it was 14 storeys or is that the f....ed up newcastle city council

sorry about language but im pretty passionate about the city and want to see it come out of the stone ages and get some development ie the plaza building 26 floors by the way what happened to that proposal ooh let me guess newcastle city council

lol so does every other forumer frequenting this thread.

the article said that the original developement was for 10 stories (knightsbridge i think) but they decided to re eneter plans to make it 15 stories

From The Herald

In relation to Pinnacle apartments:

http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/30m-facelift-gives-new-look-to-ugliest-building/1156418.html

nice the pinnacle apartments are 16 floors arent they

Welcome aboard Lowey. Nice to see someone passionate about Newy as well!!

The one thing I noticed when I was last in Newcastle was the use of some quite cool old buildings for new developments. I'm not sure that this is the way to go. There are SO many 1970's developments on Hunter street that COULD and SHOULD be demolished, rather than utilising some great old buildig as shells.

A good example of this is the Palais. It was a great old building that should have been salvaged. Now they are only keeping the facade and building apartments. In reality, they should have at least kept the facade and made a double storey glass shell which would be more in keeping with the design.

Bit of a shame to see some of these great buildings being mangled when there are so many alternatives sites to use. We should be restoring these old buildings and using them for restaurants, bars, retail etc....

I noticed a new construction site in newcastle last week when i went to butlers. I didnt get the adress but it was on the the honeysuckle side and it was a few buildings down from the quest apartments on the opposite side of the road.

Its a lowrise my guess 5 to 6 stories.

Welcome aboard Lowey. Nice to see someone passionate about Newy as well!!

The one thing I noticed when I was last in Newcastle was the use of some quite cool old buildings for new developments. I'm not sure that this is the way to go. There are SO many 1970's developments on Hunter street that COULD and SHOULD be demolished, rather than utilising some great old buildig as shells.

A good example of this is the Palais. It was a great old building that should have been salvaged. Now they are only keeping the facade and building apartments. In reality, they should have at least kept the facade and made a double storey glass shell which would be more in keeping with the design.

Bit of a shame to see some of these great buildings being mangled when there are so many alternatives sites to use. We should be restoring these old buildings and using them for restaurants, bars, retail etc....

Agreed, they really should stop to think about this. Newcastle in parts has a LOT of history, it definitely needs to be preserved. It really would be a shame to lose any of it. Certainly, much of it needs restoration, but I do agree that it would be worthwhile.

Besides, it would likely force up the heights of new buildings on the sites without historical merit. ;)

Just finished watching the news and their was a storey on their about a 5 star hotel for newcastle which will be built on the throsby creek shed site in honeysuckle.

The shed is being demolished and they have to secure a tennet for the hotel.

Its very exciting

Just finished watching the news and their was a storey on their about a 5 star hotel for newcastle which will be built on the throsby creek shed site in honeysuckle.

The shed is being demolished and they have to secure a tennet for the hotel.

Its very exciting

cool how tall is the building gonna be

no details on the developement but what i said above, its a huge site so we will have to wait and see.

Heya Cell,

I hope the sheds that are to be demolished are those old industrial sheds that are over Throsby creek. For a second I thought you were talking about the Lee Wharf sheds!!

I think Mirvac should have used the Royal Newcastle hospital site as a 5 star hotel as opposed to a Honeysuckle location being the site for a 5 star establishment. The ocean side of Newcastle is far more spectacular than the harbour!!

It would be great if it goes ahead. Getting a little concerned at the number of hotels and serviced apartments touted for Newy though. I don't think a lot of them will survive. Unless someone knows something we don't!! Newcastle-Kuala Lumpur link with Air Asia is definitely going ahead and the hotels are going up as a response to the increase in passengers???

being newcastle and remembering the new masterplan, i think any dev near the shoreline -aka honey suckle would be lowrise. maybe nothing over 8fl?

Heya Cell,

I hope the sheds that are to be demolished are those old industrial sheds that are over Throsby creek. For a second I thought you were talking about the Lee Wharf sheds!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

It would be great if it goes ahead. Getting a little concerned at the number of hotels and serviced apartments touted for Newy though. I don't think a lot of them will survive. Unless someone knows something we don't!! Newcastle-Kuala Lumpur link with Air Asia is definitely going ahead and the hotels are going up as a response to the increase in passengers???

Yes it is the giant sheds at throsby creek not the lee wharf sheds.

I think the tourist industry is thriving because of newcastles diversity. You have the great metropolitan area with beaches and bushlands and then you go west and you hit the ranges and wine country. I agree that maybe some hotels might not survive but many of the hotels are also being used as apartments.

I think hunter tourism is the 8th or 9th biggest in the nation so its not going too bad. The only major hotels that have and or are recently set up in the hunter area that i can think off are crowne plaza hunter valley, Grand Mecure hunter valley, Grand Mecure Newcastle, the new 5 star hotel and the mirvac hotel.

I hope that they fix up Throsby creek a bit. It is not exactly pretty!! I also doubt you would get a tall building on honeysuckle.

Speaking of hotels. They should demolish "The Novocastrian" at the end of Scott street. It is in a great location but is looking very worse for wear.

Cell, don't forget that part of the great northen is going to be turned into a hotel as well. I just dont think there will be the demand in Newy, especially once the mirvac hotel goes in at Royal newcastle. Anyway, it will be interesting how things progress.

yeah the said that throsby creek is going to be another commercial precinct to "complement" the boardwalk. Yes forgot bout the great northern thanks.

Another ridiculous idea from Newcastle city council!!

09 January 2008 - 8:50AM

COST BLOW-OUT: Ocean baths repair bill hits $4.5m

By JASON GORDON


THE cost of restoring the historic Newcastle Ocean Baths pavilion has blown out by $1.4 million and a new report recommends that parts of the project be left unfinished so costs can be reined in.

The Herald has obtained a confidential Newcastle City Council report confirming that Newcastle ratepayers will foot a huge compensation bill because the contractor was forced to down tools when the project struck problems.

The extraordinary report puts the cost of completing the restoration project at $4.5 million almost $1.4 million higher than the price the council estimated when the project began last year, and almost double the council's 2003 estimate.

Certain to rile ratepayers more is news that the council wants to finish its arrangement with the contractor next month, leaving sections of the building unfinished.

The Herald can reveal that the council and the contractor are in dispute over a clause in the original contract that enables the contractor to claim compensation if unexpected delays occur. With delays estimated at six months, ratepayers are likely to have to pay almost $500,000 in compensation.

The report says the building was in worse shape than first thought and that this caused the delays. The council called in engineers and other specialists to find a solution but it meant the contractor had to down tools and wait.

For every week the contractor was delayed, ratepayers were shelling out more than $15,000 in additional costs.

"These costs typically relate to overheads such as supervision, amenities, scaffolding and the like, but also for the contractor's personnel [who] could not be redirected to other work while awaiting instructions on how to proceed when unexpected conditions were exposed," the report says.

The council concedes in the report that it owes the contractor compensation. It said the final figure was in dispute but it "has the potential to significantly affect the cost to complete contract works".

The report recommends councillors agree to a scheme that will require $232,000 more to be pumped into the project immediately. Completing it as initially planned would cost "at least $4.5 million" but cancelling aspects of it could wind the cost back in to $4.13 million.

If councillors back that option, the swimming club rooms in the pavilion's north would not be completed and the middle section would not be repaired or repainted.

