BUSINESS, TOURISM & LIFESTYLE

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1 KURRI KURRI DISTRICT INVESTMENT PROSPECTUS BUSINESS, TOURISM & LIFESTYLE Kurri Kurri Weston Abermain Neath Heddon Greta Pelaw Main Stanford Merthyr Cliftleigh Mulbring November 2012

2 Welcome MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Above: Richmond Main Steam and Rail Museum Left: Rotary Park, Kurri Kurri Hunter Valley Real Estate THE TEAM YOU CAN TRUST Property Management & Sales Agents SPECIALISING IN: Residential & Rural Property Sales & Letting Agents & Auctioneers PH Lang St Kurri Kurri 2327 Fax Rod Doherty President Kurri Kurri District Business Chamber Kurri Kurri is a classically designed town of the early 1900s, set in the centre of the Hunter Valley close to the port of Newcastle and its world class beaches, at the same time just a short drive from the world famous vineyards. The name Kurri Kurri comes from the local Aboriginal language and means First time once upon a time, shortened to The Very First. Established in 1902 to service the rapidly growing coal mining industry of the Hunter Valley, it has flourished to become a key town in the area, providing quality living close to the city of Newcastle and the towns of Maitland, and Cessnock. Kurri Kurri is an easy drive to Sydney via the F3 Freeway. Travelling time will be further reduced with the opening of the Hunter Expressway and the Kurri Kurri Interchange at the end of Country towns like Kurri Kurri were vital to the viability of early pioneering settlement. Today the town provides residents and visitors with an important connection to the past with its pictorial history of more than 50 murals and is becoming one of the best known mural towns in the World. As President of the District Business Chamber, I warmly welcome visitors, new businesses and new settlers to the community of Kurri Kurri and the many smaller towns that surround it. Kurri Kurri & District Business Chamber. Investment Prospectus prepared November Edition 2 K U R R I K U R R I & D I S T R I C T 3

3 Contents KURRI KURRI & DISTRICT Key Benefits 6 Spacious Land 7 Central Location 7 Diverse Industries 8 Attractions 8 Regional Summary 9 District Map 10 Education 12 Commerce & Industry 12 Heritage & Tourism 13 Recreation & Sport 14 Cultural Activities & Events 15 Community Organisation Directory 16 Hunter Expressway 18 Left: The BIG Kookaburra Rotary Park, Kurri Kurri K U R R I K U R R I & D I S T R I C T 5

4 The Kurri Kurri District KEY BENEFITS Left: Galloway Mural, Kurri Kurri If you are located in a metropolitan area your lifestyle is probably affected by crowding, pollution, transport chaos, crime and inner city isolation. Your business may face higher overheads, unreliable supply of goods, skills shortage, adverse zoning regulations, escalating land costs and limited room to expand. The Kurri Kurri District offers businesses numerous benefits including: Below: Peace Park, Weston Above: Watagan Mountains Left: New Housing Estate, Weston Below: Kurri Kurri Aquatic Centre Affordable housing costs Fast dual lane Freeway access to Newcastle and Sydney Relaxed rural and residential lifestyle Short distances from work Minutes from vineyards and major tourist attractions Competitive utility and land rates Friendly reliable service Ready supply of engineering skills Strong community spirit Reliable and skilled workforce Large industrial base High quality TAFE and education facilities Excellent CBD with competitive supermarkets SPACIOUS LAND As well as spacious industrial sites, the region offers low establishment costs. Quality housing in well serviced suburbs is another benefit of the area. New sub divisions offer good sized blocks and proposed sub divisions will cater for the future expanding residential market. CENTRAL LOCATION Located close to the major national highways and the new Hunter Expressway, Kurri Kurri gives easy access to Sydney, Brisbane, the Central Coast and the North-West region. Kurri Kurri is well serviced by all forms of transport. Sydney is just 30 minutes by air from Newcastle and Cessnock airports, and 90 minutes by car or luxury coach. Overseas shipping can be conducted through the Port of Newcastle. With its well developed import and export facilities, Newcastle is set to become the largest container facility in New South Wales. Eventual capacity will be up to one million containers annually. Useful Websites Above: Native animals abound in the district 6 I N V E S T M E N T P R O S P E C T U S N O V E M B E R K U R R I K U R R I & D I S T R I C T 7

