SINGLETON mine worker Damon Hooker was delighted to have the opportunity to voice his concerns.
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“It was wonderful to have Premier [Mike] Baird, Minister [Rob] Stokes and Mr [Michael] Johnsen onsite yesterday to hear the stories of many of the employees that work at Mount Thorley Warkworth,” he said.
“They were both very open to talk to, and seemed to want to hear all opinions and concerns of everyone they met.
“In speaking with the Premier, I mentioned that I support the continuation of mining, that I have lived in the area for around 14 years, brought up in the Hunter region, and the desire to stay here for life (with my wife who is a school teacher in Singleton and both of my children, born in Singleton hospital).
“I said that should this project not go forward that I am scared that I would have to work away from home or in a worst case scenario I would have to move my family from the area to continue a career in my chosen field.
“This, too, is a major concern for a vast majority of the Mount Thorley Warkworth employees and their families.
“I also mentioned that I was recently speaking to some friends of mine who are involved in agriculture in the region.
“And, they have similar concerns, that if all these people won’t be employed here, that there is less people buying land, cattle at the saleyards, produce from the local agents, so it’s not just the businesses that are directly involved (such as equipment suppliers and repairers, cleaners and caterers, employment contractors, the list goes on) that are worried of the outcome of this decision.
“It is also those who are a part of the flow-on effect to all.”
Dragline design engineer Ryan Fox said I and the entire workforce of Mount Thorley Warkworth were very appreciative that Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Planning Rob Stokes could take the time to come and visit our workplace and surrounding community.
"It was an important step to take which gave us the opportunity to personally speak of our concerns and allow the Premier and Minister to put a face to the workforce as we look to the future of Mount Thorley Warkworth and coal mining in general in the Hunter Valley" he said.