Myuna Colliery Workers Rally at Eraring Power Station Over Contract Uncertainty
Hundreds of workers from the Myuna colliery have taken their campaign to secure a new contract directly to the front door of Eraring Power Station. With their employment hanging in the balance, the rally highlighted the profound community impact if Origin Energy does not agree to a fresh three-year coal supply agreement.
Workers Voice Fears Over Job Losses and Community Impact
Electrical team leader Damien Brogan, who has dedicated 19 years to the colliery, expressed the stark choices facing employees. "I've either got to look at retraining in another industry, or potentially do fly-in-fly-out and move to another community," he said. Brogan emphasised the broader ripple effects, noting that workers have children in local schools and partners employed in nearby businesses.
"We just want a fair deal that's going to see us through to the end of this power station and give Centennial the chance to transition us to other mines and to other industries, if need be," he added.
Centennial Rejects Short-Term Extension Offer
Centennial has declined a proposal to extend the colliery's contract for an additional 12 months, arguing it fails to provide a viable pathway for the mine's continued operation or workforce security. Chief executive Craig Gillard stated on Tuesday that the company has absorbed losses to maintain employment, while Origin Energy reported a substantial profit of $1.5 billion in the 2025 financial year.
Gillard indicated that Centennial anticipated a more sustainable long-term arrangement once greater certainty emerged regarding Eraring's operational lifespan. The power station is slated for closure in 2029, adding urgency to the negotiations.
Significant Economic Ripple Effects Across the Hunter
Beyond the 300 direct mining positions, Myuna Colliery supports approximately 1800 indirect jobs throughout the Hunter Region. These include contractors, transport workers, small businesses, and various service providers, underscoring the widespread economic dependency on the colliery's operations.
Fennel Bay resident Judith Smith attended the rally to back the workers' push for a contract extension through to 2029. "You look at these men and their ages. They're mostly men in their 30s and 40s with little kids," she observed. Smith highlighted the psychological and financial toll of unemployment, questioning, "How do you survive without a job? If you don't have a job your self esteem disappears and everything suffers."
Community Solidarity and Local Business Concerns
Multiskilled mine worker Luke Baker remarked on the overwhelming community support received over the past week. "There's a fear in this community that is quite confronting. They understand it won't just be the miners who will be affected," he said.
Baker pointed to local enterprises like bakeries, petrol stations, and IGAs that are deeply concerned about the potential economic fallout. "This power station is in our backyard. That should mean that it's supporting local jobs and the community and they are trying to do the exact opposite of that," he asserted.
He further argued that the community deserves to benefit from the power station's economic contributions until its closure. "We've been feeding this power station for 44 years. We only need a couple more and we're all good; that's all we need," Baker stated.
Political Calls for Negotiated Resolution
Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper has urged both Origin Energy and Centennial to intensify efforts toward a mutually acceptable deal. Piper plans to write to Centennial's CEO to explore alternative arrangements, including potential profit-risk sharing models similar to those adopted by Origin.
"But my interest is not the fortunes of the big companies, they will be fine. My interest is the miners and the impact, particularly on my community," Piper emphasised. He warned of significant economic repercussions for the Lake Macquarie electorate and surrounding areas if the mine ceases operations.
The rally underscores the critical intersection of energy policy, employment security, and regional economic stability as the 2029 closure date for Eraring Power Station approaches.
