Newcastle Future Transit Corridor

Reviewed

Newcastle is growing rapidly. Transport for NSW is planning ahead, to ensure that people can easily access Newcastle’s CBD and the Broadmeadow precinct by public transport in the future.

Aerial view of Newcastle Future Transit Corridor

The Newcastle Future Transit Corridor will enable infrastructure for future transport options, such as rapid buses or light rail.

A corridor of land has been confirmed and is located between Newcastle Interchange and the Broadmeadow precinct.

Transport for NSW has identified a preferred section of the corridor, located between Newcastle Interchange and Hunter Street, which should be protected by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (the Department).

For more information, view the March 2025 Community Update (PDF, 3.8 MB).

To support Transport for NSW in providing future transport options for Newcastle, the Department is exhibiting an Explanation of Intended Effect (PDF, 787.14 KB) of the proposed amendment to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021 to implement planning controls to protect the Newcastle Future Infrastructure Corridor. 

The proposed amendment will:

  • identify the land for the Newcastle Future Infrastructure Corridor to be reserved for future infrastructure 
  • rezone the land for the Newcastle Future Infrastructure Corridor to SP2 Infrastructure
  • specify development that will be permissible under the new zoning
  • make sure new development within the corridor is compatible with the future infrastructure project by requiring that TfNSW provide concurrence for specified development types  
  • enable Transport for NSW to review and consider proposals for excavation within 25 metres of the corridor so that constructability of the future infrastructure is not jeopardised
  • identify Transport for NSW as the relevant authority to acquire any land within the future infrastructure corridor, if the land is required to be acquired under Division 3 of Part 2 of the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991.

Transport for NSW will collect community feedback on the proposed amendments to State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021 on behalf of the Department from 20 March 2025 until 16 April 2025.

 

Explore our Corridors interactive map

See full-sized map

 

Share your thoughts on the Newcastle Future Transit Corridor and proposed planning controls under an amendment to theState Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021.

Call: 1800 837 511 

Email:  corridors@transport.nsw.gov.au

Mail: Newcastle Future Transit Corridor

PO Box K659, Haymarket NSW 1240

See Transport for NSW and Department representatives in person:

Thursday 3 April 2025, 11.00am – 1.00pm

Transport for NSW office entrance

6 Stewart Avenue, Newcastle West NSW 2302

Past

  • 2020 - Transport for NSW identified the most suitable route for future public transport from Newcastle’s CBD to Broadmeadow and beyond
  • 2022 – The community is invited to provide feedback to the Draft Hunter Regional Transport Plan 2041  
  • 2024 – Newcastle City Council exhibits the Draft Broadmeadow Place Strategy and the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure exhibit the Broadmeadow EIE (rezoning plan)
  • 2024 - Transport investigates proposed location for corridor protection and prioritises the section between Newcastle Interchange and Hunter Street. 

Now

  • Transport is consulting a preferred Newcastle Future Transit Corridor
  • The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) is exhibiting a proposed amendment to State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021 to protect the Newcastle Future Infrastructure Corridor once finalised by Transport for NSW. 

Future

  • Transport for NSW review feedback on the exhibited Newcastle Future Infrastructure Corridor and finalise the alignment
  • The Department will review submissions on the proposed State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021 amendment and present a recommendation to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces
  • if approved, landowners will be notified by Transport for NSW that the Newcastle Future Infrastructure Corridor has been rezoned to SP2 Infrastructure
  • any questions or concerns regarding land acquisition can be directed to Transport for NSW
  • Transport infrastructure options that suit future generations and developments are possible, due to forward planning and corridor protection
  • development applications within the Newcastle Future Infrastructure Corridor will be referred to Transport for NSW for consideration, ensuring that future transport infrastructure is considered.

More about the Newcastle future transit corridor

Our aim is to keep options flexible for future transport infrastructure, as Newcastle develops. The Broadmeadow precinct has been identified as a regionally significant growth area, so we are safeguarding land for future transit connections, called the Newcastle Future Transit Corridor.

We have identified a route for the corridor, which extends from the Newcastle Interchange to Broadmeadow. It is located along Tudor and Belford streets to Broadmeadow Station, following the current road footprint.

This means that future transport infrastructure possibilities remain flexible into the future, even as the area develops.

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure is exhibiting a section of the corridor at the Newcastle Interchange for public comment during March 2025.

The intention is to protect this section of corridor in the short term, as it is closest to the CBD and likely to develop earlier. Protecting this section now means that transport infrastructure options stay flexible, even alongside unforeseen future development. See the DPHI Broadmeadow EIE rezoning plan for more information.

Transport is currently working on the Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan, which will determine how to ensure Transport upgrades are fairly distributed across the Hunter. The plan was open for public consultation between 16 December 2025 and 28 February 2025. Visit the Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan.

Key benefits

  • as the region develops, it’s vital to safeguard land for future public transport to Newcastle’s CBD, Broadmeadow and beyond
  • options for multiple transport modes will be possible, including rapid bus and light rail services
  • the corridor maintains the opportunity for transport extensions that may connect to the John Hunter Hospital or other locations
  • the section of the future corridor along Tudor and Belford streets are wide enough to accommodate future, world class transport infrastructure
  • the community and developers will have certainty about the location of Newcastle’s future transport network
  • supporting development of existing and future areas that will provide local housing growth, employment and recreational opportunities.

What’s happening now

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) is exhibiting the Explanation of Intended Effect (EIE) (PDF, 787.14 KB) of the proposed amendments State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021 which will protect the final alignment.

Transport for NSW will collect community feedback on the EIE on behalf of the Department from 20 March 2025 until 16 April 2025. 

Next steps

Transport will consider feedback on the preferred corridor and finalised the alignment.

The Department will review submissions on the proposed State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021 amendment and present a recommendation to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces. If approved, landowners will be notified by Transport for NSW that the Newcastle Future Infrastructure Corridor has been rezoned to SP2 Infrastructure.

Transport for NSW will continue to consult with key stakeholders. A continued dialogue will help us improve and maintain transport needs for journeys in Newcastle, as the city grows and develops.

Timing for infrastructure delivery along the Newcastle Future Transit Corridor is subject to funding, and we will continue to keep the community informed of any progress.

Acquisitions

As future transit infrastructure is a longer-term proposal, there is no need to acquire property straight away and current businesses can continue to operate until the infrastructure upgrades begin. All affected property owners will be contacted individually by Transport for NSW.

Find more information about the acquisition process.

Related documents

 

Get in touch 

Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns. 

Call: 1800 684 490

Email: projects@transport.nsw.gov.au

 

References

  1. https://www.nbnnews.com.au/2022/10/01/community-asked-to-have-their-say-on-transport-projects-including-newcastle-light-rail-extension/ 

 

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