Williamtown Aerospace Centre

Defence+Industry 2011

admin — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 01:34:10 +0000

The Williamtown Aerospace Centre team attended the Defence+Industry 2011 Convention at the Adelaide Convention Centre on the 28th to 30th June 2011. Presentations are available for download on the link below. http://www.defenceandindustry.gov.au/presentations/index.html

Hunter Region National Home of Aerospace Excellence

admin — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 04:37:00 +0000

The Hunter’s growing reputation as a centre for sophisticated defence infrastructure has been boosted with the launch of a cooperative approach to promoting and developing Williamtown Aerospace Centre (WAC). WAC has been established to provide exceptional opportunities for leading edge aerospace and aviation businesses and is adjacent to RAAF Base Williamtown. It includes Newcastle Airport and 120 hectares of industrial land. A range of features will set this aerospace centre apart, they include world class facilities, tow-way access and a variety of infrastructure solutions to meet the needs of individual organisations of any size or requirement. WAC, which is marketed through a partnership between Hunter Land, Newcastle Airport, Buildev, NSW I&I and RDA Hunter, will provide opportunities for the aerospace and aviation sectors, a fully integrated industrial precinct for suppliers, and opportunities for commercial and service sectors. The Defence industry has a significant role in the regional economy with two major military bases located at Williamtown and Singleton. RAAF Base Williamtown is the primary fighter base for the Royal Australian Air Force. It is headquarters for the Air Force’s Surveillance and Response Group, Air Combat Group, and two training squadrons. The Defence Material Organisation (DMO) operates three Systems Program Offices

Jetstar to boost Newcastle – Melbourne capacity

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:35:47 +0000

Jetstar has revealed plans to boost direct services between Newcastle and Melbourne by 30% effective from 31 October. The low cost carrier will introduce an additional Melbourne service on 31 Oct four days a week, which will then become daily on 6 December. Newcastle Airport CEO, Paul Hughes, said: “The introduction of these services will provide passengers of Newcastle Airport with greater choice and will also have a positive impact on our local economy.” “This increase to services means that passengers flying from Newcastle will have up to five flights a day to choose from, at different times of the day,” explained Paul. “Following a tough period in aviation, we have, to date, matched our passenger figures of 2009 and this announcement gives me confidence that we will go on to exceed our original projection of 1.17 million passengers this year.” “We welcome Jetstar’s ongoing support and look forward to welcoming passengers on this additional service,” concluded Paul. Source: e-Travel Blackboard

Aerospace Industry Summit to be Held in Newcastle

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:31:23 +0000

Newcastle will play host to a two day Aerospace Industry Summit on 16-17 September bringing together industry leaders to discuss opportunities for the region’s aerospace and defence sector. Minister for the Hunter and Member for Newcastle, Jodi McKay, said the Hunter Aerospace Industry Summit is a joint initiative between the NSW Government, Regional Development Australia – Hunter, Newcastle and Port Stephens Councils and HunterNet. “Newcastle and the Hunter have built a strong foundation for the Aerospace industry and there is plenty of room for this industry to expand,” Ms McKay said. “The summit has the strong support of the defence industry and RAAF and will focus the attention on the bright future for aerospace in Newcastle and the Hunter. “With ongoing support from the NSW Government the aerospace industry will become a significant driver of local economic growth for generations to come.” Ms McKay said the NSW Government was focussed on building the defence and aerospace industries in the region. “As part of this year’s State Budget the NSW Government is investing $75 million in the NSW Defence Industry Strategy,” Ms McKay said. “This investment includes a $25 million allocation from the NSW Government’s Major Investment Attraction Scheme to help

White Paper delivers focus on key issues

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:40:13 +0000

Two hundred and thirty-eight pages of Aviation White Paper were delivered in Canberra today, with a declaration by the Minister that it “provides industry with the certainty to plan and invest for the long term, to maintain and improve our excellent safety record, and gives commitments to airport operators and users, as well as communities living near airports”. Rather telling was the Minister’s confidence that the White paper “will have the general support not only of the airline industry, but also the people who really matter – the broader community”. Well those 238 pages certainly contain a lot of the anticipated ‘motherhood’ statements, such as “safety and security underpin industry growth and remain the highest priorities…” and “aviation is a key driver of broader economic prosperity” – but there’s a lot of substance behind the rhetoric, even if some of it is clearly driven by political sensitivities. There’s actually not a lot that could be classified as ‘surprising’, but among the highlights for us is the partial removal of restrictions on Qantas, so that there are no longer limits on foreign investment beyond the fact that the airline must remain majority Australian owned (and continue to have its principal operational

