Royalties for Rejuvenation Fund
The NSW Government’s Royalties for Rejuvenation Fund will ensure coal mining communities have the support and funds they need to diversify their economies for a strong and vibrant future.
The NSW Government will set aside at least $25 million each year from mining royalties to support coal mining communities in NSW through the Royalties for Rejuvenation Fund. The funding will ensure that coal mining communities can make targeted investments towards strategic planning, workforce development programs, constructing enabling infrastructure, and establishing new industries and employment opportunities.
The coal mining industry plays an important role in the workforce and economy of NSW, producing around 80 per cent of the state’s electricity supply and supporting over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs. While the industry will continue to be a critical part of energy production and employment in NSW for years to come, the Royalties for Rejuvenation Fund will ensure coal mining communities have the support they need to plan for the future and to diversify their economies.
Regional Expert Panels
As part of the Royalties for Rejuvenation Fund, the NSW Government has established Regional Expert Panels to represent the Hunter, Illawarra, Central West and North West regions.
The Regional Expert Panels will provide advice and recommendations on applications received through the Fund. This will ensure decision-making is aligned with the needs of the local area.
The Regional Expert Panels will also have the important role of advising on the following:
- the consequences and opportunities associated with moving away from coal mining, particularly in relation to the impact on employment and economic activity in the affected coal mining region
- alternative land uses of coal mining sites
- options to support the economic diversification of the affected coal mining region in alternative industries.
Each Regional Expert Panel can have between 5 to 10 members, including a chairperson. Panel members represent a diverse range of skills, expertise, backgrounds and experiences.
The members of the Central West Regional Expert Panel are as follows:
Chair
- Mr Brad Cam
Members
- Mr Graeme Osborne
- Ms Kerrie Edwards
- Assoc Professor Neil Perry
- Ms Wendy Mason
The members of the Hunter Regional Expert Panel are as follows:
Chair
- Mr Bob Hawes
Members
- Professor Roberta Ryan
- Mr Joe James
- Mr James Barben
- Mr John Turner
- Mr Robin Williams
The members of the Illawarra Regional Expert Panel are as follows:
Chair
- Ms Bianca Perry
Members
- Mr Michael Reay
- The Hon. David Campbell
- Ms Kylie Flament
- Professor Alex Frino
- Mr Ben Fitzsimmons
- Mr Jim Allan
The members of the North West Regional Expert Panel are as follows:
Chair
- Mr Andrew Johns
Members
- Ms Sarah Withell
- Ms Sally Hunter
- Ms Robyn Faber
- Associate Professor Guy Roth
Program Updates
The Legislation enabling the Royalties for Rejuvenation Fund was passed in May 2022. Consultation on the draft Regulations for the Royalties for Rejuvenation Fund was undertaken from June to July 2022.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development hosted targeted consultation sessions in the Hunter, Illawarra, North West and Central West, and local councils, industry bodies, businesses and community groups and invited feedback on the Regional Expert Panel structures outlined in the Regulations.
Feedback received through submissions during the consultation period have been considered as part of the final Regulation. Read the summary of Department's response to this feedback (PDF 280.27KB).
On 19 October 2022, the Executive Council considered and approved the commencement of the Royalties for Rejuvenation provisions in the Mining and Petroleum Legislation Amendment Act 2022 and associated Regulation. Accordingly, the Royalties for Rejuvenation sections in the Mining Act 1992 and the provisions in the Mining Regulation 2016 commenced on 21 October 2022.
A final version of the Mining Amendment (Royalties for Rejuvenation Fund) Regulation 2022 (PDF 291.82KB) is now available.
More information and updates about the Royalties for Rejuvenation Fund will be made available at various stages of the program delivery. Stay up to date by subscribing for updates below:
Future Jobs and Investment Authorities
The NSW Government has made an election commitment to establish Future Jobs and Investment Authorities across the four coal mining affected regions of the Hunter, Central West, Illawarra and the North West.
The NSW Government developed a Future Jobs and Investment Authorities Issues Paper that outlines a proposed approach to the Authorities. This includes how Royalties for Rejuvenation Expert Panels will be affected. For further information on the Future Jobs and Investment Authorities and to view the Issues Paper, please visit the link below.
Resources and news
Visit the Resources and news page for Royalties for Rejuvenation media releases and Regional Expert Panel meeting summaries.
To find out more about the NSW Government's approach to supporting coal-affected communities visit: