Hermitage Road, Pokolbin, is set to host a new weekly market from September
This new market is set to bring local flavour and community spirit to the heart of Hunter Valley wine country at 691 Hermitage Road, offering a fresh destination for locals and visitors to explore the best of regional produce, artisan goods and handcrafted wares.
Set among the vineyards, Pokolbin Market will run every Sunday from 8am to 2pm, rain or shine - with a focus on local growers, creators, makers and musicians.
The market is now calling for stallholders and performers to join its exciting launch line-up. Stallholders will cater for both locals and visitors looking to fill their fridges with goodies and their shopping bags with local treasures.
"Pokolbin Market will be a celebration of the incredible talent and produce of the Hunter," says Amanda Choularton, Director of Organic Food Markets. "With boutique wines, fresh-picked produce, handmade crafts and live music - all in one of NSW's most beautiful locations - it's set to be a must-visit experience every Sunday."
Organic Food Markets operate at a number of venues in Sydney as well as in Newcastle.
Stallholder Expressions of Interest are now open, with organisers seeking a wide range of vendors including:
In addition to the weekly markets, stallholders will also enjoy bonus exposure during the D'Vine Festival on Sunday, September 21, when Pokolbin Market becomes a featured venue.
Stall Fees:
Vendors can apply directly at: organicfoodmarkets.com.au/Traders
Organic Food Markets will launch their first weekly Pokolbin markets with food and non-food stalls on Sunday, September 7.
This new market is set to bring local flavour and community spirit to the heart of Hunter Valley wine country at 691 Hermitage Road, offering a fresh destination for locals and visitors to explore the best of regional produce, artisan goods and handcrafted wares.
Set among the vineyards, Pokolbin Market will run every Sunday from 8am to 2pm, rain or shine - with a focus on local growers, creators, makers and musicians.
The market is now calling for stallholders and performers to join its exciting launch line-up. Stallholders will cater for both locals and visitors looking to fill their fridges with goodies and their shopping bags with local treasures.
"Pokolbin Market will be a celebration of the incredible talent and produce of the Hunter," says Amanda Choularton, Director of Organic Food Markets. "With boutique wines, fresh-picked produce, handmade crafts and live music - all in one of NSW's most beautiful locations - it's set to be a must-visit experience every Sunday."
Organic Food Markets operate at a number of venues in Sydney as well as in Newcastle.
Stallholder Expressions of Interest are now open, with organisers seeking a wide range of vendors including:
In addition to the weekly markets, stallholders will also enjoy bonus exposure during the D'Vine Festival on Sunday, September 21, when Pokolbin Market becomes a featured venue.
Stall Fees:
Vendors can apply directly at: organicfoodmarkets.com.au/Traders
Organic Food Markets will launch their first weekly Pokolbin markets with food and non-food stalls on Sunday, September 7.
This new market is set to bring local flavour and community spirit to the heart of Hunter Valley wine country at 691 Hermitage Road, offering a fresh destination for locals and visitors to explore the best of regional produce, artisan goods and handcrafted wares.
Set among the vineyards, Pokolbin Market will run every Sunday from 8am to 2pm, rain or shine - with a focus on local growers, creators, makers and musicians.
The market is now calling for stallholders and performers to join its exciting launch line-up. Stallholders will cater for both locals and visitors looking to fill their fridges with goodies and their shopping bags with local treasures.
"Pokolbin Market will be a celebration of the incredible talent and produce of the Hunter," says Amanda Choularton, Director of Organic Food Markets. "With boutique wines, fresh-picked produce, handmade crafts and live music - all in one of NSW's most beautiful locations - it's set to be a must-visit experience every Sunday."
Organic Food Markets operate at a number of venues in Sydney as well as in Newcastle.
Stallholder Expressions of Interest are now open, with organisers seeking a wide range of vendors including:
In addition to the weekly markets, stallholders will also enjoy bonus exposure during the D'Vine Festival on Sunday, September 21, when Pokolbin Market becomes a featured venue.
Stall Fees:
Vendors can apply directly at: organicfoodmarkets.com.au/Traders
Organic Food Markets will launch their first weekly Pokolbin markets with food and non-food stalls on Sunday, September 7.
This new market is set to bring local flavour and community spirit to the heart of Hunter Valley wine country at 691 Hermitage Road, offering a fresh destination for locals and visitors to explore the best of regional produce, artisan goods and handcrafted wares.
Set among the vineyards, Pokolbin Market will run every Sunday from 8am to 2pm, rain or shine - with a focus on local growers, creators, makers and musicians.