The Herald understands that councillors have not been briefed on the project's status but that the council's acting general manager, Janice Walsh, has organised a briefing for them next month.

wow thats very half arsed of the council to only do half of the work becasue its $700000 over.

wow thats very half arsed of the council to only do half of the work becasue its $700000 over.

lol well newcastle city council are half arsed and dont know what there doin half the time bloody incompetence

From www.honeysuckle.net

Throsby Wharf shed demolition to begin this week
07 Jan 2008


Demolition work on the Throsby Wharf Transit Shed, Honeysuckle, is expected to begin this week, including the careful removal of asbestos sheeting.
The shed was scheduled for demolition in 2009, but the work was brought forward after routine risk management procedures following the June storms detected potential asbestos contamination in the building.
Several community groups have used the building in recent years at no cost for the storage of various community items. This included the Fort Scratchley Historical Society, the Newcastle Maritime Museum Society and the Newcastle Rowing Club.
The Corporation last year closed down the facility and removed stakeholder equipment stored in the shed. Accredited asbestos removalists cleaned the site and any equipment that could be cleaned. Whatever could not be cleaned was disposed of.
Honeysuckle Development Corporation General Manager, Craig Norman, said that during the demolition work period, expected to take between 8 and 12 weeks, the contractors would be required to strictly adhere to occupational health and safety guidelines for the safe removal of asbestos.
In addition, an exhaustive list of requirements for the safe removal of asbestos has been issued to the contractor. These include:
• Comprehensive personal protective equipment
• A decontamination unit
• An air lock chamber
• A negative air dust control unit
• Encapsulation of the asbestos work area
• Water mist spray and approved vacuum cleaners to be used at all times
• Daily air clearance monitoring
• Inspections by a licensed occupational hygienist

The Throsby Transit shed was constructed in the 1960s on a site that had previously been used for the transport of flammable liquids and, earlier, for the transport of wheat.
The building was part of the shift in the 1960s from coal dominated export to general cargo when the wharfs were expanded to cater for larger scale shipping and vehicular transport.
The Throsby berth is owned and operated by Honeysuckle Development Corporation and is currently used for the tie up of cruise vessels and visiting naval vessels. During the demolition works, the berth with not be available for use by any vessels.

Car parking in the Throsby public car park will remain available during this period.

hmmm doesnt say anything about the 5 star hotel. My problem with it is who would come to newcastle and pay to stay in a 5 star hotel. I guess this shows how much the hunter tourism industry is thriving. All they need now is like maybe a highway from the city into the hinterland for quick acess from city to wine country or maybe schedualed helicopter flights from the foreshore to the valley

The hinterland ?? You are joking I hope?

lol i mean like the outskirts of hunter valley. A highway from inner city to the f3 then a like a direct road to cessnock

Another article on Newcastle's crumbling heritage buildings, specifically Nesca House. I was quite surprised last time I was in Newcastle as to how much it has deteriorated.

http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/stone-crumbling-on-city-treasure-millions-needed-to-save-famous-facade/1160873.html

lol i mean like the outskirts of hunter valley. A highway from inner city to the f3 then a like a direct road to cessnock

You mean something like the F3 to Branxton freeway which will likely be built sometime this century.

Another article on Newcastle's crumbling heritage buildings, specifically Nesca House. I was quite surprised last time I was in Newcastle as to how much it has deteriorated.

http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/stone-crumbling-on-city-treasure-millions-needed-to-save-famous-facade/1160873.html

it looks like an interesting deco building with a lot of potential...

You mean something like the F3 to Branxton freeway which will likely be built sometime this century.

yeah but also an expressway to the f3 from the city center

how tall are the pinnacle appartments i can count 16 floors but i heard its only 12


http://www.pulseproperty.com.au/site/past_investments.php3?id=56&stateid=1

it should be 16. although its 12 above hunter st (old latec bldg)
i havent seen it without scaffold yet. maybe when its revealed we will see floor numbers.

looking at the render on the pulse website it looks like 4 levels of above ground carpark plus 12 levels of resi -

http://www.pulseproperty.com.au/siteupdate/images_property/1053905453.jpg

also, is it technically in honeysucle if it's on hunter street? i hope one day they put the rail line underground because i don't like how honeysuckle is cut off from the cbd by the above ground line. it all should flow together naturally.

yes,the tower facing east is the new tower with 4 level carpark and 12 unit floors above. the old latec bldg facing hunter st is first floor retail/cafe and 11 floors of units above. the 16 level bldg reaches 45m which is old height limit.lets hope some new prjects break the 150ft height control. i think the new mirvac hotel/apartment project on newcastle beach reach 60m+.

Here is the new notification list at Newcastle city council.
http://www.ncc.nsw.gov.au/_media/pdfs/weekly_notification/?a=28124

Confirmation that the new Knightsbridge development by Obsidian Holdings has been modified to 15 storeys. Let's hope it gets through!!

Something needs to be done to the spotlight store on hunter street. It looks like such a sore thumb!!

why is the knightsbridge tower noted on emporis as under construction
newcastle buildings are so confusing we have a 26 floor buildings plan fall of the face of the earth and knightsbridge tower plan that was to be 14 floors back in 05 and now 10 and now possibly up to 15 floors im so confused

From The Herald
http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news-features/what-goes-up-must-come-down/1162173.html

15 January 2008 - 8:39AM

What goes up, must come down
By TESS CAMPBELL

THE first sections of the old Royal Newcastle Hospital should fall today, beginning four months of demolition work.

Heavy machinery, including an excavator and bulldozer, was lifted onto the roof of the Nixon Wing yesterday for crews to begin knocking down the building floor by floor.

The process is subject to weather conditions, Maryanne Graham, spokeswoman for Mirvac property group, developer of the Royal Newcastle Hospital site, said.

Traffic interruptions can be expected on parts of Church, Pacific and King streets for the duration of the demolition. The neighbouring McCaffrey Wing demolition is expected to begin within two weeks, Ms Graham said.

The $125 million redevelopment of the beachfront site will include a mix of residential apartments, restaurants, cafes and commercial space, plus a 41/2 star hotel.

A mix of five-, six- and eight-storey apartment towers will be built along The Esplanade plus a piazza-style public area, which will cover 30 per cent of the beachfront site.

just what i thought they got rid of the 60m bulding. I knew this would happen after i saw the newer renders of the site which show the 60m building reduced dramatically in size

isnt there gonna be a 60metres building anymore why were are the new renders fuckin hell we should protest to the council i thought it got the go ahead it was originally 20 floors wsant it as far as emporis goes it is still in planning

what a waste of space if this is it...

From The Herald
http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/forging-ahead-on-land-plan/1162882.html

The Herald

16 January 2008 - 8:46AM


Forging ahead on land plan

THE former BHP steelworks site at north Mayfield is set to rise again as a powerhouse for the region.

Industry could be operating on the prime harbour frontage from as early as 2010, bringing significant investment and new jobs.

But Hunter Development Corporation chairman Paul Broad said the land, now called Intertrade Industrial Park, would have a range of uses and would not be dominated by a "single manufacturing facility".

The corporation announced yesterday that Mirvac and Buildev Intertrade Consortium (consisting of Buildev and Toll) had been shortlisted to redevelop part of the 150-hectare site that was once home to Newcastle's steelmaking industry.

A final decision is expected in April.

Mr Broad said revised bids would be negotiated and assessed to ensure the successful bid was in the best long-term interests of the Hunter economy and its people.

He said both consortiums proposed to redevelop up to 65 hectares of the site for a range of general industrial and freight uses, consistent with the State Government's master plan for the industrial park.

"Our objective was to ensure the redevelopment of the site supported plans to diversify the Hunter economy as well as trade through the Port of Newcastle," Mr Broad said.

"We won't see the site again dominated by a single, heavy manufacturing facility."

The Hunter Development Corporation will take over the remaining work needed to remediate the site from Regional Land Management Corporation on behalf of the NSW Government.

Regional Land Management Corporation general manager Brad Foot said major progress had been made in getting the valuable industrial site back to work.

