2019 HUNTER INVESTMENT PROSPECTUS Your Smart Business, Investment & Published by Hunter Business Publications Lifestyle Choice THE HUNTER REGION The Hunter Region in NSW is Australia’s largest regional economy, with an economic output of over $47 billion pa and a population of over 733,000. AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST It includes Greater Newcastle - the REGIONAL ECONOMY seventh largest urban area in Australia. It is a vibrant and diverse centre with a focus on technology, research, knowledge, industry and innovation. Australia’s largest The Port of Newcastle It has a dynamic start-up sector and regional economy is third largest in many global companies across with over $47 billion Australia and 24th in industries including aerospace, annual output and the world in terms of advanced manufacturing, mining 50,000 businesses trade volume. and defence. Over 1.2 million Close proximity to The region is situated on Australia’s annual passenger major Australian movements through main east coast transport corridor. markets It has sophisticated infrastructure, Newcastle Airport international gateways including an airport and deep sea port, its own media outlets and university and a Global top 250 Population of talent pool that is increasingly university 732,787 STEM skilled and job ready. (ABS JUNE 2017 ERP) The Hunter combines an innovative economic and business environment Much lower property Greater Newcastle with a high standard of living, costs than capital is Australia’s 7th proximity to Sydney and easy cities largest city connections to Australia’s other capital cities.It’s a smart choice for your business. Highly skilled It’s a smart business, investment & Enviable lifestyle lifestyle choice. workforce For more information, contact Regional Development Australia Hunter, the Hunter’s economic development organisation, E: [email protected] Ph: +61 2 4940 8355 WELCOME CONTENTS FOREWARD STATE GOVERNMENT Published by: Welcomes 4 The Hunter is a strong and vibrant region. The Hunter is a great place to work and invest - with a thriving economy An economic powerhouse 7 well positioned for long term growth, and significant advantages Hunter Business Publications Pty Ltd The right mix of investments, high quality goods and compared with many other regions. PO Box 853, Hamilton NSW 2303 Workforce 11 services, skilled people and connectivity to markets has Phone: +61 2 4925 7760 Education & Training 14 created our region’s prosperous economy. The Hunter These advantages include a skilled workforce, major industries, strong Email: [email protected] Innovation & Creativity 18 region has developed competitive capacity and research and development capability, and highly developed industrial capability in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure including; power generation, water distribution and In conjunction with: Exporting 24 mining, tourism and health - making it a prime location transport connectivity to the globe through coal chain rail RDA - Hunter Business Services 25 to live, work and invest. infrastructure, the Hunter Expressway, Port of Newcastle and Newcastle PO Box 159, Hamilton NSW 2303 Major Industries 26 Airport. Phone: +61 2 4940 8355 RDA Hunter values its partnerships to support the Major Projects 43 economic development of the Hunter. In collaboration The Hunter is the largest regional contributor to the State’s gross Email: [email protected] with stakeholders, entrepreneurs and emerging domestic product, contributing around 28% of regional NSW’s total Web: www.rdahunter.org.au Infrastructure & Development business leaders, RDA Hunter is exploring economic output. Transport & Access to Markets 50 opportunities to build the local economy, create more Printed by: Airports 52 local jobs, attract investment, foster innovation and, by Agribusiness, resources and mining, tertiary and vocational education, NCP Printing Port of Newcastle 55 working with industry and educators, build the skilled and freight and logistics industries are ‘engines’ of the Hunter economy. 14 Channel Road, Mayfield West NSW 2304 workforce of the future. Additionally advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and Phone: +61 2 4926 1300 Utililities 60 technology enabled primary industries are poised for growth in the Email: [email protected] Development across the Hunter 62 The pipeline of economic infrastructure projects, region. Web: www.ncp.com.au supported by the public and private sectors, is An Enviable Lifestyle 78 improving connections between the Hunter and new The NSW Government remains committed to the Hunter’s ongoing Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure that the information in markets. The delivery of products from paddocks, success, and will continue to assist the region with economic this publication is reliable and