Committee for the Hunter

The Committee hosted Climate Change Authority Change Authority (CCA) Chair The Hon. Matt Kean for a full day itinerary in the Hunter yesterday. Key stakeholder reps and targeted Committee members joined the Chair for tours of Orica, Ampcontrol and Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources to discuss the following objectives: 🔹Collaborations that will drive meaningful outcomes in reducing emissions, accelerating industry decarbonisation, and supporting energy transitions across the region and the Committee’s role in facilitating this 🔹R&D and industry partnerships, Hunter-led tech advancements 🔹Heavy industry decarbonisation, Hunter Hydrogen Hub post-Origin’s withdrawal, clean energy demands of Hunter industry v pipeline 🔹Clean tech manufacturing and offshore wind 🔹How we can address the climate challenges and seize opportunities for the region, ensuring our transition towards a sustainable, low-carbon future. We will lean on the role of the Climate Change Authority in advising on policies that align with national priorities on climate, energy, and industry in the future, as well as address the key issues and opportunities facing the Hunter right now. The Committee for the Hunter remains committed to being the vital link between the Climate Change Authority and local stakeholders, ensuring that the region’s diverse needs are represented in the national climate discussions including the advice on the 2035 emissions reduction targets for Australia’s next Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), as requested by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy The Hon. Matt Kean Rod Henderson Katie Brassil Alice Thompson Thomas Hansen Niny Borges Sarah Guilfoyle GAICD Mark Branson Rob Cooper Andrew Stones Paul Evans Boris Novak, BE(ELEC) GAICD Clare Larkin-Sykes Erin Littlewood Kari Armitage Alex Dronoff Samantha Mella Samantha Marsh Kardinia Energy Pierre Gouhier FIEAust CPEng MAICD

Reps from across sectors and the Greater Hunter aligned on a vision for how high speed rail will transform the Hunter and what it takes to multiply benefits. High Speed Rail Authority CEO Tim Parker and the HRSA team joined a Committee workshop bringing together the Hunter’s major employers, asset owners, service providers, transport operator, economic anchors, destinations, trip generators and all three levels of government to discuss: 🔸 How we can back in the feasibility and success of HSR at this stage of development. We all want that announcement of shovels in ground 2027 and the boost this provides. 🔸 The collaborations that will increase the benefits to be experienced by our economy and communities. That HSR represents the most tangible lever on the table for new jobs, economic diversification and growth as our region transitions galvanised the room. With increased understanding from the project team of this important mission and their role in connecting workers and businesses to new opportunities across the design, build and operation. Identified as a win win for the HSR and the Hunter region, this is an area the Committee will continue to engage with HSRA and our stakeholders to progress tangible actions. Thanks to Aurecon Newcastle Rowenna Walker GAICD and Nathan Roberts for hosting this important discussion. Anita B. Grahame Irwin Graham Nelmes Caroline St Clair Katie Brassil Morven Cameron Richard Anicich AM Emmanuel Genlot Adam Walczak Andrew Stones Newcastle Airport Pty Limited University of Newcastle Fiona Bastian Joel Palmer Kimberly Rigby Maitland City Council, Australia Caroline Booth Lake Macquarie City Council Dantia Tim Browne GAICD Dan Bright Destination Sydney Surrounds North Glenn Caldwell NGM Group Jennifer Eikenboom @leanne holmes @hunter workers KPMG Australia Louise Rose Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation Sarah Collins Marcus Hucker

The Intertrade Site is a highly strategic parcel of land, located on an international gateway now transforming into a clean energy precinct. The Committee has urged the NSW Government to provide directions on the use or divestment of this site, consistent with broader master planning for the port and regional priorities for economic diversification and new jobs. That's because State-owned land is one of the most powerful and direct levers for advancing government priorities and our vision for the Hunter. The Committee welcomes news on the use of the Intertrade Site to support delivery of NSW Renewable Energy Zones and essential electricity infrastructure. This complements the $128.5 million investment in Upper Hunter road upgrades to enable the safe passage of oversized and over-mass loads associated with the REZ buildout. A strategic approach to public investment, addressing locally-identified problems impeding the Hunter’s capacity to deliver on State objectives. That’s something the Committee gets behind and we congratulate the NSW Government on their leadership. CftH comment in the Newcastle Herald. Matthew Kelly reporting. https://lnkd.in/ga9xDxnP

