Law courts
** $94 million development approved by the Joint Regional Planning Panel despite parking concerns
**Building work to start ‘‘within the next month [to] month and a half’’
Hunter Street mall redevelopment
** GPT / UrbanGrowthNSW development will be predominantly residential, with a small amount of niche retail and commercial
** Project could be used as a pilot for a citywide grouting scheme to tackle mine subsidence issues
** Heritage facades could be incorporated into design
University of Newcastle city campus
** Newcastle City Council is set to demolish the buildings to make way for the campus
** A decision on a crucial $65million federal grant is believed to be imminent
Former Post Office
** Progress has been halted by a native title claim
** Discussions ongoing with University of Newcastle Alumni, while other potential tenants have shown an interest
** Cost analysis undertaken by the university estimated $10million to $15million to refurbish the building
Empire Hotel
** Proposal for a communications centre appears dead
** Site is flagged for the NSW public service, but awaiting a government decision on sending departmental staff and services to Newcastle
CBD planning policy
** Urban renewal State Environmental Planning Policy will not be released until NSW cabinet has made a decision on the heavy rail line
** The policy will designate the city’s east end and old CBD as a residential precinct, and the Civic area as the commercial hub while the west end would have a retail focus
Inner-city rail line
** MP Tim Owen says any decision to cut the line would require a high-frequency alternative transport option into the city
