DRAFT HUNTER REGIONAL PLAN 63
GOAL 4 – Support robust regional communities
The Hunter is home to the largest and some Along with its companion document, the of the most diverse regional communities Draft Plan for Growing Hunter City, this draft in NSW. The settlement pattern is reflected Plan makes the timely and cost-effective in Figure 15. It shows that the region’s delivery of new and more diverse forms of population is predominantly urban, with most housing and infrastructure in the region a residents choosing to live in Hunter City and priority. The draft Plan supports collaborative its surrounding hinterland, or in communities approaches to planning for and managing of 10,000 or more people focused around land and infrastructure, particularly in towns Morisset, Cessnock, Singleton, Muswellbrook, and villages in mining areas and with rapidly Forster-Tuncurry and Nelson Bay. ageing or highly seasonal populations.
Around 4 per cent of the Hunter’s population live in dispersed villages of less than 5,000 DIRECTION 4.1 Focus people,21 such as Denman, Dungog and Gloucester. They provide important centres housing and service growth for rural communities, which are responsible towards Hunter City and for managing the majority of the region’s productive lands and natural areas. the region’s existing towns and villages The scale and distribution of employment, housing and demand for services in towns As the Hunter grows, Hunter City and the and villages around the Hunter will change in region’s towns and villages will experience the coming decades. Towns and villages will pressure to expand to provide the housing respond to the impacts of broader structural and services that the communities need. changes in the regional economy, industry The Hunter already has a sufficient supply innovation and a growing preference for of land available in established and new more urban lifestyles and services. Change release areas to meet anticipated demand. will be greatest in towns and villages that are heavily influenced by employment Rural living is also a popular lifestyle choice demands generated by the mining industry, in the Hunter as it allows residents to enjoy such as Singleton and Muswellbrook, convenient connections to regional towns and as well as towns and villages which are villages, as well as Hunter City. The region also increasingly attracting visitors and retirees, has a sufficient supply of land for rural living such as Forster-Tuncurry and Nelson Bay. and any additional areas will have to sustain the region’s agricultural and environmental values Careful planning and management will enable and minimise the costs of providing services. regional towns and villages to better anticipate and accommodate change. The draft Plan The encroachment of housing into rural and encourages robust regional communities. natural areas can have cumulative impacts on It supports towns and villages across the rural and resource productivity, scenic amenity region to adapt to the changing needs of Top: and biodiversity and environmental values. Maitland Housing their residents and the industries that sustain It also leads to more dispersed populations them, while also maintaining an array of that present challenges to maintaining Middle: lifestyle choices and high standards of living. Royal Hotel, Denman viable service networks, including public transport, health, education and emergency Bottom: Muswellbrook
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response, as well as providing appropriate ACTION 4.1.1 Investigate demand protection against the threat of natural for and options to accommodate hazards such as flooding and bushfire. long-term housing growth in Focusing housing and service growth towards regional towns and villages Hunter City, and the region’s existing towns and villages, will make more efficient use of The NSW Government will work with councils existing urban lands, infrastructure and service and industry to investigate demand for, and networks. Locating people close to existing opportunities to accommodate new housing centres will also help services to remain viable growth in regional towns and villages. It will and accessible locally, particularly in rural areas. investigate options to encourage a more diverse range of new housing types, particularly Providing enough room for regional towns in release areas, to provide a choice of housing. and villages to expand will be critical so they This will assist in meeting local communities’ can accommodate growth in the long term. needs, as discussed in Direction 4.2. This is particularly relevant for towns and villages such as Singleton, Muswellbrook, The NSW Government will: Denman and Gloucester, and for towns in • investigate opportunities to accommodate Housing development the Hunter City’s hinterland, where current long term housing growth; or proposed mining activities are located in close proximity to established communities. • work with council’s to review planning controls in conjunction with development The NSW Government, councils and feasibility analysis, to develop controls communities identified future land that will encourage more medium density requirements for regional towns and housing in appropriate locations; and villages in the Upper Hunter as part of • monitor the demand for and the process to prepare the Upper Hunter delivery of housing Strategic Regional Land Use Plan (2012). These areas are now protected from the encroachment of coal seam gas activities ACTION 4.1.2 Manage the through NSW Government policies. supply of housing in rural areas Goal 2 of this draft Plan identifies how the to protect social, environmental NSW Government will continue to work with and economic values councils, communities and industry to better manage the quality of the environment with Outside Hunter City and the major towns of the long term growth potential of regional Cessnock, Singleton, Muswellbrook, Scone, towns and villages in mining areas. It does this Morisset, Nelson Bay and Forster-Tuncurry, through actions that manage the interface the region’s villages and communities between mining and settlements and sequence have relatively small footprints within a new release areas with mining activities to rural environment. This allows the Hunter support settlements to expand sustainably. to offer rural lifestyles surrounded by pristine natural environments within two This draft Plan also identifies how the NSW to four hours of Sydney and 20 to 30 Government will support more efficient use minutes of Hunter City’s major centres. of existing urban land and infrastructure in regional towns and villages, to accommodate As the regional population grows, and growth and provide a choice of housing and improvements to national transport networks services for regional and rural communities. reduce travel times to and through the It is supported by the Draft Plan for Growing region, demand for housing in rural areas Hunter City, which provides a framework for is expected to increase, including rural delivering a range of new housing in the city lifestyle lots and resort-style living. This and growing tertiary services in Hunter City’s will need to be appropriately managed centres for the region’s broader communities. to protect the social, environmental and economic values of the region. DRAFT HUNTER REGIONAL PLAN 67