accurate at the date of printing, RDA Hunter and Local Government Areas 85 workshops and laboratories will occur more efficiently diversification, job creation and the revitalisation of the Newcastle city Hunter Business Publications give no warranty regarding the accuracy of such information and will not be responsible for any consequence resulting from as this program of transformational infrastructure is centre. misdescription or errors contained herein. Business Organisations 94 constructed. This Prospectus was produced by RDA Hunter and Hunter Business Publications A 20-Year Economic Vision for Regional NSW outlines the NSW and does not necessarily represent the views of Australian Government (at any Government Assistance 98 The Hunter Investment Prospectus supports the Government’s vision to accelerate regional NSW’s economic growth in level), or its respective officers, agents or employees. A reference within this Prospectus to any third party does not necessarily represent an endorsement by Australian Government’s commitment to growing key sectors such as agribusiness, tertiary education and health care, RDA Hunter or Hunter Business Publications Pty Ltd of the services of that third Supporters 99 regions. If you are not yet based in the Hunter, then party nor is it intended to influence any decision to engage the services of that and to take full advantage of trade and tourism opportunities with Asia. third party. RDA Hunter does not accept or assume responsibility for the content the information presented in this publication makes a This will ensure the Hunter continues to play a critical role in the NSW of any advertisement contained within this Prospectus or the merits of the organisation to which it relates. good case for relocating to a superb part of regional economy. Australia. For businesses and organisations setting up Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all rights in the Prospectus vest in, or are assigned upon receipt to, RDA Hunter and Hunter Business Publications Pty Ltd. in the Hunter region, RDA Hunter is on-hand to connect Additionally the NSW Government has identified significant economic you to the network you will be looking for to support opportunities for the Upper Hunter - which incorporates the Council areas your move to the region and to have the best go at of Dungog, Singleton, Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter – as outlined in the making it a success. Upper Hunter Economic Diversification Action Plan: Implementation Priorities. The plan is a guide for sustainable economic transition RDA Hunter thanks its publication partner, Hunter economic diversification priorities into regional land use planning. Business Publications, for its work on this Hunter Investment Prospectus, which is a valuable and I congratulate Hunter Business Publications and Regional informative investment tool. Development Australia (RDA)-Hunter on the publication of the latest Hunter Investment Prospectus and look forward to continuing our work together to encourage further investment and economic growth in the Hunter region. Scot MacDonald MLC Parliamentary Secretary Mr John Turner for Planning, the Central Courtesy of City of Newcastle RDA Hunter, Chairman Coast and the Hunter 4 2019 HUNTER INVESTMENT PROSPECTUS 2019 HUNTER INVESTMENT PROSPECTUS 5 AN ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE The Hunter Region of New South Wales is unique in many ways. Often referred to as the “powerhouse of New South Wales” and “a State The Hunter has within a State”, the Hunter combines a vibrant, diversifying economy significantly with a proud history, strong identity, a great lifestyle and a range of more people competitive advantages as an investment and business location. and greater economic output Covering an area of nearly 33,000 sq km, the Hunter is roughly than Tasmania, located between latitudes 31.5° and 33° south and longitudes 150° the Australian and 152° east. It is the most populous regional area in Australia. Capital Territory With nearly 733,000 people (Australian Bureau of Statistics June Regional or the Northern 2017 estimated resident population), the Hunter has significantly Territory. more people and greater economic output than Tasmania, the Economic Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory. Development With a smart, entrepreneurial culture, significant exposure to logistics and resources, a large uRegionalrban cent Developmentre, sophisticated Australia infrastruc t(RDA)ure and Hunter a rworkseputat iwithon fo rthe ear lthreey ado plevelstion o f ofne wgovernment, technologies, thindustry,e Hunte rother regio nRDAs, NS Wand, Au localstralia communities is well to psupportositione dthe for economicthe future development. of the Hunter. It boasts a robust and complex economy, valued at around $41.5 billion