Shape the future of our city
What would you like to see achieved by Newcastle City Council over the next 18 months?
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GVidal Comment 1 11 Feb 2008, 5:04 PM
The greening of Hunter Street.
Reformer Comment 1.1 27 Mar 2008, 9:37 AM
CAN YOU BE MORE SPECIFIC? WHAT TYPES, WHICH SECTIONS, WHAT TYPES OF GREEN?
dipsy Comment 1.1.1 27 Mar 2008, 8:28 PM
No need to shout Reformer!
Reformer Comment 1.1.1.1 28 Mar 2008, 1:24 PM
Removed by moderator. Comment was deemed offensive, inappropriate or spam.
Reformer Comment 1.1.1.2 28 Mar 2008, 1:26 PM
I didn't know that capitals was shouting. sorry dipsy. caps lock was on because i had to type the wobbly green code (I JUST FOUND OUT ITS CALLED A "captcha") in capitals and the caps lock stayed on in this and a few other instances. Perhaps BTT could change the wobblies to lower case!
now, back to the question .... what types of green in what sections? my question was not an attack, simply an effort to get a measurable input for the Council Management Plan. I agree with you on more greening, I just cannot find a way of effectively articulating the target "picture".
leta Comment 2 11 Feb 2008, 5:14 PM
A focus on existing infrastructure improvement such as the many derelict heritage sites. Showing friends from interstate and overseas around has started to become embarrassing. Newcastle Council needs to decide what they want the city to be known for. After halving the tourism budget in 2007 its become very unclear. Stop spending money on consultants and reports, and spend time and money on what we already have on our doorstep.
fredo Comment 3 16 Feb 2008, 11:18 AM
I think the revitalisation of Wickham offers potential to bring life to the West of the city. Havent heard much about this for ages. The Honeysuckle areas are going forward but the council control areas seem to lack direction. I know you dont own the land but real vision and reward will bring investment
Samantha Comment 3.1 Project Coordinator 26 Feb 2008, 2:18 PM
Newcastle City Council has recently approved Element 6.8 Wickham for inclusion in the Newcastle Development Control Plan 2005. The new element will set the character and context for urban redevelopment in the Wickham area. Council’s vision for Wickham is for new development to reflect the existing character of the area and to ensure appropriate designs for buildings are achieved. The element outlines the type of new developments Council would like to see in the area, including building types, setbacks, parking requirements and land uses. The element also aims to reconnect the suburb to Wickham Park through new pedestrian links, increasing the amount of accessible open space for residents.
Newcastle City Council has recently approved Element 6.8 Wickham for inclusion in the Newcastle Development Control Plan 2005. The new element will set the character and context for urban redevelopment in the Wickham area. Council’s vision for Wickham is for new development to reflect the existing
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Bigfeller Comment 3.1.1 20 Mar 2008, 11:07 PM
I hope NCC keeps well clear of Wickham and other nearby suburbs because they area is flourishing. The Census shows a population increase of about 13.5% and an increase in housing by about 650. Newcastle as a whole only had 3.5% population increase and 2077 new houses.
Lets hope the Management Plan contains major works on the suburbs drains, roads and basic infrastructure. An overpass at Stewart Ave would also be of great benefit to all.
Reformer Comment 3.1.2 25 Mar 2008, 3:35 PM
Samantha, You say "Council’s vision for Wickham is for new development to reflect the existing character of the area" then talk about "building types, setbacks, parking requirements and land uses".
How commercially realistic is the Council's plan? Was it drafted by commercially savvy, experienced professionals? How do you propose to "reflect the existing character" and then start prescribing significant changes such as building types and setbacks?
Philip Comment 4 19 Feb 2008, 2:29 PM
Agreement to terminate the heavy rail line and replace it with suitable efficient transport system east of Wickham Station, and quarantine the liberated land for public use focussed on connecting the old city to the foreshore, or for accommadating this transport system.
dipsy Comment 4.1 20 Feb 2008, 9:17 AM
This old chestnut. The city needs its rail line just where it is. With GPT moving in on the mall and the hospital being redeveloped we need the station in the East of the city. By all means make it more crossable and get rid of the ugly fences. We can connect the city with the foreshore without getting rid of the railway. Also not a council issue
Philip Comment 4.1.1 12 Mar 2008, 5:51 PM
The city does not need the heavy rail just where it is. What it needs is a good, reliable, flexible, integrated and efficient public transport system that does a lot more than cumbersomely lug a handful of passengers just Scott Street. It is not something that the Council can decide alone, but they can exercise their influence on the Government.
dipsy Comment 4.1.1.1 14 Mar 2008, 8:18 PM
Yes Philip in all our dreams we would like to see a swanky new integrated transport system but that is not going to happen in this state in this century unless the treasury burns down with all the officials and Mr Costa inside - they havent even got them to many areas of Sydney.
