<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/hunter-valley-collieries-to-be-greened-up-as-clean-industrial-hubs-in-post-mining-land-transformation/>
"The federal and New South Wales (NSW) governments are hoping to turn two
closing coal mines into eco- and industrial hubs, releasing two pilots today
along with master plans for the Hunter Valley region.
The federal government has put $5 million into what it’s calling “the first
major post-mining land transformations plans” in the Hunter Valley, as the 2030
closure of BHP’s Mt Arthur coal mine near Muswellbrook approaches.
Glencore has already shuttered its underground West Wallsend colliery at the
Macquarie Coal Complex.
“What’s happening here is us and NSW … making sure that we’re using a portion
of that land for new factories, for new industrial use, to drive new investment
in re-industrialising and diversifying the Hunter Valley economy,” federal
industry minister Tim Ayres told the ABC on Tuesday.
“Plans will be released today for the community, but also for the investment
community.”
The draft master plans promise industries that will provide up to 7,000 jobs,
and map how the Hunter’s current workforce combined with rail, road, power and
water infrastructure could be a foundation for future industries, such as
renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and warehousing.
Two areas covering 950 hectares next to the Mt Arthur open cut mine have been
proposed for rezoning as industrial hubs, while the mine itself is proposed to
become a part eco-corridor, and part agricultural land.
The Teralba/West Wallsend part of the bigger Macquarie complex, south-west of
Newcastle, is being pitched as a precinct for the same kinds of industries.
The plans set aside 500 hectares for “developable land” and 36 hectares of new
open space.
The master plans are open for public consultation now and are expected to be
finalised by the end of the year, and are the precursors to other work being
done by councils and governments at other coal sites, including Eraring,
Liddell and Bayswater."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
