What Williamtown offers
Williamtown is in the Hunter region, which has a long history of supporting Australia’s defence industry. Strategically located next to the RAAF base, the precinct will become a defence and aerospace hub.
The master planning process is currently underway and involves a range of technical studies and consultation, which are used to inform the master plan that will outline the 40-year vision for the precinct.
Investigations considered the complexity of the area's hydrology. This was to ensure that any potential development will not have an adverse effect on flooding and drainage, nor compromise the surrounding area.
This area has now been refined, and the precinct boundary is outlined in the draft master plan.
Click to enlarge: Williamtown Special Activation map (PDF 1.02MB)
The Williamtown Special Activation Precinct will turbocharge the Hunter region’s growth as a national and international defence and aerospace hub.
$56.8 bn
Gross Regional Product, Hunter (Remplan, 2019)
2 hours
By car to Sydney
73,500 population
Industry and employment opportunities
The precinct will build on the NSW Government’s existing investment into the Astra Aerolab development. This will boost the local economy and generate thousands of new jobs for the region.
The precinct will attract new and existing businesses in the defence and aerospace industries, including:
large scale international defence contractors
small and medium enterprises
research and development institutions
Read more about the goals and vision for our Special Activation Precincts.
Defence and aerospace
The RAAF base at Williamtown is Australia’s primary Department of Defence fighter pilot training base. It is home to Australia’s F-35 fleet and the Asia Pacific Regional Warehouse for F-35s.
The Williamtown precinct creates opportunities to attract new and existing defence and aerospace businesses, like Astra Aerolab and BAE Systems.
Education, training and job opportunities
The Hunter has an existing skilled workforce to support defence, aerospace and advanced manufacturing.
The Williamtown precinct will help attract more highly-skilled and well-paid workers from defence and aerospace industries that will boost the region’s economy and create education and training opportunities.
Delivery process and next steps
The Special Activation Precinct model supports streamlined development approvals and business concierge support. This gives investors the confidence to relocate, establish operations, and attract skilled workers.
The revised draft master plan was re-exhibited and open for feedback and submissions in early 2023.
The master planning team held meetings with the community, businesses and stakeholders throughout the exhibition period.
Feedback received will inform the final master plan.
Once finalised the master plan will be the 40-year strategic plan for the precinct.
For more information on our progress, review the latest project updates.
Draft master plan on public exhibition for feedback and submissions
Revised draft master plan re-exhibited
Latest updates and resources
Browse and download more information about our Williamtown Special Activation Precinct, including:
Contact us about our Williamtown precinct
For details on the Williamtown precinct please contact us and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly.
Email: activationprecincts@regional.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 1300 REGION (73 44 66)
Further information
Find out more about our Special Activation Precincts, Regional Job Precincts, Regional Growth NSW Development Corporation, and the Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund.
Special Activation Precincts are funded by the Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund, with joint planning, coordination and delivery by the Department of Regional NSW, the Department of Planning and Environment, and the Regional Growth NSW Development Corporation.