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Approved Coal Mine Developments
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Muswellbrook
Coal Company Ltd
– The Muswellbrook Coal operations are continuing with open cut
mining in the No. 1 extension area which has been previously mined by underground workings.
These
operations are scheduled for completion around 2013. The also site has
approval for the Sandy Creek Underground development. They
are currently approved to mine up to 2 million Run Of Mine (ROM) million
tonnes per annum.
Drayton
Coal Extensions
– The Drayton operations are continuing extraction of 5.5 ROM
million tonnes per annum of coal with possible expansions proposed in
the future.
Liddell
Coal
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Halfway between Singleton and Muswellbrook, Liddell operates in an
area that has been extensively mined by open cut or underground
methods since 1923. A development consent modification to existing
open cut operations was approved in July 2007, enabling maximum ROM
coal production to increase from 4.5 to 8 million tonnes per annum. production
is expected to ramp up over a 2 to 3 year period.
Mt
Arthur Coal
- is one of the largest open cut coal mines in the region, with a
current approved production rate of up to 20 ROM million tonnes per
annum (approx) and employing more than 540 employees and 230 full time
equivalent contractors. Mt
Arthur Coal is currently preparing an Environmental Assessment for an
application to mine an additional 6-8 million tonnes of coal within
and adjacent to the existing mining leases via underground long wall
methods which would require more than 250 new employees.
The
Mount Pleasant Project
- is located approximately three kilometres west of
Muswellbrook and is adjacent to the Bengalla Mine.
In
November 2006, Coal and Allied announced the commencement of a feasibility
study into Mount Pleasant's potential development. the Mount Pleasant
lease is 100 per cent owned by Coal and Allied Industries Limited and
is located adjacent to Coal and Allied's Bengalla Mine.
Coal
and Allied obtained an authority over the Mount Pleasant resource in
April 1992. Exploration, mining studies and an environmental impact
statement (EIS) were completed in 1997. After a 26 month process
involving extensive community consultation and a Commission of
Inquiry, development consent was granted in 1999 allowing an open cut
operation of up to 10.5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of run of mine
(ROM) coal. the development consent permits operations until 2020. the
Mount Pleasant Community Consultative Committee was establish in 2004
and currently meets 6 times a year.
More
information about the Mount Pleasant project is available online at www.coalandallied.com.au
or at Coal and Allied's Muswellbrook Office at 19 Bridge Street or by
calling the Mount Pleasant Community Information Line 1800 727 745.
Dartbrook
Coal
– Currently in care and maintenance mode.
Bengalla
Mining Company
- continues
operations
with possible extensions proposed for the future.
Bengalla has approved Development Consent to mine 10.7
ROM million
tonnes per annum of coal, and extracted 7.1 million
tonnes of ROM coal in 2006.
Anvil
Hill Project
- Xstrata Hunter proposes to establish an open cut coal mine in the
Wybong area, 20km west of Muswellbrook and 10km north of the
township
of
Denman
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Known as the Anvil Hill Project, the proposal is based on a
large, undeveloped coal reserve of approximately 150 million tonnes.
The project has
been designated as State Significant Development and is currently
being assessed under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and
Assessment Act. The
Minister for Planning is the consent Authority.
The Anvil Hill
Mine will be a significant contributor to the local, regional and
state economy. It will
generate 200 direct construction jobs and up to 240 operational jobs.
Indirect employment could be as high as
1,000.
Anvil Hill Mine
represents between 10% - 15% of NSW future electricity supply. |
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| 2.
Residential/Industrial
Developments
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Stages
1 to 9 of the Eastbrook Links Estate have been completed. Monarch, the developer of Eastbrook Links Estate, has incorporated these home-sites into
a complex master-planned residential community complete with stunning
water features, walking & cycle paths and plenty of open space
overlooking the magnificent Muswellbrook Golf Club.
Other
residential developments include;
NorthView Estate
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The
development will be the construction of approximately 213 residential
lots (including rural
residential) at
North Muswellbrook. Construction of stages 1 and 2 of the development
have been completed. The next stage has recently been approved by Council via a development
application and construction is expected to commence in the near
future.
