Tuesday's NSW budget will set out the path to economic recovery from COVID-19. The protection of jobs, employment creation and community cohesion will be a focus.
The pandemic has reduced state revenues when there is pressure to lift public spending to stimulate the economy. The 2019-20 budget will be tight. Expenditure must be targeted and work harder.
With a population of 750,000, the Hunter is Australia's largest regional economy. Investment in this region - or the lack of it - affects the performance of the entire NSW economy.
Investment in this region - or the lack of it - affects the performance of the entire NSW economy.
That's why the Committee for the Hunter is already working with regional leaders to secure the federal government's commitment to catalytic major projects including Newcastle Airport's Code E runway upgrade, the University of Newcastle's STEMM Regional Transformation Hub and the Port of Newcastle Multi-purpose Deepwater Terminal. These projects create jobs at scale and tick all the boxes for stimulus.
More than $1.8 billion in private investment, 15,000 jobs and $2.5 billion in economic benefits is contingent upon the removal of penalties on containers at the Port of Newcastle. We ask for the NSW government's support to make this happen.
Hunter councils have identified projects that will protect the region from further job losses while supporting sectors affected by COVID-19. These projects are ready to create jobs now, while working to expand and diversify the Hunter economy.
However, the hard rule classifying NSW councils as either metro or regional is preventing equitable access to grant funding. As NSW's second-largest city and largest regional centre, Newcastle falls between these boundaries.
We call for a more flexible approach to grant boundaries that takes into account the positive interdependence of Newcastle with regional and rural Hunter.
Government support is not just about funding. Smarter planning and partnerships will be critical to ensure more targeted, timely and coordinated approaches to growth, infrastructure and services.
Place-based Infrastructure Compacts seek to align a sequence of development with infrastructure and government funding. Applying this model to catalyst areas such as North West Lake Macquarie and East Maitland will ensure these growth centres are supported by infrastructure and services at the right time and provide confidence for businesses to invest.
Hunter councils have also identified cycling and pedestrian projects that would be accelerated with funding. We welcome an opportunity to work with Transport for NSW to develop a strategic business case for a Hunter cycling network.
Similarly, the region has identified a number of art and cultural infrastructure and tourism projects, ready to boost the creative sector, stimulate the visitor economy and create jobs. Projects include the historic Victoria Theatre and Newcastle Art Gallery. These worthy projects are unfortunately competing for limited funding.
We invite the NSW government to partner with the Hunter to develop a program-level strategic business case for destination infrastructure that capitalises on our Indigenous, agricultural and industrial heritage. Drawing a line between projects in an integrated investment plan will improve the Hunter's liveability and boost the visitor economy.
As a razor is taken to government priorities, we must ensure that regionally significant state-led commitments are kept on the agenda and fast-tracked where possible. These include the Williamtown Special Activation Precinct, Hunter Park at Broadmeadow, John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct, the Hunter Valley Thoroughbred Centre of Excellence and New England Highway upgrades between Tenterfield and Newcastle.
Federal budget commitments to the Singleton and Newcastle inner-city bypasses created savings for NSW. We look to the budget to confirm any outstanding funding and accelerated timeframes for these projects. It's crucial that the savings are invested in other Hunter priorities.
These uncertain times have made it even more important to build and sustain community cohesion. Secure, quality, affordable and accessible housing is crucial to provide a safety net for the community's most vulnerable. The Committee for the Hunter joins the call for more investment in social and affordable housing.
COVID-19 has created a health and economic crisis not of our making. As a region that generates $60 billion in Gross Regional Product, the Hunter can more than do its part in the state's comeback. We are inviting the NSW Government to partner with the Hunter to accelerate COVID-19 recovery and deliver more benefits to communities and the economy at a time we most need it.
Alice Thompson is chief executive officer for the Committee for the Hunter
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