New-look Shortland Esplanade taking shape

Major construction work is currently transforming another section of Shortland Esplanade at Newcastle Beach to deliver a dramatically greener and more accessible promenade.

A verdant terrace with a gently sloped ramp for people with mobility challenges will be revealed south of Newcastle Surf Lifesaving Club when the work is completed in around November.

^{Artist impression of the completed work.}

"These new walls will revitalise this section of coastline and provide extensive areas of landscaped gardens as well as improved connectivity between Shortland Esplanade and the lower beach promenade," Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.

"We are making these pedestrian and traffic improvements to replace ageing infrastructure and continue the Bathers Way from Newcastle to King Edward Park.

"Our coastal revitalisation project is transforming our beachfront areas into fantastic places to enjoy our beautiful city.

The Newcastle Beach area is a critical piece of the puzzle connecting our coast to the city centre."

All subsurface utility investigations and relocations have been completed and new conduits are in place for high-voltage electrical services.

Installation of new street lighting will begin soon with new poles to be located on the western side of the esplanade.

Excavation work of the failed retaining structures between the roadway and the beach are almost complete and extensive construction work has begun.

Reconstruction of the retaining wall on the corner of Watt Street and Church Street is expected to be completed in early June.

The current project, which comes 15 years after the wall was last rebuilt, allows for the relocation of high-voltage cables underground.

The existing Norfolk Pines on the site have been protected during the work, and gardens will be replanted following completion of the wall.

The road closure between Watt Street and Ocean Street will remain in place until the new retaining walls are completed and the roadway is re-laid.

This stage of works includes the construction of a 140m section of the Bathers Way shared path, as well as upgrades to footpaths and reconstruction of the roadway.

The improvements include new public waste and recycling bin enclosures to divert waste from landfill. The bays will be identical to the enclosures installed at Bar Beach in 2016 and feature images of the Newcastle coastline.

Two-way traffic will be returned to this section of Shortland Esplanade at the completion of the project following council's recent decision to retain it.