Employing the best urban design principles, our vision aims to create inspiring public spaces along a light rail route from Worth Place to Pacific Park and honour the city's heritage by retracing the tram lines of yesteryear.

At the heart of the plan is a configuration in which light rail cars share a centre lane with motor vehicles - a format known as 'mixed running' - on Hunter and Scott streets and loop back west through Hunter Street Mall along the original tram line.

The shared format will allow for multiple modes of transport while preserving space for parking on the edges of dual-use centre lanes, creating room for wider footpaths and separated cycle ways.

Mixed running with cycle ways and wider footpaths has been successful in Melbourne and other capitals noted for excellent urban design.

Newcastle needs a light rail network that makes sense and that delivers on broader urban revitalisation goals to create a connected city and a vibrant city centre. 

For Newcastle, light rail is as much a transport project as it is an exercise in urban renewal.

As well as reflecting the city's heritage, this will mark the start of an integrated public transport network with the potential to link our suburbs to the city centre, education and medical facilities as well as major transport nodes including Newcastle Airport and the Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange.

Under Council's 2030 Vision for a smart, liveable and sustainable city, our transport networks and services will be well connected and convenient to all. Walking, cycling and public transport will be viable options for getting into and around the city.

This is ambitious. However it can be achieved if the different agencies charged with delivering the multi-millions of dollars’ worth of revitalisation projects come together to create a smart, liveable and sustainable city.