Coal is a huge part of Wollongong’s economy – but has the council missed out on royalties? Photo: South32.
Could Wollongong be entitled to a serious cash injection?
It’s a question the council wants answered after a push from Greens Councillor Jess Whittaker to find out what has happened to the former Royalties for Rejuvenation Fund.
In 2022 the NSW Government committed to set aside at least $25 million each year from mining royalties to support coal mining communities.
The funding was to ensure the communities could make targeted investments towards strategic planning, workforce development programs, construct enabling infrastructure, and establish new industries and employment opportunities.
Since 2012, mining communities were also to receive tailored funding through the Resources for Regions fund.
The fund was intended to help councils manage the cost of maintaining infrastructure, such as roads, that supported nearby mines.
It was abandoned in the 2023–24 budget and mining communities were told they could instead access funding through the Regional Development Trust (RDT).
How much, if any, of the cash from these two programs has flowed to the Illawarra over the past few years is unclear.
Cr Whittaker called for the general manager to provide an update to councillors on the status of the Royalties for Rejuvenation Fund via a workshop.
“The withdrawal of the Resources for Regions Fund in 2023 and quarantining of the Royalties for Rejuvenation fund in 2023-24, has led to coal mining regions like the Illawarra being starved of funding that would help pay for road upgrades and community services that support nearby mines,” she said.
“There is no current public information about how these quarantined funds will be spent, and if coal mining community councils will be granted access to these funds in the future.
“I’m trying to understand more about our region, the royalties that don’t flow into it and what we’re missing out on.”
Labor councillor David Brown supported the motion, with a few tweaks.
He said it appeared the Royalties for Rejuvenation fund was rebranded as the Future Jobs and Investment Authority, but that to the best of his knowledge there had been no official announcement.
“I’d like us to seek the information directly from the relevant minister,” he said.
“We need to clarify if this has transformed into a similar fund.”
Cr Brown’s variation was accepted by Cr Whittaker.
Councillor Ryan Morris also supported the move.
He said local communities had been let down by promises from coal mining companies and the government that never materialised.
“The NSW Government shut down Russell Vale Colliery in 2024 due to safety concerns,” he said.
“Part of the remediation agreement was for Bellambi Creek to be remediated.
“It was supposed to happen six years ago.
“What I would like to know is, what money can we get to achieve something the State Government pushed in the first place to help people in that area.”
The motion was carried unanimously.
