The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments and Muswellbrook and Lake Macquarie councils have worked together to unlock more than 7,000 jobs for the Hunter, as major post mining land use controls are finalised to enable new industrial precincts that will drive economic growth across the region for decades to come.
The new planning controls at the Mt Arthur Coal Mine site near Muswellbrook and the Macquarie Coal Complex at West Wallsend will allow former mining land to become home to new industries including renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and warehousing.
Momentum is already building at the sites with the Minns Labor Government just days ago announcing former mining land at the Macquarie Coal Complex as the preferred location for the new state-owned facility that will build the next generation of NSW passenger trains.
The new land use controls will allow industry to make the most of both the Hunter’s skilled workforce and these sites existing rail, road, power and water infrastructure to enable new enterprises and new jobs in the region.
It provides an opportunity for land that has provided thousands of jobs in the past to provide thousands more jobs in the future.
The finalisation of these pilot post mining land use rezonings delivers on the Commonwealth Government’s $5 million investment, alongside in-kind support from the NSW Government.
Mt Arthur coal mine, Muswellbrook
The Mt Arthur Coal Mine near Muswellbrook is owned by BHP and is set to end its mining operations in 2030. Two areas have now been zoned for new industry with access to major highways and the existing rail loop.
Key features of the finalised proposal include:
- An increased total area of 5,700 hectares
- Around 800 hectares of land in the two priority areas identified for early activation
- Up to 5,900 new jobs
- Close to 4,600 hectares of rehabilitated land for agricultural and environmental use
Macquarie Coal Complex, Teralba/West Wallsend
The Macquarie Coal Complex, which has already been identified as the preferred location for the new state-owned train building facility, is ideally positioned to become a major employment precinct for renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and warehousing.
Located just 20 kilometres south-west of Newcastle the former mine site is directly linked to the M1 and the Main Northern Railway.
Key features of the finalised proposal include:
- total employment precinct of 1,142 hectares
- at least 500 hectares of developable land
- up to 1,130 new jobs
- around 36 hectares of new open space
- 22 hectares of residential land in Barnsley West and Teralba Southgate.
Next Steps
These pilot projects will create a model for the reuse of mining land and the economic opportunities that come with it, as Australia shifts towards a Net Zero Economy.
Importantly the rezonings won’t switch off rehabilitation requirements. Land will only be released for development once it’s been rehabilitated by the mining company and confirmed safe, stable and non-polluting.
All future projects on these sites will still go through their own development assessment, which will ensure the development has considered any constraints.
These rezoning proposals were on exhibition between 14 July 2026 and 11 August 2026 and received a total of 177 submissions.
For more information visit Mt Arthur Mine or Macquarie Coal Complex.
Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres said:
“The Hunter is an industrial powerhouse with the skilled workforce, infrastructure and industrial capability to drive Australia’s next wave of economic growth.
“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.”
NSW Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:
“The Hunter has powered NSW for generations and these rezonings enable new jobs and industry so it can remain one of NSW’s economic powerhouses.
“Through these rezonings and plans for a new train manufacturing facility the Minns Labor Government is cementing the Hunter as a major industrial hub.”
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“This is a practical and commonsense step to support thousands of jobs and new industries in the Hunter including a clear pathway to set up a new state owned train manufacturing hub.
“The Hunter has the infrastructure and the skilled workforce, this rezoning makes the most of that, unlocking thousands of hectares of serviced industrial land that is ripe for new investment and thousands of new jobs.”
NSW Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison:
“The Hunter region has been the industrial backbone of this country for generations before it was unfairly stripped away, but we’re bringing it back and are incredibly proud to be doing so.
“By unlocking this land, we’re giving families across the Hunter certainty that they will be able to find secure work in their own communities for decades to come.”
NSW Minister for Natural Resources and Domestic Manufacturing Courtney Houssos said:
“We’re making sure the coal mines which have sustained communities and families for generations can continue to support jobs even after mining ends.
“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.”
Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi said:
“We’ve got the workers, the skills and the infrastructure right here in the Hunter. These changes open the door to new industries and give the next generation more opportunities to learn a trade and build a future close to home.
“We put $5 million on the table to help turn these opportunities into reality. With plans to build trains here in the Hunter, we’re already seeing what that investment can deliver for local workers and businesses.”
NSW Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr said:
*”*We’re backing jobs and industry in the Hunter, giving workers, families and communities confidence and certainty for the future as our region prepares for planned mine closures.
“Today we have locked in a brighter future for the Hunter, unlocking thousands of jobs and a new wave of industry and economic growth.”
NSW Chair for Inquiry into Beneficial and Productive Post-Mining Land Use Emily Suvall said:
“We’re not leaving the Hunter’s future jobs, industries and investment to chance. We’re actively planning for the region’s future and backing its workers, families and communities every step of the way.
“This rezoning brought all levels of Government and industry together to map out a clear pathway not only for these sites, but for mining sites across NSW to ensure they remain productive for future industries and decades to come.”
Muswellbrook Shire Council Mayor Jeffrey Drayton said:
“This is another significant step forward for our community as we navigate the greatest economic challenge our society faces, moving 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.
“I thank both the Federal and State Governments for their support in getting us to this point. The next important step is turning this plan into real investment, jobs and opportunities for our community.”
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said:
“The proposed train manufacturing facility is a game-changing opportunity for Lake Macquarie and the broader Hunter Region. Just as exciting is the potential this rezoning unlocks across the broader site, with hundreds of hectares of employment land that can support new industries, attract investment and create jobs for decades to come.
“This is about securing the region’s economic future, creating opportunities for future generations and ensuring former mining land remains productive long after mining has ceased.”
