Where will the MidCoast’s next wave of homes be built? MidCoast Council has its answer, and it says there is enough land for 20 years of growth.
Councillors endorsed the MidCoast Urban Release Areas Report 2026 this week, after community consultation ran from May to July.
Urban release areas are sites identified for future urban development. The report backs the orderly release of land in the right places, with the right infrastructure to meet demand.
The new report updates the original 2021 version.
According to Executive Manager Sustainable Development Rachel Pleasant, the review was sparked by technical studies at Hallidays Point, a high-growth area. Those studies looked at traffic, bushfire, and biodiversity issues.
Pleasant said the review was also a chance to update the constraint mapping for all MidCoast urban release areas.
“The revised Report lists current urban release areas across the MidCoast and better aligns with the Hunter Regional Plan 2041,” she said.
So is there enough land to go around?
The council says yes. It says there is enough land to cater for the MidCoast’s growth over the next 20 years.
The big players are the major growth areas at Brimbin and North Tuncurry, which are expected to deliver an estimated 10,000 dwellings between them.
On top of that, the current urban release areas are expected to provide an estimated 4,300 dwellings.
That brings the total to about 14,300 new homes.
To view the full report, visit MidCoast Council’s Have Your Say page.
Like what you’re reading? Support North Coast Times by making a small contribution today and help us keep delivering local news paywall-free. Donate now