The Hunter Region is one of Australia’s economic powerhouses.
Approximately two hours drive north of Sydney, residents enjoy:
- employment choice;
- a range of affordable housing options;
- the chance to choose a lifestyle by the beach or in a rural setting;
- excellent health and education facilities; and
- the luxury of time that comes from short commuting distances between work and play.
Just some of the Hunter’s competitive advantages include:
- efficient, uncongested, rail, air and sea transport network;
- plentiful supply of employment land;
- loyal, plentiful and skilled workforce;
- easy access to Sydney;
- Australia’s biggest regional market;
- world’s largest coal export port;
- sophisticated telecommunications services;
- progressive, cooperative approach to industrial relations;
- leading University, TAFE and education facilities; and
- highly acclaimed research institutions.
The region accounts for more than 32% of the State’s exports including coal, mining services, products and equipment, as well as fresh and processed food, and wine.
Industries
Coal and metal: a $6 billion a year coal industry and over 35% of Australia’s produced aluminium.
Wine: one of Australia’s top wine growing areas, producing 31 million litres of wine annually valued at more than A$230 million.
Equine: Australia’s equine capital of Scone is the annual destination for the world’s top breeding stallions. More than A$355 million has been invested in the region’s stud farms and horses.
Defence and Aerospace: major military bases including Australia’s primary jet fighter base, sophisticated defence infrastructure and a proven track record in defence project delivery. Maintenance base to major aerospace companies Boeing, BAE and Jetstar.
Manufacturing: over the past ten years, more than $10 billion worth of industrial projects have been completed on budget and on time.
Agribusiness: valued at over $1 billion annually.
The region also has a strong tourism industry and alternative energy is a growing sector in the Hunter.
For more information or to find out how the Industry & Investment NSW can help you achieve your business goals in the Hunter, contact:
Industry & Investment NSW
Newcastle Office
Level 3, 251 Wharf Road, Newcastle NSW 2300
(02) 4908 7333 (02) 4908 7333
margaret.turner@business.nsw.gov.au Incentives for Employers
The Federal Government has more than tripled the bonus paid to employers for taking on new apprentices, in a bid to head off a looming skills shortage as the economy recovers.
Deputy Prime Minister and IR Minister Julia Gillard said the commencement bonus has been boosted from $1500 to $2350, and there would be a further payment of $2500 at nine months into the apprenticeship.
The bonus will be available for apprentices who are hired between 1 December 2009 and 28 February 2010 or until 21,000 apprentices have commenced in traditional trades hardest hit by skills shortages identified on the National Skills Needs List.
International Symposium on Renewable Energy Storage and Conversion Technologies
18-20 Nov. 2009 Innovation Campus
University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW
Global warming and climate change represent a major challenge facing humanity today. It is well recognized that the burning of fossil fuels is seriously threatening our planet and that our current methods of economic development are no longer sustainable. The development of renewable energy storage and conversion technologies will play a pivotal role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
This symposium was organized for the purpose of reviewing research and development (R&D) activities in the arena of renewable energy storage and conversion systems, which span broad areas including materials science, chemistry, physics, and manufacturing engineering. The continuing effort to understand, control, and predict the structures and properties of electromaterials, and to synthesize new compounds with novel properties, has consistently driven the energy storage and conversion field.
Scientists, engineers, and students from academia, government, and the private sectors are welcome to participate in this symposium. The major objective of the symposium is to promote interstate and international collaborations between participants in the area of renewable energy technologies.
CORRESPONDENCE: Please send to Chair of the symposium, Guoxiu Wang: gwang@uow.edu.au
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