Dantia Advocates for Expanded Transport Orientated Development Program to Boost Jobs in Lake Macquarie

Media Release 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Lake Macquarie, 16/02/2024 

Tim Browne, CEO of Dantia, Lake Macquarie’s economic development company, has voiced support for the State Government’s Transport Orientated Development Program (TOD) in an opinion piece featured in the Newcastle Herald. 

Tim highlights the positive aspects of the program but suggests the potential for further expansion to address the pressing issue of finding staff for businesses in the region. 

Dantia encourages the State Government to consider the economic potential of Cockle Creek and Cardiff stations, with Tim stating, “The Cockle Creek area has the potential for up to 6000 new jobs, which would be facilitated through inclusion in the TOD program, while Cardiff, with its existing employment lands, would also benefit from inclusion in the TOD program.” 

Dantia urges the State government to maximise the TOD program’s impact on job creation and housing diversity in Lake Macquarie by including Cockle Creek and Cardiff stations.  

See below for the opinion piece:

The State Government’s recently announced Transport Orientated Development Program (TOD) to focus housing growth in areas close to jobs, transport and existing infrastructure is a positive initiative however there is scope for it to go further. Finding staff remains a challenge for business and increasing housing near jobs and transport making it easier to get to work is critical for Lake Macquarie businesses.

The rezoning of land around selected train stations will help facilitate and accelerate the delivery of higher-density development in strategic locations, particularly near jobs and should reduce approval timeframes. The TOD program proposes the rezoning of land around select transport hubs to allow for more mid-rise and mixed-use development. In Lake Macquarie, Morisset, Teralba and Booragul train stations have been identified for this rezoning within a 400-metre radius.  Dantia consider that Cockle Creek and Cardiff stations should also be included on this list.

Including these additional stations would align with significant planning already undertaken by both Lake Macquarie City Council and the State Government. The Lake Macquarie Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) identifies the areas around Cockle Creek and Cardiff train stations, in the city’s North West Catalyst Area, as having the opportunity to generate significant jobs and diversify housing supply – consistent with the objectives of the TOD program. Similarly, the LSPS identifies Morisset as having considerable opportunities for urban development and the inclusion of Morriset station in the TOD program is a good outcome.

The 2041 Hunter Regional Plan states that Cockle Creek will welcome 10,000 new residents, with more than 4000 new dwellings and space for 6000 new jobs. Further, the plan identifies Cardiff industrial estate as a significant cluster of employment land and prioritises improving access, connection and visibility of Cardiff rail station as a strategic outcome.

Other strategic outcomes of the Hunter plan include expanding Cockle Creek train station and developing the surrounding precinct to provide a diversity of jobs and commercial investment. Streamlined rezoning around Cardiff and Cockle Creek stations would also support the State Government’s priority to create 15-minute neighbourhoods, where shops transport and facilities are easily accessible by walking or cycling and a culture of public transport use is supported.  The Hunter Regional Plan points out that Morisset is part of the largest future growth area in the Central Coast and Hunter and a significant point of connection, further reason to fast-track housing around these stations.

Given the significant strategic planning work already undertaken, it seems appropriate for Cockle Creek and Cardiff stations to be included in the TOD program. We know that Lake Macquarie is experiencing significant population growth, boosted by its recent acknowledgement as one of the top five destinations of choice in Australia for people moving from capital cities to regions and along with housing we also need jobs for our new residents. The inclusion of Morriset station in the TOD is supported by Dantia. The Cockle Creek area has the potential for up to 6000 new jobs which would be facilitated through inclusion in the TOD program, while Cardiff, with its existing employment lands, would also benefit from inclusion in the TOD program.

For Media Inquiries: 

Tim Browne: [email protected] 

About Dantia 

Dantia is Lake Macquarie’s economic development company, dedicated to fostering economic growth and prosperity in the region. 

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