Newcastle, Cessnock and Port Stephens Mayors Unite in Sydney to Push for Post-Mining Transition

8 April 2025

Article updated 6:34am

newy.com.au, The mayors of Newcastle, Cessnock and Port Stephens stood shoulder-to-shoulder in Sydney this week, pushing the NSW Government to act urgently on planning support, infrastructure delivery, and economic transition across the Hunter.

Lord Mayor of Newcastle Dr Ross Kerridge, Cessnock Mayor Daniel Watton, and Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson met with NSW Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully as representatives of the Hunter Joint Organisation. Their message was clear, the Hunter region, as one of the state’s largest economic contributors, needs real investment and coordinated support.

A key issue raised was the looming closure of two major coal mines by 2030, which is expected to impact around 12,000 jobs across the region. The mayors urged the state to support the reactivation and redevelopment of post-mining lands to keep those communities alive and working. With several businesses already looking to expand but being hampered by a lack of available industrial land, the reuse of former mine sites was flagged as a crucial opportunity.

They also stressed the need for inter-agency coordination across government departments, including Transport for NSW and the EPA, particularly in growth areas like Cessnock, which are under pressure to keep up with infrastructure demands.

The visit reinforced a broader economic point, the Hunter region delivers approximately $3 billion every year, or $8 million per day, in coal royalties to the NSW Treasury. Yet local leaders say the return investment doesn’t reflect that contribution.

Later that evening, the Newcastle Lord Mayor was back on home turf, joining a record crowd of more than 28,000 at McDonald Jones Stadium for the Matildas’ friendly against South Korea. It was his first time attending a “round ball” game, as he jokingly admitted, but the excitement was infectious.

Behind the scenes, the event also had an economic edge. Dr Kerridge spoke with representatives from Venues New South Wales, who revealed that major matches like this can employ up to 600 locals and generate significant tourism revenue for the city.

“Our city and our region deserve to be recognised for our contribution. We don’t need to be excessively grateful for what we get from Sydney” he said.