Merewether

Merewether is the most populated suburb in Newcastle. Merewether beach runs along the southern coastal strip and includes the Merewether Ocean Baths. The suburb enjoys good access to schools, shopping, central business district and has local social facilities, shops and a diversity of housing types. Merewether has a number of local parks, including Dixon Park near the beach, Empire Park, Mitchell Park, Campbell Park and Charlotte Street Reserve. Some of these parks include barbecue facilities and playground equipment. The area is also home to parts of Glenrock State Recreation Park, which provides walking trails and picnic facilities. Merewether Council was incorporated in 1885 and the first mayor was F. Kempster. By the 1930's Merewether had an area of 1,114 acres and a population of 8,653. Building in the area was held up by bank lending restrictions as a result of possible mine subsidence. Consequently development in the suburb did not take off until the passing of the Mine Subsidence Act in 1929 which gave assurances to incidents involving damage caused through mine subsidence. Early industries were few as the area was almost exclusively devoted to coal mining. There were a number of potteries, however, and by 1877 there were seven brickworks operating. One hundred years later only one survived nearby to Junction School. The first ocean baths at Merewether were built in 1926, partly in reaction to the sewerage coming from the gulf. In 1928 construction work on the existing baths began. The remains of the first small baths are still used slightly to the north. The first gas streetlights did not appear until 1911 and electricity wasn't introduced until November 1928.