The Federal Government will spend $5 million on paperwork for the future uses of the Mount Arthur Coal Mine at Muswellbrook and Glencore’s Macquarie Coal site near Lake Macquarie, with closures expected in coming years.
Industry Minister Tim Ayres says the spend will support the Hunter’s transition and ensure mining re-use reflects the priorities of local communities.
It comes as a University of Newcastle study is published today on what 70 Muswellbrook locals would like to see after the Mount Arthur Mine closes.
Ideas include establishing a multi-purpose community hub supporting local enterprises.
Lead researcher Associate Professor Hedda Askland says there was discussion on the economic impacts of mining.
“We really wanted to speak to the grassroots. We wanted to speak to the people that we don’t normally hear, the voices that are normally that may be discussing these things around the kitchen table, but we don’t hear them in the public,” she said.
“Everybody agreed that there will be a change in what mining looks like. People wanted to, I guess, honour the industrial heritage.
“A lot of people spoke about the implications of the drive-in, drive-out workforce, the implications of shift work, The fact that Muswellbrook now has a two-tiered economy between those who work within the mining industries and those [who] don’t,” she said.
The State Government has also today introduced legislation to establish the Future Jobs and Investment Authority, which was promised in June.
The Bill gives the Authority the power to provide workforce support, and facilitate post mining land use.
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| Mount Arthur Mine. Credit / BHP |
