In 2024, the Hunter will host an international airport offering a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the region’s growth and diversification. Hunter Global: Our international future is a region-wide initiative led by local government through the Hunter Joint Organisation, to boost collaboration, planning and advocacy to capitalise on the Newcastle Airport runway and terminal upgrade.
The Newcastle Airport precinct is currently undergoing a $250 million redevelopment, including upgrades to the terminal building, runway, and supporting infrastructure. This includes $121 million in Federal funding, with the remaining $184 million funded by the airport’s shareholder Councils. We currently have two projects as outcomes from the Hunter Global initiative: Hunter Global Tourism focused on attracting international visitors to the region and the Hunter Airports’ Strategy focused on increasing the regions international import/export capabilities.
A Flightpath for Action
Download our Hunter Global: The Flightpath to our Future report that sets out the
vision and actions for the region to take advantage of these international opportunities.
This report discusses the economic opportunities created by the Airport’s upgrade as ‘above the wing’ – the movement of people between destinations – and ‘below the wing’ – the movement of goods and freight between destinations. Hunter Global’s success relies on the Hunter region capitalising on these new economic opportunities, guided by a shared vision for the region’s prosperity.
About the Hunter Global Initiative
The 10 councils of the Hunter have come together to collaborate on readying the region for fast approaching global opportunities.
In May 2021, the Federal Government announced the support of $66 million to upgrade the runway to Code E status. By 2023 the Hunter will host an international airport. This is a game changer for industry, business and communities offering far greater access for our region to the global economy.
This infrastructure upgrade represents an opportunity for significant economic activity throughout the entire region, with the runway upgrade set to generate 4,410 full time jobs and $12.7 billion in regional economic benefit. This will be seen through increased freight and stimulation of the visitor economy.
The time to work together is now. The region’s traditional international markets are facing disruption and change, and greater access to the global economy is key to maintaining and enhancing the liveability of the Hunter.
Whole-of-region Hunter Global summit: 17 & 18 February 2022
Access presentations from the summit HERE.
The Hunter JO hosted a whole-of-region summit to activate the entire region around the opportunities the runway upgrade offers. A recording of the summit and speakers’ presentations are available on the Hunter JO YouTube page.
Attendees heard from senior leaders in government and business about the global avenues this development offers to the region, and contributed to the co-design of the Hunter’s strategies to leverage this unparalleled opportunity.
The team from Astrolabe Group facilitated a series of workshops over the two days, where attendees made a direct contribution to the action plan in our flightpath report. This action plan is aimed at maximising the benefits of the Newcastle Airport’s runway upgrade for the entire Hunter region.
Hunter Global: Our international future roundtable November 2021
To kick start Hunter Global, the Hunter JO hosted an online roundtable in November 2021.
Invited representatives from the region’s key industry, government and community sectors came together to determine the opportunities the runway upgrade offers, and the gaps and barriers that stand in their way.
Looking across connectivity, freight, the regulatory environment and ease of access, the roundtable identified the priorities the Hunter needs to pursue for the entire region to capitalise on the runway upgrade.
Find out more about the Roundtable outcomes HERE.
For more information about Hunter Global, please email comms@hunterjo.com.au or call Kali Somerville on 0429 564 111
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Proudly funded by the NSW Government
