Westfield Kotara (previously known as Kotara Fair and Garden City) is a large shopping centre in the suburb of Kotara in Newcastle. Transport Kotara station is 800 metres away from Westfield Kotara and is on the Main Northern railway line. The station is serviced by NSW TrainLink services which operate between Sydney and Newcastle. Westfield Kotara is served by Newcastle Transport bus services to Broadmeadow, Charlestown, Swansea Heads, Wallsend and Warners Bay, as well as local surrounding suburbs. The majority of its bus services are located on Park Avenue outside the centre. Westfield Kotara has multi-level car parks with around 4000 spaces. The complex has walk in entry available via the bus stop, as well as an entry way via the park at the rear of the facility. Historically, egress was also available directly through multiple parts of the David Jones, a number of these have since been closed (as a response to excess shoplifting). History Kotara Fair opened on 6 October 1965 and was developed by Woolworths. It featured a Woolworths supermarket, a Big W department and store 27 speciality stores. Kotara Fair was purchased by David Jones in 1971 and plans were drawn to extend the centre to consolidate its strong position in the marketplace. The $8 million expansion began in early 1973 and was completed in October 1974. Kotara Fair was renamed Garden City in line with other David Jones Garden City centres. The Big W department store closed and was replaced by David Jones. As part of the redevelopment, David Jones, Norman Ross and 24 speciality stores were added. Further redevelopment occurred in 1977 when Norman Ross closed on level one. This provided the establishment of the 'Top Mall' which provided space for 13 additional retailers in the centre including Shoeys, Best & Less, Reuben F Scarf and Angus & Coote. This extension also provided the centre with 8 offices and professional suites. In 1980 Garden City was purchased by AMP for $104 million. Another expansion in 1988 created the largest shopping centre in the Hunter Region. The grand opening was on 15 March 1988. The $62 million expansion added a Super Kmart and Venture department store as well as bringing the total number of retailers to 120. On 28 December 1989, shortly after completion of another expansion program, the centre suffered significant damage during the Newcastle earthquake. Most affected were the upper levels of the