5 days ago
'Important opportunity': Newcastle Airport aerospace hub in survey spotlight
CITY of Newcastle will undertake a temperature check on community sentiment around a 76-hectare innovation, defence and aerospace hub next to Newcastle Airport and the Williamtown RAAF Base.
The Astra Aerolab precinct will be home to defence contractor BAE Systems and Australia's first missile factory, after the federal government signed an $850 million deal with Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence Australia.
Greens Cr Charlotte McCabe said it was appropriate for the council, as a co-owner of the airport, to understand the community's views on the development.
"This survey is an important opportunity for the community to give feedback about the Astra Aerolab defence precinct, which the council jointly owns with Port Stephens Council," she said.
"Revenue that's generated by the precinct will be used to deliver services and infrastructure in our Newcastle local government area, so the community needs to be fully informed and carefully consulted."
The council will undertake a mix of phone, online and face-to-face surveys to gauge residents' sentiments, identify any issues or concerns and help build understanding of the project.
Newcastle Airport, which is jointly owned by Newcastle and Port Stephens councils, owns Astra Aerolab.
In August 2024, Cr McCabe said she felt she was "lied to" finding out the missile factory would be built on Newcastle Airport land after the council said the airport had no intention to secure explosive ordnance manufacturing tenants.
In a report to councillors in June that same year, the council said there was "no explosive ordnance manufacture/assembly on land owned by Newcastle Airport" and "there is no intention by the airport to seek this type of tenant".
Councillors made it clear they wanted more information about goings-on at the airport, particularly around Astra Aerolab and the Kongsberg facility.
At the time, Cr McCabe said that as part-owner of the airport, the means by which it generates revenue for the council to spend in Newcastle should be in line with the council's own Investment and Borrowing Policy.
City of Newcastle's policy stipulates it should avoid investment in "production or supply of armaments", which it lists as "socially harmful".
A City of Newcastle chief executive report presented to councillors in 2024 said the council's investment policy did not apply to the airport, which was a separate entity controlled by a "majority independent" board.
The Astra Aerolab site was purchased in 2018 as part of Newcastle Airport's master plan to transform the airport precinct.
The aim was to attract new industries to the Hunter to support the defence sector, including advanced manufacturing.
Ratepayers will not have a direct say in the future of the precinct as decisions are made by Newcastle Airport boards.
Both councils have representative members on the boards.
The council maintains ratepayers will not have to pay if Newcastle Airport or Astra Aerolab incur debts, arguing the company structures "ensure any debt incurred by Newcastle Airport or Astra Aerolab would be kept in the company's asset pool".
The Newcastle Herald has previously reported that the airport's own documents show it has been diverting millions in unbudgeted cash reserves to prop up its burgeoning property development arm, which has placed significant financial strain on the business.
According to the council, a recent external audit confirmed the airport is "financially sound" and forecast to make a net profit for the 2024/2025 financial year of "approximately $3 million".
The first stage of civil infrastructure work at Astra Aerolab is complete, with future development stages under way.
Construction of the first building is expected to start in August and be finished by the end of 2026.
BAE Systems Australia and Kongsberg Defence Australia have already been secured as tenants, and the council said negotiations are under way with another potential "global aerospace company".
CITY of Newcastle will undertake a temperature check on community sentiment around a 76-hectare innovation, defence and aerospace hub next to Newcastle Airport and the Williamtown RAAF Base.
The Astra Aerolab precinct will be home to defence contractor BAE Systems and Australia's first missile factory, after the federal government signed an $850 million deal with Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence Australia.
Greens Cr Charlotte McCabe said it was appropriate for the council, as a co-owner of the airport, to understand the community's views on the development.
"This survey is an important opportunity for the community to give feedback about the Astra Aerolab defence precinct, which the council jointly owns with Port Stephens Council," she said.
"Revenue that's generated by the precinct will be used to deliver services and infrastructure in our Newcastle local government area, so the community needs to be fully informed and carefully consulted."
The council will undertake a mix of phone, online and face-to-face surveys to gauge residents' sentiments, identify any issues or concerns and help build understanding of the project.
Newcastle Airport, which is jointly owned by Newcastle and Port Stephens councils, owns Astra Aerolab.
