THE Hunter Region has at times suffered from a babel of voices assuming to speak on its behalf. Some of the cross-talk came from local rivalries. Federal and state bodies would have overlapping responsibilities. One side of politics would lose interest in an organisation started by the other.
To get around these problems, the Committee for the Hunter was formed two years ago to provide a single, unified voice for the region. As an "independent, non-partisan" organisation, the committee would identify long-term, strategic goals for the region and work to see them achieved. The committee is chaired by Sparke Helmore solicitor and Hunter Business Chamber leading light Richard Anicich, who did much of the early recruiting work. He also invited union participation, with Hunter Workers secretary Daniel Wallace on the committee board.
As we are reporting today, the committee has identified three projects that it says enjoy the support of all of the region's leaders and peak bodies and which would bring even greater benefits to the economy were they developed as a package.
Outlined in a report titled The Hunter: Ready to Rebuild Australia's Economy, they are: a Newcastle Airport runway upgrade to accommodate "long-range, wide-bodied aircraft", the University of Newcastle's STEMM centre and the Port of Newcastle's long-debated container terminal.
All would contribute to regional progress, but all have obstacles. As the committee notes, the airport leases space on Williamtown RAAF base. Their agendas do not always coincide, and Defence Department needs will always take precedence over commercial preferences.
The STEMM project, intended to replace the McMullin Building overlooking the main entrance to the Callaghan campus, was recently put on hold by the university as part of its financial defence against COVID-19.
The biggest project of the three, the container terminal, has had a turbulent history for more than 20 years. The port insists the $1.8 billion terminal can be built entirely with private funds, yet the NSW government is still forcefully opposed.
This last point shows why we need a unified voice to advance this region's aims.
Our MPs and the apparatus of government, including the bureaucracy, need to recognise the committee's legitimacy - and its agenda - and let the Hunter do its share to rebuild a COVID-shattered economy.
ISSUE: 39,387.
COMMITTEE FOR THE HUNTER WEBSITE HERE
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