The board says the review will “ensure consistency, reduce unnecessary costs and mitigate potential mine subsidence risks”.

The former head of the mine subsidence board was sacked in the wake of an ICAC investigation into its operations and the Newcastle Herald has reported on numerous controversies within the organisation, which was created to manage the subsidence impacts of coal mining.

It is funded by coal industry charges.

The new chief executive of the board, Katherine McInnes, said on Wednesday that a number of changes were proposed.  

An 11-page document setting out some of the major proposed changes can be read here.

They include proposals to substantially reduce the size of a number of subsidence areas in the Hunter region, including  the Lake Macquarie District, Lake Macquarie No 1 Extension District, West Lake District, Swansea North Entrance District and the Swansea North Entrance No. 1 Extension District.

The Muswellbrook district would be cut by a third and the nearby Patrick Plains district cut by 20 per cent. The Mitchells Flat area near Singleton would be revoked.

The Mandalong District is to be extended slightly and a new district is to be created at Swansea Heads to cover the hole-ins there in residential areas in recent years.

Similarly, new districts would be created at Louth Park, Maitland West, and Branxton and the Tomalpin area extended slightly.

Wyong would be reduced slightly, and and Hue Hue would also be cut, excluding areas not within the proposed Wallarah 2 underground mine.

“Areas that are proposed to be revoked present minimal risk of subsidence and do not justify the costs associated with the increased regulatory requirements that apply to development,” Ms McInnes said.

“In most cases, extensions or new districts are proposed in areas where development has progressed over the last decade.

“Including these additional areas will allow the MSB to effectively mitigate subsidence damages to buildings and other structures.

“Properties outside of proclaimed districts are not required to attain MSB approval for development applications. All properties across NSW, regardless of whether they are included or excluded from a district, are eligible for compensation in the unlikely event that mine subsidence damages occur.

"This review will provide more certainty and better protect the community against the risk of mine subsidence, while reducing unnecessary red tape for out of date mine subsidence districts.”

 The government is seeking public comment on the proposed changes, with details available at this site. 

Public submissions close on August 31.