Mr GREG PIPER (Lake Macquarie) (18:55): Last month the Government released its draft master plans for both the Macquarie Coal Complex at West Wallsend and Mount Arthur coalmine at Muswellbrook, along with rezoning proposals to support these plans. Glencore's Macquarie coalmine is located predominantly in my electorate. In response to the parliamentary inquiry into post-mining land use, the New South Wales Government prepared a draft master plan for that site in collaboration with Lake Macquarie City Council, Glencore and the Federal Net Zero Economy Authority. I spoke in the House about this project in February and said:
It is a golden opportunity in terms of its regional impact, strategic location and worker availability.
The newly released draft master plan backs up this assessment, stating the transformation of the Macquarie Coal Complex is:
A generational-scale opportunity to transform former mining land into the Lower Hunter's premier employment precinct, delivering diverse jobs and much-needed employment land alongside lasting community and environmental outcomes.
But the question on everyone's lips is how many jobs and what could they be? The vision set out by the draft plan and rezoning proposal is this: up to 1,130 new jobs on at least 500 hectares of developable land across multiple land uses targeted for the precinct. These land uses would take advantage of Lake Macquarie's skilled workforce, whose industrial skills are transferable to advanced manufacturing, circular economy models, energy-intensive technology and logistics uses.
At the Cockle Creek and Killingworth sub-precincts, the draft plan envisages general and light industrial uses as well as logistics and warehousing, renewable energy generation and storage, and advanced industry and technology uses. The draft plan also proposes light industrial uses at the West Lake and Barnsley West sub‑precincts and medium density residential development at the Teralba sub-precinct. The community has raised concerns about a potential data centre in the Cockle Creek and Killingworth sub-precincts. While additional data centre capacity will be needed to support growing demand for artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital services, I believe the use of this site should prioritise the delivery of long-term employment.
The transformation of the former Macquarie coalmine is a unique opportunity to create jobs and employment land for our region. Any proposal for a data centre should be heavily scrutinised to ensure it does not limit the broader economic opportunities and is developed in a way that protects the local community and environment. Just recently we had the hugely significant announcement that the New South Wales Government is bringing train manufacturing back to the Hunter, with the Macquarie coalmine identified as one of two potential sites to host the manufacturing hub. With its strategic location, direct access to the rail corridor and proximity of skilled workers, I believe that Teralba is the obvious pick to host the hub.
While I am a parochial member for Lake Macquarie and former Mayor of Lake Macquarie, as is the member for Charlestown, who is sitting in the Chamber tonight, I am first and foremost for the region and for New South Wales. I would not put something ahead for Lake Macquarie if it was to the disbenefit of the greater good. It is anticipated that the hub will employ 780 workers during construction and create 550 permanent jobs. That fits perfectly with the vision for the Macquarie Coal Complex to create employment and diversify the local economy. I know Lake Macquarie City Council, which contributed to the draft master plan, believes the Teralba site offers unmatched potential to deliver lasting economic, employment and manufacturing benefits to Lake Macquarie and the whole Hunter region.
Along with council, I will continue to advocate for Macquarie coal mine as the preferred location for train manufacturing. The community now has the chance to provide its feedback on the draft master plan for the Macquarie Coal Complex until 11 August. That input will shape the final plan, which is expected to be finalised later this year. I have made no secret of my support for finding beneficial and innovative uses for former mining land that brings productivity back to those sites and creates good outcomes for the community. I commend the New South Wales and Federal governments, council and Glencore as the landowner on delivering a thoughtful draft master plan. The plan helps supports a resilient future for Lake Macquarie as we face the challenges that will accompany the energy transition.