Renewable energy continues to be preferred over nuclear as a long term energy source, a survey of Hunter residents has found.
A survey of 373 people across the region found 73 per cent considered renewables and batteries to be the fastest way to bring down energy bills.
By comparison, 14 per cent believed that nuclear energy was a better option and nine per cent supported building new coal-fired power stations.
Nine per cent of those surveyed in the Hunter opposed shifting to renewable energy, compared to 68 per cent who support the shift.
"Political opportunism is the single greatest threat to a future of secure, generational Jobs and Skills Development opportunities for Hunter workers," Hunter Workers secretary Leigh Sears said.
"Our region has the potential to be the epicentre of renewable energy manufacturing and technology, driving investment in emerging industries and supply chains locally, nationally and abroad.
"Our communities expect governments, state and federal, to get moving on securing these opportunities, ensuring that no one is left behind".
Research firm 89 Degrees East conducted the survey on behalf of Renew Australia for All.
The Hunter results were part of a broader sample group of 2,004 people across Australia.
It found that 73 per cent of participants think Australia will benefit from shifting to renewable energy, while 71 per cent support the Australian government investing more in renewable energy.
Seventy three per cent believe renewables and batteries are the fastest way to lower people's power bills, compared to just 16 per cent for nuclear reactors and 8 per cent for new coal power stations.
Hunter Workers vice president Teresa Hetherington said she was not surprised by strong support for renewables.
"It backs up what we have been seeing across various groups that all feel that we need to shift our focus away from traditional forms of energy towards something more sustainable and will guarantee jobs and secure futures," she said.
Despite the push towards clean energy, Ms Hetherington said there was still work to do to convince people that nuclear and coal were not sustainable options.
"Considering there has been a fairly targeted disinformation scare campaign in the Hunter about nuclear and its effects, it's not entirely surprising we would have people who have that belief."
