The inaugural event, including the Hunter Mining Show, is scheduled to take place in March with a big calendar of community, business, sporting and cultural activities planned for Singleton and Muswellbrook. 

The festival, from March 9 to 29, plans to celebrate and embrace all the positive aspects of the coal industry – and what it contributes to the region.

MCCI president Mike Kelly said the chamber was happy to back the new concept.

“For far too long, the [coal] industry’s been on the back foot and almost apologetic about its business and its place in our local community and economy,” he said.

“Our chamber has, for some time, encouraged mining companies to be more proactive about the benefits they bring to the Hunter, the state and the country.

“Fortunately, in recent years, we have seen the NSW Minerals Council and its members take a positive and progressive position.

“The [NSW Minerals] Council is now on the ‘front foot’ and spreading the word that there is a lot of good in coal and the industry that provides it.”

Mr Kelly said MCCI congratulates the Singleton Business Chamber for the Hunter Coal Festival initiative.

“We definitely support it – our secretary Kylie Kendall and director Marcia Mallon are representing us on the organising committee,” he said.

“The festival in March will give us an opportunity to showcase our pride in the industry and the benefits it brings to our commercial, sporting and educational facilities with events at the Muswellbrook Racecourse, TAFE and the Upper Hunter Show.

“These events, along with those in Singleton and elsewhere in the Hunter, will have a unifying effect across our communities and, hopefully, give rise to a brighter outlook in these tough economic times.”

Mr Kelly admitted MCCI would continue to highlight the financial significance of the coal industry to Muswellbrook.

“Our members, and most businesses in town, understand the bulk of their customers either work in a coal mine or an industry that is directly or indirectly dependant on coal,” he said.

“Without the business activity and employment that stems from the mining, processing and transporting of coal, the population of Muswellbrook would be reduced drastically.

“The chamber estimates 75 per cent of our local population would be at risk without coal.

“Over the years we have celebrated various sections of our local community and economy.

“It is high time we did likewise about the most economically significant industry we have.

“The chamber encourages all businesses and residents to support the Hunter Coal Festival.”