Mr Foot said the $110 million clean-up, which was on time and on budget, had been a challenging task.

The remediation project, the biggest ever undertaken in Australia, included building a 1.5 kilometre-long underground barrier, up to 49 metres deep, to contain contaminants on the site.

Local company Daracon Engineering is completing a $27 million project to install drainage in the area and cap around 30 hectares of the land most affected by steelmaking operations.

I saw the new renders on the news it looked as if the 20 storey building was halfed in size maybe they had the wrong plans or something but it was on the news 2 weeks ago

I saw the new renders on the news it looked as if the 20 storey building was halfed in size maybe they had the wrong plans or something but it was on the news 2 weeks ago

what a fucking joke i hope newcastle city council read this cause they are FUCKED :bash: taller buildings = more park land

If anyone is interested in the Catherine Hill Bay, Nords Wharf and Gwandalan developments on the eastern shore of Lake Macquarie, check out this website. Heaps of details on each development.

http://www.coalandallied.com.au/whatwedo/338_lower_hunter_lands_1105.asp

The lake side developments look reasonable, but Catherine Hill bay should be left as the historic little town that it is. a bit like Diggers Camp on the NSW north coast, make it part of a National Park.

^ i agree

The lake side developments look reasonable, but Catherine Hill bay should be left as the historic little town that it is. a bit like Diggers Camp on the NSW north coast, make it part of a National Park.

i disagree what we have bloody nimbys here now FUCK

catherine hill bay is Not In My Back Yard! it's uniqueness should be preserved and not destroyed by monotonous housing sprawl...

ok guys, heres some unique aerial shots i scanned from a calender

harbour
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2346/2201179258_96077e624f_o.jpg

CBD
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2347/2201179256_01070272b9_o.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2337/2201179270_6c36e23127_o.jpg

Warners Bay with highrise at Charlstown at top left
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2374/2201179264_d3cc4ff290_o.jpg

nice!

nice pics but better talls would be better though or am i pusshing shit up hill

CBD
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2347/2201179256_01070272b9_o.jpg




What a great shot! I'd forgotten how dense the CBD area is!!
What's the building to the mid left of the beach? (Looks like it goes up in steps)

i wonder if lake macquarie will ever get high rise around the lake 10 plus storeys

It has belmont towers is 10 storeys i think.

Belmont is fast becoming a good place to build resi apartments.

I can list at least 5 apartment towers either planned or built most between 5 and 10 stories or eight.

i stayed in belmont for a few days last summer and really enjoyed it! i loved kicking back out outside on the water at that little yacht club. the pub was great too!

ok cell phone thanks it is good to see

when does the city centre plan come in to affect others have been finished or is it not gonna happen

ABC Newcastle

Mayor fears highway impact on traders

Posted January 22, 2008 10:00:00

Lake Macquarie Mayor Greg Piper says he doubts many Charlestown retailers will survive if the Pacific Highway is reduced to four lanes through the suburb's commercial strip.

Councillors last night approved the Charlestown master plan which is designed to stimulate development in the area.

In addition to allowing for buildings up to 15 storeys high, the document recommends reducing the highway to four lanes and relocating on-street parking to allow for wider footpaths.

Cr Piper says he understands why retailers are nervous.

"I don't believe that is going to be achievable, but we will be working with the RTA [Roads and Traffic Authority] in particular, but I'm certain we'll hear a lot from the community on that and certainly commercial traders along the Pacific Highway," he said.

"I can't personally believe that they could reasonably survive such an impact to lose the type of parking that's available."

i disagree what we have bloody nimbys here now FUCK

Catho's only attraction is its quiet historic feel. Mess with that and it becomes just another coastal suburb.
I did say that the other developments looked good. Although the Nords Wharf development is going on top of part of the lakeside Scout camp. It wont take long for the new resident (nimbys) to start complaining about kids having fun.

Last time I was in Newcastle I noticed a lot of demolition happening over in Carrington while I was sitting in Honeysuckle. What is being built over there?

when was this demoltion happening and where in carrigton was it happening.

Its probably the new residential village but maybe their are some developements in carrington i havent heard of yet

straight across from honeysuckle, what looked like giant sheds on the wharf were being demolished.

What a great shot! I'd forgotten how dense the CBD area is!!
What's the building to the mid left of the beach? (Looks like it goes up in steps)

Hmm maybe part of the hospital, I never really pay that much attention to the building. It looks like a commercial building though.

straight across from honeysuckle, what looked like giant sheds on the wharf were being demolished.

Ohhhh the sheds yeah thats probably for the new luxury yatch company that plans to move their hq to newcastle so they can make yatchs.

oh, ok. so that point area will remain part of the working harbour then?

Further expansion for the working harbour.

Newcastle's Third Coal Terminal underway.

CONSTRUCTION of the first stage of a third coal export terminal for the Port of Newcastle will begin immediately following completion today of finance arrangements and the signing of a 35-year lease for the site from the New South Wales Government.
Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) Chairman Tony Galligan said the total finance package, sufficient to cover the expected project construction cost of $1 billion plus contingencies, has been completed with a range of Australian and overseas financial institutions.
"As a result the Board has given the immediate go-ahead for the construction of the 30 Mtpa facilities, which is expected to take about two years. The terminal is targeted to be ready to load first coal in the first quarter of 2010."
Speaking to members of the consortium as the lease on the Kooragang site was signed, New South Wales Treasurer and Minister for the Hunter Michael Costa welcomed the arrangement and said a new coal export terminal would create more jobs and investment.
"This is great news for Newcastle port, which is so important to the economic prosperity of New South Wales" Costa said.
"The announcement helps the entire coal industry and reinforces our commitment to long-term infrastructure investment in the region."
Construction of the new coal terminal on Kooragang Island will significantly increase the export capacity of the Hunter Valley coal chain which is currently around 95 Mtpa in 2008.
The project is expected to increase GDP by $1.5-billion per year, boost exports by $1- billion and generate up to 5,000 jobs across New South Wales.
The majority of coal loaded via the Newcastle port is shipped to customers in the expanding Asian power and steel industries.
Newcastle and Hunter Valley coals have been servicing these industries for over 30 years.
The NCIG shiploading facilities will be built to the west of the existing Kooragang shiploaders, with the new stockyards and rail facilities to the south-west of the Kooragang Coal Terminal.
Two stacker/reclaimers and a shiploader have been ordered from Sandvik, a large international supplier of bulk material handling equipment.
Funding for the terminal was raised through three tiers of capital comprising: senior non-recourse debt; subordinated secured notes (SHINs); and preference shares (SHIPS).
ANZ has acted as Financial Advisor to NCIG and participated extensively in the capital raising.
Blake Dawson were legal advisors.
The capital structure achieves low finance costs for users of the terminal and is supported by long term throughput contracts.
Seven commercial banks and BHP Billiton Finance Limited provided Senior Debt and SHINs.
The external funders are: ANZ Banking Group Limited, Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, Dexia Groupe, KBC Finance Ireland, Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Suncorp-Metway Limited.
Subscribers for SHIPS comprise NCIG's Shareholders, and an investment trust managed by ANZ Infrastructure Services (Diversified Infrastructure Trust).
Dredging of the south arm of the Hunter River to allow ships access to the planned berths is already under way by a joint venture between Dredeco and Boskalis Australia.
Two dredges arrived from Port Kembla late in October and began work in November.
NCIG was formed in 2005 to address fundamental capacity issues associated with coal handling for regional coal exporters.
In April last year the New South Wales Government granted NCIG approval to construct the new coal terminal, with an ultimate capacity of up to 66 Mtpa.
Tony Galligan said the State Government recognised the urgent need to increase the long-term capacity of the Hunter Valley coal export supply chain and had responded by making land available under long term lease for the project.
The members of the consortium are all significant coal producers who have large coal reserves and projects to materially increase their aggregate coal production by at least 30 million tonnes to be shipped through the new terminal.
Partners in project include BHP Billiton (through Hunter Valley Energy Coal) Centennial Coal, Donaldson Coal, Peabody Energy (through Excel Coal), Felix Resources and Whitehaven Coal.
24-Jan-2008

awesome thats good to hear about the new coal loader they need it

What a great shot! I'd forgotten how dense the CBD area is!!
What's the building to the mid left of the beach? (Looks like it goes up in steps)

i think it is the david maddison building

You are right Lowey. The building in that shot is in fact the David Maddison building. It is part of the Royal Newcastle Hospital complex which is due to be demolished.

