Port of Newcastle has welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement of $500,000 towards the preservation and rejuvenation of the Carrington Hydraulic Engine House, known as the Pumphouse, and the creation of an outdoor space accessible to the community.
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The funding, awarded via the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund, includes $300,000 for the creation of an outdoor plaza area in front of the building. It will include $200,000 towards the restoration of the building’s façade.
“The building is an important landmark for Carrington and our region, and Port of Newcastle is pleased to partner with the NSW Government in commencing external preservation works and creating a new landmark plaza that celebrates the building’s history,” Port of Newcastle chief executive officer Geoff Crowe said.
“Despite regular investment in the building by port operators over a number of years, significant repairs are needed and the building is currently fenced for safety.
“The Port of Newcastle team took on this challenge and developed the concept with a local architect, along with community input, to restore the exterior of this magnificent old building to its former glory, opening up the outdoor area to the community.”
Mr Crowe said Port of Newcastle would match the government’s contribution towards the restoration of the building’s historic façade as “an important step in preserving this unique building”.
The interpretative space, to be located in front of the building, will include an outdoor plaza area featuring a 3D blueprint of the building’s past. Children will be able to play amid the sculptural pipe elements and explore how the building used to work. The project is due to be completed in the early part of 2018.
Port of Newcastle acknowledged the support of the Throsby Basin Business Chamber, the Carrington Community Council and heritage specialists from Newcastle City Council as well as the Office of Environment and Heritage
“We enthusiastically support the project which will encourage families to utilise the space for picnics, frequenting local shops and services and expand the profile of Carrington,” Throsby Basin Business Chamber president Clare Monkley said.
“It will be great to see one of the community’s most treasured buildings have some life restored to her once again and this will create a centrepiece for Carrington’s connection to its long history and industry on which it was founded.”
Port of Newcastle Community Liaison Group Member John McLeod said the project was an important first step in preserving the building and activating a community space within the site.
Port of Newcastle is actively seeking a suitable tenant to adaptively reuse the building.
