Multimillion-dollar investment for a smarter, safer Beresfield

Beresfield has received the first free Wi-Fi outside of the Newcastle city centre as part of a $3 million investment to revitalise and beautify the area.
 
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Beresfield upgrades, which include pedestrian-friendly footpaths, outdoor dining spaces, free public Wi-Fi and a more appealing streetscape, were driven by feedback from residents and businesses.

“We’re listening to our residents across the City of Newcastle and investing in projects that are important to local communities,” the Lord Mayor said.
 
“Our local centres program is delivering key infrastructure upgrades that respond to the needs and concerns of the community. In Beresfield, this has included a strong focus on both safety and beautification works by realigning and renewing roads, reducing speed limits, relocating and installing new pedestrian crossings and upgrading street lighting.
 
“We have also installed a series of smart poles in the Beresfield local centre, providing the first free public Wi-Fi from the City of Newcastle to any area outside of the CBD.
 
“Extensive tree and ground cover planting and raised garden planters have beautified the local centre while also having a cooling effect on the area in the warmer months.
 
“We have received positive feedback about the changes to date, with local residents and businesses now looking forward to the next stage of the project, which will include a new community public open space at the intersection of Beresford Avenue and Lawson Avenue.”

A community placemaking project is developing concepts for creative and heat-reducing elements for the space, with the public given the chance to vote for their favourite design later this year.
 
The work is part of City of Newcastle’s local centres program, which is investing millions of dollars in new and improved public infrastructure across the local government area.
 
Infrastructure improvements completed to date at the Beresfield local centre include:

• A 40km/hr zone and pedestrian-friendly street design 
• Road and pedestrian lighting upgrade, with additional lighting to the railway station 
• Drainage renewal and installation of a rain garden, which will improve the quality of water run-off that enters Hexham Wetlands 
• Street trees 
• Seating, bike racks and bins 
• New kerbs, gutters and footpaths 
• Upgraded road pavement 
• Free Wi-Fi via the installation of smart poles.