More than 7,000 new jobs are set to be created across the Hunter region in New South Wales following the finalisation of landmark planning controls that will transform former coal mining sites into thriving industrial hubs.
A joint initiative between the federal and NSW governments, alongside Muswellbrook Shire and Lake Macquarie councils, has unlocked thousands of hectares of land at the Mt Arthur Coal Mine near Muswellbrook and the Macquarie Coal Complex at West Wallsend.
The pilot rezoning program, supported by AU$5 million in federal funding and in-kind state support, establishes a modern blueprint for post-mining land use as Australia transitions towards a net-zero economy.
Under the new frameworks, former mining land will be repurposed for renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, logistics and warehousing.
At the Mt Arthur Coal Mine, owned by BHP and slated to cease mining in 2030, two priority activation areas totalling 800 hectares have been zoned for early industry, creating up to 5,900 jobs.
An additional 4,600 hectares of rehabilitated land will be preserved for agricultural and environmental purposes.
Meanwhile, the 1,142-hectare Macquarie Coal Complex will generate up to 1,130 jobs and host a new state-owned train building facility designed to manufacture the next generation of New South Wales passenger trains.
The site also includes 36 hectares of new open space and 22 hectares set aside for residential housing.
Ministers emphasised that the rezonings do not alter environmental obligations, ensuring mining companies fully rehabilitate and stabilise the land before development can proceed.
All future projects on these sites will still go through their own development assessment, which will ensure the development has considered any constraints.
State and federal representatives praised the project for leveraging existing rail, road, power and water infrastructure to secure long-term prosperity for local families and workers.
“These plans support the future of the Hunter’s industrial opportunities, putting former mining land back to work and backing new industry and jobs across the Hunter,” said Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres.
