Newcastle: Call to help city revitalisation

NSW Premier Kristina Keneally’s pledge to support a revitalised Newcastle has its first test today when the government is asked for funds to put up to 100 fledgling businesses in empty inner-city shops, writes Joanne McCarthy in the Newcastle Herald, 3 September 2010.

Renew Newcastle will ask for funds, believed to be less than $1million, to expand its successful program in a submission to Newcastle MP and Minister for the Hunter Jodi McKay.

The submission follows an extraordinary board meeting on Monday in the wake of the GPT Group’s shock withdrawal from its $600million Hunter Street mall redevelopment...

Renew Newcastle would use government funds to identify more unused inner-city shops, liaise with owners, ensure repairs to a safe standard and link premises with fledgling businesses, founder Marcus Westbury said.

‘‘What we’re looking at is government support to help us do a job we’re already doing well, which will be something very positive for the city,’’ Mr Westbury said.

‘‘We’ve got a model that doesn’t solve all the city’s problems, but for the next three to five years until the long-term solutions are determined we can keep the city alive.

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