CITY OF NEWCASTLE Lord Mayoral Minute Page 1 Subject: LMM 26/11/2019 - Australia’s Gateway Cities Report Launch MOTION That City of Newcastle: 1. Notes that on Monday, 25 November 2019, City of Newcastle joined with City of Wollongong, City of Geelong, the Committee for Geelong, and the Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, the Hon. Alan Tudge MP to launch the Australia’s Gateway Cities: Gateways to Growth report at Parliament House in Canberra; 2. Thanks our City of Newcastle staff for their collaborative approach to producing this report with our partners, including, City of Wollongong, the Committee for Geelong, City of Geelong, Deakin University, the University of Newcastle and the University of Wollongong; 3. Notes the significant recommendations of the report, including; a. The further development of the shared interests between City of Newcastle, City of Wollongong and City of Geelong, as Australia’s Gateway Cities; b. Infrastructure development with Federal Government support to develop more accessible and sustainable transport connections for both passengers and freight; c. Fostering Innovation and economic growth and diversification through fiscal rebalancing to unlock the latent potential of Australia’s Gateway Cities; d. Supporting strong and skilled workforces through integrated planning to identify future and emerging workforce skills, particularly for transitioning economies. 4. Commends these recommendations to the NSW Government, and the Commonwealth Government, and sends a copy of the report the Prime Minister, the Hon. Scott Morrison MP, Premier of NSW, the Hon. Gladys Berejiklian MP, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, Industry and Trade, the Hon. John Barilaro MP, and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, the Hon. Rob Stokes MP. BACKGROUND: In 2018, following Expressions of Interest from the Committee of Geelong, City of Newcastle supported a resolution of Council to support a partnership with the Committee for Geelong, the City of Geelong, and the City of Wollongong to develop a proposed National Second City Policy Framework and research report to address the long term underinvestment in Australia’s so- called ‘second cities’. Following this resolution, City of Newcastle staff have collaborated with the Committee of Geelong, the City of Geelong, the City of Wollongong, Deakin University, the University of Newcastle and the University of Wollongong to produce the report Australia’s Gateway Cities: Gateways to Growth. Australia’s Gateway Cities: Gateways to growth Australia’s Gateway Cities occupy a significant place within the economy. PAGE 1 OF 3 CITY OF NEWCASTLE Lord Mayoral Minute Page 2 However, they have been underestimated in terms of public policy. Current debates on fiscal rebalancing need to recognise the latent economic potential of Gateway Cities, while social policies should also incorporate the opportunities Gateway Cities offer in bridging the divide between metropolitan Australia and the regions. Changes in the global marketplace are behind the growth of jobs and population in urban Australia. To accommodate that growth, Gateway Cities have capacity for more Australians to work, live and play here. We also have a capability to expand industry, manufacturing, property development, education and health services. Geelong, Wollongong and Newcastle are three cities well positioned to make the most of the underlying utilities, surface roads, rail connections, skills and talents already in place, while welcoming newcomers, new infrastructure and new approaches. We can do our part in facilitating the market’s desires to provide space for people and jobs while also offering the social spaces of parks and recreation, the safe means of travel by all modes, amenity and public realm improvements that inspire people to love their (new) home. In this report we address the nature and contribution of Gateway Cities, consider the human dimension of these communities and their influence on our national development and conclude with a review of policy settings and recommendations focused on future growth. We are looking to assume responsible leadership in delivering high liveability, additional housing and new places of opportunity for all and be of great long-term benefit to Australia. Australia is fortunate to have three globally-connected Gateway Cities that have demonstrated remarkable resilience over generations as they have adapted and adjusted to the pressures of globalisation and technology driven structural change. While important and significant in their own right, these Gateway Cities are even more important to the longer-term prosperity and security of Australia as they provide solutions and sustainable pathways for policy makers and civic leaders in helping