Rezonings finalised for Mt Arthur and Macquarie coal sites, 7,000 jobs projected
Johannes Plenio / PexelsAerial view of heavy machinery in an open-pit mine.(File image: Johannes Plenio / Pexels)
Newy 87.8 FM – The federal and NSW governments, together with Muswellbrook and Lake Macquarie councils, have finalised planning controls and rezonings for the Mt Arthur Coal Mine site at Muswellbrook and the Macquarie Coal Complex at Teralba and West Wallsend, projected to unlock more than 7,000 jobs.
The finalised Mt Arthur proposal covers a total area of 5,700 hectares, with about 800 hectares in two priority early-activation areas and up to 5,900 jobs. Close to 4,600 hectares of rehabilitated land has been set aside for agricultural and environmental use.
At the Macquarie Coal Complex, about 20 kilometres south-west of Newcastle, the finalised plan includes a 1,142-hectare employment precinct with at least 500 hectares developable, up to 1,130 jobs, around 36 hectares of new open space and 22 hectares of residential land at Barnsley West and Teralba Southgate.
Draft master plans for both sites were publicly exhibited from 14 July to 11 August 2026, drawing 177 submissions. The work delivers on a $5 million Commonwealth investment plus in-kind NSW Government support as a post-mining land use pilot, targeting renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and warehousing.
The rezonings do not switch off rehabilitation obligations, with land to be released only once rehabilitated and confirmed safe, stable and non-polluting. Future projects will still face development assessment.
BHP made a commercial decision to cease mining at Mt Arthur in 2030. This week the Macquarie Coal Complex was named the preferred site for the state-owned train manufacturing facility.
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