Hunter Central Coast regional reference group

We've expanded the regional reference group

On 5 May 2025 we established the Hunter Central Coast regional reference group. The new reference group replaces the Hunter Transmission Project regional reference group, which held its first meeting on 5 February 2025.

The expanded regional reference group covers:

Hunter Central Coast regional reference group

We established the Hunter Central Coast regional reference group for strategic discussions between EnergyCo and the broader Hunter Central Coast community about projects that we’re delivering in the region.

The reference group meets to discuss:

the design of EnergyCo's projects in the region
community views on the projects
actions to avoid and minimise impacts on people and the environment
ideas and initiatives to maximise the benefits for the Hunter Central Coast community
actions to reduce the cumulative impacts of EnergyCo’s Hunter Central Coast projects.

The reference group members have been selected from across the region to represent a broad spectrum of the region and different perspectives. This includes council representatives, a mix of community representatives and respected subject matter experts.

The group consists of:

Name	Organisation	Contact
Bob Pynsent (independent chair)	Former Cessnock Mayor and Hunter Joint Organisation Chair	[email protected]
Mayor Sue Moore	Singleton City Council	[email protected]
Mayor Daniel Watton (as of October 2024)	Cessnock City Council	[email protected]
Mayor Adam Shultz (as of October 2024)	Lake Macquarie City Council	[email protected]
Samantha Martin-Williams	Regional representative (Business)	[email protected]
Nathan Towney	Regional representative (Aboriginal)	[email protected]
Craig Anderson	Regional representative (Environment)	[email protected]
John Sullivan	Community representative (Singleton)	[email protected]
Prof Phillip O’Neill	Community representative (Cessnock)	[email protected]
Dianne Crosdale	Community representative (Lake Macquarie)	[email protected]
Mayor Jeffrey Drayton	Muswellbrook Shire Council	[email protected]
Amanda Wetzel	Community Representative (Newcastle)	[email protected]

The reference group will provide a platform for collaborative discussions on crucial aspects of the HTP including the project design, community views, minimising impacts on landowners and the environment, and maximising benefits for the Hunter community.

Read the media release.

Hunter Central Coast regional reference group documents