Foreshore promenade and reimagined Cottage Creek now open

Honeysuckle’s much anticipated harbourside promenade opens today, giving Newcastle locals and visitors 11km of uninterrupted pathways alongside Newcastle’s stunning harbour, stretching from Wickham marina in the city’s west to Merewether in the east.

The new waterfront promenade and a more natural looking Cottage Creek are part of the NSW Government’s $55 million commitment to Honeysuckle's infrastructure and public domain delivery.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said these important works underpin a vibrant waterfront, a well-used coastal path and more public space for the community.

“The path is now open along the whole length of the popular waterfront path, which was closed while Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC) completed upgrades and delivered repairs to the old seawalls.

“We know how much the community loves being close to the harbour and they can now enjoy a new attractive shared path and public space that includes new trees, native plantings, water’s edge seating and observation points to take in the views,” Mr Martin said.

HCCDC’s Chief Executive Valentina Misevska said the newly completed promenade joins Honeysuckle Park to an architecturally designed pedestrian and cycle bridge over Cottage Creek. “We’ve also reinstated a connection that extends further west to Wickham Marina.

“Cottage Creek is a crucial part of the Honeysuckle landscape, and we were delighted to partner with Hunter Water to deliver improved public open space and a more natural looking creek between the harbour and light rail.

“Together we’ve reimagined the 100-year-old stormwater channel, replacing concrete walls with attractive tiered sandstone and bringing in native plants to soften the creek’s edge and create a welcoming community space,” Ms Misevska said.

In an interesting first for the region, Hunter Water installed a collection of 3D printed tiles at the southern end of the creek to create a living seawall. Hunter Water’s Managing Director Darren Cleary said the textured tiles mimic natural rocky shores, creating new habitat for aquatic life to thrive.

“The work we’ve completed at Cottage Creek is part of Hunter Water’s commitment to deliver higher liveability and environmental services for our customers and community,” Mr Cleary said.

HCCDC will complete the final treatment of the promenade and public domain to the east and west of Cottage Creek in stages, to coincide with the construction of the Horizon on the Harbour and Little National Hotel developments and the future development of Honeysuckle HQ.

The Cottage Creek works were funded by HCCDC, Hunter Water and grants from the NSW Government’s Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund.

More information: Honeysuckle Project Page