More Lithgow property owners will face stricter development regulations after it was announced a new mine subsidence district would take effect from July 1.
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Mine subsidence refers to the movements and vibrations of the ground as a result of underground coal mining.
Subsidence Advisory NSW (SA NSW) undertook the review, the first in 20 years, and have added areas where mining is planned or development has progressed over old mine workings.
SA NSW have introduced a new Lithgow South district covering an area of approximately 21 square kilometres and includes parts of Hassans Walls, Vale of Clwydd and the Hartley Valley.
The original Lithgow district covers an area of around 17 square kilometres.
Expanding these districts ensures homes are better protected from potential subsidence damage.
Developments within mine subsidence districts require SA NSW approval. As a result, SA NSW may place conditions on planned building or subdivision works to reduce the risk of mine subsidence damage.
In most cases, the conditions SA NSW applies are consistent with the Australian Building Code and do not require property owners to meet excessive or costly construction requirements.
In February, Jim Nichols, the then acting environment and development manager at Lithgow City Council, said residents should not have too much to worry about.
"More than half of Lithgow is probably already in the Lithgow mine subsidence area, we're basically used to dealing with this and usually we find the impact is pretty minimal," Mr Nichols said.
"If you're in a mine subsidence area and it's proven there's damage caused by subsidence, then you're covered by insurance and the mine subsidence board come and arrange repairs to your building.
"It's probably a benefit to property owners in relation to that regard because it gives them extra protection, extra insurances if something does occur."
Acting chief executive officer at SA NSW Brendan Killen said the long overdue changes benefited communities across NSW.
“Landowners in expanding districts will also benefit from stronger protection with developments regulated to ensure sound structures are built in potential subsidence damage zones,” Mr Killen said.
As part of the broad review, proposed changes to districts were placed on public exhibition in August 2016. Feedback from communities, local councils, other government bodies, developers and the coal industry were comprehensively considered in the makeup of the final districts.
SA NSW will now review districts every five years with scope for out of session reviews where necessary.
For more information on the changes to districts visit www.subsidenceadvisory.nsw.gov.au or contact sa-districts@finance.nsw.gov.au.
