How Oakey businesses are being impacted by New Acland Coal Mine’s job losses

From 350 workers at the mine’s peak, to around 100 today, the job losses at New Acland Coal Mine are having an impact on local businesses. Here’s what they had to say:

A cut-out figure for every job lost at the mine. pic David Martinelli

Across a number of businesses in Oakey, the impact of job losses at the New Acland Coal Mine is evident.

From 350 workers at the mine’s peak, ongoing uncertainty as the company fights for its approvals for its Stage 3 expansion has seen that figure drop to roughly 100.

And according to local business owners, it’s having an effect on the local economy.

From having upwards of 30 mining families coming through his doors to get their meat each week, Hamlyn’s Modern Meats owner Tony James reckons it’s dropped to a handful.

“A lot of the families who used to work out there have now moved on, and some of them used to buy meat off me,” he said.

“So yeah, you lose 30 customers, and it sort of makes a bit of a hole in your takings,” he said.

Over at Great Country Pies, director Vicki Reeves said the town had “certainly quietened down a lot” since the redundancies began at New Acland in late 2019.

Another 30 workers will be made redundant on April 10.

“I know a lot of regulars who were workers at the mine, we don’t see them on a regular basis any more,” she said.

“They’re tightening spending, knowing their jobs are coming to an end.

“We’ve certainly noticed a difference both in our shop and in the town.”

Andrew Langton, a former Oakey Chamber of Commerce president and owner of Bi-Rite Home Appliances Oakey, said the uncertainty over the mine’s future was affecting people’s confidence.

“It’s just the ongoing thing for the actual town itself and it’s just not knowing, is it eventually going to get up? Is it not? It just makes it difficult in the fact a lot of people don’t know which way to turn,” he said.

“It needs a resolution one way or another.”

Mrs Reeves called on the State Government, which is waiting on the outcome of the current legal fight, to approve the mine.

“It immediately creates another 300 jobs – so why would you not approve something that’s already there?”