Newcastle City Council commenced its latest renewal project on Wednesday, launching a $3 million infrastructure upgrade to Carrington’s town centre.
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The improvements along Young Street are part of council’s local and neighbourhood centre renewal program. Their start follows the commencement of upgrades to Beresfield’s town centre last week.
Upgrades to Young Street’s drainage system leads the renewal list, which includes: pedestrian friendly street design, new kerbs and footpaths, fresh road surface, safer pedestrian crossings, bike racks, bins and Wi-Fi.
"Council continues to deliver on our vision for city-wide urban renewal, setting the direction for growth and revitalisation," lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said after launching the works.
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"It's really exciting that Carrington together with Beresfield will be the first local centres to have access to free Wi-Fi, through technology being installed as part of our Smart City strategy.
"We want our city's local centres to reflect a sense of place and local character.”
Cr Nelmes said Young Street is “a strong community hub” and the investment “reflects the expectations of the community and council for a vibrant centre”. She also dismissed suggestions there had not been enough consultation with businesses.
Throsby Basin Business Chamber president Clare Monkley told the Herald further dialogue was needed, and raised concerns about how long the work would take and the project’s impact.
“It’s fantastic for the businesses around here, but council needs to have further consultation with the businesses that are being affected by this and also the community,” she said.
“It’s great they’re investing all this money here, it’s going to be beautiful when it’s all finished. But in the meantime, we definitely need to be having further consultation.”
Scott Sharpe, chair of Carrington Community Council, said there was some “conjecture” regarding new trees, but welcomed the start.
“We’re extremely pleased about the drainage works being done, because it’s been an immense problem,” he said.
A council spokesperson responded to consultation qualms late on Wednesday afternoon.
“Council consulted with the community throughout planning for the Carrington local centre upgrade,” the spokesperson said.
“The consultation process included the Carrington community voting on preferred tree species from a selection that is appropriate for the area's growing conditions and surrounding infrastructure.
“The Carrington community selected Brushbox and Tuckeroo, both of which are native, evergreen trees, with a dense canopy.”