CANBERRA: A long term Carrington resident is worried the historic waterfront Pump House will be forgotten by the Port of Newcastle’s new owners. The Newcastle Port Corporation sought tenders more than two years ago to lease the site and turn it into a public space, but it has remained empty.
The Cowper Street site was then included in land transferred to private operators under the 98 year lease of the port. The Port of Newcastle said it is still open to business proposals for the site. It is estimated up to $2 million is needed to make the building safe and accessible.
Rob Pitman said he hopes the site is salvaged before it is too late. “There were quite a few people interested but now it seems to have slipped into the same category as the post office in Newcastle,” he said.
“And unfortunately, for these old buildings, once they get damaged, if they are left there for long enough, they just fall apart.” Mr Pitman said it could be the jewel in the crown for the harbourside suburb if it can be saved.
“There were people like theatre companies, Etcetera, trying to come up with proposals, along with the cafes and restaurants,” he said. “It is a place where people can park easily and it would attract people into Carrington and Carrington would grow.”
