On Mon, 20 Jan 2020 at ​19:12​, Media DPC <media@dpc.nsw.gov.

au> wrote:

Hi Matthew,

Please find a response to your enquiry below. Please attribute to a NSW

Government spokesperson.

The NSW Government is committed to supporting opportunities that will generate jobs,
attract new investment and deliver major infrastructure to the Hunter region.

As part of this commitment, the NSW Government commissioned an independent

pre-feasibility study to identify the benefits of upgrading the main runway, taxiways and
terminal building at Newcastle Airport and RAAF Base Williamtown.

The study determined that, while upgrading facilities to accommodate wide body
long-haul international aircraft has some merit, the significant project costs are unlikely
to be justified by the forecast economic benefits.

Based on the findings of this independent study, the NSW Government decided not to
proceed with the proposed Newcastle Airport and RAAF Base Williamtown upgrade.

Newcastle Airport has commissioned further work regarding the proposed runway
upgrade. The NSW Government has reviewed that additional work and provided
Newcastle Airport with feedback at a meeting on Friday 17 January 2020. This follows
a number of previous meetings with Newcastle Airport staff to provide feedback on the
proposed project. The NSW Government again re-iterated that the significant project
costs are unlikely to be justified by the forecast economic benefits and that additional
work is required to support the forecast economic benefits.

The NSW Government will continue to work with the Port Stephens Council, Newcastle
Airport and the Department of Defence to identify alternative investment opportunities
that will benefit the wider Hunter region.

Work is underway on the Astra Aerolabs Business Technology Park, a 76 hectare

precinct adjacent to the airport that will create 5,500 local jobs, thanks to $11.7 million
in funding from the NSW Government’s Growing Local Economies fund.

The NSW Government is exploring many locations for Special Activation Precincts,
including Williamtown. At this stage, the NSW Government has committed to
undertake a scoping study to investigate the potential for a Williamtown Special
Activation Precinct. The study will be finalised and considered by government over the
coming months.
 This investigation involves extensive research, analysis and forecasting to assess
whether an investment in creating a Special Activation Precinct makes sense.

Special Activation Precincts are part of the NSW Government’s 20-Year Economic
Vision for Regional NSW. They are driven by the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy
Fund, which is dedicated to being spent on major, transformative projects for regional
NSW.

To ensure this funding will create opportunities for regional NSW citizens, the NSW
Government is doing its due diligence to make evidence-based decisions about
worthwhile investments and major projects across the state.

For more information, please visit

https://www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/regional-nsw/activation-precincts/what-is-a-spe
cial-activation-precinct/.

On Tue, 21 Jan 2020 at​ 16:02​, Melissa Coates <Melissa.Coates@dpc.nsw.gov.au> wrote:

Hi Matthew,

Please attribute to A Spokesperson from the NSW Government:

The NSW Government is committed to investing in infrastructure that supports regional

economic growth. A productive meeting was held between NSW Government
Departmental officials and Newcastle Airport last Friday about the runway upgrade
project, where it was agreed that further information and data would be submitted to
further Newcastle Airport’s proposal.

Technical consultants and Departmental officials will continue to work together on the
additional information required for Government to be able to properly assess the
project.

Conversations are already underway about the future of the region including the NSW
Government’s commitment to undertake a scoping study to investigate the potential for
a Williamtown Special Activation Precinct. The study will be finalised and considered
by government over the coming months.
The State Government is already working with Newcastle Airport, as well as Hunter
Defence on the Aerospace Zone Development Activation, and has committed $11.7
million to this major project.