Chief Operating Officer Bill Vatovec said that youth related issued have been raised in a number of community consultations and through Community Needs Analysis discussions with key community stakeholders.

As such, KEPCO has been in discussions with the Council and the community to support this project and other local initiatives.

“The Youth Officer will help young people in our community with their issues, concerns and ideas, and with employment and educational opportunities,” he said.

“This individual will also be a strong local advocate for young people and relay their views and ideas back to council.”

Cr Des Kennedy, Mayor of Mid-Western Regional Council, welcomed KEPCO’s investment in young people in the local region.

“The appointment of a Youth Officer will help Council support some of the most vulnerable members of our community and address gaps in youth services and infrastructure.

“The appointment of a Youth Officer builds on key initiatives like our Youth Council and will inform our Youth Strategy to guide our policy direction for young people over the next twenty years.”

Mr Vatovec said that KEPCO made the decision to fund this project, based on the strong feedback from many young members of the community who were seeking local jobs.

“KEPCO is firmly committed to progressing the Bylong Coal Project through the regulatory approvals process so that we can get on with the job of delivering this project.”

And added that the $1.3 billion project is expected to create up to 665 jobs during construction and 470 through peak operations.

“The Bylong Coal Project will provide much needed jobs for Bylong, Kandos, Rylstone, Mudgee and the wider Mid-Western region. People in this region are looking for jobs and career opportunities – the Bylong Coal Project will inject more than $1 billion into the local economy over the next twenty years.”