The start of Darby Street’s six-month trial of extended outdoor dining facilities, community-focused events and improved pedestrian and cycling infrastructure was officially launched today.
Part of the Streets as Shared Spaces initiative, the trial will calm traffic and bring diners out onto the street.
The initiative aims to test and build innovative ideas that attract people back into public spaces, in a safer way.
“Novocastrians are changing the way they explore and connect. Residents are walking and cycling more, and this means that we need to have a larger focus on providing spaces that are safe, green, welcoming, and accessible,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
A large 120m2 temporary dining platform, built using recycled materials, has been placed over several car parks between the Sanctum and Goldbergs restaurants.
The new dining platform allows businesses to more than double their outdoor dining space and frees up the footpath for pedestrians, providing an immediate boost to local cafes and restaurants.
“By implementing this trial, we hope to gain valuable insights that will allow us to plan for long-term positive change across the City’s Local Centres Renewal Program which delivers attractive, vibrant, and healthy open spaces,” Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said.
Further along Darby Street, a new pedestrian crossing safely leads visitors to the re-energised Darby Headphones Courtyard. New street furniture, lighting, surfacing, and public art in the courtyard encourages people to visit, stay and connect.
A condition of the NSW Government grant required Darby St speed to be reduced. Transport for NSW has approved a temporary 30km/hr speed reduction for approximately 400 metres of Darby St, between the Newcastle Art Gallery and 188 Darby St.
To assist with the availability of short-term free parking in the area, temporary drop-off and pick-up zones will be installed near to Council Street and car parking spaces to the rear of the Newcastle Library will be converted to 2P free spaces for the duration of the trial, offsetting carparks impacted by the temporary dining platform.
The trial will celebrate Darby Street’s link to culture, art, music and food through a series of events including, temporary pavement murals and a pavement art competition by Chalk the Walk as part of the New Annual Festival and a free day of activities at the Darby Street, Street Party on the corner of Council Street, Saturday 15 October 2022.
