Hunter Receives Major Boost to Local Defense Industry

BY BRONWYN VERWEY

The federal government has invested more than $175 million into a Morisset manufacturing facility to deliver a new fleet of uncrewed navy ships. 

The investment will go towards technology company Ocius to produce 40 new Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels to be used by the Royal Australian Navy. 

The new ships will bump the Navy's total operational Bluebottle fleet to 55. 

Hunter MP Dan Repacholi welcomed the investment. 

"We have a world-class Australian company producing cutting edge defence technology technology right here in Morisset, and this investment ensures that capability continues to grow," he said. 

The Bluebottle system was developed in partnership with the Royal Australian Navy and was initially funded through the Defence Innovation Hub. 

Using renewable energy, including solar and wind, the ships will be able to spend extended periods of time out at sea, whilst conducting sub-surface surveillance. 

Mr Repacholi said it's important to ensure Australia is well positioned with adequate equipment and intelligence amidst escalating global tensions. 

"The Hunter has always played an important role in supporting Australia's defence industry, and projects like this show our region will continue to be central to Australia's sovereign capability," he explained. 

"This investment backs local workers, supports Hunter businesses and strengthens Australia's ability to monitor and protect our maritime approaches."

Picture: Ocius

Newcastle Still in the Running for East Coast Submarine Base

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

 

The Hunter Defence Chair says Newcastle is still in the race to be selected as the location for an AUKUS Submarine Base, despite reportedly falling out of favour to Port Kembla.

Tim Owen says the City's long-running shipbuilding industry, RAAF base, and strong engineering workforce, make a strong case for the base to be placed there. 

 

However, there's concern Port of Newcastle's half-Chinese ownership could cause issues.

Newcastle was short-listed for the project in March last year. 

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon, said no matter where it's placed, the region would benefit from an East Coast submarine base. 

A decision is set to be made later in the year. 

 

Image: Defence Connect

 

 

Lockheed Martin to establish $74 million defence facility at Williamtown

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Lockheed Martin Australia has announced plans to spend $74 million on a National Integrated Air and Missile Defence Ecosystem facility, based at Williamtown. 

The new facility is expected to be developed at the Special Activation Precinct, and foster collaboration with other defence and aerospace projects locally.

Newcastle Airport is welcoming the development and says it will work with the company to bring the project to fruition. 

Hunter defence on display at industry conference

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter Defence Conference is set to get started on Wednesday, bringing together local industry and government to discuss the sector's future in the region.

More than 200 attendees are expected at the event, including at least 80 key businesses - both small and medium enterprises as well as Defence Primes, or key contractors with the Australian Government.

Hunter Defence Taskforce Chair Tim Owen says it's an important opportunity for local business.

"Clearly, we are a major defence region, particularly supporting what happens at the RAAF Base here at Williamtown," he said. 

"The ability for small and medium enterprises in our region to be able to display their capabilities and network one-on-one with the major Australian Defence Primes is very important for them. This is one of the very few opportunities that they get to actually do that."

The conference is running until Friday, featuring exhibitions and conversations with speakers, including manufacturers and contractors, Army, Navy, and Air Force, and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy.

They'll discuss defence capability, economic opportunities, innovation, supply chains, and nuclear submarines.

Mr Owen says the world has changed, and it's important to think about what the future looks like. 

"A year ago, we were concerned about COVID, and now we find ourselves a land war in Europe that could get to certainly a larger scale," he said.

"The strategic circumstances in our region are certainly driving the current government and the Australian Defence Force to look and say how do we really provide a level of defence for Australia that allows us a very, very strong deterrent capability."

Shortland MP Pat Conroy snags spot in Albanese Ministry

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter has scored a seat at the table in Anthony Albanese's new ministry.

Shortland MP Pat Conroy has been appointed Minister for Defence Industry, as well as Minister for International Development and the Pacific.

He's holding on to the latter portfolio from the Shadow Ministry, where he also served as a Minister Assisting for Defence and Climate Change.

Mr Conroy says it's a real privilege for himself, and a great move for the region.

"Defence has got a huge potential to be a real boon in terms of jobs in our region," he said.

"We've got great expertise, not just at Williamtown. Obviously Forgacs at Tomago helped build modules for the Air Warfare Destroyer. We built the minesweepers and so forth.

"We've got a real opportunity to build on that excellence."

