Predicted population increase drives changes to Social Infrastructure Strategy

City of Newcastle will conduct a review of how it delivers and maintains valuable community assets to ensure it can cater for a predicted population boom.

---

Under new housing targets set by the NSW Government, Newcastle will welcome more than 86,000 new residents by 2041, which would see the city boast more people than the current population of the Northern Territory.

Councillors voted to review City of Newcastle's draft Social Infrastructure Strategy which was developed with community feedback and stakeholder engagement.

The Social Infrastructure Strategy was originally designed to cater for a predicted population of just over 201,000 but that figure is now expected to top 256,000, with Broadmeadow set to accommodate up to 40,000 of those new residents.

Councillor Elizabeth Adamczyk said the Social Infrastructure Strategy plays a significant role in enhancing the lives of people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

"City of Newcastle plays an important role in providing facilities and spaces for the community," Cr Adamczyk said.

"Our network of social infrastructure contributes to inclusion and cohesion and is used by all Novocastrians at some point in their lives, often on a daily basis.

"These assets help the community to be happy, safe and healthy, to learn, and to enjoy life."

Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy said City of Newcastle is committed to providing inclusive and welcoming social infrastructure that is designed, managed and programmed for everyone to enjoy.

"Social infrastructure comprises a range of assets including community centres, libraries, museums, art galleries, parks and sporting fields," Ms Duffy.

"City of Newcastle will continue to review its strategies and key planning documents against population and housing targets to ensure Newcastle remains a liveable, sustainable, inclusive, global city."

The NSW Government has handed down two reforms that will lead to the population increase, starting in December last year with the proposal for transport-oriented development of higher-density homes around selected railway stations.

The State Environmental Planning Policy decision will see thousands of extra residents added near stations at Adamstown, Newcastle Interchange, Hamilton and Kotara.

In May this year the Government increased housing targets across the state with Newcastle asked to provide more than 11,000 new homes by 2029, more than double the number completed in the city between 2017 and 2022.

This new target translates to an annual population growth rate of approximately three per cent a year, triple Newcastle’s 10-year average.

On top of these reforms, City of Newcastle and the NSW Government have developed the draft Broadmeadow Place Strategy, which will guide future development in the area and provide the opportunity for additional housing, jobs and population growth.

That draft strategy, which is now on public exhibition, features a proposal for an additional 40,000 people and 20,000 dwellings over the next 30 years.