A new plan to convert old coal mine pits into a wide-reaching lake system promises to drought-proof parts of NSW.

The plan would see three pits in the Hunter Valley turned into artificial lakes based on the lake system modelled in eastern Germany.

As more mining operations end in the coming decades, more voids will become available.

Hunter Valley Lakes Corporation Director Greg Story is behind the proposal and tells Natalie Peters and Erin Molan the rollout could take up to 30 years.

“It will not impede the current mining operation. It will complement their operations and follow on behind them.

“We don’t see why it cannot be adequately managed here.”

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Image: Getty/Sean Gallup