Newcastle Airport identified as nationally significant on Infrastructure Priority list
- intouch Magazine
- Feb 26, 2021
- 2 min read
A project to allow direct flights between Newcastle and countries including the United States, China, Singapore, Russia, Japan and South Africa, as well as the transformation of Broadmeadow into a truly international sporting, residential and entertainment precinct, have been acknowledged as projects of national significance by the Federal Government’s infrastructure advisor.
Infrastructure Australia, the independent national authority on projects of national significance, has announced the Broadmeadow Precinct Regeneration and Newcastle Airport Capacity Expansion projects on its annual Infrastructure Priority List following City of Newcastle’s multi-year advocacy.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Infrastructure Priority List is the authoritative reference for government and private investment and provides an indisputable statement of the immense potential the projects can deliver for Newcastle, NSW and Australia.
“Infrastructure, along with a skilled local population, is a critical catalyst for enabling economic opportunities for the city,” the Lord Mayor said.
“With today’s announcement, Newcastle’s status as one of Australia’s most important cities is confirmed. No other local government area dominates the IA priority list like Newcastle.
“Already the Port of Newcastle is on the list as the location of a deep water container port, as well as the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct, and the extension of the M1 to Raymond Terrace.
“Both the Newcastle Airport Precinct and Hunter Park have already been recognised as Catalyst Areas in the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan and City of Newcastle’s new Economic Development Strategy.
“The independent advisor has now confirmed the importance of these infrastructure projects on a national scale.
“I invite both the State and Federal Governments to be investment partners in these initiatives in their upcoming budget announcements. The value of these projects to the local, regional and national economy is significant, and worth many billions of dollars.”
Newcastle Airport has been designated by the NSW Government as a Special Activation Precinct in recognition of its potential to stimulate economic activity and jobs.
Newcastle Airport CEO, Dr Peter Cock said the inclusion was the strongest possible affirmation that upgrading the airport to Code E status was a game changer for the region, the aviation industry, and more broadly for the nation. “The inclusion on IA’s priority list, further demonstrates that this project is one of national significance with huge potential, he said.
“It strongly reinforces the link between upgrading the Airport to international status and the global defence and aerospace precinct it sits in. The City of Newcastle’s advocacy has been a game changer for the Airport.”
The Broadmeadow Precinct regeneration is a once in a generation opportunity to transform a well-used and loved, but tired space into a contemporary community and mixed used precinct located at the heart of the Newcastle community and just five kilometres from the Newcastle CBD. The 63-hectare precinct has a variety of sporting facilities, as well as commercial uses.
The proposed regeneration offers the potential for international sports facilities, multi-purpose entertainment venues, green spaces for local amenity, residential and mixed-use development, and will generate up to 8,000 jobs; 1,000 of them ongoing.
The City of Newcastle is collaborating with Newcastle Airport, Venues NSW and HCCDC to support Stage 2 submissions to Infrastructure Australia.