St
Mary’s
Estate
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Is a development of approximately 157 residential lots at South
Muswellbrook is
adjacent to the Catholic
Primary
School
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Construction for Stages 1 and 2A have been completed. Construction for the next stages is currently underway.
Denman
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Approval
has been issued for 25 residential lots at the corner of
Bell
and
Almonds
Street
,
Denman. Construction of these lots is yet to commence. A master
plan has been considered by Council for a total of 50 lots under this
subdivision, subject to further development consent.
Yammanie
- Council has approved approximately 157 rural residential lots in
South Muswellbrook which will incorporate an extension of
Ironbark Road
Woodlands
Ridge
- Stages 2 and 3 of Woodlands Ridge, located 5 minutes south of
Muswellbrook have been completed.
This development created 38 rural residential lots |
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The
following information
on Development Applications for 2005 through to February 2007 is
provide from Council records: |
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Development
Applications received for:
2005 – 465
2006 – 489
2007 – 522 (up to December 2007)
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The
number of development applications received for new houses were:
2005
– 69
2006 – 78
2007 – 145 (up to December 2007) |
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Industrial
Subdivision in Glen Munro (Thomas Mitchell Industrial Estate) |
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- Council
is finalising development of a further 22 lot subdivision on the
Glen
Munro Road
extension. Project Cost $ 1,500,000.
- Private
developers are currently developing a 25 lot subdivision on Thomas
Mitchell Drive south
of the existing Industrial Estate. Construction of this
development is due to commence late in 2007.
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| 3.
Commercial Developments |
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Muswellbrook
Fair
- The South Muswellbrook Shopping Centre is now operating containing Harvey
Norman, Coles Supermarket, Best and Less,
Cellarbrations Liquor, Rivers, Reject Shop, Pharmacy Select and the Telstra Shop.
Council has been advised that the BiLo site is to be refurbished.
Villa Units
- Construction has been completed on the 40 villa units which were formerly part of the major commercial development at South Muswellbrook which includes a Hotel complex and Tourist Centre.
Hotel / Conference
Centre - the hotel conference centre has been
approved by council and are now awaiting the ongoing development of
this project.
Aldi
- Approval has been granted for a new Aldi supermarket including 81
car parking spaces on Bridge Street with access from Wilkins Street.
Development of a Tourist Facility
- Development of a Tourist Facility at Yarraman Estate, Wybong has been approved. The development includes the construction of a Club House, Staff Accommodation and Time Share Accommodation.
Cellar Door
- A cellar door operation was approved for Two Rivers winery at Yarrawa Road Denman and opened on Saturday
10 March, 2007.
ArrowField
Winery - Major redevelopment of the ArrowField Winery Restaurant
has taken place and the restaurant is now open.
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| 4.
Agricultural Rural Developments |
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Hunter Belle Cheese
- The Hunter Belle Cheese factory produces a range of unique, high quality soft cheeses made exclusively from the milk of Brown
Swiss cows and have recently began producing a selection of hard cheeses. The Brown Swiss cattle were originally bred for cheesemaking in the Alps of
Switzerland which is why their milk is highly suited to specialty cheesemaking. The milk used by Hunter Belle Cheese is delivered fresh
from a local Upper Hunter dairy farm that is recognised as one of the best Brown Swiss dairy herds in Australia. Further information on Hunter Belle Cheese
can be found at:
www.hunterbellecheese.com.au
Pukara
Estate
- Pukara Estate’s Extra Virgin Olive Oils are amongst Australia’s best, winning over 30 awards nationally. Varieties grown on the Estate have been selected from the best Olive producing countries including Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Portugal and Israel. The resulting oils are therefore sophisticated and flavoursome. Visitors to the estate can taste the complete range of oils and table olives and purchase direct from the grove. They also serve coffee and light
refreshments and are now open 7 days a week. Further information on Pukara Estate can be found at:
www.pukaraestate.com.au
Crops for Hunter
- Crops for Hunter is a local government initiative that evolved from the common desire of the communities in the Upper Hunter to maintain and enhance their agricultural base by encouraging farm diversification. Diversification makes
a farming business more sustainable and profitable in an economic and ecological perspective and may include new methods of production or management, changing what is produced, identifying new markets or applying new business or management structures.