David Maddison building housed a medical library and lecture theatres when it was closely aligned as the major teaching hospital for University of Newcastle.

what's the building to the right and slightly back from the hospital building that looks almost the same as the hospital building (that is - when looking inland from the coast, it's to the left of the hospital building when looking across the cbd and out to the ocean)? i hope that is going one day too!

Newcastle is so overrated what a SHIT HOLE

I didn't realise Newcastle was rated!! Oh well, each to their own.

what's the building to the right and slightly back from the hospital building that looks almost the same as the hospital building (that is - when looking inland from the coast, it's to the left of the hospital building when looking across the cbd and out to the ocean)? i hope that is going one day too!

Hey Lance Boy,

I think the building you are referring to is the Wirraway apartment building.

It will be demolished soon. It was a hang out for lots of surfies. Cheap rent in a great location!

Here is an article about the building:
http://newcastle.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/pack-your-bags/1077802.html

It will be replaced by this:
http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/pdf/Project%20Application-Environmental%20Assessment%20300606.pdf

Hope this answers your question!

^ thanks melbnova, that looks like a vast improvement on what's there now. newcastle will look great once they get rid of these old brick blocks (including the hospital). i also didn't realise newcastle was rated, what a silly statement.

i'm still not sure though if that Wirraway Apartments brick block is the one i'm talking about, the angles confuse me. the one i'm curious about is the orange/red brick building to the right of the hospital in the photo below. it almost looks like the hospital but is slightly smaller. you can see the silos across the harbour above it -

http://www.pco.com.au/coastal/newcastle%20beach.jpg

Newcastle is so overrated what a SHIT HOLE

You should stick to trips to the GC then. Its probably more to your liking...

Newcastle is so overrated what a SHIT HOLE

Lol you are pathetic if you dont like newy them dont come here to comment on it. Its that simple no one here who is interested in the devlopement progress in newcastle wants to here your negative queensland attitude.

The east end on newy will look soooo much better once the RNH is gone its just down right atrotious!

^ that's what i like about newcastle - it isn't refined, it's rough as sandpaper but it's rubbing away!

Lol you are pathetic if you dont like newy them dont come here to comment on it. Its that simple no one here who is interested in the devlopement progress in newcastle wants to here your negative queensland attitude.

The east end on newy will look soooo much better once the RNH is gone its just down right atrotious!

Well said!!

Newcastle is so overrated what a SHIT HOLE

Rated over what?
Your comment is as harsh as it is hollow.

Newcastle has a great and compact CBD which encourages higher density developments occur. it has more of a city feel when you are in the CBD. Where as Wollonging, its more spread out and some say that it does not have a heart (as yet....) where Newcastle does have.

The Herald

31 January 2008 - 8:46AM

City courts could move in $100m building plan
By JULIEANNE STRACHAN
State Political Reporter

A "JUSTICE precinct" worth between $35 million and $100 million and combining state and federal courts could be built Newcastle, in conjunction with the private sector.

NSW Attorney-General John Hatzistergos is expected to announce a feasibility study today into options for the project, in response to growing concerns about Newcastle's ageing court precinct.

The city's court buildings have long been criticised as too small and outdated to cope with modern demands and change has been hampered by heritage values.

Newcastle MP Jodi McKay said yesterday that a separate site would be required for the new complex.

"I see this as a landmark building assisting in revitalising the inner city and we will work with the Newcastle City Council and the Commonwealth on how we do it," she said.

Newcastle Law Society president Catherine Henry, who has long campaigned for better facilities, said she was thrilled the study would go ahead but stressed the need for good planning and location.

She said the area's federal courts had become so over-burdened, hearings had sometimes been moved into a library and lawyers had been seen consulting clients in stairwells.

"The legal profession has always regarded the most important objective to get better courts," she said.


"We will want to play a significant role in deliberations. We know the concerns of the judiciary."


The Federal Government committed $200,000 towards establishing a new federal court building in Newcastle last May, which was considered at the time to have fallen well short of what was needed for urgent action.


Mr Hatzistergos said yesterday he understood the Commonwealth had expressed a keen interest in having a joint complex.


He said the study would take about two months and would investigate opportunities for private investment.


"Consideration of a public-private model could also mean examining options for co-locating legal firms, government services and other agencies in a precinct in inner Newcastle."


Newcastle barrister Terry Healey said he would be interested in seeing details about the plans for private office space in the new complex.


"It's not traditional to have chambers [in a court complex], but it's not unprecedented," he said.

I saw that i the paper today. The courthouse they have now looks really good it would be ashame if they torn that down for a new one. I agree that the courthouse is way to small but the original courthouse should stay for a different purpose and a new location for the courthouse should be chosen

^ that's what i like about newcastle - it isn't refined, it's rough as sandpaper but it's rubbing away!

Yeah all the potential is their and their is so much to look forward too

From The Herald
http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/push-on-post-office/1173716.html


01 February 2008 - 8:51AM

Push on post office
Reports by GABRIEL WINGATE-PEARSE

IT'S time Newcastle City Council butted out and allowed the development of the former Newcastle post office site to progress unheeded, says Newcastle MP Jodi McKay.

It was "extraordinary" that the council continued to try to put hurdles in front of the developer while most of the community wanted the project to go head, Ms McKay told The Herald.

Her comments followed complaints from some councillors about developer Sean Ngu's intentions to transfer 16 poker machine licences to the site when it becomes a hotel.

Councillor Keith Parsons asserted this week that Mr Ngu had made a commitment that the site would remain poker machine-free.

He is urging the council to write to Ms McKay, the NSW Gaming Minister and the NSW Liquor Administration Board to express its "strong opposition" to Mr Ngu's application but Ms McKay said she would not be intervening.

"I find it quite extraordinary that the council continues to find hurdles while that building remains in such a decrepit and unacceptable state," Ms McKay said.

"People want that project moved forward. Council has put forward every obstacle it can. What should be the centrepiece of the city is boarded up, it's quite disgraceful. It is not the council's place to interfere in this."

Ms McKay said she hoped to meet with Mr Ngu in the next two weeks to let him know he had her full support for moving ahead with the project.

Lord Mayor John Tate said he agreed with Ms McKay that the council's opinion would have no bearing on what happened in relation to poker machines'.

"Whether it's a good project or an exceptionally good project, it's got all of the approvals and the thing we should be doing is to get on with it," Cr Tate said.

"[Cr Parsons] said himself that he knows we can't influence the decision, it's for another authority beyond council."

Mr Ngu was overseas and unavailable for comment yesterday but his spokesman, Deane Moore, said he had no recollection of any undertaking being made by Mr Ngu about poker machine licences.

"It's news to me," he said. "The licence has always had gaming attached to it."

