Tipped For Jobs Take-off
Newcastle Herald
Friday October 12, 2007
AVIATION, industrial, retail and tourism sectors are tipped as the hot spots for employment in Port Stephens with about 10,600 new jobs expected in the next 20 years.
The projections are contained in an economic development strategy.Port Stephens Council commissioned Buchan Consulting to prepare the report, which will guide the area's economic development and employment growth.It is expected the strategy will be adopted at a council meeting on October 23.The report said there was potential for up to 5600 new roles in aviation and defence sectors at Williamtown RAAF base and Newcastle Airport.It suggests developing a business park in the airport zone and making the area a defence, aviation and aerospace hub.Expansion of Tomago's industrial precinct could generate more than 3000 jobs, the report said.Securing funding for infrastructure and developing links with education and training businesses would support this growth.If Raymond Terrace was revitalised to strengthen its services and retail business and Nelson Bay's tourism market was expanded, these sectors could create up to 2000 new jobs.The report recommended developing Raymond Terrace as a major business services centre, encouraging growth of activities linked to key sectors such as defence, aerospace, engineering and tourism.The report said its forecasts relied on the council and other relevant authorities taking a more active approach to economic development.This included better planning decisions and seeking business opportunities.Major threats to growth prospects concerned infrastructure inadequacies, particularly roads and energy and services in industrial estates, skill shortages and competition.EMPLOYMENT: WHAT LIES AHEAD SECTOR LOCATION JOBS NO NEW JOBS NEXT 20 YEARSDefence and aviation Williamtown 3300 5600Industrial Tomago 3700 3000+Retail and services Raymond Terrace 3000 share of up to 2000Tourism and Nelson Bay,services Salamander Bay 4400 share of up to 2000Source: Port Stephens economic development strategy report
© 2007 Newcastle Herald