He did not rule out mothballing the mine. He said he could see the logic in leaving the coal in the ground and hoping the coal price would increase, rather than ripping coal out and selling it at a loss.
However, he believed commentators had underestimated the impact mothballing would have elsewhere.
"The viability of the Midland line and shareholders of Lyttelton Port - they are all going to take a bath and suffer consequences."
The Government told The News last month it had done no analysis on the impact on Buller or elsewhere of Solid Energy failing.
Mr O'Connor said the lack of analysis was typical of a government which lacked planning for regional economies or the national economy.
"Their mantra was the farming industry and mining industry. What are they faced with now and what are their alternatives?"
At least tomorrow's announcement would give Buller some certainty, he said.
"It's been agony for the workers and their families, for retailers, for the whole of the community."
Westport retailer Pat Bradley said the community was worried about mineworkers and their families.
"I'm quite fearful for the staff in the in the mine and optimistic that the mine will continue but it's very clear some unfortunate people are going to lose their jobs," Mr Bradley said.
"Loss of those earnings will impact through the community and it will mean loss of people from the district as they have to leave to seek employment."
Local sporting and voluntary organisations would also suffer if people had to move out for work, he said.
He believed mothballing the mine unlikely because of the social and economic costs elsewhere -- such as the Midland line and Lyttelton Port.
"That might be an argument that the politicians see to support the continuation in a limited form."
The long-awaited Solid Energy announcement had been a double-edged sword, Mr Bradley said.
"It's caused a lot of anxiety while people knew the sword was hanging over them, but at least it has meant employment."
Some workers had already quit their jobs at Stockton because of the uncertainty, he said.
Retailer and former district councillor, Kathyrn Bainbridge, said she was also expecting bad news tomorrow.
"I feel really sorry for those that are going to be losing work. How big that's going to be I don't know."
Like Mr Bradley, she hoped mothballing wasn't on the cards and believed it was unlikely unless the Government had a plan to keep rail viable without coal.
Mrs Bainbridge said Buller still had a future, but politicians had to help the district find opportunities.
She believed tourism would only reach its potential if a road link went through between Karamea and Collingwood.
At least tomorrow's announcement would give the community a way forward, Mrs Bainbridge said.
"Uncertainty is a terrible thing. People can't plan, they have no idea where their lives are going."
