Planning for the future use of former coal mine land has moved into public consultation, with draft master plans released for the Mt Arthur coal mine near Muswellbrook and the Macquarie Coal Complex at West Wallsend.
The Albanese and Minns governments, together with Muswellbrook Shire Council and Lake Macquarie City Council, have identified the sites as the first pilot projects examining how land can transition from mining to long term industrial use. The proposals are backed by a $5 million Commonwealth investment and in kind support from the NSW Government.
Together, the developments are expected to create capacity for more than 7,000 jobs through future manufacturing, renewable energy, warehousing and other industrial activities.
Existing infrastructure offers a head start
A key feature of both proposals is the use of existing transport and utility infrastructure already in place at the mine sites.
At Mt Arthur, BHP’s commercial decision to cease mining operations in 2030 has opened the opportunity to prepare parts of the 5,400 hectare site for future industry. More than 950 hectares across two priority areas have been identified for early activation, with capacity for approximately 5,900 jobs.
The Macquarie Coal Complex covers 1,160 hectares, including at least 500 hectares of developable land and around 36 hectares of planned open space. The site is expected to support up to 1,130 jobs and benefits from direct connections to the M1 Motorway and the Main Northern Railway.
The draft master plans identify renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and warehousing as suitable future land uses, supported by existing access to power, water, road and rail infrastructure.
Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation Tim Ayres told ABC Newcastle the work was intended to prepare former mining land for new industrial investment rather than leaving planning until after mine closure.
“We’re using a portion of that land for new factories, for new industrial use, to drive new investment in reindustrialising and diversifying the Hunter Valley economy.”
Pilot projects to inform future reforms
The Mt Arthur and Macquarie proposals will also be used to examine how future post mining land transitions can be made more efficient across NSW.
A recommendations report is expected by the end of the year, drawing on lessons from the two pilot projects and identifying any planning or legislative reforms that could support similar projects elsewhere.
The work complements investigations already underway into future land use opportunities at Eraring, Liddell and Bayswater.
Speaking at the announcement in Muswellbrook, NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the proposals sought to retain rehabilitation requirements while making better use of industrial assets already on site.
“We can still maintain rehabilitation requirements, and this is not about letting anyone off that requirement. But we’re saying that there’s a lot of great assets, as you can see behind us, that could be repurposed for future jobs growth.”
Scully said each future development would still require its own planning approvals and environmental assessment, with rehabilitation obligations remaining in place.
Councils push for planning before closure
Muswellbrook Shire Council Mayor Jeffrey Drayton said planning ahead was essential to attracting replacement industries before mining employment declines.
He said preparing land for future investment while mines continue operating would give communities greater certainty and reduce delays between mine closure and new industrial activity.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said the Macquarie Coal Complex presented an opportunity to create new employment and attract investment as the local economy evolved.
Consultation now underway
The draft master plans and rezoning proposals are on public exhibition from 14 July until 11 August, with community drop in sessions planned in Muswellbrook and Lake Macquarie during the consultation period.
Community feedback will be used to refine the proposals before final plans are completed later this year.
If adopted, the pilot projects will provide governments, councils and industry with a tested framework for preparing former mining land for future industrial development, while making use of existing infrastructure already connected to road, rail, power and water networks.
