The project will see the demolition of the existing Visitor Information and Wine Centre, built in the 1920s or 1930s on Hill Street, between the railway line and the New England Highway.

A large eucalypt in the car park will also be cut down to make way for the four-storey Tertiary Education Centre, which will cater for 90 students mostly engaged in the study of mining engineering.

The Joint Regional Planning Panel has asked Council to consult with a wildlife rescue organisation to determine the impact on birds and other fauna, and to develop a strategy that considers their welfare after the tree's removal.

The council-owned site contains the two State-significant heritage items of Loxton House (1847) and Weidmann Cottage (1840s), as well as the Muswellbrook Public Library.

The car park at the back of Loxton House will be removed, with the loss of 21 car spaces.

Council has asked the Library to re-schedule its community activity programs, spreading them across more days, to minimise parking demands.

Council says it’s yet to determine a new location for the Visitor Information Centre, but will temporarily move it inside the Muswellbrook Library allowing tourists to make inquiries there.

Hunter TAFE plans to deliver the University of Southern Queensland’s Associate Degree of Engineering (Mining) in a franchise arrangement at the new Centre, which will operate between 8am and 9.30pm Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 4.30pm on Friday.

The Institute Director of Hunter TAFE, Phil Cox, has described the facility as “magnificent.”

“It’s not just for Muswellbrook, but for the greater Upper Hunter, and will provide great opportunities in regional education.

“Our existing facilities are old and a bit out of town and this allows us to bring everything together in a modern teaching environment,” he said.