PARLIAMENTARY Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald MLC today helped launch the new defence, security, and aerospace hub at Williamtown which has been developed by the University of Newcastle with support of the NSW Government.

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Mr. MacDonald said the hub, named ‘DSA-18’, will support research and development of new innovative technologies to bolster the region’s industries.

“The Hunter is already a NSW stronghold for defence but today’s launch of this impressive new facility will see that take off even further,” Mr. MacDonald said.

“The DSA-18 Hub has been developed by the University of Newcastle with funding support from the NSW Government’s Boosting Business Innovation Program.

“The Boost program is providing $18 million to the state’s universities – including $1.5 million to the University of Newcastle – to work with businesses to drive innovation.

“The University of Newcastle is conducting exciting research in a range of areas relevant to the defence, security, and aerospace sectors and the DSA-18 Hub with its 18 seats will allow academics to work directly with business and industry.

“The Hub’s strategic location at Williamtown Aerospace Centre will allow it to work alongside leading industry names like Raytheon Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia, and Boeing as well as cutting-edge smaller businesses and start-ups.

“The Hunter region’s defence sector employs more than 4,600 people and contributes $1.3 billion to the region’s economy but the DSA-18 hub will provide new impetus for innovation-led growth.”

University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Caroline McMillen, said the DSA-18 Hub would provide an important platform to build on UON’s strong research performance and global reputation in defence, security and aerospace.

“Around the world we have seen that the best innovation ecosystems are those where new industries, jobs and opportunities are created when research, business, government and community forge strong alliances,” Professor McMillen said.

“With UON’s expertise in interdisciplinary fields such as visual simulation, robotics, biometrics, cognition modelling, frontier energy technologies, navigation systems, disaster preparedness and recovery, cybersecurity and advanced sensor platforms, the DSA-18 Hub will provide a capability boost to the growing cluster of businesses and defence-related activities at Williamtown.”

More information about the Boosting Business Innovation Program can be found at https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/business-and-industry-in-nsw/innovation-and-research/boosting-business-innovation-program.