By 2024, the Hunter will host an international airport, offering a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the region’s economic growth and diversification.
The Hunter Airports Strategy was borne out of the Hunter Global summit. Hosted by the Hunter JO in February 2022, the two-day summit was held to activate the entire region by providing a platform for stakeholders to come together and collaboratively identify the opportunities for the Hunter arising from the enhanced international connectivity that an upgraded Newcastle Airport will provide.
The whole-of-region summit also provided opportunities to co-design strategies and a way forward to ensure the region is activated to capitalise on international connectivity. Summit delegates heard from aviation industry specialists and senior leaders in government and business about the global avenues the Airport offers to the region.
The summit identified three key priority areas that will support achievement of the Hunter Global vision through driving and curating the opportunity to grow certain products and services into new markets:
1. Foundational Actions necessary to underpin the future establishment of both above and below the wing opportunities
2. Above the Wing Actions focused on tourism, education, business, and talent attraction opportunities
3. Below the Wing Actions focused on import and export opportunities for freight and cargo
The Hunter Airports Strategy
The Hunter JO has successfully secured $500k funding from the Regional NSW Business Case and Strategy Development Fund for a Regional Airports Freight Strategy. This project will develop a Hunter Region Aviation and Air Freight Strategy action plan which will identify priority planning and infrastructure needs.
With a focus on Below the Wing Actions, the Hunter Airports Strategy project will implement methods that provide a prioritised action plan for the region to unlock aviation related investment opportunities, including passenger and airfreight.
By supporting the region as a whole, the project will capitalise on the economic opportunities provided by greater international connectivity arising from the Newcastle Airport runway upgrade. This will be achieved by identifying the highest priority infrastructure or service the region needs to increase our freight forwarding industry and provide opportunities for business diversification and local jobs.
Benefits of the Hunter Airports Strategy:
- Capitalise on the economic opportunities provided from greater international connectivity
- Identify efficient and effective access to global markets to attract investment and talent to the region
- Develop a strategic framework and identify priorities to maximise connectivity of freight across the region
- Provide an integrated and connected system of airports including transport and logistics infrastructure for passengers and airfreight
All 10 Member Councils of the Hunter JO are involved in this project.
For more information on the Hunter Airports Strategy project, please contact Janine Chandler at janinec@hunterjo.com.au
The Hunter Airport Strategy project is funded by the Regional NSW – Business Case and Strategy Development Fund (BCSD)
