Council to launch expression of interest process for Shepherds Hill Cottage and Dixon Park kiosk building

The restoration of Shepherds Hill Cottage in King Edward Park and works to create a kiosk at Dixon Park beach are almost complete.

The council announced on Friday it would soon be calling for expressions of interest for both buildings.

The EOI process for the Dixon Park site will begin first and launch in late July.

"The view from both these facilities is incredible, and it's exciting for these sites to be opened up and enjoyed by the community," Newcastle lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.

"I encourage potential operators to express their interest when applications open, it's a fantastic opportunity to bring these venues back to life and attract visitors.

"Both venues are situated on the Bathers Way. The 6km pathway stretches from Merewether Ocean Baths to Nobbys beach, and enjoys thousands of walkers each week."

Work on the Dixon Park building, a shed being converted for use as a kiosk, began last year with the installation of power and water but further upgrades commenced in April.

The council is installing additional public seating and shelter outside the building.

A mural of Novocastrian surfer Mark Richards is also being repainted after the original was lost in the works.

The potential uses of the heritage-listed Shepherds Hill Cottage are less clear but the council has previously flagged the possibility of it being a café or gallery.

The building, which previously housed Marine Rescue's Newcastle unit, was damaged in the April 2015 super-storm.

It was restored in recent years and final site works are now being completed after the removal of a radio tower.

The site offers 230-degree views of Port Stephens and the Hunter coastline.

The council called for expressions of interest about the building in 2018 but delays in obtaining heritage approvals to restore the site rendered them out of date.

A new EOI process is expected to launch in the next couple of months.

A new state-funded $2 million building for the Marine Rescue unit is being built at Stockton.

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