Spectacular Dream For City's Scenic Hub
Newcastle Herald
Saturday April 5, 2008
ARCHITECTS will soon be invited by the Hunter Development Corporation (HDC) to help shape the future of the "jewel in the crown" of Newcastle's Honeysuckle waterfront redevelopment.
The 4.5-hectare site between Wickham station and the harbour has the potential to be the cornerstone of the city's evolution.It also has the potential to generate more controversy than the rest of the Honeysuckle project put together, with the HDC's latest concept plans, released yesterday, depicting most of the site covered in rows of large buildings.Bounded by Cottage Creek, Fig Tree Park, Hannell Street and the railway line, the huge site is divided into two major portions. The 2.5 hectares between Honeysuckle Drive and the harbour is owned by the HDC, which is buying the other two hectares between Honeysuckle Drive and the railway. The State Government has the rear of the site, nearest the rail line, slated for buildings up to 28 storeys high.University of Newcastle architectural design chair Professor Steffen Lehmann has suggested it could form the site of the city's new rail terminus and a grand waterfront "railway plaza". Newcastle Lord Mayor John Tate said the area had immense possibilities and if it was properly managed it could be the catalyst for a positive transformation of the entire city.This week The Herald reported a suggestion by Cr Tate to eliminate the Stewart Avenue level crossing by converting the former "Bullock Island" rail corridor at Wickham to a major city road joining Hannell Street to King Street and Gordon Avenue.Some have suggested that if this plan is adopted, Stewart Avenue could be cut on the Hunter Street side of Wickham station, forever eliminating the need for the long-debated Stewart Avenue overpass.The importance of the big waterfront site has been made obvious by the demolition of old wharf buildings, opening up spectacular views to Nobbys and firing debate in the community about how best to take advantage of the newly opened space.HDC general manager Craig Norman said the land was scheduled to be released to the market in late 2009 for a mixture of commercial, residential and tourism development.It was hoped that a five-star hotel might be built there.Mr Norman said it was hoped that a cruise ship tourist facility might also be built, enhancing Newcastle's appeal to this lucrative market. This use is limited to some extent in that the wharf at that point can only accommodate ships of up to 240 metres long.Anxiety has been expressed by some who fear the site will be built out, creating a new wall of buildings on the waterfront and destroying the new harbour vistas created by the demolition of old port sheds.Planning guidelines permit buildings of between 30 metres and 45 metres high on the area between Honeysuckle Drive and the harbour. This would theoretically allow buildings of up to 14 storeys, but Mr Norman said 12 storeys was likely to be the practical maximum.Mr Norman said an architectural design competition would be held to help ensure the best result on the site.It was recognised as important to maintain the public promenade at the harbour's edge so that the goal of being able to walk from Tighes Hill TAFE to Nobbys along the water's edge could be realised.Fig Tree Park is already proposed to be doubled in size.Mr Norman also agreed it would be possible to "plan in" a waterfront plaza as proposed by Professor Lehmann."We must ensure that the view corridor is preserved," Mr Norman said.Rick Banyard, a spokesman for the Throsby Forum, which represents residents in the Wickham area, said his group was keen for more open space in the area and wanted a developer-funded transport interchange.Harbourside opportunity Editorial, Page 18
© 2008 Newcastle Herald