Jobs and Mining Manufacturing Boost for the Hunter

11 Nov 10

Construction of a $30 million facility for the manufacturing of mining machinery near Port Stephens has been given the go ahead. Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly, said the facility will enable Sandvik Mining and Construction to expand its operations.

“The project has the capacity to support up to 750 jobs,” the Minister said.

“The facility will manufacture heavy machinery and cemented carbide tools for use in the mining and materials handling industries and also undertake mining machinery testing and maintenance.”

The approval will allow:

• Construction and operation of industrial-scale workshop buildings;
• Office, training and amenities buildings;
• 569 car parking spaces;
• Concrete hardstand areas;
• A machinery testing area; and
• Environmental offset of 54 hectares of conservation land adjacent to the Columbey National
• Park to compensate for the clearing of 13.5 hectares of land on the project site, which does
• not include any Endangered Ecological Communities.

The project was previously approved by the NSW Government in December 2008 for a site in Tomago, however Sandvik has now identified a more appropriate location at Heatherbrae.

Labor MLC for Port Stephens, Sophie Cotsis, said the new site is well located close to major transport routes and is within an existing and established industrial area.

“Sandvik’s previous proposal would have employed around 400 workers, but this latest approval represents a significant boost to 750 jobs which is great news for the region,” Ms Cotsis said.

“A further 80 jobs will be created during construction of the facility.”

The Department of Planning assessed the project under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and found it could be undertaken in a manner that would not significantly impact the local environment or amenity of the local area, while delivering jobs and investment.

Mr Kelly said flora and fauna, traffic impacts, soil and water management and noise issues were carefully considered.

“A total of 47 conditions have been imposed to ensure potential impacts are appropriately managed and mitigated,” the Minister said.

Click here to find suppliers who manufacture components for mining equipment.