Honeysuckle
An ongoing urban transformation success story. Over 50 hectares of former industrial, maritime land is now a centre for entertainment, tourism, employment, and recreation on the edge of Newcastle Harbour.
- Latest Honeysuckle News - Download Newsletter
Current works
Honeysuckle is changing - stay up to date:
- Honeysuckle newsletter - Download PDF
- Work details, notifications and contacts - Works Page
- Follow for latest progress news - Facebook
- Download the Honeysuckle Fact Sheet - PDF
- Register for updates via email - Join the list
More jobs, homes and public spaces
HCCDC has led Honeysuckle's renewal since the early 1990s when the plan was initiated to remediate and repurpose seven precincts, spanning four kilometres of waterfront land.
As the master developer for Honeysuckle, HCCDC has managed the staged divestment of the land, and the area has so far seen more than $1 billion in private investment, and generated an estimated $3 billion in economic activity.
The 50-hectare site now supports a diverse mix of employment, residential, tourism, recreation and public domain uses for the community. It also celebrates and enhances heritage and is known as one of the most successful urban renewal programs in NSW.
Ongoing transformation
Over the next few years HCCDC will continue to deliver new public domain and infrastructure to ensure the former industrial land continues to thrive. Honeysuckle will also become the home of the University of Newcastle's new city campus. Visit the Honeysuckle Works page for current work details and updates.
For most of the 20th Century, the Honeysuckle project area was dominated by railway workshops, wool stores, cargo sheds and warehouses, both active and dormant. In more recent decades the rich and important industrial heritage of the land left it contaminated, derelict and blocked off from the people of Newcastle.
By the late 1980s it was recognised that there had been a gradual but sustained period of decline in the number of people living and working in Newcastle. Formed by the State Government in 1992 and initially funded with $100 million from the Commonwealth/State Building Better Cities program, the Honeysuckle Development Corporation set about working in partnership with the local community to transform 50 hectares of surplus government land.
At the heart of one of the biggest urban renewal projects in Australia was the task of opening up Newcastle Harbour to the community. By creating quality residential, commercial and recreational waterfront areas, the project has unlocked lifestyle, economic and environmental benefits for the city and received urban design awards and international recognition along the way.
HCCDC transformation works
The final phase of Honeysuckle's transformation has commenced. The works commenced with the construction of new seawalls, followed by the upgrade of Honeysuckle Drive and the reopening of the Cottage Creek waterway. As part of our delivery of new public spaces and promenades along the waterfront, we recently completed the construction of Honeysuckle Park.
Honeysuckle public domain
Creating great places in vibrant communities
Through community consultation, some fantastic ideas for the transformation of Newcastle's iconic waterfront precinct have been identified.
Our $55 million investment into foreshore infrastructure and public domain works will see Honeysuckle thrive for future generations. This includes seawall works, landscaping of waterfront green spaces, planting over 150 trees, and creating attractive promenades that stretch from the Wickham Marina through Honeysuckle along the foreshore connecting to Nobbys beach and Bathers Way.
- Honeysuckle Foreshore Public Domain Plan - PDF
- Public Domain Plan - Media Release
- Honeysuckle Park now open - Media Release
Honeysuckle Park
Construction of Honeysuckle Park is now complete marking a significant milestone in the delivery of new public domain and the continued revitalisation of the Honeysuckle waterfront.
The park includes sandstone seating at the harbour's edge, shelters with picnic seating, covered barbecue facilities and a Maritime inspired play area. Native trees, including banksia, tuckeroos and pines line new pedestrian links, making it easier to move from the waterfront to the Honeysuckle Light Rail stop. Construction of this park is an important step in completing the public connection from Wickham Marina, through Honeysuckle along the foreshore to Bathers Way.
- More information - Media Release
Honeysuckle Drive upgraded
A wider and re-aligned road, improved merging lanes, footpaths and cycleways on both sides of Honeysuckle Drive; these are a few of the features of the just-finished $12 million upgrade delivered by HCCDC, aimed at improving ease of use, accessibility, and safety.
