Building the Hunter’s Growth Corridor

Open landscape and mountain views across the Hunter Region

Reflecting on the plans and projects shaping the region’s future

The Hunter’s growth corridor continues to be shaped by long-term strategic planning and investment in new communities, infrastructure and employment.

One of the latest planning initiatives is the draft Anambah to Branxton (A2B) Structure Plan. It sets out a long-term vision for one of the Hunter Region’s most significant future growth areas.

Planning for the Hunter’s future

The draft Anambah to Branxton Structure Plan is currently on public exhibition from 24 August to 6 October 2026.

It provides a framework for the future development of the Anambah to Branxton Regionally Significant Growth Area. The area spans the Maitland, Cessnock and Singleton local government areas and is expected to grow over the next 20 to 40 years.

The draft plan identifies capacity for approximately 68,000 dwellings. This includes around 35,000 in Maitland, 26,000 in Cessnock and 7,000 in Singleton.
Growth is centred around key precincts including Huntlee, Lochinvar, Greta, Anambah and Windermere-Gosforth. This growth is supported by coordinated investment in infrastructure, transport, employment and community facilities.

The draft plan also identifies strategic centres at Huntlee and Lochinvar. These are supported by employment lands, mixed-use precincts and improved transport connections. This includes road upgrades, public transport improvements and expanded walking and cycling networks.

More than housing

While the scale of future residential growth is significant, the draft Structure Plan considers more than housing delivery alone.

It includes a strong focus on protecting environmental values and maintaining the character of the region as communities grow.

Open space networks, biodiversity corridors, recreation areas and a proposed regional park form part of the draft vision. The plan also includes measures to protect agricultural land, heritage and Aboriginal cultural values.

The draft plan also recognises the importance of climate resilience and the need for development to occur alongside appropriate infrastructure and services.

Together, these considerations aim to provide a framework for sustainable, coordinated growth across the corridor.

A region BRS knows well

At BRS, we are well placed to provide advice on future opportunities that may arise from the draft A2B Structure Plan.

We have a strong track record of delivering major projects across this corridor, including:

Huntlee

BRS is the Principal Certifier for the subdivision of this master planned community, comprising approximately 7,500 homes across four villages surrounding a 200-hectare town centre.

Lochinvar Ridge

BRS has provided project management, surveying, civil engineering design, town planning and traffic engineering services associated with Stages 1-7 of this large master planned community.

Barbara Court, Anambah

BRS has provided surveying, civil engineering design and town planning services for this 90-lot residential subdivision.

ALDI North Rothbury

BRS provided town planning services for an ALDI store supporting the growing North Rothbury community.

BRS has a long history of assisting with residential, commercial and infrastructure developments across the Hunter. This has given our team a strong understanding of the region’s planning framework, growth drivers and infrastructure needs.

This experience provides valuable insight into the opportunities and challenges associated with delivering sustainable development across the Hunter.

Looking at the draft A2B Structure Plan highlights the importance of long term planning in shaping communities and supporting growth for generations to come.

Considering development in the Hunter growth corridor?

Whether you are exploring a development opportunity or assessing the potential of land, BRS can help. Our team can also provide advice on planning, engineering, surveying or certification requirements.

Our multidisciplinary team brings local knowledge and experience across the Hunter Region. We help clients navigate complex projects from early planning through to delivery.


Get in touch with BRS to discuss your project and how our team can support your next development in the Hunter Region.

Road through the Anambah to Branxton growth corridor in the Hunter Region Rural landscape within the Anambah to Branxton growth corridor Open landscape and mountain views across the Hunter Region Residential development within the Hunter Region growth corridor

Digital Engineering: Turning Project Information into Long Term Asset Value

Aerial view over a freeway at night with the car lights

Major infrastructure projects generate enormous volumes of information. As designs evolve, more stakeholders become involved and project environments grow more complex. Maintaining accurate, reliable and accessible information becomes critical to successful delivery.

Digital Engineering and Asset Management provide the framework to manage this complexity. By aligning people, processes, technology and data, they turn complex project information into long-term asset value. This ensures information remains connected, governed and useful from planning and design through to operation and maintenance.

 

More Than a 3D Model

While intelligent 3D models are an important part of Digital Engineering, the greatest value comes from the information that sits behind them.

When implemented early, Digital Engineering establishes clear information requirements, governance processes and workflows. These help teams identify issues sooner, improve collaboration and make better-informed decisions. Teams can also develop asset information progressively throughout delivery. This reduces risk at handover and improves operational readiness.

 

Delivering Outcomes on the M12 Motorway and M7 Integration Project

The M12 Motorway and M7 Integration Project demonstrates the value of Digital Engineering beyond design coordination.

Over six years, BRS’s Digital Engineering team worked alongside Transport for NSW to support this major infrastructure program. The team was formerly known as Digitise Consulting. In a client-side Digital Engineering management role, we coordinated stakeholders, oversaw documentation and managed digital governance and compliance. We also planned for asset information readiness.

Our team managed models, documents and asset data as an integrated information system rather than as disconnected project deliverables. This approach strengthened information quality, improved asset readiness and supported a smoother transition to operations.

 

Enabling Better Project Decisions

On complex infrastructure projects, multiple disciplines and contractors create information across different digital platforms. Without consistent governance, this information can fragment. That increases project risk and reduces confidence in decision-making.

BRS helps clients establish the structure required to manage project information effectively through:

  • Digital Engineering management and governance
  • Information requirements and standards development
  • Model coordination and digital assurance
  • Asset information management
  • Stakeholder and delivery partner coordination
  • Asset handover and operational readiness planning

By connecting models, documents and data within a consistent framework, project teams gain greater visibility and stronger collaboration. They can also be confident that asset information will remain valuable long after construction is complete.

 

Digital Engineering and Asset Management at BRS

At BRS, we combine Digital Engineering and Asset Management expertise across the full asset lifecycle. We help clients create, govern and transition information from project initiation through to handover. Our services include design coordination, digital assurance and asset information management. Together, these services help ensure information becomes a lasting asset rather than simply a project deliverable.

 

Explore BRS Digital Engineering services or view our work on the M12 Motorway and M7 Integration Project.