\nThe $3\u00a0million\u00a0Lewellyn Street\u00a0local\u00a0centre upgrade\u00a0borrows\u00a0design elements\u00a0from\u00a0the\u202fnearby\u00a0Bathers Way\u00a0\u2013 especially concrete and timber\u00a0installations\u00a0\u2013\u00a0and\u00a0includes\u00a0footpath and\u00a0drainage\u00a0replacements\u00a0to\u00a0make\u00a0the\u00a0shopping,\u00a0dining\u00a0and heath care\u00a0hub\u00a0safer\u00a0and more user friendly.
\nThe improvements will include comfortable,\u00a0fixed\u00a0street\u00a0furniture,\u00a0new shade trees\u00a0and low-level gardens\u00a0to\u00a0take the edge off\u00a0summer\u00a0heat.
\n
![\"Llewellyn-Render-2-inside.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au\/getattachment\/Council\/News\/Latest-News\/Merewether-local-centre-upgrade-set-to-begin\/Llewellyn-Render-2-inside.jpg.aspx\" "\\"Llewellyn-Render-2-inside.jpg\\"")
\nA\u00a0platform\u00a0with fixed seating\u00a0at the\u00a0corner\u00a0of Dent Street will allow alfresco dining, while\u00a0bench seating\u00a0and\u00a0bar tables with stools\u00a0along Llewellyn\u00a0Street\u00a0create a more functional streetscape\u00a0along with\u00a0bike racks\u00a0and a bubbler.
\nWard 2 Councillor Carol Duncan said\u00a0Llewellyn Street\u2019s\u00a0physical and functional\u00a0overhaul\u00a0would\u00a0make it a more appealing\u00a0place\u00a0to\u00a0do business\u00a0and meet\u00a0friends for coffee or a meal.
\n\u201cThe\u00a0Llewellyn Street upgrade will\u00a0create a more-appealing\u00a0gathering\u00a0place by\u00a0addressing\u00a0existing issues of accessibility, stormwater management\u00a0and visitor comfort\u00a0courtesy\u00a0of\u00a0new\u00a0street furniture and shading,\u201d Councillor Duncan said.
\n\u201cDue to an increase in development\u00a0and\u00a0associated\u00a0road safety issues, flooding and infrastructure\u00a0needs,\u00a0Llewellyn Street\u00a0was\u00a0identified as a priority project within\u00a0the City\u2019s\u00a0local centre renewal program, which has already seen the multimillion-dollar upgrades of the Beresfield and Carrington town centres.
\n\u201cLike those projects, new\u00a0road surfaces, kerb and gutter\u00a0replacements\u00a0and reconfigured parking spaces\u00a0will improve access\u00a0and, together with\u00a0pedestrian lighting upgrades\u00a0that\u00a0includes\u00a0a smart pole\u00a0for\u00a0free Wi-Fi, make\u00a0the area\u00a0safer at night.\u201d
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![\"Llewellyn-Render-1-inside.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au\/getattachment\/Council\/News\/Latest-News\/Merewether-local-centre-upgrade-set-to-begin\/Llewellyn-Render-1-inside.jpg.aspx\" "\\"Llewellyn-Render-1-inside.jpg\\"")
\nPedestrians and cyclists will enjoy improved amenity courtesy of\u00a0raised\u00a0zebra\u00a0crossings,\u00a0new\u00a0cycle lanes, traffic-calming\u00a0treatments\u00a0and\u00a0a new\u00a040km\/hr\u00a0speed limit.
\nSpeed humps and gardens at the intersections of Morgan, Winsor\u00a0and Merewether streets\u00a0will\u00a0also\u00a0help slow\u00a0passing\u00a0traffic.
\nThe project follows extensive\u00a0public consultation\u00a0that\u00a0began in\u00a02016\u00a0when the City\u00a0engaged with the community to develop a Public Domain Plan.
\nIt\u00a0was\u00a0publicly\u00a0exhibited\u00a0in November and December\u00a0that year before being\u00a0approved by\u00a0Newcastle\u00a0Traffic Committee\u00a0and\u00a0the elected Council.
\nWork on the project is expected to start in July and\u00a0take about 12 months to complete.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"