newy.com.au – Rezonings have been finalised for two Hunter mining sites, allowing new industrial uses that the federal and NSW governments say could support more than 7,000 jobs.
The changes cover the Mt Arthur Coal Mine near Muswellbrook and the Macquarie Coal Complex at Teralba and West Wallsend. They allow former mining land to be used for industries including renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and warehousing.
The NSW Government has also identified former mining land at the Macquarie complex as the preferred location for a new state owned facility to build passenger trains. The rezoning does not approve that facility or other individual projects, which will still require their own development assessments.
Rehabilitation obligations also remain in place. Land can only be released for development once the mining company has rehabilitated it and it has been confirmed safe, stable and non-polluting.
At BHP’s Mt Arthur Coal Mine, mining operations are scheduled to end in 2030. The rezoning covers 5,700 hectares, including about 800 hectares across two priority areas identified for early industrial development, with access to major highways and the existing rail loop.
The governments estimate future development at Mt Arthur could support up to 5,900 jobs. The plan also provides for close to 4,600 hectares to be used for agriculture and environmental purposes after rehabilitation.
Muswellbrook Shire Council Mayor Jeffrey Drayton said the rezoning was a significant step as the community prepared for a shift from coal mining to new industries.
“The next important step is turning this plan into real investment, jobs and opportunities for our community,” he said.
The Macquarie Coal Complex rezoning provides for a 1,142 hectare employment precinct, including at least 500 hectares of developable land. The governments estimate it could support up to 1,130 jobs.
The former mine site is about 20 kilometres south west of Newcastle and has links to the M1 and Main Northern Railway. The plan also includes around 36 hectares of new open space and 22 hectares of residential land in Barnsley West and Teralba Southgate.
The governments said the sites’ existing road, rail, power and water infrastructure, together with the Hunter’s skilled workforce, would help support new enterprises.
The pilot rezoning work was supported by a $5 million Commonwealth investment and in kind support from the NSW Government, working with Muswellbrook and Lake Macquarie councils. The governments intend the projects to provide a model for reusing mining land elsewhere.
The two proposals were publicly exhibited from 14 July to 11 August 2026 and received 177 submissions in total. Future development applications will need to address the constraints affecting each site.
