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The NSW Government will work with each council to deliver the directions and actions set out in this plan.
Priorities for each council are set out in the following section and will guide further investigations and implementation.
The priorities build on the directions and actions in this plan to achieve outcomes on the ground. Planning will encourage infrastructure delivery that targets the needs of its communities. It will also encourage efficiencies in the allocation of resources and investment to improve the liveability and sustainability of the region.
The narratives identify:
The NSW Government will assist councils to translate these into local plans.
Lower Hunter is composed of Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Newcastle and Port Stephens local government areas.
Cessnock | |
Population | |
2016 | 56,100 |
2036 (Projected) | 69,250 |
Projected Increase | +13,150 |
Dwellings | |
2016 | 24,000 |
2036 (Projected) | +6,350 |
Projected Increase | +6,350 |
Employment | |
2016 | 18,905 |
2036 (Projected) | 25,497 |
Projected Increase | +6,592 |
Cessnock Local Government Area is the focal point for the region’s wine industry and a significant tourism destination and entertainment node. Opportunities exist to increase its appeal as a major wine and food tourist destination with a national and international reputation. The recent completion of the Hunter Expressway has improved connectivity to the Greater Newcastle and Upper Hunter area, increasing its attraction for housing and employment. Investigation of infill opportunities and new housing is required in the longer term.
Regionally significant centres and employment land clusters:
Priorities for strategic centres:
Future housing and urban renewal opportunities:
Port Stephens | |
Population | |
2016 | 74,100 |
2036 (Projected) | 92,650 |
Projected Increase | +18,550 |
Dwellings | |
2016 | 36,900 |
2036 (Projected) | 47,950 |
Projected Increase | +11,050 |
Employment | |
2016 | 28,809 |
2036 (Projected) | 34,475 |
Projected Increase | +5,665 |
Port Stephens Local Government Area contains a mix of rural land, towns, villages and coastal areas (largely focused along the Tomaree Peninsula) that are a major recreational, tourist and retirement destination. The regionally significant Newcastle Airport provides capacity to support growth in defence and aerospace-related industries.
Regionally significant centres and employment land clusters:
Priorities for strategic centres:
Future housing and urban renewal opportunities:
Lake Macquarie | |
Population | |
2016 | 202,350 |
2036 (Projected) | 226,800 |
Projected Increase | +24,450 |
Dwellings | |
2016 | 87,700 |
2036 (Projected) | 101,400 |
Projected Increase | +13,700 |
Employment | |
2016 | 66,860 |
2036 (Projected) | 78,60 |
Projected Increase | +11,741 |
Lake Macquarie Local Government Area includes the southern portion of the Greater Newcastle metropolitan area. It is the largest city in the Lower Hunter by population. The area’s picturesque landscape and convenient connections to other parts of the Hunter, Central Coast and Sydney attract residents and visitors to the area. There is a mix of centres, including Charlestown, Glendale and Morisset, and also housing opportunities, many in scenic locations. Lake Macquarie will continue to attract new residents because of these attributes.
Regionally significant centres and employment land clusters:
Priorities for strategic centres:
Future housing and urban renewal opportunities:
Maitland | |
Population | |
2016 | 78,200 |
2036 (Projected) | 104,850 |
Projected Increase | +26,650 |
Dwellings | |
2016 | 31,650 |
2036 (Projected) | 44,200 |
Projected Increase | +12,550 |
Employment | |
2016 | 28,311 |
2036 (Projected) | 34,790 |
Projected Increase | +6,476 |
Maitland Local Government Area contains a high-growth metropolitan area that includes strategic centres servicing the hinterland and rural areas of Dungog and the Upper Hunter area. It includes a number of urban release areas that are contributing to significant greenfield housing supply for the region, as well as centres undergoing revitalisation, and historic rural villages. Maitland will continue to supply housing, connect its settlements and offer civic, health and educational services.
Priorities for strategic centres:
Strong population growth in the Maitland Local Government Area is resulting in ongoing pressures for additional residential land and a shortfall in infrastructure provision. There are significant challenges to servicing a number of development fronts and increasing dwelling density near centres, transport nodes and in areas of high amenity. The growth in housing needs to be balanced against the natural constraints of flooding and the agricultural value of the floodplain and other rural lands.
Future housing and urban renewal opportunities:
Newcastle | |
Population | |
2016 | 165,050 |
2036 (Projected) | 198,350 |
Projected Increase | +33,300 |
Dwellings | |
2016 | 75,450 |
2036 (Projected) | 92,250 |
Projected Increase | +16,800 |
Employment | |
2016 | 111,299 |
2036 (Projected) | 129,263 |
Projected Increase | +17,964 |
This is the city at the centre of Greater Newcastle, the largest regional centre in NSW and the economic, service and administrative centre for the region. Newcastle provides the most diverse mix of specialised services in the Hunter region, and significant employment and residential development, and associated infrastructure.
Regionally significant centres and employment land clusters:
Priorities for strategic centres:
Future housing and urban renewal opportunities:
Upper Hunter is composed of Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter local government areas.
