Honeysuckle HQ

Is Government selling the land? 

Government is seeking a development partner that has experience in delivering quality placemaking and design outcomes to create a waterfront destination where people want to be. The final commercial arrangements will be subject to this competitive process.

When will the successful development partner be announced?

We expect to announce the successful development partner in late 2025, once the final detailed proposals have been assessed.

How will the detailed proposals be evaluated? 

Proposals must deliver on the project Vision and Objectives, and will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Masterplanning and design 
• Placemaking and activation 
• Economic stimulation 
• Transaction terms and risks 
• Capability and experience 
• Financial offer and security 
• Environmental sustainability 
• Social impact 
• Heritage and culture. 

Will Honeysuckle HQ offer affordable and social housing?

Honeysuckle HQ will deliver a true mixed-use destination and will include a substantial portion of housing.

We will work with proponents to determine how the project can best support Newcastle’s housing needs.

What uses are permitted for Honeysuckle HQ land?

Honeysuckle Quays
The northern side of Honeysuckle Drive is zoned MU1 Mixed Use under the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012.

The zoning objectives are to:

• generate employment through a diversity of business, retail, office and light industrial land uses
• provide diverse and active street frontages to attract pedestrian traffic and to contribute to vibrant, diverse and functional streets and public spaces
• minimise conflict between land uses within this zone and land uses within adjoining zones
• encourage business, retail, community and other non-residential land uses on the ground floor of buildings
• support nearby or adjacent commercial centres without adversely impacting on the viability of those centres.
   

Honeysuckle Quarter 
The southern side of Honeysuckle Drive is zoned E2 Commercial Centre under the Plan.

The zoning objectives are to:

• strengthen the role of the commercial centre as the centre of business, retail, community and cultural activity
• encourage commercial development that generates employment opportunities and economic growth
• provide a high level of accessibility and amenity, particularly for pedestrians
• enable residential development consistent with the Council’s strategic planning for residential development in the area
• provide diverse and active street frontages to attract pedestrian traffic and to contribute to vibrant, diverse and functional streets and public spaces
• provide for commercial floor space within mixed use development
• strengthen the role of the city centre as the region’s business, retail and cultural centre
• retain and create view corridors.
   

Will Honeysuckle HQ be mostly apartment buildings?

Honeysuckle HQ will be a landmark, mixed use destination that will incorporate a range of uses befitting its waterfront CBD location. While diverse housing is one component of a successful CBD, so is retail, business, entertainment, hospitality and community space.

How much of the land will be dedicated to public space?

We have set aside $27 million and 2 ha of harbourside land for community spaces including a waterfront promenade, two new parks and the Cottage Creek naturalisation.

We delivered the first of these parks, Honeysuckle Park, in 2021. The naturalisation of Cottage Creek and the next phase of Honeysuckle’s promenade was completed in 2022. The remaining public domain will be delivered in stages to coincide with the surrounding developments.

While 2 ha of green space will surround Honeysuckle HQ, we are also asking developers to provide more public spaces within the precinct.

What social, environmental, and economic factors will be included in this development? 

Social
New spaces will be delivered that are attractive and accessible so that the whole community can enjoy them. We are encouraging potential development partners to consider innovative ways to integrate social equity into Honeysuckle HQ. This could include elements such as community places, active spaces and more.

Environmental
Honeysuckle HQ presents an opportunity to set new sustainability benchmarks for the region. We have set minimum sustainability benchmarks and have identified four sustainability areas that have the most potential to deliver significant benefits:

1. Climate change resilience
2. Energy and carbon
3. Water
4. Biodiversity

Economic
Honeysuckle has already delivered a diverse mix of residential, commercial and retail outcomes, attracting $1 billion in private investment. Honeysuckle HQ provides an exciting opportunity to further diversify Newcastle’s day/night economy, providing enterprises that attract residents and visitors to the waterfront and CBD areas every day, every night and on weekends.

We are encouraging proposals that inject new economic activity by delivering jobs, tourism and retail opportunities.

How long will a planning and approvals process take before we see an outcome for the Honeysuckle HQ site? 

We will take the time needed to ensure we find the best development partner to deliver a great outcome on this site. We expect to announce the successful partner later in 2025.

The development partner will then be required to obtain all planning approvals before commencing the staged delivery of this long-term project.

What happens to the land in the interim? 

Honeysuckle HQ will be delivered over many years and developers will be asked to consider temporary uses for the site. The temporary Throsby commuter car park will remain in place for the time being.

Are you ensuring that the former Wickham School of Arts building will be retained? 

We've asked potential developers to incorporate the building into their proposals, provide adaptive reuse and run a design competition to include a public space next to the building.

The future use of the building will be considered as part of the assessment of proposals and how well they deliver on the project vision and objectives.

What community engagement took place?

In 2020, we invited the community to share their ideas and aspirations for how the final development of Honeysuckle lands should emerge, with a special focus on social, economic and environmental outcomes.

The community identified bold and ambitious objectives that will guide the future divestment of the Quays and Quarter land parcels.

• Honeysuckle Ideas – Outcomes Report (PDF, 4.7 MB)
• Honeysuckle Ideas – Outcomes Report – Executive Summary (PDF, 1.8 MB)

The successful developer will continue to engage with the community to inform the project.

What cultural consultation took place?

In 2022, we invited Aboriginal community members to join the conversation about how we can include local Aboriginal culture and heritage in the Honeysuckle HQ development.

Feedback gathered is summarised in an outcomes report that we provided to shortlisted potential developers. This information will help these developers incorporate Aboriginal culture and heritage values in their detailed proposals.

The successful development partner will continue to engage with the local Aboriginal community to embed an enduring connection with Country in Honeysuckle HQ delivery and operation.