Newcastle’s 20,000-Home Precinct Revealed

More than 300ha will be rezoned to pave the way for about 20,000 homes on government-owned land near the CBD of NSW’s second city.

The 30-year vision for the future of Broadmeadow, the geographical centre of Newcastle, has been made public by the NSW Government and the City of Newcastle.

The draft strategy is due to be considered at the May 28 council meeting. If approved, it will go on public exhibition alongside the state’s rezoning plan.

The area 3km west of the CBD was selected for major urban renewal because of its large parcels of state and council land near public transport.

The “game changers” of the vision include a new town centre, a station-to-stadium boulevard, relocation of the entertainment centre, and new sports and entertainment precincts.

Housing would be built in 15-minute neighbourhoods and the mixed-use town centre would have the Broadmeadow Station as its centre.

▲ The structure for the draft plan by Cox Architecture, whose renders for the scheme are also included in this article.

There would be higher-density housing around Broadmedow Park under the plans as well as a new neighbourhood anchored by heritage-listed railway structures, including the roundhouses.

Neighborhoods planned for the future would be at the Belford-Tudor mass transit corridor and industrial areas at Hamilton North. 

However, development of the first sites on government land would not begin until the state approves the delivery strategy and infrastructure funding in the 2025-26 Budget cycle.

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said NSW was in a housing crisis and that this strategy was a great opportunity to build more homes.

“Broadmeadow has unparalleled potential to deliver tens of thousands of new homes and jobs for the Hunter,” Catley said.

“The place strategy proposes a liveable and growing community which will stimulate development, encourage population growth and provide new investment opportunities.”

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the space would attract major events to Newcastle with high-quality public transport so the people who lived and visited could move around safely and easily.

“Broadmeadow offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver vital affordable housing, jobs and infrastructure to support our housing strategy,” Nelmes said, “as well as access to quality public open spaces and improved leisure facilities right in the heart of Newcastle.”