'No need to kill our coal mining industry along the way' to the future

This time the University of Western Sydney academic went the Full Monty: "Now coal is the problem" he exclaimed.

Euromonitor is "an esteemed global research company" he declared. I've never heard of it, but maybe that's just my ignorance?

Anyway, Phillip said Euromonitor has a good track record in predicting the future and now its brains-trust has predicted we are all going to become more climate change conscious - Nostradamus?

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Euromonitor also apparently predicts consumers will be more loyal to local producers, the elderly will re-create what it means to be old, households will be more financially savvy, a decline in our dependence on large cities and the rise of "rural urbanites" who will be enjoying a nirvana in the regions.

From all of this, Phillip says the Hunter has a chance to capitalise on these changes and would do, if it was not for the ongoing presence of the coal mining industry.

He goes on to say that in the future, "there will be a yearning for authenticity, localness and self-respect: which will play out in two consumer trends: the revaluing of second-hand or pre-loved things and the search for goods and services that foster physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Our region, without coal, is poised to deliver on these fronts, no?"

Seriously.

I thought Phillip would go on to argue that investment in the coal industry would crowd out investment in emerging industries or that, in a tight labour market, coal would deny them the labour and skills they would need.

But he made no such argument. Nor did he attempt to argue coal mining was incompatible with the lifestyle aspirations of these emerging savvy rural urbanite oldies.

He only told us that "the Euromonitor report bristles with opportunities for the Hunter, post-COVID-19. But this would need also to be post-coal".

In an earlier article, Phillip celebrated the Hunter's new-found vibrancy and economic diversity, and he was right to.

In the last quarter of a century, we've observed a local and welcome transformation.

We certainly are more economically diverse, and we are more modern, wealthy, and aesthetically pleasing. Our attractions bring visitors in their droves and despite COVID-19, investment remains strong.

A significant slice of that investment is flowing to local renewable energy projects including pumped hydro, thermal solar, photovoltaic solar, hydrogen and carbon re-use.

Gas is also in play, as is wind generation.

The Hunter is readying itself for the day our coal-fired generators run out of puff, we want to remain the powerhouse of NSW.

This is what our political, business, union, education, and community leaders have been working towards for many years.

But we've identified no need to kill our coal mining industry along the way.

Phillip didn't attempt to identify one either.

Rather, the wealth which flows from the coal mining industry has and will continue to turbocharge that transformation by fuelling consumer spending and making public investment in infrastructure more viable.

The Hunter region improves for the better every year and we can thank the coal mining industry for much of the positive change.