The Faculty of Health at the University of Sydney will conduct the study thanks to funding arranged by non-profit group Beyond Zero Emissions.

“It is a pleasure to have been involved in bringing Beyond Zero Emissions, the University of Sydney and the Singleton Healthy Environment Group together to kick-start this project,” Mr Duddy said.

Beyond Zero Emissions has arranged funding for the first phase of the study, which will involve a literature review.

Dr John Drinan from the Singleton Healthy Environment Group said it was a welcome announcement.

“International research and the investigations under way by NSW Health have shown that residents of the Hunter have good reason to believe their health is being affected by living with coal mining and coal-fired power generation,” Dr Drinan said.

“This new funding will bring

everyone up to date with the latest and best information from Australia and around the world.

“That will boost the drive for adoption of world’s best practice by mines and power generators so that residents and workers are protected from the airborne pollution they are now suffering.”

Mr Duddy has called on the next

government to get on board with supporting a full study.

“Whoever is in government next week needs to commit to supporting the next phase of this project,” Mr Duddy said.

“It is not acceptable that government allows the health of children and

workers to be put at risk because they refuse to do the work to assess those risks.

“Regardless of the result, I look forward to working with the groups involved in the study,” Mr Duddy said.

Mr Duddy said funding for the study was not contingent on being elected to Parliament during Saturday's state

election.