A Masterplan is a document that guides the management and future renewal of an area.  It a process that defines what is important about a place and how its character and quality can be conserved, improved and enhanced. The Gregson Park Masterplan will include key information such as historical context, background information, values, principles and objectives, and concept designs that will be used as a blueprint to progress the renewal of the site. 

The Masterplan will identify issues during the initial engagement phase and will include community priorities for facilities such the former bowling club site, a new play space and amenities. The Masterplan will also address current and future use of the park for events, activities and heritage interpretation.  

The development of the Masterplan allows us to review the existing park infrastructure such as pathways, memorials, tennis courts, greenhouse, maintenance building and provision of amenities. Consideration of plans for the existing infrastructure will be subject to the community engagement which is currently underway.

City of Newcastle has engaged Phillips Marler, an award winning landscape architecture firm, to work with the community and develop a draft Masterplan for whole park, including preliminary design concepts for the former bowling club site. 
 

The historic fig trees are a much-loved aspect of the park and we ensure that the trees are considered throughout the development of the Masterplan. We recently developed a plan with expert arborists to save a 100-year-old Port Jackson fig tree in the park.
 

Throughout the development of the Masterplan City of Newcastle will be seeking community feedback to ensure it meets the needs of the community. 

Phase 1 Engagement will occur between 9 and 30 September 2020, when City of Newcastle will invite community input into the Masterplan process via survey, mapping tool, online information sessions and community drop in sessions (subject to COVID-19 restrictions).  

Following Phase 1, the draft Masterplan will be developed based on the values and aspirations the community hold for Gregson Park.  

Phase 2 Engagement will see the draft Masterplan placed on public exhibition in early 2021 for a period of 28 days, during which the community will be invited to provide input.  

Yes, traditional owners have been consulted as part of the preliminary investigations and will continue to have input into the City’s plans for the area.
 

Yes, Gregson Park is steeped in history and as such heritage interpretation will be considered appropriately during the development of the Masterplan.