5 DIVERSE INDUSTRIES Founded in 1902, Kurri Kurri was established to service the rapidly expanding coal industry. Since the decline of the coal mines in the 1960s, new industries have stimulated growth in the region. Weston Aluminium, Aluminium Extrusion plant, Orica Limited and ITW Strapping plant are located in the region to take advantage of the skilled labour force, spacious sites and proximity to overseas markets. These industries have attracted numerous smaller companies, revitalised the retail area and encouraged the development of new housing sub-divisions. With the future release of large tracks of industrial land in the Hunter Economic Zone, major manufacturing and infrastructure companies are expected to relocate to the area. Located within an easy distance of the famous Hunter Valley Wine Country, the Kurri Kurri District forms the eastern gateway to the fabulous wine region and its associated tourism industries. ATTRACTIONS Reminiscent of bygone times, the Kurri Kurri District is rich in heritage activities including mural tours, colliery tours, steam train rides and one of Australia s last drive-in movie theatres. The Kurri Kurri District has been developed into the largest Mural Town in mainland Australia, with more than 50 murals already in place and more in the development stage. The town is also home to the Big Kookaburra in Rotary Park, built from recycled materials by one of the best known artists in the Hunter Valley, Chris Fussell, who to date has also painted three of the town s murals. The annual Nostalgia Festival showcasing Above: Hunter Valley Vineyard classic cars, rock n roll, markets and much more, over a weekend in March, brings more than 40,000 people to the town. Art galleries, antiques and craft shops abound in the vicinity. Bush dancing at the Buttai Barn is a favourite activity with residents and visitors. Within a short drive is the beautiful Hunter Valley Vineyard area with many fine wineries, the magnificent Hunter Valley Gardens, world-class golf courses, resorts, restaurants and picnic facilities. Adventure tourism is also becoming increasingly popular with activities such as motorcycle touring, hotair ballooning, horse riding, aerobatics and helicopter charters all available. Many picnic areas and scenic lookouts are found in the Watagan Mountains, a 15 minute drive south of Kurri Kurri. The Kurri Kurri District features many sporting facilities including, golf, tennis, lawn bowls and a state of the art aquatic centre. Within a 40 minute drive, Newcastle has the finest surfing beaches on the east coast, and the water wonderlands of Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens are easily accessible. KURRI KURRI DISTRICT SUMMARY Population: >21,000 (current estimate based on ABS Sept 2011 stats) Elevation: 54.4 metres Distances: (kms) Kurri Kurri Sydney 145 Kurri Kurri Newcastle 38 Kurri Kurri Cessnock 14 Kurri Kurri Maitland 14 Kurri Kurri Wahroonga 123 Below: Kurri Kurri Golf Course 8 I N V E S T M E N T P R O S P E C T U S N O V E M B E R K U R R I K U R R I & D I S T R I C T 9

6 District Map Hunter Expressway HEZ Above Left: Mount Vincent Anglican Church Above Right: Nostalgia Festival held in March every year 10 I N V E S T M E N T P R O S P E C T U S N O V E M B E R K U R R I K U R R I & D I S T R I C T 11

