Newcastle set to be a commercial and residential hub by 2040

Urban planning experts have come up with a futuristic plan for Newcastle, which has had more than $1 billion worth of development applications approved in the past four years. And over the next 20 years, Newcastle city centre will see an increase in jobs from 25,000 to 33,000.

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A bold vision for the future of Newcastle will see the northern city become an economic powerhouse in its own right.

Urban planning experts have come up with a futuristic plan for the Hunter Region’s capital, which has had more than $1 billion worth of development applications approved in the past four years.

The 2040 projections from the Urban Taskforce show the area’s West End will experience exponential growth around Newcastle train station, while the area closer to Newcastle East will remain lower.

Newcastle Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said “it does reflect a lot of the work we have been doing in a very collaborative way”.

“At one point it is a visual representation of how the city could look into the future,” she said.

“It also is in line with the greater Newcastle metropolitan plan.

“Our city centre key catalyst area does densify the West End of Newcastle as not only a commercial but a residential hub through increased building heights.”

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Over the next 20 years, Newcastle city centre will see an increase in jobs from 25,000 to 33,000 according to the Department of Planning.

The population of Greater Newcastle will expand from about 580,000 people now to 700,000 in 2036.

Much of the city’s vibrancy has been driven by the new CBD campus of the University of Newcastle, the new light rail from Wickham to Pacific Park and an influx of luxury hotels, businesses and residential towers.

Many developments are already underway in Newcastle. Picture: Peter Lorimer

Woolworths is also building a Woolworths Metro — an indication the city is not just another country town.

“There are a lot of companies and developers making big bets about Newcastle and then coming back for more,” PRDnationwide Newcastle and Lake Macquarie managing director Mark Kentwell said.

“There is a growing mix of downsizers from Sydney, young people who are working or at university, as well as your blue collar workers and of course coal.

“Newcastle is five years into the best decade it has ever had.”

Developer Warwick Miller has built many of the high rises in Newcastle and said the images are a long way off his vision.

He said there is unlikely to be such a cluster of buildings in West End of that height.

“There is going to be a number of high rise buildings build towards the West End but I don’t think they will look like that,” he said.

“In the East End there are a number of developments, like Iris Capital’s project, which will create a beautiful resurgence in the area.”

Urban Taskforce CEO Chris Johnson said a faster train connection between Sydney and Newcastle would be of benefit to both cities.

“The images show that buildings would be mixed use with jobs and residential apartments as well as retail and cultural facilities,” Mr Johnson said.

“The recently opened University of Newcastle Law Faculty has a very expressive architectural style and new buildings should be encouraged to reflect an innovative form of architecture.”