NEWCASTLE LGA

 

Area: 183 sq km

Population: 150,357 (ABS 2007 Estimated Resident Population)

Location: 170 km north of Sydney

 

  • Newcastle is the economic hub of the Hunter Region, accounting for approximately 30% of the Hunter’s developed industrial space and 80% of the office space.

  • While Newcastle’s industrial sector continues to play an important role, Newcastle is no longer a ‘steel city’. A substantial and growing portion of Newcastle’s economy is now based around the service sectors.

  • Newcastle’s workforce is over 60,000 strong and the region’s occupational structure has undergone significant up-skilling, with an increase in professional, associate professional and clerical employment.

  • Newcastle’s city centre is the most diversified in NSW outside Sydney and employs over 17,000 people in a vibrant mix of commercial, educational, entertainment, cultural and community enterprises. Inner city renewal and renovation projects, notably the Civic Cultural Precinct and the Honeysuckle Precinct, are stimulating investment and revitalising the city

  • The 2007 Newcastle City Centre Plan sets targets for growth to 2031 of 10,000 additional jobs and 6,000 additional residents and provides the planning framework to encourage this. Major projects include the $320 million redevelopment of the Royal Newcastle Hospital site as a hotel, residential and retail precinct and the proposed $500 million redevelopment of the central shopping precinct.

  • Retail development is continually expanding with now over 20 local and district centres across the LGA. Newcastle boasts 2,500 hectares of industrial land, with 70% of this being located near the Port of Newcastle.

  • The Port of Newcastle is Australia’s major bulk export port and a growing cargo and container hub. It currently handles over 93 million tonnes of bulk cargo per year. It also hosts a range of ship-repair and super-yacht businesses, as well as a marina and fishing cooperative.

  • Some of the world’s best surfing beaches, a host of eat streets and a vibrant arts scene continue to cement Newcastle’s position as a key tourist destination. It also attracts around 300 conferencing enquiries a year.

  • Newcastle’s residential property is 30% more affordable than Sydney’s, while industrial land is typically less than half the cost of Sydney.

 

For more statistical information about Newcastle LGA click here.

 

 

For more information go to:

www.ncc.nsw.gov.au

 

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Regional Development Australia (RDA) is a joint Commonwealth-State initiative to support regional development. Funded by the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and State Government to be key facilitators of change and development in their regions.

RDA-Hunter will be the first point of contact for Hunter communities across all levels of government to promote regional initiatives and partnerships. RDA-Hunter coordinates the local response to opportunities for employment, regional development and community capacity-building.