NSW launches Future Jobs and Investment Authority
The NSW Government is partnering with coal-producing regions across the state to establish the Future Jobs and Investment Authority.
While coal will remain an important regional employer and economic driver for decades, global demand is forecast to decrease in coming decades. Under current planning approvals, by 2040 all four of NSW’s coal-fired power stations, and 32 of the state’s 39 coal mines will close.
The authority will help guide the future economic development of the four coal mining regions — the Hunter, Central West, Illawarra and North West — from coal production towards other economic opportunities and employment.
The FY26 NSW Budget will include $27.3m over four years to fund the authority, initially focusing on the Hunter and Central West regions.
NSW Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos comments on the authority.
“Thank you to workers, communities and the broader industry for their feedback as we deliver the Future Jobs and Investment Authority, a key election commitment,” she said.
“Our Future Jobs and Investment Authority will help plan for a future for our regions beyond coal. It will be a strong authority to guide government decision making. Having its work report directly to the Minister, and supported by local divisions, means voices from each region will be heard.
“We’ll be looking to the authority to leverage its local expertise to identify and shape projects that will unlock the potential for new industrial and employment opportunities.
“Coal mining will continue to support thousands of local jobs and underpin the state’s energy grid for many years to come. As the global demand for coal decreases, we want to ensure we partner with workers, communities and regional centres to plan for the future.”
The Future Jobs and Investment Authority will develop a framework to allow funding to be spent on projects like infrastructure and post-mining land use planning, skills mapping, feasibility assessments and training programs. This will be done in concert with the Federal Government’s Net Zero Economy Authority.
The NSW Government will also continue its existing commitment to deliver $22.5m into the fund each year.
The Future Jobs and Investment Authority will include:
- Establishing a coordinating authority to be led by a chief executive. The authority will have a clear mandate to deliver tangible outcomes for coal-reliant regions.
- Establishing four local divisions in the Hunter, Illawarra, Central West and North West to support the authority. This will ensure direct representation to the authority and that all decisions are informed by local needs and priorities. Local divisions will include representatives of industry, workers, local government and community groups to ensure local voices are guiding government action.
- Assuring accountability and governance through an advisory board reporting to the NSW Minister for Natural Resources. The advisory board will be chaired by an independent chair/advocate and membership will include the chairs of each local division.
- Collaborating with the Net Zero Economy Authority and the Federal Government to streamline projects and strengthen delivery.
- Enshrining the authority in legislation, providing long-term certainty for communities.
Currently, around 25,000 people are directly employed in coal mines. While coal mining will continue for decades to come, this highlights the importance of establishing the authority to begin planning for a future beyond coal.
The Future Jobs and Investment Authority will prioritise:
- Facilitating strategic land use planning, land prioritisation and activation, including land previously used for mining. This will enable new and emerging employment-generating industries.
- Driving investment attraction activities to support the development of new industries in coal-producing communities.
- Developing new initiatives to ensure workers are equipped with necessary training to create a stable and secure future for them, their families and their communities.
- Undertaking detailed data collection and analysis to inform the timing of impacts on workers and the economy and drive a strong evidence-based approach to government action.
- Leading effective consultation, collaboration and partnership with local communities and sharing that engagement across NSW Government agencies and all three levels of government.
The NSW Government will legislate these changes over the coming months.