A total strategic investment of $37.7 million will support mining communities, ensure rehabilitation of mines and support health and safety for mine workers in NSW.
This includes $13.6 million over four years for mine rehabilitation, a key priority for regional communities.
Mining is a temporary use of land and the Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring this land is returned to a safe and stable condition when mining ends. In many cases, land can be re-purposed to contribute to regional economies.
In May, the Minister for Natural Resources announced a Legislative Council inquiry into post-mine land use which will explore new and innovative uses of mining land.
This funding package increases dedicated regulatory resources to ensure compliance with rehabilitation requirements and provide support for local communities.
Inspectors at the NSW Resources Regulator will oversee a projected increase in rehabilitation activities. This is particularly important at the state’s 39 coal mines, 32 of which are expected to close by 2040.
The Resources Regulator will be supported with $1.6 million to monitor and enforce compliance for work health and safety requirements in the State’s mines.
These announcements come as the Minns Labor Government releases its model for the establishment of the Future Jobs and Investment Authorities for community consultation.
Building on $5.2 million of funding secured in last year’s budget, these local authorities in the state’s four coal-producing regions will play a central role inside the Government to advocate for coal-producing communities.
In addition, the Government is continuing to contribute $22.5 million to a statutory fund to support coal-producing communities for a future beyond coal.
This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build better communities for NSW and ensure the safety of mining workers and the protection of the environment for mining communities.
A plan to build a better NSW.