The market is now calling for stallholders and performers to join its exciting launch line-up. Stallholders will cater for both locals and visitors looking to fill their fridges with goodies and their shopping bags with local treasures.
"Pokolbin Market will be a celebration of the incredible talent and produce of the Hunter," says Amanda Choularton, Director of Organic Food Markets. "With boutique wines, fresh-picked produce, handmade crafts and live music - all in one of NSW's most beautiful locations - it's set to be a must-visit experience every Sunday."
Organic Food Markets operate at a number of venues in Sydney as well as in Newcastle.
Stallholder Expressions of Interest are now open, with organisers seeking a wide range of vendors including:
In addition to the weekly markets, stallholders will also enjoy bonus exposure during the D'Vine Festival on Sunday, September 21, when Pokolbin Market becomes a featured venue.
Stall Fees:
Vendors can apply directly at: organicfoodmarkets.com.au/Traders
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The Advertiser
08-08-2025
- The Advertiser
Miners given redundancy notices at Dartbrook underground coalmine near Aberdeen
A number of miners at the Dartbrook underground coal mine in the Upper Hunter awoke today to an email from the mine's administrators saying they were being made redundant. The miners, some of whom have worked at the mine for 14 months, said they were owed up to $20,000 and would be forced to seek new employment as they await their entitlements. In early July, the mine was placed in the hands of receivers and managers Ben Campbell and David McGrath of FTI Consulting. A spokesperson for FTI Consulting said "A number of redundancies have been made to match the operational requirements of the Dartbrook Coal Mine. While this wasn't an easy decision, it was necessary to ensure that operations at Dartbrook continue and are placed onto a sustainable financial footing." It is believed that between 40 and 50 miners were working the pit, some with contractors and others employed full-time with Dartbrook. Meetings between the mine's managers and staff took place last week, with the miners saying the redundancy notices were not unexpected. One of the Hunter-based contractors still working at the mine is Jim Eastley, CE Mining, Jerrys Plains. His company is operating the coal washery and handling plant, with coal still being extracted and processed. He said he was owed $560,000 but since July 3 his work payments at the mine have been guaranteed by the administrators. "I haven't heard lately what's happening but at least we are working are our payments are guaranteed. Hopefully we will recovery our outstanding debt," he said. Currently owned by Australian Pacific Coal (AQC), the mine was put into care and maintenance by its previous owner, Anglo American, in 2006 after multiple workplace accidents and low coal prices. In 2015, coal entrepreneur Nathan Tinkler spearheaded AQC's successful asset purchase, with the new owners beginning the long process of bringing the mine back into production, including gaining planning approval. Despite community opposition, the Independent Planning Commission approved an amended application to reopen the mine in 2019. The mine underwent a restart capital program and resumed underground mining operations in 2024. However, in June this year, it was reported the company had been issued with a notice of default by senior lender Vitol, a Singapore-based commodities giant. It is understood AQC failed to meet its obligations for the $174 million loan from Vitol and this has led to the appointment of receivers and administrators. When he was appointed Ben Campbell, Receiver and Manager, said, "The Dartbrook Coal Mine produces high-quality thermal coal for both domestic and export markets." As to who would buy the mine? The thermal coal price is at a four-year low, open-cut mining is prohibited at the site, and one of the world's leading underground miners, Anglo American, could not successfully operate the venture A number of miners at the Dartbrook underground coal mine in the Upper Hunter awoke today to an email from the mine's administrators saying they were being made redundant. The miners, some of whom have worked at the mine for 14 months, said they were owed up to $20,000 and would be forced to seek new employment as they await their entitlements. In early July, the mine was placed in the hands of receivers and managers Ben Campbell and David McGrath of FTI Consulting. A spokesperson for FTI Consulting said "A number of redundancies have been made to match the operational requirements of the Dartbrook Coal Mine. While this wasn't an easy decision, it was necessary to ensure that operations at Dartbrook continue and are placed onto a sustainable financial footing." It is believed that between 40 and 50 miners were working the pit, some with contractors and others employed full-time with Dartbrook. Meetings between the mine's managers and staff took place last week, with the miners saying the redundancy notices were not unexpected. One of the Hunter-based contractors still working at the mine is Jim Eastley, CE Mining, Jerrys Plains. His company is operating the coal washery and handling plant, with coal still being extracted and processed. He said he was owed $560,000 but since July 3 his work payments at the mine have been guaranteed by the administrators. "I haven't heard lately what's happening but at least we are working are our payments are guaranteed. Hopefully we will recovery our outstanding debt," he said. Currently owned by Australian Pacific Coal (AQC), the mine was put into care and maintenance by its previous owner, Anglo American, in 2006 after multiple workplace accidents and low coal prices. In 2015, coal entrepreneur Nathan Tinkler spearheaded AQC's successful asset purchase, with the new owners beginning the long process of bringing the mine back into production, including gaining planning approval. Despite community opposition, the Independent