The wait is over for Newcastle rezoning decision

The city of just under 80,000 homes will begin work on a new project set to build 20,000 more, with the government delivering a long-awaited announcement regarding government land.

The NSW government has finalised its state-led rezoning in Broadmeadow, in the centre of Newcastle – a suburb that’s slated for a 30-year transformation to increase housing, commerce and jobs in the city.

A 313-hectare precinct three kilometres west of Newcastle’s CBD, Broadmeadow is the subject of a masterplan to add 20,000 new homes and 15,000 jobs as well as enhancing its sporting and entertainment draw as the current home of the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.

With the state’s rezoning announcement, planning can now begin on state-owned land that is estimated to enable up to 3200 homes to be built, while supporting up to 2350 new construction jobs. Currently, between 5% and 10% of this development is slated for affordable housing.

The rezoning covers four government-owned sites, which will also include pedestrian links, green spaces, and better transport connections in addition to housing. The Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation, which has just been appointed as the delivery agency for the project, will now prepare an infrastructure delivery plan for the rezoned land in collaboration with the City of Newcastle and other relevant state government agencies.

It’s the first step in this ambitious plan for the region, and locals have been increasingly anxious to know whether the plan would go ahead.

It’s been over a year since the draft masterplan was announced and put on exhibition to the community.

“People have been waiting a long time for clarity around this site. The community has been calling for certainty and that’s exactly what we’re delivering today,” said Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley.

Earlier this year, with no progress announced, the Property Council put pressure on the government to back the project, “starting with rezoning, infrastructure investment, and the appointment of a single delivery agency to lead the charge”.

In response to the government’s rezoning announcement, Property Council regional director for the Hunter and Central Coast, Nuatali Nelmes, said it was “exactly the kind of early momentum for which we’ve been advocating so strongly”.

“It’s a strong signal from the NSW Government that it’s ready to get on with delivery,” Ms Nelmes added.

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