The NSW Government will: Communities in Port Stephens, Great Lakes, Dungog and Gloucester, which are work with councils to identify • all popular destinations for retirees, are appropriate locations for new housing expected to age more rapidly than other in rural areas, giving priority to: parts of the Hunter (see Figure 16). growing established rural communities; The NSW Government is already supporting protecting the productive value rapidly ageing communities by providing of rural and resource lands; more integrated health services close to managing high environmental values, where people live, including through the including biodiversity and water quality; expansion of services provided in local health centres as well as the delivery of managing service infrastructure community and home-based services. and networks; and delivering existing and committed rural The Hunter Regional Transport Plan and urban residential lands supplies. supports the ability of people to access regional health facilities, including via public transport from rural areas to nearby towns and villages, and onward to Hunter DIRECTION 4.2 City or other centres such as Taree and Provide housing and the Central Coast. It includes actions to: services that meet local • improve passenger rail services; communities’ needs • integrate NSW TrainLink coach services with regional bus services; In the coming decades, the needs of improve the integration of community the Hunter community are expected to • transport services into the passenger change and this will affect towns and transport system; and villages around the region differently. • develop a sustainable model for The predominant challenge for towns community transport service provision. and villages is to improve planning for housing and services, to meet the Improving telecommunications networks changing needs of communities that: in regional areas will also support ageing communities by reducing the need for, are rapidly ageing; • and distance and frequency of travel • have highly seasonal populations; or required to access health services. rely predominantly on mining or • The NSW Government will assist by: related industries for employment. • working with telecommunications providers to improve existing network ACTION 4.2.1 Investigate options connections for rural communities; and to integrate the delivery of • investigating opportunities for housing with infrastructure telecommunications initiatives to be piloted in the Hunter’s rural communities, By 2036, the Hunter is expected to be home specifically those that relate to aged to around 69,500 more people over the age health care and education, such as virtual of 65 years.22 While the majority of these classrooms and telehealth programs. people are expected to live in Hunter City, this is expected to have a significant influence on the demands for housing and services such as health and aged care support, emergency response and public transport, in towns and villages around the region. 68
Left: Singleton farmers’ markets Centre: Singleton livestock sale yards Right: Maitland housing
Figure 16: Ageing regional population, by local government area
20,000 No. Additional people aged 18,000 over 65 years, 2016–2036 16,000 14,000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000
k e d le r er es o t on t k t s arie s o gog a e a no ck e u Sh i l n
it la n c s c q t l r g lb r u a s l ephens u w a e n t e D i e t M o e e l S S r C
w N t G s G r u e Ma c o M P La k upper Hu n
ACTION 4.2.2 Investigate options to • 5,300 unoccupied dwellings (17 establish monitoring and strategic per cent of total dwellings) in Port frameworks to better respond to Stephens Local Government Area; the changing needs of communities • 450 unoccupied dwellings (18 per with seasonal populations in cent of total dwellings) in Gloucester Local Government Area; and regional towns and villages • 580 unoccupied dwellings (15 per The natural appeal and proximity of the cent of total dwellings) in Dungog Hunter’s coastal, lakeside, and rural towns Local Government Area. and villages to Sydney, makes these popular locations for weekend and seasonal visitors. Typically, these are also the areas expected This influences local housing markets, driving to experience rapidly ageing populations. demand for short term accommodation Further investigation is required to better and second homes in these areas. understand the relationship between these trends and anticipate what influence this In 2011, census data showed high rates of has on housing and service demands. vacant dwellings in the Hunter, including: • 5,670 unoccupied dwellings (27 per cent of total dwellings) in Great Lakes Local Government Area; DRAFT HUNTER REGIONAL PLAN 69
The NSW Government will: • identifies the housing needs of the community, the range of housing types work with councils to develop monitoring • required to support the future population, and strategic planning frameworks and related infrastructure needs; and to inform planning for housing and services in these locations. • identifies affordable housing needs and strategies for delivery.
ACTION 4.2.3 Deliver housing to meet the varied ACTION 4.2.4 Develop local needs of communities strategies to create flexible employment, housing and Growth in the number of single or couple- service delivery that responds only households is significant and is set to to changing markets continue, contributing to strong growth in the demand for smaller dwellings. Growth and change in the Hunter’s towns and villages is influenced by changing There are some sectors of the Hunter markets, including at the global or national community that require particular types level. This is particularly relevant where of housing, for example, students, a community predominantly relies on older people, short-term visitors to one industrial sector for employment. the region, visitors accessing health services and low income households. Employment demands generated by the mining sector, in particular, can be major Many people in the Hunter with low incomes drivers of population growth and change find it difficult to access housing in the private in local areas around the region, and are rental market without compromising their heavily influenced by external economic ability to pay for other essentials. Social and markets and policies. Acute and, at times, affordable housing is important in meeting unforeseen fluctuations can directly affect the needs of people on low incomes. Each local demand for employment, housing and local community will have different needs services, including health and education. for affordable housing and local solutions will need to be developed. Increasing the Monitoring the influence of employment overall supply of housing can also help reduce demands in the resources sector on upward pressure on the cost of housing. housing and service markets, particularly in Muswellbrook and Singleton, will improve Preparing a local housing strategy will planning for communities in the region’s assist councils to identify their communities’ established and emerging mining areas. housing needs and strategies to meet those needs. A housing strategy may form part The NSW Government will: of a council’s Community Strategic Plan. • work with councils and industry to develop The NSW Government will require councils local strategies to support diversification to prepare a local housing strategy that: of local employment opportunities in regional towns and villages. 70
