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Hunter region

Lower Hunter Regional Strategy

Hunter region

The Lower Hunter is the sixth largest urban area in Australia and one of the State's major centres of economic activity. It is expected to continue to grow as people are attracted by its lifestyle and opportunities.

An overall plan has been prepared to ensure the region develops in a strong and sustainable way. The NSW Government's 25-year land use strategy for the region:

The strategy will guide local planning in the five local government areas of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Maitland and Cessnock, and inform decisions on service and infrastructure delivery. It will be reviewed every five years.

Land dedication agreements

In finalising the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy the NSW Government has reached agreement with four major landholders for the dedication of over 12,000 hectares of land in return for the recognition of additional development potential over 3280 hectares. The details of the negotiated outcomes are set out in a series of Memoranda of Understanding between the NSW Government and:

Coal and Allied Industries Ltd

Regional Land Management Corporation Pty Ltd

Coastal Hamlets Pty Ltd and Lakeside Living Pty Ltd (Rosecorp Group of Companies)

Hardie Holdings Pty Ltd

Regional Conservation Plan

The NSW Government has also prepared a long term Regional Conservation Plan for the Lower Hunter, which is available from the Department of Environment and Conservation's website.

Inquires
Phone 02 4904 2700 or email hunter@planning.nsw.gov.au

Upper Hunter coal mining assessment released

The final report of an interagency strategic assessment of coal mining potential in the Upper Hunter Valley was released in December 2005. The study was undertaken in response to community concern about the potential for a new coal mine at Bickham, near Murrurundi. The study covered not just the area around Bickham, but all of the Upper Hunter Shire (as gazetted in March 2004). This area contains a broad band of coal resources extending from Aberdeen and Scone in the south to Murrurundi in the north. The study focused on the potential short and long term impacts on surface and ground water resources, including the environmentally sensitive Pages River adjacent to the Bickham site. The assessment also reviewed natural resource, natural and cultural heritage values, and existing land uses (primarily agriculture) across nearly 5000 km2. Further details on the study can be obtained from Howard Reed, Principal Adviser Mining & Extractive Industries, on 9228 6308, or howard.reed@dipnr.nsw.gov.au.

Full copies of the report (either on compact disc or hard copy) will be available shortly from the Department of Planning's Information Centre.



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