What I get fed up with is people suggesting that the choice is heavy rail or light rail. It is not. The choice is what we have got now or nothing.
The only good thing about the rail debate is that it has become abundantly clear that the rail is to stay - we may have found the limit to the Government's stupidity.
Yes Philip in all our dreams we would like to see a swanky new integrated transport system but that is not going to happen in this state in this century unless the treasury burns down with all the officials and Mr Costa inside - they havent even got them to many areas of Sydney.What I get fed up with
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Reformer Comment 4.1.1.1.1 27 Mar 2008, 9:49 AM
DIPSY, THE RAIL LINE IS OFF SUBJECT, AS THE NCC HAS ABSOLUTELY NO JURISDICTION OVER THE HEAVY RAIL LINE.
IT IS NOT A BUDGET ITEM OR A MANAGEMENT PLAN ISSUE, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE GREENHOUSE-INEFFICIENT HEAVY RAIL IN THE CITY IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE MANAGEMENT PLAN'S ENVIRONMENTAL VISION.
BY MY CALCULATIONS, THE GREENHOUSE COST OF HAULING A HANDFUL OF PASSENGERS FROM BROADMEADOW TO NEWCASTLE IN A 200+ TONNE INEFFICIENT ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN CALCULATED BY THE GREENS OR SAVE THE RAIL LOBBY. IF YOU HAVE CRUNCHED THE NUMBERS, PLEASE SEND THE WEBSITE REFERENCE!
PERSONAL ATTACKS ON MINISTER COSTA ARE ARE SURE SIGN THAT YOU HAVE NO RATIONAL, EVIDENCE-BASE FOR YOUR STANCE.
DIPSY, THE RAIL LINE IS OFF SUBJECT, AS THE NCC HAS ABSOLUTELY NO JURISDICTION OVER THE HEAVY RAIL LINE. IT IS NOT A BUDGET ITEM OR A MANAGEMENT PLAN ISSUE, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE GREENHOUSE-INEFFICIENT HEAVY RAIL IN THE CITY IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE MANAGEMENT PLAN'S ENVIRONMENTAL VISION. BY
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dipsy Comment 4.1.1.1.1.1 27 Mar 2008, 8:32 PM
Fair point about juristiction. Interesting re GHG. Didnt know I needed an evidence base to give my views!
Bigfeller Comment 4.1.1.1.1.1.1 28 Mar 2008, 4:59 PM
When people express views or provide information I think it is reasonable for them to be able to back up their comments with facts or more detail. may be the word evidence is a bit strong but we understand the idea.
Bigfeller Comment 4.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 29 Mar 2008, 10:39 AM
It worries me if people can say what they like without any base for the comment. I like to learn from listening to peoples reasoning.
matt Comment 4.1.1.1.1.2 28 Mar 2008, 11:08 AM
Removed by moderator. Comment was deemed offensive, inappropriate or spam.
Jonah Comment 4.2 7 Mar 2008, 11:43 PM
The Centrum will not get it's people and populairity if it is not opended up and connected to the foreshore. There have been many good ideas for light rail replacing part of railway system. Then people can walk in en out of Hunter street and the harbour side instead of seaching for the two stairway bridges that take them over the railway. Look at other countries what worked for them. People like strolling not climbing; openess not ghettos. Newcastle has so much potential with its wide streets and old buildings(still).
dipsy Comment 4.2.1 9 Mar 2008, 7:47 PM
I'm all for improving access across the line but do not believe that removing the line would provide a silver bullet for our ailing centre. The problem in the city centre is that many blocks are held derelict by large corporates waiting for the market to make their projects viable and maybe for council to allow them. The rail line will increasingly be seen as an asset as the years go by and when we finally have a decent service to Sydney it will be seen as the City's greatest asset.
There is no evidence that rip[ping out the line would revitalise the city centre. This is just an agenda of property developers who want to get their hands on the land and grumy old men who hate waiting for the rail crossing gates.
I'm all for improving access across the line but do not believe that removing the line would provide a silver bullet for our ailing centre. The problem in the city centre is that many blocks are held derelict by large corporates waiting for the market to make their projects viable and maybe for council
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Reformer Comment 4.2.1.1 25 Mar 2008, 3:44 PM
Dipsy, you say:
"There is no evidence that rip[ping out the line would revitalise the city centre."
Then you say:
"This is just an agenda of property developers who want to get their hands on the land and grumy old men who hate waiting for the rail crossing gates."
Why would the property developers risk their money in the city that is ailing so? I think they know that when the environmentally unfriendly heavy rail goes, the city will flourish. Like it or not dipsy, this is a town in which most workers NEED cars to get to work.
