Assaults and vandalism have been reported around the vacant Queens Wharf building, with the ongoing issue affecting ferry services.
City of Newcastle had leased a space in the Queens Wharf building to Transport for NSW for ferry crews employed by Keolis Downer to use on their breaks. But vandalism damaged the building's fire protection systems making the space unsafe.
Two daily ferry services in each direction have been cut since September 9 to accommodate extra travel time for staff to access alternative facilities at The Station.
The building has become a target for antisocial behaviour since it closed to the public in 2020 with reports of multiple random attacks in the area in recent weeks.
The staff room was the only part of the Queens Wharf building being used lately.
A fire broke out in the building in April 2020, and some areas continued to operate for several months, but closed for good in December of that year.
Ferry staff say the lack of activity and lighting around the building has caused safety issues, including male staff having to escort female staff through the area when they need to access the bathroom at night.
They said there were fewer problems when the Queens Wharf building was full of restaurants.
It comes as police were told a 33-year-old man was punched in the head twice at Queens Wharf on September 25 after being approached by three unknown people about 6.30pm.
Witnesses helped the man and contacted police, who are investigating.
Police were also told a ferry worker was attacked in the area in July.
A Keolis Downer spokesperson apologised to passengers for the inconvenience caused by the ferry changes and advised people to plan ahead.
"We are working closely with Transport for NSW and City of Newcastle to minimise impacts to passengers," the spokesperson said.
"We understand the City of Newcastle is investigating the issue."
A City of Newcastle spokesperson said the council was exploring options that may allow the building to be safe for use again, and was in regular discussions with Transport for NSW and Keolis Downer.
Newcastle's next lord mayor, Ross Kerridge, said the building's vacancy was on his list of things to look at once he was sworn in.
"I don't know what can be done," he said. "I'm certainly very interested in finding out.
"When it was working it was a very significant asset for the city. Kids had their year 10 formals there.
"We should get it functioning again. I am interested in clarifying what the issues are."
The Queens Wharf buildings were opened in 1988 by Queen Elizabeth II on her Bicentennial tour of Australia.
A spokesperson for Newcastle council said in 2023 the cost of upgrading the fire-damaged building would be in the "many hundreds of thousands of dollars".
"It is likely better to demolish and construct a new building that maximises both the north and south facing sides now that the heavy rail line has been removed," the spokesperson said at the time.