Mr Moore said both he and Mr Ngu were growing increasingly frustrated at the delays they had experienced.

sack newcastle city council they have to many obstacles for developers

any pics on royal newcastle hospital demolition

Another two articles from The Herald

Nobby's lighthouse plans:
http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/nobbys-plan-hunter-leaders-tell-minister-come-and-see-for-yourself/1174442.htmle

Proposed seating capacity increase for Energy Australia stadium:
http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/soccer-cups-in-stadium-vision/1174444.html

Energy Australia Stadium upgrade is about 20 years overdue. Thank god it looks like something is finally happening. The current stadium is seriously inadequate to support the regions population.

Energy Australia Stadium upgrade is about 20 years overdue. Thank god it looks like something is finally happening. The current stadium is seriously inadequate to support the regions population.

i agree 45000 would be awesome just hope council dont make to many obstacles jk

Here is an article about the Royal Newcastle hospital redevelopment.Looks like the main tower will be 16 storeys.

http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news-features/crown-jewel/1174924.html

04 February 2008 - 8:33AM

Crown jewel

By GREG WENDT

FROM postwar hospital to luxurious beachfront apartments, it's the architectural equivalent of the ultimate cosmetic surgery.

This is how the former Royal Newcastle Hospital will be transformed over the next two years into one of the city's most prestigious addresses.

Plans for the first phase of the $320 million The Royal, which includes construction of 126 luxury apartments, an 89-room boutique hotel, retail space and landscaped public open space, go on public exhibition today.

About half the site, 5500 square metres, will be dedicated open space, providing a balance between the built and natural environments.

Public access to Newcastle Beach will be maintained with extended view corridors off King and Pacific streets allowing people to stroll through the piazza and onto Shortland Esplanade.

Pedestrians will have access to the oceanfront and beach along a widened footpath on Shortland Esplanade, which will feature a "green wall" of vegetation around the perimeter of the buildings.

Apartment blocks will be stepped from five to eight storeys as they run back from the coast with the hotel and more apartments in a 16-storey tower at the rear.

Artist's impression of development, from the Herald:

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/6042/viewimagesfv8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

yuck the original concept plan was better bloody council


http://www.rnhredevelopment.com/pdf/conceptplan/04_pages10-13.pdf who agrees this looks better that new one sucks



http://www.mirvac.com.au/theroyal/index.html

I'm incredibly disappointed with the new design for Royal Newcastle hospital. A huge opportunity wasted in my opinion.

I had a look at the mirvac website in detail and it is pretty crappy.

yes, very very sad that this poor compromise was allowed to happen, it's just wrong. i reckon there will be more overshadowing not less because it's stumpier hence wider than the slim towers that would have allowed sun gaps. now it will be one big fat shadow like the hospital casts...

Check out the plans

http://www.mirvac.com.au/theroyalpa/

Few links to pics:

http://www.mirvac.com.au/theroyalpa/plans/Photomontage%20from%20Nobbys%20Head.pdf

http://www.mirvac.com.au/theroyalpa/plans/Photomontage%20from%20the%20Baths.pdf


http://www.mirvac.com.au/theroyalpa/plans/Photomontage%20from%20King%20and%20Pacific%20Sts.pdf

http://www.mirvac.com.au/theroyalpa/plans/Public%20Domain%20Drawings.pdf

Pretty uninspiring stuff from Mirvac as always.

Pretty uninspiring stuff from Mirvac as always.

lol looks pretty shit i liked the original with 2 20 storey towers

as bad as it looks now i still think it will look better than the RNH. It will probably also be a new tallest at least 55m

Their is also another developement in the paper about a new mariner for morriset that features retail, conferrence center, heliport and a 8 storey building and a 5 storey building. Can anyone find the actual article?

Its a shame that Newcastle's tallest is going to be mediocre shit that you can find anywhere. It hard to find anything positive to say. Would have been much better if a local architect was doing the design and not one of Mirvac's in house economically driven architects.

Yuck, Newcastle beach is becoming increasingly disgusting. I prefer it how it is to this generic crap. Its chunky and disgusting and matches that earlier hackjob they did on the building on the corner of ocean street and shortland esplanade.

What an incredibly missed opportunity, the original plans would have made that precinct much much better....Why is it that councils always get in the way when a developer wants to spend money to improve the asthetics of an area...Let them go I say!!!

hows the HEZ development going

hunter employment zone

Some pics of my last trip to Newy:

First some construction updates...

Pinnacle Hunter Street
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/1653/dscf0585hc3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

HQo- Honeysuckle
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/6246/dscf0586lz8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Harbour Pier cnr Wharf Road and Merewether Street
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/7606/dscf0588mi9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3480/dscf0589fm3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Some random Newy pics....

Needs some TLC....
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/4940/dscf0593hh0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Nesca House
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/192/dscf0595ws4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Baptist tabernacle
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/6697/dscf0598bn3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Newcastle CBD
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8891/dscf0608gw3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

View from Nobby's breakwater
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3438/dscf0610ga3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

View from foreshore
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/6769/dscf0621dw3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Newcastle East
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/8007/dscf0624co6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/7181/dscf0625js5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Scott Street (123 on Scott street)
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/5410/dscf0626wo6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Should add those to the Newcastle thread under city images.

nice hqo and 123 on scott st dont use tower cranes which sucks

great stuff. good to see the new tallest, pinnacle.
thanks melbnovo

I went up to Newcastle a couple of months ago and the new Honeysuckle area is great, greatly needed for Newcastle. The only downside was that when we were walking along the front after being at one of the bars, I could not believe that the apartment building have security that were rushing us along and constantly "shhh" us as we walked, as well as others. Nothing too loud and for a public walkway I found it somewhat bizarre. I politely told the security guard to shut up himself as his "shh" was louder then us.

^ yeah, strange building apartments above what is meant to be a busy eating/drinking area. they probably should be boutique offices like king st wharf.

Gee Newcaslte has some real gems when it comes to historical buildings...Even the streetscape with its sand-stone gutters and terrace housing makes Newcastle have more of a colonial feel to the city....

true pacman 1905 but there old not modern and arent tall so in other words there shit

it would be nice if any arsonists would accidentially play with fire around some of these buildings

^ you're kidding right?

true pacman 1905 but there old not modern and arent tall so in other words there shit

it would be nice if any arsonists would accidentially play with fire around some of these buildings

So you wan't Newcastle to be a generic clone of every other city in Australia then?

So you wan't Newcastle to be a generic clone of every other city in Australia then?

im not saying that at all im just saying the old buildings look yuck and derelict and they should come out of the stone ages

im not saying that at all im just saying the old buildings look yuck and derelict and they should come out of the stone ages

But Newcastle is old city. It's not like they've gotten rid of the historical buildings in Sydney or Melbourne. They just build around them.

Newcastle has some excellent historical buildings. That's why Superman Returns went and filmed some scenes specifically there. They wouldn't have done so otherwise.

But I do agree, some buildings need to go, but it's mostly the 70's/80's buildings that need to be scrapped. Specifically that buildng that's paint pink (!) which you see when you go along the river/foreshore and look on the other side of the train lines.

Some more images in Newcastle...

Newcastle regional art gallery in its current state:
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/4788/dscf0599nq9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

LAB architecture winning design due to be completed 2010:
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/3393/1labqw3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/596/3labki6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Civic park fountain with Newcastle city library in background
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/8664/dscf0601ld4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Statue in civic park
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/937/dscf0602bd9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Old navigation tower in The Hill
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/8546/dscf0604mq6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

View from The Hil..my old neighbourhood!
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/9870/dscf0606ac6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

View of James Fletcher mental hospital.So much space in the CBD. Would make a great park
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/3213/dscf0607ot9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Newcastle by the sea

Nobbys lighthouse...made famous by the pasha bulker
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/2903/dscf0609ss9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Walking along the southern breakwater
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/4552/dscf0613ha9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Nobbys in more detail. There is a development proposal to convert the buildings into accomodation and also a cafe/restaurant
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/1599/dscf0614gf7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Nobbys beach in more detail
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/2671/dscf0618sw9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Along the breakwater
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/1182/dscf0619uc5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Royal Newcastle Hospital in context
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/2269/dscf0623ng2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The RNH looks to be about the same era as W'gong Hospital. Late 40's early 50's?
By the way, love photos. Weather looks great at the moment too!!

