New polling released by Farmers for Climate Action indicates that concern about climate change is increasing across the Hunter, with 30% of respondents reporting they are more concerned than they were a year ago.
The survey was conducted by 89 Degrees East, a member of The Research Society of Australia. They captured responses from 302 Hunter residents as part of a broader sample of 1,965 people across key renewable energy zones.
Farmers for Climate Action said the polling was released to ensure regional perspectives are represented in discussions about climate and energy.
FCA CEO Verity Morgan-Schmidt said recent weather events were a clear driver of changing sentiment.
“30% of those polled in the Hunter have become more concerned about climate change in the past 12 months. Bushfires (77%), heatwaves (75%) and floods (68%) were the top answers when Hunter residents were asked what had made them more concerned about climate change,” Ms Morgan-Schmidt said.
Energy costs and responsibility
The poll also asked residents about the causes of rising energy prices, with a majority attributing costs to energy company behaviour.
Fifty-six per cent of respondents said energy company profiteering was the main reason for high bills. Others pointed to increases in global energy prices and breakdowns at coal-fired power stations. A smaller proportion, 15%, identified clean energy as a contributing factor.
Preferences for future energy sources
When asked about the future energy mix, respondents identified solar as the leading option, with 69% nominating it as an important source. Onshore wind was selected by 43%, offshore wind by 42%, and pumped hydro by 40%.
Gas and coal were each nominated by 30% of respondents, while nuclear energy was supported by 22%.
Support remains, but perceptions differ
Support for clean energy in the Hunter remains at 60%, with 17% of respondents opposed and 23% neither supporting nor opposing the shift.
However, the polling highlights a difference between actual levels of support and what people believe others think. Only 40% of respondents said they believed there was majority support for clean energy in the region.
Ms Morgan-Schmidt said this difference reflects the way issues are presented publicly.
“Media and social media algorithms continue to promote conflict and FCA continues to listen to farmers, not Facebook.”
Farming practices framed as business decisions
The release also includes perspectives from within the agricultural sector, where climate-related practices are framed as part of day-to-day operations.
Macka’s Pastoral Director Robert Mackenzie, based in Gloucester, said sustainability is embedded in how farms operate.
“As a farmer in the region, our focus is simply on running a more efficient and resilient business,” Mr Mackenzie said.
“We’re improving soil health, animal performance and energy use, with a clear focus on reducing our footprint, delivering benefits for both the business and the environment. For us, sustainability isn’t a statement, it’s just good farm management.”
The results reflect a region where concern about climate impacts is increasing, while most residents continue to support a shift in how energy is generated, even if that support is not always recognised within the community itself.
