CPPA Newcastle Networking Event - Daniel Simpkins, Director, Central Coast & Hunter, DPE

Presentation Overview: The CPPA is pleased to invite you to hear from Dan Simpkins to hear a presentation on the role of Strategic Planning and its function in setting the agenda for the identification of areas for future beneficial post-mining land uses.

Presenter Profile: Daniel Simpkins is Director, Central Coast and Hunter, Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) having held various roles in the NSW Government as Senior Executive with the Department of Planning and Environment and Premier and Cabinet. He currently leads the strategic planning for the Hunter and Central Coast and acts as the Minister for Planning’s delegate for rezoning proposals under the legislation.

Dan led the team who delivered the draft Hunter Regional Plan 2041 which has been recently exhibited and will set the NSW Government’s strategy for guiding land use planning decisions for the Hunter.  Innovation and diversification are what makes this regional plan unique. It embraces new investments, housing choices and lifestyle opportunities to retain the Hunter’s position as a leading regional economy with Australia’s seventh largest city at its heart. 

Background: The draft Hunter Regional Plan acknowledges that several mines in the Central Hunter district are scheduled to cease mining and commence closure shortly, while others are considering expansion and that both scenarios present opportunities to enable alternative post-mining land uses. It recognises that rather than returning land to its pre-mining state, there may be opportunities to utilise the features of some mines in a way that can leave an economic legacy for local communities. Focusing on key areas of interest that provide opportunities for re-use for intensive employment generating purposes, potentially leveraging access to mine infrastructure. These areas are disturbed, often screened, and function as infrastructure hubs. Planning controls and processes should enable development proposals for the alternative post-mining land uses identified for these areas of interest. “Areas of interest” can be expanded to include other operational land, such as void areas, depending on technical feasibility and consideration of the postmining land use principles.

Objective 1: of the Plan related to Diversify the Hunter’s mining, energy, and industrial capacity

The draft plan recognises that mining is a significant source of direct and indirect jobs and underpins the Hunter’s prosperity. Coal is the state’s largest export commodity, and is a major source of revenue, which the NSW Government uses to help fund essential services and infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, roads, and transport. As we move towards to life after mining, not all land currently under mining title is the same. Different uses will be suitable for different parts of the site, and some uses may be able to occur on mine buffer lands, while a mine is still operational. Existing rail loops and hard stand areas could be used for freight, industry, intensive agriculture, and food processing activities, while mine voids and transmission infrastructure could support renewable energy generation. It makes sense to retain and optimise these assets where it would support ongoing employment choices to the local community. Mine sites may also support the establishment of biodiversity corridors, particularly when considered in the context of neighbouring mine landholdings and vegetated areas. Where constraints limit their potential for employment generating land uses, these areas could enhance environmental, cultural, or scenic values. Whether a mine chooses to enable alternative land uses will depend on a range of factors and these will change over time. Regulatory settings, existing conditions of approval, landowner willingness, market demand and feasibility will be key influences. Similar considerations will affect what land uses may be developed on the site.

It recognises that mines comprise a significant total land area, some of which may become available over time for sequential land uses as operating mines close in the future. Based on current approvals, many mine operators have committed to returning sites to their pre-mining state as either agricultural or biodiversity land. Rather than returning land to its pre-mining state, there may be opportunities to utilise the features of some mines in a way that can leave an economic legacy for local communities. Some mine sites may be suitable for future investors and entrepreneurs to develop once operators have satisfied their rehabilitation and closure obligations.

Dan will speak to the development and feedback on the draft plan and the role of strategic planning in setting the agenda to identify and activate areas of future beneficial land use. Following his presentation there will be an opportunity of Q&A session and further discussion within the group

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