RDA Hunter releases Smart Specialisation: Then & Now, a ten-year review of the Hunter’s Smart Specialisation Strategy, which reflects on changes in the region’s industry landscape, innovation ecosystem and workforce needs.
Ten years since Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull officially launched the Hunter’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) for the Hunter Region at Parliament House, Canberra, RDA Hunter has today released Smart Specialisation: Then & Now – a ten-year reflection on how the region’s industrial landscape, innovation ecosystem and workforce needs have transformed since 2016. The document is available to read and download here: RDAHunter_SmartSpecialisation_Then&Now
When the original strategy was launched in 2016, the Hunter was among the first Australian regions to implement the Smart Specialisation model – an internationally recognised, evidence-based framework developed by the OECD and implemented widely across the European Union – to help identify its industries of competitive strength. Its launch attracted national attention, with the strategy raised in Senate Question Time on the same day
The Then & Now Reflection examines how each of the seven priority sectors identified in 2016: Advanced Manufacturing; Creative Industries; Defence; Food & Agribusiness; Medical Technologies & Pharmaceuticals; Mining Equipment, Technology & Services (METS); and Oil, Gas & Energy Resources have evolved over the decade.
A key observation is that much of the region’s progress has been driven through distributed, sector-led activity, particularly across defence, clean energy and health innovation, rather than by a co-ordinated, top-down program. RDA Hunter says this organic evolution reflects the Hunter’s industrial resilience, and reinforces the value of returning to a shared, evidence-based framework to guide future planning and investment.
RDA Hunter Chair Ian Pedersen said the anniversary release offers a timely foundation for the region’s next phase of growth.
“This comparison gives us clear insight into how the Hunter’s strengths have changed and where opportunity now lies. Strong regional development relies on evidence, collaboration and a shared understanding of our advantages. By revisiting this work ten years on, we can help ensure the Hunter remains competitive and resilient in the future.”
RDA Hunter CEO, Kate O’Mara, said revisiting the Smart Specialisation methodology had created renewed momentum.
“Re-examining Smart Specialisation after a decade has been both enlightening and motivating. The region has transformed in ways we couldn’t fully anticipate in 2016, and this Reflection gives us a contemporary take on what has changed and why. It’s not a new vision or an assessment of our current or future economic position, it’s a simple comparison that offers insights into trends, changes and progress.
“The release of this Reflection does, however, confirm RDA Hunter’s focus on visionary economic development. We’ll draw on the Smart Specialisation framework, and others like it, to support innovation-led regional development that contributes to growth, diversification and a skilled, homegrown workforce.”