Twenty-four hours after the demolition of the iconic Liddell power station stacks, Muswellbrook Shire Council has accused the federal government of failing to support the creation of jobs in the region.
The council was advised this week that its application for $5 million funding through the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program had been unsuccessful.
The application, submitted in September 2024, was intended to support the accelerated development of AGL's Hunter Energy Hub.
The hub, which is being built on the site of the former power station, could include projects including grid-scale batteries, recycling and advanced manufacturing, low-carbon fuels and computing services such as data centres.
It is expected the project will eventually employ hundreds of people and serve as a major catalyst for future economic growth in the region.
Muswellbrook mayor Jeff Drayton said the federal government's failure to fund council's application was a significant setback for the region as it prepares for major changes in its economy as coal mining declines.
An estimated 12,000 direct and indirect jobs will be lost from the Muswellbrook shire by 2030.
The figure represents the single largest loss of jobs in the history of NSW.
"Muswellbrook is doing all the heavy lifting," he said.
"There is a lot of talk from the government about the opportunities our region has for the future. Talk alone will not deliver outcomes - we need real action and meaningful investment."
With the largest coal mines scheduled to close in less than three-and-a-half years, Cr Drayton said time was running out for the federal government to act.
"We have just waited for two years for the federal government to assess this application and it's just not good enough. We need the AGL site to progress now, so we can accommodate new industries and create jobs before the mines close," he said.
Cr Drayton also said the failure to secure funding risked undermining confidence among major investors and industry stakeholders looking at the region's future.
"The allocation of this $5 million would have provided a clear signal to investors, and new and existing businesses that Muswellbrook is being backed by the government," he said.
"It would have demonstrated how all levels of government, industry and community are working together to create jobs and future opportunities in our region during this critical period."
Hunter MP Dan Repacholi said he was disappointed the council had failed to get funding through the program, but added the grants were independently assessed and there were a huge number of applications from across the country.
"I understand council's frustration, but this isn't about a lack of support for Muswellbrook or the Hunter's future," he said.
"I've already spoken with AGL and local stakeholders, and I'll keep fighting hard to secure investment and support for future jobs in the region.
"There are other funding opportunities coming down the pipeline, and I will keep working to make sure the Upper Hunter gets its fair share."
