Wickham 3

Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) Government has unveiled detailed designs for Newcastle’s inner city Wickham transport interchange.

The Wickham transport interchange is a major project that will link customers with trains, buses, taxis and create employment in Newcastle.

NSW premier Mike Baird said: "The Wickham transport interchange is a key part of the NSW government’s plan to revitalise Newcastle, which will unlock the city’s potential and create numerous new jobs in the process.

"The state-of-the-art transport interchange will allow for the future development of Newcastle Light Rail that will help to reconnect the city with the foreshore."

"We’ve listened and made design changes that reflect the city’s history, but changes that also show its future."

The project aims to create a striking public space to provide easy access for public transport customers.

NSW transport minister Andrew Constance said: "Feedback on the original design prompted an update to the plans.

"We’ve listened and made design changes that reflect the city’s history, but changes that also show its future."

In the coming weeks, further feedback will be sought from residents, businesses and council to finalise the Wickham interchange design, including urban design elements, landscaping and public art.

The interchange is expected to open in 2017, allowing the design to incorporate the new intercity train fleet.

Constance further noted: "We recently announced that four consortia have been shortlisted to tender for the supply and maintenance of a new state-of-the-art intercity train fleet for NSW, providing unprecedented levels of comfort, convenience and reliability."

Image: An artist impression of Wickham transport interchange. Photo: courtesy of the NSW government.