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The Morrison Government will upgrade the Newcastle Airport runway generating thousands of local jobs while creating new domestic and international travel and export destinations for Hunter and Central Coast residents and businesses.
The runway will be widened with a $66 million investment to accommodate longer range domestic and international passenger services as well as significantly increased large freight capabilities to benefit local exporters. This will maximise the benefits of works already completed on the terminal to upgrade international arrivals and departures processing.
Newcastle Airport estimates these improvements could create around 4,400 full-time jobs, deliver an additional 850,000 visitors to the region and add $12.7 billion to the local economy over the next 20 years.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the airport investment was a game changer and would provide significant economic benefits for the Hunter and Central Coast community.
“This investment demonstrates our commitment to the Hunter economy, its workers and businesses and will deliver a jobs boom for the whole region,” the Prime Minister said.
“This investment will also deliver hundreds of thousands of extra tourists to the region, spending money in local businesses, while exporters in the region will be able to access increased freight flights into new international markets.
“This funding leverages our significant defence investments at RAAF Base Williamtown, not only creating local economic benefits but also making it easier for the entire local community to travel domestically, and once open again, to travel internationally to many new locations.”
The upgrades to Code E status would mean larger aircraft like Boeing 777s and Airbus 330s could land in Newcastle, with twice daily international flights expected alongside increased daily direct domestic flights.
The work will be done alongside RAAF’s scheduled runway maintenance at the Williamtown base.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Government was committed to the aviation sector and maintaining Australia’s aviation infrastructure, as part of its ongoing support to ensure the sector recovers and thrives.
“This is another example of the Government backing our aviation industry, including airports, to support planes in the air and jobs on the ground,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“This has included close to $3 million in support to Newcastle Airport to assist with security screening costs, supporting half-price flights to the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast through Qantas and FlyPelican and funding to maintain essential flights to and from the airport through the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This has ensured activity is sustained at the airport and today’s announcement continues to back in this support to drive the economy and to maintain jobs for the Hunter region.”
The Department of Defence will ensure local businesses are contracted through a Local Industry Capability Plan.
Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said the Government is committed to position Defence to increase our strategic competition, now and into the future.
“The upgraded lighting and runway will ensure the airfield remains in line with modern industry aviation standards. This is critically important to support the operation of fifth generation aircraft into the future,” Minister Dutton said.
“The improved drainage will allow the Australian Defence Force to support operations through heavy weather events, such as seen in NSW with the recent floods.”
Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie said this was a great initiative that would lift the capability of Williamtown RAAF Base and open up new international markets for tourism and trade, boosting the region’s economy.
“Our tourism operators know what an amazing asset the airport is and as we reopen flights within Australia and later to the world the Hunter and Mid North Coast are all set to benefit,” Dr Gillespie said.
“This project will reduce cost and travel times for air-freight movements benefitting our primary producers and attract more Corporate, Defence and Aerospace to the Hunter.”
Pending parliamentary approvals, construction is expected to start later this year and be completed in 2023.

City of Newcastle is helping local businesses gain the skills to make the most of Newcastle’s emerging new economic opportunities with a $385,000 investment in its New Skills Program.
From helping local businesses to embrace the digital age, developing ways to be more accessible or improve energy efficiency, the program aims to address a wide range of industry specific skills gaps over the next two years.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the New Skills Program will provide opportunities for people to learn new skills and innovation which is how we make businesses more competitive and encourage emerging industries which will create more local jobs.
“Newcastle’s economy is transforming, and we need to adapt to take advantage of the opportunities,” Cr Nelmes said.
“City of Newcastle’s Economic Development Strategy is responding to the impact of skills gaps in the local workforce by delivering a program that invests in local people to acquire the knowledge and training to participate in the emerging economic opportunities.
“New Skills will assist residents to expand their knowledge and abilities through courses delivered by local organisations to address current and projected skills gaps and strengthen areas of rapid change.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said New Skills is an extension of the training support funding provided under the City’s $5.5 million Community and Economic Resilience Package that targeted people and industries hardest hit by COVID-19, including young people and tourism sector.
“City of Newcastle has called on businesses to develop training packages that address the skills gap in the local economy, with a range of New Skills programs set to commence later this month,” Cr Clausen said.
“Target areas include identifying how businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors can build a more resilient business model and supporting emerging industries looking to establish in the region.
“Earp Distillery, Got Your Back Sista, Makers and Traders and Newy Rides are just some local organisations that have already benefitted from City of Newcastle’s investment in training programs to develop new products and services.”
This month a workshop series presented by Hunter Regional Business Hub is on offer, designed to upskill local businesses in new technologies to assist them to recover and reinvent themselves.
A Digital Basics for Small Business workshop will be held in Hamilton on May 17, highlighting techniques and tools to improve digital capability and online presence across online channels.
“The course is ideal for people and small business owners wanting to operate a business or new idea in the digital environment as it will explain how customers use the web to search and find what they want,” Digital Advisor Rochelle McLennan said.
“It will provide valuable insights and highlight opportunities to meet customer needs and increase online presence.”