Muswellbrook | |
Population | |
2016 | 17,150 |
2036 (Projected) | 20,300 |
Projected Increase | +3,150 |
Dwellings | |
2016 | 7,400 |
2036 (Projected) | 9,000 |
Projected Increase | +1,600 |
Employment | |
2016 | 11,364 |
2036 (Projected) | 13,551 |
Projected Increase | +2,187 |
Muswellbrook Local Government Area is located in the centre of the Upper Hunter Valley and is the predominant location for the State’s power generation. It is also a key location for coal mining activities and an important agricultural area. Muswellbrook is well placed to enhance its role as an administrative centre and a centre of educational excellence in the Upper Hunter. Muswellbrook will have to balance an overabundance of resources and successful secondary agricultural industries.
Regionally significant centres and employment land clusters:
Priorities for strategic centres:
Future housing and urban renewal opportunities:
Singleton | |
Population | |
2016 | 24,700 |
2036 (Projected) | 28,600 |
Projected Increase | +3,900 |
Dwellings | |
2016 | 10,200 |
2036 (Projected) | 12,200 |
Projected Increase | +2,000 |
Employment | |
2016 | 17,249 |
2036 (Projected) | 20,482 |
Projected Increase | +3,233 |
The Singleton Local Government Area forms part of the transition between the Upper and Lower Hunter. There are a number of important interchanges between State and regional roads, including the Hunter Expressway, New England Highway, Golden Highway and Putty Road, all of which intersect in the Local Government Area. Magnificent natural areas, such as Lake St Claire and parts of the Greater Blue Mountains and Gondwana Rainforest World Heritage areas, provide significant conservation and tourism opportunities. The future of Singleton lies in growing and diversifying its industry base (including primary industries), improving its housing product mix and minimising land use conflict. The mainstays of the economy are coal mining, agriculture (with growth in viticulture and related tourism), manufacturing and retail.
Regionally significant centres and employment land clusters:
Priorities for strategic centres:
Future housing and urban renewal opportunities:
Upper Hunter | |
Population | |
2016 | 14,700 |
2036 (Projected) | 16,200 |
Projected Increase | +1,500 |
Dwellings | |
2016 | 7,050 |
2036 (Projected) | 8,100 |
Projected Increase | +1,050 |
Employment | |
2016 | 5,948 |
2036 (Projected) | 7,143 |
Projected Increase | +1,195 |
The Upper Hunter Local Government Area is predominantly rural and forms part of the western area of the region. It includes the Upper Hunter equine precinct and major beef cattle production, as well as manufacturing industries. It is part of the Upper Hunter Mining and Electricity Generation Precinct. Employment is concentrated in the agricultural sector, particularly in Merriwa and Murrurundi.
Regionally significant centres and employment land clusters:
Priorities for strategic centres:
Future housing and urban renewal opportunities:
MidCoast is composed of MidCoast and Dungog local government areas.
MidCoast | |
Population | |
2016 |
91,250 |
2036 (Projected) |
96,250 |
Projected Increase |
+5,000 |
Dwellings |
|
2016 |
49,750 |
2036 (Projected) | 54,750 |
Projected Increase | +5,000 |
Employment |
|
2016 | 30,936 |
2036 (Projected) | 36,873 |
Projected Increase | +5,937 |
The MidCoast Local Government Area, in the northern part of the Hunter, features pristine waterways, an extensive network of national parks and World Heritage wilderness areas. It is a popular destination for residents and visitors. The economy and employment are largely service-based, with industries such as tourism being highly seasonal. It contains diverse agricultural activities, including poultry, dairy and beef, and significant oyster-producing areas. The new MidCoast Council will have to consider the needs of diverse communities within a regional setting. It will have to capitalise on the opportunities provided by urban centres, rural areas and the natural environment to form a thriving economy based on food production, tourism, manufacturing and services that meet the needs of an ageing and growing population.
Regionally significant centres and employment land clusters:
Priorities for strategic centres:
Future housing and urban renewal opportunities:
Dungog | |
Population | |
2016 |
8,750 |
2036 (Projected) |
8,950 |
Projected Increase |
+200 |
Dwellings |
|
2016 |
4,150 |
2036 (Projected) | 4,550 |
Projected Increase | +400 |
Employment |
|
2016 | 2,635 |
2036 (Projected) | 3,176 |
Project Increase | +541 |
Dungog Local Government Area is bordered by the World Heritage-listed Barrington Tops plateau to the north, with strong connections to Maitland and Port Stephens to the south. It contains the local service centres of Dungog, Clarence Town and Paterson, and is characterised by important agricultural and water catchment areas. Dungog’s future lies in strengthening its tourist connection to Barrington Tops, diversifying its already-strong agricultural base and capitalising on its potential for large-scale music festivals.
Regionally significant centres and employment land clusters:
Future housing and urban renewal opportunities:
Goal 1 - The leading regional economy in Australia
Goal 2 - A biodiversity-rich natural environment
Goal 4 - Greater housing choice and jobs
Page last updated: 09/08/2018