A Vision for the Hunter Sports & Entertainment Precinct

In 2017, Venues NSW has developed A Vision for the Hunter Sports & Entertainment Precinct (Hunter Park) in order to establish a long-term vision for a sustainable, exciting sporting and entertainment precinct for Greater Newcastle.

Between 5 July and 30 November 2017, the community was invited to give their feedback on early concept designs for a transformed precinct which aims to improve access to existing facilities and increase employment and economic opportunities. Our objective is that the transformation of the precinct will increase visitation, improve participation opportunities and ensure a better game day and entertainment experience.

Community and stakeholder feedback is vital to shaping the future of the precinct and we thank all members of the community who had a say. During the consultation period, we received more than 250 submissions and feedback forms, and we engaged with over 330 community members at our open home, pop-ups and roundtable events. Feedback from the consultation is now being used to refine the concept plan and to identify any alternate options for the Precinct for further Government consideration.

You can read the feedback received here: Social Pinpoint - Hunter Sports and Entertainment Precinct.

In June 2021, the NSW Government announced funding of $6.7m to develop the masterplan and Final Business Case for the Hunter Park.

Work to transform the precinct is already under way with the Newcastle Knights Centre of Excellence, jointly funded ($10m) by the NSW Government, as well as the $10m Newcastle International Hockey Centre that was fully funded by the NSW Government due to open this year.

A revitalised precinct will further cement Newcastle’s place as the gateway city to northern NSW and ensure it continues its strong and vibrant legacy with quality sports and entertainment facilities. It has the potential to deliver upgraded sporting facilities, high-quality public spaces and playgrounds, new multi-purpose leisure and entertainment facilities, improved parking options, residential dwellings, renewed community facilities, and cycling and walking tracks.

The development of the final business case will take up to two years to complete and will include master planning as well as community and stakeholder engagement.

Venues NSW looks forward to continuing to work with its partners and key stakeholders to deliver a world-class precinct.