RNH Is butt ugly. Raise your had if you agree :D

The area will be so much more lively after the new apartments are built. I could imagine the atmosphere their, cafe's and restraunts by the beach. As dissapointing as the new design is it will still be great for the area

i agree but the plan for site is shit what ever happened to the first proposal with the 2 big buildings lol 16 floors is piss weak the 2 20 floors or even 18 floors i hear some of the land will be public space gee i thought the nimbys had enough open space

i agree but the plan for site is shit what ever happened to the first proposal with the 2 big buildings lol 16 floors is piss weak the 2 20 floors or even 18 floors i hear some of the land will be public space gee i thought the nimbys had enough open space

NIMBY, NIMBY, NIMBY!
OMG! OMG!
CAN'T BUILD MORE THAN 2 STORIES HIGH!!!

OVERDEVELOPMENT, OVERDEVELOPMENT!!!
We need a REVOLUTION!
B*STARDS, B*STARDS!

Corruption, corruption
Nothing but corruption,
We want more sprawling suburbs
Complain about transport, petrol prices
Driving my 4x4 on suburban streets
Compensating for... never mind.

Must whinge, must whinge,
Must cringe, must cringe
And whine from my DoH tower on the outskirts
Where everywhere is my backyard!

----------

In all seriousness, 16 storys is double the current height limit in this area (which is stupid as it has already been exceeded a few times).

lol we dont want nimbys here go to the GC

lol we dont want nimbys here go to the GC

lol i agree nimbys fucking move to gc

Why would u want them on the GC, fucking tell them to move to timbuktu or put them on a ship and sink it.

lol well somewhere that doesnt need more developement or a place where they can frollack together

Results of 2007 Invest Asia awards:
http://www.investasiapacific.com/Awards.htm#Smallcityaward

Asia Cities of the Future

'ASIAN CITIES OF THE FUTURE' 2007 AWARD
AsiaBIZ Strategy conducted an Asia-wide survey in 2007 to rank both big and small Asian cities involving 200 over cities. Below are the results:

ASIAN CITIES OF THE FUTURE
1, Hong Kong, China
2, Singapore, Singapore
3, Taipei City, Taiwan (Republic of China)
4, Melbourne, Australia
5, Dalian, China
6, Shijiazhuang, China
7, Quezon City, Philippines
8, Cebu City, Philippines
9, Guangzhou, China
10, Davao City, Philippines

BEST ECONOMIC POTENTIAL
1, Hong Kong, China
2, Singapore, Singapore
3, Dalian, China
4, Guangzhou, China
5, Quezon City, Philippines
6, Melbourne, Australia
7, Fukuoka, Japan
8, Macau, China
9, Taipei City, Taiwan (Republic of China)
10, Tokyo, Japan

MOST COST EFFECTIVE
1, Shijiazhuang, China
2, Dalian, China
3, Quezon City, Philippines
4, Cebu City, Philippines
5, Guangzhou, China
6, Davao City, Philippines
7, Colombo, Sri Lanka
8, Taipei City, Taiwan (Republic of China)
9, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
10, Taichung, Taiwan (Republic of China)

BEST HUMAN RESOURCES
1, Singapore, Singapore
2, Melbourne, Australia
3, Hong Kong, China
4, Taipei City, Taiwan (Republic of China)
5, Davao City, Philippines
6, Quezon City, Philippines
7, Seoul, South Korea
8, Chongqing, China
9, Shijiazhuang, China
10, Guangzhou, China

BEST QUALITY OF LIFE
1, Melbourne, Australia
2, Hong Kong, China
3, Singapore, Singapore
4, Tokyo, Japan
5, Macau, China
6, Taipei City, Taiwan (Republic of China)
7, Cebu City, Philippines
8, Sakai, Japan
9, Hiroshima, Japan
10, Quezon City, Philippines

BEST INFRASTRUCTURE
1, Tokyo, Japan
2, Singapore, Singapore
3, Hong Kong, China
4, Yokohama, Japan
5, Taipei City, Taiwan (Republic of China)
6, Fukuoka, Japan
7, Osaka, Japan
8, Kobe, Japan
9, Seoul, South Korea
10, Hiroshima, Japan

MOST BUSINESS FRIENDLY
1, Singapore, Singapore
2, Hong Kong, China
3, Macau, China
4, Melbourne, Australia
5, Shijiazhuang, China
6, Nanjing, China
7, Colombo, Sri Lanka
8, Brisbane, Australia
9, Taipei City, Taiwan (Republic of China)
10, Tokyo, Japan

BEST DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION
1, Singapore, Singapore
2, Cebu City, Philippines
3, Hong Kong, China
4, Taipei City, Taiwan (Republic of China)
5, Melbourne, Australia
6, Dalian, China
7, Nanjing, China
8, Brisbane, Australia
9, Guangzhou, China
10, Lucknow, India

SMALLER CITIES OF THE FUTURE
1 Alor Star, Malaysia
2 Newcastle, Australia
3 Jeju , South Korea
4 Taoyuan City, Taiwan
5 Gifu, Japan
6 Ipswich, Australia

BEST ECONOMIC POTENTIAL - SMALL CITIES
1 Newcastle, Australia
2 Alor Star, Malaysia

MOST COST EFFECTIVE - SMALL CITIES
1 Alor Star, Malaysia
2 Taoyuan City, Taiwan

BEST HUMAN RESOURCES - SMALL CITIES
1 Newcastle, Australia
2 Jeju , South Korea

BEST QUALITY OF LIFE - SMALL CITIES
1 Newcastle, Australia
2 Gifu, Japan

BEST INFRASTRUCTURE - SMALL CITIES
1 Gifu, Japan
2 Newcastle, Australia

MOST BUSINESS FRIENDLY - SMALL CITIES
1 Taoyuan City, Taiwan
2 Alor Star, Malaysia

BEST DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION - SMALL CITIES
1 Jeju , South Korea
2 Newcastle, Australia

The Herald
http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/citys-advance-in-perspective/1183910.html


16 February 2008 - 10:22PM

City's advance in perspective
By GREG RAY


NEWCASTLE'S heavy rail line should be cut at Wickham station, where a new transport interchange and waterfront plaza should form the nucleus of future harbourside redevelopments, according to Newcastle University's Professor of Architectural Design.

German-born Professor Steffen Lehmann said the rail line should not be built on, but used as a corridor for light rail or a loop bus to the East End and back.

Professor Lehmann, who has been in Newcastle for two years and who has worked on urban renewal projects in London, Tokyo and Berlin, said the city needed a rational strategic plan to complete its transformation to a sustainable post-industrial metropolis.

Other ideas Professor Lehmann is promoting include:

A future port city redevelopment of former industrial land at Carrington and the inner harbour.

An opening-span pedestrian and cycle bridge linking Wickham with The Dyke. Professor Lehmann said a similar bridge in Newcastle-on-Tyne had changed the way the waterfront was used.

A city campus of Newcastle university, based around the Civic precinct and incorporating a big, new shared university/public library.

Improvements to the art gallery building, including links to a converted Laman Street library.

Incorporating Surf House in a new development on the site.

The preservation of the David Maddison building and its possible use as part of a proposed new law precinct.

