The Hunter's net zero future
The Hunter Region is well placed to lead Australia’s shift to clean energy, advanced manufacturing and emerging industries. The region’s strengths lie in the upper and lower Hunter's diversity: a skilled workforce, established infrastructure and thriving urban centres.
Clean energy industries and projects
The Hunter is already seeing promising developments in growth industries.
Renewables
Australia is a step closer to manufacturing more reliable renewables at home. The $1 billion Solar Sunshot was created to manufacture more reliable renewables onshore. Australia has always been a solar powerhouse and one in three Australian households have solar – the highest take-up in the world.
The Hunter-Central Coast regional profile
Power stations: Several high-carbon facilities, including 3 coal-fired power stations and 17 safeguard facilities.
Transition timeframe: All coal-fired power stations projected to close by 2033 (Eraring 2029, Bayswater 2033, Vales Point 2033).
Human resources: Workers in the region, especially around Muswellbrook and Scone, have jobs highly compatible with clean energy industries.
Infrastructure: Strong existing and proposed transport infrastructure, particularly its large regional airport and port.
Support for workers
The Australian Government aims to make sure workers and communities are supported when major facilities, like coal-fired power stations, close and make sure downside impacts are minimised. Policies like the Energy Industry Jobs Plan help guarantee that workers and eligible contractors are fully supported in their transition away from emissions-intensive work.
Career guidance
There are on-the-ground supports in the Hunter to help people find new job opportunities in the Hunter.
Ausindustry (Opens in new window)
Ausindustry has a regional on-ground network working directly with businesses in the regions, supporting workers in the region to find work in net zero aligned jobs and supporting businesses to employ workers.
Regional Workforce Transition Officers (Opens in new window)
Regional Workforce Transition Officers (RWTOs) help business, industry, and communities, navigate and coordinate the transition to net zero.
Transition Support Network (Opens in new window)
An on-the-ground Transition Support Network that assists retrenched workers to find a new job.
The Australia-wide network also helps employers though the retrenchment process, including how they can meet their obligations and provide their workers with the support they need.
Education and research
Vocational qualifications
TAFE NSW is establishing a Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at the Tighes Hill campus in Newcastle.
Postgrad study (Opens in new window)
The University of Newcastle offers postgraduate qualifications in clean energy. Courses cover technology, policy and management in this field.
Research fellowships (Opens in new window)
A collaboration between government, industry and higher education is offering fellowships to accelerate commercialisation of recycling and clean energy research.
Regional transition analysis: Hunter
Independent analysis on regional net zero transition opportunities
Hunter communities invited to help shape future opportunities at former mine sites
Communities across the Hunter are invited to have their say on the draft master plans for the Mt Arthur Coal Mine site in Muswellbrook and the Macquarie Coal Complex within the Lake Macquarie LGA.
From energy heartland to innovation and training hub
As our energy system changes, the Hunter is emerging as a centre for innovation, advanced manufacturing, training opportunities and sustainable industry.
Connecting local suppliers to Australia’s energy future
The Net Zero Economy Authority (NZEA) is working with Hunter communities to highlight local suppliers and boost local jobs.
NZEA engages the next generation at the Hunter Careers Expo
The Net Zero Economy Authority connected with thousands of students, educators and families at the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Careers Expo.
Young voices, big impact: Hunter students have a say with net zero education initiative
Young people in the Hunter are being supported to explore, understand and shape the region’s shift toward a net zero economy.
New industry and jobs in Muswellbrook
The establishment of Australian AgTech operations in Muswellbrook, in the Upper Hunter, highlights how innovation and sustainability can drive regional jobs and long-term economic resilience.
Consultations and feedback
Learn about consultations on the decisions that will shape the Hunter’s future.
Review of the Energy Industry Jobs Plan – submissions published
Consultations for the review of the Energy Industry Jobs Plan (EIJP) have come to an end and the written submissions have now been published on our consultation hub.
Eraring consultation submissions published
The Authority has published written submissions from the EIJP public consultation process for Eraring.
Who’s who in the Hunter
Discover the organisations working together on net zero in Hunter
Australian Government organisations
Net Zero Economy Authority (NZEA)
- Independent statutory authority coordinating place-based, people-centred transition in priority regions
- Works across governments, industry, regions and unions to help workers through change, support communities to prosper, and be a trusted voice through our transition to a net zero economy
Contact: engagement@nzea.gov.au
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NZEA website
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)
- Commonwealth department responsible for jobs, skills and workplace relations
- Partners with NZEA, states and local stakeholders on worker and community support during the transition
Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR)
- Leads national industry policy, manufacturing capability and industrial decarbonisation settings
- Supports firm-level adoption of low-emissions technologies and advanced manufacturing
- Mobilises private investment into clean industry supply chains
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DISR website
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)
- National energy, climate and environment department
- Funds/steers decarbonisation and clean-industry initiatives that benefit Hunter firms and projects
NSW Government organisations
NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW)
- Leads the energy transition to power NSW with affordable, clean and reliable energy for everyone
- Drives uptake and investment in decarbonisation and new low emissions industries
Contact: bid@dcceew.nsw.gov.au
NSW DCCEEW website
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Future Jobs and Investment Authority
- Being established to support coal communities to secure their long-term economic future as the global demand for coal declines over time in the Hunter, Central West, Illawarra and North West coal regions
Contact: fjia@dpird.nsw.gov.au
Future Jobs and Investment Authority website
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Regional Economic Development
- State/regional teams partnering with councils, industry and the Commonwealth
- Unlocks investment, supports existing businesses and attracts new industry to the Hunter
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
NSW Department of Education – TAFE NSW
- NSW vocational education and training system
- Supports delivery of training, apprenticeships and workforce development aligned to Hunter industry demand
- Targeted Workforce Development Scheme partners with businesses to build resilient regional workforces through co-designed training, job prep and workforce solutions with Hunter employers
- Public provider for vocational education and leader of the Hunter Manufacturing Centre of Excellence
Contact: edskillsandworkforceprograms@det.nsw.edu.au
TAFE NSW website
Local government organisations
Hunter Joint Organisation
- Councils from across the Hunter come together through the Hunter Joint Organisation: a hub for advocacy and collaboration on regional strategic priorities
- These priorities include economic transformation and jobs, as well as environmental sustainability and resilience.
About the net zero transition
What is net zero?
Learn about Australia’s net zero transition, why it’s happening and the Australian Government’s plans to get there.
Policies and programs
The Australian Government supports workers, communities and workers through a large number of policies, programs, services and other initiatives.
About the Net Zero Economy Authority
We ensure the workers, industries and regional communities that have powered Australia for generations can seize the opportunities of Australia’s net zero transformation.
Contact us
Have questions, feedback or want to connect?
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Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands encompassed by the area now known as the Hunter Region, including the Awabakal, Biripi, Darkinjung, Geawegal, Wonarua and Worimi peoples, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge their enduring connection to the land, waterways and culture and their significant role in the history and future of the Hunter region.
