The NSW Government has accepted all 13 recommendations from a key inquiry into how former mine sites can be repurposed to support jobs and economic growth in coal-producing regions.
As part of its broader regional strategy, the NSW Government is investing $27.3 million over four years to establish the Future Jobs and Investment Authority, tasked with leading economic development and repurposing former coal mine land and infrastructure.
Legislation to establish the authority will be introduced in the coming months.
“This important work of the committee will help inform the work of our recently announced Future Jobs and Investment Authority,” NSW Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said.
“The authority will provide a much-needed strategic approach to listen to what communities need and get on with the job of delivering for our coal-producing regions.
“We are focused on delivering projects that create long-term economic opportunities.”
The authority will initially focus on the Hunter and Central West regions before expanding to the Illawarra and North West.
It will also deliver a skills audit of the mining workforce, work with councils and mine operators to identify new land uses, and adopt a place-based approach through four regional divisions.
“Mining is ultimately a temporary use of land. We need to make sure NSW has the right policy mix to keep employment and economic opportunities even after coal mining ends on those sites,” Houssos said.
“Coal mines have energy, water and transport infrastructure ready to use – and it just makes sense to use existing infrastructure to support new jobs in the same communities.”
The response also includes commitments to reviewing potential mine sites for reuse, promoting best-practice rehabilitation, and leveraging the Future Jobs and Investment Fund, which could unlock more than $100 million.
It is expected that all four of NSW’s coal-fired power stations and 32 of its 39 coal mines will close by 2040.
“We want to ensure we partner with workers, communities and regional centres to plan for the future,” Houssos said.
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