In the decade that followed World War II , the rapid suburbanisation of Newcastle created unprecedented competition for traditional retail areas . The opening of shopping centres in , and , triggered a steady migration away from Hunter Street despite the completion of a pedestrian mall between Perkins and Newcomen Streets in the 1970s . Construction in the city centre stagnated during this period of decentralisation , expedited by a destructive earthquake in 1989
destructive earthquake in 1989
1989 Newcastle earthquake
Hunter Street (Newcastle)