Bigfeller Comment 4.3 20 Mar 2008, 11:16 PM
The rail needs some real vision and sound maths. The heavy rail should extend beyond Newcastle station to Stockton, airport and Nelsons Bay. The Nelsons Bay to Central train should be very fast and frequent.
Council should include seeding funds in the Management Plan to kick the project off.
The project could be paid for by allowing building over the rail line from Hamilton to Newcastle.
Philip Comment 5 19 Feb 2008, 2:40 PM
Make something actually happen at Surf House.
The existing building, regardless of whether it is salvagable or not, is not an representative of Newcastle's surfing heritage. As a building it fails to relate properly to its location, does not make the best of its views, and does not lend itself to current community uses related to the beach.
To do these things properly, it would need such significant change that it may as well be demolished and something really good built. To resurrect the existing building would condemn us to always having second-best in this great location.
dipsy Comment 5.1 20 Feb 2008, 9:19 AM
We could have a new building that has heritage elements that could reflect culture and actually look good. Philip is right we need this thing sorted out - and give us another coffee shop so we dont have to queue so long!
Reformer Comment 5.1.1 25 Mar 2008, 3:53 PM
dipsy, you are welcome to put up a proposal to do up and run Surf House the way you think it should be done. Just get a bunch of mates to mortgage their houses to fund it. In other words, put up or stop making dreamy but uninformed comments.
Some enthusiastic Councillors have assets to mortgage and none have to my knowledge come forward with a proposal.
No professional tenderer to date has been able to stack it up commercially and both front-runners' proposals involve demolition.
dipsy Comment 5.1.1.1 27 Mar 2008, 8:35 PM
I think you misunderstood my post. I support pulling the thing down. heritage elements mean making the new building have a heritage theme or look - perhaps incorporating some design features of the old building. This need not be expensive. I agree with your vies about people trying to stop the redevelopment.
admin Comment 6 23 Feb 2008, 2:17 PM
COMMENT FROM CADELL (posted to wrong area)
There are a number of observations that characterise the quality of the city and suburbs to the residents and visitors. The following are submitted as needing improvement. 1. Quality of roadway surfaces and traffic road markings - many pothole areas are left until they become a road hazard. Road markings worn so that they are not visible. 2. Garbage collection system that does not leave wheel bins all over the place, and when green waste collections are made, a trail of mess is left behind. 3. City buildings covered in grafitti covered hordings.
COMMENT FROM CADELL (posted to wrong area)There are a number of observations that characterise the quality of the city and suburbs to the residents and visitors. The following are submitted as needing improvement. 1. Quality of roadway surfaces and traffic road markings - many pothole areas are left
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kpatsan Comment 7 1 Apr 2008, 4:23 PM
It's obvious, not only from the comments here but also in the wider community that the opinion of the Council's management fo the city centre in particular is poor.
The Council fails to realise that the way to fund all community activities and infrastrcture is to have a solid income base. This could best be boosted by taking a commercial look at all the derelict and vacant buildings it owns on Hunter & King Streets. My proposal is this:
1) Tear down (yes, TEAR DOWN) all the Council owned derelict and/or vacant old buildings it owns. You would be surprised at how many of them there are. They have trucks and a tip to dipose of the building waste, so the cost is minimal.
2)Replace the vacant blocks with grass to make them look decent. Then stick a sign on every block that says: "Newcaslte City Council - Open For Business. Contact Us For Redevelopment".
3) Have someone with a mediocum of common sense manage the sale and redevelopment of the sites, including advertisig nationally for prime redevelopment opportunities.
4) Encourge developers to erect new buildings and actualy work with them to gain approval along Council guidelines, rather than think of new ways to knock back developments.
The advantages of this are:
1) Most of the ugly buildings will go in one fell swoop. This will add immensely to the beautification of the area, as well as be a positive sign of rejuvination - something we sorely need.
2) It will clearly signal that Newcaslte Council is serious about its CBD as a place to do business. Developers and businesspeople looking to relocate their offices will pick up on this positive sign.
3) New buildings will add a great deal of new revenue to the Council by way of development fees and most importantly vastly increased council rates on new, developed buidings.
4) Success breeds success. Existing building owners will see new buildings around them and they will be encouraged or forced by the market to spruce up or redevelop their buiildings. This also means much higher rate revenue to the Council.
The end result is that Newcastle Council will greatly increase its revenue base by simply applying common sense to its existing derelict property portfolio, all at little cost. This will then give it much more funds to spend on community facilities.
it merely requires the Council to hire someone with good commercial property experience and allow this person to getthe job done.
It's obvious, not only from the comments here but also in the wider community that the opinion of the Council's management fo the city centre in particular is poor. The Council fails to realise that the way to fund all community activities and infrastrcture is to have a solid income base. This could
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