Planning Commission approved an amended application to reopen the mine in 2019. The mine underwent a restart capital program and resumed underground mining operations in 2024. However, in June this year, it was reported the company had been issued with a notice of default by senior lender Vitol, a Singapore-based commodities giant. It is understood AQC failed to meet its obligations for the $174 million loan from Vitol and this has led to the appointment of receivers and administrators. When he was appointed Ben Campbell, Receiver and Manager, said, "The Dartbrook Coal Mine produces high-quality thermal coal for both domestic and export markets." As to who would buy the mine? The thermal coal price is at a four-year low, open-cut mining is prohibited at the site, and one of the world's leading underground miners, Anglo American, could not successfully operate the venture A number of miners at the Dartbrook underground coal mine in the Upper Hunter awoke today to an email from the mine's administrators saying they were being made redundant. The miners, some of whom have worked at the mine for 14 months, said they were owed up to $20,000 and would be forced to seek new employment as they await their entitlements. In early July, the mine was placed in the hands of receivers and managers Ben Campbell and David McGrath of FTI Consulting. A spokesperson for FTI Consulting said "A number of redundancies have been made to match the operational requirements of the Dartbrook Coal Mine. While this wasn't an easy decision, it was necessary to ensure that operations at Dartbrook continue and are placed onto a sustainable financial footing." It is believed that between 40 and 50 miners were working the pit, some with contractors and others employed full-time with Dartbrook. Meetings between the mine's managers and staff took place last week, with the miners saying the redundancy notices were not unexpected. One of the Hunter-based contractors still working at the mine is Jim Eastley, CE Mining, Jerrys Plains. His company is operating the coal washery and handling plant, with coal still being extracted and processed. He said he was owed $560,000 but since July 3 his work payments at the mine have been guaranteed by the administrators. "I haven't heard lately what's happening but at least we are working are our payments are guaranteed. Hopefully we will recovery our outstanding debt," he said. Currently owned by Australian Pacific Coal (AQC), the mine was put into care and maintenance by its previous owner, Anglo American, in 2006 after multiple workplace accidents and low coal prices. In 2015, coal entrepreneur Nathan Tinkler spearheaded AQC's successful asset purchase, with the new owners beginning the long process of bringing the mine back into production, including gaining planning approval. Despite community opposition, the Independent Planning Commission approved an amended application to reopen the mine in 2019. The mine underwent a restart capital program and resumed underground mining operations in 2024. However, in June this year, it was reported the company had been issued with a notice of default by senior lender Vitol, a Singapore-based commodities giant. It is understood AQC failed to meet its obligations for the $174 million loan from Vitol and this has led to the appointment of receivers and administrators. When he was appointed Ben Campbell, Receiver and Manager, said, "The Dartbrook Coal Mine produces high-quality thermal coal for both domestic and export markets." As to who would buy the mine? The thermal coal price is at a four-year low, open-cut mining is prohibited at the site, and one of the world's leading underground miners, Anglo American, could not successfully operate the venture A number of miners at the Dartbrook underground coal mine in the Upper Hunter awoke today to an email from the mine's administrators saying they were being made redundant. The miners, some of whom have worked at the mine for 14 months, said they were owed up to $20,000 and would be forced to seek new employment as they await their entitlements. In early July, the mine was placed in the hands of receivers and managers Ben Campbell and David McGrath of FTI Consulting. A spokesperson for FTI Consulting said "A number of redundancies have been made to match the operational requirements of the Dartbrook Coal Mine. While this wasn't an easy decision, it was necessary to ensure that operations at Dartbrook continue and are placed onto a sustainable financial footing." It is believed that between 40 and 50 miners were working the pit, some with contractors and others employed full-time with Dartbrook. Meetings between the mine's managers and staff took place last week, with the miners saying the redundancy notices were not unexpected. One of the Hunter-based contractors still working at the mine is Jim Eastley, CE Mining, Jerrys Plains. His company is operating the coal washery and handling plant, with coal still being extracted and processed. He said he was owed $560,000 but since July 3 his work payments at the mine have been guaranteed by the administrators. "I haven't heard lately what's happening but at least we are working are our payments are guaranteed. Hopefully we will recovery our outstanding debt," he said. Currently owned by Australian Pacific Coal (AQC), the mine was put into care and maintenance by its previous owner, Anglo American, in 2006 after multiple workplace accidents and low coal prices. In 2015, coal entrepreneur Nathan Tinkler spearheaded AQC's successful asset purchase, with the new owners beginning the long process of bringing the mine back into production, including gaining planning approval. Despite community opposition, the Independent Planning Commission approved an amended application to reopen the mine in 2019. The mine underwent a restart capital program and resumed underground mining operations in 2024. However, in June this year, it was reported the company had been issued with a notice of default by senior lender Vitol, a Singapore-based commodities giant. It is understood AQC failed to meet its obligations for the $174 million loan from Vitol and this has led to the appointment of receivers and administrators. When he was appointed Ben Campbell, Receiver and Manager, said, "The Dartbrook Coal Mine produces high-quality thermal coal for both domestic and export markets." As to who would buy the mine? The thermal coal price is at a four-year low, open-cut mining is prohibited at the site, and one of the world's leading underground miners, Anglo American, could not successfully operate the venture
