newy.com.au – More than 7,000 jobs could be created under draft plans to transform mine land at Muswellbrook and Lake Macquarie into industrial precincts supporting manufacturing, renewable energy and warehousing.
The master plans and rezoning proposals for BHP’s Mt Arthur Coal Mine and the former Macquarie Coal Complex went on public exhibition on Tuesday as part of a joint post-mining land use trial involving the federal and NSW governments and the two local councils.
The Commonwealth has invested $5 million in the work, with in-kind support from the NSW Government. The plans seek to capitalise on the Hunter’s skilled workforce and existing rail, road, power and water infrastructure as the region’s economy shifts away from coal.
At Mt Arthur, where BHP has made a commercial decision to cease mining in 2030, two areas would be zoned for new industries with access to major highways and the mine’s existing rail loop. The draft plan covers 5,400 hectares, including more than 950 hectares across two priority areas identified for early activation, and forecasts about 5,900 jobs.
The 1,160-hectare Macquarie Coal Complex at Teralba and West Wallsend is about 20 kilometres south-west of Newcastle and has direct links to the M1 and Main Northern Railway. Its proposed redevelopment includes at least 500 hectares of developable land, about 36 hectares of new open space and employment for up to 1,130 people.
Federal Industry and Innovation Minister Tim Ayres said the Hunter was well placed to attract new investment.
“The Hunter has the skills, infrastructure and industrial capacity to lead Australia’s next wave of economic growth,” Senator Ayres said.
NSW Hunter Minister Yasmin Catley said the plans would help maintain the region’s economic role.
“These plans will help create thousands of local jobs, attract new investment and give Hunter communities confidence that the region will remain one of the state’s economic powerhouses,” she said.
Muswellbrook Mayor Jeffrey Drayton said planning for new industries needed to occur before mining ended.
“This project is critical for our community. We need the land to attract new industry and create jobs, so Muswellbrook has a future after mining. We don’t have time to wait until mines close down to do this work,” Cr Drayton said.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz described the proposed transformation of the Macquarie complex as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to shape the city’s future.
“By working in partnership with the NSW and Australian Governments and industry, we’re planning ahead to create new jobs and attract investment as the economy evolves,” Cr Shultz said.
The draft plans will remain on exhibition until 11 August, with drop-in sessions to be held in Muswellbrook and Lake Macquarie during the 28-day consultation period. Community feedback will inform the final plans, which are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
A recommendations report based on the two pilot projects is also due by the end of 2026 and will propose reforms intended to streamline future post-mining land uses. Similar rezoning investigations are under way at Eraring, Liddell and Bayswater.
The proposals and feedback forms are available through the NSW Planning Portal at https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/ppr/pre-exhibition/mt-arthur-mine and https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/ppr/under-exhibition/macquarie-coal-complex.
