A quiet revolution is brewing in the regions of New South Wales. The kind of revolution that could redefine what we do with the thousands of hectares of land left behind by decades of mining — and what kind of future we offer to the communities who live on it.
A new report from the NSW Legislative Council, Report No. 53 – Beneficial and Productive Post-Mining Land Use, argues that mine closure doesn’t have to mean abandonment. Instead, it lays out a bold case for something far more ambitious: turning former mine sites into engines of regional renewal.
“This is not just about planting grass and walking away,” the report suggests. “It’s about building energy precincts, housing, advanced manufacturing hubs, biodiversity corridors and even eco-tourism zones.”
The stakes are high. More than 30 coal mines are expected to close in NSW by 2040. Without reform, the state risks leaving behind stranded infrastructure, frustrated communities and squandered economic potential. But with the right changes? A very different picture emerges.
The Problem with the Status Quo
At the heart of the issue is a planning and regulatory system that hasn’t kept pace with the energy transition.
Under current laws, mine rehabilitation focuses almost entirely on environmental stability. The goal is to return land to a “safe, stable and sustainable” state — typically defined decades in advance, long before local economies and energy markets started shifting.
That rigidity, the report argues, is now a serious liability.
What’s Being Proposed
The committee’s recommendations, grounded in 77 submissions and six public hearings, offer a blueprint for change:
- A full legislative review of the Mining Act 1992 and Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to support adaptive land use.
- Creation of Place Delivery Groups to coordinate regional planning and unlock development.
- Appointment of a Mine Rehabilitation Commissioner to lead cross-government efforts and cut through complexity.
- Incentives to support innovation — especially clean energy, circular economy projects and reuse of infrastructure.
- A skills audit and reskilling strategy to support communities as workforces shift from mining to emerging industries.
What Stakeholders Said: Insights from 77 Submissions
The NSW Legislative Council’s inquiry into post-mining land use received 77 submissions from a wide range of stakeholders — from local councils and mining companies to environmental groups and clean tech innovators. Here’s a breakdown of the key voices and their messages:
- Local Councils Representative submitters: Muswellbrook, Singleton, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Narrabri, Wollondilly Called for place-based planning models, zoning reform, infrastructure reuse, and earlier engagement in post-mining land use decisions.
- Mining Companies Representative submitters: BHP, Glencore, Yancoal, MACH Energy, Idemitsu Sought streamlined development consent processes, flexibility to modify final landforms, and greater support for repurposing mining assets.
- Industry Associations Representative submitters: NSW Minerals Council, AMEC, Property Council of Australia, Business Hunter Advocated for coordinated leadership, regulatory certainty, and investment-friendly frameworks to unlock beneficial reuse.
- Community and Environmental Groups Representative submitters: Lock the Gate Alliance, Nature Conservation Council, Wollar Progress Association Emphasised the importance of transparency, biodiversity restoration, community voice, and cultural heritage in land use planning.
- Research and Academia Representative submitters: CSIRO, CRC TiME, University of Newcastle (Institute for Regional Futures) Highlighted the need for evidence-based planning, regional economic visioning, integrated land strategies, and demonstration projects.
- Clean Tech and Energy Startups Representative submitters: Green Gravity, Gravitricity, ZEN Energy Proposed using mine voids and infrastructure for pumped hydro, gravity-based storage, hydrogen production, and clean energy innovation.
- Workforce & Unions Representative submitters: Mining and Energy Union, BCR Advisory, Australian Workers’ Union Stressed the urgency of workforce planning, job security, and retraining opportunities to support just and inclusive transitions.
What Becomes Possible: A Future-Focused Vision
By implementing the recommendations of this report, NSW can unlock transformational opportunities in six key domains:
- Clean Energy Precincts Mine voids repurposed for pumped hydro. Solar and wind farms built on cleared land. Hydrogen hubs co-located with industrial users. Impact: Accelerate net-zero transition and attract regional investment.
- Circular Economy and Critical Minerals Tailings reprocessed for rare earths. Recycling hubs established on industrial footprints. Old rail and road infrastructure repurposed for logistics. Impact: Create resilient supply chains and regional manufacturing jobs.
- Regenerative Landscapes and Cultural Renewal Buffer zones rewilded. Country co-managed with Traditional Owners. Eco-tourism destinations built around heritage. Impact: Restore nature, empower culture, and diversify local economies.
- Liveable Regional Development Zoning updated to allow new housing, health, and education precincts. Infrastructure investment aligned across government. “Legacy land” transformed into new communities. Impact: Ease regional housing pressure and boost construction sectors.
- Reskilling and Employment Transitions Training centres launched in mining towns. Retraining tailored to new sectors like renewables and agritech. Long-term careers created — not just temporary jobs. Impact: Prevent social dislocation and build long-term regional resilience.
- Global Leadership in Transition Strategy NSW becomes a case study in successful coal transition. Best practices exported to other jurisdictions. Funding, partnerships and R&D attracted through reform. Impact: Cement the state’s reputation as a leader in the net-zero economy.
