New subdivision plans for two industrial estates at Black Hill have been lodged with Newcastle City Council and are hoped to drive development in the Lower Hunter.
The two parcels of land, with a combined area of almost 400 hectares, are owned by Central Coast company, The Stevens Group and the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
The lodgement of the development application follows protest from surrounding residents who believe the proposal will have day-to-day impacts such as visual, traffic and habitat loss as well as posing a threat to the rural and recreational nature and character of the Black Hill area.
Stevens Group Director, Brett Harrod said the company is committed to ensuring environmental standards are met.
"If you look at any of our projects, we take a great deal of time, effort and energy to ensure that everything that we do is compliant with all of the codes.
"We also have an underlying philosophy in all of our projects that our sites and developments are something that we can be proud of," Mr Harrod said.
State Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery said while she welcomes the economic advantages the development will bring to the region, State and Federal governments must ensure the appropriate infrastructure is in place before proceeding.