Professor Lehmann applauded the Mirvac development on the former Royal Newcastle site, but said the developer should be forced to fund a major upgrade of Newcastle Beach and ensure a better connection between King Street and the ocean.

He said the proposed General Property Trust overhaul of the central business district represented a great opportunity for the city, suggesting it might prove a catalyst for the long-debated cutting of the rail line.

Professor Lehmann said Newcastle needed to demand a better deal from the State Government, which made huge sums from the Hunter but appeared to give back relatively little for the benefits it took.

"Year after year the State Government takes money from the Hunter and spends it in Sydney," he said.

"As an outsider looking at this I can't believe they aren't using some of the money they are making from coal exports to 'future-proof' Newcastle and the Hunter."

He said Newcastle should work with State and Federal Governments to become a showpiece of green energy and sustainable urban living.

He also said Novocastrians should fight hard to make sure new development proposals complemented the city's architectural heritage.

"You have a magnificent heritage here which you ought to be very proud of," he said.

Draft layout plans for Newcastle regional museum at Honeysuckle by FJMT:

http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/pdf/06_0083_newcastlemuseum_prelimasst_concept.pdf

Harbour pier development pics

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/5275/20068082971fsdz5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/1733/20068082973fsim3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Some random lee wharf pics. Part of the new development:

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3590/20067646421fslb3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/7605/20067646426fsbk9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/1421/20067646428fsow6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/9159/20067649551fsjt1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/2984/20067649556fszx4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

nice buildings i think the height is good but a few more floors for each building wouldnt hurt

the harbour pier developement would be alot better if it were taller.

I hope that the museum is going to look better than it did before. That plan makes the railway workshops look small. I hope that it also gets extra exhebition areas.

Also if they ever do cut the rail off at whickham i swear to god they better make whickham a good quality station like many platforms good facilites and clean and modern. I would be soo dissapointed if they didnt

why cant the rail line be in a tunnel then instead of finishing in newcastle send it under the harbour to stockton then to the airport then into port stehens nelson bay area then through to raymond terrace and back to hexham im joking the council and governments dont have the backbone or balls to do it

The Herald
http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/upmarket-meets-affordable/1186150.html

20 February 2008 - 8:48AM


Upmarket meets affordable
By JASON GORDON
Civic Reporter

AMBITIOUS plans for five new 10-storey buildings on Wharf Road, Newcastle, will provide a "social mix" of upmarket and affordable housing, Newcastle City Council was told last night.

Council planner David Paine briefed councillors last night on the massive development ahead of formal debate on the matter next month.

The $56 million plans were first revealed by The Herald last May when ROI Properties lodged its development application with the council.

Under the plan, five 10-storey buildings comprising 288 residential apartments and more than 1700 square metres of retail and commercial space will be built on a large site bordered by Wharf Road, Centenary Road and Merewether Street.

All existing buildings on the 11,223 square metre site will be demolished, except for the historically-significant Argyle House that currently houses Fanny's nightclub.

Councillors were told last night that building heights vary between 29 metres and 33.5 metres, meaning the top floors will enjoy northerly views over the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Becton apartments on the waterfront.

The residential towers will comprise a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with a focus on the smaller variants on the lower levels that will probably be pitched at students and low-income earners under the "affordable housing" banner.

The building heights generally conform to the council's guidelines but the concentration of apartments is slightly more condensed than guidelines allow.

In its application, the developer has asked that it be allowed some concessions given that the development will provide affordable housing while creating more public open space than currently exists on the site.

thats not bad eh? too bad they arent making like 2 25 storey or 3 17 storey buildings

33.5m for roof. that means plant will go higher, maybe 3-6m higher, so should make emporis database.
cool

Harbour pier development pics

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/5275/20068082971fsdz5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/1733/20068082973fsim3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This is a class development! Who cares if it's not up around 20 storeys, it's stunning!

^^ it is stunning its one of my fav buildings in newy. If anyone can get some construction pics that would be nice. Last time i saw it the first two floors were up.

27 February 2008 - 8:35AM


Barren city patch to be transformed into leafy haven
By JASON GORDON


HUNTER Development Corporation (HDC) has unveiled plans to build a park at Newcastle West.

Work is expected to begin this week to transform a derelict patch of the city between the Community Health Centre at 670 Hunter Street and the neighbouring TAFE building in the city's west.

Designed by the Newcastle-based Lithos Group, the park will be mostly paved but will feature rows of mature trees in an arch around seating areas, providing shade and a meeting place for the growing number of people living and working in the western Honeysuckle precinct.

HDC (formerly Honeysuckle Development Corporation) general manager Craig Norman said the park will turn a much-maligned eyesore into a "picturesque recreational space".

"An important part of the Honeysuckle project is the provision of quality open spaces to make run-down parts of the city more attractive to residents, workers and tourists," Mr Norman said.

"The new park will feature a variety of paving and other finishes designed to be durable and also aesthetically attractive."

The park is the next stage in the corporation's Urban Renewal Project at Honeysuckle and forms part of the 10 hectares of public open space created on the harbourfront.

It is in the Newcastle West precinct where the corporation has driven development of the $18 million Community Health Centre, the $16 million Cove Apartments, the $22.5 million Ibis Hotel and the $8 million Riverwalk commercial development.

The park is expected to take several months to complete.

Before:
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/6224/park2iq9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

After:
http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/3798/parkov5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Progress made in push to fix CBD's derelict buildings
Posted February 27, 2008 08:39:00


Efforts to force the owners of derelict buildings in Newcastle's central business district (CBD) to fix up their properties are paying off, with at least one promising to move quickly to demolish their building.

Newcastle Lord Mayor John Tate says the owners of the Hunter Shopping Village will lodge a development application soon to demolish the derelict buildings, which have been vandalised and set alight several times in recent months.

But he says the owner of the Empire Hotel, one of the worst eyesores in the inner-city, is claiming financial hardship is behind delays in getting the site redeveloped.

"The owners there, their representative is saying they will be putting in a new development application," he said.

"That'll take some time to determine, that could be six or eight weeks, maybe a bit longer, depending on the variations they want to their existing approval, we're going to have a further delay with the Empire Hotel site.

"I've appealed to them to be responsible about it."

Bad news about Empire Hotel. That is the knightsbridge development. I hope they don't dumb down the design at all to save money or decrease the height from the current 15 storey development.

ta melbnovo. park looks good, bout time they are attending to old derlict blgs,.

some of the derelict buildings if they renovated them and made them usable i wouldn't mind keeping like the palais royal.

any pics of the demoliton of the hospital

Height detail for Newcastle were released with the Newcastle Citycentre plan.
It looks like a group of good scrapers could come out of this. The height limits keep the city in context. This will be a good base for future scrapers to go higher.

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/1739/honeyck1.png

Details from here
http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/newcastle/city-centre-plans/local-environmental-plan--lep-/

not much of the hospital has been demolished but all looks promising the entire site is up in facade and their are diggers on top.

Pinnacle update. the facade is slowly coming down. the first tower is almost completely revealed.

