The transition of Newcastle from a great regional city to an emerging global city is the centre of attention again this week, as 23 of the brightest young professionals in our region considered the vision and branding for the greater Newcastle region and how it can be promoted as a global city (HunterNet Future Leaders Project brief, 2019).

These young professionals participated in the 2019 HunterNet Future Leaders Program. Delivered across 12 sessions, the Program is designed to equip young leaders with the skills they need to step into management/senior management roles within their organisation. Following these sessions, the participants were divided into four multidisciplinary teams to consider the project brief, under the guidance of their assigned mentor. This year’s mentors consisted of:

  • Rebecca Johnston – Barr Property and Planning
  • Tim Donoghue – TUNRA
  • Warwick Sommer – Ampcontrol
  • Ian Winn – One Clan

The Project Brief had two key areas:

  1. Develop an identity and positioning concept for the greater Newcastle region which promotes it as a global city.
  2. Identify an ASX-200 listed company which your team believes should establish a new headquarters in Newcastle with the aim to improve the economic diversity of the region.

Click here to view the full project brief. 

Using the skills they attained in the first half of the Program, the teams were encouraged to “Think Big, Think Bigger and then Bigger Again” when researching and scoping their projects. Under the supervision of their mentors, each team was required to produce a 25 page report and deliver a 30 minute presentation to our judging panel. The 2019 judging panel was comprised of:

  • Kari Armitage – Quarry Mining
  • Will Rifkin – Hunter Research Foundation Centre
  • Prem Chand – Roadhound Electronics
  • Michelle McPherson – nib Health Funds
  • Tony Cade – HunterNet

Jacqui Warren, Industry Advisor at HunterNet and Future Leaders Program Director said:

“Our aim was to challenge our Future Leaders to think outside the box and inspire them to develop a passion for the region. Each of the teams submitted proposals that are both innovative and practical, demonstrating a commitment to the prosperity of the region that is sustainable in the long term.

The quality of the submissions is a credit to the teams, as well as the many volunteers behind the Program. We are fortunate to have a very high calibre of judges, mentors, presenters and committee members delivering this Program each year. I congratulate the teams on their efforts and look forward to the announcement of the winning team at the Gala Dinner.”

The winning team is HealthPort, consisting of the following members:

  • Sam Noakes – Port Waratah Coal Services
  • Nicholas Oliveri – Bohemia Interactive Solutions
  • Dr Bin Chen – TUNRA
  • Chanel Egan – Forsythes Technology
  • Brodie White – NAB
  • Andrew Fisher – Ampcontrol
  • Ian Winn (One Clan – Team Mentor)

The teams project centred around “attracting health and technology companies to Newcastle to promote economic growth, sustainability and diversity” through the establishment of three “interconnected ‘innovation precincts’” (Team HealthPort, HunterNet Future Leaders Program 2019).

The winner was announced on Friday 25th October 2019 at the Annual Future Leaders Program Gala Dinner at Town Hall Newcastle. In attendance was the Program participants, their mentors, company sponsors and other distinguished leaders from the local business community.

Newcastle has grown from its industrial roots to now boast a top-ranked university, world-class health precinct, and competitive advantages in advanced manufacturing and medical technologies. By leveraging these strengths, its anchor institutions and the city’s compelling lifestyle, Newcastle has an opportunity to reshape its identity to that of a global health-tech hub. Through building upon existing collaboration, smart infrastructure, and industry clustering, it is proposed that three interconnected ‘innovation precincts’ (health, education and technology) be established and positioned as Newcastle’s ‘HealthPort’. By following in the footsteps of successful overseas examples, HealthPort can become a dynamic innovation ecosystem to attract health and technology companies to co-locate in Newcastle.

 

Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API) has been identified as one such company to attract to HealthPort. Its structure, operations and size are well matched to Newcastle’s infrastructure and health and manufacturing sector. API’s relocation would provide the company ongoing cost savings and an opportunity to expand its research and development within a world-class health precinct. Its presence would help validate HealthPort as an innovative health-tech hub and encourage more companies to co-locate, stimulating economic growth and cementing Newcastle as a global city.

 

All intellectual property associated with the HunterNet Future Leaders Program and the team projects belongs to HunterNet Co-operative Ltd (‘HunterNet’). By clicking on the links below, you agree not to use or distribute any information contained herein without express written permission from HunterNet. If you wish to discuss the project with the team, please contact HunterNet directly and we will organise an introduction.