Financial support has been granted by the Coal & Allied Community Trust to complement support from
four LGA’s of the Upper Hunter Region. For further information about Crops for Hunter and current programs contact the Project Officer, Sean Constable at
Upper Hunter Shire Council on (02) 6540 1135 or email: cropsforhunter@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au
Muswellbrook Shire Council has experienced major growth in the rural residential style development with over 100 lots being created over the past few years.
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| 5.
Infrastructure
Development |
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Council is currently implementing the upgrade of the Denman and Sandy Hollow water supplies at a cost of $5 million.
the new water treatment plant at Denman will be commissioned early
in 2008. The augmentation of trunk sewer mains in South Muswellbrook is underway
at an estimated cost of $2.2 million. Investigations into the augmentation of the Muswellbrook Sewerage
Treatment Works and Water Treatment Works are currently in progress.
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Muswellbrook
Shire Council prides itself on the state of the roads and bridges in the Shire and is focusing increased resources from 2007 onwards on asset maintenance and renewal to sustain a high level of accessibility into the future. Council is responsible for the management of a large road network consisting of State, Regional and Local roads. The network includes approximately 68km of state highways, 40km of regional
road and 578km of local roads.
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The
bridge over Baerami Creek on the Bylong Valley Way was replaced in
2007 at a cost of $700,000
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The
bridge over Widden Creek on the Bylong Valley Way is currently
being designed and will be replaced at a cost of approximately
$1.4 Million during 2008-09.
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Council is planning to
signalise the intersection of Rutherford Road and SH9 (New England Highway) in 2007-2008 to improve safety and accessibility to the rapidly expanding South Muswellbrook business precinct.
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Major "shareway" (cycle way/pedestrian) linkages to this precinct are also being developed.
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Plans for extensions to the Muswellbrook Library are progressing and are expected to cost approximately
$3 million.
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Construction of the Denman Community Centre has been
completed. The centre accommodates an updated library, the Denman & District Development
Association, Computer Technology Centre, Tourism Information Centre and community meeting/training rooms at a total cost of approx $1.3 million.
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Plans for the NSW Rail Coal Heritage Centre incorporating a Rail Coal Museum and a Visitor Information Centre
have been finalised. the development application will be
considered by Council in March 2008.
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The route of the
proposed future Muswellbrook By-Pass was determined in 2006 and is being incorporated into the draft shire-wide LEP to be finalised in 2007.
$5 million is allocated in the Federal Governments' AusLink 1 program for conceptual design; environmental assessment,
final design and this work is underway. This is an RTA project. Council is advocating for the project to be funded for construction in AusLink 2 (from 2009-10 on). It is estimated that this development will cost over
$185 million.
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A concept plan for Muswellbrook Main Street has been completed for the post-bypass era. Some
limited implementation of stages of the plan may be undertaken over the next several years prior to the bypass, subject to funding priorities.
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Australian Rail Track Corporation have commenced the duplication of the Great Northern Line from Muswellbrook to Antienne, the total project cost is $75 million.
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A new
$8 million Police station was completed in March 2007 offering a 24 hour service between Maitland and Tamworth.
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| 6.
