THE region's peak business lobby group Business Hunter wants an incoming federal government to commit $500 million to an "Enabling Infrastructure Fund" (EIF) to help clear property development backlogs and land releases.
The call for the $500-million fund is at the heart of a federal election "white paper" released by Business Hunter as a brief to an incoming government on the major issues confronting the region.
The fund has been proposed by the Hunter Planning Alliance, which was formed midway through last year by Business Hunter, Urban Development Institute of Australia, Committee for the Hunter, the Hunter chapter of the Property Council of Australia, DANTIA, Lake Macquarie City Council and the Hunter Joint Organisation (of councils).
Chamber chief executive Bob Hawes said the Powering Business white paper listed four policy priorities and a dozen funding commitments and called on the next government to "look beyond a current term" in its planning.
The priorities are:
1. Housing - and a need to "clear existing housing development backlog and priorities new and diverse housing projects" across the region - supported by the $500-million EIF;
2. "Connective" infrastructure, including the removal of "obstacles to investment in the growth and diversification" of the Port of Newcastle - a reference to the long-running dispute over a container terminal - and the upgrading Newcastle Airport to international status;
3. Electricity and energy, and a "clear transition from roadmaps and feasibilities to projects and solutions" in new energy projects, while supporting the coal industry in its "sunset period to 2050"; and
4. Skills planning, including establishing a "Workplace Growth and Development Pathway" program and the federal funding of attract private industry to the University of Newcastle.
"Our election white paper, designed as a brief to the next federal cabinet however it is made up, has been formed after consultation with our members, our board and sitting members of parliament and candidates across the Hunter," Mr Hawes said.
"The process of consultation has been enlightening in that there is a tremendous sense that the region is on the verge of great things if we get this right and the alignment in thinking is a real positive.
"Business Hunter is asking this election campaign, and the next government, to focus on the clear and simple truth.
The next government must demonstrate its understanding and commit to doing what is necessary for the Hunter to achieve business and economic growth. Our white paper makes this extremely simple."
Mr Hawes said the following 12 commitments were "considered essential".
1. $500m for the EIF to invest in urban infrastructure that will free up land to support at least 25,000 new homes, creating 17,500 new jobs;
2. Removing obstacles at the port;
3. $55m for an international airport passenger and freight terminal at Newcastle Airport;
4. Faster rail: government spending to improve rail services between Sydney and Newcastle and reduce travel time by an hour at least;
5. Digital communications including wi-fi on intrastate commuter trains;
6. Prioritise training to provide the skills needed for the new energy jobs market;
7. Quicker approval, funding and construction for clean energy projects as the market demands;
8. Prioritised spending and intervention to address shortcomings of the existing energy grid to allow new private sector power projects;
9. $10million over five years to establish a Workforce Growth and Development Pathway program, piloted in the Hunter region.
10. More funding for tertiary and vocational education to fill skills shortages and plan for future job developments;
11. Funding for the University of Newcastle to co-locate industries with researchers, commercial agencies and educators;
12. $30m for "growth and investment incentives" to "restore and build business confidence and encourage immediate complementary private investment".
"We know this region is a political battleground for the election, but we want to focus the next government on the simple business growth objectives any government can achieve by understanding our electorates and committing to our needs," Mr Hawes said.
