Hunter Business News

Tillegra Dam a multi-million dollar stimulus to the Hunter economy
Hunter Water Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Young has briefed representatives of the Hunter Business Chamber on the economic benefits arising from the construction and operation of the proposed Tillegra Dam. Mr Young said that the project would create job opportunities and would be a massive boost for the Hunter economy.

In his briefing, Mr Young outlined modeling undertaken by Monash University which shows that the dam will generate an increase in aggregate investment in the Hunter of $588 million as well as increase GRP (Gross Regional Product) by approximately $1.18 billion over a 25 year period. The dam will create around 280 direct construction jobs and at least 1,850 jobs in total.

"If the dam is approved and construction does proceed next year it will provide a timely stimulus to the local economy," said Mr Young. "This dam will be good for business in the Hunter," he said, and added that another major benefit was the security of water supply provided by Tillegra which means water-using businesses can confidently invest in the Hunter.

Mr Young continued, "The dam will help the business community and workers across the region by ensuring there is adequate water for population growth and creating certainty around the security of the Hunter's water supply. These businesses will be able to confidently invest in the Hunter and employ local people because we will be able to remove the risk of restrictions to supply that face other regions."

The briefing summarised work done by Hunter Water consultants on the socio-economic, recreational, and tourism opportunities that the dam will bring to the region if it were to go ahead. "In total, Hunter Water plans to invest a record $1 billion in infrastructure over the next five years to provide high quality water and wastewater services to meet the needs of this generation and future generations," said Mr Young.

GHD's confidence in the Hunter

In a strong show of confidence in the Hunter Region, professional services company, GHD Newcastle, hosted clients, business partners and industry leaders at a function in March to mark its successful partnership with the Hunter Region and the opening of the company's new office at GHD Tower in the Honeysuckle precinct, with GHD Chairman Des Whybird formally opening the building.

GHD Newcastle's Operating Centre Manager, Tasos Katopodis said of the event, "I was pleased to welcome the exceptional businessmen and women from across the Hunter's industries to our new office. With many opportunities to grow the Hunter, we are focused on strengthening our client relationships and on delivering projects that will continue to enhance our core local industries.

GHD Newcastle's new premise at Honeysuckle is seen as "the greenest building in Newcastle" with the company applying its experience in green building design to implement environmentally conscious features, such as air conditioning and lighting systems, to its office.

GHD is the largest multidisciplinary practice in the Hunter, with more than 200 staff in architectural, engineering, environmental science, management and administration professions designing and delivering sustainable projects for the mining, defence, urban development, environment and infrastructure sectors. GHD Newcastle's growth since opening its doors in the Hunter in 1980, coupled with its expanded service offerings, provided the impetus for the move to the new building.

$240 million contract to create 700 jobs in the Hunter over the next five years

NSW Water Minister Phil Costa recently announced a contract for Stage One of Hunter Water's $240 million wastewater treatment upgrade has been awarded to joint venture CH2M and Abigroup. Mr Costa said more than 700 jobs would be generated over the life of the five-year alliance contract.

Stage One involves upgrades to the Burwood Beach, Boulder Bay, Branxton and Paxton. Wastewater Treatment Works will commence in September. The Branxton project also includes construction of a recycled water pipeline that will supply recycled water to The Vintage golf course.

Mr Costa said the innovative alliance contract was a first for Hunter Water. "It will enable this important program of works to be delivered on time with a dedicated engineering and construction work force. Having the one team undertake design and construction across the whole program will improve efficiency and ensure upgrades are delivered on-time," he added.
A Recycled Water Plant will also be built at Dora Creek.

Strong year for Port of Newcastle

The Port of Newcastle is heading for another strong trade year despite the downturn in the global economy. The latest statistics show 72.66 million tonnes of trade passed through the Port in the nine months to March this year - nearly 2.87 million tonnes more than during the corresponding period in 2007-08.

Newcastle had a record trading year in 2007-08 with 93.31 million tonnes valued at $10.3 billion registered by Newcastle Port Corporation. The Corporation says trade passing through the Port of Newcastle for the full 2008-09 financial year could reach another record of about 96 million tonnes. Commodities contributing to the current trade result were:

Newcastle Port Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Gary Webb said Newcastle coal exports continued to grow and the most pleasing aspect was the big increase in grain throughput. "Grain exports resumed in December last year and we have seen a number of ships loaded in the past few months as grain is transported into the Port from rural NSW," he said.

Minister for the Hunter Jodi McKay said grain shipments had jumped considerably compared to the 25,000 tonnes exported in the corresponding nine months in 2007-08. "Grain exports have increased by 278,000 tonnes which is fantastic news for the Port and fantastic news for the Hunter," Ms McKay said.

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