7 EDUCATION HERITAGE & TOURISM Above: Kurri Kurri Community Festival The Kurri Kurri District offers a host of education and training opportunities for a regional community. The Kurri Kurri TAFE campus offers a broad range of subjects including Viticulture, Horticulture, Hunter Valley Hotel Academy and Heavy Plant Mechanic training. Kurri Kurri High School is a Centre of Excellence in education and well serviced by public transport. Kurri Kurri Community Centre offers adult education and training through the WEA. The Hunter Region Business Enterprise Centre provides training in small business management and business start up support. The BEC is part of a network of Business Enterprise Centres across Australia. There are eight Junior schools in the district including Catholic education. Nearby Maitland and Cessnock also offer private education facilities. Within 30 minutes drive of Kurri Kurri is the University of Newcastle. The Kurri Kurri District was established around coal mining in the late 1890s. The township of Kurri Kurri was gazetted in 1902, with the townships of Abermain and Weston being gazetted in the following years. Today the townships are rich in coal mining history with nine grand hotels testament to the early wealth of the district. The hotels provide a significant historical link to the past. Top: The Jack Newton Golf Mural Centre: The Bullocky Mural, Allworth Street, Kurri Kurri Below: Historic Kurri Kurri Hotel In recent years the Kurri Kurri, Weston and Abermain Tidy Town Committees along with the Coalfields Heritage Group and Richmond Main Steam and Heritage Museum have worked tirelessly to ensure the cultural heritage of the district is retained. Towns With Heart Inc. is a community group undertaking the extensive mural project reflecting the history of the area. Kurri Kurri is now recognised internationally for its murals. COMMERCE & INDUSTRY Below: CBD Supermarket The district has an active Business Chamber committed to ensuring the Kurri Kurri District retains a strong economic base. Many new fabrication and manufacturing companies have established operations on the Weston Industrial Estate, which is at near capacity. The mining industry in the Upper Hunter and Lake Macquarie areas provides employment opportunities for many local people. The future development of the Hunter Economic Zone (HEZ) will provide substantial employment opportunities for decades to come. Commercial business parks within 15 minutes of Kurri Kurri provide excellent employment opportunities. New housing estates have been developed to cater for the growing population of the district. Currently there are approximately 1,000 lots under construction. Right: New Housing Estate 12 I N V E S T M E N T P R O S P E C T U S N O V E M B E R K U R R I K U R R I & D I S T R I C T 13

8 CULTURAL ACTIVITIES & EVENTS RECREATION & SPORT Left: Loxford Park Speedway (photo courtesy of All Action Motorsports Photography) Below: Moto GP World Champion, Casey Stoner from Kurri Kurri A wide range of cultural experiences is available to residents and visitors alike in the Kurri Kurri District. The Coalfields Heritage Group houses an impressive historical collection in its museum, set in the grounds of Kurri Kurri High School, and responds to frequent research requests from both visitors and locals by using the extensive files and historical records in the Jim Comerford Library. For the nature lover there are a number of beautiful picnicking, mountain bike riding and bushwalking sites in the region. The Watagan Mountains offer spectacular views of the Hunter, excellent picnic spots, and for the more adventurous the Great North Walk. Other lookouts include Bimbadeen at Cessnock and Mt Sugarloaf 15 minutes east of Kurri Kurri. The community has developed a Heritage Walking Trail at Kurri Kurri that will eventually link up the many villages around the town. Photographic stands depict the history of the community along the Trail. Peace Park at Weston offers picnic and playground equipment for young families. Kurri Kurri boasts an ultra modern indoor Aquatic Centre unmatched in the Lower Hunter. The Kurri Kurri District is famous for the large number of international rugby league, soccer stars and motorcycle World champions that the community has produced. It is recognised as the home of speedway with a new purpose-built circuit that opened in Sports such as rugby league, soccer, netball, lawn bowls, golf and motor cycle speedway are popular. The famous Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin offer extensive picnic and leisure activities. They are the largest privately owned gardens in Australia. The district is proud of its Geordie, Welsh and British heritage. The Abermain Eisteddfod is one of the best annual events in the country for up and coming artists and entertainers. The Richmond Main Steam and Heritage Park is popular with people who have an interest in the age of steam and our coal mining heritage. It is open to the public on the first three weekends of the month. The annual Weston District Art Show is one of the largest regional art shows in the Hunter. Kurri Kurri Girl Guides conduct the Kurri Kurri Farmers Markets on the second Saturday of the month in Rotary Park. Nearby cultural attractions include Maitland Steam Locomotive No. 10 Mural at Weston Workers Club Festival, Morpeth Festivals, Jazz in the Vines, Opera in the Vineyards, great concerts, the Lovedale Long Lunch and the annual Harvest Festival in the vineyards. 14 I N V E S T M E N T P R O S P E C T U S N O V E M B E R K U R R I K U R R I & D I S T R I C T 15

