State budget 2025: $27.3m to help Hunter communities prepare for a future beyond coal

The Advertiser

5 hours ago

The state government will invest $27.3 million over four years to fund programs to support coal mining regions in preparing for a future beyond coal.
The Future Jobs and Investment Authority, announced last year, will help guide the future economic development of the four coal mining regions - the Hunter, Central West, Illawarra, and North West - from coal production towards other economic opportunities and employment.
Its initial focus will be the Hunter and Central West regions.
This initiative, backed by the Future Jobs and Investment Fund, will unlock more than $100 million in funding held back under the former Coalition government's Royalties for Rejuvenation scheme.
The authority will develop a framework to allow the funding to be spent on projects such as infrastructure and post-mining land-use planning, skills mapping, feasibility assessments and training programs. This will be done in consultation with the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority.
"We need innovative, creative job opportunities, and the authority opens up new possibilities, setting a clear pathway for growth. The authority will work hand-in-hand with our local communities, industry and education providers to ensure our region is at the forefront of this transformation, not left behind by it," Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said.
"This is about putting the right structures in place to support our workers today while building a stronger, more diverse economy for tomorrow. It's about future-proofing the Hunter, ensuring that we continue to be a place of opportunity, stability and prosperity for generations to come."
The state government will also continue its existing commitment to deliver $22.5 million into the fund each year.
The model of the Future Jobs and Investment Authority follows the release of a proposed structure in mid-2024, and ongoing consultation with workers, communities and industry.
The final authority model integrates much of the feedback received by the government.
"Our Future Jobs and Investment Authority will help plan for a future for our regions beyond coal. It will be a strong authority to guide government decision-making. Having its work report directly to the Minister, and supported by local divisions, means voices from each region will be heard," Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said.
"We'll be looking to the authority to leverage its local expertise to identify and shape projects that will unlock the potential for new industrial and employment opportunities.
Establishing four local divisions will allow direct representation to the authority and ensure all decisions are informed by local needs and priorities.
The local divisions will
About 25,000 people are directly employed in coal mining-related industries.
While coal will remain an important regional employer and economic driver for decades, global demand is forecast to decrease in the coming decades.
Under current planning approvals, by 2040, all four of the state's coal-fired power stations and 32 of the state's 39 coal mines will close.
More information about the Future Jobs and Investment Authority is available at: nsw.gov.au/fjia
The NSW Government will legislate these changes over the coming months.
The state government will invest $27.3 million over four years to fund programs to support coal mining regions in preparing for a future beyond coal.
The Future Jobs and Investment Authority, announced last year, will help guide the future economic development of the four coal mining regions - the Hunter, Central West, Illawarra, and North West - from coal production towards other economic opportunities and employment.
Its initial focus will be the Hunter and Central West regions.
This initiative, backed by the Future Jobs and Investment Fund, will unlock more than $100 million in funding held back under the former Coalition government's Royalties for Rejuvenation scheme.
The authority will develop a framework to allow the funding to be spent on projects such as infrastructure and post-mining land-use planning, skills mapping, feasibility assessments and training programs. This will be done in consultation with the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority.
"We need innovative, creative job opportunities, and the authority opens up new possibilities, setting a clear pathway for growth. The authority will work hand-in-hand with our local communities, industry and education providers to ensure our region is at the forefront of this transformation, not left behind by it," Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said.
"This is about putting the right structures in place to support our workers today while building a stronger, more diverse economy for tomorrow. It's about future-proofing the Hunter, ensuring that we continue to be a place of opportunity, stability and prosperity for generations to come."
The state government will also continue its existing commitment to deliver $22.5 million into the fund each year.
The model of the Future Jobs and Investment Authority follows the release of a proposed structure in mid-2024, and ongoing consultation with workers, communities and industry.
The final authority model integrates much of the feedback received by the government.
"Our Future Jobs and Investment Authority will help plan for a future for our regions beyond coal. It will be a strong authority to guide government decision-making. Having its work report directly to the Minister, and supported by local divisions, means voices from each region will be heard," Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said.
"We'll be looking to the authority to leverage its local expertise to identify and shape projects that will unlock the potential for new industrial and employment opportunities.
Establishing four local divisions will allow direct representation to the authority and ensure all decisions are informed by local needs and priorities.
The local divisions will
About 25,000 people are directly employed in coal mining-related industries.
While coal will remain an important regional employer and economic driver for decades, global demand is forecast to decrease in the coming decades.
Under current planning approvals, by 2040, all four of the state's coal-fired power stations and 32 of the state's 39 coal mines will close.
More information about the Future Jobs and Investment Authority is available at: nsw.gov.au/fjia
