Phillip O'Neill Journalist Profile

Articles

Demographic shifts challenge the coal industry in Australia

3 days ago | newcastleherald.com.au | Phillip O'Neill

Much more needs to be brought to the table to turn around worrying population trends in Hunter coal mining towns. Picture by ShutterstockA new politics of coal beckons, but powerful interests push it away. US President Trump recently called coal a beautiful clean fuel. But, of course, it's not. In Australia, coal companies say much the same thing, their coal is the cleanest in the world, sell it to the world for as long as someone will buy it. Some local Labor politicians agree.
Next great industrial leap looms, but Hunter needs wings

1 month ago | newcastleherald.com.au | Phillip O'Neill

Can the Hunter's industrial areas that have serviced the coal industry be transformed once again? Picture ShutterstockI had business in Rutherford last week, with a fabricator who cuts and stitches everything from covers for boats and utes to shade sails for backyards and beer gardens. The presence of sewing machines in the factory took me back to the 1980s when Bradmill's textiles mills dominated factories on Racecourse Road. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Plan slowly, deliver quickly is best way to avoid a high-speed train wreck

1 month ago | newcastleherald.com.au | Phillip O'Neill

The Newcastle to Sydney high speed rail concept image. Picture suppliedLast month, High Speed Rail Authority boss Tim Parker revealed to parliament's estimates committee that a business case for high speed rail between Newcastle and Sydney had been given to the federal government, on time and under budget. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
MP hesitancy creates perfect climate for idiocy to thrive

1 month ago | newcastleherald.com.au | Phillip O'Neill

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, is doing the heavy lifting for the government's well-devised policy. Picture by Sitthixay DitthavongLast week the Reserve Bank lowered interest rates by 0.25 per cent. Local Labor MPs jumped on social media to spread the news, even though the fall was modest.
The big transition experiment happening in our backyard

2 months ago | newcastleherald.com.au | Phillip O'Neill

The list of infrastructure projects in the region is long. Picture: ShutterstockThe transition to renewables is daunting. However, the planet is in trouble, there is no choice.
How Trump's policies could impact Australia's climate goals

2 months ago | newcastleherald.com.au | Phillip O'Neill

Will Trump's second term embolden coal investors? Picture: ShutterstockWe've been here before, wondering whether President Donald J Trump is insane, a narcissist, a fascist, a con artist, a manipulator, a power freak, incapable of being a good president, a bumbling fool. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Fix for region's transport going nowhere, and not that fast

Jan 12, 2025 | newcastleherald.com.au | Phillip O'Neill

There's no real plan on how the region is going to break its reliance on road transport. Picture by Marina NeilThe Draft Hunter Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan, running to 106 pages, has been released for public comment. It replaces the Draft Hunter Regional Transport Plan 2041, released in 2022 with 90 pages, and the Greater Newcastle Future Transport Plan 2056, released in 2018 with 156 pages.
Glencore boss's Aussie visit an insight into coal endgame

Dec 1, 2024 | newcastleherald.com.au | Phillip O'Neill

Glencore's Mount Owen mine in Ravensworth. Picture by Jonathan CarrollA cartoon in the New Yorker magazine shows a bedraggled man in a suit sitting by a fire talking to three children. A fire-ravaged landscape surrounds them. "Yes, the planet got destroyed," the man says.
Mulbring Community Forum: Transmission lines and renewable energy zones

Mar 21, 2024 | eventbrite.com.au | Phillip O'Neill

Energy Co will explain the the Hunter's new 500kV transmission lines and how they will link solar and wind farms in the Central West, New England and Upper Hunter to consumers in the cities.