Who Will Invest in Former Mine Sites — And How Do We Attract Them?
Reimagining post-mining land as a foundation for future industries will take more than vision — it will take investment. The potential is clear: clean energy hubs, circular economy facilities, industrial precincts, housing, tourism, and nature-based regeneration. But who funds these transformations, and how do we bring them to the table?
The answer: a diverse and growing network of domestic and global investors are actively looking for the kinds of opportunities that post-mining land presents — provided the groundwork is laid.
Energy and Infrastructure Investors
Renewable energy developers and infrastructure funds are seeking large, strategically located land parcels with access to the grid. Former mine sites, especially those with existing infrastructure like substations or water access, are ideal for solar, wind, pumped hydro, and hydrogen projects.
What these investors need is policy certainty, streamlined planning approvals, and a clear pathway to access and develop the land. With the right coordination, post-mining land can play a central role in delivering on Australia’s net-zero commitments.
Circular Economy and Resource Recovery
Another class of investors is emerging from the circular economy and resource recovery sectors. These firms are interested in repurposing mine tailings, recovering critical minerals, and establishing recycling hubs. Industrial footprints and rail-linked sites offer particular appeal — especially if state and local planning instruments support their reuse.
Engaging these players requires data transparency, site readiness, and demonstration of viable reuse models through pilot programs.
Property and Industrial Development
Some former mine sites, particularly those near regional growth corridors, are also catching the eye of property and industrial developers. These investors are interested in transforming land into logistics hubs, industrial estates, or even new residential precincts.
To unlock their interest, sites must be backed by a regional development vision, clear zoning pathways, and infrastructure planning that aligns with population and economic growth strategies.
Tourism, Conservation, and Cultural Enterprises
Rehabilitated mine sites with natural beauty, ecological value, or cultural significance have the potential to support eco-tourism ventures, nature reserves, or Indigenous-led cultural experiences.
Attracting investment in this space depends heavily on early engagement with Traditional Owners, clarity around land tenure, and recognition of the non-financial — but high-impact — value these projects can deliver.
Impact Investors and Global ESG Capital
Internationally, the appetite for investments that align with climate action, social equity, and environmental restoration is growing fast. These investors — from impact funds to philanthropic capital — are looking for projects with measurable outcomes and long-term partnerships.
They are particularly drawn to post-mining projects that demonstrate a clear social licence, strong community engagement, and alignment with just transition principles.
What It Takes to Unlock Investment
To attract these investors, NSW must do more than promote land. It must prepare it.
That means:
- Developing investment-ready precincts through coordinated planning and governance
- Providing clear regulatory pathways and flexible land use frameworks
- Offering transparent site data, infrastructure assessments, and risk mapping
- Backing strategic sites with government co-investment or incentive frameworks
- Fostering public-private-community partnerships with a shared vision for long-term benefit
Investment will not come because land is available — it will come because opportunity has been clearly defined, risk has been managed, and outcomes are aligned.
In post-mining regions, that alignment is now possible. What’s needed next is intent — and follow-through.
What Happens If We Don’t?
If NSW fails to act, it risks locking in decline:
- Stranded infrastructure decommissioned rather than reused.
- Rising unemployment and social dislocation in mining communities.
- Lost opportunity for biodiversity, reconciliation, and regional reinvention.
- Missed investment as policy uncertainty drives capital elsewhere.
- A leadership moment that could define NSW lost to hesitation.
“If we don’t seize this moment, we will have failed to turn the end of mining into the beginning of something better.” — Submission to the inquiry
Making It Happen: The Role of Each Stakeholder
The path to transformation will only succeed if everyone plays their part. Here’s what each stakeholder needs to do:
- Local Councils Lead place-based planning, reform local zoning, engage communities early, and unlock priority sites.
- Mining Companies Adapt final land uses, share site data, repurpose infrastructure, and co-invest in regional transition.
- NSW Government Deliver legislative reform, fund Place Delivery Groups, appoint a transition authority, and coordinate agency action.
- Industry Associations Advocate for reform, develop standards, bridge industry and government, and share lessons.
- Community and Environmental Groups Push for transparency, co-design land uses, lead local projects, and uphold accountability.
- Research Institutions Provide evidence, support innovation pilots, guide workforce programs, and track impact.
- Clean Tech Innovators Deploy solutions for energy and resource reuse, lead project development, and demonstrate viability.
- Workforce and Unions Protect jobs, shape reskilling efforts, and help communities navigate transition fairly.
- Investors and Developers Unlock private capital for post-mining precincts, partner with councils, and activate long-term value.
The Time to Act is Now
This isn’t just about mine closure. It’s about reframing regional NSW for the next century.
The reforms in Report No. 53 won’t be easy — but they are achievable. With strong leadership, aligned policy, and genuine community partnership, we can make post-mining land a platform for clean energy, regional development, and ecological renewal.
Let’s ensure that the legacy of coal is not just what we extracted — but what we built afterward.
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