00:00John O'Halloran sells cleaning products in Wyala.
00:05He doesn't sell directly to the towns, steelworks or mines, but says recent job losses are having
00:10a knock-on effect.
00:11There's a high level of uncertainty and rightly so, people depend on steelworks directly and
00:20indirectly.
00:21On the streets, a similar sentiment.
00:23Yeah, I think everyone's really stressed and nervous about what's going to happen.
00:29Jobs have been growing in the community over recent months.
00:32Yesterday it was announced that 116 jobs will go next month at iron ore mines linked to
00:38the steelworks owner GFG Alliance.
00:40That follows 56 miners being let go in May, while 48 people were retrenched at the steelworks
00:46last month.
00:47And the company has also admitted it's reducing cost on maintenance, and met with union officials
00:52today to discuss the issue.
00:54The state government says it's been in regular contact with GFG.
00:57To make sure that this city continues to thrive and grow, they're going through a tough
01:00time and the government is working behind the scenes frantically.
01:03A community forum has been planned for this Sunday in Wyala by state MP Frank Pangelo,
01:09to give people a chance to get together and discuss their concerns.
01:13Mr Pangelo told parliament this week that GFG owes key contractors about $100 million.
01:19But long-time local Ian Wirth says he's seen problems in the industry before.
01:24He's holding hope the town will survive.
01:26I feel very concerned for the people that have lost their jobs and the other people
01:30that are worried.
01:32At the end of the day I believe this is a hiccup.
01:36Whether it is just another hiccup remains to be seen.
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