The Future of the Newcastle Airport Precinct

You may have noticed that Newcastle Airport is currently experiencing significant growth and transformation, with its brand-new international terminal due to open in August. But did you know there's another major development taking place next door to the airport and RAAF Base Williamtown?

In 2018, Newcastle Airport published the 2036 Newcastle Airport Vision, a masterplan outlining its 60-year plan to transform the precinct, diversify income streams and bring new industries to the Hunter. This vision identified an opportunity to use 76 hectares of land next to the airport for expanded aviation services and commercial developments.

This is today known as Astra Aerolab - a new industrial park attracting advanced defence manufacturing and aerospace industries. The land is zoned for defence related industries (as a Defence and Airport Related Employment Zone or DAREZ).

With significant support from both the NSW Government and Australian Government, early works, including the new international terminal and the first stage of Astra's civil infrastucture, have already been delivered.

You’re invited to participate in our short survey

As co-owner of Newcastle Airport, we're leading consultation to better understand what our community knows and feels about our city's growing aerotropolis (airport precinct). By participating in our brief survey, you will help us develop an informed community position, identify any concerns regarding the potential social, environmental, and economic impacts, and enhance our community's understanding of the opportunities this development presents.

Your feedback helps us understand how the community feels about Astra Aerolab and the Newcastle Airport Masterplan. It will:

  • Help us gauge awareness, sentiment, and understanding of future plans
  • Identify any issues, questions or concerns
  • Guide how we communicate and engage with the community in the future
  • Help ensure the community is informed and heard as the precinct develops

Your input gives us a clearer picture of what matters most to you and helps inform future planning and decision-making.

This consultation won’t decide whether Astra Aerolab goes ahead or determine specific developments within the precinct. Those decisions are already in progress.

Instead, we want to better understand how you feel about the plans and what information or support you may need as things progress.

How you can get involved

There are several ways you can have your say between 2 June and 25 June:

  • Visit us at local events - We'll be at community events like the Knights v Rooster NRL Game and weekend community football, as well as at local community spaces like Stockton skatepark and Dixon Park Surf Life Saving Club.
  • Take part in our telephone survey - Should you receive a phone call inviting you to answer a few questions from our market researcher, we’d love to hear from you.
  • Have Your Say online - Share your thoughts through our online survey.

No matter how you choose to take part, your input matters. We’ll use the information from the survey to identify and address your questions, expectations and any concerns you have about Newcastle Airport’s role in our Newcastle 2040 vision for a liveable, sustainable, inclusive global city.

We look forward to releasing the consultation results later this year.

Have Your Say

Share your thoughts on Astra Aerolab and the Newcastle Airport Masterplan