URGENT UPDATE: Residents of Wickham are on edge as Newcastle councillors prepare to question the developer behind a controversial $30 million project at a public meeting today. The proposed development, which includes an 11-storey apartment building and five four-bedroom terraces on Bishopsgate Street, has been in the works for over two years and is drawing mixed reactions from the community.
While a formal decision won’t be reached at today’s meeting, councillors will have the opportunity to probe the project before it moves to the Development Applications Committee. The application, lodged in 2023 by Gemini Interchange Pty Ltd, owned by brothers Dallas and Kristoffer Harvey, aims to provide long-term rentals and affordable housing in partnership with community provider Pacific Link.
The developers tout this “build-to-rent” project as a vital solution for low-income residents in a challenging rental market. “Unlike most residential developments where apartments are quickly sold, this project will focus on long-term rentals,” a spokesperson stated. The site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange is expected to enhance accessibility for residents.
A draft planning agreement includes the creation of a public park, named ‘Wickham Green’, and dedicates nine affordable housing units for a period of 15 years. However, the public exhibition of the plans has sparked controversy, with 40 submissions received, primarily opposing the building’s height, bulk, and potential noise issues from nearby establishments like the Lass O’Gowrie Hotel.
Local resident John Phelan, who previously objected during the public exhibition from May to June, has been vocal about his concerns. “This DA must be rejected,” he urges, emphasizing that minor modifications over the years have not sufficiently addressed key issues. Phelan argues that the city should not allow developers to prioritize short-term profits over community needs.
This proposed development would replace the old Empire furniture warehouse and a former car sales building on Bishopsgate Street. The design includes 59 apartments across nine levels, with a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom configurations. Despite exceeding the 14-meter height limit at 35 meters, the developers claim compliance with the Wickham Masterplan standards, which allows for heights up to 35 meters.
The Development Applications Committee will ultimately decide on the project’s fate, given its estimated value exceeds $15 million and the significant public feedback received. Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting to voice their opinions and concerns regarding this pivotal development.
As this situation unfolds, the community watches closely, knowing that the outcome could reshape Wickham’s landscape and housing availability for years to come. Stay tuned for more updates as the meeting progresses and the debate intensifies.
