Wickham St Interchange, Newcastle
Artefact provided heritage advice to inform the development of a historic site into a multi-million-dollar precinct and transport interchange. Located in the centre of one of Australia’s most historic cities, it required thoughtful assessment of both Aboriginal and historical heritage.
The project
Location: Newcastle, NSW on Awabakal Country
UrbanGrowth NSW purchased the former Newcastle and Suburban Co-operative Society Limited, known to generations of locals as ‘The Store’, located in Wickham, Newcastle.
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GHD Group for UrbanGrowth NSW
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Statement of Heritage Impact
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report
Aboriginal Archaeological Survey Report
Salvage Strategy
Heritage Interpretation Strategy
The Store est. 1898, Wickham, Newcastle
Heritage solution
As overall project managers, GHD Group commissioned Artefact to produce a suite of integrated heritage assessments. This extended into developing content for interpretation elements including reinstatement of salvaged elements, art pieces, interpretive seating and pathways and an online oral history project to gather stories about The Store from the local community.
Design and construction for the site was awarded to Doma Group, whose plans included office towers, a carpark, commercial and public spaces, plus a major bus interchange.
Outcomes
Artefact partnered with the designers to develop the interpretive elements in plazas and foyers and with the University of Newcastle to deliver The Store Oral History Project.
The overwhelming community participation and positive responses helped smooth local responses to the development.
“Thank you again for the time and effort you put into The Store Oral History Project. It was a great project and it was (and is) much appreciated by the local community. Artefact’s passion for this project really shone through.”