Economic Development Strategy

We’re developing a strategy to create new jobs, new investment and promote innovation in Newcastle

The release of our Discussion Paper is designed to create a conversation and critical consideration in order to inform a new economic plan for our city. More than ever, we've heard business and our community are concerned about future economic opportunities and want to be part of the solution. Establishing a new Economic Development Strategy (EDS) will allow us to make the most of tomorrow’s opportunities and support a resilient city. 

Our discussion

We encouraged our community and stakeholders to have a say on how we can create the right environment for a stronger Newcastle economy. The engagement program included:

• Over 180 completed surveys
• Presentations to CN's City Taskforce and staff workshops
• TAFE NSW – two workshops with over 50 staff / student reps across multiple disciplines, and importantly well represented by CALD and ATSI communities
• Community Sector – workshop with nearly 30 reps from the NGO space
• Hunter Young Professionals – workshop with 60 attendees.

Our Discussion Paper engagement and survey closed 5pm on Sunday 6 December 2020. We are now preparing engagement reports.

EDS values

• People-centred – Programs will place people at the centre with outcomes to benefit the broad community.
• Future focused – Programs will push the boundaries, making Newcastle a place where we pilot, rework and try again; innovation is fundamental to everything that we do.
• Evidence-driven – Data-driven research will inform our programs. Newcastle will be the most researched and analysed Gateway City in the world; our stories and programs will be evaluated and understood, becoming models of success for replication across the world.

Key Newcastle statistics

• Almost 1 in 10 Novocastrians are unemployed
• 11,000+ people are on JobSeeker or Youth Allowance, almost 1 in 5 if you’re aged 18-25 years
• Women, people from Non-English speaking backgrounds, people living with disability and others experiencing social disadvantage (such as casualised employment conditions) have been disproportionately impacted.

Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic

CN recognises that locals have been impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. To help address these impacts, we provided leadership through the creation and facilitation of a City Taskforce, which has brought together 17 key city leaders from across manufacturing, small business, tourism, transport and logistics, arts and culture, workers, education and community sectors to chart a path for community and economic recovery. We have also developed a comprehensive community and business support package designed to help the community and businesses through the effects of COVID-19.