In August 2024, Cr McCabe said she felt she was "lied to" finding out the missile factory would be built on Newcastle Airport land after the council said the airport had no intention to secure explosive ordnance manufacturing tenants.
In a report to councillors in June that same year, the council said there was "no explosive ordnance manufacture/assembly on land owned by Newcastle Airport" and "there is no intention by the airport to seek this type of tenant".
Councillors made it clear they wanted more information about goings-on at the airport, particularly around Astra Aerolab and the Kongsberg facility.
At the time, Cr McCabe said that as part-owner of the airport, the means by which it generates revenue for the council to spend in Newcastle should be in line with the council's own Investment and Borrowing Policy.
City of Newcastle's policy stipulates it should avoid investment in "production or supply of armaments", which it lists as "socially harmful".
A City of Newcastle chief executive report presented to councillors in 2024 said the council's investment policy did not apply to the airport, which was a separate entity controlled by a "majority independent" board.
The Astra Aerolab site was purchased in 2018 as part of Newcastle Airport's master plan to transform the airport precinct.
The aim was to attract new industries to the Hunter to support the defence sector, including advanced manufacturing.
Ratepayers will not have a direct say in the future of the precinct as decisions are made by Newcastle Airport boards.
Both councils have representative members on the boards.
The council maintains ratepayers will not have to pay if Newcastle Airport or Astra Aerolab incur debts, arguing the company structures "ensure any debt incurred by Newcastle Airport or Astra Aerolab would be kept in the company's asset pool".
The Newcastle Herald has previously reported that the airport's own documents show it has been diverting millions in unbudgeted cash reserves to prop up its burgeoning property development arm, which has placed significant financial strain on the business.
According to the council, a recent external audit confirmed the airport is "financially sound" and forecast to make a net profit for the 2024/2025 financial year of "approximately $3 million".
The first stage of civil infrastructure work at Astra Aerolab is complete, with future development stages under way.
Construction of the first building is expected to start in August and be finished by the end of 2026.
BAE Systems Australia and Kongsberg Defence Australia have already been secured as tenants, and the council said negotiations are under way with another potential "global aerospace company".
CITY of Newcastle will undertake a temperature check on community sentiment around a 76-hectare innovation, defence and aerospace hub next to Newcastle Airport and the Williamtown RAAF Base.
The Astra Aerolab precinct will be home to defence contractor BAE Systems and Australia's first missile factory, after the federal government signed an $850 million deal with Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence Australia.
Greens Cr Charlotte McCabe said it was appropriate for the council, as a co-owner of the airport, to understand the community's views on the development.
"This survey is an important opportunity for the community to give feedback about the Astra Aerolab defence precinct, which the council jointly owns with Port Stephens Council," she said.
"Revenue that's generated by the precinct will be used to deliver services and infrastructure in our Newcastle local government area, so the community needs to be fully informed and carefully consulted."
The council will undertake a mix of phone, online and face-to-face surveys to gauge residents' sentiments, identify any issues or concerns and help build understanding of the project.
Newcastle Airport, which is jointly owned by Newcastle and Port Stephens councils, owns Astra Aerolab.
In August 2024, Cr McCabe said she felt she was "lied to" finding out the missile factory would be built on Newcastle Airport land after the council said the airport had no intention to secure explosive ordnance manufacturing tenants.
In a report to councillors in June that same year, the council said there was "no explosive ordnance manufacture/assembly on land owned by Newcastle Airport" and "there is no intention by the airport to seek this type of tenant".
Councillors made it clear they wanted more information about goings-on at the airport, particularly around Astra Aerolab and the Kongsberg facility.
At the time, Cr McCabe said that as part-owner of the airport, the means by which it generates revenue for the council to spend in Newcastle should be in line with the council's own Investment and Borrowing Policy.
City of Newcastle's policy stipulates it should avoid investment in "production or supply of armaments", which it lists as "socially harmful".
A City of Newcastle chief executive report presented to councillors in 2024 said the council's investment policy did not apply to the airport, which was a separate entity controlled by a "majority independent" board.
The Astra Aerolab site was purchased in 2018 as part of Newcastle Airport's master plan to transform the airport precinct.
