17th March, 2026.
I update the House on the closure of the Tahmoor Colliery and give some insights into the rapid response and wonderful, generous community resilience to back the hundreds of affected workers. Mine operations were suspended more than a year ago. At 5.00 p.m. on Friday 6 March 2026 the Supreme Court appointed a liquidator, affecting 238 workers and hundreds of contractors. Local businesses are owed thousands of dollars. During previous attempts at the voluntary administration process and also through the liquidation phase, I was receiving regular ongoing updates from the Minister for Natural Resources. As the process unfolded, we worked with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, the Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Mining and Energy Union.
I commend the coordinated rapid responses mobilised at all three levels of government within a week of the court's decision. The support hubs for affected employees and contractors were coordinated by a rapid response team at NSW Resources. Government staff made themselves available over three days, ending on 17 March at Tahmoor and Wollongong. Government staff numbers were complemented by contingents of community organisations providing assistance on employment and job opportunities, training, financial and income support, career advice, and access to local support services. It is during times of adversity that we see the best of humanity, hope and the community's goodwill. The past week is evidence of Wollondilly building community resilience, improving social cohesion and volunteerism, and the Government providing access to resources following the announcement that one of the largest employers in the electorate is in liquidation.
I acknowledge the contributions of Wollondilly Shire Council, particularly Mayor Matt Gould and director Peter Buckley, and businesses who generously provided resources for the Tahmoor Mine Employment Support Hub at Tahmoor District Sporting Complex. I extend my thanks to Wollondilly Shire Council; Community Links food pantry and mental health support; Wollondilly Quality Meats, a Tahmoor butcher; Pheasants Nest Produce; Lions Club, Tahmoor; Bargo Mens Shed; Picton Bowling Club; Woolworths Tahmoor; Khan's IGA at Picton; and Aldi Tahmoor. People wonder why I love my electorate so much. I see community service organisations and local businesses generously giving time, in-kind donations and partnerships that are crucial for fostering community resilience. Local businesses support the community that supports them, which fosters a purpose‑driven workplace.
Tahmoor Colliery is not just a workplace but a second home for collegial and productive work teams and generations of families—grandfathers, fathers, sons, sons-in-law and daughters. Younger generations started apprenticeships at that mine and were encouraged to forge a STEM career in the local area. The coalmine workforce supports local businesses. They are volunteers in the community lending a hand whenever they can. At this time our community has stood, and will continue to stand, behind the mining community in solidarity, providing whatever financial or non-financial support the affected community needs. Members of the surrounding electorates should be aware that one-third of Tahmoor coalmine workers and an undetermined number of contractors live outside of Wollondilly. Affected workers are seeking either short-term temporary and casual jobs, or both, and permanent long-term employment within and outside the mining sector.
The mayor and I have started an online Wollondilly Community Support Notice Board with all sorts of information. Today marks seven days since the liquidation and it is the last day of the announced rapid response team. The crisis is ongoing, unfolding and evolving hour by hour, day by day and week by week. I urge the Government to focus on extending and strengthening local, on-the-ground and grassroots initiatives to ensure that the community can withstand the uncertainties of liquidation and the possibility of the mine restarting in the future. While many are always worried about mine subsidence and what happens in our communities, coal plays an important part in our history and economy.
Industry sources remark that the Tahmoor coalmine could be sustainable for many years if an entity buys the metallurgical coalmine used for steel production. The local community longs for a suitable mine owner with the competence and vision to run a sustainable mine to support our region. Hopefully the ninth owner of the Tahmoor Colliery can be found and arrangements made to secure employment and economic stability for our community.