to address some of our most pressing economic, social and security challenges. It is especially critical that governments are willing and able to make the necessary long-term strategic investments in both physical and social infrastructure that will underpin not just regional growth but broader national interests. We are doing well, but we can do more heavy lifting as a means of further unlocking future prosperity. Media Release: Australia’s Gateway Cities set to ease population pressures – New Report Increased population growth in the ‘Gateway Cities’ of Geelong, Wollongong and Newcastle will help ease population pressures facing Sydney and Melbourne as stated in a new report released today. Published by the Committee for Geelong in partnership with the City of Newcastle, Wollongong City Council and the City of Greater Geelong, the ‘Australia’s Gateway Cities’ report was PAGE 2 OF 3 CITY OF NEWCASTLE Lord Mayoral Minute Page 3 launched today at Parliament House by Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, The Hon. Alan Tudge MP. Deakin University led the research team with support from the University of Newcastle and University of Wollongong that developed criteria to help define ‘Gateway Cities’ including the size, scale and sufficiently diverse economic base capable of maximising returns on investment. The term ‘Gateway Cities’ has been recommended as a result of the research. According to Committee for Geelong CEO Jennifer Cromarty, the criteria does not represent a claim to exclusivity as the only ‘Gateway Cities’ in Australia, rather it starts the conversation about the role of large cities to ease congestion challenges in Melbourne and Sydney. “Australia’s Gateway Cities report highlights the shared and unique characteristics and strategic assets of the cities of Wollongong, Newcastle and Geelong. However, the report is not prescriptive in terms of these cities in isolation of a national approach to infrastructure investment or broader population policy. This report seeks to demonstrate certain assets and advantages of ‘Gateway Cities’ that can be deployed to maximise national economic growth, regional resilience and job creation for Australia’s long-term settlement strategy,” Ms Cromarty said. The Report includes modelling to identify factors that show how ‘Gateway Cities’ can offer greater impact and benefits for investment, such as: Market Interconnectivity, Economic Pull and Retention, Economic Resilience and Transformative Capacity, Demonstrated Long Term Regional and National Economic Integration and Strength of the Revenue Base. The Australia’s Gateways to Growth report is available to download from the Committee for Geelong’s website. Lord Mayor of Wollongong City Council – Gordon Bradbery AM says, “Australia’s Gateway Cities: Gateways to Growth report is a significant start to mitigate our population pressures in Melbourne and Sydney and to create a model to enliven the regions.” Mayor of the City of Greater Geelong Cr Stephanie Asher says, “this report follows on from a strong history of research by the Committee for Geelong regarding the role of large regional cities as a key contributor to our national economy and population growth plans. Lord Mayor of City of Newcastle Cr Nuatali Nelmes says, “we now look forward to working together as foundation members of the Gateway Cities Alliance and having a collaborative and collective approach to progress next steps. Australia’s Gateway Cities occupy a significant place within the economy. However, they have been underestimated in terms of public policy.” PREVIOUS RELATED DECISIONS LMM 24/07/2018 – NATIONAL SECOND CITY POLICY FRAMEWORK DEVELOPMENT ATTACHMENTS: • Australia’s Gateway Cities report • LMM – 24/07/2018 – NATIONAL SECOND CITY POLICY FRAMEWORK DEVELOPMENT • Memo to Councillors – Gateway Cities - Invitation PAGE 3 OF 3 Australia’s Gateway Cities: GATEWAYS TO GROWTH University of Newcastle, Deakin University and University of Wollongong For the Committee for Geelong, City of Greater Geelong, Wollongong City Council, and the City of Newcastle 2019 CONTRIBUTORS Deakin University, Alfred Deakin Institute: Professor Andrew Reeves, Cora Trevarthen, Professor Louise Johnson University of Newcastle, Hunter Research Foundation Centre: Professor Will Rifkin, Dr Anthea Bill, Kristine Giddy, Dr Leonie Pearson, George Pantelopoulos, Dr Robert Perey, Dr Micheal Jonita University of Newcastle: Fiona Bastian University of Wollongong, SMART Infrastructure Facility: Senior Professor Pascal Perez, Tania Brown, Dr Cole Hendrigan University of Wollongong: Canio Fierravanti, Ivy Fleming ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Acknowledgement of Country: On the lands that we walk and live on in Geelong, Newcastle and Wollongong, we acknowledge the Traditional