Image credit: Pat Conroy.

Newcastle still on the cards for nuclear sub base

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle, Port Kembla, and Brisbane are now the only options being considered for a $10 billion nuclear submarine base.

The Department of Defence says no other ports will be included in a feasibility study, expected to be complete by the latter half of 2023.

Past reports ranked the three locations poorly, however.

An Australian Financial Review report earlier this week, stated Newcastle had emerged as the frontrunner.

The report also claimed the Government was considering if it would have to buy out the Chinese stake in the Port of Newcastle, but Defence says it hasn't undertaken any preparatory work.

Tomago-based Varley Group Wins Multi-Million Dollar Defence Contract

 BY IAN CROUCH

Tomago-based engineering and manufacturing firm, Varley has won a $41m defence contract to upgrade Australia's deployable infrastructure for wars and disaster relief.

Defence Industry Minister, Melissa Price was expected to make the announcement on Monday morning at the company's Tomago facility as part of an $89m investment into the defence force's deployable infrastructure capability, however the event has been cancelled as the minister has COVID symptoms.

The contract is expected to create 80 new jobs here and a further 25 jobs in Queensland.

The contract includes upgrades to power generation, hygiene and essential catering, and the acquisition of new kennels for military working dogs.

Varley is well known for its work in the manufacture and fit-out of emergency service vehicles.

Hunter aerospace industry to benefit in State Government jobs spend

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Defence and aerospace contractor BAE Systems is set to get a share in the NSW Government's new $250 million Jobs Plus Program. 

The company says it will expand its workforce, with an expectation to create 55 new jobs.

60 percent of its current team is based in STEM fields.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin says it's about preparing the region for the future.

"As we move, as a wider Hunter area, from being the steel city that we once were decades ago, to being the smart city we are now and that we're going to continue to be into the future," Mr Martin said.

The money comes on top of Commonwealth spending at the base, totalling around $140 million.

BAE Managing Director for Defence Delivery Andrew Gresham says it's a great investment in industry.

"A hub here is the centre of aerospace skills for the Hunter, and this program allows us to expand the number of jobs, the contribution we make to the supply chain and the community," Mr Gresham said.

"What will be based here is really aircraft technicians, so really highly skilled technicians undertaking repairs on the F-35.

"This investment enables regional aircraft, so F-35's based in the Southern Pacific region, to be undertaking maintenance here at Williamtown."

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin made the announcement at Williamtown on Tuesday morning.

Newcastle put forward as potential nuclear submarine base

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle's been shortlisted as a potential location for a new submarine base to house the country's nuclear-powered fleet in the future.

Brisbane and Port Kembla are also on the cards, however, it's understood the Department of Defence's preferred option is at Wollongong.

The nuclear-powered fleet is being acquired as part of the AUKUS partnership.

It's not expected the $10 billion project will replace current submarine facilities in Sydney and Perth.

Liberal Candidate for Paterson Brooke Vitnell says she's pushing the Commonwealth to pick the Hunter.

"I've cited things like the existing skilled shipbuilding workforce that we have here, the defence and strategic military importance that we have with our RAAF base and our Lone Pine," Ms Vitnell said.

"Also the fact that we have a deep working port - from what I understand, some of the other proposed locations might have silting problems or might not be deep enough."

Initial works are expected to be complete at the new location by next year.

The Federal Government is also set to decide on a design for the new submarines within the next couple of months.

Image credit: www.navy.gov.au

UPDATE! Unexploded Ordnance Found at Boat Harbour House

 BY IAN CROUCH

A bomb disposal team is on the way from the Williamtown RAAF Base to deal with ordnance found on Tuesday morning at Port Stephens.

Newcastle Fire Command says it's believed a rusty grenade was found on Birubi Beach at about 10.00am and taken to a house at Boat Harbour, prompting a major emergency response.

Police and fire crews set up a hot zone amid fears the ordnance was still live.

It's now believed the item is inert, however a bomb disposal crew has been called in to ensure it is safely removed.
 

EARLIER:

Emergency services have been called to a house at Boat Harbour to reports of unexploded ordnance being found.

Newcastle Fire Command says they received a Triple Oh call just after 10.00am on Tuesday saying an unexploded mortar shell had been found on Birubi Beach and was taken home.