City of Newcastle has welcomed news that the Federal Government has committed $66 million towards Newcastle Airport’s runway upgrade as part of today’s Federal Budget announcement.
The airport project is a key part of the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan plan and expected to create 4500 jobs and generate an estimated $12.7 billion in economic benefits through international airfreight, industrial expansion and stimulation of the visitor economy.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the project will provide a vital boost for Newcastle and the wider region during the next two decades.
“Today’s announcement is fantastic news for the City of Newcastle and broader region, following ongoing advocacy to bring our airport’s runway up to international standard (Code E) and allow it to accommodate long-range, wide-bodied aircraft,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Newcastle Airport plays a key role in our city’s ongoing transition from a great regional centre to an emerging global city, connecting our local communities with family, friends and colleagues across the nation and around the globe.
“Upgrading the runway to international standard will allow us to build on the attractiveness of this region as an international destination, while also providing direct connections around the world for local travellers.
“Newcastle and the Hunter Region are also home to a wide range of businesses supplying products and services to an expanding global customer base. This upgrade will allow for a significant increase in the commercial activity flowing through the airport.
“Strengthening Newcastle’s global transport gateways such as the Airport and Port of Newcastle will ultimately lead to significant growth in the number of jobs required to provide our services and connect our people and products with national and international opportunities.
“This has never been as important as it is today, with hundreds of thousands of livelihoods affected by COVID-19.”
Newcastle Airport is jointly owned by City of Newcastle and Port Stephens Council, with the runway upgrade a top priority for the adjoining local government areas.
The upgrade aligns with a key outcome of the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan – to grow the airport and aerospace and defence precinct at Williamtown – as well as the NSW Government’s decision to create a Special Aviation Precinct that covers up to 10,000 hectares of land in and around Newcastle Airport and RAAF Base.

Newcastle Libraries will celebrate the significant contribution to the city’s arts community made by world-renowned opera singer, Florence Austral, with a curated exhibition and program of events for the community to learn all about her life.
Florence Austral was a world-renowned soprano opera singer in the 1920s, originally from Melbourne. Florence came to Newcastle after her international singing career was cut short due to multiple sclerosis and she became a founding teacher of the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, now part of the University of Newcastle.
The exhibition will be delivered in partnership with Newcastle Libraries, University of Newcastle and led by Hilary Oliver from the Florence Austral Society, who has been instrumental in providing the research for the exhibition.
Curated program of Florence Austral events:
Florence Austral Exhibition
Digital Library
May to September 2021
Images from Florence Austral Archive Collection will be displayed on the Storywall and The Magic Box at our Digital Library from May to September 2021. The display consists of items from the Library’s Florence Austral Archive including sheet music, photos and recordings of Florence’s amazing voice.
Our Forgotten Diva – An evening to remember Florence Austral
Wednesday 2 June, 6-7pm
Wednesday 14 July, 6-pm
Hilary Oliver from the Florence Austral Society will present Florence’s life, operatic career, and discuss her link to Newcastle.
Treasures from the Rare Book Room
REAL Podcast
Hilary Oliver from the Florence Austral Society joins Delma Whyte, a former student of Newcastle conservatorium of music to discuss Florence Austral. This podcast is inspired by the work of the Florence Austral Society and the Florence Austral archive which forms part of the Newcastle Libraries treasures.
Visit What’s On Newcastle to find out more.

