Honeysuckle Harbour Life

Name Newcastle's newest Park

A derelict block transformed into an urban oasis as part of the Honeysuckle Project is set to be named by the community, Minister for the Hunter Jodi McKay announced today.

During a visit to Newcastle’s newest park, Ms McKay launched a community competition to find its name.

“An important part of the Honeysuckle project is the provision of quality public open spaces to make run-down parts of the city more attractive to residents, workers and tourists,” Ms McKay said.

“This is a fantastic community asset and so it’s only fitting local families and businesses have the opportunity to give our new park a name.

“The Rees Government is taking a new approach to making sure that the community is involved in projects like this every step of the way, so that’s why we’re looking for fresh ideas from the community.”

The park is located in Hunter Street West between the new Community Health Centre (670 Hunter St) and TAFE and measures 1,000 square metres.

Ms McKay said the Newcastle City Centre Vision indicated that 6,500 new residents would move into Newcastle and more than 10,000 more jobs would be created over the next 25 years.

“We recognise that with the projected growth for Newcastle there must be a planned approach and public places play a big part in that,” she said.

“The Corporation has handed over the asset as a recreational space for workers, tourists and families to enjoy – now all it needs is a name.

“We haven’t been able to pin a name down to any obvious historical use of the site and would like to give the community the opportunity to put forward its own ideas.”

Anyone with a naming idea can log on to the Newcastle Herald website – www.theherald.com.au – and enter online under ‘competitions’ on the ‘Community’ page before September 28.

The winning entrant will receive a dinner for a family of four at a Honeysuckle restaurant.