Pinanacle is looking really good as well as huge! Best view for how tall it is (tall for newcastle standards) is when you are driving down tudor st, especially the view from the junction of tudor and beaumont st in hamilton. Was driving down there today and was like "wow"

Newcastle is definitely booming, the amount of cranes and construction is crazy! Newcastle feels like its growing faster and faster

Pinanacle is looking really good as well as huge! Best view for how tall it is (tall for newcastle standards) is when you are driving down tudor st, especially the view from the junction of tudor and beaumont st in hamilton. Was driving down there today and was like "wow"

Newcastle is definitely booming, the amount of cranes and construction is crazy! Newcastle feels like its growing faster and faster

nice how many cranes are in the skyline atm

about 3 one for pinnacle one for that development next to crown plaza featured on the page before this and i think theirs one on the RNH site.

also their will be one going up on the Palais Royal site soon.

not to say that their aren't more building sites in the city. theirs another around the southern end of honey suckle i think its hqo

btw anyone living in newy or on the central coast (Cul, Melnovo) did any of you see that huge storm last night at about 11:30. freaked me out big time a flash of lighting every 3 seconds

there are a lot of projects in newcastle that dont have cranes is that true

If anyone wants to check out the proposed development of Wharf and Centenary roads, check out the ncc web page.

http://www.ncc.nsw.gov.au/in_council/council_meetings/meetings_calendar/meetings/2008/march/development_applications_committee

nice!

about 3 one for pinnacle one for that development next to crown plaza featured on the page before this and i think theirs one on the RNH site.

also their will be one going up on the Palais Royal site soon.

not to say that their aren't more building sites in the city. theirs another around the southern end of honey suckle i think its hqo

btw anyone living in newy or on the central coast (Cul, Melnovo) did any of you see that huge storm last night at about 11:30. freaked me out big time a flash of lighting every 3 seconds
yeah, what a storm. im high up in umina heights and i get to see the whole storm and lightining show.

same my bedroom window looks out over the lake cause my house is situated on a mountain opposite Lake Macquarie.

I have lived in Newcastle all my life and its good to see the city evolving with the development of the waterfront at Honeysuckle and many other new developments.

These are some of the developments Planned or Currently Under Construction in Newcastle

Newcastle West

Newcastle Panthers Development (Proposed redevelopment with a Holiday Inn Apartment complex)

Marketown Development (Opposite Marketown)

The Current Nib building (Proposed 10 Storey Commercial Building)

The Pinnacle Apartments (Under Construction)

Knightsbridge Apartments (15 Storey, Proposed former Empire Hotel site)

The Plaza (Now proposed to be 15 Storey)

Torre Apartments (12 Story, Former Star Hotel site)

The Meritus (11 Story, Corner of King and Union Streets)

Emporium Apartments (12 Story, Corner of Hunter and Union Streets)

Former Newcastle Museum Site Redevelopment (Proposed)

Newcastle East

Harbor Pier (10 Storey, Under Construction)

Royal Newcastle Hospital Redevelopment (Under Construction)

Peninsula Apartments (13 Storey)

GPT Development (Newcastle Mall and Surrounding Blocks)

^thanks for list. you havent listed number of buildings or storeys for the hospital redevlopemt? i thought masterplan was finalised at over 20storeys? Mirvac are doing that aernt they?

i think mirvac is 18 stories.

Didnt know about the patherns project that should be interesting if it ever gets going

The Herald

12 March 2008 - 9:08AM

'Respect' in mall overhaul
By IAN KIRKWOOD

ARCHITECTS and planners with GPT's planned $500 million overhaul of Hunter Street mall's shopping complex promised last night to respect the size and atmosphere of the existing area.

Respected heritage architect Howard Tanner, project architects Ian MacDougall and Neil Masterton, together with GPT project manager Phil Hanney, assured an audience of about 50 people at Newcastle City Hall that the project would be of international standard.

In a public information session, the GPT team showed slides of various successful projects from around the globe that had married old, heritage-rich buildings and landscapes with modern architecture.

Mr Hanney emphasised that nothing was set in stone, and the design team had to come up with a set of plans to convince the GPT board to sign off on the project funding.

"What this needs is a reason for 2000 to 3000 people to be there [in the mall], and we've got to get this going as a magnet for those people," Mr Hanney said.

He said the project was going ahead but the global credit squeeze had made money more expensive and the planners had to look closely at costs.

Working drawings and artists' impressions showed a refurbished David Jones building in its current shape with an apartment building of about seven stories behind it on the King Street frontage.

"We are going to respect the scales of the existing buildings," Mr Tanner said.

Mr Hanney said the site was being stepped back into the hill running up to Christ Church Cathedral, with car parking underground and on top.

The rooftop car park was planned to have a "vine-covered frame" or trellises over it to mask the massed view of cars from higher vantage points.

He said the plan included creating new laneways between buildings on the site, and use of a range of different architecture forms to ensure a mixture of designs.

He said a final decision on the mall was up to Newcastle City Council but GPT favoured reopening the mall, but in a way that remained pedestrian friendly.

GPT publicist Phil Neat said the design team had bought the land and had until early May to come up with a "preliminary investment proposal" to put to the GPT board.

The site....

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/6302/mallwh0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^ that picture makes that area of newcastle look disgusting. GPT mall project sounds promising!

^thanks for list. you havent listed number of buildings or storeys for the hospital redevlopemt? i thought masterplan was finalised at over 20storeys? Mirvac are doing that aernt they?

I think it was originally 20 storeys but resident’s complaints forced Mirvac to change it to 18 storeys. The original masterplan was done by Landcom.

i think mirvac is 18 stories.

Didnt know about the patherns project that should be interesting if it ever gets going

The Panthers project has been talked about for around three years. Here are some quotes from a story in the Newcastle Herald a few years ago.

"Mr Matthews said western Sydney developer CABE was helping the club with its development plans. A long-awaited hotel on part of the Newcastle club site may also go ahead. Mr Matthews said Panthers had "an interested party", the Australian rights holder of the Holiday Inn Express brand."


^^ that picture makes that area of newcastle look disgusting. GPT mall project sounds promising!

The mall has to be one of the worst looking areas in Newcastle. It’s good to see GPT planning to redevelop the mall. It will revitalise the east end and hopefully bring the inner city back to life.

Newcastle’s West End however looks much worse, hopefully the former Newcastle Museum Site Redevelopment will take advantage of greater heights allowed in the City Centre plan. This would add to the Newcastle skyline and help kick start stalled developments in the west end.

its a shame about the plaza development 26 floors would have been good newcastle has to turn into a city not a big country town btw john tate grow some balls mate

I think Newcastle will be one of the better cities compared with the other 6 cities being developed in nsw, the harbour sets up a good focal point for the future city.

thanks nova, so 18storeys equates to 54m if 3m per floor. current tallest is pinnacle @ 15st/45m. would be nice to get above 200ft or 60m.but i suppose the more at 15storeys, the city will get a denser feel and 18st or even 25st wont seem that tall in decade or so.

its a shame about the plaza development 26 floors would have been good newcastle has to turn into a city not a big country town btw john tate grow some balls mate

I thought John Tate was one of the few councillors who voted in favour of The Plaza.

thanks nova, so 18storeys equates to 54m if 3m per floor. current tallest is pinnacle @ 15st/45m. would be nice to get above 200ft or 60m.but i suppose the more at 15storeys, the city will get a denser feel and 18st or even 25st wont seem that tall in decade or so.

Hopefully there will be some taller buildings built in the west end where some sites such as The Store, Spotlight and Newcastle City Holden are zoned 90m.

Also, five 10 storey buildings between Wharf and Centenary road were approved in principle by council on Tuesday night.

Spotlights lease runs out soon so maybe they will move spotlight near Kotara (nooo) or further inner city to the mall (yes) and maybe decide to turn the site into a tower which would look great right next to the pinnacle

.... and maybe the worlds tallest skyscraper will be built in wickham.. no offense but what u have just posted is complete speculation and hope that spotlight will be developed... who knows, unless u have heard some sort of news it seems quite pointless, sorry if i seem blunt

yeah i know its speculation. Im just discussing my thoughts, sorry if u didnt recieve it like that.

nah its cool dont take it personally. Anywho pinnacle is set to open in april so not long left in its refurb/construction

it it would of been open last december i think if it wasnt from all of the delays casued by the storms last year