A decade since the inception of a blueprint designed to transform Wallsend into a thriving town centre, City of Newcastle councillors have asked for an update.
At a May council meeting, Ward 4 Liberal councillor Callum Pull wanted to know which of the projects under the plan had been delivered, which were still outstanding, the reasons why and what steps needed to be taken to tick them off the to-do list.
"It's now been about 10 years since the consultation on the original plan first commenced back in 2016, that was three council terms ago, and quite a few Ward 4 councillors ago," he said.
Cr Pull said Wallsend should be the "beating heart" of Newcastle's western suburbs.
"As a resident of Wallsend, I very much want to see us have access to first class facilities, clean streets, clean walkways, and to deliver a thriving business environment as well because Wallsend should well and truly be the CBD of our western suburbs," he said.
"Residents want to know where it's at, and I think because of the way works have been staged, perhaps they don't feel or see the difference seeing as bridge replacements aren't quite as sexy as new water parks in Foreshore Park."
The purpose of the plan was to revitalise and activate Wallsend over 10 years and aimed to improve traffic and mitigate flooding.
The proposed improvements were designed to be delivered across about 14 construction stages.
Ward 4 Labor councillor Deahnna Richardson said when the plan began, Wallsend had one of the worst town centres in the city.
"I understand much of this is interlinked with the Wallsend flood mitigation plan and there are a lot of moving parts because it is such a large and complex plan to deliver," she said.
Ward 4 Labor councillor Elizabeth Adamczyk said a public update on the plan was necessary.
"There's active businesses and community organisations that I think all need to be taken into account," she said.
"It is complex, but I do agree that we need to seek to ensure that the plan continues to support what is a vibrant, accessible, and attractive town centre, CBD, in my opinion, of the city, not just of the west, or of our ward, but of the city overall, and it is the place to be, as it says on our entry signs."
City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said a public briefing on bridge replacement works in Wallsend is planned for July or August this year where staff could provide an update on the town masterplan.