Our Federal Budget 2025 submission acknowledges the heavy lifting of the Australian Government in the Hunter and looks to the next priorities. Initiatives that complement standing commitments, expand benefits from standing investment and would benefit from progress over the coming year. Throwing our support behind a commitment to High Speed Rail. This may not be the most important project on the region's wishlist, but it certainly stands to be one of the most transformative moments in the Hunter's development should it go ahead. With the project currently being assessed by decisionmakers, now is the time to put cynicism aside and step up advocacy to help secure that announcement of contracts awarded, work starting in just two years from now. https://lnkd.in/gqM3KiF7

Congratulations to all involved in securing the 2027 Rugby World Cup! 🏆 This is an incredible opportunity to showcase our world-class sporting and tourism facilities globally. With four games, eight teams, and a projected multi-million-dollar economic boost, our region is set to experience significant social and economic benefits.

With a number of consultations underway in addition to the NSW and Federal budget pre-submissions and advocacy for the upcoming Federal election, 2025 looks set to continue the pace and intensity. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g_c8xqjt

Our submission to the NSW Budget 2025 proposes that investment into the Hunter will deliver social and economic returns faster, bigger and cheaper than almost any other place in NSW. We ask for more focus, better policy and more investment in the Hunter relative to our size, strategic significance and capacity to do even more heavy lifting on State priorities. https://lnkd.in/gUr9cqAT

Strong start to the year with several commitments progressing Hunter priorities advocated by the Committee. At the last meeting, the CftH Board had an in-depth discussion on challenges in sustaining the Hunter’s industrial base – a foundation in the past development of the region and key asset towards Australia’s decarbonised future. Headwinds for local industry include energy costs and certainty around the supply of clean energy to meet Net Zero commitments. An urgent priority, because we risk losing the very functions and capabilities that will help the Hunter and Australia win in the clean economy future. This week the Prime Minister was at Tomago Aluminium announcing $2 billion for production credits aimed at supporting a green aluminium sector. A positive development addressing this regional priority. Further attention required across the NSW and Australian governments to ensure supply of clean energy and associated electricity infrastructure to support industry decarbonisation commitments and plans, and maintain sector competitiveness.   We celebrated the award of $20.7 million to the University of Newcastle to develop the Future Industries Facility at the Callaghan campus. Cementing the University as a centre for energy and resources innovation, and foundation for the Hunter’s energy, carbon and economic transformation. The Committee was proud to support the grant bid and now implementation.   The PM committed another $22 million in Hunter road upgrades that support housing supply. While the Hunter has enjoyed resourcing for major transport projects like M1 to Raymond Terrace, the Committee has joined other representative bodies in the region to advocate for smaller transport projects that directly unlock housing. A program would deliver better outcomes for Hunter residents and taxpayers, and this announcement is a step in the right direction.   Finally, the Committee recognises workforce is a critical constraint to deliver infrastructure across high demand sectors including transport, housing, defence and clean energy. Our members identified growth and productivity of the construction workforce as a key priority in a late-2024 workshop on the issue. The PM’s announcement today for a $10,000 apprentice bonus is a novel solution and demonstrates understanding of the issues. With the scent of an election campaign, we encourage the Opposition to support these policies addressing big Hunter priorities. We continue to encourage governments to take a long-term integrated, not ad hoc, approach to the Hunter's development to get better outcomes from precious investment. Alex Zelinsky Fiona Bastian Justine Ulph GAICD Behdad Moghtaderi Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources Hunter Joint Organisation Net Zero Economy Authority Climate Change Authority

The Committee was pleased to work with Transport for NSW, peak bodies and Committee members to inform the draft and welcome reflection of regional priorities in the plan, including focus on public transport, freight, connections to Newcastle Airport Pty Limited and University of Newcastle unlocking housing supply and accessibility, and equitable access to services. The Committee will engage with members to increase awareness and understanding of the draft plan, and to inform our submission. You are encouraged to view the draft plan and share your feedback by completing the survey before Friday, 28 February: https://bit.ly/40psFUQ

🎄The team will be taking a break from Friday, 20 December - Monday, 6 January. 🎄 Wishing you and your families a safe and happy Christmas and New Year. We look forward to working with you in 2025. Our commitment remains clear: More focus, better policy and greater investment in the long term interests of Hunter communities and their enterprises.