The Federal and State Governments, together with Muswellbrook and Lake Macquarie councils, have announced that new planning controls have been finalised to allow former mining land in the Hunter to become home to new industrial precincts, which they say could unlock more than 7,000 jobs.
The controls apply to the Mount Arthur coal mine site near Muswellbrook and the Macquarie Coal Complex at West Wallsend. They will allow the land to be used for new industries including renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and warehousing. The finalised rezonings deliver on a $5 million Federal Government investment, alongside in-kind support from the State Government.
Mount Arthur, owned by BHP, is due to end mining operations in 2030. Two areas have been zoned for new industry, with access to major highways and the existing rail loop. The finalised proposal covers 5,700 hectares, including around 800 hectares in two priority areas for early activation. It would deliver up to 5,900 new jobs, with close to 4,600 hectares of rehabilitated land set aside for agricultural and environmental use.
The Macquarie Coal Complex, 20 kilometres south-west of Newcastle and linked to the M1 and Main Northern Railway, has already been named as the preferred location for a new state-owned train building facility. The finalised proposal includes a 1,142 hectare employment precinct with at least 500 hectares of developable land, up to 1,130 new jobs, about 36 hectares of new open space and 22 hectares of residential land at Barnsley West and Teralba Southgate.
The governments say the rezonings do not switch off rehabilitation requirements. Land will only be released once it has been rehabilitated by the mining company and confirmed safe, stable and non-polluting, and future projects will still go through their own development assessment. The proposals were on exhibition from 14 July to 11 August 2026 and received 177 submissions.
Muswellbrook Shire Mayor Jeffrey Drayton said the plan was a significant step forward as the community moves from coal mining to new industries.
“This is more than just a plan; it’s a vote of confidence in Muswellbrook and our future beyond coal,” he said.
“The next important step is turning this plan into real investment, jobs and opportunities for our community.”
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the rezonings would help the Hunter remain one of the state’s economic powerhouses.
“Through these rezonings and plans for a new train manufacturing facility the government is cementing the Hunter as a major industrial hub,” she said.
NSW Minister for Natural Resources and Domestic Manufacturing Courtney Houssos said it builds on a huge week of announcments for mining in the region.
“We’re making sure the coal mines which have sustained communities and families for generations can continue to support jobs even after mining ends,” she said.
“These rezonings build on the passing of our legislation this week to establish the Future Jobs Investment Authority, which will support the long-term economic development of NSW’s coal-producing regions.”