ACTION 4.2.5 Support retail To meet the growing and changing needs of growth in centres to promote the region’s communities, the NSW vibrant, liveable communities Government will: • develop a revised service model and a new Access to shopping is important for approach to planning school assets communities. Shopping is now often in the region. combined with other social and recreational activities and together they contribute to vibrant, liveable communities. ACTION 4.2.7 Plan for the expansion of health facilities Planning for retail space needs to to service the region recognise the current supply of space, and the demand for new space to meet Population growth, the Hunter’s ageing community needs into the future. population, and higher than average rates of smoking and obesity23 will place increased Retail is also a significant employer and pressure on the health network in the future. generator of demand for travel. Delivering healthier built environments will Local children at play help to deliver better health outcomes. Planning for local centres will consider how they can accommodate more retail growth. Service demands across the health In areas where there are no opportunities network will also be influenced by: for existing centres to grow, local planning will need to consider where new retail space • the delivery and location of urban can be developed. Planning of local centres, growth, particularly in Hunter including new centres, should prioritise City’s new release areas; the creation of mix-used hubs, with high • changing travel patterns arising from quality public areas, walking connections, recent and proposed changes to the and good transport connections. Hunter’s transport networks including the recent completion of the Hunter The NSW Government will: Expressway, future completion of • work with councils to develop a new the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and supply and demand database to guide the planned M1 Pacific Motorway planning for retail space, which takes into extension to Raymond Terrace; and account the changing demand for different • new service delivery models types of retail, including supermarkets including remote delivery. and large-format retail stores. The Hunter region is supported by a network of health services including John Hunter ACTION 4.2.6 Plan for schools to Hospital, John Hunter Children’s Hospital, meet growing and changing needs Calvary Mater Newcastle and district and community hospitals and health services School needs in the region are constantly located at Maitland, Kurri Kurri, Belmont, changing. By 2036, there are expected to be Cessnock, Singleton, Tomaree and Dungog. around 5,600 more primary school students and 4,100 more high school students in To meet the region’s future health public schools in the Hunter region. The needs, the NSW Government will: number of students attending private schools support planning and delivery of a in the region is also expected to increase. • new hospital at Metford to provide Schools in existing centres will experience new and expanded services close to the greatest growth in enrolments. rapidly growing communities; and At present, some schools have reached • investigate opportunities to capacity and some are underused. There are improve access, including by public opportunities to improve the provision and transport, to all major hospitals. distribution of school places across the region. DRAFT HUNTER REGIONAL PLAN 71
ACTION 4.2.8 Coordinate activities, provide some of the region’s most the planning and delivery of fertile soils and are host to inter-regional freight cemeteries and crematoria connections to the Port of Newcastle, including the Hunter Valley Coal Chain. Coastal estuaries are particularly important for oyster production. With a growing and ageing population, providing adequate burial space is an The economic, social and environmental important issue for governments and consequences of natural hazards – through communities. Land needs to be identified the loss of life, property and productivity and protected so that there is sufficient – have been significant within the Hunter, burial space today and into the future. with benchmark events including the: The NSW Government will: • 1955 Hunter Valley floods – where enough water to fill Sydney Harbour four times • support councils and infrastructure over claimed 25 lives, affected 2,180 homes providers to identify appropriate sites and and cost $1.3 billion in today’s dollars;27 capacity for cemeteries and crematoria. • 1989 Newcastle earthquake – which claimed 13 lives, injured 160 people and cost $4.5 billion;28 DIRECTION 4.3 Build • 2007 ‘Pasha Bulker’ storms – which claimed the region’s resilience 10 lives, left 105,000 homes without power to natural hazards and cost an estimated $1.35 billion;29 and • 2015 Hunter ‘super storm’ – which claimed The majority of the Hunter’s population live four lives and caused an estimated near the coast, bushland or near the Hunter $1.55 billion in insurance claims and River. The threat of natural hazards, including widespread disruptions to power supply. flooding, tidal surges, coastal erosion and bushfires to community safety, homes and As climate trends continue to change, livelihoods is an important consideration many of these hazards are expected to for planning in Hunter City, and towns occur more frequently and in some cases, and villages throughout the region. with greater intensity in the future.
The Hunter River and its major tributaries, Some areas in the Hunter (defined by the the Paterson and Williams Rivers, are heavily Mine Subsidence Board) are affected by flood-prone. 24 Over 200 flood events have mine subsidence arising from the mining occurred on the Hunter River since European history of the region. These are: settlement. Flooding is less frequent for the Hunter River’s tributaries, with the Paterson • in Hunter City: River recording 26 major events since 1929 East Maitland; and the Williams River recording five events since 1950. 25 This is a significant factor when Killingworth/Wallsend; locating and managing regional growth Lake Macquarie and Extension; and within the Hunter and in delivering local flood mitigation measures through, for example, Newcastle; the Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme. • in the surrounding hinterland: The Hunter’s coastal communities are West Lake; also vulnerable to the threat of coastal Swansea North Entrance and Extension; recession and, over the longer term, sea level rise. Bushland areas, particularly Mandalong; and in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Tomalpin Stephens areas, are also fire-prone.26 • in Western Hunter: Natural hazards also affect the Hunter’s rural Muswellbrook; and resource industries, many of which rely on hazard-prone lands. The Hunter Valley Patrick Plains; and floodplains accommodate coal mining Mitchells Flat 72 DRAFT HUNTER REGIONAL PLAN 73
Land use planning can build community consolidating information and resilience to hazards by supporting changes making this publicly available to the physical environment and infrastructure through the Department of Planning to avoid or manage threats. Councils will and Environment’s Planning Portal remain predominantly responsible for and the Office of Environment and identifying and managing these threats. Heritage’s website, Adapt NSW; The NSW Government will support councils supporting joint council investigations to develop evidence and provide strategic into managing the threat of natural advice to inform decision-making. hazards in the region; and The draft Plan establishes a framework to working with councils to develop enable councils and other stakeholders to local strategies and planning consider the influence of natural hazards earlier controls for urban and rural lands in the planning process and identify appropriate and related infrastructure. mitigation and response strategies. This will: protect the natural environment and • ACTION 4.3.2 Integrate risk- communities by prioritising growth in locations where the threat of management frameworks for natural hazards can be appropriately coastal, floodplain and other hazards and feasibly managed; and into local strategies and planning controls, prioritising areas identified • support existing and planned communities by investing in infrastructure to reduce the to support regional growth threat of harm to people and property and provide safe evacuation and appropriate The threat of natural hazards does not response during a hazard event. always preclude development, including urban development, particularly where these threats can be managed through the ACTION 4.3.1 Investigate sensitive location and design of development. opportunities to improve the The delivery of mitigating infrastructure can quality and consistency of also help to defend whole communities from hazard data within the region flood, fire or coastal erosion and facilitate safe evacuation during hazard events.