The aim was to attract new industries to the Hunter to support the defence sector, including advanced manufacturing.
Ratepayers will not have a direct say in the future of the precinct as decisions are made by Newcastle Airport boards.
Both councils have representative members on the boards.
The council maintains ratepayers will not have to pay if Newcastle Airport or Astra Aerolab incur debts, arguing the company structures "ensure any debt incurred by Newcastle Airport or Astra Aerolab would be kept in the company's asset pool".
The Newcastle Herald has previously reported that the airport's own documents show it has been diverting millions in unbudgeted cash reserves to prop up its burgeoning property development arm, which has placed significant financial strain on the business.
According to the council, a recent external audit confirmed the airport is "financially sound" and forecast to make a net profit for the 2024/2025 financial year of "approximately $3 million".
The first stage of civil infrastructure work at Astra Aerolab is complete, with future development stages under way.
Construction of the first building is expected to start in August and be finished by the end of 2026.
BAE Systems Australia and Kongsberg Defence Australia have already been secured as tenants, and the council said negotiations are under way with another potential "global aerospace company".
CITY of Newcastle will undertake a temperature check on community sentiment around a 76-hectare innovation, defence and aerospace hub next to Newcastle Airport and the Williamtown RAAF Base.
The Astra Aerolab precinct will be home to defence contractor BAE Systems and Australia's first missile factory, after the federal government signed an $850 million deal with Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence Australia.
Greens Cr Charlotte McCabe said it was appropriate for the council, as a co-owner of the airport, to understand the community's views on the development.
"This survey is an important opportunity for the community to give feedback about the Astra Aerolab defence precinct, which the council jointly owns with Port Stephens Council," she said.
"Revenue that's generated by the precinct will be used to deliver services and infrastructure in our Newcastle local government area, so the community needs to be fully informed and carefully consulted."
The council will undertake a mix of phone, online and face-to-face surveys to gauge residents' sentiments, identify any issues or concerns and help build understanding of the project.
Newcastle Airport, which is jointly owned by Newcastle and Port Stephens councils, owns Astra Aerolab.
In August 2024, Cr McCabe said she felt she was "lied to" finding out the missile factory would be built on Newcastle Airport land after the council said the airport had no intention to secure explosive ordnance manufacturing tenants.
In a report to councillors in June that same year, the council said there was "no explosive ordnance manufacture/assembly on land owned by Newcastle Airport" and "there is no intention by the airport to seek this type of tenant".
Councillors made it clear they wanted more information about goings-on at the airport, particularly around Astra Aerolab and the Kongsberg facility.
At the time, Cr McCabe said that as part-owner of the airport, the means by which it generates revenue for the council to spend in Newcastle should be in line with the council's own Investment and Borrowing Policy.
City of Newcastle's policy stipulates it should avoid investment in "production or supply of armaments", which it lists as "socially harmful".
A City of Newcastle chief executive report presented to councillors in 2024 said the council's investment policy did not apply to the airport, which was a separate entity controlled by a "majority independent" board.
The Astra Aerolab site was purchased in 2018 as part of Newcastle Airport's master plan to transform the airport precinct.
The aim was to attract new industries to the Hunter to support the defence sector, including advanced manufacturing.
Ratepayers will not have a direct say in the future of the precinct as decisions are made by Newcastle Airport boards.
Both councils have representative members on the boards.
The council maintains ratepayers will not have to pay if Newcastle Airport or Astra Aerolab incur debts, arguing the company structures "ensure any debt incurred by Newcastle Airport or Astra Aerolab would be kept in the company's asset pool".
The Newcastle Herald has previously reported that the airport's own documents show it has been diverting millions in unbudgeted cash reserves to prop up its burgeoning property development arm, which has placed significant financial strain on the business.
According to the council, a recent external audit confirmed the airport is "financially sound" and forecast to make a net profit for the 2024/2025 financial year of "approximately $3 million".
The first stage of civil infrastructure work at Astra Aerolab is complete, with future development stages under way.
Construction of the first building is expected to start in August and be finished by the end of 2026.
BAE Systems Australia and Kongsberg Defence Australia have already been secured as tenants, and the council said negotiations are under way with another potential "global aerospace company".
