Business owners on board with land use planning committee's proposed way forward
In the mix is a skills audit of the state's mining workforce and a review of three key pieces of legislation.
Those measures will inform future needs regarding investment in reskilling, training, economic development and future site use, says Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes.
"This is really important work to ensure our transition programs are aligned with both the existing skills base and future workforce needs," Mr Hawes said.
"We hope to see bipartisan support for the reforms and actions outlined in the report."
It will look at what wages and employment conditions are currently industry standard, opportunities for on-site training and skill development, and identify training and education shortages in mining regions.
The Beneficial and Productive Post mining Land Use report, tabled in parliament on July 16, has identified three key pieces of legislation for review -the Mining Act, Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and Protection of the Environment Operations Act - to ensure they facilitate opportunities for post-mining land use, Mr Hawes said.
The NSW Government has agreed to complete that review by June 2026.
"This provides a pathway forward to untangle some of the complex issues identified by the committee to ensure we can unlock opportunities for economically beneficial reuse of mining and related lands in future," Mr Hawes said.
The report follows a parliamentary inquiry into the best way to use hundreds of thousands of hectares of land left behind from coal mining closures.
The recommendations include continued evaluation of security deposits to determine if they will be sufficient for meeting rehabilitation requirements.
It suggests an audit and mapping of industrial sites, surplus and industrial lands for potential repurposing for housing, environmental, educational tourism, sport, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and renewable energy purposes.
It has recommended that the leadership of regional resource and energy transition be elevated to a ministerial and senior departmental working group.
In adopting that recommendation, the state government has tasked the newly established Future Jobs and Investment Authority with leading many of the initiatives it has agreed to pursue.
Mr Hawes said the Future Jobs and Investment Authority was well-placed to lead postmining land use initiatives given its terms of reference and status as a statutory authority with capacity to coordinate across government agencies.
"The actions from this report will provide the new Future Jobs and Investment Authority with plenty of tasks and responsibilities," Mr Hawes said.
"Business Hunter and other stakeholders in our region will be keeping a watching brief to ensure the Authority continues to be resourced to get on with the job in timely fashion."
THE Hunter business community is calling for bipartisan support for reforms outlined in a post-mining land use report after the state government adopted all 13 recommendations.
In the mix is a skills audit of the state's mining workforce and a review of three key pieces of legislation.
Those measures will inform future needs regarding investment in reskilling, training, economic development and future site use, says Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes.
"This is really important work to ensure our transition programs are aligned with both the existing skills base and future workforce needs," Mr Hawes said.
"We hope to see bipartisan support for the reforms and actions outlined in the report."
It will look at what wages and employment conditions are currently industry standard, opportunities for on-site training and skill development, and identify training and education shortages in mining regions.
The Beneficial and Productive Post mining Land Use report, tabled in parliament on July 16, has identified three key pieces of legislation for review -the Mining Act, Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and Protection of the Environment Operations Act - to ensure they facilitate opportunities for post-mining land use, Mr Hawes said.
The NSW Government has agreed to complete that review by June 2026.
"This provides a pathway forward to untangle some of the complex issues identified by the committee to ensure we can unlock opportunities for economically beneficial reuse of mining and related lands in future," Mr Hawes said.
The report follows a parliamentary inquiry into the best way to use hundreds of thousands of hectares of land left behind from coal mining closures.
The recommendations include continued evaluation of security deposits to determine if they will be sufficient for meeting rehabilitation requirements.
It suggests an audit and mapping of industrial sites, surplus and industrial lands for potential repurposing for housing, environmental, educational tourism, sport, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and renewable energy purposes.
It has recommended that the leadership of regional resource and energy transition be elevated to a ministerial and senior departmental working group.
In adopting that recommendation, the state government has tasked the newly established Future Jobs and Investment Authority with leading many of the initiatives it has agreed to pursue.
Mr Hawes said the Future Jobs and Investment Authority was well-placed to lead postmining land use initiatives given its terms of reference and status as a statutory authority with capacity to coordinate across government agencies.
"The actions from this report will provide the new Future Jobs and Investment Authority with plenty of tasks and responsibilities," Mr Hawes said.
"Business Hunter and other stakeholders in our region will be keeping a watching brief to ensure the Authority continues to be resourced to get on with the job in timely fashion."
THE Hunter business community is calling for bipartisan support for reforms outlined in a post-mining land use report after the state government adopted all 13 recommendations.
