MidCoast Councillors endorsed the MidCoast Urban Release Areas Report 2026 this week, following community consultation from May to July.
The reviewed MidCoast Urban Release Areas Report 2026 updates the original 2021 report. Urban release areas are sites that have been identified for future urban development. The report supports the orderly release of land in appropriate locations, with suitable infrastructure to meet demand.
Executive Manager Sustainable Development, Rachel Pleasant explained that the review was undertaken to reflect technical studies undertaken at Hallidays Point that addressed traffic, bushfire and biodiversity issues in a location that has been subject to high growth. It was also an opportunity to update the constraint mapping for all MidCoast urban release areas.
“The revised Report lists current urban release areas across the MidCoast and better aligns with the Hunter Regional Plan 2041,” said Ms Pleasant.
It is important to note that there is sufficient land to cater for the growth of the MidCoast over the next 20 years, given the future development of major growth areas at Brimbin and North Tuncurry which will provide an estimated 10,000 dwellings, as well as the current urban release areas which will provide an estimated 4,300 dwellings.
To view the full report, see Review | MidCoast Urban Release Areas Report | Have Your Say
