Business Hunter chief Bob Hawes will lead an expert panel that will provide advice to the state government regarding the Hunter's clean energy transition.
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Mr Hawes, who was previously general manager of the Hunter Development Corporation, is one of 10 representatives on the panel to be announced on Thursday.
Other panel members include University of Newcastle public policy researcher Roberta Ryan, Hunter Joint Organisation chief executive Joe James, BHP chief technical officer's chief of staff Elizabeth Watts, NSW Minerals Council policy director James Barben, Hunter Jobs Alliance coordinator Warrick Jordan, Regional Development Australia Hunter chairman John Turner, Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council chief executive Brendan Moyle, Upper Hunter community engagement expert Fiona Plesman and Construction Forestry Maritime Mining Energy Union organiser Robin Williams.
Mr Hawes said the panel would hit the ground running.
"The composition of the panel means significant locally based intelligence and input will inform the recommendations that will be considered by government. I'm excited at the prospect of working with a diverse group in the interests of the future of the region and building its resilience," he said.
The Hunter Panel is one of four NSW panels established to provide input into the government's Royalties for Rejuvenation Fund.The NSW Government has committed at least $25 million each year from mining royalties to support coal mining communities in NSW through the fund.
Mr Toole said the panel members were appointed after a competitive, merit-based recruitment process.
"The panel, comprising of members with a diverse range of skills, expertise, backgrounds and experiences, will provide me with advice and recommendations on applications received through the Royalties for Rejuvenation Fund to ensure that decision-making is aligned with the needs of the local area," he said.
"These panel members, who will serve over a three-year term, will have a say in how the fund is invested towards projects and initiatives like strategic planning and workforce development programs, the development of enabling infrastructure and the establishment of new industries and job opportunities."
Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell said 28 positions have been appointed across the mining regions of the Hunter, Illawarra, North West and Central West.
"The expert panel blends a mix of local understanding and expert industry knowledge which will be critical to developing the future direction of industry in the Hunter region," Mr Layzell said.
"The panel has a very important task ahead, so I look forward to working with them closely."
Hunter panel members
- Mr Bob Hawes, Chair - Bob is the Chief Executive Officer of Business Hunter and was previously the General Manager of the Hunter Development Corporation. He has extensive experience reporting to and working on boards and committees in public and private sectors. He has strong and diverse industry and sector experience in business development, property, infrastructure planning and development, urban regeneration and strategic development.
- Professor Roberta Ryan, panel member - Roberta is a Professor of Local Government at the University of Newcastle and the Executive Director for the Institute for Regional Futures. She is an expert in urban governance, strategic land use planning, social planning and comparative planning systems, the focus of her career for more than 30 years. She is currently the Independent Chair for six Community Consultative Committees for major school developments, affordable housing and mining projects.
- Mr Joe James, panel member - Joe is the Chief Executive Officer of the Hunter Joint Organisation, a collaborative body that brings together 10 member councils across the Hunter region to provide a united and local voice for the Hunter communities. He has a deep knowledge of local government priorities and economic and commercial activity of the Hunter region.
- Ms Elizabeth Watts, panel member - Elizabeth is the Chief of Staff to the Chief Technical Officer at BHP and has 21 years strategic planning and operational execution experience in the mining industry. She is currently undertaking a PhD focused on sustainable mine closure.
- Mr James Barben, panel member - James is the Director of Policy for the NSW Minerals Council and has worked in the mining industry for over 10 years. James manages the Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue community engagement forum. He represents the NSW mining industry across a variety of policy areas including health and safety, rehabilitation and mine closure, mine subsidence, community, education, skills and careers.
- Mr Warrick Jordan, panel member - Warrick is the Coordinator of the Hunter Jobs Alliance. He has experience participating and leading multi-stakeholder committees and collaborative projects on resource, industry and regional change issues. This includes the AGL Macquarie Transition Working Group and the Muswellbrook Industrial Closure Advisory Committee.
- Mr John Turner, panel member - John is the Chair of Regional Development Australia - Hunter Board and has extensive experience in community consultation in coal mining communities having been the Independent Chair of ten coal mine Community Consultative Committees.
- Mr Brendan Moyle. Panel member - Brendan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council and has extensive leadership experience in Aboriginal community roles across multiple social and economic policy platforms. He is an experienced collaborator across government agencies, peak organisations, local service providers and Local Aboriginal Land Councils, and Aboriginal community-controlled sectors.
- Ms Fiona Plesman, panel member - Fiona has held senior roles at Muswellbrook Shire Council, including General Manager from 2018 to August 2022. Fiona has thirty years' experience engaging communities and organisations through change and disruption.
- Mr Robin Williams, panel member - Robin is the District President of the Mining and Energy Union - Northern Mining and NSW Energy District. He has lived and worked in the Hunter Valley for 42 years. He has worked in the coal mining industry for 36 years and represents coal miners in the Hunter Valley in his current position.
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Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
