I was pleased to make two important announcements for the city last week. The first was news that in 2019 council's administrative headquarters will move to a new West End building to help staff provide better service for ratepayers from a single office block in the heart of the future CBD.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The new five-level building, under construction on the corner of Hunter St and Stewart Ave, will house around 400 staff relocated from outdated buildings in the Civic precinct.
As well as providing ratepayers a more attractive place to come and deal with council, this move is about consolidating our administrative staff in a single building to increase productivity and provide even better services.
Opposite the Newcastle Interchange in the middle of the future CBD, the more-sustainable Council HQ will enable greater collaboration and also offer off-street parking for ratepayers.
On Sunday I also announced that early next year we will call for ideas to open the historic Shepherds Hill Cottage to community use. A café/kiosk, museum or art space are among potential uses for the former gunners' residence and mess hall, while the wider 4500sqm site could one day host weddings, a film set or educational and entertainment programs.
Council will invite expressions of interest in February during the cottage's internal makeover, which will follow completion of The Hill section of the Bathers Way.