Safety upgrade begins at Hamilton Station Park

newy.com.au – Work has begun on a $290,000 upgrade of Hamilton Station Park aimed at improving safety, access and community use of the public space.

The City of Newcastle project has been shaped by community feedback and developed with NSW Police and the NSW Government, with Ward Two councillors backing the work as part of broader efforts to address safety concerns in Hamilton.

The upgrade will include ambient and security lighting, new landscaped areas and garden beds, a ramp to improve access from Beaumont Street, and modular accessible seating featuring Aboriginal artwork. A community noticeboard incorporating cultural and local stories will also be installed, alongside new pedestrian paths, water and electricity connections, and a hardstand area for small community events.

Cr Jenny Barrie said the council was working with residents, local support services, police and the state government to improve the area.

“While the upgrade will not resolve all the complex social issues in the area, it will encourage positive use of the space and reinforce the park as a shared community place,” Cr Barrie said.

“By following Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles, we want to increase activation and make the park safer for commuters, the community and nearby businesses.”

Early works will include removing existing seating, signage, concrete areas, footpaths and the perimeter fence to improve sightlines into the park. Temporary fencing and managed pedestrian detours will be in place during construction, while access to Hamilton Train Station will be maintained.

Cr Paige Johnson said the design had drawn on feedback from the community and recommendations from local agencies and police.

“We’ve been engaging positively with locals and businesses about the changes to open up this space and we want to deliver this as something the community can proudly use,” Cr Johnson said.

Cr Joel Pringle said the project would help make the park more inclusive, including through a community information board developed with City of Newcastle’s Guraki Aboriginal Standing Committee.

“We’ll also be installing a ‘no dig’ garden around the prominent fig tree to safeguard its roots and improve access to shade, while the existing cupboards in the park will be replaced with a purpose-built, weatherproof, donation cupboard, located in a more prominent, well-lit location,” Cr Pringle said.

Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said the safer-by-design upgrade would open up the area and improve safety and security for commuters, pedestrians and park goers.

“This project is just one of the many measures being taken to improve anti-social behaviour and crime in and around Hamilton. I look forward to working with Council to deliver this much-needed upgrade,” Mr Crakanthorp said.

The project is supported by an $80,000 NSW Government Community Building Partnership grant and funded through the City of Newcastle’s capital works program. It is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

Paul Murphy, owner of Churchills Carpet Court in Hamilton has spoken against the installation of a food pantry in the park, he said 250 people have signed a petition against its installation. He said a number of other local providers offer a superior food service including Salvation Army.