2020 HUNTER INVESTMENT PROSPECTUS Your Smart Business, Investment & Lifestyle Choice THE HUNTER REGION THE HUNTER REGION AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST REGIONAL ECONOMY REGIONAL ECONOMY The Hunter Region in NSW is Australia’s largest regional economy, with an economic output of around $55 billion pa and a Australia’s largest The Port of Newcastle population of over 740,000. regional economy with is one of Australia's over $55 billion annual largest ports with It includes Greater Newcastle - the seventh output and 52,000 166 million tonnes of largest urban area in Australia. businesses cargo per annum. It is a vibrant and diverse centre with a focus Over 1.2 million Close proximity to on technology, research, knowledge annual passenger major Australian movements through sharing, industry and innovation. It has a markets Newcastle Airport dynamic start-up sector and many global companies across industries including aerospace, advanced manufacturing, mining and defence. Global top 250 Population of university 740,676 The region is situated on Australia’s main (ABS JUNE 2018 ERP) east coast transport corridor. It has sophisticated infrastructure, international gateways including an airport and deep sea Much lower property Greater Newcastle is port, its own media outlets and university costs than capital cities Australia’s 7th largest and a talent pool that is increasingly STEM city skilled and job ready. The Hunter combines an innovative economic and business environment with a Highly skilled Enviable lifestyle high standard of living, proximity to Sydney workforce and easy connections to Australia’s other capital cities. It’s a smart business, investment & lifestyle choice. 4 WELCOME CONTENTS 5 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Published by: Government Welcomes 4 The Hunter region offers an enviable lifestyle and strong economic We’re also supporting vocational education and training prospects poised for continued growth. through an expanded Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy Trial Hunter Business Publications Pty Ltd Publisher's Welcome 6 to provide 3,200 regional Australians with an opportunity to PO Box 853, Hamilton NSW 2303 This region is a desirable place for any business looking to secure an apprenticeship. An economic powerhouse 7 relocate.The Hunter knows where it’s heading, enjoying a strong Phone: +61 2 4062 8133 consensus across all levels of government and industry. I especially commend RDA Hunter in promoting science, Email: [email protected] Workforce 11 technology, engineering and maths in schools and elsewhere Education & Training 14 For our part, the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government is through their STEM Workforce Initiative. Printed by: Innovation & Creativity providing policy stability and certainty for local leaders who are 17 NCP Printing making decisions for their businesses and their communities. We’re working on many fronts to build better regions. Among Exporting 22 them is a record investment in infrastructure and a focus on 14 Channel Road, Mayfield West NSW 2304 Business Services 23 One way we’re delivering is by investing a record $100 billion in delivering skills. Phone: +61 2 4926 1300 building stronger connections, through our 10-year Email: [email protected] Major Industries 24 infrastructure investment pipeline. The Hunter is well placed to benefit as Australia celebrates 28 Web: www.ncp.com.au Major Projects 41 years of economic growth. Alongside major existing investments in the Pacific Highway, Infrastructure & Development we’re providing $1.6 billion in funding for the M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace, $1 billion for the Princes Highway, Transport & Access to Markets 48 Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure that $700 million for the Newell Highway corridor and $140 million for Michael McCormack MP the information in this publication is reliable and accurate Airports 50 the Tenterfield and Newcastle road corridor. Deputy Prime Minister of at the date of printing, Hunter Business Publications give no warranty regarding the accuracy of such information and Port of Newcastle 52 Australia will not be responsible for any consequence resulting from Two rail projects are also generating great interest in Newcastle. misdescription or errors contained herein. Utililities 56 Minister for Infrastructure, The first is a proposal for a Faster Rail link to Sydney, which we Transport and Regional Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all rights in the Development across the Hunter 58 are investigating with our state counterparts. Prospectus vest in, or are assigned upon receipt to, Development Hunter Business Publications Pty Ltd. The second is the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail, with An Enviable Lifestyle 74 construction underway between Parkes and Narromine. The future connection of Inland Rail to the Port of Newcastle Local Government Areas 78 through the existing, world-class Hunter rail network is exciting many neighbouring regional communities. Business Organisations 86 Government Assistance 