Newcastle Airport and the Williamtown Special Activation Precinct are quickly becoming the epicentre of the region's push into international defence and aerospace space.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Deputy Premier John Barilaro officially launched the airport's globally significant aerospace precinct - Astra Aerolab and unveiled a plaque commemorating the event alongside the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Nuatali Nelmes, and Mayor of Port Stephens, Ryan Palmer on Tuesday.
READ MORE:
Representatives from two organisations who have signed key agreements with Astra Aerolab - major defence contractor BAE Systems Australia and Leading Edge Data Centres were also represented.
Mr Barilaro said the essential infrastructure would kick-start the site's development, driving innovation and collaboration in the Hunter and benefitting the local community through the creation of thousands of jobs.
"I turned the first sod on this project 18 months ago, and this site has already been transformed to pave the way for a world-leading defence and aerospace precinct," Mr Barilaro said.
"This will allow aviation companies to establish themselves at this new location, as well as create jobs for aerospace engineers, aviation, IT and avionics specialists and attract workers to the Hunter region.
"I want to thank Newcastle Airport, the City of Newcastle and Port Stephens Council for their hard work and commitment to making this project a reality."
Newcastle Airport chief executive Peter Cock thanked the NSW Government for its $11.7million investment in Astra and expanded further about what was to come in the precinct.
"Astra Aerolab is a place where world leading defence, research, aerospace and industry partners will converge to push boundaries, embrace new technologies and develop the jobs for the future," he said.
"It will be truly uplifting for both businesses and their employees. We are determined that it will connect a global workforce with the RAAF Base Williamtown and Newcastle Airport, and is also a place where people will want to work.
"Stage one has employed 70 full time staff through the depths of the pandemic when economic activity was so vital to regions. We have developed the site sustainably from the outset, including establishing over 200,000 plants and retention of a historically significant Aboriginal keeping place."
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.
