Community organisations in the Hunter Valley will be part of an expert panel to decide where money goes through the NSW Government's Royalties for Rejuvenation Fund.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Mining John Barilaro said he would bring together Hunter community leaders to determine how best to maximise Royalties for Rejuvenation funding to ensure the Government protects jobs and industries, supports communities and identifies the exciting opportunities that can be built off the back of the mining legacy for decades to come.
“Coal mining has a strong future in NSW but we need to ensure stability in the long-term and that is why we established the Royalties for Rejuvenation Fund which will see a minimum of $25 million set aside each year to ensure we plan for opportunities down the line in mining towns,”
“It makes no sense for Government to tell these communities how and what the future should look like – it is communities and their leaders that are best placed to do that – and the NSW Government is here to listen and deliver on those community expectations."
“We will work with mining communities to establish the Hunter Expert Panel and ensure it is given the independence it needs to design the terms of reference, policy, direction and guidelines for investments from the Royalties for Rejuvenation Fund," said John Barilaro.