Singleton and Muswellbrook local government areas have had the highest rates of land clearing in the Hunter for urban development and related infrastructure in recent years.
Department of Planning and Environment data shows Singleton LGA lost 863 hectares of land and Muswellbrook LGA lost 655 hectares between 2015 and 2019, the most recent data available.
The next closest was Lake Macquarie LGA with 312 hectares, Port Stephens 244, Upper Hunter 236 and Newcastle 49.
In addition to clearing land for infrastructure, Hundreds of hectares of land has been lost for agriculture and forestry.
The Upper Hunter LGA lost 367 hectares for agriculture, followed by Singleton 180 hectares and Muswellbrook 65 hectares.
The land clearing data does not include the impact of mining. Statewide data shows an average of 750 hectares was on average cleared for mining 2015 and 2019.
The figures have alarmed conservationists who warn that ongoing clearing will have major impacts on the region's biodiversity.
"It will also exacerbate our deforestation and extinction crisis, which is already spiralling out of control," Nature Conservation Council Chief Executive Chris Gambian said.
"At the COP26 climate conference Australia committed to end deforestation by 2030. These figures show we have no hope of meeting that commitment without a change in law. The only proven carbon sequestration technology is a tree. It seems pretty obvious that we should stop ripping them down."
Pressure to clear more land for housing in the Lower Hunter will increase in coming years.
The Hunter Green Corridor Alliance has warned that new developments will significantly impact on the viability of the 'Green Corridor' project that extends from the Watagans to Stockton Bight.
Tensions are also rising over the proposed 592 hectare Eden Estates project that spans the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie local government areas. It takes in parts of Glendale, Edgeworth, Cameron Park, Elermore Vale and Wallsend.
It is estimated 3000-4000 homes could be built on the land if the project proceeds.
"Climate change is already wreaking havoc on biodiversity and driving extinction. If we are to ensure the survival of our threatened species we must protect habitat now in preparation for worsening impacts in the coming years," Hunter Community Environment Centre coordinator Jo Lynch said.
