RDA Hunter

Hunter Region

Sun, 07 Jul 2013 14:00:00 GMT

The Hunter offers steadily growing employment and investment opportunities across the region as well as a quality lifestyle. It is predicted that the Hunter will become home to a population of one million people within the next thirty to forty years.

The economy of the Hunter enjoys a number of strengths and makes a significant contribution to the Australian economy. The region is rich in resources and underpinned by the world’s best quality coal, natural water resources, significant electricity generation capacity, an innovative manufacturing sector and a progressive business culture.

The region boasts leading research and education facilities, world class wine and equine industries, vibrant cultural and tourism opportunities and a quality lifestyle for its population. The Hunter is positioning itself strongly as a world-class regional centre. The Hunter’s location on Australia’s eastern seaboard, between Melbourne and Brisbane, and two hours’ drive from Sydney together with an impressive transport infrastructure gives the region a competitive edge in accessing Australian and international markets.

Newcastle is poised to become a leading, globally competitive city. It is Australia’s seventh largest city and is the regional capital serving the Lower Hunter and the Upper Hunter and parts of the Central Coast, as well as the major city in the northern part of an integrated Greater Metropolitan Region. The transformation of the city is evident in the larger scale and efficient commercial, transport and residential construction investment and the associated improvements in productivity.

The Hunter region relates to a geographical area comprising the following eleven local government areas, Cessnock, Dungog, Gloucester, Great Lakes, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens Singleton, Upper Hunter.

Hunter Regional Plan

Sun, 07 Jul 2013 14:00:00 GMT

The Hunter Regional Plan describes the strategic approach for the region to achieve the Vision for the Hunter.

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Urban Planning for the Hunter Region

Sun, 07 Jul 2013 14:00:00 GMT

In this paper, RDA Hunter presents the case for a strategic and integrated approach as the key to delivering the comprehensive and cohesive long–term urban infrastructure plan necessary to underpin sustainable growth in the Hunter’s population and productivity into the future.

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The Hunter Economy Post BHP

Sun, 07 Jul 2013 14:00:00 GMT

One of the most significant events which occurred in the Hunter Region in the period between 1995 and 2010 was the closure of BHP Steelworks in 1999 (rod production remained). This had been announced two years in advance. By the time of the actual closure, the direct and indirect job losses were expected to total 4,500. However, employment at BHP started to decline a long time before (as described in the previous section).

In 1998 an online survey of the business community, and members of the Hunter community, was undertaken to examine the perceived likely effect of the BHP closure. The majority of people who took part in the survey were fearful of potential negative impacts of the BHP closure, especially of the effect on the Hunter economy, with the perception of business representatives being the least negative.

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Infrastructure (Connecting the Hunter)

Sun, 07 Jul 2013 14:00:00 GMT

RDA Hunter consulted widely throughout 2010 and encouraged discussion with regional partners and government to identify infrastructure priorities. The input from these forums is summarised at Appendix 1, using the seven themes for action identified by Infrastructure Australia as the most important infrastructure objectives for the nation.

These discussions confirmed Infrastructure Australia’s view that “world class infrastructure networks are essential to driving sustainable economic development and growth, lifting levels of productivity and boosting employment”. This is as relevant to the Hunter, as it is to Australia.

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Hunter Investment Prospectus

Sun, 07 Jul 2013 14:00:00 GMT

The Hunter currently comprises around 8% of economic activity in New South Wales, with regional output of approximately $48 billion in 2017 (based on Deloitte Access Economics modelling) — making it Australia’s largest regional economy.

The Hunter economy has quite distinct industry bases. With strong foundations in mining and agriculture it has also undergone substantial structural changes over the past two decades, including considerable expansion in broad service sectors. The Hunter economy also has an increasing focus on innovation and intellectual resources, making existing industries more efficient, gaining new global markets and creating new industries that will hold the Hunter in good stead for the future.

The 2019 Hunter Investment Prospectus provides a detailed overview of the Hunter and its advantages as a location to invest, do business and live.