Recent research to identify priorities that The NSW Government is already responding will build community resilience to hazards to community concerns about coastal affecting Hunter City and its surrounding hazards through a coastal reform process. 30 hinterland revealed inconsistencies in local These changes will deliver longer term approaches, particularly where standard or improvements in the way councils and statewide methodologies are not appropriate. landowners manage coastal erosion risks. This is particularly relevant for flooding and sea level rise, which are the hazards that Councils are responsible for preparing and present some of the greatest threats to implementing floodplain management the Hunter’s communities and economy. and emergency response plans. The NSW Government provides strategic advice on these The uncertainty in projections of future issues and has already provided support to sea level rise means that there is no single councils and landowners to plan, manage and projection that councils can use. This respond to mine subsidence around the region. allows councils to consider local conditions This includes investing in strategic mitigation when determining local future hazards. measures to address risk and supporting the revitalisation of Newcastle City Centre. The NSW Government will: Top: Marina, Wickham • continue to support councils to consider The NSW Government will: the long term implications of climate Middle: • work with councils to: Wallis Lake oyster farm change in decision-making; and, review and update local floodplain and Bottom: • where possible, take a more consistent coastal risk management plans; and Fishing at Forster, Great and coordinated approach to plan Lakes and manage hazards by: 74
Coastal Reform Process
The NSW Government is responding to community concerns about coastal hazards through a coastal reform process. The reforms include:
New Coastal Management Act The NSW Government aims to replace the Coastal Protection Act 1979 with a new act that is less complex, and a better fit with land use planning and local government legislation. The new act will establish requirements for State, regional and local land use planning instruments. It will require councils to undertake coastal zone management planning within the local government Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework.
Improving support to Councils The second element of the coastal reform package is focused on improving the way the NSW Government supports council decision-making. The NSW Government will work in partnership with councils to co-design a new coastal management manual. The manual will provide a single, consolidated source of tools for coastal management, to meet local circumstances.
Sustainable funding and financing arrangements The third element of the reform package identifies more sustainable funding and financing arrangements for coastal management strategies. They will be based on a set of cost-sharing principles to fairly and transparently identify who benefits from proposed coastal management actions and who should contribute to the costs. To support the new approach, the Office of Environment and Heritage will review various funding and financing mechanisms for use by councils.
NSW Coastal Management Reforms The NSW Government is currently preparing a package of reforms that will allow for a more integrated approach to coastal management across NSW. This package includes a draft Coastal Management Bill, an Explanation of Intended Effect for the proposed new Coastal Management State Environmental Planning Policy Bill (SEPP), and key elements of a draft coastal management manual.
Left: Cultural art mural, Muswellbrook Right: Aerial photo of Smiths Lake, Great Lakes DRAFT HUNTER REGIONAL PLAN 75
incorporate the best available options for the potential commercial use of information on physical and the land, for example, for Aboriginal housing Coastal Reform Process infrastructure resilience to hazards when and employment opportunities. This has planning for new growth opportunities. potential to provide economic returns to the Local Aboriginal Land Councils that can be prioritise investigations into how hazard The NSW Government is responding to community concerns about coastal hazards through a coastal reform • invested in assistance programs in the region. mitigation infrastructure may be improved. process. The reforms include: • develop strategic, incident-based The NSW Government will: New Coastal Management Act and emergency management work with the Forster, Karuah, Worimi, actions such as bushfire, flood and • The NSW Government aims to replace the Coastal Protection Act 1979 with a new act that is less complex, and a Mindaribba, Awabakal, Bahtabah, coastal response plans; and better fit with land use planning and local government legislation. The new act will establish requirements for State, Koompahtoo and Wanaruah Local regional and local land use planning instruments. It will require councils to undertake coastal zone management • integrate planning for emergency response Aboriginal Land Councils to identify planning within the local government Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework. infrastructure to support the above. priority sites so that each Land Council can create a pipeline of potential projects. Improving support to Councils The second element of the coastal reform package is focused on improving the way the NSW Government DIRECTION 4.4 Strengthen ACTION 4.4.2 Identify and protect supports council decision-making. The NSW Government will work in partnership with councils to co-design a new the economic and cultural coastal management manual. The manual will provide a single, consolidated source of tools for coastal Aboriginal cultural heritage values management, to meet local circumstances. self-determination of Aboriginal communities In the coming decades, there will be increased Sustainable funding and financing arrangements demands for land to be used and developed, to support the growth of Hunter City and The third element of the reform package identifies more sustainable funding and financing arrangements for OCHRE (Opportunity, Choice, Healing, other regional towns and villages, as well coastal management strategies. They will be based on a set of cost-sharing principles to fairly and transparently Responsibility, Empowerment) is the NSW as the ongoing success of the region’s rural identify who benefits from proposed coastal management actions and who should contribute to the costs. To Government’s plan for Aboriginal affairs. and resource industries. This change has support the new approach, the Office of Environment and Heritage will review various funding and financing It focuses on revitalising and promoting the potential to affect recognised and yet mechanisms for use by councils. Aboriginal languages and culture; creating to be identified sites and places that are opportunities; increasing the Aboriginal important to Aboriginal cultural heritage, NSW Coastal Management Reforms community’s capacity; providing choice; and particularly in natural areas across the Hunter. empowering Aboriginal people to exercise The NSW Government is currently preparing a package of reforms that will allow for a more integrated approach that choice, as well as giving them the tools to coastal management across NSW. This package includes a draft Coastal Management Bill, an Explanation of The NSW Government is currently improving to take responsibility for their