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Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 17 October 2006 GOVERNMENT DELIVERS DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION PLANS FOR LOWER HUNTER NSW Premier Morris Iemma today released the final Lower Hunter Conservation Plan and Regional Strategy which will see over 32,000 hectares of bushland across the region permanently protected.
The Premier was joined by Planning Minister Frank Sartor and Environment Minister Bob Debus for the unveiling of the plans at the Sugarloaf Recreation Area, outside Newcastle.
“These form part of the Government’s new direction for the Lower Hunter, which is focused on creating jobs and investment, planning for growth, and delivering major conservation gains,” Mr Iemma said.
“The Conservation Plan delivers the biggest environmental gain ever announced for the Lower Hunter and nearly doubles the area of national parkland within a 50-kilometre radius of Newcastle.
“The Regional Strategy plans for up to 66,000 new jobs and 115,000 new dwellings in the region over the next 25 years.
“Together, they provide a model that allows for sustainable growth while also securing important environmental outcomes.”
Mr Iemma said 20,000 hectares of Government-owned land will be transferred to the State’s conservation reserve system. Another 12,000 hectares of privately owned land will be transferred to public ownership for permanent conservation.
Together, these transfers will lock in two major green corridors for the region:
• The Watagan to Stockton Corridor from the rugged sandstone areas of the south-west, and the wetlands and coastal plain, to the north and east;
• The Wallarah Peninsula Corridor, providing a green buffer zone between the Central Coast and the Lower Hunter, and around Catherine Hill Bay.
New conservation areas will also be established at Karuah near Port Stephens, Werakata near Cessnock, the Ellalong Lagoon, and Belford.
Environment Minister Bob Debus said legislation will be introduced to Parliament today to make the first stage of the Lower Hunter Conservation Plan a reality.
“The Government will invest $12.55 million over the next four years to establish and properly manage the new reserves,” he said.
“The new conservation areas include 4,200 hectares of endangered ecological forest types and extensive areas for threatened native species.
“These reserves have been secured on the back of strong community support and will benefit the region’s economy and environment for years to come.
“They will also help the Lower Hunter capitalise on the flourishing nature-based tourism industry, which attracts more than 20 million visitors to national parks each year.”
Planning Minister Frank Sartor said consultation on the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy resulted in a number of adjustments, including increased population growth of 160,000 over the next 25 years.
“This revised forecast reflects latest estimates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and other regional population projections,” he said.
“As a result, the final Strategy now plans for 66,000 new jobs and 115,000 new dwellings, with about 60 per cent to be located in new release areas.
“Planning for this additional growth will enable significant trade offs with private landholders, including the transfer of 12,000 hectares of bushland to public ownership.
“This is a unique opportunity to secure the missing links in these green corridors.”
The final Regional Strategy sets out appropriate land uses across the Lower Hunter, and will inform the State Infrastructure Strategy, which guides future infrastructure funding priorities.
All proposed development will undergo a detailed planning process and include opportunities for public comment.
The Government will also encourage further input from the Hunter community as it considers new opportunities for ecotourism in the new reserves, such as new walking and cycling trails, new camping areas, bird watching facilities and new commercial cabins for short stays by visitors and tourists.
Copies of the final Lower Hunter Regional Strategy can be viewed at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/hunter
Copies of the Lower Hunter Regional Conservation Plan can be view at www.environment.nsw.gov.au
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