Two of the priority projects that were identified through our 2022 Hunter Global summit are now underway at the Hunter JO! Our Hunter Global Tourism project and Hunter Airports Strategy project have both kicked off this month with positive engagement from across the region.

Both of these projects are funded by the Regional NSW Business Case and Strategy Development Fund, receiving $500k each to develop business cases to advance the region.

Hunter Airports Strategy

The Hunter Airports Strategy project aims to develop a Hunter Region Aviation and Air Freight Strategy action plan which will identify priority planning and infrastructure needs. It will implement methods that provide a prioritised action plan for the region to unlock aviation-related investment opportunities, including passenger and airfreight.

Workshops have taken place with representatives from regional airports (Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Scone and Taree), business associations, government agencies, and Member Councils to better understand the ambitions, goals, opportunities, and constraints facing the region. Consultation has also taken place with key stakeholders throughout the region including Newcastle Airport, the air freight value chain, exporters, importers, freight forwarders, trade, and industry.

Hunter Global Tourism

Partnering with Destination Sydney Surrounds North and Newcastle Airport, the Hunter Global Tourism project aims to develop a marketing strategy and infrastructure business case to understand the opportunities and investment required to increase international visitation to the region. It will help identify how we position, brand, and market our region to attract more international visitors.

This project will develop a region-wide destination brand and marketing strategy to attract international visitors and increase their length of stay and identify the highest priority infrastructure our region needs to increase international visitation.

To find out more about the priority actions identified through the Hunter Global Summit, check out our Hunter Global: Flightpath to our Future report.