The chemical manufacturer expects concern from residents of both suburbs in the wake of Orica's hexavalent chromium leak over Stockton in August and will have an open-consultation process.

The feasibility study will be a 12-month process.

The plant would inject $100 million into the Hunter's economy and create 300 jobs during the construction phase and 60 permanent positions.

Regulatory approvals manager Graham Woods said the design did not include an ammonia manufacturing operation and therefore would not use hexavalent chromium.

"We want to get on the front foot in terms of communication and consultation," he said.

"We've done a letter-box drop for residents in Stockton and Fern Bay with the project fact sheet.

"We're also scheduling community information sessions and reference groups for the project."

Incitec has submitted an application to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure for a state-significant development and preliminary environmental assessment.

Mr Woods said Incitec would produce ammonium nitrate used in explosives in the mining industry and for agricultural fertilisers.

"This is being driven by the growth in the Hunter Valley for coal and also the demand in the agricultural sector for urea ammonium nitrate," Mr Woods said.

"The customers have significant expansion plans in the Hunter Valley and they obviously need additional supplies of ammonium nitrate for commercial explosives."

A public information session will be held at Surfside Stockton on Thursday, November 10, at 3.30pm and 7pm.