The New South Wales government has proposed a new planning framework that would merge Greater Newcastle with the Central Coast into a single region, effectively eliminating separate planning for the Hunter city. The move has drawn criticism from locals who argue it reflects a Sydney-centric disregard for Newcastle's distinct identity.
Under the proposal, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure would no longer maintain a separate Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan, instead grouping the Lower Hunter with the Central Coast. Critics say this treats Newcastle as merely an extension of Sydney's sprawling suburbs, ignoring its unique economic and cultural character.
The merger comes amid ongoing development in the gap between the Central Coast and Newcastle, particularly around Lake Macquarie. The High Speed Rail Authority's preference for a station at Morisset has further fueled fears of urban sprawl, with advocates calling for a green belt to preserve separation between Sydney and Newcastle.
Residents and commentators have expressed frustration over what they see as a pattern of neglect by state governments, both Liberal and Labor. They argue that lumping Newcastle with the Central Coast undermines efforts to plan for the Lower Hunter as an independent economic unit, where commuters travel between Maitland, Wallsend, and other hubs.
The proposed change has reignited debate about urban sprawl, with concerns that a continuous urban blob stretching from Port Stephens to Broken Bay—and effectively to Campbelltown—would increase car dependency, pollution, and loss of farmland. The state planning minister, Paul Scully, has yet to respond to the criticism.
