The Hallidays Point Place Strategy was initially set to be developed in partnership with the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) as part of their Place Delivery Group Program.

However, in late 2024, the DPHI reviewed its planning functions, resulting in some locations nominated for place strategies no longer being completed as part of the Place Delivery Program.

The Department has since advised that the most appropriate path for the Hallidays Point project moving forward is a local planning pathway. The local planning pathway for Hallidays Point will be site specific planning proposals (also known as rezonings). As a result, a Place Strategy will no longer be pursued for Hallidays Point.

The work that has already been completed for this project, including strategic planning and site-specific studies on biodiversity, traffic, and bushfire risks, remains invaluable and will continue to inform future planning proposals.

Stage one

We invited community input into this important strategy. We completed the first phase of consultation and developed key themes. See the engagement snapshot here. We will use findings from these previous discussions with the community to inform the development of the strategy.

The Place Strategy will align with other MidCoast Council documents such as the Housing Strategy, Greening Strategy, Climate Change Policy, Urban Release Areas Report and Biodiversity Framework. It will also be informed by technical studies, including biodiversity, traffic, and bush fire. We are awaiting the completion of these technical studies prior to the next phase of consultation.

Stage two

Since the phase one consultation activities were completed, the Department of Planning and Environment has announced it would establish Place Delivery Groups through their Place Delivery Group Program.

On 16 May 2023, we were advised that a Place Delivery Group will be formed for the preparation of the Hallidays Point Place Strategy. The Group will have representation from Council and key NSW Government Agencies.

The aim of the Group is to help align place strategies with the Hunter Regional Plan 2041 and realise on-the-ground outcomes. Once formally established, the group will prepare a project plan including timeframes.

The Department is preparing Place Strategy Environmental Assessment Requirements (PSEARs). The PSEARs will specify what issues are required to be addressed within the Place Strategy. This allows the Department to ensure that work on the Place Strategy is appropriately targeted so that an adequate assessment is provided, which accounts for specific environmental and network risks at a landscape scale.

The timeframe for completing a Place Strategy will depend on the scope of any additional work required, the complexity of the issues to be resolved, the adequacy of existing information, the community participation approach and the capacity of the Place Delivery Group to resource the development of the plan.