Upgrade to Mitchell Street, Stockton

In 2016 we audited all of the Local Centres within Newcastle LGA. Through this process Stockton was prioritised for infrastructure renewal.  

The purpose of the plan is to identify and resolve public domain issues within Stockton Local Centre, which is the section of Mitchell Street between Hunter Street and King Street.  

The plan includes public land including streets and public open spaces within Stockton Local Centre, which is zoned B2 in the Newcastle Local Environment Plan (LEP) 2012. 

The objective of B2 zoning for Local Centres is to provide a range of retail, business, entertainment and community uses that serve the needs of people who live in, work in and visit the local area. For more information on B2 zoning and our Local Environment Plan visit https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/development/land-use-planning/local-environmental-plans-lep 

Privately owned land, and land outside of the defined Local Centre area.

The Mitchell Street upgrade is funded out of our Urban Revitalisation Program, which is separate to the funding for management of erosion at Stockton Beach. Funding of the Mitchell Street upgrade does not redirect funds from our investment in management of erosion.

Managing the erosion issues at Stockton Beach remains a key priority. Both are important for the Stockton community both now and into the future.

The issues dealt with include:

• Transport safety, access and parking (vehicle, cycle, pedestrian, buses and taxis).
• Infrastructure (roads, drainage, trees, street furniture, lighting and public utilities).
• Legibility, way finding and useability (connectivity, signage, landmarks, opportunities for outdoor dining and different uses of the space).
• Look and feel, as well as the environment (trees, mass planting, public art, heritage interpretation, quality of design).
• Crime (graffiti, vandalism, theft etc).

• The speed limit on Mitchell Street between King Street and Hunter Street will be reduced from 50km/h to a 40km/h High Pedestrian Activity Area.
• Slower traffic and kerb extensions at intersections will make it safer for pedestrians to cross the road and easier for traffic to enter Mitchell Street from side streets.
• Three pedestrian crossings are proposed to cater for the main pedestrian flows, with one located at the King Street / Mitchell Street intersection and two located at the Crown Street /Mitchell Street intersection.
• At the King Street /Mitchell Street intersection kerb extensions and traffic calming devices will slow traffic and allow better visibility for drivers turning right from King Street into Mitchell Street. 
• Footpath paving will be continued across laneway entries, giving pedestrians right of way.

The entrances at each end - at the King Street / Mitchell Street intersection to the north, and at the Hunter Street /Mitchell Street intersection to the south, will be improved as follows:

• The gateways will form entries to the 40km/h High Pedestrian Activity Area and will have signage, kerb extensions and tree planting.
• The King Street gateway will continue to be signposted as the main entry into the main street area from Fullerton Street.
• The Hunter Street gateway will continue to be signposted as the main entry into the main street area from the ferry terminal and will be accentuated by future improvements to the ferry terminal and adjacent foreshore.
• A concrete ashlar patterned footpath extending along the western side of Mitchell Street will guide people from the Hunter Street gateway into the main shopping area. An ashlar pattern within the concrete is created by cutting lines into the path to create a patterned finish that looks similar to stone pavers (see right for an example of ashlar paving finish).
• The main shopping area on Mitchell Street will be defined by a pedestrian crossing at each end.

• 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 3 to 40, significantly adding to the shade canopy 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.
• New street furniture will be installed. The furniture chosen will be consistent with the street furniture installed at Stockton Active Hub, creating consistency between these two neighbouring precincts.
• Kerb extensions will include ground cover planting to green the street.
• The commercial centre precinct between King and Crown Street will be highlighted with landscape elements and planting to reinforce its location, with improvements also proposed to the forecourt of the library.
• Rain gardens with decorative patterning will “polish rainwater” with tolerant grasses to help reduce surface runoff and improve water quality.

Yes. The number of regular parking spaces will be reduced from 59 spaces to 54, however the number of disabled spaces will increase from 3 spaces to 4. The reduction in spaces is necessary to accommodate the new pedestrian crossing and kerb extensions, which are intended to improve safety for all road and footpath users, as well as the placement of some of the new street trees.

• The speed limit on Mitchell Street will be reduced from 50km/h to a 40km/h High Pedestrian Activity Area to make it safer for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.
•  Bus stops will be retained in their current locations for easy access to the shops.
• A disabled parking space will be provided close to the Senior Citizen's Centre and General Practitioner (GP) clinic.  
• Street furniture will be upgraded.
• Footpaths in poor condition will be replaced.
• Stone patterned concrete paving will be used in the core area and along the western side of Mitchell Street from Crown Street to Hunter Street.
• Footpath paving will be continued across laneway entries, 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.
• Crime will be discouraged through good environmental design.

Street lighting will be improved along Mitchell Street.

We have written to the private owners of the IGA shopping complex regarding a number of community concerns regarding the design, lighting, maintenance and overall safety of the shops and car park. We cannot make changes on private land.

Mitchell Street currently lacks drainage between King Street and Crown Street and there is no outlet for the natural low point in the IGA car park.

• We propose to construct missing sections of drainage and to provide the IGA car park with an outlet.
• The IGA car park is privately owned and it will be up to the owners to make drainage improvements on their land which connect to the outlet we provide.

Detailed design is being finalised, and construction is currently scheduled to commence in early 2021.

We will be in touch with the community closer to the beginning of construction to share an update on staging and construction impacts.