90 Sponsors 91 STATE GOVERNMENT The Hunter is a region on the move. Already boasting Australia's The Hunter's exciting future is underpinned by its well- largest regional economy, it is rapidly expanding its appeal to established industries such as agribusiness, resources and people looking to live, work, visit or invest in the area. mining, education, defence, and freight and logistics. These engine industries will be supported by future-driven Guided by the Hunter Regional Plan 2036, the NSW Government opportunities in advanced manufacturing, renewable energy is pushing hard to grow the region's population by 25 per cent and agritech. over 20 years and add 61 ,000 new jobs. Key pillars in achieving these goals include the Government's Honeysuckle Renewal Diversity is key to success in any economy and the Hunter region is project and the Revitalising Newcastle program. Exceeding $650 well positioned for sustained economic and cultural growth. million in funding, Revitalising Newcastle is instrumental to invigorating Newcastle's city centre as it strives to add new We are in an unprecedented period of planning and growth in homes and more jobs, improve connectivity and create new the Hunter region. The NSW Government is committed to its public spaces. next vibrant chapter and we look forward to working with the Old Civic community to achieve the brightest possible future. Station Newcastle Unveiling the Newcastle Light Rail is just one of a suite of Ellenborough Falls revitalised into elements to revitalise Newcastle. Other significant projects Manning River green space include the redevelopment of the Honeysuckle waterfront promenade, the restoration of the former Newcastle Railway Gladys Berejiklian MP Station into an active community events space, and the Premier of New South Wales transformation of the former Civic Station into vibrant open green space. Revitalising Newcastle integrates planning and design to get the most out of Newcastle's stunning natural environment, making it a Charlestown functional and eye-catching place to be. The program has also seen Town Centre Newcastle attract more than $3 billion in private investment, making this one of NSW's most popular regions for investment. 2020 HUNTER INVESTMENT PROSPECTUS 2020 HUNTER INVESTMENT PROSPECTUS 6 PUBLISHER'S WELCOME AN ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE 7 The Hunter Region of New South Wales is unique in many ways. Welcome to the 2020 edition of the Hunter Investment This publication will hopefully inform you better about the Often referred to as the “powerhouse of New South Wales” and “a Prospectus. Hunter and I encourage you to contact any of the many State within a State”, the Hunter combines a vibrant, diversifying organisations that are contained within for greater details. economy with a proud history, strong identity, a great lifestyle and a This annual publication is designed to promote the Hunter range of competitive advantages as an investment and business Region as a smart business, investment and lifestyle choice. If you would like to view or share the publication online, please location. It is the largest regional economy in Australia. visit www.hunterinvest.com.au for a soft copy. As one of Australia’s oldest regions, the Hunter has had a strong Covering an area of nearly 33,000 sq km, the Hunter is roughly reputation for many years as a major wine and coal producer. For I would like to personally thank the numerous organisations that located between latitudes 31.5° and 33° south and longitudes 150° and 152° east. It is the most populous regional area in most of the 20th century, Newcastle was also known as a steel have sponsored this publication. It is only with the support of Australia. With over 740,000 people (Australian Bureau of Statistics city, with the major steel manufacturing facilities of BHP being a such organisations that share our belief in the Hunter that the June 2018 estimated resident population), the Hunter has key employer and economic stimulus. publication can be produced and distributed. significantly more people and greater economic output than Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern But how times have changed. Although coal and wine are still I hope you enjoy the 2020 edition of the Hunter Investment Territory. important components of the local economy, the Hunter has Prospectus and understand why the Hunter is a smart business, diversified enormously and is quickly growing a global reputation investment and lifestyle choice. as a smart region that has a very broad range industry base and its sights firmly set on continued growth. The Hunter is washing away old, out-dated preconceptions and Construction Comparative populations (ABS 2018 ERP) in Newcastle providing the world with a new image that is the envy of many City Centre other regions. Garry Hardie If you are one of the decreasing number of people hanging onto Publisher the old perceptions of the Hunter, then I would urge you to look Hunter Business at the region with fresh eyes and recognise its growth, vitality Publications Pty Ltd and strength as we enter the third decade of the 21st century.