The NSW Government will legislate these changes over the coming months.
The state government will invest $27.3 million over four years to fund programs to support coal mining regions in preparing for a future beyond coal.
The Future Jobs and Investment Authority, announced last year, will help guide the future economic development of the four coal mining regions - the Hunter, Central West, Illawarra, and North West - from coal production towards other economic opportunities and employment.
Its initial focus will be the Hunter and Central West regions.
This initiative, backed by the Future Jobs and Investment Fund, will unlock more than $100 million in funding held back under the former Coalition government's Royalties for Rejuvenation scheme.
The authority will develop a framework to allow the funding to be spent on projects such as infrastructure and post-mining land-use planning, skills mapping, feasibility assessments and training programs. This will be done in consultation with the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority.
"We need innovative, creative job opportunities, and the authority opens up new possibilities, setting a clear pathway for growth. The authority will work hand-in-hand with our local communities, industry and education providers to ensure our region is at the forefront of this transformation, not left behind by it," Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said.
"This is about putting the right structures in place to support our workers today while building a stronger, more diverse economy for tomorrow. It's about future-proofing the Hunter, ensuring that we continue to be a place of opportunity, stability and prosperity for generations to come."
The state government will also continue its existing commitment to deliver $22.5 million into the fund each year.
The model of the Future Jobs and Investment Authority follows the release of a proposed structure in mid-2024, and ongoing consultation with workers, communities and industry.
The final authority model integrates much of the feedback received by the government.
"Our Future Jobs and Investment Authority will help plan for a future for our regions beyond coal. It will be a strong authority to guide government decision-making. Having its work report directly to the Minister, and supported by local divisions, means voices from each region will be heard," Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said.
"We'll be looking to the authority to leverage its local expertise to identify and shape projects that will unlock the potential for new industrial and employment opportunities.
Establishing four local divisions will allow direct representation to the authority and ensure all decisions are informed by local needs and priorities.
The local divisions will
About 25,000 people are directly employed in coal mining-related industries.
While coal will remain an important regional employer and economic driver for decades, global demand is forecast to decrease in the coming decades.
Under current planning approvals, by 2040, all four of the state's coal-fired power stations and 32 of the state's 39 coal mines will close.
More information about the Future Jobs and Investment Authority is available at: nsw.gov.au/fjia
The NSW Government will legislate these changes over the coming months.
The state government will invest $27.3 million over four years to fund programs to support coal mining regions in preparing for a future beyond coal.
The Future Jobs and Investment Authority, announced last year, will help guide the future economic development of the four coal mining regions - the Hunter, Central West, Illawarra, and North West - from coal production towards other economic opportunities and employment.
Its initial focus will be the Hunter and Central West regions.
This initiative, backed by the Future Jobs and Investment Fund, will unlock more than $100 million in funding held back under the former Coalition government's Royalties for Rejuvenation scheme.
The authority will develop a framework to allow the funding to be spent on projects such as infrastructure and post-mining land-use planning, skills mapping, feasibility assessments and training programs. This will be done in consultation with the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority.
"We need innovative, creative job opportunities, and the authority opens up new possibilities, setting a clear pathway for growth. The authority will work hand-in-hand with our local communities, industry and education providers to ensure our region is at the forefront of this transformation, not left behind by it," Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said.
"This is about putting the right structures in place to support our workers today while building a stronger, more diverse economy for tomorrow. It's about future-proofing the Hunter, ensuring that we continue to be a place of opportunity, stability and prosperity for generations to come."
The state government will also continue its existing commitment to deliver $22.5 million into the fund each year.
The model of the Future Jobs and Investment Authority follows the release of a proposed structure in mid-2024, and ongoing consultation with workers, communities and industry.
The final authority model integrates much of the feedback received by the government.
"Our Future Jobs and Investment Authority will help plan for a future for our regions beyond coal. It will be a strong authority to guide government decision-making. Having its work report directly to the Minister, and supported by local divisions, means voices from each region will be heard," Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said.
"We'll be looking to the authority to leverage its local expertise to identify and shape projects that will unlock the potential for new industrial and employment opportunities.
Establishing four local divisions will allow direct representation to the authority and ensure all decisions are informed by local needs and priorities.
The local divisions will
About 25,000 people are directly employed in coal mining-related industries.
While coal will remain an important regional employer and economic driver for decades, global demand is forecast to decrease in the coming decades.
Under current planning approvals, by 2040, all four of the state's coal-fired power stations and 32 of the state's 39 coal mines will close.
More information about the Future Jobs and Investment Authority is available at: nsw.gov.au/fjia
The NSW Government will legislate these changes over the coming months.