The Advertiser
01-08-2025
- The Advertiser
Night economy boost for Hunter bars and clubs as state grants leave Sydney for first time
Venue owners in Newcastle's Midtown precinct between Steel and Union streets say the injection of almost $800,000 in state grants will help launch more vibrant events like the West Best Bloc Fest to boost the city's nightlife. The state will funnel around $770,000 into three inner city venue collectives, including Midtown - a group of around seven members; the East End group, and the villages of the Throsby basin, as well as the Shoaly Collective at Shoal Bay, to promote inter-venue cooperation. It represents the third round of the state government's Uptown grants program, and the first time that regional venues outside of Sydney have been beneficiaries. The Hunter's slice comes from a pie of some $5.5 million in state funding aimed at growing a 24-hour hospitality and entertainment economy. Midtown venue owners say they will use their allotment to bring in a local coordinator who can leverage opportunities for venues to cooperate on larger-scale events while remaining "authentic to Newcastle". "This night-time economy is going to boom from this little hit," Mad Poet owner Dylan Oakes said. As the landscape of the city's hospitality economy changes in the long shadow of lockout laws, COVID, a cost-of-living crisis and increases to supply costs, venue owners say coordinating with their neighbours has helped them navigate rolling headwinds. "The Midtown project is not to give us any more sugar rushes," Bernie's Bar venue manager Patrick Fisher said. "We have Saturday night for that. We're here to boost the long-term prospects of the precinct. "And by having a year-long coordinator, we think we will be really well placed to do that." Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, who announced the grant winners on Friday afternoon, said the funding follows legislative changes to better mediate between venues looking to capitalise on a vibrant nighttime economy and residents living in those precincts. "In certain precincts where there are bars and restaurants and clubs, there will be music and clatter and noise. That is a good, vibrant 24-hour economy. That's what we want. But people need to know that precinct is where it's going to happen." "(Newcastle) is not a retirement village. It's the second biggest city in the state ... It's all part of a vibrant and active city, and people understand that. And if they don't know, they need to certainly do a bit of research before they move in." Grace Frey, a director of Bernie's Bar, said years of disruptions to the city's going-out economy had changed its make-up, but said the injection of state funding would help smaller, niche venues compete and meet patron needs. Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham said the funding would help collectives generate "self-sustaining" initiatives to boost local offerings and promote the visitor economy. Venue owners in Newcastle's Midtown precinct between Steel and Union streets say the injection of almost $800,000 in state grants will help launch more vibrant events like the West Best Bloc Fest to boost the city's nightlife. The state will funnel around $770,000 into three inner city venue collectives, including Midtown - a group of around seven members; the East End group, and the villages of the Throsby basin, as well as the Shoaly Collective at Shoal Bay, to promote inter-venue cooperation. It represents the third round of the state government's Uptown grants program, and the first time that regional venues outside of Sydney have been beneficiaries. The Hunter's slice comes from a pie of some $5.5 million in state funding aimed at growing a 24-hour hospitality and entertainment economy. Midtown venue owners say they will use their allotment to bring in a local coordinator who can leverage opportunities for venues to cooperate on larger-scale events while remaining "authentic to Newcastle". "This night-time economy is going to boom from this little hit," Mad Poet owner Dylan Oakes said. As the landscape of the city's hospitality economy changes in the long shadow of lockout laws, COVID, a cost-of-living crisis and increases to supply costs, venue owners say coordinating with their neighbours has helped them navigate rolling headwinds. "The Midtown project is not to give us any more sugar rushes," Bernie's Bar venue manager Patrick Fisher said. "We have Saturday night for that. We're here to boost the long-term prospects of the precinct. "And by having a year-long coordinator, we think we will be really well placed to do that." Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, who announced the grant winners on Friday afternoon, said the funding follows legislative changes to better mediate between venues looking to capitalise on a vibrant nighttime economy and residents living in those precincts. "In certain precincts where there are bars and restaurants and clubs, there will be music and clatter and noise. That is a good, vibrant 24-hour economy. That's what we want. But people need to know that precinct is where it's going to happen." "(Newcastle) is not a retirement village. It's the second biggest city in the state ... It's all part of a vibrant and active city, and people understand that. And if they don't know, they need to certainly do a bit of research before they move in." Grace Frey, a director of Bernie's Bar, said years of disruptions to the city's going-out economy had changed its make-up, but said the injection of state funding would help smaller, niche venues compete and meet patron needs. Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham said the funding would help collectives generate "self-sustaining" initiatives to boost local offerings and promote the visitor economy. Venue owners in Newcastle's Midtown precinct between Steel and Union streets say the injection of almost $800,000 in state grants will help launch more vibrant events like the West Best Bloc Fest to boost the city's nightlife. The state will funnel around $770,000 into three inner city venue collectives, including Midtown - a group of around seven members; the East End group, and the villages of the Throsby basin, as well as the Shoaly Collective at Shoal Bay, to promote inter-venue cooperation. It represents the third round of the state government's Uptown grants program, and the first time that regional venues outside of Sydney have been beneficiaries. The Hunter's slice comes from a pie of some $5.5 million in state funding aimed at growing a 24-hour hospitality and entertainment economy. Midtown venue owners say they will use their allotment to bring in a local coordinator who can leverage opportunities for venues to cooperate on larger-scale events while remaining "authentic to Newcastle". "This night-time economy is going to boom from this little hit," Mad Poet owner Dylan Oakes said. As the landscape of the city's hospitality economy changes in the long shadow of lockout laws, COVID, a cost-of-living crisis and increases to supply costs, venue owners say coordinating with their neighbours has helped them navigate rolling headwinds. "The Midtown project is not to give us any more sugar rushes," Bernie's Bar venue manager Patrick Fisher said. "We have Saturday night for that. We're here to boost the long-term prospects of the precinct. "And by having a year-long coordinator, we think we will be really well placed to do that." Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, who announced the grant winners on Friday afternoon, said the funding follows legislative changes to better mediate between venues looking to capitalise on a vibrant nighttime economy and residents living in those precincts. "In certain precincts where there are bars and restaurants and clubs, there will be music and clatter and noise. That is a good, vibrant 24-hour economy. That's what we want. But people need to know that precinct is where it's going to happen." "(Newcastle) is not a retirement village. It's the second biggest city in the state ... It's all part of a vibrant and active city, and people understand that. And if they don't know, they need to certainly do a bit of research before they move in." Grace Frey, a director of Bernie's Bar, said years of disruptions to the city's going-out economy had changed its make-up, but said the injection of state funding would help smaller, niche venues compete and meet patron needs. Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham said the funding would help collectives generate "self-sustaining" initiatives to boost local offerings and promote the visitor economy. Venue owners in Newcastle's Midtown precinct between Steel and Union streets say the injection of almost $800,000 in state grants will help launch more vibrant events like the West Best Bloc Fest to boost the city's nightlife. The state will funnel around $770,000 into three inner city venue collectives, including Midtown - a group of around seven members; the East End group, and the villages of the Throsby basin, as well as the Shoaly Collective at Shoal Bay, to promote inter-venue cooperation. It represents the third round of the state government's Uptown grants program, and the first time that regional venues outside of Sydney have been beneficiaries. The Hunter's slice comes from a pie of some $5.5 million in state funding aimed at growing a 24-hour hospitality and entertainment economy. Midtown venue owners say they will use their allotment to bring in a local coordinator who can leverage opportunities for venues to cooperate on larger-scale events while remaining "authentic to Newcastle". "This night-time economy is going to boom from this little hit," Mad Poet owner Dylan Oakes said. As the landscape of the city's hospitality economy changes in the long shadow of lockout laws, COVID, a cost-of-living crisis and increases to supply costs, venue owners say coordinating with their neighbours has helped them navigate rolling headwinds. "The Midtown project is not to give us any more sugar rushes," Bernie's Bar venue manager Patrick Fisher said. "We have Saturday night for that. We're here to boost the long-term prospects of the precinct. "And by having a year-long coordinator, we think we will be really well placed to do that." Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, who announced the grant winners on Friday afternoon, said the funding follows legislative changes to better mediate between venues looking to capitalise on a vibrant nighttime economy and residents living in those precincts. "In certain precincts where there are bars and restaurants and clubs, there will be music and clatter and noise. That is a good, vibrant 24-hour economy. That's what we want. But people need to know that precinct is where it's going to happen." "(Newcastle) is not a retirement village. It's the second biggest city in the state ... It's all part of a vibrant and active city, and people understand that. And if they don't know, they need to certainly do a bit of research before they move in." Grace Frey, a director of Bernie's Bar, said years of disruptions to the city's going-out economy had changed its make-up, but said the injection of state funding would help smaller, niche venues compete and meet patron needs. Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham said the funding would help collectives generate "self-sustaining" initiatives to boost local offerings and promote the visitor economy.
