Just a month after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese turned the first sod on Newcastle Airport’s $110 million terminal expansion, the airport has marked another major milestone with the planning approval for development applications (DA) of the first two building projects on Astra Aerolab.

 

Two multi-tenanted buildings, a hybrid office/industrial office and a central hub office, designed to accommodate SMEs, startups and education and training facilities will be constructed with works likely commencing in early 2024. Zone security is incorporated into base building specification for both projects allowing for zone 4 security if designed by the end users.

 

The milestone follows closely on the heels of the Federal Government's commitment to invest $100 million in partnership with BAE Systems Australia at Williamtown on Astra Aerolab, showing a firm statement of confidence in the Hunter Region and the Precinct.

 

Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock said the vision for Astra Aerolab is to be the world’s most uplifting defence, aerospace and innovation precinct and to cement the region as a leader in the aerospace industry.

 

“We are creating something here at Williamtown that is totally unique,” he said.

 

“Astra Aerolab is a place where world-leading defence, research, aerospace and industry partners will converge to innovate, push boundaries, embrace new technologies and develop the jobs for the future.

 

“With our International Terminal Expansion now under construction, we are excited to enhance the Hunter Region’s global connectivity by providing opportunities through freight, international connections, creating thousands of jobs and strengthening our existing direct networks.

 

“That’s why we’ve put so much effort in developing a business park environment that is designed to drive high performance and help the transition of our region. We are leading the way when it comes to diversifying, and we are proud to be part of that.

 

The first development consent at Astra Aerolab is for an office industrial facility of 3,200 sqm. This building can be adapted to 1,300 sqm of office space for a single user, or four suites of circa 250 sqm each and two 1000 sqm industrial assembly areas. The facility has storage areas and some car parking on site, with additional tenant and visitor parking provided in the common user car park close by.

 

The second development consent is for a multi-tenanted seven level 5,700 sqm office building designed for small and mediumsized enterprises, education and training facilities and is ideally suited for startup entrepreneurs.