Beresfield local centre reaches first milestone

A large-scale renewal project to support the Beresfield community by revitalising the local centre has reached the half-way point.

The work requires the complete reconstruction of infrastructure above and below ground, with a large component of the work on utilities beneath the surface now complete.

The Lord Mayor met with local businesses and City of Newcastle works crew to mark the milestone last week.

^{The Lord Mayor with the City of Newcastle crew delivering the Beresfield local centre project.}

"The majority of businesses have been great to work with, understand the time frames required for this work and have been very supportive of the project and our work crews, who began in March and are expected to be finished in March 2019," the Lord Mayor said.

"The project has now reached the half-way point and remains on schedule. It's wonderful to see our suburban renewal project at Beresfield taking shape - we have had very positive feedback on the City's works crews from the local community and businesses.

"Our construction manager and the civil construction team work tirelessly to accommodate the needs of residents and business owners and have formed great relationships with many locals who regularly stop by for an update."

^{Staff from James Henry Real Estate with the Lord Mayor.}

A project page on our website contains current information about the project and upcoming works - http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Beresfield

The fly-through video in the above link shows the future streets of Beresfield, including smart lighting and Wi-Fi as the first of City Of Newcastle's local centre upgrades takes shape.

Businesses and residents can take a virtual trip along the streets to see how they'll look after completion of the $2.4million project.

The video showcases changes to Addison Street, Lawson Avenue and Beresford Avenue.

"It's exciting to see this virtual view of how Beresfield local centre will look when this significant project is completed," added the Lord Mayor.

"You immediately notice the smart poles, which will provide smart lighting and access to Wi-Fi, making Beresfield the first local centre in Newcastle to have smart poles installed.

"You also can clearly see the renewed road surface, wider pedestrian pathways, more public spaces in Beresford Ave, and new street trees, seating, bike racks and bins, with many of these above-ground upgrades being delivered right now."

Befor the revitalisation project began, a public domain plan was developed involving community consultation to identify issues and possible solutions to ensure the community's priorities were addressed.

The renewal project includes:

• A 40km/hr zone and pedestrian friendly street design
• Road and pedestrian lighting upgrade
• Lighting to the railway station
• Drainage renewal
• Water sensitive urban design with a rain garden
• New site appropriate street trees
• New public space in Beresford Avenue
• New seating, bike racks and bins
• New kerb, gutter and footpath
• Renewed road pavement
• Retention of on street parking
• Free WiFi.