The Lower Hunter Freight Corridor, a stretch of land identified for a rail bypass that could ease traffic problems in Newcastle, appears uncertain after the approval of a motorsport park at Wakefield.
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Documents submitted to the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel, which gave a green light to BlackRock Motor Park last week subject to various conditions, show Transport for NSW's concern that the development lies in the path of a potential rail link between Fassifern and Hexham.
They also suggest planning for the alignment, which Transport for NSW said in 2016 was "one to two years" away from being unveiled, has not progressed much further than a line drawn on a map.
The Lower Hunter Freight Corridor (LHFC) has been discussed for decades as a way of reducing train movements through suburban areas of Newcastle.
The initiative features in regional planning and transport documents and was being promoted as recently as last week by Greens candidate John MacKenzie as an answer to congestion at Adamstown railway gates.
But the approval of BlackRock is likely to cause concern for those planning the bypass alignment.
In the lead up to last week's meeting, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) requested a condition of consent requiring staged development of the $77 million project.
"The future Lower Hunter Freight Corridor has the potential to impact the eastern boundary of the Wakefield site," TfNSW director of corridor preservation Geoffrey Cahill said in a letter to Lake Macquarie City Council.
"TfNSW remains concerned that the proposed accommodation and the layout of the racetrack may impact on a future LHFC.
"TfNSW is willing to work with council and the applicant to minimise future impacts on the LHFC corridor and it is recommended that the panel impose a condition of consent requiring staged development and further consultation with TfNSW regarding any development along the eastern edge of the site."
The request came after a series of exchanges between the council and TfNSW.
The council sought advice from TfNSW after the regional planning panel's request in December for more information on the potential conflict of the LHFC and BlackRock Motor Park.
The transport agency responded in February outlining the broad corridor being considered, but the council then requested "as a matter of urgency" more detail on possible alignments, the likelihood of the rail link being built and potential timing.
A transport staffer told the council "preliminary investigations to assess options are still underway and it would be recommended that the proposed development is kept away from the potential LHFC at this time".
Given the lack of detail put forward by TfNSW and the potential significance of the corridor, the two parties met in March to discuss the conflict. After the meeting, TfNSW made the request.
However in its recommendation of approval to the planning panel, the council said that because the LHFC did not comprise a designated infrastructure corridor under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, and the "freight rail investigations hold no statutory weight", the TfNSW request was "not appropriate".
"Conditions around the development having regard to a corridor that has not been defined and does not have statutory weight are not considered reasonable and should not be applied to any consent," the council said.
While the conflict between BlackRock Motor Park and a future rail link was raised by a resident at the regional planning panel determination meeting, no condition of consent was implemented for a staged development.
Transport for NSW was coy in its response to the Newcastle Herald on Friday when asked how significantly BlackRock Motor Park would hinder the LHFC.
"TfNSW is currently undertaking preliminary investigations to assess options for the LHFC. When these investigations are complete, we will consult with the community and stakeholders on any corridor options," a spokesperson said.
"Engaging with the community is critical to the corridor preservation process. The development at Wakefield is located within a broad study area. TfNSW is working with council and the applicant to minimise impacts on a future corridor."
The corridor is identified for preservation in the state's Future Transport 2056 strategy and NSW Freight and Ports Plan (2018-2023).
It is also listed for investigation in 10 to 20 years in the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan 2036, released last year.
