Hunter Jobs Alliance

This Groundswell grant supported the Hunter Jobs Alliance to build a fair transition for the Hunter as the region moves away from coal. The funding helped strengthen community and government engagement, support research and policy advocacy, and expand partnerships with unions and TAFE to prepare workers for new jobs in renewable energy and emerging industries. The work aimed to ensure the Hunter’s transition creates secure employment, attracts clean energy investment and delivers long-term economic benefits for local communities.

This Groundswell grant supported the Hunter Jobs Alliance to build community and political support for offshore wind in the Hunter region. The funding helped counter misinformation, strengthen public understanding of the benefits of renewable energy, and bring together unions, environmental groups, local businesses and political leaders around a fair transition. The work aimed to ensure offshore wind development delivers strong outcomes for workers, communities and the environment, while building a model for regional renewable energy transition elsewhere in Australia.

This Groundswell grant supported the Hunter Jobs Alliance to build a fair transition plan for one of Australia’s most coal-dependent regions. The funding helped bring unions, workers and community groups together around two priorities: keeping industrial jobs in the Hunter by shifting major employers like Tomago Aluminium towards clean energy, and securing stronger planning and investment for the region’s economic transition. The work helped build political support for measures including a transition fund and dedicated regional planning, while showing that emissions reduction and secure local jobs can go hand in hand.