Locals fear for their children’s quality of life if the biggest coalmine extension in NSW is approved
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- Hunter Valley Operations — the Glencore-Yancoal joint venture near Singleton — is seeking a 19-year extension to mine 430 million additional tonnes of coal at its north and south sites, projected to make it the largest coal operation in NSW by output.
- The Independent Planning Commission heard from more than 130 speakers across three public forums, with former steelworker Janet Murray opposing the project on climate grounds and Mining and Energy Union's Robin Williams warning the closure would deliver 'another major economic shock' to Singleton and Muswellbrook.
- The NSW Net Zero Commission warned the Minns government that extended or expanded coalmines are inconsistent with legislated targets of 50% emissions cuts by 2030, 70% by 2035 and net zero by 2050 — and said this week the state must work 2.5 times faster to meet them.
- Climate-impact witnesses including Fiona Lee, who lost her home in the 2019 black summer fires, told the commission her local council has applied for disaster funding 16 times in six years while Glencore and Yancoal 'post huge profits' but 'pay none of the price.'
- Former Fire and Rescue NSW commissioner Greg Mullins said approving the extension would be a price 'too high to pay for an industry that is in terminal decline,' and pledged to keep citizens safe as a higher duty.
- Greens environment spokesperson Sue Higginson told the final hearing that a condition in HVO's original consent requiring an exit strategy had been removed, and the project would likely face legal challenge if approved.
- HVO's extension is the first of almost 20 such NSW coal projects awaiting planning determinations; the commission's decision is expected in early September.
Why it matters: The commission's ruling will set precedent for nearly 20 other NSW coal extension proposals backed by the state coal strategy, while the Net Zero Commission has stated NSW must move 2.5 times faster to hit its legislated 2030 and 2035 targets — meaning whichever way the commission decides will either entrench or begin dismantling the Hunter's coal economy at a moment climate scientists say the state is already off-track.
