Kurri Hydro site in prime position

The aim is to create a balance of employment, residential and environmental opportunities on the 2000-hectare site, which is a stone’s throw from the Hunter Expressway’s Loxford interchange.

The site has been in care and maintenance mode since operations ceased in October 2012, with nine people currently employed there.

While no formal decision has been made about the smelter’s future, Hydro managing director Richard Brown said it is unlikely to re-open.

Mr. Brown said while it was unfortunate that the smelter had to close, there are positive signs for the future.

“Hydro is committed to setting up the site so it can become an important employment area for the region,” he said.

“With 300 hectares of potential employment lands, this could generate at least the same amount of jobs.

“Hopefully it can return to being a vital employment hub for Kurri and the Hunter.”

A decision on the smelter’s future is expected from Hydro’s Norway headquarters in the next few months.

Meanwhile, Hydro has submitted plans to the NSW Government’s Lower Hunter Regional Growth Plan, and is also in discussion with Cessnock City Council about its concepts.

“We don’t want the land sitting here idle while it’s got huge potential,” Mr. Brown said.

Mr. Brown said the site’s size, existing infrastructure and proximity to the expressway lends itself to the possibility of becoming an important employment centre for the Hunter region.

He said the land to the east of the smelter could be used to extend the residential corridor towards Cliftleigh and Gillieston Heights, while the land to the north is high-quality vegetation with conservation significance.

Preliminary plans have identified the land for conservation is around 700 hectares with an additional 400 hectares remaining as rural land.

Hydro is also putting together a plan to keep stakeholders informed and will be seeking broader community input.