The City of Newcastle has agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UrbanGrowth NSW that acknowledges Council's role in the urban renewal process and defines how the two parties will work together to implement and deliver the NSW Government's Newcastle Urban Transformation and Transport Program.

 

The key principles of the MOU are to acknowledge that whilst they have differing views, specifically regarding building heights in Newcastle East, Council and UrbanGrowth will work in partnership within their respective governance frameworks, to deliver high quality urban transformation projects for Newcastle.

 

This will include various catalyst projects and infrastructure initiatives designed to stimulate activity, jobs, development and investment in the City.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Cr Nuatali Nelmes said the MOU established a framework for a positive and effective working relationship between Council and UrbanGrowth NSW. "The MOU is a good opportunity to reset the relationship and encourage collaboration between Urban Growth and Council. I'm pleased that we've established a local steering group with local council representation to help better inform this process."

 

At the Ordinary Council meeting of 9 December 2014, Council affirmed its commitment to the continued revitalisation of the Newcastle CBD as a key priority and its desire to work in partnership with the State Government and the local community to achieve this. Council also confirmed its support for the elements of the 2012 Newcastle Urban Renewal Strategy that attracted general public support, including proposed improvements to the public realm and changes to planning controls to facilitate commercial and residential activity in the west end of the CBD.