9 Kurri Kurri Community Organisations EDUCATION Abermain Public School Goulburn Street Abermain Uniting Church of Kurri Kurri COMMUNITY GROUPS Cnr Victoria & Rawson Streets Kurri Kurri Holy Spirit Infants School Church Street Abermain Barkuma Indigenous Neighbourhood Centre 76 Lang Street Kurri Kurri Holy Spirit Primary School Barton Street Kurri Kurri Kurri Kurri High School PO Box 71 Kurri Kurri NSW Kurri Kurri Public School PO Box 92, Kurri Kurri NSW Hunter Prelude Early Intervention Centre 131 Northcote Street Kurri Kurri Kurri Early Childhood Centre Inc 107 Lang Street Kurri Kurri Kurri Kurri & District Pre-School Kindergarten Kurri Kurri Kidzone Playgroup HEALTH Kurri Kurri Community Health Centre Cnr Tarro Road & Boundary Street Kurri Kurri Lang Street Kurri Kurri Kurri Kurri District Hospital, Lang Street Kurri Kurri Kurri Kurri District Hospital PO Box 44 Kurri Kurri Lower Hunter Temporary Care Inc Occupational Therapy Kurri Kurri District Hospital CHURCHES Kurri Kurri Baptist Church Kurri Kurri Congregational Church Kurri Kurri District Hospital, Lang Street Kurri Kurri 2327 Kurri Kurri District Hospital, Lang Street Kurri Kurri Edward Street Kurri Kurri Rawson Street Kurri Kurri Cessnock Youth Development Project Girl Guide Association (NSW) Kurri Kurri District Kurri Kurri Community Centre 251 Lang Street Kurri Kurri Lang Street Kurri Kurri Kurri Kurri Junior Soccer Club Birralee Park Heddon Street Kurri Kurri Kurri Kurri Little Athletics Club Birralee Park Heddon Street Kurri Kurri Kurri Kurri Scouts PO Box 300 Kurri Kurri OTHER Coalfields Heritage Museum Home Modification and Maintenance Services Hunter Region Business Enterprise Centre Deakin Street Kurri Kurri PO Box 473 Kurri Kurri PO Box 195 Kurri Kurri Kurri Kurri Local Court Lang Street Kurri Kurri Kurri Kurri Masonic Village 412 Lang Street Kurri Kurri Kurri Kurri Tidy Towns Inc 159 Maitland Street Kurri Kurri NSW Fire Brigade - Kurri Kurri Towns With Heart Inc Weston Heritage & Tidy Town (WHATT) 119 Lang Street Kurri Kurri Visitor Centre 199 Lang Street Kurri Kurri Second Street Weston I N V E S T M E N T P R O S P E C T U S N O V E M B E R K U R R I K U R R I & D I S T R I C T 17

10 Hunter Expressway Nestled in the heart of the Hunter Valley, Kurri Golf Club is situated just a short drive from Hunter Valley Wine Country and Newcastle s famous beaches. Weekly Competitions: Tuesday, Friday and Saturday Wednesday: Ladies and Seniors. Social Golf: Thursday: ½ Price Day Sunday: Group bookings accepted. K urri G olf C lub For bookings or more information phone: The Hunter Expressway has a long planning history, but is now a reality after the announcement in 2009 by the Federal Government to construct. The Expressway involves the construction of a 40Km four lane freeway link between the F3 Freeway and Branxton on the New England Highway. Kurri Kurri will be the major beneficiary of this important piece of NSW infrastructure. It will be completed in late I N V E S T M E N T P R O S P E C T U S N O V E M B E R

11 Kurri Kurri District Business Chamber is committed to improving the communities of Kurri Kurri and district through communication, promotion of our community, business opportunities and lifestyles. PO Box 255 Kurri Kurri NSW 2327 Ph: (02)