Deputy Premier John Barilaro believes the $66 million upgrade of Newcastle Airport's runway to international standard will trigger a surge of new businesses, jobs and investment to the Hunter over the next decade.
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The Williamtown Special Activation Precinct, which the State Government announced last year, will also receive a significant boost from the runway upgrade.
Master planning for the 10,000 hectare precinct, which seeks to capitalise on existing defence and aerospace industries, is underway.
A draft masterplan, which will set out a 40-year plan for the area, is due to go on public exhibition this year.
"The NSW Government understands Williamtown and the Hunter have unique industry opportunities which is why we are creating the Williamtown Special Activation Precinct to establish the area as a national and international hub," Mr Barilaro said.
"The Government is rolling out the red carpet, not the red tape, by making it easier for businesses to invest in regional communities like Williamtown. We recently hosted European ambassadors in the Hunter to showcase the incredible business and manufacturing opportunities on offer and I am confident the Special Activation Precinct will be significant in attracting new business to the region."
The upgrade to international (Code E) status means larger aircraft like Boeing 777s and Airbus 330s can land in Newcastle, with twice daily international flights expected alongside increased daily direct domestic flights.
It is estimated the project will create about 4400 full-time jobs, deliver an additional 850,000 visitors to the Hunter Region and add $12.7 billion to the local economy over the next 20 years.
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Billions of dollars worth of related infrastructure projects, such as a rail link from Hexham to the airport and major road upgrades will also flow from the project.
BAE Systems Australia director of aircraft sustainment and training Andrew Chapman said the defence industry was a major economic catalyst.
"Importantly the (aerospace) hub will be a collaborative space that will drive innovation in our business, with our partners and through our supply chain. This will be critically important given the enormous opportunities that we have ahead of us in supporting one of the biggest defence programs in the world," he said.
The scale of the Special Activation Precinct means the Government is likely to need to acquire PFAS-contaminated land in the area.
A Department of Regional NSW spokeswoman previously said: "Any land acquisitions related to Special Activation Precincts will be done in accordance with the Just Terms Act and other relevant legal frameworks, under which both the acquiring authority and the landowner will seek an independent valuation," she said.
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Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
