MEMBER for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell has called out a “lack of urgency” to address post-mining land use in the electorate following the release of a NSW Parliament report.
A NSW parliamentary inquiry was established on 14 May 2024 to inquire into and report on “beneficial and productive post-mining land use”, with the final report released last Monday.
“As part of this inquiry, the State Development Committee received 77 submissions, two supplementary submissions and held six public hearings – four in the NSW Parliament and two in the Hunter region,” said inquiry chair Emily Suvaal MLC.
“Members also visited current and former mine sites in the Lower and Upper Hunter regions, gaining valuable insight into mine closure challenges and opportunities for land restoration and repurposing.
“These contributions provided a comprehensive understanding of the realities faced by mining communities and reinforced the need for collaborative and innovative solutions.”
The final report offered 13 recommendations and five findings.
Recommendations included that the government “conduct a comprehensive program of reform of current land uses and opportunities for future uses across regions experiencing mining and energy transition” and “consider incentivising post-mining land uses that leverage the reuse of essential infrastructure, such as transmission lines, rail lines, workspaces and utilities, to provide a return on closure expenses, and reduce decommissioning costs and waste”.
Findings included that “regional communities are on the cutting-edge of the post-mining transition and that current land-use planning and mineral lease setting are not well-suited to adapt or respond to rapidly changing circumstances”.
Upon reading the report, Mr Layzell did not hold back in his criticism.
“This report gets a 10 out of 10 for statements of the obvious – anyone who has been working with me for almost three years on future options for Upper Hunter mining land will find nothing new in this report,” Mr Layzell said.
“The clock is ticking, there are prospective investors looking at opportunities in the Muswellbrook and Singleton local government areas, but the land required for reuse is no closer to being unlocked.
“I thank the committee for acknowledging that ‘the current regulatory framework is not entirely fit for purpose’ and that ‘it was disheartened to hear of the complexity and uncertainty of the regulatory framework’,” Mr Layzell said.
“But the harsh reality of impending mine closures is that more than 2,000 workers will leave BHP’s Mount Arthur coal mine when operations cease by 2030 – everyday that reality draws one day closer yet the only big, local infrastructure project on the horizon which could utilise some of those skilled workers is the New England Highway bypass of Muswellbrook.”
On Wednesday, Mr Layzell called on Premier Chris Minns to deliver immediate action.
“Premier, the planning approvals that allowed the industrial development of the Upper Hunter coalfields are now out of date and urgently need reform to address the reality now facing the industry as it prepares to exit the region,” Mr Layzell said.
“Coal royalties are currently contributing around $3 billion to the NSW Government’s coffers so help the Upper Hunter prosper now rather than when a regional rescue package is needed.”
The NSW Government’s response to the report is due on 14 July 2025.