In the mix is a skills audit of the state's mining workforce and a review of three key pieces of legislation.
Those measures will inform future needs regarding investment in reskilling, training, economic development and future site use, says Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes.
"This is really important work to ensure our transition programs are aligned with both the existing skills base and future workforce needs," Mr Hawes said.
"We hope to see bipartisan support for the reforms and actions outlined in the report."
It will look at what wages and employment conditions are currently industry standard, opportunities for on-site training and skill development, and identify training and education shortages in mining regions.
The Beneficial and Productive Post mining Land Use report, tabled in parliament on July 16, has identified three key pieces of legislation for review -the Mining Act, Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and Protection of the Environment Operations Act - to ensure they facilitate opportunities for post-mining land use, Mr Hawes said.
The NSW Government has agreed to complete that review by June 2026.
"This provides a pathway forward to untangle some of the complex issues identified by the committee to ensure we can unlock opportunities for economically beneficial reuse of mining and related lands in future," Mr Hawes said.
The report follows a parliamentary inquiry into the best way to use hundreds of thousands of hectares of land left behind from coal mining closures.
The recommendations include continued evaluation of security deposits to determine if they will be sufficient for meeting rehabilitation requirements.
It suggests an audit and mapping of industrial sites, surplus and industrial lands for potential repurposing for housing, environmental, educational tourism, sport, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and renewable energy purposes.
It has recommended that the leadership of regional resource and energy transition be elevated to a ministerial and senior departmental working group.
In adopting that recommendation, the state government has tasked the newly established Future Jobs and Investment Authority with leading many of the initiatives it has agreed to pursue.
Mr Hawes said the Future Jobs and Investment Authority was well-placed to lead postmining land use initiatives given its terms of reference and status as a statutory authority with capacity to coordinate across government agencies.
"The actions from this report will provide the new Future Jobs and Investment Authority with plenty of tasks and responsibilities," Mr Hawes said.
"Business Hunter and other stakeholders in our region will be keeping a watching brief to ensure the Authority continues to be resourced to get on with the job in timely fashion."
THE Hunter business community is calling for bipartisan support for reforms outlined in a post-mining land use report after the state government adopted all 13 recommendations.
In the mix is a skills audit of the state's mining workforce and a review of three key pieces of legislation.
Those measures will inform future needs regarding investment in reskilling, training, economic development and future site use, says Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes.
"This is really important work to ensure our transition programs are aligned with both the existing skills base and future workforce needs," Mr Hawes said.
"We hope to see bipartisan support for the reforms and actions outlined in the report."
It will look at what wages and employment conditions are currently industry standard, opportunities for on-site training and skill development, and identify training and education shortages in mining regions.
The Beneficial and Productive Post mining Land Use report, tabled in parliament on July 16, has identified three key pieces of legislation for review -the Mining Act, Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and Protection of the Environment Operations Act - to ensure they facilitate opportunities for post-mining land use, Mr Hawes said.
The NSW Government has agreed to complete that review by June 2026.
"This provides a pathway forward to untangle some of the complex issues identified by the committee to ensure we can unlock opportunities for economically beneficial reuse of mining and related lands in future," Mr Hawes said.
The report follows a parliamentary inquiry into the best way to use hundreds of thousands of hectares of land left behind from coal mining closures.
The recommendations include continued evaluation of security deposits to determine if they will be sufficient for meeting rehabilitation requirements.
It suggests an audit and mapping of industrial sites, surplus and industrial lands for potential repurposing for housing, environmental, educational tourism, sport, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and renewable energy purposes.
It has recommended that the leadership of regional resource and energy transition be elevated to a ministerial and senior departmental working group.
In adopting that recommendation, the state government has tasked the newly established Future Jobs and Investment Authority with leading many of the initiatives it has agreed to pursue.
Mr Hawes said the Future Jobs and Investment Authority was well-placed to lead postmining land use initiatives given its terms of reference and status as a statutory authority with capacity to coordinate across government agencies.
"The actions from this report will provide the new Future Jobs and Investment Authority with plenty of tasks and responsibilities," Mr Hawes said.
"Business Hunter and other stakeholders in our region will be keeping a watching brief to ensure the Authority continues to be resourced to get on with the job in timely fashion."