Police, Fire & Rescue and RFS crews have been called to the home and an exclusion zone has been set up.

It's believed the item may be a rusty grenade.

Emergency crews are liaising with experts from the military.

 

Deputy Premier Unveils Stage One of Williamtown's Astra Aerolab

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Deputy Premier John Barilaro unveiled stage 1 of Newcastle Airport's Astra Aerolab on Tuesday. 

John Barilaro was joined by Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock to announce construction is now complete, including an access road, power, water, gas, sewer and data connections.

“I turned the first sod on this project 18 months ago, and this site has already been transformed to pave the way for a world-leading defence and aerospace technology park,” Mr Barilaro said.

Newcastle Airport and the Williamtown Special Activation Precinct (SAP) are set to be the epicentre of the region’s push into international defence and aerospace industries after the major unveiling today at Williamtown.

Two organisations who have signed key agreements with Astra Aerolab are major defence contractor BAE Systems Australia and Leading Edge Data Centres.

The NSW Government has invested $11.7 million in the $18 point.7 million project. 

The total project is expected to create 4,300 jobs. 

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

“We are determined that it will connect a global workforce with the RAAF Base Williamtown and Newcastle Airport."

“Stage one has employed 70 fulltime staff through the depths of the pandemic when economic activity was so vital to regions."

"We have developed the site sustainably from the outset, including establishing over 200,000 plants and retention of a historically significant Aboriginal keeping place.”

BAE Systems Australia Managing Direct Defence Delivery, Andrew Gresham said the company saw huge potential in Astra Aerolab.

“BAE Systems has secured significant contracts to support Australia’s F-35 fleet, which offer never-before-seen opportunities for Australian industry.

“Astra Aerolab will facilitate the continued investment in our Williamtown site ahead of work supporting the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in Australia.

Leasing opportunities are available now at Astra Aerolab. 

Later in the afternoon Mr Barilaro will chair the first face to face Stockton Beach Taskforce meeting at Newcastle Council Chambers to discuss latest developments in beach replenishment.

Williamtown Special Activation Precinct to Create Jobs, Millions of Dollars, And Possible Life Life for Red Zone Residents

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A brand new national and international defence and aerospace hub will be established in Williamtown as part of the State Government's $1 billion investment plan for regional NSW.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro visited the area this morning, announcing Williamtown as the next Special Activation Precinct in NSW, following areas such as Parkes, Wagga Wagga, Moree, and the Snowy Mountains,

Together, the five precincts are expected to create more than 15,000 jobs in regional industries such as freight and logistics, agriculture, defense, tourism, and renewable energy.

Port Stephens Deputy Mayor Chris Doohan says the project will guide the region for the next few decades, and with an emphasis on advanced manufacturing and aerospace, it could provide a fantastic opportunity for future generations to get involved in STEM careers.

"There's probably jobs out there that haven't even been invented yet that will probably happen in this area," said Cr Doohan. "It's a very bright looking future for Port Stephens and for the Willamtown area."

Deputy Premier John Barilaro says the project will involve extensive consultation with businesses, councils, and the local community.

The NSW Government will also explore a 10,000 hectare space around Newcastle Airport and the Port Stephens local government area - and for families and property owners with land in the PFAS contamination zone, Cr Doohan suggests this project could provide a way out.

"Today's announcement could certainly support them in buying out those properties," said Cr Doohan.

"If this grows to a bigger and better thing, who knows how many more people could be supported with buybacks to their properties in that areas."

"I certainly gave Deputy Premier, John Barilaro, a reminder that was a major issue in this area, and if this was the start of a means of an end to a solution for these people".

"He was very interested to take this conversation further going forward."

Image credit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/williamtownsap

Defence Backflips On Child-Care Promise

BY HOLLIE HUGHES

The Department of Defence is withdrawing funding from a Williamtown pre-school, recently relocated from the RAAF base to Raymond Terrace, despite its promise to continue support for the centre.

Child care centres on the RAAF base were closed in 2016 amid concerns of the impact of jet noise exposure on children.

Defence promised a new child care centre would be built at Medowie but has now advised families it will not be going ahead, telling them they have four months to make other arrangements.

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson says the decision will impact negatively on families who often have no other means of securing child care.

"I find the funding decision quite stunning and shocking."

The backflip will impact over 100 children and their families from both the Defence community and the wider public.

