Local Centre Facade Improvement Scheme

For local centres that are undergoing or have completed upgrades, we offer grants to business and property owners of privately owned buildings in these areas to help fund repairs and improvements to their building facades, to create active frontages and to enhance our city's presentation.

This scheme is part of City of Newcastle's annual Community Grant rollout. Applications for all grant streams open annually around June, with applications via the SmartyGrants platform. Each year the Local Centre Facade Improvement Scheme grant will be available in selected local centres. Businesses and property owners in eligible centres will be advised in advance of the grants opening for applications.

For more information on CN's Community Grants visit our Grants page. 

Please note the Local Centre Facade Improvement Scheme was not available for 2025, so this page does not currently provide specific information on this scheme. 

It will be offered again to selected Local Centres in the 2026/2027 annual round of grants, with the page to be updated in early-mid 2026 when eligible centres are notified of the opportunity.

Orchardtown Road, Blackbutt Village – 2024 program

In 2024, we offered funding to the Blackbutt Village Local Centre following infrastructure upgrades. Up to $5,000 available for the successful application on a 2:1 ratio grant, with one third of the costs matched by the applicant. 

The funding was for repairs to a façade and awning, lighting repairs and a vibrant façade.

Shortland and Stockton Local Centres – 2022 program

In 2022, we offered funding to improve the facades of privately owned buildings in Sandgate Road, Shortland and Mitchell Street, Stockton Local Centres, following the completion of infrastructure upgrades.  Up to $5,000 was offered for each successful application on a 2:1 ratio grant, with one third of the costs matched by the applicant. 

The funding was for repairs, painting, a mural, fencing, landscaping, window replacement and restoration works. We funded five projects in Stockton and three projects in Shortland.

Joslin Street, Kotara and Llewellyn Street, Merewether Local Centres – 2021 program

In 2021, we offered funding to improve the facades of privately owned buildings in Joslin Street Kotara and Llewellyn Street Merewether Local Centres, following the completion of infrastructure upgrades. Up to $5,000 was offered for each successful application on a 2:1 ratio grant, with one third of costs matched by the applicant. 

The funding was for repair and painting projects. We funded two projects in Merewether.

Beresfield and Carrington Local Centres - 2019 program

In 2019, we offered funding to improve the facades of privately owned buildings in Carrington and Beresfield Local Centres local centre areas. Up to $4,000 was offered for each successful application on a 2:1 ratio grant, with one third of costs matched by the applicant. 

The majority of funding was offered for painting projects, but other projects included cleaning and replacing timber, façade repairs, and one new awning. We funded seven grant projects in Beresfield, and six in Carrington.

Before and after photos of some previously successful applications