Where three NSW councils have hatched a plan to build 68,000 new homes

Thousands of homes, new town centres and potential rail links are at the heart of a long-term plan for this major NSW growth corridor. A vast stretch of the Lower Hunter could eventually accommodate up to 68,000 homes under a new plan backed by three New South Wales councils. The draft Anambah to Branxton Structure Plan sets out a long-term vision for growth across the Cessnock, Maitland and Singleton local government areas over the next 20 to 40 years. The plan covers long-term growth for Maitland, Cessnock and Singleton LGAs. Picture: GettyLed by those three councils, the plan is a non-statutory framework that will guide future precinct plans, zoning changes, infrastructure decisions and development staging. The corridor, identified as a Regionally Significant Growth Area in the Hunter Regional Plan 2041, stretches across more than 15,000 hectares and includes 13 precincts from Anambah to Branxton. According to the draft plan, the total capacity is estimated to see 35,000 homes in Maitland, 26,000 in Cessnock and 7000 in Singleton. It also notes development will respond to market demand, infrastructure availability and government investment priorities. The plan also sets out a mi...