Newcastle’s visitor economy received a major economic injection as a result of the City’s Event Packed April with industry data showing the accommodation sector returning to pre-COVID occupancy levels.
According to the Australian Accommodation Monitor Reports, demand for accommodation in Newcastle during the first fortnight in April saw occupancy levels sitting between 80-90% most days. The average daily rate for rooms increased by $52 per night, resulting in a 29% uplift in room revenue compared to the same period in 2019.

City of Newcastle’s Event Packed April was spearheaded by the World Surf League (WSL) Newcastle Cup along with SailFest Newcastle Regatta, Newcastle Seafood Festival, Newcastle Food Month, AoN Women’s University Rugby 7s and NewRun Newcastle Festival of Running.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said there is significant opportunity for an event-led economic recovery in Newcastle and it is evident in the newly released data that events are a ticket to driving Newcastle’s visitor economy toward long-term growth.
“City of Newcastle’s April events calendar returned impressive results for Newcastle’s tourism and hospitality businesses still on the road to recovery, “Cr Nelmes said.
“Pre-COVID, our city’s hotels, once filled mid-week with corporate business travellers, saw their occupancy levels sitting at 80-90% again most days, thanks to the WSL Newcastle Cup and the City’s bumper April events calendar.”
A pipeline of new hotel product is under construction, including the five-star Kingsley in the former City Administration Centre set to open in June, Doma’s Little National Hotel, Iris Capital’s QT Hotel, and with plans underway to develop the historic Newcastle Post Office into a conference and function space.
“With a fresh injection of new hotel supply, the City’s ability to pitch for major events will only boost its appeal as a host city and position Newcastle ahead of other destinations,” Cr Nelmes said.
“We are in the early stages of rolling out Newcastle’s newly adopted Destination Management Plan, designed to reposition the city as a premier tourism destination with a strong focus on events, natural assets and cultural heritage, with a raft of initiatives and projects designed to grow our visitor economy and increase visitor spend.”
City of Newcastle continues to invest and support Newcastle’s visitor economy through the Product Development and Mentoring Program, the development and implementation of the highly targeted WhoKnew destination awareness campaign, and destination marketing partnerships with Destination NSW and Newcastle Airport.

Community and sporting groups, businesses, tourism and event operators are invited to apply for almost $1 million of community grants and sponsorship funding from City of Newcastle.
Applications are open for projects and initiatives to activate public places, enhance community wellbeing and strengthen the city’s reputation as a tourism, business and events destination.
The announcement follows Council’s endorsement of new Community Grants and Sponsorships policies, redesigned to make applying easier following consultation with the community.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the new streamlined process would encourage more community-led projects.
“Our grants and sponsorships are a vital community-building tool. They enhance wellbeing, improve the city’s identity and make Newcastle a better place in which to live, work, play and invest,” Cr Nelmes said.
“City of Newcastle invests in a range of initiatives across the city each year, from placemaking improvements to the suburban landscape to major events attracting visitors from far and wide.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, who is Chair of the City of Newcastle Strategy and Innovation Advisory Committee, said that feedback from the community was that the process of applying for support could be more difficult than it should be, discouraging some groups from putting forward new ideas to make our community better.
“The great news is that we’ve listened and redesigned the process to give our community groups the opportunity to turn amazing ideas into great local projects and initiatives,” Cr Clausen said.
“New clearer grant categories include funding for recreation facilities, businesses façade improvements, community initiatives, arts, culture and heritage, as well as environmental and social inclusion projects.
“Events are a great way to attract visitors with City of Newcastle providing sponsorship for initiatives that help make Newcastle a smart, liveable and sustainable global city.”
Event sponsorship will be provided across four categories: General Events, Major Events, Regional Sport Events and Business Events, with additional funding will be offered through the Tourism / Visitor Economy Sponsorship and the Economic Sponsorship programs.
Funding opportunities open on 3 May and close 31 May 2021, with online community workshops outlining the application process and addressing questions to be held on Wednesday 12 May at 10am and Monday 17 May 2021 at 5.30pm. Further details can be viewed on our website at https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/community/grants-and-sponsorships.