11 hours Ago By Madeline Link
MUSWELLBROOK mayor Jeff Drayton says federal politicians need to put up or shut up this federal election as the Hunter stares down the barrel of 12,000 resource-related job losses over the next five years. Login or signup to continue reading At the heart of Australia's mining and energy sector, Muswellbrook faces a generational shift with the scheduled closures of BHP's Mount Arthur and Mangoola mines pushing the community to its limits . Cr Drayton said the Hunter needs clear and binding commitments this federal election to avoid a region-wide downturn that will compound a decline in coal exports from the Port of Newcastle.
"There's lots and lots of talk being done, but we need some binding commitments," he said. "We know what's happening. It's right in front of us.
We know it's coming." The closures are expected to impact employment in Newcastle, putting additional strain on the Port of Newcastle which could see a 25 per cent reduction in coal exports. Cr Drayton said without swift federal action, Hunter communities could be devastated by the economic and social upheaval in mining.
"We need action now. Without federal intervention, Muswellbrook and the Hunter are on the brink of the largest industrial closure in NSW's history, eclipsing the BHP steelworks closure in 1999, which resulted in the loss of 3000 jobs," he said. "If the federal government, whoever that is by the end of May, doesn't step up with concrete investment and support for our Hunter communities, we risk losing thousands of jobs and, frankly, our kids' future.
"This is the election where it needs to happen for the Hunter, from pit to port, Muswellbrook to Newcastle." Muswellbrook Shire Council and Business Hunter have put forward proposals to counter an economic downturn in the region calling for a federally backed Economic Diversification Fund to support new industry and investments in renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and agribusiness. Cr Drayton also wants departments like the Net Zero Authority set up in the regions.
"There needs to be people in Muswellbrook and in Singleton where the mines are, where the jobs are going to be lost, the communities that are going to be hit the hardest, we need those agencies set up there so we can have direct access to them as it occurs," he said. They want to see critical projects like the Hunter Growth Infrastructure Fund, the expansion of Thomas Mitchell Drive Industrial Precinct, the Sandy Hollow Pipeline, and a water pipeline from Glenbawn Dam prioritised to support new industry development. With more than 3600 direct mining jobs at risk and potential flow-on effects to businesses that support the industry, both want to see workforce transition programs put forward that expand job retraining initiatives at TAFE NSW and university to upskill workers for emerging industries.
Business Hunter chief executive Bob Hawes said while there is uncertainty about when the decline of the Hunter's mining sector will fully materialise, one thing is clear, the process has already begun. "History shows us that how well a community and economy respond to change depends on how well they prepare for it," he said. "That requires collaboration and, urgently, attention at a federal level this election.
" Mr Hawes said the economic downturn could reverberate across the Hunter. "We're talking about sovereign capability. We're talking about improving our manufacturing ability.
We're talking about doing better here in Australia, what we've traditionally let go, and we don't want to see that happen here in the Hunter if we could be a fantastic success story," he said. "And at the moment, it's ours to lose." Hunter Workers secretary Leigh Shears said real investment in transition programs is vital to provide confidence to workers and communities as the region undergoes economic and energy shifts.
"There have been policy announcements with significant funding commitments that offer some reassurance, but without dedicated attention, worker transition programs, and clear pathways for investment in new industry particularly for regional communities, it's easy to understand why workers and their families across the region feel uncertain about the future," he said. "The opportunities are right in front of us, from biodiversity, land reclamation, and tourism to the expansion of industrial precincts and manufacturing. "The Hunter has the potential to become a model where no one is left behind-where communities continue to grow and prosper.
" Singleton mayor and Hunter Joint Organisation chair Sue Moore said the large-scale job losses the Hunter is facing is a challenge for every town in the region. "As the chair of the Hunter Joint Organisation, we join mayor Drayton in this call for urgent federal action for our Hunter communities" Muswellbrook will shift into New England following the election. Madeline Link is a born and bred Novocastrian who started her career as a journalist in the New England North West in 2016.
She is an experienced council and court reporter, former deputy editor of the Northern Daily Leader and two-time Kennedy Award finalist. In unrelated incidents, she previously reported on country music in Australia's country music capital and was once flung across Lake Macquarie in a power boat at more than 100 kilometres per hour. Maddie now works at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on Newcastle council.
To keep up with my stories, follow my X @madeline_link, for tips email [email protected].
au. Madeline Link is a born and bred Novocastrian who started her career as a journalist in the New England North West in 2016. She is an experienced council and court reporter, former deputy editor of the Northern Daily Leader and two-time Kennedy Award finalist.
In unrelated incidents, she previously reported on country music in Australia's country music capital and was once flung across Lake Macquarie in a power boat at more than 100 kilometres per hour. Maddie now works at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on Newcastle council. To keep up with my stories, follow my X @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.
[email protected].
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