Myuna deal locks in three years of work and 300 jobs for Lake Macquarie and Hunter coal mine

newy.com.au – Federal MPs Pat Conroy and Dan Repacholi on Tuesday 3 March 2026 welcomed a three-year agreement between Centennial and Origin Energy to keep Myuna Colliery operating, securing about 300 direct jobs in Lake Macquarie and the Hunter.

The deal ends months of uncertainty for the mine, built to supply Origin’s Eraring Power Station, and is expected to protect about 1000 more jobs across contractors, transport operators, suppliers and local businesses while the power station remains online.

Conroy, the Federal Member for Shortland and Minister for Defence Industry, said revised commercial arrangements between Centennial and Origin would allow Myuna to continue operating under a new three-year framework linked to Eraring’s ongoing operation.

“This is a significant victory for the workers at Myuna and communities across Lake Macquarie,” Conroy said. “It gives them and their families the financial and job security they deserve and have been fighting for.”

Conroy said the agreement meant workers could “now have peace of mind”, adding: “The 300 jobs at the mine, and thousands across the community, have been saved for the next three years.”

Repacholi, the Federal Member for Hunter and Special Envoy for Men’s Health, said the arrangement delivered certainty for the region. “This is a massive win for our region, 300 jobs at the mine saved and a thousand more across the broader community protected,” he said.

“These aren’t just numbers,” Repacholi said. “These are local families, apprentices, contractors and small businesses who can now breathe a sigh of relief.”

Both MPs credited the Mining and Energy Union, workers and site delegates with maintaining pressure during negotiations. Conroy said the union’s role “shows what can be achieved when workers, business and the community stand together”, while Repacholi said the campaign’s “unity and determination made a real difference”.

NSW Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the Minns Labor Government welcomed the agreement and said it would “bring certainty to hundreds of workers, their families and our community”.

“Protecting Myuna means protecting jobs, families, local businesses and the strength and resilience of the Hunter itself,” Catley said. “It is critical we are not left behind.”

The three-year framework will allow Myuna to continue operating while Eraring Power Station remains online, providing short-term certainty for workers and businesses tied to the mine and power station supply chain.