Residents from NSW’s major coal-producing regions have called on NSW Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos for stronger support, ahead of parliamentary debate on the government’s Future Jobs and Investment Bill 2025.
A delegation of advocates from the Hunter, Illawarra, North West, and Central West coal-mining regions is travelling to NSW Parliament today to highlight the urgent challenges facing their communities as the coal industry enters its decline.
In a letter sent to Minister Houssos (available on request), the delegation welcomed the draft bill’s reforms, including a new agency to oversee the transition away from coal, but said it needed improvements.
Hunter Renewal Coordinator Steve Phillips said: “Global demand for coal is shrinking faster than our communities and governments are ready for. This long-overdue reform package is a welcome step, but it will only help coal-dependent regions thrive if it is strengthened and properly funded.”
The residents are calling for a number of amendments, including:
- A commitment of $150m per year – equal to 5% of the coal royalties collected by NSW – to fund the transition agency.
- Adding environmental outcomes including land restoration to the objectives of the transition agency.
- Stronger workforce support obligations on closing coal mines, and more effective penalties for mines that breach their obligations.
Hunter Jobs Alliance Coordinator Justin Page said: “Without strong, enforceable obligations on mine owners, workers and communities will once again carry the cost of coal closures. This bill must require companies to properly plan, fund and deliver real pathways into new jobs, not leave workers stranded when mines close.”
Illawarra-based retired miner and Good for the Gong spokesperson Darryl Best said: “Our regions need robust and fully funded plans to repair the landscape and create quality jobs in thriving new industries. Workers and industry in the Illawarra have contributed enormously to the state's finances. It is only fair that these finances are used to create new jobs and to re-train workers into these low carbon industries before all coal mines close.”
Narrabri farmer and Managing Director of Geni.Energy Sally Hunter said: “The North West is held to ransom by international markets as all our coal is exported. I'm here to call on the government to release the funds that our region helped generate so that we can begin to work on an orderly transition away from fossil fuels in the North West.”
In meetings with NSW MPs this week, the delegation will push for a committee process to ensure the legislation achieves its critical goals.
ENDS
About Hunter Renewal: Hunter Renewal has advocated for a resilient, diverse, and thriving future in the Hunter Region since 2017. Read their blueprint report After the coal rush, the clean up.