Mining sites and how they can be used after they are shut down are going under a NSW parliament microscope.
Advanced manufacturing, clean energy initiatives and commercial and tourism use are some ideas floated for the post-mining world.
A state government inquiry will look at NSW’s more than 50 large active mine sites, of which 37 are coal mines.
It follows March’s announcement that Lake Macquarie’s Rhondda Colliery mine site will be turned into a $95 million motorsport complex, which the government says has created 450 construction jobs.
NSW Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos said the Black Rock Motor Resort was an example of how mining land can be turned into new opportunities.
“Mining is a temporary use of land … we need to make sure NSW has the right policy mix to keep employment and economic opportunities even after mines close,” she said in a statement.
“This is an important inquiry … we need to make sure these large mine sites can continue to be put to economically productive and efficient use long into the future.”
Other coal mines, including in Muswellbrook and Stratford, are being targeted for pumped hydro and other clean energy usage.
The inquiry will look at how land use after mines are shut down is split between communities and operators.
It will also examine how workers will need to reskill and be retrained.
Labor MP Emily Suvaal, who lives in Cessnock, said ensuring “secure, well-paid, local jobs” was a priority.
“Exploring how we can improve the use of post-mining land is crucial for the continued success of our rural and regional communities, who have contributed so much to our state’s success,” she said in a statement.