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Government Programs

Thu, 04 Jul 2013 14:00:00 GMT

vISIT THE MENU TO THE LEFT FOR INFORMATION ABOUT STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND THE REGIONAL SPONSORED MIGRATION SCHEME

Initiatives

Thu, 04 Jul 2013 14:00:00 GMT

The Hunter will have a more diversified economy supporting a larger and better connected population, with healthy and thriving communities - more socially cohesive, innovative and enriching. RDA Hunter's Regional Plan and initiatives outlined on this site contribute to achieving this goal.

Submissions

To represent the Hunter to government, RDA Hunter makes various submissions,

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High Speed Broadband

Wed, 03 Jul 2013 14:00:00 GMT

RDA Hunter developed a business case for improved high speed broadband across the Hunter. Informed by Hunter industry, the business case articulates a clear gap in productive time due to inadequacies in the region’s existing broadband service and outlines the real impact of these service shortfalls on business operations.

“RDA Hunter appreciates that high speed broadband is an essential requirement for businesses today,” said RDA Hunter CEO Todd Williams.

“Conservative figures from our recent survey of Hunter industry show that a minimum of 10 minutes is lost per business per day due to inadequate broadband service.

“Across the region as a whole, this equates to ten months of lost productive time in a single day.

“Closing this gap will lead to more investment into the region, a greater capacity for Hunter businesses to accept new work and, importantly, job creation.

“RDA Hunter will be using the business case we have developed to lobby governments and service providers to ensure our broadband is improved so that Hunter businesses remain competitive.” continued Mr Williams.

The next phase of RDA Hunter’s work is to prepare the region for the opportunities high speed broadband can deliver and how to capitalise on them.

RDA Hunter will lead Hunter High Speed Broadband to:

1. Keep the Region informed of the NBN rollout and other high speed broadband initiatives

2. Provide the Hunter with examples and case studies of innovative uses of high speed broadband that add value, increase investment and create jobs

HHSBB brings together regional experts to assist the Hunter leverage the benefits of high speed broadband and help build a stronger digital economy. It brings together regional experts in industries including health, education and manufacturing, all levels of government and the business community.

It will assist the Hunter region leverage the benefits of high speed broadband and help build a stronger digital economy.

“High speed broadband underpins a digital economy so is vital for the Hunter’s social and economic growth. said RDA Hunter CEO, Todd Williams.

“Hunter High Speed Broadband will facilitate exposure to national and international initiatives that will help Hunter business maximise the productivity efficiencies high speed broadband can deliver.

“Through case studies and presentations by industry experts, HHSBB will inform and update the region on the high speed broadband infrastructure roll-out and provide strategies

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RDA HUNTER'S WORK TO HAVE THE HUNTER INCLUDED IN STAGE ONE OF THE ROLLOUT OF THE NATIONAL BROADBAND NETWORK ....

In March 2012, NBN Co announced Stage One of the large-scale rollout of the National Broadband Network across Australia. Suburbs across the Hunter and Central Coast featured widely in the list of 1,500 communities that will be reached in Stage One.

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Hunter Innovation Forum

Wed, 03 Jul 2013 14:00:00 GMT

It showcases the Hunter's innovative products, services, equipment, technology, business practices and highly skilled and inventive workforce. The aim of the festival is to celebrate innovation and creativity across the regions.

The HIF is a joint initiative of a wide group of regional stakeholders including three levels of government, industry and business associations, educational and research organisations and private sector companies.

The HIF hosts a range of events, trade shows, innovation trails, seminars, expos and open days that showcase the unique and diverse innovation and intellectual capital across many industries in the Hunter.

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2013 Hunter Innovation Scorecard

Wed, 03 Jul 2013 14:00:00 GMT

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Download the Hunter Innovation Scorecard App itun.es/au/chWfO.i

RDA Hunter Committee

Wed, 03 Jul 2013 14:00:00 GMT

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RDA Hunter Staff

Wed, 03 Jul 2013 14:00:00 GMT

RDA Hunter Staff | RDA Hunter {module_webapps,479,c,15152}

RDA Hunter Network

Wed, 03 Jul 2013 14:00:00 GMT

RDA Hunter Network | RDA Hunter

Government & Government Agencies

Education

Representative organisations

OTHER

Williamtown Aerospace Centre