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The Advertiser
5 days ago
- The Advertiser
Business owners on board with land use planning committee's proposed way forward
THE Hunter business community is calling for bipartisan support for reforms outlined in a post-mining land use report after the state government adopted all 13 recommendations. In the mix is a skills audit of the state's mining workforce and a review of three key pieces of legislation. Those measures will inform future needs regarding investment in reskilling, training, economic development and future site use, says Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes. "This is really important work to ensure our transition programs are aligned with both the existing skills base and future workforce needs," Mr Hawes said. "We hope to see bipartisan support for the reforms and actions outlined in the report." It will look at what wages and employment conditions are currently industry standard, opportunities for on-site training and skill development, and identify training and education shortages in mining regions. The Beneficial and Productive Post mining Land Use report, tabled in parliament on July 16, has identified three key pieces of legislation for review -the Mining Act, Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and Protection of the Environment Operations Act - to ensure they facilitate opportunities for post-mining land use, Mr Hawes said. The NSW Government has agreed to complete that review by June 2026. "This provides a pathway forward to untangle some of the complex issues identified by the committee to ensure we can unlock opportunities for economically beneficial reuse of mining and related lands in future," Mr Hawes said. The report follows a parliamentary inquiry into the best way to use hundreds of thousands of hectares of land left behind from coal mining closures. The recommendations include continued evaluation of security deposits to determine if they will be sufficient for meeting rehabilitation requirements. It suggests an audit and mapping of industrial sites, surplus and industrial lands for potential repurposing for housing, environmental, educational tourism, sport, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and renewable energy purposes. It has recommended that the leadership of regional resource and energy transition be elevated to a ministerial and senior departmental working group. In adopting that recommendation, the state government has tasked the newly established Future Jobs and Investment Authority with leading many of the initiatives it has agreed to pursue. Mr Hawes said the Future Jobs and Investment Authority was well-placed to lead postmining land use initiatives given its terms of reference and status as a statutory authority with capacity to coordinate across government agencies. "The actions from this report will provide the new Future Jobs and Investment Authority with plenty of tasks and responsibilities," Mr Hawes said. "Business Hunter and other stakeholders in our region will be keeping a watching brief to ensure the Authority continues to be resourced to get on with the job in timely fashion." THE Hunter business community is calling for bipartisan support for reforms outlined in a post-mining land use report after the state government adopted all 13 recommendations. In the mix is a skills audit of the state's mining workforce and a review of three key pieces of legislation. Those measures will inform future needs regarding investment in reskilling, training, economic development and future site use, says Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes. "This is really important work to ensure our transition programs are aligned with both the existing skills base and future workforce needs," Mr Hawes said. "We hope to see bipartisan support for the reforms and actions outlined in the report." It will look at what wages and employment conditions are currently industry standard, opportunities for on-site training and skill development, and identify training and education shortages in mining regions. The Beneficial and Productive Post mining Land Use report, tabled in parliament on July 16, has identified three key pieces of legislation for review -the Mining Act, Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and Protection of the Environment Operations Act - to ensure they facilitate opportunities for post-mining land use, Mr Hawes said. The NSW Government has agreed to complete that review by June 2026. "This provides a pathway forward to untangle some of the complex issues identified by the committee to ensure we can unlock opportunities for economically beneficial reuse of mining and related lands in future," Mr Hawes said. The report follows a parliamentary inquiry into the best way to use hundreds of thousands of hectares of land left behind from coal mining closures. The recommendations include continued evaluation of security deposits to determine if they will be sufficient for meeting rehabilitation requirements. It suggests an audit and mapping of industrial sites, surplus and industrial lands for potential repurposing for housing, environmental, educational tourism, sport, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and renewable energy purposes. It has recommended that the leadership of regional resource and energy transition be elevated to a ministerial and senior departmental working group. In adopting that recommendation, the state government has tasked the newly established Future Jobs and Investment Authority with leading many of the initiatives it has agreed to pursue. Mr Hawes said the Future Jobs and Investment Authority was well-placed to lead postmining land use initiatives given its terms of reference and status as a statutory authority with capacity to coordinate across government agencies. "The actions from this report will provide the new Future Jobs and Investment Authority with plenty of tasks and responsibilities," Mr Hawes said. "Business Hunter and other stakeholders in our region will be keeping a watching brief to