Contractors Issue Urgent Plea for Government Intervention in Mine Dispute
Key suppliers to the Myuna Colliery have issued a forceful demand for the New South Wales state government to step in and resolve a protracted stand-off between the mine's owner, Centennial Coal, and the Eraring power station. The escalating conflict threatens to jeopardise hundreds of local jobs and destabilise the broader Hunter Valley economy.
Warnings of Cascading Job Losses and Economic Fallout
Business leaders directly involved with the mine have projected severe repercussions if operations cease. Dino Della-Bianco, Group Manager of Port Hunter Conveyors (PHC), highlighted the immediate impact on his workforce. "The boys hang out for that sort of overtime shift on the weekends to support their lifestyle, their families, all their mortgages," he stated, emphasising that a closure would drastically cut available shifts.
Mr Della-Bianco further warned that losing the mine's business would cripple their ability to invest in the next generation of workers. "If I'm not allowed to go and knock on the boss's door and say, 'hey, can we put some more trainees on?' Because we haven't got that other income," he explained, pointing to a future skills shortage.
A Call for Political Leadership and Compromise
Stuart Woolnough, Managing Director of UTS, echoed the call for urgent government mediation during a press conference organised by the Mining and Energy Union. "We've got these two massive entities that can't reach an agreement. We need to have the government mediate and get it right," Mr Woolnough asserted.
His message to the state's leaders was unequivocal. "It's time for all of you, including Chris Minns, and the ministers to stop stuffing around, get to the table, negotiate it; not one of you is gonna come out winning, all of you have got to compromise and we want to see results."
Critical Services and Regional Employment at Stake
The dispute centres on the supply of coal via a five-kilometre conveyor belt from Myuna to the Eraring Power Station. Both PHC and UTS Group provide essential materials, maintenance, and expertise critical to this operation.
- PHC Group employs 133 staff who service the mine and power station.
- UTS Group directly supports the mine with a team of 25 employees.
PHC Group Chief Executive Mary McGill underscored the round-the-clock commitment of her team. "It's not a nine to five. Our flights over the weekend got out at three o'clock in the morning and went all night for 48 hours. That's the sort of service we give... and we expect a bit of it back in return."
Federal Politicians Condemn Corporate Handling
The situation has drawn sharp criticism from federal representatives. Hunter MP Dan Repacholi condemned the actions of Origin Energy, which operates Eraring. "You cannot talk about responsibility, reliability or community while putting 300 workers on the chopping block and calling it an 'offer'," he stated. Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon has also publicly criticised the handling of the supply dispute.
The collective plea from contractors and union representatives highlights a growing crisis that extends far beyond the mine's 300 direct employees, threatening the economic fabric of the Hunter region and demanding immediate political resolution.
