Regional Jobs Grow Thanks To Rezoning
Newcastle Herald
Tuesday January 13, 2009
THE Hunter employment market is tipped to grow by more than 500 jobs on the back of a major rezoning near Singleton.
The NSW Government has approved the rezoning of a 333-hectare parcel of land, which will be used for industrial purposes and conservation.The site at Whittingham, 10 kilometres east of Singleton, includes 245 hectares of predominantly cleared former rural land that will be zoned for industrial uses.The remaining 88 hectares, which was considered "high value conservation land" would be set aside for environmental protection.Minister for the Hunter Jodi McKay, who is expected to announce the decision today, said the rezoning would provide planning framework to encourage business investment in the area."The rezoning strikes a good balance between delivering jobs for Hunter workers and protecting the local environment," she said."Overall, it's estimated that the future industrial development on the site will create more than 500 area jobs, which will be a major boost for the local area."NSW Planning Minister Kristina Keneally said the site was "strategically located" at the junction of the New England and Golden highways and close to the rail network."It will provide additional capacity for heavy industrial uses in the Lower Hunter, close to existing mining and energy-generating operations, which is consistent with the approach being taken by Singleton Council in its land use strategy," Ms Keneally said.She said the release of land for industrial development within the site would be staged.
© 2009 Newcastle Herald