The project was gazetted on January 9 as a State Significant Site under State Environment Planning Policy (Major Projects) and introduces a site specific planning instrument for Huntlee Town.

This means that planning instruments by Cessnock and Singleton local government areas are replaced to facilitate the development.

The report by council officers identifies a number of areas of concerns that take in roadworks, flooding and drainage on some allotments, lack of detail with any sporting fields proposed, no details on planning for the employment lands, a contaminated area and that the concept plan does not adequately address the issue of affordable housing provided across the site.

Council noted the listing of Huntlee New Town as a State Significant Site as well as the exhibition projection applications for stages of the development and endorsed the submission to the Department of Planning.

Cr. Graham Smith, while agreeing with points raised in the submission, moved that aspects needed to be more strongly, making it clear that council has significant concerns and wants a quality development.

Cr. James Ryan also raised further issues, one of which that rail services be increased to cater for the increased population.

Council unanimously moved to request the NSW Government provide increased passenger rail services if it approves any development in the Huntlee proposal.

Cr. Ryan told the meeting that despite the existence of the railway station at Branxton the Huntlee development was proposing to subsidise buses and not provide extra rail services.

Google estimates that Branxton is 57 kilometres from Newcastle and the trip takes one hour and nine minutes.

Huntlee New Town is a mixed use urban area adjacent to Branxton and North Rothbury. It is proposed to develop the site over an 18 to 20 year period that will create an urban centre with a population of about 20,000.