A former coal mine in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales is being transformed into a multi-million dollar motorsport park and racing track. The Black Rock Motor Resort, a privately owned venture, is part of a state government initiative to repurpose disused mine sites.
The project, approved in 2019, will feature a 5.25-kilometer driving track, holiday villas, a go-kart course, driver training facilities, and adventure tourism opportunities. The site, once known as the Rhondda Colliery, operated from the 1890s to 1971.
Extensive remediation efforts have been undertaken to prepare the site for its new purpose. Yancoal, the former owner, has worked closely with the project team to ensure the site is safe and stable. Surface infrastructure has been demolished, underground cracks have been grouted, and previous tailings and rejects have been rehabilitated.
The state government is exploring additional opportunities for repurposing old mine sites. Potential projects include renewable energy hubs, pumped hydro, and recreational trails for hiking and mountain biking. The Black Rock Motor Resort is expected to create 450 jobs during construction and over 200 when operational, providing a significant economic boost to the local community.