Newcastle Airport’s dream of becoming a world-leading defence and aerospace precinct took a step closer to reality this week with the Williamtown address receiving planning approval for the first two Astra Aerolab building projects.
DA acceptance means construction can begin on buildings that first sought leaseholders in December 2020, with the first sod turned onsite more than four years ago.
The site is set to become home to two multi-tenanted buildings, a hybrid office/industrial office and a central hub office.
Construction is expected to begin early 2024.
The structures are designed to accommodate SMEs, startups and education and training facilities.
The news comes a month after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese turned the first sod on Newcastle Airport’s $110 million terminal expansion.
The milestone follows last week’s commitment by the Federal Government to invest $100 million in partnership with BAE Systems Australia at Williamtown on Astra Aerolab.
The 76-hectare site adjoining the airport and Williamtown RAAF Base, home to Australia’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter fleet, will become the country’s pre-eminent space for aviation, defence and aerospace-related manufacturing, maintenance, research and education.
May 2020
Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock said the vision for Astra Aerolab is to be a world leader.
“We are creating something here at Williamtown that is totally unique,” he said.
“Astra Aerolab is a place where world-leading defence, research, aerospace and industry partners will converge to innovate, push boundaries, embrace new technologies and develop the jobs for the future.
“With our International Terminal Expansion now under construction, we are excited to enhance the Hunter Region’s global connectivity by providing opportunities through freight, international connections, creating thousands of jobs and strengthening our existing direct networks.
“That’s why we’ve put so much effort in developing a business park environment that is designed to drive high performance and help the transition of our region. We are leading the way when it comes to diversifying, and we are proud to be part of that.
The first development consent at Astra Aerolab is for an office industrial facility of 3,200m2.
The facility has storage areas and some car parking on site, with additional tenant and visitor parking provided in the common user car park.
The second development consent is for a multi-tenanted seven level 5,700m2 office building designed for small and medium-sized enterprises, education and training facilities.
On offer are five contiguous office floors of approximately 800m2 of space that can be easily subdivided.
The bottom two floors will have retail, food and beverage outlets and common facilities for the amenity of all tenants and the Astra community.
Construction of the buildings is expected to be completed by 2025.
Looking back:
- OCT 2020: Runway upgrade
- MAY 2020: Williamtown to be home to Special Activation Precinct
- DEC 2020: Astra Aerolab to blast off at Williamtown
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