The Federal Net Zero Economy Authority hosted two important workshops in October, bringing together the many  government departments and regional stakeholders who will all play a role in working to support the Hunter’s economic transformation. It’s no small task to coordinate the combined efforts of the  Commonwealth and NSW Governments, including the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR), NSW Future Jobs Investment Authority (FIJA), NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), NSW Department of Education, TAFE NSW, and others — all focused on investment, workforce transition, skills, and project enablement in the Hunter. 
 
With an estimated 50,000 jobs at risk across the Hunter, collaboration and coordination across all three levels of government is critical. Local Government needs to be a core stakeholder in this process, to work together with industry, unions, education providers, and communities to co-design solutions that are fit for place. 
 
Participating in the sessions were Federal Member of Paterson Meryl Swanson, Mayor Jeff Drayton of Muswellbrook Shire Council and Mayor Adam Shultz of Lake Macquarie City Council, Councillors and staff, business and industry representatives, unions, education providers, and community organisations — all sharing their perspective on what a just and prosperous transition should look like for our region. 
 
Together, we can help shape a Future Made in the Hunter.