DECEMBER 8, 2020 12:34 PM AEDT

A defence and aerospace technology park that will create up to 4300 jobs and service and maintain Australian fighter jets is one step closer to reality.

Stage one of the Astra Aerolab precinct is now complete thanks to $11.7 million from the NSW Government’s Growing Local Economies fund.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro was joined by Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock to announce construction of vital infrastructure is now complete, including an access road, power, water, gas, sewer and data connections.

Mr Barilaro said the essential infrastructure will kick-start the site’s development, driving innovation and collaboration in the Hunter and benefitting the local community through the creation of thousands of jobs.

“I turned the first sod on this project 18 months ago, and this site has already been transformed to pave the way for a world-leading defence and aerospace technology park,” Mr Barilaro said.

JOEL ROBINSON | 20 NOVEMBER 2020

NAB are the latest bank forced to backflip on their dire house price forecasts.

Nationally NAB expect rises of around five per cent over 2021 and six per cent over 2022, with house price growth likely to be stronger than the apartment sector.
The best gains are expected in Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart, all predicted to rise 7.4 per cent, followed by Perth at five per cent.

They are expecting weaker returns from Australia's two biggest housing markets in 2021 compared to the rest of the nation's capitals.

Flashback to the community campaign calling on the Berejiklian Government to install lifts at Tuggerah Station

NOVEMBER 18, 2020
Sue Murray

A $34M upgrade at Tuggerah railway station was announced in the 2020-21 NSW Budget on Tuesday, November 17.

The funding will go towards design work, planning approval and construction of accessibility improvements, including lifts.

A new commuter car park of up to 220 spaces at Tuggerah Station is also in the planning stage.

“Over the life of this project, about 50 jobs will be on offer across the fields of engineering, design, construction and administration,”

Bianca Dabu 05 November 2020

After over three decades of continuous economic growth, 2020 saw Australia’s national economy weaken as the country deals with the effects of the pandemic.

Still, home owners and investors alike have retained their enthusiasm for the brick and mortar, according to a recent report by McGrath Estate Agents, who described the phenomenon as having “converted homes and investment temporarily from gold mines to safe houses, providing flexibility to help owners navigate a tough economy ahead”.

According to McGrath, since the onset of the virus, some owners such as Generation X have been refinancing to withdraw equity, taking advantage of the lowest interest rates in history to renovate their homes and upgrade their lifestyles.

Jodie Richter | November 4, 2020

  Image: Defence

Defence Industry aircraft maintenance company TAE Aerospace, in Ipswich, has welcomed servicing of Rolls-Royce engines to the fold. Rolls-Royce engines power the RAAF’s fleet of 33 BAE Systems Hawk aircraft.

TAE Aerospace has signed an agreement with Rolls-Royce to provide in-country maintenance support services on the Adour Mk871 engine that powers the Royal Australian Air Force’s Hawk Lead In Fighter.