A blueprint for turning two former Hunter mine sites into major industrial precincts could become a test case for how post-mining land is redeveloped across NSW.
On Tuesday, the Newcastle Herald revealed state and federal government plans to unlock more than 7000 jobs by rezoning the Mt Arthur Coal Mine site and Macquarie Coal Complex for new industries, including renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and warehousing.
Documents released with the plans revealed that the two Hunter sites were being used as pilot projects to identify changes to planning and mining laws that could streamline the redevelopment of former mine sites across NSW.
Business Hunter chief executive Bob Hawes welcomed the plans as an important "first step", but said there was still work to be done to address land use challenges and attract the investment needed to turn the sites into employment hubs.
"In particular, there is a need for clear regulatory pathways, greater certainty for investors, coordinated planning across government agencies and meaningful engagement with industry, local government and community," Mr Hawes said.
The two sites offer different redevelopment opportunities. Mt Arthur is still an operating mine with existing industrial infrastructure and transport links, while Macquarie Coal has stopped mining and has direct access to the M1 and freight rail.
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said he was already aware of a number of businesses looking for sites in the Hunter.
"These rezonings create an attractive business proposition due to both the region's workforce expertise and existing infrastructure like heavy rail, road, power and water," Mr Scully said.
"With the rezonings now on exhibition, we expect both companies to be fielding numerous prospective business inquiries.
"These pilot sites are paving the way for future post-mining land use in retiring mines across the state."
Mr Scully said work was already under way to investigate future rezonings at Eraring, Liddell and Bayswater.
Mt Arthur's transition was expected to be a "complex, long-term process".
The size of the site will allow for multiple industries to develop over time, particularly those that are often difficult to locate close to towns, such as energy storage, logistics, circular economy activities and heavy industry.
"At the same time, proximity to Muswellbrook allows future development to leverage the existing workforce, service and infrastructure, ensuring the precinct supports and strengthens the town and broader local economy," the plan said.
The master plan divides Mt Arthur into four industrial precincts, ranging from warehousing and logistics, to defence manufacturing, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.
Subject to future investigations, some parts of the site could be turned into woodlands and open spaces, with the potential for nature-based recreation and tourism, or agricultural uses.
Property Council Hunter and Central Coast regional director Stephen Crowe said the plans outlined the exact type of economic diversification the Hunter needed.
"We've consistently argued former mining and energy sites represent one of the Hunter's best opportunities to support new industries, attract investment and create future jobs," Mr Crowe said.
"The next challenge is translating these plans into real jobs, real investment and real projects on the ground, including a clear role for government in attracting the private capital needed to make these precincts a reality."
Mr Crowe said unlocking employment land needed to come with more investment in housing, transport connections and enabling infrastructure.
"If we're creating new industrial precincts, we also need to give workers the chance to live nearby, move efficiently across the region and access the jobs being created," he said.
Aurecon data in the plans shows the Hunter region is forecast to lose about 14,000 coal-related industrial jobs by 2035.
Total employment is expected to grow by 40,000 to 75,000 jobs over the next decade in healthcare, education, professional services and emerging clean economy sectors.
According to the plans, Lake Macquarie is at the centre of the transformation, under "sustained pressure" to deliver new jobs and services.
Population growth is not matched by the supply of well-located employment land, generating a shortfall in serviced employment land by 2046.
Meanwhile, the Lower Hunter lacks purpose-built, large-scale industrial precincts capable of housing renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, circular economy or regional logistics uses.
The Macquarie Coal Complex would be redeveloped over several decades into a mix of industrial, manufacturing, logistics and energy-intensive industries, while parts of the site could be transformed into recreation and tourism areas.
The draft plans are on public exhibition until August 11, before the government prepares recommendations on broader planning reforms later this year.
