A bill designed to protect Newcastle’s inner city rail corridor will go before State Parliament on Thursday.
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Independent Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper will raise the motion, which is designed to make sure the land is used for open recreational space after the tracks are removed.
It would stop residential and commercial development along the inner city rail corridor, but would allow small-scale buildings such as kiosks and cafes.
“There has been much conjecture and suspicion within the community regarding the prospects for future development of this land and the government has consistently refused to rule out development on the rail corridor post-truncation,” Mr Piper said.
“In introducing this bill, I endeavour to end the conjecture once and for all and ensure the inner-city rail corridor in Newcastle is preserved for open space and passive recreational use.”
He said there was strong community support for the corridor to be quarantined from high-rise or medium-density development.
“A green corridor along the existing inner-city heavy rail route would be a fantastic community asset for Newcastle and an attraction for tourists and residents of the region alike,” Mr Piper said.
“The land uses described in this bill would provide Newcastle with an opportunity to have open space and an aesthetic appeal rivalling great cities in Australia and around the world.”