She has lived in the town for 45 years and knows how widespread the footprint of coal mining is in the region.

"It's not just somebody out there driving a truck or loading coal," Ms Straney said.

"It's all the contractors like the cranes and the trucks and the electricians and the concreters and the environmental people that are in town using local businesses."

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that, at the time of the 2016 census, over 20 per cent of Muswellbrook's population were employed directly in the mining industry - compared to a state-wide average of less than one per cent.

Ms Straney told the Newcastle Herald that without coal mining, many shops in Muswellbrook's main street would be forced to close.

Down the hill a few doors at the Royal Hotel, licensee Jonathan Mctaggart said the coal industry is an important factor for the town "economically, politically and socially".

"We rely on it quite heavily for our business. For patronage, accommodation and for social events and meetings that contractors might hold here," he said.

"Without mining there wouldn't be as many people here with that sustainable income to go out and socialise."

As the Hunter embarks on a "just transition" - looking at ways forward for the region that don't come at the expense of those working in the coal-fired energy sector - Muswellbrook realtor, Jay Shepherdson, believes businesses in the area are at risk of being left behind.

"Those people are definitely forgotten in the conversation," he said.

"They [decision makers] look at the big picture, but they don't come down and look at the at the community picture."

Mr Shepherdson has two sons who work in the mining industry. He said, as well as supporting a strong rental market in the area, mine workers like his sons are buying houses and becoming part of Muswellbrook's history.

"A young apprentice might buy his first house here, a little three-bedder and then get married and upgrade to buy an acreage."

Without the industry, Mr Shepherdson said the town and his business would "certainly struggle".

"If coal mining pulled out of Muswellbrook - which it won't happen, but if it did - then yes, there would be a big problem."

Muswellbrook IGA store manager, Leon Quirk, said that almost everyone who comes into the store are connected to coal mining in one way or another.

"It might be the partner of a miner or the actual mining staff. Quite often it's other contractors that come to town just for the industry," Mr Quirk said.

He said without that source of income, it's unlikely his store would exist.

"Coal mining really is the life and blood of this town. Everyone is connected somehow."

Vicki Straney said if there is a significant shift away from coal in the Hunter, towns are going to need support.

"Not just Muswellbrook but towns like Aberdeen, Scone and Singleton," she said.

"The whole area will just go downhill at a great rate if there's nothing in place to help us get through."

This report appears as part of the Newcastle Herald's 'Power and the Passion' special report investigating the Hunter's energy transition away from coal-fired power to renewable energy alternatives. Read the full series here, and listen to the Voice of Real Australia podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred platform.

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