Power Generating Industry |
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Antienne Rail Unloader – Macquarie Generation currently undertakes a number of activities relating to the operation of the Bayswater Power Station involving the retrieval, temporary storage and combustion of coal. It is proposed that a rail spur from the Main Northern Rail Line be constructed to service a new rail unloading facility for Bayswater Power Station, approximately 8km from Muswellbrook near the Drayton Rail Spur. Macquarie Generation is constructing the new rail unloading facility, together with a new overland conveyor, to directly transfer coal from distant mines to the power station in an environmentally responsible manner. The alterations and additions incorporate a new rail loop, unloading facility, overland conveyor, diesel storage, maintenance facilities and amenities. Further information on this project can be obtained from the Department of Planning Website:
www.planning.nsw.gov.au
Bayswater Power Station Upgrade to Improve Wastewater Treatment Performance – Macquarie Generation are proposing to improve water use efficiency and capacity of the existing Water Treatment Plant. The new treatment program will ensure the long term viability of the power generation and improve the water quality of Lake Liddell by removing impurities. Further information on this project can be obtained from the Department of Planning Website:
www.planning.nsw.gov.au.
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| 7.
Education |
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Videoconferencing in education is an initiative brought to the Upper Hunter Learning Co-op by the former four Mayors of Muswellbrook, Scone, Merriwa and Murrurundi. Realised through Coal & Allied Community Trust funding, the program has seen the development and implementation of a videoconferencing program between Merriwa Central, Muswellbrook High School, Scone High School, Singleton High School and TAFE NSW Hunter Institute and open up opportunities to provide broader subject choices for Upper Hunter students in higher levels of education.
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The take up of apprenticeships is an obvious long term solution to meet trade demands in the future however; apprenticeship positions are limited by supervision in the workplace. Newly indentured apprentices usually require increased supervision due to a lack of experience in the basic hands skills of a trade. A joint venture between the Hunter Institute of TAFE, Alliance Training Solutions and Muswellbrook Shire Council has seen the introduction of the Apprentice Skills Development Centre at Muswellbrook Campus of TAFE. The centre is designed to cater for newly indentured 1st year apprentices of the Mining Industry and provide fast-track basic engineering skills and competencies to ensure that they are work ready when commencing work fulltime. The centre has been developed in consultation with the Energy Australia Training Centre at Wallsend, which is the last remaining traditional apprentice centre in the Hunter region. The new apprenticeship training program will run full-time over a period of 24 weeks. It will focus on promoting safe work practices through practical hands-on skills training in basic fitting, mechanical, fabrication and electrical tasks.
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| 8.
Future Growth of Muswellbrook |
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The above developments are only a part of the future prospects for the Shire.
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The re development of the South Muswellbrook Retail complex has been well received.
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Council has determined a future residential development strategy catering for a mixture of rural residential and residential lots.
This strategy has been supported by the recent development by Council of over 150 residential lots at South Muswellbrook and current proposals by private developers to produce a mixture of rural residential and residential lots in the South and East.
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Council is currently in the process of preparing a comprehensive draft Local Environmental Plan (LEP) for the Muswellbrook Shire, following adoption of Council’s Shire Development Strategy. This draft LEP will permit a variety of land uses in different zones across the shire, and will be supported by a review and implementation of an updated Development Control Plan for the Council area. It is hoped that these draft instruments will be on public exhibition by June 2007.
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Coal is a finite resource. Council, in collaboration with Singleton Shire Council, the State Government, Newcastle University and the community, set up the Upper Hunter Commercial Forests Project Team. Its objective is to establish 30,000 hectares of commercial forests and rehabilitated mine sites, buffer land and private property
to provide a sustainable industry beyond mining. Currently a large private company has indicated some interest and grants are being sought under the Regional Solutions Program.
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We
are indeed experiencing exciting times!
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Muswellbrook is the centre of the Upper Hunter, the focal point
of transport, government agencies, health services and the hub of economic activity.
Investment by large and well respected businesses indicates solid support and confidence in the sustainable economic future of the Shire.
Council is pursuing many other projects to diversify and strengthen the economic viability of the area.
If you have any questions or would like further information on any of
the mentioned topics please contact:
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Daniella Di Rollo
Economic Development Manager
Muswellbrook Shire Council
PO
Box 122
Muswellbrook
NSW 2333
(61) 02 6549 3730
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If you require any
further information or have a project you wish to list do not hesitate
to contact us on:
council@muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au
Updated
21st February 2008 |