own future. Intended Effect for the proposed new Coastal Management State Environmental Planning Policy Bill (SEPP), and the way that Aboriginal cultural heritage is key elements of a draft coastal management manual. identified and protected through a reform process. This aims to respect Aboriginal ACTION 4.4.1 Conduct a strategic communities’ rights to determine how their assessment of land held by the culture is revealed, protected and managed region’s Local Aboriginal Land in areas where change is expected. Councils to identify priority sites for further investigation of Strategic land use planning will be supported their economic opportunities by predictive models, such as the Aboriginal sites decision support tool.31 This will help to identify areas that have a greater capacity to Many of the OCHRE actions are outside the contain Aboriginal cultural heritage values, planning system, but there is an opportunity based on natural features, historic evidence and to look at the landholdings of Local Aboriginal previous studies, earlier in the planning process. Land Councils to see how they can best be Aboriginal communities will continue to be planned, managed and developed for the involved in investigations for specific projects, benefit of the local Aboriginal community. to protect and manage cultural heritage values This will allow Aboriginal people to gain as part of the planning and assessment process. economic benefit from their land and provide greater opportunities for economic The NSW Government will: independence. Together, Aboriginal Affairs NSW, Crown Lands and the Department of • support the preparation of appropriate Planning and Environment, will work with the heritage studies to inform the development Local Aboriginal Land Councils to identify of strategic plans, including regional their landholdings and to map the level of Aboriginal cultural heritage studies. constraint at a strategic scale for each site. This information can be used to develop 76 DRAFT HUNTER REGIONAL PLAN 77
The Hunter’s landscape subregions
The NSW Government will work with each At the interface between Hunter City and council to deliver the directions and actions its surrounding landscape subregions set out in this plan. Work will be targeted is an area which is influenced by its across four landscape subregions: proximity to activities in Hunter City (and Cessnock) – the hinterland. While the Hunter City; • hinterland is not a landscape subregion • Western Hunter; itself, it requires specific consideration. Northern Tops; and • The hinterland encompasses the towns, • North East Coast. villages and rural areas within 30km – or approximately 20-30 minutes by road – of Priorities for each landscape subregion the metropolitan area and Cessnock. The in the Hunter are set out in the following hinterland shares many of the qualities of sections. These will guide further surrounding landscape subregions, with its investigations and implementation of valuable natural resources, and rural and the final Hunter Regional Plan. coastal amenity, however is distinctive in that it has many smaller towns and villages, more The priorities build on the directions densely spaced than in other the Hunter’s other and actions in this draft Plan to achieve landscape subregions. While the character of outcomes on the ground. Planning for towns and villages in the hinterland is quite landscape subregions will encourage different from the metropolitan areas of Hunter infrastructure delivery that targets the City or the regional towns such as Cessnock needs of its communities. It will also and Nelson Bay, they are subject to outward encourage efficiencies in the allocation of growth pressure as people and businesses take resources and investment, to improve the advantage of the proximity this area offers to liveability and sustainability of the region. these urban areas, without some of the costs. This pressure needs to be carefully managed. Planning for the landscape subregion identifies locations for growth and how The hinterland sustains a diverse range of they will be balanced with improvements productive resource industries including to the environment and open space assets mining, extensive agriculture (grain, sheep and how the big picture planning directions and beef), intensive agriculture (viticulture, in this draft Plan will be implemented poultry and horticulture), commercial through planning controls. It will also fishing and aquaculture. The growth and allow planning across local government development of these industries has led boundaries where coordination between to demand for value-adding activities in State and local government is required. manufacturing, tourism, research and training.
Industries and communities located in the Hunter City hinterland have historically benefitted from convenient connections to Cessnock, Hunter City, Sydney and regional NSW. Towns The priorities for the NSW Government and villages established next to coal mines in Hunter City are provided in the and along historic trade routes, such as companion document to this draft Plan, Morisset, Kurri Kurri, Greta and Branxton, Left: a Draft Plan for Growing Hunter City. have been sustained for generations by Hunter hinterland 78
Figure 17: Hunter City’s Hinterland
Hinterland Urban Area Strategic Centre (Indicative) Newcastle Airport Regional Urban Area (Indicative) Northern Tops Gateway
Heavy Rail Network Hinterland Hunter’s Western Hunter North East Coast National Park Inter-Regional Road Hunter City and Reserve Hinterland Future Transport Connection State Forest
Arterial Road Waterway
Major Road DRAFT HUNTER REGIONAL PLAN 79
the employment and service demands of Protect and connect natural areas: predominantly resource-based industries. • apply a risk-based decision-making framework to manage coastal land, lakes As Hunter City and Cessnock grow, the and estuaries where there is development. hinterland will become an increasingly popular lifestyle destination, with towns, villages and Support robust regional communities: surrounding rural areas subject to greater demand for new housing, including visitor • investigate opportunities to accommodate accommodation, and associated infrastructure. long term housing growth; Balancing growth in rural and resource develop strategies to deliver the housing areas will continue to be a challenge. • needs of the hinterland communities; The draft Plan supports the hinterland • support councils to consider long term remaining a productive and predominantly implications of climate change; rural landscape for the long term benefit work with councils to review and of the community. This will allow the • update floodplain and coastal hinterland to sustain its rural production risk management plans; values and the protection of floodplains and wetlands. The draft Plan also supports • establish appropriate decision-making the growth of existing communities processes to prevent new housing within the hinterland where it supports development from encroaching increased use of existing local facilities. into productive rural land, resource land or natural areas. This will The types of issues that will need to be include protecting the region’s managed in the hinterland around Hunter City water supply from pollution; and and Cessnock are also relevant around the develop a sustainable model towns of Singleton, Muswellbrook and Forster- • for community transport. Tuncurry, and planning in these areas will need to consider these issues from time to time.
