Manufacturers from the Hunter, Central and North Coast regions are enjoying a renaissance, with global demand for products on the rise and a renewed government focus on increasing advanced manufacturing capability across the nation.
This, coupled with the NSW Government’s commitment to building the next set of trains in NSW, has local industry leaders asking, ‘why not build them in the Hunter?’
Recently appointed Hunter Manufacturing Awards Chair, Jacqui Daley said long gone are the days of thinking of manufacturing in the region as the stereotypical reference to BHP steel making.
Today’s manufacturing industry is diverse and technically advanced, and it’s building a name for itself both nationally and internationally.
“The newly elected NSW Government have committed to building new trains in NSW, and we are suggesting that they look no further than the Hunter,” Jacqui said.
“We have a strong pedigree in building rolling stock with Cardiff-based Downer building the high-performing Waratah Trains fleet.”
“It has also recently been announced they will be building 65 new six-car trains for the Queensland Government.”
In addition, the Australian Government is set to establish the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund, focused on supporting Australian innovation and industry.
Jacqui said the fund will provide finance options for projects to help the Australian industry lead the way in renewables and low-emissions technologies, medical science, transport, defence and resources.
“Newcastle-based energy technology company SwitchDin is building the southern hemisphere’s largest test lab for energy products like solar inverters, batteries and EV chargers,” Jacqui said.
“We have solvable auto cleaning tablets being made at Caves Beach, hydrogen battery storage at Tomago, and electric boats at Port Macquarie.
Manufacturers across the region are developing innovative products at a rate of knots.
“We are connected by land and sea to markets around the world and we know how to get products from the factory floor to the customer with minimum fuss.”
“Collaboration is at the heart of the industry here, with many businesses, both big and small working together, sharing knowledge and resources.
“This is when innovation happens and it’s great news for expanding our sovereign capability in manufacturing across industries – we can absolutely make things here in Australia.
“Having a supply chain that is resilient to shocks from global disruption is smart business, and the manufacturing industry, especially in the Hunter and surrounding areas, is more than up for the challenge of tackling some of these major projects
“Whether it’s building a fleet of trains, landing gear on a F35, turbines for an offshore wind farm or ladders to access mining vehicles,” Jacqui said.
Hunter Manufacturing Awards will be launching its annual program later next month which culminates in the awards presentation in October 2023.
