Ever since the proposed McPhillamy's Gold Project was announced, it has promised to create hundreds of jobs in Blayney.
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The promised jobs include up to 480 jobs during the construction of the mine; 120 jobs during construction of the proposed pipeline and 260 jobs per year in mining operations.
With the higher wages that can be earned working in mining a temptation for many, some business operators are concerned about the disruption to smaller businesses through staff moving to the mine.
Regis has also always had a strong no Fly In Fly Out policy when it comes to employment, but one that leaves their pool of workers restricted to Blayney and other nearby centres.
The expansion of Cadia Valley Operations is also seeing the employment pool shrinking as experienced and suitable workers absorb the roles available.
Manager Special Projects at Regis Tony McPaul said that there has been strong interest in new approaches to employed including offering part-time shifts that would appeal to families.
"These part time roles would be ideal for farmers and parents with children who are looking for family friendly hours," he said. "It would also suit other locals looking to supplement their income without having to take on a full-time role."
Mr McPaul said that other opportunities included part-time roles which might just involve four to five hours a day, to fit in around school hours, for example.
"There are opportunities also for job-share arrangements where two people share a full-time role or casual roles where people might just fill in for full-time workers while they are on leave," he said.
Belubula Headwaters Protection Group president Dan Sutton said that Regis has finally realised the very low unemployment in the area, especially for those with skills in the areas needed.
"Even post Covid the Central West is performing exceptionally well as it's own economy and the increased demand for construction workers has left a shortage in the labour force which Regis is now offering to fill with farmers," he said.
According to Mr Sutton finding suitable workers won't be as easy as it sounds.
"If they had any sort of a community focus, they would know that farmers don't have the time to commit to the mining shifts they demand."
HAVE YOUR SAY:
Mark Logan
Started working in newspapers in the 1990's in the darkroom of the Pastoral Times in Deniliquin before moving to Millthorpe in 2003. Soon after arriving I started as a photographer at the CWD. Now a journalist at the Blayney Chronicle.
Started working in newspapers in the 1990's in the darkroom of the Pastoral Times in Deniliquin before moving to Millthorpe in 2003. Soon after arriving I started as a photographer at the CWD. Now a journalist at the Blayney Chronicle.