ensure the Authority continues to be resourced to get on with the job in timely fashion." THE Hunter business community is calling for bipartisan support for reforms outlined in a post-mining land use report after the state government adopted all 13 recommendations. In the mix is a skills audit of the state's mining workforce and a review of three key pieces of legislation. Those measures will inform future needs regarding investment in reskilling, training, economic development and future site use, says Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes. "This is really important work to ensure our transition programs are aligned with both the existing skills base and future workforce needs," Mr Hawes said. "We hope to see bipartisan support for the reforms and actions outlined in the report." It will look at what wages and employment conditions are currently industry standard, opportunities for on-site training and skill development, and identify training and education shortages in mining regions. The Beneficial and Productive Post mining Land Use report, tabled in parliament on July 16, has identified three key pieces of legislation for review -the Mining Act, Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and Protection of the Environment Operations Act - to ensure they facilitate opportunities for post-mining land use, Mr Hawes said. The NSW Government has agreed to complete that review by June 2026. "This provides a pathway forward to untangle some of the complex issues identified by the committee to ensure we can unlock opportunities for economically beneficial reuse of mining and related lands in future," Mr Hawes said. The report follows a parliamentary inquiry into the best way to use hundreds of thousands of hectares of land left behind from coal mining closures. The recommendations include continued evaluation of security deposits to determine if they will be sufficient for meeting rehabilitation requirements. It suggests an audit and mapping of industrial sites, surplus and industrial lands for potential repurposing for housing, environmental, educational tourism, sport, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and renewable energy purposes. It has recommended that the leadership of regional resource and energy transition be elevated to a ministerial and senior departmental working group. In adopting that recommendation, the state government has tasked the newly established Future Jobs and Investment Authority with leading many of the initiatives it has agreed to pursue. Mr Hawes said the Future Jobs and Investment Authority was well-placed to lead postmining land use initiatives given its terms of reference and status as a statutory authority with capacity to coordinate across government agencies. "The actions from this report will provide the new Future Jobs and Investment Authority with plenty of tasks and responsibilities," Mr Hawes said. "Business Hunter and other stakeholders in our region will be keeping a watching brief to ensure the Authority continues to be resourced to get on with the job in timely fashion." THE Hunter business community is calling for bipartisan support for reforms outlined in a post-mining land use report after the state government adopted all 13 recommendations. In the mix is a skills audit of the state's mining workforce and a review of three key pieces of legislation. Those measures will inform future needs regarding investment in reskilling, training, economic development and future site use, says Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes. "This is really important work to ensure our transition programs are aligned with both the existing skills base and future workforce needs," Mr Hawes said. "We hope to see bipartisan support for the reforms and actions outlined in the report." It will look at what wages and employment conditions are currently industry standard, opportunities for on-site training and skill development, and identify training and education shortages in mining regions. The Beneficial and Productive Post mining Land Use report, tabled in parliament on July 16, has identified three key pieces of legislation for review -the Mining Act, Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and Protection of the Environment Operations Act - to ensure they facilitate opportunities for post-mining land use, Mr Hawes said. The NSW Government has agreed to complete that review by June 2026. "This provides a pathway forward to untangle some of the complex issues identified by the committee to ensure we can unlock opportunities for economically beneficial reuse of mining and related lands in future," Mr Hawes said. The report follows a parliamentary inquiry into the best way to use hundreds of thousands of hectares of land left behind from coal mining closures. The recommendations include continued evaluation of security deposits to determine if they will be sufficient for meeting rehabilitation requirements. It suggests an audit and mapping of industrial sites, surplus and industrial lands for potential repurposing for housing, environmental, educational tourism, sport, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and renewable energy purposes. It has recommended that the leadership of regional resource and energy transition be elevated to a ministerial and senior departmental working group. In adopting that recommendation, the state government has tasked the newly established Future Jobs and Investment Authority with leading many of the initiatives it has agreed to pursue. Mr Hawes said the Future Jobs and Investment Authority was well-placed to lead postmining land use initiatives given its terms of reference and status as a statutory authority with capacity to coordinate across government agencies. "The actions from this report will provide the new Future Jobs and Investment Authority with plenty of tasks and responsibilities," Mr Hawes said. "Business Hunter and other stakeholders in our region will be keeping a watching brief to ensure the Authority continues to be resourced to get on with the job in timely fashion."
