City of Newcastle picks Home in Place for landmark Rail Bridge Row housing project

10 December 2025

newy.com.au – City of Newcastle councillors have endorsed specialist community housing provider Home in Place to deliver 48 affordable housing units on the final undeveloped section of the former heavy rail corridor in the CBD following a vote last night.

The project is being billed by City of Newcastle as a landmark response to the city’s housing crisis, transforming the last remaining parcel of the former heavy rail line into affordable homes while the city prepares for a population increase of more than 40,000 people by 2041.

Home in Place was selected after what the council described as a rigorous two-stage procurement process supported by independent probity oversight. City of Newcastle Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Bath said appointing a not-for-profit, community-focused provider was a pivotal step in tackling local housing pressures. “Home in Place has demonstrated the capability, experience and vision needed to bring this project to life,” Mr Bath said.

He said the organisation’s track record gave council confidence in its selection. “Their strong financial foundations and proven success in delivering affordable housing gave us great confidence in selecting them to partner with us on this landmark project, which is the first of its kind in the Hunter,” he said.

The 4,125 square metre lot at 280 Hunter Street, known as Rail Bridge Row, stretches from Brown Street to near the intersection of Darby and Hunter streets, opposite the Crown Street light rail stop. City of Newcastle purchased the site from the Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation in 2020 and describes it as the final piece of the former heavy rail corridor to be redeveloped.

Home in Place’s concept design proposes 48 affordable housing units in a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments above a ground-floor commercial level. The proposal includes 37 car spaces for residents and retail tenants, reflecting a mixed-use approach in a central city location close to public transport and services.

The draft plans also feature a new laneway with additional on-street parking, connecting Argyle Lane with Wharf Road and a cycleway link to Market Street for bicycle riders. Council says these elements are intended to improve local connectivity and support active transport around the eastern end of the city centre.

Chair of City of Newcastle’s Asset Advisory Committee, Councillor Declan Clausen, said the appointment followed a detailed assessment of proposals from across the sector. “This appointment comes after a thorough assessment of proposals from across the sector,” Cr Clausen said. “Through the competitive procurement process, Home in Place demonstrated capability and experience, with a strong local track record of delivering high-quality, well-located homes for people who need them most.”

Cr Clausen said the proposal gave council confidence the project would move ahead quickly and deliver “meaningful outcomes” for the community. He added that, alongside City of Newcastle’s direct and in-kind contributions, the project would be “well placed to pursue additional funding opportunities, including through the Housing Australia Future Fund when applications open in early 2026”.

The appointment comes after extensive geotechnical, environmental and cultural heritage investigations were carried out on the Hunter Street site. A Development Application currently under assessment seeks approval for mine investigation and remediation works beneath the site, targeting historic underground workings.

Subject to approval, grout-based remediation is expected to begin in 2026 to stabilise the site before construction of the housing project. Council has described these works as essential groundwork to enable development on the former rail corridor.

Home in Place Group Chief Executive Officer Lyndall Robertshaw said the organisation welcomed the opportunity to work with City of Newcastle on a strategically located, community-focused housing development. “We are proud to be working with the City of Newcastle to increase affordable housing in Newcastle. Each new home means more people will have the chance to live in safe, secure and affordable housing, and that is at the very heart of what we do,” Ms Robertshaw said.

She said access to affordable housing was “vital for building a thriving city”, pointing to Rail Bridge Row as an example of providing homes close to essential facilities, services, infrastructure, schools and employment. Ms Robertshaw said the project was especially significant for Home in Place because it was located in the same area where the organisation began four decades ago, reflecting its ongoing connection to local communities and the need for safe, affordable housing.

Rail Bridge Row forms part of City of Newcastle’s long-term plan to support a growing, diverse and inclusive community. More information about the project is available on council’s website.