Upper Hunter workers need a mining future as they discuss changes for net zero world

Those from the Upper Hunter in NSW know there is a change coming. But miners need to know their jobs have a future.

It has been a split over the future of the Upper Hunter which has reverberated through the traditional mining communities sprawled across the vast valleys.

And as the thousands employed in the coal pits use their hard-earned to fill the pockets of businesses through the towns of Singleton and Muswellbrook and beyond, there is one word which pricks the ears of the majority more than any other – transition.

But if townsfolk are to be truthful, they know there is a change coming.

It is not just increased chatter about climate change and the role of coal, it is a conversation as deep as the pits on the outskirts of town.

“We have moved away from calling it transition because it scares people into thinking they need to hold onto their seats and they might lose their jobs,’’ Singleton mayor Cr Sue Moore said.

“We are calling it an economic revolution and the conversation is broad. “There may be people who move industries, there may be people who could semi-retire and enjoy a better quality of life free of night shifts and weekend work.

“It is not just a Singleton and Muswellbrook problem, we have 8000 to 10,000 people travelling here every day from the Lower Hunter, from Newcastle and Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens and Maitland.

Miner Dave Hartley pictured with his children from Bailey 14, Xavier, 8, and Tamika, 11, at home in Muswellbrook. Picture: Sue Graham

“It is not just a problem for this community, it is much wider than that,” she said.

“The concern and angst comes when you start talking about shutting down the mines because they just hold onto their chairs and worry about their jobs.’’

One person not worried about his future is Muswellbrook miner Dave Hartley.

The 35-year-old father-of-three has worked in the mines for over 10 years. His 14-year-old son Bailey is keen to follow in his footsteps.

“He has spoken about being an apprentice fitter in the mines and that is what he is working towards,’’ Mr Hartley said.

“I am happy and confident that he will have a future in mining and I believe I will still be there for over 20 years.’’

But Kirsty O’Connell, a fifth generation Aberdeen farmer who had a tilt as an independent at the recent Upper Hunter by-election, says the conversation needs to be nuanced.

“I think we’ve got some reasonable positions outlined in documents such as the Hunter Regional Plan and the Upper Hunter Economic Diversification Plan, the problem is that there’s very little progress toward these motherhood statements and no practical plan to take us from A to B,’’ Ms O’Connell said.

“So what should we be doing?

“Before our current window of opportunity closes, mining companies should take the initiative to work with their coal-focused small business partners to help them plan to grow and diversify their business.

Kirsty O'Connell pictured at her Aberdeen farm. Picture: Sue Graham

“If the word ‘transition’ is too confronting then do it in the name of supply chain resilience – but for pity’s sake do it.

“These small businesses will be first to feel the effects as our international coal customers shift to new energy models and they deserve support from the companies they are serving.

“Second, we need a community-led vision for the future of the Upper Hunter.

“What industries do we want to see here, what kind of towns do we want to live in the future, how do we want to protect and improve our local environment?

“Liveability is key here if we also want to benefit from the Covid-driven trend that’s allowing city dwellers to move to the country.

“Finally, let’s talk to the local business leaders who have real skin in the game and identify the investments, policy shifts and hard and soft infrastructure that they need to grow jobs over the coming decade.

“We can group the challenges they articulate by theme and then prioritise them based in their consistency with community values and the level of impact they can create in terms of growing new, sustainable jobs.’’

Down at the Albion Hotel in Singleton, Jamie McNamara is busy pouring schooners and helping punters place their bets.

The Hunter Valley region of Australia is part of our energy transition.

He is the son of publican Dale McNarama and a former miner before jumping behind the bar to help his father out.

‘’Mate, this joint wouldn’t be open if it wasn’t for the mines. None of them would be,’’ he said passionately.

His old man echoes those thoughts. Dale is open about having done well from the mining sector.

He owns mining-based companies that are very successful, allowing him to invest in a handful of pubs, including four in Singleton.

And Dale McNamara is as passionate about the future of mining as his son. Enough to put his hand up for One Nation in the next Federal election to work out takes over from Labor’s outgoing Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon.

And Mr McNamara is old school Singleton with skin in the game. He mentions more than once that one of his ancestors, Neil McNamara, was Singleton mayor for 28 years who “took Singleton to where it is today’’ from co-operative days to coal-fired power stations.

“It has gone from a sleepy town to what it is today because of mining,’’ Mr McNamara said.

“I spend a lot of time talking to people like Neil McNamara. They come into the pub in the hi-vis, they walk down the main street.

“They speak a lot about the future of this town and region and they do not like what they are hearing from Sydney and Canberra.

“They don’t like hearing they want to shut down the coal-fired power stations.

“The frustration is growing.’’

Originally published as Upper Hunter workers need a mining future as they discuss changes for net zero world