Minister's Message

In February 2006, Premier Morris Iemma announced a plan to build a network of six key regional cities to underpin the State's economic growth and create more local jobs.

We have now delivered all six draft visions for the city centres of Newcastle, Wollongong, Gosford, Parramatta, Liverpool and Penrith.

The draft plan for Newcastle recognises the city's natural assets, including its harbour, economy, heritage, spectacular surroundings and beaches.

Newcastle is already Australia's largest regional city and the economic, administrative and cultural centre of the Hunter.

This draft vision looks to stimulate the regional economy through fresh job and housing opportunities, new investment and designing a more dynamic, liveable city.

It is a long-term plan to cater for the expected 6,500 extra residents and extra 10,000 jobs in the city centre over the next 25 years.

The Newcastle city centre vision complements the draft Lower Hunter Regional Strategy, by focusing sustainable growth around the exisitng city centre and infrastructure.

The comprehensive draft vision for the future of Newcastle includes a City Centre Vision, Local Environmental Plan, Development Control Plan and Civic Improvement Plan.

These four plans will help to achieve key priorities outlined under the State Plan, including more local jobs, healthy communities and a supply of land and mix of housing that meets demand.

I would like to thank Newcastle City Council and the community reference group for their hard work in producing the draft vision.

I encourage all members of the Newcastle community to read the draft vision documents and have their say on the city's future.

Frank Sartor

Minister for Planning