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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ABC News
2 days ago
- ABC News
Via Dolce owner frustrated after government demands removal of $150,000 gazebo
A city hospitality business owner said he would never have spent $150,000 on a gazebo had he known he would be ordered to remove it 18 months later. The ACT government deemed the covered dining room outside Italian restaurant Via Dolce on Garema Place "not consistent with guidelines" for the government's upgrade of the inner-city thoroughfare. Owner Joe Pelle installed the gazebo in December 2023 to encourage year-round outdoor dining in the ACT. It has a built-in floor and a reverse air conditioner. "I want to see the city of Canberra flourish. I want to see it vibrant." The permit for the gazebo included the requirement that the structure could be disassembled within 48 hours. However, since then, the City Renewal Authority's 2024 Garema Place toolkit, which outlines aesthetics for the area, doesn't support such gazebos. Instead, large umbrellas are the approved outdoor dining option for hospitality venues. Mr Pelle was given 48 hours to remove the structure by July 27. City Renewal Authority chief executive Craig Gillman said the gazebo was larger than the initial permit allowed. "It exceeded, by a significant margin, the permit zone." However, Mr Pelle said the gazebo and its size had previously been approved by the government. With construction continuing in the area, Mr Pelle supports the government's plans to attract more visitors to the area, but is worried about limited outdoor dining options. He believes plans should allow for businesses to build enclosed dining areas to protect customers. "Even on a hot day, a gazebo would really enhance and make the dining experience more comfortable." A few doors down, restaurant owner Richard Ho also supports the government's plans to revitalise the area. He is optimistic that the new upgrades will encourage more people to visit Garema Place. But he believes umbrellas may not attract diners during extreme weather. "It's very good for other seasons like summer," Mr Ho said. "In winter, it's a bit too cold." City Renewal Authority's Mr Gillman said approvals for umbrella structures would be fast-tracked for permit approvals. But he said gazebos would not be. "You can't see through structures and that creates a perception that places are unsafe because you can't see what's coming in front of you," Mr Gillman said. "City Renewal would not support the return of that style of structure into Garema Place for any business. "We're not the regulator … but we do get consulted, and that would be our position." Businesses have engaged in consultation with the government for the Garema Place development since 2023 Major works are expected to be completed by the end of the year. Meanwhile, Mr Pelle has removed the gazebo, which he says cost his business $150,000 and is hoping to gain approval for his application to install it around the corner, replacing an existing gazebo on Bunda Street.
The Advertiser
18-07-2025
- 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".