Click here to access the full report

Is there a way to transition Newcastle away from fossil fuel?

Is there a way to strengthen the local economy and attract the most innovative companies and minds to our region?

The time for a disruption of the energy industry is now. NERA provides a viable, sustainable solution for industry innovation in Newcastle to propel our region into a green future and put us on the map as a global second city. By leveraging our existing infrastructure, NERA has proposed that Fortescue Metals Group headquarter their renewable energy division in Newcastle and spearhead the creation of a hydrogen economy. This will be the catalyst for a shift to sustainable energy production. With a profit of $60m per year after three years, FMG’s hydrogen production facility will be the force behind a dynamic economy and superior lifestyle for Novocastrians. The BHP site at Mayfield will be transformed into an innovation district, attracting the most forward-thinking organisations and brightest minds to a world class collaborative precinct. The jewel of the district will be The Cocoon innovation centre – the striking landmark that defines the region’s position and brand as a leader in renewable energy. The future is hydrogen. The future is NERA.

 

All intellectual property associated with the HunterNet Future Leaders Program and the team projects belongs to HunterNet Co-operative Ltd (‘HunterNet’). By clicking on the links below, you agree not to use or distribute any information contained herein without express written permission from HunterNet. If you wish to discuss the project with the team, please contact HunterNet directly and we will organise an introduction.

Click here to access the full report

Offering an enviable lifestyle, incomparable geographical, cultural and economic strengths, Newcastle will be Australia’s leader in advanced industry with world class capabilities in engineering, innovation and technology.

Austal is a defence prime contractor and a growing global company, supplying the world with high tech commercial and naval vessels. To support their innovation, research and development and sustainability focus, Austal is called upon to establish a high tech systems integration headquarters proudly and prominently on Dyke Point in the Port of Newcastle.

Austal will have room to grow with Newcastle. It can partner with the University of Newcastle for their defence and innovation expertise and together can create a skilled workforce and opportunities for the whole community.

Austal’s new castle will drive collaboration and competition amongst existing and emerging defence prime, businesses and supply chains. A new global event, the Newcastle Defence and Technology Conference, will commence in 2022 bringing the world to Newcastle and showcasing our region’s natural beauty and extensive capabilities.

Austal’s culture is community focussed and their values fit with our region’s way of life. As Newcastle is revitalised, it offers a bright future for existing residents celebrating our proud heritage whilst welcoming new novocastrians, businesses and industries….

 

All intellectual property associated with the HunterNet Future Leaders Program and the team projects belongs to HunterNet Co-operative Ltd (‘HunterNet’). By clicking on the links below, you agree not to use or distribute any information contained herein without express written permission from HunterNet. If you wish to discuss the project with the team, please contact HunterNet directly and we will organise an introduction.

Click here to access the full report
The H2-Hub proposal, incorporates a triple helix model which integrates the Greater Newcastle regions businesses, educational institution and governments, supported by a national City Deal funding arrangement. A key aspect of this strategy is leveraging the region’s current reputation as a key global energy export hub, to become a national and international powerhouse in the emerging green hydrogen and ammonia industry.

 

The H2-Hub proposal will be achieved through the creation of a complete energy innovation ecosystem to strategically court new companies through collaboration with the regions existing ASX200 and private corporations. The ecosystem will be established and expanded throughout a four-stage strategy, including pilot projects, innovation centres, and production and export facilities.

Three targeted projects with the strategy include: 1) Short-term: City of Newcastle’s garbage truck fleet transitioned to hydrogen; 2) Medium-term: an ammonia plant constructed at Liddell power station to transition mining haul trucks to ammonia fuel; and 3) Long-term: developing a complete supply chain from renewable energy generation in the west to export facilities.

Greater Newcastle region benefits include; attracting ‘green’ companies, enabling the current workforce to utilise their skillsets within an energy transition, attracting a younger generation, and further enhance the region’s global reputation.

 

All intellectual property associated with the HunterNet Future Leaders Program and the team projects belongs to HunterNet Co-operative Ltd (‘HunterNet’). By clicking on the links below, you agree not to use or distribute any information contained herein without express written permission from HunterNet. If you wish to discuss the project with the team, please contact HunterNet directly and we will organise an introduction.

Click here to access the full report

Leave a Reply