Higher coal prices, cheaper houses and a lower jobless rate are all pointing towards a strengthening Upper Hunter economy.
The numbers, put out by the Hunter Research Foundation, show optimism is emerging in hiring terms, forward orders and business expectations.
Meanwhile, former mining magnate, Nathan Tinkler, has weighed in on the buoyed market.
He says his acquisition of the Dartbrook mine, near Muswellbrook, is paying off, given the price of thermal coal has risen by more than 70 per cent in 10 months.
The ex-billionaire led Australian Pacific Coal’s purchase of the Anglo American mine in 2015, two months before he was forced to stand down as APC’s managing director.
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