ABC News
29-07-2025
- ABC News
Dartbrook Hunter Valley coal mine cuts workforce as debt snowballs
A New South Wales coal mine on the brink of collapse has terminated more than half its staff while its debts appear to have soared to more than $800 million. Dartbrook Mine, an underground thermal coal joint-venture by Australian Pacific Coal and Tetra Resources, had sat empty for 19 years until it was revived at the end of 2024. But the Hunter Valley mine went into external administration and receivership earlier this month, after failing to meet its obligations for a $174 million loan to Singaporean commodities giant Vitol. The receivers, who are operating the mine, terminated more than 100 miners or more than two-thirds of Dartbrook's workforce, on Monday. Do you know more about this or have a similar story? Email FTI Consulting, the firm acting as the receiver that is operating the site, said in a statement making the mass terminations "wasn't an easy decision" but it was "necessary for Dartbrook's long-term future". Previously, FTI Consulting said it had been appointed as receivers to support the "long-term future" of the Dartbrook coal mine. "We intend to continue operations onsite and work with relevant stakeholders while an urgent assessment of options is undertaken," receiver Ben Campbell said previously in the statement. Mining and Energy Union (MEU) president Robin Williams said the mass terminations were "disgraceful". "Over the weekend, operations were wound down while workers were left in the dark, waiting to hear if they would be required," he said. "Many of them have now been unceremoniously notified by email that they no longer have a job. "It's hurting families and the local community." Mr Williams said that while employees had been cut, labour hire contractors at the site had been kept on and claimed that the decision was made without proper consultation with workers, breaching the enterprise agreement. The MEU said it would fight for workers and has already filed a case with the Fair Work Commission. It comes as Dartbrook's debt and number of creditors continue to climb. Minutes from a creditor's meeting held earlier this month showed that at least 51 companies claimed they were owed money. The total debts exceed $820 million, not including its $174 million loan to Vitol. The largest creditor was UK-based non-bank loan agency, Global Loan Agency Services (GLAS), which claimed it was owed more than $800 million. The ABC understands that they have claimed $202 million from four different entities. The ABC has contacted GLAS for comment. Administrators from Deloitte were appointed to another entity, Tetra Dartbrook, at the end of last week. The Deloitte administrators have applied for a six-month extension to push back the next time creditors will meet until February next year. The matter is being heard at the Federal Court on Wednesday. Deloitte was already acting as the administrator of several entities relating to Tetra Resources, while insolvency firm McGrath Nicol is administering entities involved with Australian Pacific Coal. Local businesses owed money have voiced their concerns about those debts ever being paid, especially in the wake of the job cuts. Hunter Valley business EMF Group is subcontracted to work at Dartbrook's coal washery and is owed $282,000. Director Jason Anderson said after hearing news of the mass redundancies, it was "not looking good". Jim Eastley, a Hunter Valley local, said his business, CE Mining, was owed more than $500,000. "It's pretty tough to swallow," Mr Eastley previously said. "We're hoping that things can turn around and the mine will become productive … but that's a long way off at the moment." Muswellbrook Shire Mayor Jeff Drayton previously said the debts Dartbrook owed local businesses were "enough that it might be enough to break some of these smaller companies". He said half a dozen local businesses with debts exceeding $3 million between them had contacted him. Cr Drayton said Dartbrook also owed the Muswellbrook Shire Council unpaid rates.
