Plans to establish a dedicated authority to support economic development and new employment opportunities in the Hunter and other NSW coal-producing regions have progressed, with legislation passing the NSW Legislative Council on 15 October.
The Future Jobs and Investment Bill 2025 would establish a statutory body responsible for attracting investment, supporting new industries and helping coal-producing communities prepare for long-term economic change.
The proposed Future Jobs and Investment Authority would operate across the Hunter, Central West, Illawarra and North West, initially concentrating on the Hunter and Central West.
Its responsibilities would include coordinating regional economic development initiatives, identifying opportunities for investment and industry diversification, and helping communities and workers prepare for changes in coal production.
The bill passed the Legislative Council with amendments and has returned to the Legislative Assembly for further consideration. The authority has not yet been established under legislation.
Funding to support regional industry development
The NSW Government allocated $27.3 million over four years in its 2025–26 Budget to establish and support the authority. It also committed to contributing $22.5 million annually to the Future Jobs and Investment Fund over four years.
During the Legislative Council debate on 15 October, the government said the new arrangements would unlock up to $140 million for coal-producing regions.
The fund would incorporate money previously allocated through the Royalties for Rejuvenation program, rather than represent an entirely new $140 million funding commitment.
The $27.3 million allocation for establishing the authority is separate from the funding intended to support regional projects.
Under the proposed arrangements, investment could support infrastructure, industry development, post-mining land use planning, workforce capability and training initiatives.
The authority would work with other government agencies, industry and communities to identify projects capable of supporting employment and economic activity beyond coal production.
Former mine sites offer opportunities for new industries
The potential reuse of former mining land is already being examined in the Hunter through separate NSW Government initiatives.
In July, the government released draft redevelopment plans for the Mt Arthur Coal Mine near Muswellbrook and the Macquarie Coal Complex at Teralba and West Wallsend.
The work involves the NSW Government, local councils and other partners examining how former mining land could accommodate new employment and industrial uses.
At Mt Arthur, the draft plans identified opportunities for approximately 5,900 jobs through potential redevelopment of the site.
At the Macquarie Coal Complex, the government identified up to 1,130 potential jobs, with proposed uses including renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and warehousing.
These are projected employment opportunities associated with draft land-use plans, not jobs already created or guaranteed through approved developments.
The projects were underway before the Future Jobs and Investment Bill progressed through Parliament and have not been announced as recipients of funding from the proposed authority.
However, they illustrate the types of industrial redevelopment and economic diversification opportunities the authority would be intended to support.
Local representation in transition planning
The proposed authority would be supported by four regional divisions representing the Hunter, Central West, Illawarra and North West.
The divisions would provide a mechanism for workers, businesses, local governments and communities to contribute to regional economic development planning.
Each region would have different economic circumstances, existing industries and employment requirements, with local input intended to inform the identification of investment opportunities and future industry development.
The authority would also contribute to Local Economic Structural Adjustment Plans, providing a framework for responding to changes in coal production while identifying opportunities for new economic activity.
Its work would be undertaken alongside existing state and federal initiatives, including activities led by the Commonwealth Net Zero Economy Authority.
For the Hunter, the proposed arrangements would provide a dedicated NSW body responsible for coordinating investment and economic development across communities with established coal industries and associated supply chains.
Bill returns to Legislative Assembly
The Future Jobs and Investment Bill was originally passed by the Legislative Assembly on 18 March 2026.
Following amendments made by the Legislative Council on 15 October, the legislation has returned to the Assembly for consideration of those changes.
The proposed authority’s statutory functions and operating arrangements remain subject to the parliamentary process.
