The coal industry in New South Wales is declining, and 17 mines within the Hunter Valley region will close over the next two decades. 

With the decline of the coal industry, Hunter Valley residents are creating a blueprint to restore and reuse this land.

More than 130 000 hectares of mining land will become available and studies show restoring the land will make a major contribution to the Hunter economy as well as to environmental biodiversity. 

The Wire’s Aryana Mohmood spoke with a Senior Lecturer from the University of Newcastle, Dr Liam Phelan, about the key priorities of Hunter Valley residents.

Image: Image courtesy Tom Fisk | Pexels

Produced By: Aryana Mohmood

Featured In Story: Dr Liam Phelan, Senior Lecturer from the University of Newcastle

First aired on The Wire, Monday 13 February