An integral part of the Honeysuckle Drive works is the architecturally designed Cottage Creek Bridge, which replaces the old concrete structure with a new, multi-functional bridge in its place. Spanning 30 metres, the new bridge supports heavy vehicle traffic up to double semi-trailers. Already, the upgrades have improved the flow of traffic, made safety a priority for both recreational and commuting cyclists, as well as now offering some stunning visual streetscape upgrades for commuters to enjoy.
Seawall works
HCCDC maintains three kilometres of seawall along the Honeysuckle promenade
This part of the waterfront has a rich and colourful history, and ongoing maintenance will ensure that this space can be accessed and enjoyed by the public for years to come. To date we have recycled 8000 tonnes of processed concrete from the old wharves into new seawalls.
We completed rebuilding the seventy five year old harbour seawalls at Lee 5 and Throsby mid 2020, in preparation for new public domain.
Lee Wharf A, now known as The Wharf, is an iconic and much loved waterfront heritage building in the centre of Honeysuckle. It was built in 1910 in the Federation style and was used for wool storage, as a cargo port, and place of immigration after World War 2.
HCCDC completed major restoration and structural repairs to the building in early 2020, including reinstating its harbourside deck, and completing significant stabilisation and seawall repairs. These restoration works have paved the way for an exciting new use for The Wharf, as a destination that will attract both locals and visitors to this key harbourside location.
Hope at Honeysuckle
After a competitive process, Hope Estate announced their plans for The Wharf building with Hope at Honeysuckle. Showcasing the wine, spirits and craft beer, the Hope family is known for along with fine food and tasting experiences focused on Hunter produce, local retail goods, masterclasses and other educational events, they recently lodged the DA to create this new venue.
Recent media about a new life for The Wharf
The next phase of Honeysuckle
Through the Honeysuckle urban renewal program, the Government has paved the way for private sector investment to deliver new homes, jobs and economic activity.
As the Honeysuckle project draws closer to completion, exciting new projects are planned for the remaining Honeysuckle lands, with the highest standards of built form and urban amenity being applied.
University of Newcastle
The UON is significantly expanding its city centre presence with its Honeysuckle City Campus Development. The masterplan for this 10-year development sees seven new buildings including student accommodation over 6.2 hectares in Honeysuckle. The first building completed is the Integrated Innovation Network (I2N) Hub and the School of Creative Industries.
Lume Apartments
Delivering on the demand for attractive architecture and high quality dwellings in the evolving precinct, Doma Group saw the first residents move into Lume at 21 Honeysuckle Drive in July 2020.
With 154 residential units and associated commercial uses, Lume integrates with the new Honeysuckle Park public domain being delivered by HCCDC.
The Little National Hotel
Doma Group's plans to build a 187 room, four-star hotel with gym, cafe, bar and parking as well as commercial spaces at 42 Honeysuckle Drive were approved in early in 2021. Construction is currently on hold.
The $41 million project will help address the shortage of tourism accommodation in the city.
Huntington
Work commenced in November 2019 on a new residential and retail offering at 35 Honeysuckle Drive. Doma's Huntington features 88 apartments and 1500m2 of retail opportunity, with significant and attractive public open space that will integrate with the picturesque Honeysuckle harbourfront being delivered by HCCDC - continuing the connection of the harbourside promenade from the city through Honeysuckle to Wickham Marina.
Horizon on the Harbour
105 architecturally designed residential apartments, and 970m2 of ground floor retail delivered by the Miller Property Corporation. The high quality waterfront development at 45 Honeysuckle Drive commenced construction mid 2021 and is likely to be complete in 2023. HCCDC is delivering new public domain adjacent - part of the continuation of the harbourside promenade connecting the city to Wickham.
Honeysuckle is experiencing the next stage of transformation.
To stay informed about what's changing:
- Follow for latest progress news - Facebook
- Work details, notifications and contacts - Works Page
- Register for updates via email - Join the list
As Newcastle grows, changes are being made to the ways we visit and get around the city centre. There are 20 off-street parking stations in Newcastle city centre and many of them offer all day parking for reasonable fees.
Public transport, cycling and the City of Newcastle Council Park and Ride service are also options for your journey into town.
Gallery
Video: Honeysuckle seawall works - Stage 1
Video: Honeysuckle seawall works - Timelapse
Video: Honeysuckle public domain
Video: Honeysuckle waterfront works