Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC) has started work on its $55 million Honeysuckle public domain project, initiating the final stage of the precinct’s almost 30-year transformation.

HCCDC released its public domain plan in January 2019, showing new parks and promenades in the west end of Honeysuckle underpinned by essential infrastructure upgrades.

HCCDC Acting Chief Executive Valentina Misevska said the first of those infrastructure works had commenced and the community would start seeing changes in Honeysuckle as construction ramps up.

“Honeysuckle’s renewal has been underway for almost 30 years and is an Australian success story, with HCCDC transforming more than 50 hectares of unused maritime lands to a waterfront precinct for Novocastrians to live, work and play.

“HCCDC is getting on with delivering essential works that will allow growth, development and sustained renewal for years to come in Honeysuckle. This includes building new seawalls, straightening Honeysuckle Drive, and reopening Cottage Creek before delivering attractive public spaces on the waterfront.

“Starting this month we’ll demolish the vacant building at 50 Honeysuckle Drive. Once this is complete, we’ll use more than 160,000 tonnes of rock, the equivalent to 500 Boeing 747s in weight, to stabilise the century-old wharf in the west of Honeysuckle. 

“This work will complete Newcastle’s coastal walk, with attractive, wide promenades stretching almost 10 kilometres between Maryville and Merewether, providing spectacular scenery from our working harbour to picturesque headlands.

“The Honeysuckle works require some changes to ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, including diverting the existing path connecting Honeysuckle to the Wickham Marina for at least 12 months.

“Later this year we plan to straighten Honeysuckle Drive between Cottage Creek and Hannell Street, a major piece of work which will improve drainage and reduce the risk of flooding in the area, while also enhancing traffic flow.

“There will be some disruption during construction, and HCCDC is committed to delivering its works as quickly as possible, coordinating with the various contractors and stakeholders in the area, and keeping the community informed along the way,” Ms Misevska said.

The Honeysuckle Foreshore Public Domain Plan includes planting more than 150 trees over two hectares, doubling the size of the Tree of Knowledge Park, and improving natural assets including Cottage Creek.