Register for future communication and engagement about the
Hunter Global initiative by emailing comms@hunterjo.com.au
In just two years, 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 upgrade.
Click here to view ‘Our Journey to Global Connectivity’
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.
Hunter Global Summit Fact Sheet
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 that is currently being developed. This action plan will be aimed at maximising the benefits of the Newcastle Airport’s runway upgrade for the entire Hunter region.
The workshops centred around five focus areas:
- Education, research, and innovation
- International access, economy, trade supplies
- Visitor economy and tourism
- Defence and aerospace
- Infrastructure and regional assets
Speakers and panellists included:
- Dr Peter Cock, CEO Newcastle Airport
- Oliver Lamb, Managing Director, Ailevon Pacific Aviation Consulting
- Geoff Roberts AM, Chief Commissioner, Greater Sydney Commission
- Stephen Mahoney, General Manager, Engagement and Development, Destination NSW
- Andrew Smith, CEO Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council
- Elizabeth Mildwater, CEO Greater Sydney Commission
- The Hon. Taylor Martin MLC, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, speaking on behalf of the NSW Premier
- Amy Brown, Secretary, NSW Department of Enterprise Investment & Trade and CEO, Investment NSW
- Sara Hales, Managing Director, Avistra Aviation Consulting
- Professor Mark Hoffman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) And Vice-President, University of Newcastle
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
Our Partners
Proudly funded by the NSW Government