"The decision signals that the Defence are perhaps not doing all they could do in this area...They should be providing the child care that they said they would be providing.

"Given the extraordinary circumstances we find ourselves in with the Williamtown contamination from the RAAF base, it is highly disappointing that the Department of Defence has moved away from this support."

Ms Swanson also says the funding backflip has damaged the reputation of the Department in the eyes of the community.

"This is a disappointing move not just on a practical level but on the broader message this move sends to the community...We have a lot of people in our community who are in a lot of pain because of defence and it's a real shame that they have taken this measure."

Image: https://www.google.com.au/search?rlz=1C1GGRV_enAU751AU751&biw=1920&bih=943&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=ifl0W_OMDce18QWOmJOgBA&q=williamtown+child+care+centre&oq=williamtown+child+care+&gs_l=img.1.0.0i24k1.1946.8016.0.9766.45.20.0.5.5.0.340.2715.0j2j7j2.11.0....0...1c.1.64.img..31.14.2205.0..0j35i39k1j0i67k1.0.rKJ3eT3LUzg#imgrc=-1DtdXMQU443uM: 

Department of Health deny cancer link: PFAS report

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The Department of Health has today released its submission from the Expert Health Panel into PFAS contamination.

The study found there are health effects connected to PFAS foams, such as increased cholesterol and uric acid in the blood; lower birth weight in babies; reduced kidney function; changes in thyroid and sex hormones; later starting age for menstruation in girls; or early menopause.

However, the report also stated the "health effect" reported in high-exposure areas such as Williamtown's Cabbage Tree Road is "within normal ranges," concluding there's "limited to no evidence" linking human disease to higher exposure.

"There is no current evidence that supports a large impact on a person’s health as a result of high levels of PFAS exposure," the report said.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) chemicals have been contained in firefighting foams widely used throughout Australia since the 1970s because they are highly effective at combating liquid fuel fires.

However the chemicals do not break down easily, can enter groundwater or travel long distances through soil.

Williamtown Residents feel the Federal Government has failed them. Image: ABC. 

An investigation by Fairfax last year concluded there have been 50 cases of cancer in just 15 years for residents living on Cabbage Tree Road, which is located near open drains seeping run-off from the Williamtown RAAF base.

However, evidence of a "cancer cluster" along Cabbage Tree Road was dismissed by NSW Health in February 2018 to the ire of Labor MPs who pointed out the study had "skewed the results" by including residents living outside the Williamtown Red Zone, as far out as Karuah.

18 out of the 50 cancer cases reported by Fairfax had been left out of the report.

In November 2017, the Expert Health Panel was established to inform the Federal Government on a $12.5 million further National Research Program into the effects of PFAS exposure.

Paterson MP, Meryl Swanson earlier this month criticised the Panel's late delivery, saying the report was over 60 days late.

She accused Health Minister Greg Hunt of "sitting on the findings."

The Department of Defence is facing class actions from cancer-affected Williamtown residents and those 500 people suing the government in Oakey, Queensland.

Meanwhile, NSW based firm, Shine Lawyers is conducting investigations into PFAS contamination in the Northern Territory's Katherine area and looks set to launch a class action too.

It comes as Port Stephens MP Kate Washington renews her plea for NSW Premier Berejiklian to ban PFAS firefighting foams which have contaminated properties at Williamtown, after reports the South Australian government has followed in the footsteps of Queensland and issued a ban.

For a summary of the report head to the Department of Health website.

Ongoing Issue: Meryl Swanson addresses media in Williamtown last year to decry the situation. 

Port Stephens Labor Announces Rate Relief Commitment for Red Zone Residents

BY SARAH JAMES

The Port Stephens Labor Council have committed to providing rate relief to residents affected by contamination from the Williamtown RAAF Base, if elected.

Of the estimated 630 homes in the 'red zone', the owners have had to pay full Council rates for the past two years despite learning their land is contaminated.

Labor West Ward candidate Giacomo Arnott said "after two years of inaction, the affected residents deserve the support of their Council, and we will ensure that Council is providing this support".

At this stage it is unknown exactly how much the Council rates will be cut, but Fullerton Cove resident Lindsay Clout believes it should be by 100%.

"Defence have told us they have a forecast that this contamination will be in the water until at least 2036, so we don't think we should be paying rates while we're contaminated," he said.