The following priorities will be considered and Western Hunter addressed in the Hunter City landscape subregion: The Western Hunter subregion is an economic powerhouse. It contains diverse natural Grow Hunter’s regional economy: resources including coal, gas and mineral • identify and protect the productive mineral, deposits, fertile agricultural lands and well- energy and construction material; established rural industries. These resources are set within a striking rural landscape with some • identify appropriate buffers to productive of the most unique natural features in NSW. mineral and energy resources; • protect productive agricultural and The subregion includes: aquaculture resources by planning • some of Australia’s most mature coal for the infrastructure and land mining and energy industries, supported use needs of these activities; by well-established and adaptable export • protect the Lower Hunter’s drinking water and energy supply infrastructure; catchment by requiring new development, • opportunities for alternative energy supply particularly within the Tomaree and industries, including emerging opportunities Tomago sandbeds to demonstrate a neutral in renewable energy industries and longer or beneficial effect on water quality; term potential for developing gas industries; investigate options to accommodate • • some of Australia’s most mature viticulture a more diverse range of economic and equine industries, as well as one uses in natural areas to support of the most fertile agricultural areas in tourism and conservation; and NSW on the Merriwa Plateau; and • identify infrastructure required to support the tourism industry, including connections to the tourism gateways and attractions. 80
• the Great Dividing Range and Great growth in recent decades has reflected Escarpment, with some of the nation’s most the progression of mining up the Hunter unique natural heritage forming part of a Valley, and is shown in the table below. national habitat corridor and coinciding with natural areas of value to Aboriginal culture. The Western Hunter’s natural and rural areas are also rich in biodiversity. While many of Rural and resource industries in the subregion the unique ecological communities remain support growth in specialist services across intact in northern parts of the subregion, the Hunter, including the manufacturing there are opportunities for improved planning and knowledge sector industries driving and management of rural and resource regional employment growth. industries to support conservation and rehabilitation initiatives. This will strengthen The success of these industries is supported by: the broader national habitat corridor linking World Heritage values in the Greater Blue the area’s natural environmental qualities • Mountains to those in the Liverpool Ranges and resources, including its moderate (across the Merriwa Plateau) and Barrington climate, fertile soils, deposits of coal and Tops (across the Upper Hunter Valley). This gas and supply of water resources; will also support the preservation of natural Viticulture and wine • convenient connections to markets areas important to Aboriginal cultural production within the via long-standing inter-regional trade heritage, enabling Aboriginal communities Western Hunter routes – the New England Highway, to retain close connections to their land. Golden Highway and heavy rail, including Hunter Valley Coal Chain – which brings This draft Plan aims for the Western Hunter supplies from regional NSW and within to remain globally and nationally competitive, the Hunter to Newcastle for export; and attracting investment to support the development and diversification of its rural value-added activities in the region such • and resource industries. Larger towns will as energy generation, manufacturing, continue to provide services for industries and research, training and tourism, surrounding communities. The sustainable including links to the University management of agricultural production of Newcastle (Newcastle Institute and resources extraction is a priority. for Energy Research), CSIRO. The following priorities will be considered The subregion’s settlements are mostly and addressed for the Western Hunter: situated along the New England Highway and Golden Highway, and are heavily influenced Grow Hunter’s regional economy: by the changing employment demands of rural and resource industries. Population • balance competing land use requirements for rural and resource production; • manage and monitor the direct and cumulative impacts of rural and natural resource industries; Settlement Population (2011)32 • protect rural and resource production Cessnock 20,000 (including mining, viticulture and equine production) from the impacts Singleton 13,900 of new urban activities; and work with industry to develop and maintain Muswellbrook 11,000 • sector-specific considerations for the Scone 5,100 viticulture and equine industries to guide considerations for both strategic land Aberdeen 1,800 use planning and approvals processes.
Denman 1,400
Merriwa 975
Murrurundi 845 DRAFT HUNTER REGIONAL PLAN 81
Figure 18: Western Hunter
Northern Tops
Hunter’s Western Hunter North East Coast Hunter City Hinterland
Strategic Centre
Hospital
Heavy Rail Network
Hunter Valley Coal Chain
Inter-Regional Road
Arterial Road
Major Road
Viticulture Critical Industry Cluster Equine Critical Industry Cluster Current & Potential Mining Activity Biophysical Strategic Agricultural Land National Park and Reserve
State Forest Disclaimer: Exploration Titles show where applications can be made for mining activities. They do not infer a right to mine. Waterway Mining is excluded in National Parks and Historic Sites Urban Area
Protect and connect natural areas: Support robust regional communities: • protect and enhance areas of • balance competing land uses to allow high environmental value; the growth of regional communities; • manage water use to sustain natural • monitor and manage the impacts of systems and accommodate long rapidly changing employment demands term diverse water users; (particularly associated with mining) on local housing and service demands; and • accommodate the long term demands of a diverse range of water users, • locate further urban growth and large- including town water supplies and scale short term accommodation agricultural and mining industries; and within and interconnected with established towns and villages. • monitor and investigate risks from natural hazards, including flooding and bushfire, to inform future planning and management. 82
Figure 19: Northern Tops Landscape
Northern Tops
