Job Growth in Newcastle without the Mining Boom

BY JESSICA ROUSE

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the Hunter's job growth isn't thanks to a mining boom, but rather her government's infrastructure spend in the region.

The State Government's $650 million investment in the city for infastructure has doubled the number of jobs throughout the region.

The latest stats from the Hunter Research Foundation Centre mirror the numbers showing the Hunter had an annual growth of 7.4 per cent when it comes to full time jobs in the region.

Gladys Berejiklian says in the past 2 1/2 years alone 37,000 jobs have been created.

"We are for the first time having a boom in Newcastle and the Hunter without a mining boom. This is the first time Newcastle has been able to stand on its own without going through a mining boom. I'm so proud of that,"

"This is the first time in Newcastle's history where Newcastle hasn't had to depend on the mining boo to get ahead."

Premier Gladys Berejiklian in Newcastle yesterday. Image David Threlfo Twitter.

 "We've seen at least $2 billion in private investment coming off the back of the government's contribution and that's resulting in a whole range of construction jobs, engineering, tradies, it's hard to find people to work for us up here because there's so much going on which a good challenge to have," said Premier Berejiklian.

The Premier also said the big infrastructure spend has triggered big events in the region such as the inaugural Newcastle 500 Supercars event in November and big sporting games which is all only going to increase as the city moves into the future.

"We're really thrilled that that's what holds the future of Newcastle. It's a multiplicity of jobs, multiple sectors growing and that's what we want to see. I don't want to see people have to jump on a train every morning and travel long distances because they want to get the job of their dreams,"

"I want people to get the jobs of their dreams in Newcastle, and that's the future we're building," said Premier Berejiklian.

EARLIER:

It's all About Building for the Future: Premier Berejiklian Thrilled with Newcastle Interchange

It's all About Building for the Future: Premier Berejiklian Thrilled with Newcastle Interchange

BY JESSICA ROUSE

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says she's absolutely thrilled with the Newcastle Interchange and the progress the light rail project is making.

The Premier is in Newcastle today to present the political outlook for the Hunter at the Property Council's final lunch of the year, and while she was here she also inspected the progress on the $650 million-plus investment the government has made in Revitalising Newcastle.

Since the Revitalising Newcastle program started, the city's population has grown by 4.6 per cent and employment has increased as well, up 9 per cent.

Private investment has jumped too, with the project triggering $2 billion.

Revitalising Newcastle's Michael Cassell, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot
MacDonald, and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

Premier Berejiklian said despite all of the hassles along the way, she's thrilled the government stuck to their guns and delivered.

"I remember people were complaining to me about why are you building the light rail and now people are saying we want an increased network, we want you to further increase the network so I remember at the time getting absolute criticism for announcing the light rail project,"

"I'm glad we stuck to our guns. It's going to be fantastic for Newcastle , but also the broader region. This is all about building for the future."

"I've learnt one thing about Newcastle, there is a minority of people that don't want to see things change because they've got vested interests, the vast majority of people want to see Newcastle move ahead and that's who we're batting for, those people who are invested in the future, invested in giving kids a go here in Newcastle and making sure Newcastle has the opportunity to become an even greater city - it is a great place already to live and work."

The Premier defended the cost of the light rail project after reports today suggested it was double the cost of similar projects across the state.

"There's no point taking down all of the wires from the heavy rail if you weren't going to do this, and I've heard some unfair criticism about the light rail project costing a bit more than other projects, that's because other projects have wire at the top of them like Canberra. We've chosen to make this wireless because we're preparing this for the future," said Premier Berejiklian.   

Image David Threlfo Twitter.