Georgetown village centre renewal enters next stage

An artist's impression of Georgetown Road, which illustrates the new raised shared path crossing, street trees and landscaping, street furniture and smoother roads that form part of the local centre upgrade.

New road surfaces, more green space and improved footpaths are on the way in Georgetown as City of Newcastle begins work on the latest upgrades to the neighbourhood’s shopping precinct.

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The multimillion-dollar project aims to improve the look and feel of Georgetown and enhance safety and accessibility for all members of the community.

Widened footpaths will make it easier to navigate Georgetown on foot, while new seating and landscaped areas including more than 30 new street trees will enhance the feel of the public spaces.

The current stage of the project will also deliver new road surfaces on Georgetown Road and Moate Street for a smoother drive.

City of Newcastle's Interim Executive Manager Project Management Office Matthew Bennett said the project will improve the already thriving village centre.

“Georgetown has a strong business community and this project will help create a more engaging environment for visitors to stop, shop, and enjoy,” Mr Bennett said.

“Similar projects across the city at local centres like Llewellyn Street in Merewether and Beresford Avenue in Beresfield have delivered for those communities, and we’re excited to see the benefits this will bring to Georgetown.”

New pedestrian and shared crossings will make it safer for walkers and increase connectivity to the city’s growing cycleway network, while key infrastructure changes include moving overhead power lines underground to increase tree canopy, upgrading a 100-year-old water main, and improvements to stormwater drainage.

Initial work on the project was completed last year, including new speed control devices to improve safety in the area and the installation of two 60kw electric vehicle charging stations to support City of Newcastle's commitment to sustainability.

A new public plaza at the intersection of Moate Street and Georgetown Road will form part of a future stage of work, with the community to be invited to have their say on the design early next year.

Georgetown is being upgraded through City of Newcastle’s Local Centres program, which invests in communities across Newcastle.

Other local centres completed include Beresford Avenue, Beresfield; Mitchell Street, Stockton; Young Street, Carrington; James Street Plaza, Hamilton; Llewellyn Street, Merewether; Joslin Street, Kotara; Sandgate Road, Shortland and Blackbutt Village, New Lambton.

To stay up to date with the latest information visit the project page on City of Newcastle’s website.