Hunter’s Western Hunter North East Coast Hunter City Hinterland
Strategic Centre
Hospital
Newcastle Airport Regional Gateway
RAAF Base Williamtown
Heavy Rail Network
Inter-Regional Road
Future Transport Connection
Major Road
Urban Area
Drinking Water Catchment
Petroleum Production Lease Application
Gas Exploration Title
Coal Production Title
Company Coal Exploration Title
Coal Exploration Title
National Park and Reserve
State Forest
Waterway DRAFT HUNTER REGIONAL PLAN 83
Northern Tops • water security for the Hunter and surrounding regions – water is supplied from the Hunter, Paterson, Allyn The Northern Tops will continue to be a prized and Williams Rivers and the area part of the region, characterised by its World including Glenbawn, Glennies Creek, Heritage wilderness areas, pristine waterways Lostock, and Chichester Dams; and rich agricultural lands. While the area is unlikely to experience significant growth, its • sustainable agribusiness, including the capacity to use alternative means of service Hunter’s world-class horse thoroughbred provision, and its natural assets, to generate breeding industry based around Scone; economic growth and diversity, will see its • energy security for NSW – including the communities succeed well into the future. Gloucester Basin, which is one of three areas in NSW currently being considered to As part of the Great Dividing Range, the supply gas to meet statewide demands; and Barrington Plateau gives rise to a striking topography, cut by river valleys, therein • a range of minerals supplies, defining the Hunter’s Northern Tops landscape. supporting regional manufacturing This topography has shaped the way that and construction industries. people move through and settle within this landscape. Towns and villages have The following priorities will be considered always been relatively small including. and addressed for the Northern Tops:
• Gloucester – the main administrative centre, Grow Hunter’s regional economy: is served by heavy rail and situated along Bucketts Way/Thunderbolts Way. This • develop and strengthen connections local freight route traditionally supported with tourist markets from within the timber, dairy and coal industries and Hunter, Sydney and overseas; is increasingly accommodating tourist • enhance tourism infrastructure and traffic to Barrington Tops National Park; connectivity, reinforcing the importance • Clarence Town – the third oldest town of Bucketts Way/Thunderbolts Way; declared in the region (after Newcastle • enhance links to regional services and Maitland) grew around its harbour in Hunter City and Taree; and (furthest reach for boats on Williams River – supported timber trade and shipbuilding) • prioritise the provision of high quality – and is part of Hunter City’s hinterland. and reliable telecommunication links to and within rural communities. This area will continue to be important to the future growth of the Hunter, with its natural Protect and connect natural areas: features and rural communities supporting: • protect water quality, rural amenity and the natural assets that characterise the region; • monitor and manage natural hazard risks including flooding and bushfire; • monitor and support the impacts of ageing populations on the accessibility Left: Raymond Terrace Right: Gloucester landscape and servicing of rural communities; and • enhance regional-level habitat connectivity, while recognising the need to continue to accommodate rural and resource industries.
Support robust regional communities: • locate growth within existing towns and villages using existing and committed urban infrastructure and services; • provide alternative methods of service provision to cater for remote access; 84
• strengthen the roles of existing The following priorities will be considered and communities and the regeneration addressed for the Hunter’s North East Coast: of towns and villages that build on their rural identity and form; and Grow Hunter’s regional economy: • monitor and respond to the potential • prioritise urban growth within existing influence of future energy sector communities, particularly where using activity on local employment, existing and committed urban infrastructure housing and service demands. and services. This includes facilitating urban infill and higher residential densities in Nelson Bay and Forster–Tuncurry; North East Coast • enhance tourism infrastructure and connectivity, recognising the importance of: The Hunter’s North East Coast is defined by regional and inter-regional its pristine natural environment including connections via the Pacific Highway estuarine lakes, coastal wetlands, beaches, and the Newcastle Airport and lagoons, islands and marine waters. These cruise ship gateways; and natural landscapes are biologically diverse Forster Beach and include rich Aboriginal cultural heritage. local routes such as the Lakes Way and Nelson Bay Road; The quality of the area’s natural environment • enhance links to regional services has driven population and economic growth, in Hunter City and Taree; and with the evolution of national road and rail networks in the early 20th century and rising • prioritise the provision of high-quality car ownership in the 1950s, increasingly and reliable telecommunication links attracting visitors from Sydney and Newcastle. to and within coastal communities. The coastal towns and villages, anchored by the larger settlements of Forster-Tuncurry Protect and connect natural areas: to the north and Nelson Bay-Corlette to • protect the water quality, estuarine the south, and clustered within the coastal lakes, coastal environments and natural hinterland, including Hawks Nest-Tea Gardens, assets that characterise the region; Seal Rocks and Blueys Beach, are now some of the most popular visitor destinations • monitor and manage natural hazard in the Hunter. They are also increasingly risks including coastal inundation, attracting second-home buyers and retirees. local flooding and bushfire; and • monitor and support the impacts of the Growth and change will predominantly impact ageing population on the accessibility on three areas of the Hunter’s North East Coast: and servicing of coastal communities. • Forster-Tuncurry; Support robust regional communities: • Tomaree Peninsula; and • strengthen the roles of existing • Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest. communities and the accessibility and vibrancy of town centres and The area’s economy and employment main streets, particularly within base is largely service-based and highly Forster-Tuncurry and Nelson Bay; seasonal, reflecting its tourism economy and rapidly ageing communities. The quality • support urban infill and the regeneration of its natural environment also underpins of town centres that builds on coastal valuable rural and resource industries. It is village identity and form; and the largest oyster producing area in NSW • support economic diversity and further and supplies a range of minerals used for the tourism opportunities that focus on construction and manufacturing industries reducing the impacts of the seasonal nature in the Hunter and surrounding regions. of tourism and its effect on local economies. DRAFT HUNTER REGIONAL PLAN 85
