News
29 June, 2026
Mine re-opening months away: Hannan
There’s a light at the end of the tunnel for unemployed Wollondilly colliery workers – but it may be months before they return to work.
There’s a light at the end of the tunnel for unemployed Wollondilly colliery workers – but it may be months before they return to work.
Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan has confirmed that liquidators have successfully negotiated a sale of the Tahmoor colliery with the GEAR M Consortium.
But machines won’t be operating until next year at the earliest and there’s no guarantee that former colliery workers will get their jobs back.
The final sale of the colliery is still subject to multiple State and Federal Government approvals as well as “other considerations” according to Mrs Hannan.
Mrs Hannan described the agreement as “reassuring to the Wollondilly and Illawarra communities” and said it was a sign of the strength or metallurgical coal mining in the region moving forwards.
But miners won’t be returning to their old jobs anytime soon.
“The final sale of coal mine agreement and transfer are pending multiple Australian and State Government approvals and other considerations when restarting mining operations on-site,” Mrs Hannan said.
“The liquidators stated that GEAR M Consortium intends to and therefore I anticipate GEAR M will work with the liquidators, the current Tahmoor Coal management team and former employees prior to completion to finalise plans to restart mine operations, with the restart to begin as quickly as possible after completion.
“This will include discussions about re-hiring with former employees.
“I welcome the GEAR M Consortium to Wollondilly electorate and look forward to the timely restart of the mine operations including re-hiring of former workers.
“There is at least another further six months until the transfer of ownership to GEAR M Consortium and a longer period until the mine restarts.
“The Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) is continuing to provide targeted assistance for former Tahmoor Coal Pty Ltd employees and contractors until the mine restarts.”
Mrs Hannan thanked Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos for keeping the lines of communication open during the liquidation process.
“I will continue to advocate for the State Government to review the consortium’s binding agreement with the regulator and retention of as many local jobs as soon as possible,” Mrs Hannan said.
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