THE Wallarah 2 coal mine would generate more than 1000 jobs during construction, while 300 mine workers would be employed once coal extraction begins.
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Kenny Barry, the project manager for Wyong Coal, said that was just the beginning of the good news story that would flow to the region from the $800-million mine at Bushells Ridge, near the Central Coast border with Lake Macquarie.
That’s been a hard sell for Wyong Coal, as much of the focus on Wallarah 2 continues to be on local opposition to the project and repeated concerns about the mine’s potential impact on the Central Coast’s water supply.
But given that the NSW Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) recently approved the underground coal mine, more locals are realising the mine could very well happen (not withstanding the results of a planned legal challenge to the approval, and political opposition), so they’re asking what’s in it for us?
“During construction there will be well over 1000 jobs, including 450 under direct employment,” Mr Barry said.
Of the 300 mine workers who would be employed, Wyong Coal would seek to fill 70 per cent of those positions with locals, including a “10 per cent indigenous target”, he said.
The initial capital investment in the mine was $800 million, with an estimated $1.5 billion capital investment planned over the life of the mine.
“There will be approximately $69 million in annual direct and indirect income for the region, and $593 million direct and indirect business turnover for the region,” he said.
The state government’s coffers would also be boosted by the mine.
“An assessment of the project’s royalties stream by the Department of Resources and Energy quoted within the Department of Planning and Environment’s Addendum Report (February 2017) calculated during a typical full production year the state would receive $30 million in royalties, with a total payable for the project life in ‘dollars of the day’ of approximately $830 million,” he said.
Wyong Coal and the Wallarah 2 Coal Project have been, and continued to be, “very active in supporting our community”, Mr Barry said.
“In addition to a Voluntary Planning Agreement, valued at over $16 million, developed in consultation with the Central Coast Council, the Wallarah 2 Community Foundation has been sponsoring both fulltime and school-based apprentices with the assistance of Central Coast Group Training since 2013.
“This year marks a milestone for our program, with over $590,000 invested in the development of more than 30 young people into trades, with every one of them securing placement with Central Coast businesses who would have otherwise struggled to meet the costs associated with the employment and training of new tradespeople.”
The Wallarah 2 Community Foundation grants program had seen about $220,000 granted to 48 not-for-profit and community groups across the region, he said.
The company also had in place “an exceptional program” aimed at assisting the Central Coast’s indigenous community with business development, apprenticeships, university scholarships, mentoring, and a ‘Green Team’, he said.
“Over the coming years, support for our community through these types of programs will continue and likely further develop when the mine moves into its operational phase.”
