Newcastle Harbour Foreshore is a high quality eleven-hectare regional level park adjacent to the city centre of Newcastle. It borders the Newcastle Harbour or Yohaaba, beaches and culturally significant sites of Nobby’s or Whibayganba , Fort Scratchley or Tahlbihn, the Convict Lumberyard and Customs House. The park is situated largely on reclaimed land and has a rich cultural heritage from Aboriginal and European settlement. It has evolved through several eras including a home for the Awakakal and Worimi peoples for 60 thousand years, a site for coal mining, shipping, managing harbour activities, a power station, bond storage and rail marshalling yards evolving into the open green space we see today.

The plan aims to build upon the inherent strengths and attributes of the foreshore, rejuvenate amenities, planting, furnishings and experiences whilst enriching the destination qualities of the setting to entice visitors every day and all year round. The work is informed by patterns of Newcastle’s history, stories of its people and contemporary aspirations.

The masterplan was been informed by a detailed, staged engagement process that sought extensive community and stakeholder input and which guided the collective vision, concept designs and long-term strategy for future projects and development of the precinct.  The foreshore provides an important connection for the city, to its harbour and is host to a range of community and high-profile events.

The Masterplan represents a collective ambition to build upon the sites great bones and provide a welcoming activated park space with high quality promenades, cycleways, facilities and amenities, active nodes, playspaces and landscapes.

Our design for the regional-scaled inclusive playspace and water park located in Foreshore Park is currently underway. This project, developed in partnership with Variety, a Children's Charity, replaces the existing play facility and consolidates the park as a major community family destination. By demonstrating effective leadership in innovation, strategy, engagement, and sustainability, the Foreshore Masterplan and the inclusive playspace and water park project showcase the potential for leadership in community planning.