Hunter Business News

Hunter employment confidence rises

Confidence amongst employers in the Hunter region has increased for the second consecutive quarter, rising well above NSW and the average for Australia as a whole, according to the latest Hudson Report: Employment Expectations survey released in late January.
Following five previous quarters of continuously falling confidence, sentiment has now built on the turnaround last quarter, with a further increase of 13.7 percent. Confidence is now at its highest level all year, with a net 41.1 percent of employers indicating plans to increase their permanent staff levels over the coming three months. (NSW sentiment stands at 27.3 percent and Australia at 29.1 percent.)

“Mining and resources activity has picked up and the outlook for the local economy continues to rapidly improve,” said Tim Rayner, General Manager of Hudson Newcastle.

“A range of projects are now being given the go-ahead after having been on hold, and port infrastructure expansion also continues to boost confidence in the region, with coal exports expected to increase significantly over coming years.”

Employer sentiment in the resources industry continues to rise and a net 52.4 percent of employers are now reporting an intention to increase their permanent staff levels over the coming three months.
In the construction/property/engineering industry, sentiment is up a considerable 29.6 percent from last quarter and now stands at its highest level in over a year.

“The many mining-related expansion plans are contributing strongly to the outlook for construction activity, while continued activity in public infrastructure construction goes ahead in roads, bridges and rail,” said Rayner.

A net 66.2 percent of construction/property/engineering employers are reporting intentions to raise permanent headcount in the coming three months. Consistent with the region overall, this result remains well above the industry averages for both NSW (30.3 percent) and Australia (40.7 percent).

Hunter Tourism becomes ‘Tier 1’ regional tourism organisation

The Hunter Regional Tourism Organisation will have its marketing budget raised to over one million dollars – more than three times its normal budget for 2010.

This comes as a result of it achieving ‘Tier 1’ status with NSW Tourism under which the organisation must become self-sustaining – meaning that while the State Government will provide a one-off contribution, the industry must contribute to regional marketing campaigns along with local government in order to receive dollar for dollar funding from the Government.

Under the new arrangement Hunter Tourism will receive up to $500,000 with an equal amount coming from industry.

More than 470 operators have registered to participate in a marketing plan for 2010 which focuses on seven Hunter destinations, along with revising the www.visithunter.com.au website.

New berth signals confidence in Hunter

The completion of Newcastle’s new $25 million Mayfield No.4 Berth on the former BHP Steelworks site has been heralded as a continued sign of confidence in the economic future of the Hunter Region.

Minister for Ports and Waterways, Paul McLeay opened the new wharf in early January.

“Mayfield No.4 greatly expands the capability of the port to handle a variety of cargo as it is strategically located and accessible by road and future rail connection,” Mr McLeay said.

The 265-metre long berth is located on 90 hectares of riverfront land managed by Newcastle Port Corporation.

The facility consists of 3.63 meters of wharf apron and 8,745 sqm of hardstand for cargo handling, storage or assembly area.

Busy half year for Port of Newcastle

The Port of Newcastle – already the world’s largest coal port – saw a total of 49.2 million tonnes of coal exported in the July to December 2009 period.

A total of almost 52 million tonnes of imports and exports were registered by the Port in the half year up by 2.4 million tonnes for the corresponding period last year.

Minister for the Hunter, The Hon Jodi McKay said Newcastle and the Hunter have been leading the way in terms of trade and development of infrastructure.

“An estimated $5 billion of investment in new port and rail infrastructure will occur over the next four years helping to continue the port’s strong performance,” she said.

Other commodities contributing to the half year trade results were:
• Grains – 570,503 tonnes (up 504,258 tonnes on 2008); and
• Alumina/petroleum coke – 861,662 tonnes (up 32,349 tonnes).

Grain exports resumed in December 2008 after a lengthy period of limited shipments due to the drought in NSW.

CEO of the Newcastle Port Corporation, Gary Webb said that trade in steel imports and exports during July-December 2009 had been affected by global economic conditions. Steel trade throughput of 84,879 tonnes was down by 141,888 tonnes compared to 2008.

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