BZE million jobs plan identifies 50,000 jobs in the Hunter region

A forthcoming report by Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE) will identify numerous opportunities for local jobs in the Hunter region, with similar opportunities across cities and towns across Australia.

Today, at a Hunter Renewal event with HJO, ANU and the AMWU, BZE will present preliminary findings from the Million Jobs Plan showing that 50,000 job opportunities are possible for the Hunter Region over the next 5 years.

“Manufacturing zero emission buses, retrofitting homes and businesses, creating new markets using untapped local fly ash resources, land and revegetation projects and thousands of jobs making green steel – these are the great new opportunities for Hunter workers,” Dr Dominique Hes, BZE’s Principal Researcher said.

“We have prioritised jobs in sunrise industries, jobs that are secure, many of which are long term and support local communities.

“Thousands of jobs could also be created in land rejuvenation in the Hunter.

“Jobs restoring ecosystems, remediating mine sites, supporting farmers with peer to peer learning and projects devoted to rehydrating the land,” she said.

“The land use projects, by themselves, will make the land more resilient and have enormous implications for the long term viability of tourism, viticulture and world class farming right across the region.

“Thousands of these jobs are in a rolling retrofit of homes in the Hunter.

“Jobs for small businesses, for local tradespeople, jobs that make our homes healthier, use less energy and potentially become bill free,” she said.

“The Million Jobs Plan proposes nation-building, transformative projects that can upgrade our economy, modernise our industry, reskill our workforce and deliver a bright and vibrant future – economically and socially.

“All of our research shows really clearly that this is entirely achievable,” Dr Hes said.

Beyond Zero Emissions is one of Australia’s most respected and awarded energy think-tanks. Our upcoming Million Jobs Plan will show how the Australian economy can thrive through a clean COVID-19 recovery program.