Huntlee Pty Ltd’s modification application has been recommended for approval by the Department of Planning and Environment with strict conditions.

Key issues considered during the Department’s assessment include the Voluntary Planning Agreement with Cessnock Council and bushfire risk.

Recommended conditions have been applied in response to these issues, including measures to reduce bushfire threats outlined in the applicant’s Bushfire Threat Assessment must be implemented and the Voluntary Planning Agreement with Cessnock Council must be updated to ensure proposed land is included to secure monetary contributions relevant to the new extended area.

Biodiversity was also considered during the assessment. The Department found the proposal would not result in any significant biodiversity impacts beyond those already assessed and approved, and the suite of conditions from the original approval continue to apply.

The proposed modification to the project approval adds 33 residential lots and extends the area of the Huntlee New Town site by 3.1 hectares.

The Department made the modification application publicly available on its website and consulted with relevant government agencies. No public submissions were received.

“Consultation with the community is enshrined into the process for assessing applications like these,” a spokesperson from the Department said.

“The Planning Assessment Commission is an important part of the NSW planning system ensuring major developments are subject to expert, independent review and assessment.

“The Commission will now consider the Department’s report and recommended conditions to make a final decision.”

The broader Huntlee New Town plan has previous approval to provide residential, town centre and jobs over a 1,700 hectare area.