An Illawarra Labor politician says the latest round of job losses to hit the region reinforces the need for immediate state government action to support workers and their families.
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Wollongong Coal announced on Tuesday 80 jobs would go as a result of the suspension of mining operations at its Russell Vale Colliery, a week after the region was dealt news 500 jobs would go from BlueScope Steel at Port Kembla.
Opposition spokesman for the Illawarra, and Keira MP, Ryan Park used the mining job losses to further leverage his calls for the state government to make the Illawarra’s future a government priority.
‘‘I am very aware of the pressure this [latest round of cuts] will place on our local economy and I am urging the government to start showing some real action,’’ Mr Park said. ‘‘Today [Tuesday] marks a very sad day for Wollongong Coal employees and their families.
‘‘I have written to the Minister for Planning, urgently seeking a time frame about when a decision will be made one way or another about the current expansion plans Wollongong Coal has submitted to the government.’’
Parliamentary secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward said the Russell Vale Underground Expansion Project was still being assessed, with Wollongong Coal currently in the process of providing further expert information to the Department of Planning and Environment about potential water impacts.
‘‘I am advised the department will work to finalise its assessment of the project as quickly as possible, once Wollongong Coal provides its response to the commission’s merit review. I encourage Wollongong Coal to provide the further expert information as soon as possible,’’ Mr Ward said.
Illawarra Residents for Responsible Mining spokeswoman Kaye Osborn didn’t go as far as welcoming the suspension of operations, citing the associated job losses, but said she wasn’t surprised by the development.
‘‘Since Illawarra Residents for Responsible Mining started five years ago, we’ve maintained that Russell Vale is not an appropriate place for a large, expanding colliery and also that the Sydney Water catchment area is not an appropriate place for a risky experiment in three-tier mining,’’ she said.
Lock the Gate Alliance spokeswoman Georgina Woods said more checks and balances were needed for high-risk mining operations in the drinking water catchment.
