Ministers for the Department of Industry, Science and Resources
The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments and Muswellbrook and Lake Macquarie councils are working together to secure the future of the Hunter, with new plans set to unlock more than 7,000 jobs as part of the region’s shift from coal into a major industrial hub.
The first major post-mining land transformations plans at the Mt Arthur Coal Mine site near Muswellbrook and the Macquarie Coal Complex at West Wallsend have been released today delivering on the Commonwealth Government’s $5 million investment, alongside in-kind support from the NSW Government. The first major post-mining land transformations plans at the Mt Arthur Coal Mine site near Muswellbrook and the Macquarie Coal Complex at West Wallsend have been revealed today forming a blueprint for new employment and industry precincts that will drive economic growth across the region.
This delivers on the Commonwealth investment of $5 million to fund the post mining land use master plans alongside in-kind support from the NSW Government.
These sites will be repurposed to create new jobs and industrial precincts that drive economic growth across the region.
The draft master plans and rezoning proposals are now on public exhibition. They map how the Hunter’s skilled workforce combined with the proximity of strong rail, road, power and water infrastructure lay the foundation for the success of new industries including renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and warehousing.
The plans set out how the Mt Arthur and Macquarie coal mining areas will be transformed from supplying coal to providing new job opportunities as part of a post-mining land use trial.
The plans deliver on the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments’ effort in the Hunter that land previously used for mining can be transformed for new employment and industry.
Mt Arthur coal mine, Muswellbrook
Following the commercial decision by BHP to cease mining operations at their Mt Arthur coal mine near Muswellbrook in 2030, two areas will be zoned for new industry with access to major highways and the existing rail loop.
Key features of the draft master plan and rezoning proposal include:
• Total area of 5,400 hectares
• Over 950 hectares of land in the two priority areas identified for early activation
• Approximately 5,900 new jobs.
Macquarie Coal Complex, Teralba/West Wallsend
The Macquarie Coal Complex, located just 20km south-west of Newcastle, is ideally positioned to become a major employment precinct for renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and warehousing.
Macquarie Coal Complex is a former mine site and is directly linked to the M1 and the Main Northern Railway.
Key features of the draft master plan and rezoning proposal include:
• Total area of 1,160 hectares
• At least 500 hectares of developable land
• Up to 1,130 new jobs
• Around 36 hectares of new open space
Next Steps
A recommendations report will be handed down based on these pilot projects by the end of the year, setting out a clear reform agenda to streamline future post-mining land use opportunities.
This complements other work by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments along with local councils, already underway to investigate future rezonings at sites across the state including Eraring, Liddell and Bayswater.
The draft master plans are on public exhibition for 28 days from 14 July to 11 August. In-person drop-in sessions will be held in both Muswellbrook and Lake Macquarie during the exhibition period, giving the community the chance to speak directly with the project team.
Community feedback received during this time will help shape the final plans, which are expected to be finalised by the end of the year. To view the proposals and have your say, visit Mt Arthur Mine or Macquarie Coal Complex.
Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres said:
“The Hunter has the skills, infrastructure and industrial capacity to lead Australia’s next wave of economic growth.
“These masterplans are about attracting new industries, creating high quality local jobs and cementing the region as a major hub for manufacturing and innovation –powering Australia’s economic resilience for decades to come.”
NSW Minister for Hunter Yasmin Catley said:
“The Hunter has powered NSW for generations and we are making sure it continues to power our economy into the future.
“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.”
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
"The Minns Labor Government is acting now to plan for the Hunter’s future, including making the most of strategically located land and existing infrastructure.
“These proposals provide a clear pathway for former mining land to support new industries, investment and jobs for decades to come and add thousands of hectares to the amount of available and serviced industrial land in NSW.”
NSW Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said:
“Coal mines in the Hunter have sustained communities and families for generations, and we want to make sure these sites can continue to support jobs even after mining ends.
“This is another example of how the Minns Labor Government is partnering with communities and industry to re-build manufacturing and industry across the Hunter.”
Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi said:
“The Hunter’s next chapter has been built here, by Hunter workers, using Hunter skills. These plans are about urning former mine land into future job sites, with real opportunities in manufacturing, renewables, logistics and industry.
“We’ve got the workforce, we’ve got the know-how, and we’ve got the infrastructure. Now it’s about making sure local people are front and centre as these sites are transformed.”
NSW Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr said:
“The Minns Labor Government is backing the Hunter, creating opportunities for local workers, businesses and communities as the region’s economy evolves.”
“The more than 7,000 jobs set to be created through these projects will make the most of the existing Hunters skilled workforce and help cement the region as a major industrial hub.”
Muswellbrook Shire Council Mayor Jeffrey Drayton said:
“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.”
“This is not about letting mines off the hook. It is about balancing environmental, economic and social outcomes so Muswellbrook can achieve our potential and continue to power the future economy like we have been doing for decades.”
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said:
"The transformation of the Macquarie Coal Complex represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help shape Lake Macquarie'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.”