EDITORIAL: Time to start preparing for coal-free future

Mining companies injected $591 million into Cessnock’s economy in from July 2015 to June 2016 – an increase of 24 per cent on the previous 12 months.

And this was all before the dramatic recovery of global coal prices that took place in late 2016.

This direct spending was estimated to have contributed around 59 per cent of Cessnock’s gross regional product.

It’s great news for the city’s current economy – but if more than half of the city’s GRP comes from mining, what will happen to Cessnock when the mines are gone?

Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent says council is “determined to maintain existing economic streams while also building on opportunities to further diversify the economic makeup of the area”.

But as reported last week, one of the master plans that was designed to save the local workforce – the Hunter Economic Zone – remains all but empty.

The council has undertaken a needs analysis to identify the growth industries of the future.

Clean energy could be the answer – with benefits for the environment and economy.

Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon said in February that while the end is nigh for Australia’s coal-fired generators, the Hunter is well-placed to remain the nation’s powerhouse.

“The high-voltage transmission lines are here; the skills are here; solar energy already has a foothold; we have excellent wind and geothermal resources and plentiful gas; and a range of clean energy institutes in Newcastle including the CSIRO,” he said.

Fairfax Media reported last week that the Greens are calling for coal mining to be phased out in the next decade. But the NSW government and the Minerals Council said the plan would “devastate” the Hunter.

There is no denying that steps must be taken to prepare for a coal-free future – but a measured approach is required to lessen the impact on towns that rely so heavily on mining income.

It would be great if Cessnock can make the most it can out of mining while the industry lasts.

But we also need to plan for the future – a clean, green future – before it’s too late.

Focusing on the transition to alternative energy could provide the much-needed light at the end of the tunnel.