RDA Hunter’s feedback provides a local angle on the importance of cities to regional economic development.

Newcastle (the Statistical Division) is an ideal candidate for a City Deal.  Based on RDA Hunter’s collaborative approach to defining priorities for the region, the Hunter community is prepared and ready to engage in a planning process to deliver economic development and better paid jobs.

Three current opportunities (Population, Infrastructure and Technology) for the development of the Hunter Urban Area were presented.

RDA Hunter is an economic development organisation.  Most of the nation’s economic output comes from cities, and a majority of Australians live and work in urban areas.

The primary drivers of economic development: population; an educated and skilled workforce; construction; trade, partnerships and other business activities are concentrated in cities.

RDA Hunter encourages and facilitates a cooperative and integrated, whole-of-region, approach to planning.  This is essential to secure the future of the region and position the Hunter nationally and internationally as one of Australia’s most productive and significant economies.

RDA Hunter’s submission