Camp Shortland options open for comment

A basketball half court, children’s play area, outdoor gym equipment, planter boxes, seating and shade structures are being considered by Newcastle City Council to activate an underused section of the Foreshore.

The opportunity comes as a result of the construction of the hairpin bend for the recent Newcastle 500, which Council was previously intending to grass over.

Council's interim CEO Jeremy Bath said the proposal would ensure the area is activated after years of being a ‘dead spot’ within Camp Shortland. Community consultation on the options for the area is now open.

"The Foreshore is Newcastle’s premier open area and it’s critical that all parts of it are designed to maximise participation and appeal to the general public," said Bath.

"Places such as Iron Cove Bay and Sydney Park have attracted huge increases in people via the installation of outdoor gym and sporting equipment such as half-court basketball courts.

"Camp Shortland has long been an underutilised area of the Foreshore, largely due to a complete absence of activity based equipment."

Bath noted that several members of the community have expressed concern that grassing over a section of the hairpin bend will require removing the area from the public throughout summer in order for the grass to knit and grow.

No change from the current plan to turf and topsoil would occur without the support of the Office of Environment and Heritage, as the Coal River Precinct is listed on the State Heritage Register. Any activation options would be removable to allow for events such as ANZAC Commemorations, concerts, triathlons and fun runs.

The Foreshore has been significantly improved as a result of the recent and hugely successful Newcastle 500. Improvements include better roads, 84 additional car park spaces, creation of a dedicated bus drop-off area on Nobbys Rd and the removal of a pedestrian/cycling bottleneck connecting the Bathers Way with Joy Cummings Promenade.

Car parks were also levelled to improve access for people using wheelchairs, and new trees will increase shade coverage from 500 to 9,800 square meters.

"The Newcastle 500 put the city on the map in the most spectacular way," said Bath. "It’s Council's intention to continue to upgrade the Foreshore to ensure that it appeals to the greatest number of people in the community and offers a range of outdoor activities."

Have your say from now until Wednesday 20 December 2017, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au for all the details.