NEWCASTLE LABOR TO DELIVER NEXT STAGE OF WALLSEND TOWN CENTRE UPGRADE
Newcastle Labor has today committed to delivering the next stage of the Wallsend Local Centre Public Domain upgrade, with the reconstruction of the intersection at Cowper and Kokera Streets, which will see the existing roundabout replaced with traffic lights, alongside the significant stormwater infrastructure upgrades underneath Cowper Street Bridge.
A re-elected Labor majority Council will ensure that construction commences on this crucial next stage of the Wallsend Local Centre project in 2022, where the roundabout adjacent to Wallsend Village will be removed, and installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Cowper and Kokera Streets completed.
The upgraded intersection will significantly improve safety and traffic flow, and will see the entire street scape upgraded with new road surfacing, widened and renewed footpaths with cycleway connections, alongside new, modern landscaping, street trees and public lighting to create a more attractive and inviting entrance to Wallsend's shopping precinct.
Render of the plan for the intersection of Cowper & Kokera Streets, Wallsend
Council has already committed to the Installation of a culvert bypass alongside the existing channel underneath the Cowper Street Bridge will help water flow more easily through Ironbark Creek.
As well as improving the flow of stormwater, the upgrade will improve the amenity of this section of channel leading into Wallsend Park, with the upgraded creek to be widened, realigned and flanked by sandstone to renew the existing concrete walled channel.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, who initiated the Wallsend Local Centre project under Labor's popular Local Centres Program, said the next stage of the Wallsend upgrade would see significant improvements to local amenity and liveability.
"Stage 3 is where the Wallsend Local Centre Program starts to really kick into gear, with significant public domain upgrades at the entry point of Wallsend Town Centre," said the Lord Mayor.
"We'll see the awkward roundabout removed and replaced with traffic lights, and the footpaths will be renewed and widened to encourage active transport options like walking and cycling."
"I'm particularly looking forward to the landscaping and tree planting that will occur as part of this stage, with a modern approach to the design set to create a beautiful and welcoming entry to Wallsend town centre."
"We're proud to have already delivered the $3.3 million Tyrrell Street Bridge replacement, and this next stage of the Wallsend Local Centre project will see the entire streetscape at the intersection of Cowper and Kokera Street renewed. It will be a vast improvement to what we see in that section of Wallsend today, and will be a significant investment from this Council."
"I'm so proud of our strong track-record of delivery for Wallsend and the City's western suburbs, which I am strongly committed to driving throughout the next term of Council."
State Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery welcomed today's commitment, saying that Newcastle Labor Councillors have a strong track-record of delivery for Wallsend and Newcastle's Western Suburbs.
"The spotlight is well and truly on the City's western suburbs, and rightfully so," said Ms Hornery.
"I've been so impressed with the upgrades that Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and the Newcastle Labor team have delivered over the past Council term – with the Tyrrell Street Bridge works completed, Wallsend Active Hub at Federal Park under construction, and the early stages of the ten-year plan to upgrade the local shopping precinct now complete."
"The Labor Council have committed $26 million for traffic alleviation along Minmi Road, a new fenced dog park at Maryland and new playgrounds for Beresfield, Tarro, Maryland, Minmi and Birmingham Gardens, after already delivering several new playgrounds over the current term. I couldn't be happier with their efforts."
"It's clear to me that the people of our western suburbs are receiving the attention they deserve from Nuatali and the Labor team, and that's why I'm encouraging my constituents to continue to put their confidence in this team at the election."
City of Newcastle has completed Stages 1 & 2 of the Wallsend Local Centre upgrade which included the delivery of the $3.3 million Tyrrell Street Bridge and renewal of the northbound Bunn Street transport stop.
Detailed design is currently underway for Stages 4 and 5 of the Wallsend Local Centre project, which includes the design of Boscawen Street and Nelson Street Bridge, the installation of upgraded traffic lights at the Nelson Street and Cowper Street intersection as well as a roundabout at the notorious traffic bottleneck at the intersection of Cowper St and Newcastle Road.