Public works have been fast tracked by council to be ready in time for the Newcastle 500 Supercars event in November.  

The EDO has been engaged by residents from Newcastle’s East End after concerns were raised about whether works on Church Street were being conducted within the state heritage listed Newcastle Government House and Domain precinct. Part of the precinct extends to the corner of Watt and Church Streets.

The EDO has asked the council whether a survey has been recently conducted to mark out the precinct boundary from the road.The council said the site had been surveyed and it had conducted an environmental assessment, heritage impact statement and an archaeological considerations report. 

“No heritage concerns were identified due to the large amount of work that has already taken place in the precinct in the past,” a spokesperson for the council said. 

The EDO asked whether the council is currently widening the road on the corner of Church and Watt Streets for the Supercars event. Works on the Supercars track cannot begin until the approval process is complete. However council said works being carried out were not part of the Supercars project and the road would not be widened. 

Works along the Bathers Way has seen many objects dug up.

The council said no heritage items had been dug up in locations where works were being undertaken.

“None is expected as the area surrounding Newcastle SLSC is a known illegal dumping area for early Newcastle,” the spokesperson said.

“All excavated earth is being photographed to confirm the areas were once uncontrolled fill locations of no historical significance.”

Any intact objects will be assessed by an archaeological consultant.