The Advertiser
15-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Lake council demands support in Eraring closure to prevent economic 'death by a thousand cuts'
FAILING to prepare for Eraring's closure could hit Lake Macquarie's economy with "death by a thousand cuts", one of the city's councillors fears. Councillors voted unanimously at an extraordinary meeting on Monday night to write to the federal Net Zero Economy Authority to deliver a jobs transition plan to soften the blow of the loss of some 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion from the local economy when Eraring power station closes. "We need certainty," Liberal deputy mayor Jack Antcliff said. "We are not a city with a BHP, or a Ford or Holden (plant), we are a city of thousands of small businesses and a city where an economic change is a death by a thousand cuts." "We don't want to get 15 years down the road and wonder where all those jobs went." Councillors and mayor Adam Shultz, who called the meeting, expressed concern that a poorly-managed transition would not only mire energy workers in uncertainty and job losses, but cripple the region's economy. West Ward councillor Jason Pauling, who likened the eventual wind-down of Eraring to the closure of the BHP steelworks in 1997, said it was incumbent on the federal government to "take responsibility for the industries it is looking to destroy". "We have a right to ask, and to demand, that opportunities are given to these job holders who will be affected," he said. The proposed jobs plan, if approved by the authority and the Fair Work Commission, would effectively require the power station to support employees to find new jobs as it winds down, and for six months after the station closes. Cr Shultz argued earlier this week that direct intervention was needed to soften the blow to the region when the station eventually closed. He said support needed to extend to supply and auxiliary industries that relied on Eraring for trade, making up some 15 per cent of the local economy. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," he told the Newcastle Herald on Friday. Last month, Authority boss David Shankey said the department was seeking clarification on whether the coal-fired power station would actually close as scheduled in August 2027, or keep operating beyond that date. The state government agreed last year to underwrite a two-year extension of the plant through to August 2027. However, it is possible the plant could continue running through to 2029. "The Authority's consultation process for Eraring is based on the closure date that Origin has provided to the Australian Energy Market Operator, which is August 2027," an Authority spokeswoman told the Herald Tuesday. "Any extensions to the date are a matter for Origin and we are not aware of any requests for extension to this date." During the meeting, the council acknowledged efforts by the station's operator, Origin, to support workers but agreed direct government support was needed to ensure the region's security into the future. "We must be realistic about this change," Cr Antcliff said. "This is a small step for us, but it is an important step as we push to federal government (to acknowledge) that Lake Macquarie is part of it; it was part of it in the 1980s when they built the plant, it has been powering the state for a long time, and this region deserves to power the state in different ways into the future." The energy workers' union, which has also confirmed it would pressure the federal government to approve a jobs plan for Lake Macquarie, told the Herald last week that workers were facing "deep uncertainty" about Eraring's eventual closure, but that a jobs plan was a "real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition". FAILING to prepare for Eraring's closure could hit Lake Macquarie's economy with "death by a thousand cuts", one of the city's councillors fears. Councillors voted unanimously at an extraordinary meeting on Monday night to write to the federal Net Zero Economy Authority to deliver a jobs transition plan to soften the blow of the loss of some 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion from the local economy when Eraring power station closes. "We need certainty," Liberal deputy mayor Jack Antcliff said. "We are not a city with a BHP, or a Ford or Holden (plant), we are a city of thousands of small businesses and a city where an economic change is a death by a thousand cuts." "We don't want to get 15 years down the road and wonder where all those jobs went." Councillors and mayor Adam Shultz, who called the meeting, expressed concern that a poorly-managed transition would not only mire energy workers in uncertainty and job losses, but cripple the region's economy. West Ward councillor Jason Pauling, who likened the eventual wind-down of Eraring to the closure of the BHP steelworks in 1997, said it was incumbent on the federal government to "take responsibility for the industries it is looking to destroy". "We have a right to ask, and to demand, that opportunities are given to these job holders who will be affected," he said. The proposed jobs plan, if approved by the authority and the Fair Work Commission, would effectively require the power station to support employees to find new jobs as it winds down, and for six months after the station closes. Cr Shultz argued earlier this week that direct intervention was needed to soften the blow to the region when the station eventually closed. He said support needed to extend to supply and auxiliary industries that relied on Eraring for trade, making up some 15 per cent of the local economy. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," he told the Newcastle Herald on Friday. Last month, Authority boss David Shankey said the department was seeking clarification on whether the coal-fired power station would actually close as scheduled in August 2027, or keep operating beyond that date. The state government agreed last year to underwrite a two-year extension of the plant through to August 2027. However, it is possible the plant could continue running through to 2029. "The Authority's consultation process for Eraring is based on the closure date that Origin has provided to the Australian Energy Market Operator, which is August 2027," an Authority spokeswoman told the Herald Tuesday. "Any extensions to the date are a matter for Origin and we are not aware of any requests for extension to this date." During the meeting, the council acknowledged efforts by the station's operator, Origin, to support workers but agreed direct government support was needed to ensure the region's security into the future. "We must be realistic about this change," Cr Antcliff said. "This is a small step for us, but it is an important step as we push to federal government (to acknowledge) that Lake Macquarie is part of it; it was part of it in the 1980s when they built the plant, it has been powering the state for a long time, and this region deserves to power the state in different ways into the future." The energy workers' union, which has also confirmed it would pressure the federal government to approve a jobs plan for Lake Macquarie, told the Herald last week that workers were facing "deep uncertainty" about Eraring's eventual closure, but that a jobs plan was a "real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition". FAILING to prepare for Eraring's closure could hit Lake Macquarie's economy with "death by a thousand cuts", one of the city's councillors fears. Councillors voted unanimously at an extraordinary meeting on Monday night to write to the federal Net Zero Economy Authority to deliver a jobs transition plan to soften the blow of the loss of some 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion from the local economy when Eraring power station closes. "We need certainty," Liberal deputy mayor Jack Antcliff said. "We are not a city with a BHP, or a Ford or Holden (plant), we are a city of thousands of small businesses and a city where an economic change is a death by a thousand cuts." "We don't want to get 15 years down the road and wonder where all those jobs went." Councillors and mayor Adam Shultz, who called the meeting, expressed concern that a poorly-managed transition would not only mire energy workers in uncertainty and job losses, but cripple the region's economy. West Ward councillor Jason Pauling, who likened the eventual wind-down of Eraring to the closure of the BHP steelworks in 1997, said it was incumbent on the federal government to "take responsibility for the industries it is looking to destroy". "We have a right to ask, and to demand, that opportunities are given to these job holders who will be affected," he said. The proposed jobs plan, if approved by the authority and the Fair Work Commission, would effectively require the power station to support employees to find new jobs as it winds down, and for six months after the station closes. Cr Shultz argued earlier this week that direct intervention was needed to soften the blow to the region when the station eventually closed. He said support needed to extend to supply and auxiliary industries that relied on Eraring for trade, making up some 15 per cent of the local economy. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," he told the Newcastle Herald on Friday. Last month, Authority boss David Shankey said the department was seeking clarification on whether the coal-fired power station would actually close as scheduled in August 2027, or keep operating beyond that date. The state government agreed last year to underwrite a two-year extension of the plant through to August 2027. However, it is possible the plant could continue running through to 2029. "The Authority's consultation process for Eraring is based on the closure date that Origin has provided to the Australian Energy Market Operator, which is August 2027," an Authority spokeswoman told the Herald Tuesday. "Any extensions to the date are a matter for Origin and we are not aware of any requests for extension to this date." During the meeting, the council acknowledged efforts by the station's operator, Origin, to support workers but agreed direct government support was needed to ensure the region's security into the future. "We must be realistic about this change," Cr Antcliff said. "This is a small step for us, but it is an important step as we push to federal government (to acknowledge) that Lake Macquarie is part of it; it was part of it in the 1980s when they built the plant, it has been powering the state for a long time, and this region deserves to power the state in different ways into the future." The energy workers' union, which has also confirmed it would pressure the federal government to approve a jobs plan for Lake Macquarie, told the Herald last week that workers were facing "deep uncertainty" about Eraring's eventual closure, but that a jobs plan was a "real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition". FAILING to prepare for Eraring's closure could hit Lake Macquarie's economy with "death by a thousand cuts", one of the city's councillors fears. Councillors voted unanimously at an extraordinary meeting on Monday night to write to the federal Net Zero Economy Authority to deliver a jobs transition plan to soften the blow of the loss of some 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion from the local economy when Eraring power station closes. "We need certainty," Liberal deputy mayor Jack Antcliff said. "We are not a city with a BHP, or a Ford or Holden (plant), we are a city of thousands of small businesses and a city where an economic change is a death by a thousand cuts." "We don't want to get 15 years down