LOCAL CENTRE DESIGN AND TRAFFIC & PEDESTRIAN SAFETY PLAN FOR ADAMSTOWN

A re-elected Labor-led Council will initiate works to upgrade the public amenity along Adamstown's popular shopping strip at Brunker Road, while delivering a detailed traffic and pedestrian safety plan to address the increased traffic management issues at Adamstown in the next term of Council.

The local shopping section between Glebe Road and Adamstown Plaza requires a comprehensive plan to provide consistent footpaths, upgraded parking, updated street furniture, and improved public greenery like trees or street gardens, and this detailed design will be initiated by Labor. 

Refreshing main streets has been a hallmark of the current Council. Main street upgrades have been completed in Beresfield, Carrington, Kotara, Merewether and for the James Street Plaza in Hamilton. Construction is underway on upgrades in Stockton and Shortland, and work is set to begin shortly at Orchardtown Road in New Lambton.

Newcastle Labor Ward 2 Councillor Carol Duncan said that while the Adamstown Local Centre functions well in its current configuration, it's an area that is increasingly busy and in need of a facelift.

"A re-elected Labor Council will work with local businesses and residents to develop an updated and consistent public domain design, and a program of works to improve the look and feel of the Brunker Road shopping precinct, while ensuring accessibility for our entire community."

"Local businesses tell me that simple actions like providing a consistent footpath treatment, updating street furniture and looking at opportunities to provide more trees and greenery would make the world of difference at the Adamstown shops," said Cr Duncan.

"I'd like to see a public art component to any upgrades along Brunker Road, particularly at our City of Newcastle Libraries Adamstown Branch and some of the surrounding shop-top building walls which are perfect locations for new street art murals." 

"I'll also be ensuring that the City's popular Local Centre Façade Improvement Scheme is enacted at Brunker Road, as this would further assist local businesses to join in on the urban renewal by partnering with Council to update and refresh their shop fronts".

Councillor Duncan said that traffic and pedestrian concerns raised by community members would bring the spotlight to safety and traffic issues along the rapidly densifying corridor. 

"Glebe Road and Brunker Road form part of the identified renewal corridor that is consistent with our long held plans to increase urban density in highly accessible and liveable locations, to stimulate economic growth and create more local jobs," Cr Duncan said.

"But with this density comes increased volumes of traffic and I know the community is rightly concerned about pedestrian and cyclist safety. We’ll ensure we thoroughly investigate how we can best mitigate possible dangers for local walkers and cyclists along the corridor."

"I've listened to our community, and will ensure that a comprehensive traffic and pedestrian safety study is delivered during the next term of Council with clear recommendations and actions for improvements to traffic safety and amenity. Nearly two years of pandemic and varying lockdowns also show how very important the precincts around our homes are, too.”

Newcastle Labor Campaign Spokesperson Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, said that the City's popular Local Centres Program had been delivered by Labor Councillors. 

"Labor's Local Centres Program is delivering incredible results right across our city, with completely renewed local shopping town centres completed at Beresfield, Carrington, Kotara, Merewether and James Street Plaza, Hamilton, while upgrades are under construction at Stockton, and Shortland, with work set to begin shortly at Orchardtown Road, New Lambton."

"Labor has also ensured that local centre upgrades are coming for Georgetown and Waratah, and now the Brunker Road shopping precinct at Adamstown will be on our list for improvement too."

"While Labor has strongly supported the urban renewal of our town centres, John Church and the Newcastle Independent Party have consistently voted against the delivery of these high street upgrades."

"Sadly, John Church and the Newcastle Independents, voted against the delivery of Shortland Local Centre, Stockton Local Centre, Beresfield Local Centre and the renewal of James Street Plaza at Hamilton."

"It's clear that you can only trust Labor to deliver these much needed upgrades at our Local Centres while protecting local jobs and services."