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A former coal mine will be transformed into a tourist spot for rev lovers with a motor park, a kart track and a Formula One-designed driving circuit.
Rhondda Colliery, in the Hunter region of New South Wales, will become Australia’s first recreational complex dedicated to motoring enthusiasts once completed.
The Lake Macquarie Mine began underground and open pit mining activities in the late 19th century before operations ended in 1971.
The site will be redeveloped as Black Rock Motor Resort, home to a world-class high-speed circuit, designed by F1 track leader Tilke, as well as a driver training academy, go-kart venue and racing facilities. motorsport resort.
Its transformation into a multi-tourism hotspot will create more than 450 jobs during construction and 229 permanent positions, the state government said on Tuesday.
A former coal mine will be transformed into a tourist hotspot with a motor park, go-kart track and F1-designed driving circuit at the Rhonda Colliery mine in Lake Macquarie, New South Wales.
The rehabilitation has been possible within the framework of a framework that allows the reuse of former mining land.
The Rhondda site has been operated by ASX-listed coal miner Yancoal since 2017, while the motorsports park plan was approved in 2019.
The $95 million project is entirely privately funded and the road developer will be responsible for the ongoing rehabilitation of the site, the sale of which by Yancoal has now been completed.
Other major projects in New South Wales being considered for post-mine land use include Idemitsu’s Muswellbrook coal mine and Yancoal’s Stratford mine near Gloucester on the north coast.
The sites could be rehabilitated into renewable energy centers and pumped hydroelectric facilities.
Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos said the Rhondda Colliery project was innovative and she hoped similar schemes could be replicated across the state.
The development is supported by Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos.
“We know that coal mines will close in the coming decades and we believe there is a great opportunity to continue promoting employment and economic diversification in former coal mining regions,” he said.
“What I’m really interested in is using the government’s convening power to find opportunities that facilitate the exit of these (rehabilitation) projects.”
Black Rock Motor Resort founder Tony Palmer said safety was at the forefront of the project as its sponsors sought to attract domestic and international visitors.
“We have 100,000 active participants in motor clubs or car clubs across the country and they don’t have homes,” he said.
“We want this to be their home, we want them to come here and enjoy their passion with like-minded people.”
The complex was designed to showcase the natural beauty of the region and help rejuvenate the environment, he said.
The resort’s developers hope the facility will be open to drivers within two years.