HCCDC owns and manages land in Lake Macquarie's Cockle Creek precinct. We are responsible for the site's environmental management and its future development as a commercial, industrial and housing centre.
We are supporting economic growth in the region through our role in managing land divestment, enabling Cockle Creek to prosper with new opportunities for housing and employment – and have also delivered vital road and infrastructure upgrades to the precinct.
Developments awaiting approval
DA's for two commercial and light-industrial developments are currently awaiting approval.
Since taking ownership of the Cockle Creek precinct in 2019, we have settled four key parcels of land comprising over 60 hectares.
This includes 6 hectares for Costco Wholesale, and a 55 hectare residential development for more than 500 new homes. These developments are set to inject more than $300 million into the economy and create an estimated 225 permanent jobs.
More recently, we settled two additional light-industrial zoned land parcels for development. Both proponents will soon announce plans to bring exciting and innovative new business to the precinct, expected to create an additional 500 ongoing jobs.
Commercial and light-industrial developments
Costco Wholesale
Costco Wholesale's first regional NSW operation has created a significant economic boost for Lake Macquarie. The 6 hectare site plays a key role in the transformation of Cockle Creek, and has created over 200 local jobs since the Boolaroo warehouse opened in 2021.
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Developments awaiting approval
Two commercial and light-industrial lots were settled with private developers in 2022 for transformation into an exciting mix of light-industrial and manufacturing, retail, hospitality, innovation, technology and entertainment uses.
In 2023, development applications for these were lodged with Lake Macquarie City Council. We look forward to sharing more details when the applications are approved.
Residential development underway
Green Capital Group is enabling up to 500 new homes in Cockle Creek after the group settled 55 hectares for a multi-staged residential development. The development is also contributing approximately 400 FTE jobs to the economy during construction.
Green Capital is currently undertaking works to establish subdivided residential lots.
Proceeds from the land sales to Green Capital are funding the government’s ongoing management of the environmental lands in the Cockle Creek precinct in perpetuity.
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Environmental management
Managing environmental needs of Cockle Creek into the future.
As part of NSW Parliament's support of legislation (PDF, 251 KB), lands in Cockle Creek were transferred to HCCDC ownership, ensuring the ongoing environmental management of the site in perpetuity.
We are working with Government’s Waste Assets Management Corporation, which is managing the environmental requirements of the land with regulatory oversight from the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
The site includes a large containment cell, covering 20 hectares, which has been created to contain the contaminated materials in accordance with EPA requirements.
The containment cell and a water treatment plant require regular monitoring and maintenance. Other environmental protection areas, such as Munibung Hill, need general maintenance, including controlling vegetation.
A Perpetual Care Fund has been established to go towards the cost of managing the land, including the monitoring, maintenance and repair of the containment cell and other environmental protection infrastructure for the long term.
Land sale proceeds have been deposited into the Containment Cell Perpetual Care Fund.
Vital infrastructure
In 2021 we delivered significant infrastructure works in Cockle Creek to provide stormwater management and vital road upgrades. We also opened the new Cressy Road, providing an essential link to Costco warehouse.
Video: Harry's relatives joined us to celebrate the start of works on Cressy Road, honouring the crucial role that he and so many from the region played in serving their country.
Read more about Harry's story in this Hunter and Coastal Lifestyle article (PDF, 1.3 MB).
- Hunter and Coastal Lifestyle article - Battle of Fromelles (PDF, 1.3 MB)
- Cockle Creek - Munibung Road – Boolaroo Addendum Review of Environmental Factors (PDF, 10.5 MB)
- Cockle Creek Boolaroo NSW – Review of Environmental Factors (PDF, 39.3 MB)
- Lake Macquarie Smelter Site (Perpetual Care of Land) Bill 2019 (PDF, 251 KB)