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.
Thanks for having your say!
As co-owner of Newcastle Airport, we led consultation to better understand what our community knows and feels about our city's growing aerotropolis (airport precinct).
The Astra Aerolab Engagement Outcomes Report is now available and will be presented at the October Ordinary Council Meeting.
Between 2 June and 25 June 2025, we heard from 1,333 people across Newcastle and the broader Hunter region through online surveys, face-to-face conversations at local events, and telephone interviews conducted by independent market researchers.
Your input has helped us better understand:
- Community awareness and perceptions of Astra Aerolab
- What matters most to residents about our city's economic future
- How people prefer to receive information about major projects
Your feedback helped us understand how the community feels about Astra Aerolab and the Newcastle Airport Masterplan. Your feedback allowed us to:
- Gauge awareness, sentiment, and understanding of future plans
- Identify any issues, questions or concerns
- Improve how we communicate and engage with the community as the precinct develops
Your input has given us a clearer picture of what matters most to you and will help inform future planning and decision-making.
This consultation didn't decide whether Astra Aerolab goes ahead or determine specific developments within the precinct. Those decisions were already in progress.
Instead, we wanted to better understand how you felt about the plans and what information or support you may need as things progress.
How you got involved
There were several ways you could have had your say between 2 June and 25 June:
- Visited us at local events - We were 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.
- Took part in our telephone survey - We conducted a telephone survey inviting community members to answer a few questions from our market researcher. Thank you to those who received a phone call and participated.
- Had Your Say online - You shared your thoughts through our online survey.
