The new Defence Innovation Hub being established at Williamtown Aerospace Centre is set to be a major boost for the Hunter's defence industry and innovation sector.
The centre comes as a part of the Federal Government's $195 billion spend on defence acquisition and is funded by the government in collaboration with the University of Newcastle's innovation network to encourage research and innovation.
Speaking at the HunterNet Defence Conference yesterday, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald said the region's defence industry is on the cusp of something special.
"We're announcing the NSW Government is contributing and collaborating with the Defence Innovation Hub. It really is about supporting universities and our smart industries, our research and our development that can be involved in the defence sector and that will be the air force, the navy and the army."
The Hunter has the largest regional defence presence in the state with the sector bringing in $1.3 billion a year and more than 4,000 jobs.
Scot MacDonald said the Defence Innovation hub at Williamtown will attract the expertise of academics, research and development to the region and continue to build on the strong relationship between the region and defence.
"We've always had a strong defence presence and defence industry in NSW but they haven't been talked about and known as well as in some other states. We are really getting on the front foot and making sure that place, particularly the Hunter, becomes much more prominent within the defence space and industry."
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| Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald. Image https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/key-enablers/1143-hunter-wins-innovation-hub-williamtown |