100 jobs for Williamtown in $800m Boeing RAAF deal

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:07:58 +0000

WILLIAMTOWN RAAF base will yield a further 100 jobs thanks to an $800 million Boeing contract signed on Tuesday. Boeing project manager Maureen Dougherty signed the five-year deal to develop and maintain the RAAF’s fleet of Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft. Williamtown took delivery of the first two Wedgetails in November, and it will be a primary home for the eventual fleet of six aircraft. Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science Greg Combet witnessed the signing. He said 100 high-skilled jobs would be available at both Williamtown and Amberley bases to continue improving the surveillance capability of the aircraft and general maintenance. “We really are talking about cutting edge technology here,” Mr Combet said. Boeing is the manufacturer of the aircraft which first arrived in November. Two of the aircraft are due to be fully operating with the RAAF at Williamtown in March. source: Port Stephens Examiner

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Decision

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:40:03 +0000

The Australian Government had approved acquisition of the first batch of fourteen F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft at an estimated cost of $3.2 billion. Approval of the next batch of aircraft and all necessary support and enabling capabilities, sufficient to establish three operational squadrons and a training squadron of CTOL JSF, will be considered in 2012. Australia’s first JSF aircraft will be delivered in the US in 2014 to commence initial training and test activities. Australia’s first operational squadron will be based at RAAF Base Williamtown, and is planned to be ready for operations in 2018. All three operational squadrons are planned to be in service in 2021. Source: Australian Business – Defence Update E-news, 18 December 2009 – Issue Number: 0181

NSW aims to be the top gun

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:37:30 +0000

The NSW Government has launched an enthusiastic campaign to significantly grow the State’s defence industry to generate jobs and economic growth across the State. Premier Nathan Rees said that the Government’s vision is for NSW to: Create at least 1,500 new jobs in defence-related industries within four years. Secure 30 per cent of Australia’s in-country defence spend within a decade, delivering close to $3.9 billion per annum. “I want NSW to be a ‘top gun’ when it comes to securing defence spending,” Mr Rees said. “While we have the expertise and a good track record the time has come to aim higher. “The Commonwealth Government has forecast the creation of 5,000 new industry jobs over the next four years – the NSW Government is aiming to secure at least 1,500 of these positions. “We have the largest supply of defence related skilled workers with more than 51,000 workers qualified in engineering and related fields.” A recent NSW defence industry survey revealed that companies operating in NSW generated over $1.2 billion in defence work over the past year and employed over 7,000 people in defence-related jobs. Mr Rees said that the Government would specifically target acquisition projects contained in the Defence

Hunter aerospace industry on display at Avalon Airshow

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:34:57 +0000

Minister for the Hunter Jodi McKay will visit the 2009 Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Exposition at Avalon today to promote the strength of the aerospace industry in the Hunter and NSW. “The Avalon Airshow is the country’s largest aviation industry exhibition and the NSW Government will host a booth at the exhibition to champion NSW as Australia’s premier aerospace business and investment location,” Ms McKay said. “The Airshow will bring together senior government, military and business leaders and showcase the latest aerospace technologies and services. “NSW will be promoted as a national leader in aerospace operations and innovation and a highly attractive location for companies looking to establish global aerospace supply chains,” Ms McKay said. Ms McKay said she hoped to be able to drive home the importance of the aerospace industry to the Hunter as part of her visit to the Airshow. “The Hunter is a NSW stronghold for the aerospace and defence industry and we will be looking to generate regional business and investment growth in the sector through our participation at Avalon,” Ms McKay said. “I think we are in a fantastic position to capitalise on some of the great aerospace work currently underway

Minister approves rezoning for DAREZ

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:30:57 +0000

Port Stephens Council has been given the green light to start work on a development which could potentially bring almost $250million to the area each year. Minister for Planning Kristina Keneally has announced the rezoning of land around the Newcastle Airport for a Defence and Airport Related Employment Zone (DAREZ). Speaking today General Manager Peter Gesling said there were many economic and social benefits to DAREZ. “An earlier economic study estimated that the DAREZ has the capacity to create up to 2,680 jobs during construction and 5,600 upon completion with an income effect of up to $246.6 million per annum,” he said. “Council has been working on this initiative for some time. Certainly it is a project with major implications for not only Port Stephens, but the entire Lower Hunter Region.” The rezoning involves approximately 90 hectares of land in proximity to Newcastle Airport and the RAAF Base at Williamtown. Council has been involved in a process to rezone the land from 1(a) Rural Agriculture to SP1 Special Activities – Defence and Airport Related Employment Zone, for some time. “The project has been a collaborative effort involving Council and various State agencies.” “The land owner and developer Hunter Land has