newy.com.au – The Lower Hunter and Central Coast would have a combined indicative target of 50 hectares of development ready industrial land a year under a proposed NSW Government planning framework released for public comment.
The proposed Industrial Lands Categorisation for Regional NSW, the Central Coast and Lower Hunter would classify industrial land as state, regionally or locally significant. The classifications would reflect each area’s role, scale, infrastructure connections and economic contribution, helping guide planning decisions to meet future demand.
The framework also sets an indicative target of 40 hectares a year across regional NSW. It identifies investigation areas where opportunities for additional industrial land, and constraints involving infrastructure and services, would be examined.
Alongside the categorisation proposal, the government is exhibiting separate changes to statewide planning rules intended to give businesses greater flexibility to establish and operate industrial developments.
The government says those changes would simplify approval pathways for developments including distribution centres, warehouses built over several storeys and facilities supporting online retail, freight and logistics. They remain proposals, rather than rules already in force.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said the reforms were intended to support investment and jobs.
“Industrial land is the backbone of our freight and logistics networks. Every time you order an online package or have your groceries delivered, it comes through an industrial or employment zone to get to you.”
The government says growing demand for industrial land and housing means NSW needs to make better use of existing employment areas while securing land for future growth.
The proposals follow the finalisation in August of the Statewide Policy for Industrial Lands, the first action under the government’s Industrial Lands Action Plan.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure is also progressing separate minor amendments to industrial land planning controls following stakeholder feedback. Those amendments are expected to take effect before the end of 2026.
The planning changes and categorisation framework opened for public comment on Thursday, 29 October 2026. They are being exhibited separately, with both exhibitions closing at 5pm on Thursday, 26 November 2026. More information is available through NSW Planning.
