Construction of a third rail track between Maitland and Minimbah adjacent to the Main Northern Railway will provide additional network capacity ahead of forecast increases in demand and throughput at the Port of Newcastle.

The Department of Planning’s deputy director-general Richard Pearson said the upgrade would avoid potential bottlenecks at key locations and ensure no additional impact on mainline operations.

“With the demand for coal in the Hunter Valley forecast to increase, it is important that the region’s rail network also continues to expand and evolve,” he said.

“This approval forms a vital part of that expansion process and builds on the approval last year of a third track between Minimbah and Whittingham.

“This particular project will also result in the creation of up to 650 jobs during construction.”

The approved project will involve construction of around 30 kilometres of new track adjacent to the existing Main Northern Railway, including widening of the rail corridor; construction of major new infrastructure, such as new bridges, turnouts and junctions; and modification of other existing infrastructure items, such as overbridges, underbridges and three existing railway stations.

Pearson said the Department of Planning had undertaken an environmental assessment of the project, including careful consideration of key issues, such as noise and vibration impacts, biodiversity, heritage, construction traffic and air quality.

“The department’s assessment found that, subject to a range of important mitigation and management measures, the project can be delivered in a way that does not create unacceptable impacts on the local environment or amenity,” he said.

“In particular, the proponent has demonstrated, and committed to, compliance with the relevant public guidelines on noise generated from rail infrastructure projects.

“A total of 69 strict conditions have also been imposed which the proponent must comply with throughout construction and operation of the rail line.”