Local Centres Facade Improvement Scheme

Local Centre Facade Improvement Scheme

For local centres that are undergoing or have completed upgrades, we offer grants to business and property owners of privately owned buildings in these areas to help fund repairs and improvements to their building facades, to create active frontages and to enhance our city's presentation.

This scheme is part of City of Newcastle's annual Community Grant rollout. Applications for all grant streams open annually around June, with applications via the SmartyGrants platform. Each year the Local Centre Facade Improvement Scheme grant will be available in selected local centres. Businesses and property owners in eligible centres will be advised in advance of the grants opening for applications.

For more information on CN's Community Grants visit our Grants page.

Orchardtown Road, Blackbutt Village and Nelson Street Wallsend Local Centres – 2024 program

In 2024 we are offering funding to Blackbutt Village and Nelson Street Wallsend local centre areas, currently undergoing infrastructure upgrades.  Up to $5,000 will be offered for each successful application on a 2:1 ratio grant, with one third of the costs matched by the applicant.

Shortland and Stockton Local Centres – 2022 program

In 2022 we offered funding to improve the facades of privately owned buildings in Sandgate Road Shortland and Mitchell Street Stockton local centre areas, following the completion of infrastructure upgrades.  Up to $5,000 was offered for each successful application on a 2:1 ratio grant, with one third of the costs matched by the applicant. The funding was for repairs, painting, a mural, fencing, landscaping, window replacement and restoration works. We funded five projects in Stockton and three projects in Shortland.

Joslin Street Kotara and Llewellyn Street Merewether – 2021 program

In 2021 we offered funding to improve the facades of privately owned buildings in Joslin Street Kotara and Llewellyn Street Merewether local centre areas, following the completion of infrastructure upgrades. Up to $5,000 was offered for each successful application on a 2:1 ratio grant, with one third of costs matched by the applicant. The funding was for repair and painting projects. We funded two projects in Merewether.

Beresfield and Carrington - 2019 program

In 2019 we offered funding to improve the facades of privately owned buildings in Carrington and Beresfield local centre areas. Up to $4,000 was offered for each successful application on a 2:1 ratio grant, with one third of costs matched by the applicant. The majority of funding was offered for painting projects, but other projects included cleaning and replacing timber, façade repairs, and one new awning. We funded seven grant projects in Beresfield, and six in Carrington.

Before and after photos of some of the successful applications

Before	After
328A Sandgate Road, Shortland
21-23 Mitchell Street, Stockton
30 Llewellyn Street, Merewether
120 Young Street, Carrington