Figure 20: North East Coast
Disclaimer: Exploration Titles show where applications can be made for mining activities. They do not infer a right to mine. Mining is excluded in National Parks and Historic Sites
Heavy Rail Network Gas Exploration Title Northern Tops Inter-Regional Road Coal Production Title Hunter’s Western Hunter North East Coast Hunter City Future Transport Connection Company Coal Exploration Title Hinterland Major Road Priority Oyster Aquaculture Area
Strategic Centre Urban Area National Park and Reserve
Newcastle Airport Regional Drinking Water Catchment State Forest Gateway Petroleum Production Lease RAAF Base Williamtown Waterway Application 86
Endnotes
1 Deloitte Access Economics (2013) 11 Op cit., Hunter Valley Research Foundation Prospects and Challenges for the Hunter (2014) Hunter Region at a Glance Region: A Strategic Economic Study, Sydney 12 Op cit., Hunter Valley Research Foundation 2 australian Bureau of Statistics (2015), (2014) Hunter Region at a Glance Regional Population Growth, Australia 2013-2014, Cat. No. 3218.0, Canberra 13 Hunter Development Corporation (2013) unpublished, Urbis Hunter 3 Ibid., Australian Bureau of Statistics Region Employment Lands Study
4 Hunter Valley Research Foundation 14 NSW Trade and Investment (2013) Creative (2015) The Future of Hunter Professional Industry Profile Economic Profile,Sydney Services: Current state of play, opportunities and threats, Newcastle http://www. 15 NSW Department of Primary Industries hrf.com.au/uploads/publications/ (2013) NSW Biosecurity Strategy HRF-Future-of-Professional-Services- 2013-2021 http://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/ Stage1-Report-May2015.pdf biosecurity/strategy-and-policy
5 Deloitte Access Economics (2013) 16 Op cit., NSW Department of Prospects and Challenges for the Hunter Primary Industries (2013) NSW Region: A Strategic Economic Study Biosecurity Strategy 2013-2021 http://rdahunter.org.au/_literature_343/ Prospects_and_Challenges_for_the_ 17 Office of Environment and Heritage Hunter. This report estimated the Hunter’s (2015) data for Hunter-Central Rivers economic output in 2012 to be around Catchment Management Authority $37bn, which, at the time, was greater than Region http://www.environment. that of Tasmania ($20.4bn), the Northern nsw.gov.au/threatenedSpeciesApp/ Territory ($16bn) and the ACT ($29bn). AreaHabitatSearch.aspx
6 NSW Department of Planning 18 NSW Department of Primary (2015), unpublished data provided Industries (2007) Key Fish Habitat by Deloitte Access Economics maps http://www.dpi.nsw.gov. au/fisheries/habitat/publications/ 7 NSW Department of Primary Industries protection/key-fish-habitat-maps (2012) Agriculture Industry Mapping Pilot Project: Upper Hunter Pilot, 19 NSW Department of Planning and Sydney http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ Environment, NSW Planning Hub agriculture/resources/lup/ag-mapping http://hub.planning.nsw.gov.au/
8 Hunter Councils (2013) Mapping 20 Department of the Environment, (n.d) Important Agricultural Lands in the Lower Hunter Regional Sustainability Lower Hunter Region of NSW Planning and Strategic Assessment, Canberra, https://www.environment. 9 Hunter Valley Research Foundation (2014) gov.au/sustainability/regional- Hunter Region at a Glance http://www.hrf. development/lower-hunter com.au/uploads/HRF_HRAAG_2014.pdf 21 australian Bureau of Statistics (2011) 10 Destination NSW (2015) Travel to Australian Statistical Geography the Hunter: Year ended June 2015 Standard Volume 4 – Significant Urban http://www.destinationnsw.com. Areas, Urban Centres and Localities, au/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ Section of State, July 2011, Catalogue The-Hunter-YE-Jun-15.pdf No. 1270.0.55.004, Canberra DRAFT HUNTER REGIONAL PLAN 87
22 NSW Department of Planning and 30 AECOM (2013) Resilience to Natural Environment (2015), unpublished ‘Hunter Hazards in the Lower Hunter Discussion Region Population, Household and Paper https://www.environment.gov. Dwellings Projections 2011-2036’, Sydney au/system/files/pages/25570c73- a276-4efb-82f4-16f802320e62/ 23 NSW Ministry of Health (2015) files/aecom-natural-hazards.pdf Health Stats NSW, Sydney, http:// www.healthstats.nsw.gov.au/ 31 NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (2014), Aboriginal sites decision 24 Floodsafe Hunter, (n.d), Flooding in support tool, Sydney http://www. the Lower Hunter Valley http://archive. environment.nsw.gov.au/licences/ lls.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_ AboriginalSitesDecisionSupportTool.htm file/0003/496623/archive_factsheet1_ flooding-in-the-lower-hunter-valley.pdf 32 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011) Australian Statistical Geography 25 Floodsafe Hunter (n.d), Flooding on Standard Volume 4 – Significant Urban the Paterson & Williams River http:// Areas, Urban Centres and Localities, archive.lls.nsw.gov.au/__data/ Section of State, July 2011, Catalogue assets/pdf_file/0007/496582/ No. 1270.0.55.004, Canberra archive_factsheet_4_flooding-on-the- paterson-and-williams-rivers.pdf
26 Hunter Councils (HCCREMS) and University PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS of Newcastle (2009) Hunter, Central Amp Control and Lower North Coast Regional Climate Destination NSW Change Project: Case Study 3: Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Bushfire Sanitarium Risk in Hunter, Lower North Coast and Tomago Aluminium Co PTY LTD Central Coast Region, Newcastle
27 Grudgeon, T. (2015) Hunter Floods of 1955 - 50 year commemoration http://www. hunterweather.com/events.php?id=41
28 Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Bureau of Transport Economics (2001) Economic Costs of Natural Disasters in Australia, Canberra https://bitre.gov.au/ publications/2001/files/report_103.pdf
29 Haines, P. and Thyer, M. (2007) Rainfall and Flooding of the “Pasher Bulker” Storm, Newcastle June 2007, University of Newcastle, http://floods.org.au/wp- content/uploads/Haines_Philip2.pdf