AGY-7555 | Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation

Full description

On 1 November 2018 the Hunter Development Corporation and the Central Coast Regional Development Corporation were amalgamated to form the Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation with both preceding bodies dissolved. (1)

The functions of the Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC) were to: (1) Deliver strategic outcomes to grow economic capacity and enhance communities. (2) Drive industry diversification to grow more jobs to attract and retain talent to the regions. (3) Create engaging, sustainable and attractive public spaces, connected to better transport options. (4) Unlock opportunities and realise the full potential of government land and assets. (5) Respect existing character, culture and heritage. (6) Work in collaboration and partnership with community and stakeholders. (2)

Under the Growth Centres (Development Corporations) Act 1974 (Act No.49, 1974) the development corporation could discharge the following duties and functions: (a) to submit to the Minister such proposals with respect to the development and use of land within the growth centre in respect of which it was constituted, or the planning of the development and use of that land, as it considers necessary or appropriate, including proposals for the development and use of land in conjunction with the provision of utility services and public transport facilities for or in connection with the growth centre (b) to consider, and furnish reports to and advise and make recommendations to the Minister upon, any matter or proposal with respect to the promotion, co-ordination and management of the growth centre, or the development and use, or the planning of the development and use, of land within the growth centre, which may be referred to it by the Minister (c) to carry out research into problems with respect to the promotion, co-ordination and management of the growth centre, or the development and use, or the planning of the development and use, of land within the growth centre, and prepare and issue memoranda, reports, bulletins, maps or plans relating thereto or any other material (d) to assist councils, which the development corporation considers may be affected, with respect to matters concerning the promotion, co-ordination and management of the growth centre, or the development and use, or the planning of the development and use, of land within the growth centre (e) to exercise and discharge such other powers, authorities, duties and functions as are conferred or imposed on it by or under this or any other Act, and (f) to do such supplemental, incidental and consequential acts as may be necessary or expedient for the exercise or discharge of its responsibilities, powers, authorities, duties and functions. (3)

The Act also allowed the development corporation to: manage and survey land vested in it; demolish buildings within or adjoining the growth centre they possessed; locate or relocate utility services; set apart land as sites for building or works or religious, charitable or municipal purposes; subdivide the land; construct roads; erect, alter, repair and renovate buildings; and, improve the land so it would be fit to be used. (4)

From 1 July 2019, the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment was formed. These changes placed the HCCDC within the new department. (5)

In 2024 the Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation was located in the Property, Development and Valuation group of the renamed Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. (6)

Endnotes
1. Growth Centres (Development Corporations) Amendment (Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation) Order 2018 (2018 No 581), NSW Legislation Website, 12 October 2018; Growth Centres (Development Corporations) Act 1974, Sch. 1A, cl.3(2)(a).
2. Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation, Annual Report, 2018-2019, p.6.
3. Growth Centre (Development Corporations) Act 1974 (Act No.49, 1974) s.7. 4. ibid. s.8.
5. Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation, Annual Report, 2018-2019, p.8.
6. Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation website, About Us, https://www.hccdc.nsw.gov.au/about-us (accessed 14 March 2024).