City embarks on record year of road investments

Night works are soon to wrap up on the resurfacing of one of Newcastle’s most well-known streets as City of Newcastle (CN) invests more than $14.7 million into a record year of road improvements.

Recent road upgrades have transformed Hamilton’s Beaumont Street as part of CN’s ongoing investment into upgrading essential community infrastructure, which will see $7.5 million spent on road resurfacing during the next 12 months.

A further $7.2 million will be invested into road rehabilitation projects over the next twelve months, as part of City of Newcastle’s $54 million investment in road upgrades over the past five Budgets.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said CN had increased its annual road upgrade expenditure by more than 170 per cent since 2019/20 as it continues to deliver vital road rehabilitation projects and improvements across the Local Government Area.

“During the 2023/24 financial year, we will invest more than $14.7 million into our city's road network for resurfacing and rehabilitation projects, as part of CN's largest annual capital works program to date," Cr Clausen said.

"CN's investment in capital works has been growing over the past five years as we continue to balance infrastructure renewal with revitalisation projects to meet our community’s expectations that come with sustained growth."

Among the projects completed during the 2022/23 financial year were Croudace Road, Elermore Vale and Maryland Drive, Maryland and most recently the resurfacing of Beaumont Street in Hamilton.

Councillor Carol Duncan praised the efforts of City of Newcastle’s nightwork teams for successfully resurfacing one of Newcastle's busiest suburban streets.

"The resurfacing of Beaumont Street, between Donald and Denison Street, has been no easy feat. As Hamilton's popular main street, it sees a high volume of cars and pedestrians every day," Cr Duncan said.

“The work has been carried out on Monday and Tuesday nights, while the rest of us were tucked up in bed. This has resulted in minimal disruption to drivers and local businesses. This outcome is a credit to CN's civil works team who have worked through the night to make this happen."

Local business owner and Hamilton Business Improvement Association (BIA) Chair Reece Hignall welcomed the road improvements made to Beaumont Street.

"Beaumont Street is now an even more attractive place to eat, drink and shop, with this work enhancing the safety and appeals of this precinct to visitors," Mr Hignall said.

"The BIA met with CN and together worked collaboratively to ensure minimal disruption to our many small businesses here in Hamilton."

Upcoming major road resurfacing and rehabilitation projects to commence in 2023/24 include Hope Street Wallsend, Lambton Road New Lambton, Fern Street Islington and Memorial Drive The Hill.