the road and wonder where all those jobs went." Councillors and mayor Adam Shultz, who called the meeting, expressed concern that a poorly-managed transition would not only mire energy workers in uncertainty and job losses, but cripple the region's economy. West Ward councillor Jason Pauling, who likened the eventual wind-down of Eraring to the closure of the BHP steelworks in 1997, said it was incumbent on the federal government to "take responsibility for the industries it is looking to destroy". "We have a right to ask, and to demand, that opportunities are given to these job holders who will be affected," he said. The proposed jobs plan, if approved by the authority and the Fair Work Commission, would effectively require the power station to support employees to find new jobs as it winds down, and for six months after the station closes. Cr Shultz argued earlier this week that direct intervention was needed to soften the blow to the region when the station eventually closed. He said support needed to extend to supply and auxiliary industries that relied on Eraring for trade, making up some 15 per cent of the local economy. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," he told the Newcastle Herald on Friday. Last month, Authority boss David Shankey said the department was seeking clarification on whether the coal-fired power station would actually close as scheduled in August 2027, or keep operating beyond that date. The state government agreed last year to underwrite a two-year extension of the plant through to August 2027. However, it is possible the plant could continue running through to 2029. "The Authority's consultation process for Eraring is based on the closure date that Origin has provided to the Australian Energy Market Operator, which is August 2027," an Authority spokeswoman told the Herald Tuesday. "Any extensions to the date are a matter for Origin and we are not aware of any requests for extension to this date." During the meeting, the council acknowledged efforts by the station's operator, Origin, to support workers but agreed direct government support was needed to ensure the region's security into the future. "We must be realistic about this change," Cr Antcliff said. "This is a small step for us, but it is an important step as we push to federal government (to acknowledge) that Lake Macquarie is part of it; it was part of it in the 1980s when they built the plant, it has been powering the state for a long time, and this region deserves to power the state in different ways into the future." The energy workers' union, which has also confirmed it would pressure the federal government to approve a jobs plan for Lake Macquarie, told the Herald last week that workers were facing "deep uncertainty" about Eraring's eventual closure, but that a jobs plan was a "real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition".
ABC News
14-07-2025
- ABC News
Synergy to repay $2.29 million after overcharging Centrelink customers for electricity
Western Australia's state-owned power utility overcharged thousands of vulnerable customers over more than a decade, according to a new report. WA's economic watchdog has been probing issues related to customers paying their power bills using Centrepay, which allows for automatic deductions from Centrelink support payments. The Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) found in up to 2,845 cases, the utility had continued to take money from customers' Centrelink payments after they had closed their Synergy accounts. It believes those issues date back to 2009 at a total cost of $2.29 million. Changes to the code of conduct under which Synergy operates means it can only be ordered to repay 459 customers who were affected since February 2023 and are collectively owed $239,250. But Synergy has indicated all customers will be reimbursed. "This is a particularly concerning breach, given Synergy's position as the largest retailer in the state and the vulnerability of this cohort of customers that are receiving Centrelink support," ERA chair Steve Edwell said in a statement. "We would expect Synergy to have systems in place that would have identified these payments accruing in closed accounts — with around 1,000 customers owed more than $500." Synergy is government-owned and WA's largest electricity generator and gas retailer. It provides 52 per cent of electricity to households and businesses in the South West Interconnected System. The system covers Perth and extends from Kalbarri in the north, east to Kalgoorlie and south to Albany. Source: Synergy website In a statement, recently appointed Synergy CEO Kurt Baker apologised to customers affected by the issue, saying "they were let down". The ERA said the utility had been contacting affected customers since April, with around 30 per cent of the money owed paid back so far. "Our systems are complex and identifying impacted customers took some time," Mr Baker said in a statement. "As soon as possible after Centrepay overpayments were confirmed we took steps to resolve the issue and are continuing to do so." The Synergy chief indicated all affected customers dating back to 2009 would be paid back, with about half of all refunds totalling $250 or less. "We also expect Synergy to make changes to its customer management systems so that these sorts of payments are automatically flagged and dealt with," Mr Edwell said. Mr Baker said a "thorough review" would be undertaken to make those changes. "This review will identify any further overpayments on inactive accounts so that we can make refunds," he said. Synergy has been ordered to make those changes and make "best endeavours" to repay all 459 customers by the end of November. The ERA said while six other electricity and gas retailers in the state also charge customers via Centrepay, it did not believe the issue was widespread.
