Plans for $24mil hotel and conference centre on Wharf Rd

Plans for a $24 million hotel and conference centre in Newcastle are now on public display.

Hotel tycoon and plastic surgeon Jerry Schwartz wants to build the nine-storey complex on Wharf Road, opposite the Crowne Plaza which he also owns.

The plans include 220 hotel rooms and more than 120 parking spaces, along with three function rooms and a restaurant and bar.

Dr Schwartz says because of the site there will be no underground levels and piers will have to be installed before construction starts.

Hotel tycoon and plastic surgeon Jerry Schwartz wants to build a nine-storey hotel and conference centre opposite the Crowne Plaza Newcastle which he also owns.

"There's two issues - one is the water plateau," he said.

"It's very difficult to build under the water plateau and that was problem with the original building of the Crowne Plaza Hotel and why there was so few parking spots in it.

"And the second issue is mine subsidence because there were a lot of mines so you've got to be careful with the structural integrity of the land that's being built on."

Dr Schwartz says Newcastle does not have enough conference and accommodation facilities.

"I know that there is a need for conferencing area in Newcastle, and I also am aware that there've been different proposals and studies made," he said.

"I think Newcastle Council should embrace this idea, that somebody has just come along and I want to open up 4,000 square metres of conference facility space."

Source: ABC News, 2 November 2013