Planning for the Hunter's transition is five years behind where it needs to be, the new chair of the organisation that represents the Hunter's councils believes.
Singleton Mayor Sue Moore, became chair of the Hunter Joint Organisation in February.
While she believes the coal industry will remain a major economic driver for many years to come, she acknowledges change is coming sooner rather than later.
She points to the recent decision by Origin Energy to bring forward the closure of Eraring Power Station by seven years as evidence that preparation for transition is not keeping up with reality.
"I think the Hunter has got so much to offer; we can be a powerhouse in a different way beyond coal and power stations. But we needed to start five years ago," she said.
"At least the serious conversations are starting to happen. We need the federal government to step up and accept its responsibility to support a workforce that is transitioning away from coal."
The Hunter JO launched the Hunter 2050 Foundation in late 2019 in an effort to kickstart discussion about the need for the region to transition.
The foundation's vision was praised by a 2021 Upper House parliamentary committee that examined the sustainability of the state's electricity system.
However, the state government's $25 million Resources for Rejuvenation fund has since become the dominant vehicle to coordinate the region's multi-faceted transition.
The fund is designed to support workers, business and communities affected by the closure of coal-fired power stations in addition to royalty-producing mining communities. The Hunter Joint Organisation is among the groups that will advise how the fund is spent.
Councillor Moore said she believed the Hunter Joint Organisation still had an important role in advocating for a just transition.
"The 2050 Foundation was kicked off as part of the conversations that no one else was doing anything," Cr Moore said.
"Our role as mayors is to advocate for things that are in the best interests of the region but we don't have the money needed to implement them. Ultimately the responsibility of governments to fund the projects that are brought forward."
The organisation is also supporting the the Hunter Renewable Energy Zone and the Williamtown Special Activation Precinct.
