Georgetown Local Centre

On 29 June 2021 the elected Council resolved to initiate a public domain upgrade for Georgetown under the Local Centres program. To find out more about the process for upgrading Local Centres view our process plan.

In 2021, we asked the community what was most important about Georgetown Local Centre, and what could be improved.

Almost 200 people had their say on what they love about Georgetown and what needs improving, which helped us develop a draft Public Domain Plan. 

The final Public Domain Plan was unanimously adopted by Council on 23 April 2024, following further community engagement from 10 November to 8 December 2023.

Review of Environmental Factors (REF) completed by SLR Consulting (PDF)

Public Domain and Traffic Plan (PDF)

24 September 2025 - Georgetown village centre renewal enters next stage

27 August 2024 - Work begins on renewals of Georgetown's village centre

24 April 2024 - City of Newcastle moves forward with multimillion-dollar upgrade plans for Georgetown

1 December 2021 - Share your ideas for Georgetown Local Centre

Early works are completed. These upgrades support the 40km/h zone with new speed control devices and additional entry infrastructure located at 35 Moate Street, and 30 and 76 Georgetown Road. 

The streetscape works will upgrade the water main and stormwater, and civil works to footpaths, kerb and gutter. This work is being managed in stages to help minimise impacts throughout this stage of the project. Residents and businesses along Georgetown Road will receive updates from our crews before work starts in their area. 

Detailed design has been finalised, and construction on the streetscape startd in September 2025, and we aim to complete this section of work by early 2027. 

Once the streetscape works are complete, we’ll turn our attention to creating the new public plaza. A, a vibrant, flexible space for locals to gather, relax, and connect. The plaza will not only support local businesses and the village atmosphere but also improve safe cycling access between Asher and Parkview Streets. 

Earlier consultation showed that residents value Georgetown’s strong sense of community and want to see it enhanced with high-quality public spaces, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering. 

Plaza works are still in detailed design and will be programmed the completion of stage 2, pending further construction in the area.

Yes, we’ll work with businesses to maintain pedestrian access. While there may be instances where staging will block access intermittently, we'll always attempt to do this outside of business operating hours, so we don’t impact any business or customers. 

• We are improving safety, parking and access for vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and buses 

• We are replacing old infrastructure with new road surfaces, drainage, trees, street furniture, lighting, and public utilities. 

• We are improving how people find their way around with better connectivity and signage, and new dedicated plaza area with different options to use the space. 

• We are improving the look and feel of the area with new landscaping, plants, and amenity. 

• We will be planting an additional 38 trees in the area to increase shade and amenity. 

The speed limit along Georgetown Road between Bowker Street and Cowper Street has been reduced from 50km/h to a 40km/h High Pedestrian Activity Area. 

Slowing down traffic and the installing of new speed control devices aim to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists (using the R4 cycle route) to cross the road, and easier for traffic to enter Georgetown Road from side streets. 

Shade trees will be planted in the footpath where possible and in the parking lane where there are overhead awnings. The number of street trees will increase from 1 to 39, significantly adding to the shade and visual appeal of the area. 

Footpaths within the area will be plain concrete with an ashlar pattern which creates a stone-like effect, reflecting the age of the buildings.  

Kerb extensions near pedestrian crossings will include ground cover planting to also increase greenery along the road  

The area between Bowker and Moate Street will have upgraded footpaths and landscaping, with improvements also proposed to the awnings along businesses on the southern side of the local centre. 

A new public plaza at the intersection of Moate Street and Georgetown Road, aims to create an attractive destination to support the shopping precinct while also facilitating safer cycle access between Asher Street and Parkview Street. Detailed design is still underway for the Plaza.

Yes. The number of regular parking spaces will be reduced from 59 spaces to 43 and the disabled car space will be relocated closer to the commercial area.

The reduction in spaces is necessary to make space for the new pedestrian crossing and kerb extensions, which are needed to improve safety for all road and footpath users, as well as the placement of some of the new street trees.

We have also installed 2 x 60kW EV charger ports at 33 Moate Street, Georgetown. 

There will also be changes to on-street parking as our crews work through each stage of the streetscape works. We understand this can be frustrating, however Georgetown has a high ratio of public parking spaces per business compared to similar sized Local Centres in the Newcastle LGA. 

Parking in neighbouring streets may increase during the works, however, we'll continue to monitor parked vehicles to ensure driveways and clear sight distances are maintained around street entry/exits in the immediate area surrounding the Georgetown Local Centre works. 

We'll continue to monitor parking in the area and investigate timed restrictions (not paid) to help manage available parking. 

The speed limit on Georgetown Road has been reduced from 50km/h to a 40km/h High Pedestrian Activity Area to make it safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.  

Bus stops will stay in their current locations for easy access to the shops. A disabled parking space will be provided close to the commercial area and street furniture will be upgraded.  

Footpaths in poor condition will be replaced. Footpath paving will be continued across Turner, Asher and Moate Steet (west), giving pedestrians right of way. Shade trees will be planted in the footpath where possible and in the parking lane where there are shop awnings.  

Our work activities will require the use of machinery that generates noise, dust, light and vibration. To minimise the impact of this work we will: 

• turn off machinery when not in use 

• use acoustic blankets to minimise noise, where feasible 

• direct temporary lighting down and away from properties  

• fit equipment with devices to minimise noise, particularly non-tonal reversing beepers 

• plan activities close to residents during standard construction hours or early evening, where possible 

• monitor noise periodically so we can manage any potential impacts and adjust our work as required. 

Night works will only occur as required - notifications will be made before any night works to affected residents and businesses.  

The standard hours will be: 

• Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm 

• Saturdays, 8am to 1pm 

All work will be carried out in line with the project's environmental approvals, and we will ensure that notifications are sent resident and businesses to advise upcoming works.