A Special Activation Precinct at Williamtown is set to generate jobs and boost the greater Newcastle economy.
Announced today by Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro at BAE Systems in Williamtown, the precinct covers up to 10,000 hectares of land in and around the area.
“Special Activation Precincts are about making it easier and more attractive for businesses to set up in regional NSW, create more jobs, and grow our regional engine industries,” Mr Barilaro said.
“We estimate that these precincts will create at least 15,000 jobs across the regions, but we expect that number to climb.
“Precincts have already been announced for Parkes, Wagga Wagga, Moree and the Snowy Mountains and today I’m very happy to add Williamtown to that list, as we create a network of world-class hubs across NSW to fuel regional economies for decades to come.”
The Williamtown Special Activation Precinct will turbocharge the region’s growth as a national and international defence and aerospace hub.
The NSW Government will explore 10,000 hectares around the Port Stephens local government area, including Newcastle Airport and surrounds.
The Special Activation Precinct will build on the defence, aviation and technology commercial activity of the Astra Aerolab announced last year.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the news.
“The announcement of a Williamtown Special Activation precinct is great news for Newcastle and the Hunter, bringing thousands of skilled jobs along with unlocking key development lands,” she said.
“It’s especially welcome at a time when thousands of jobs have been lost in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie due to the coronavirus pandemic, because the Special Activation Precinct will provide direct and indirect jobs for decades to come.
“Special Activation Precincts have a high potential to create significant employment and drive investment in engine industries, those that employ a higher proportion of people in our region compared to others.”
The 76-hectare site adjoining the airport and Williamtown RAAF Base, home to Australia’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter fleet, will become the country’s pre-eminent space for aviation, defence and aerospace-related manufacturing, maintenance, research and education.
Paralleling the twin aerospace developments will be passenger growth at Newcastle Airport, with a minimum 2.6 million-passenger throughout expected by 2036.
