HVO North Open Cut Coal Continuation Project

This would be the most polluting project in NSW since the Paris Agreement: Glencore and
Yancoal’s Hunter Valley Operations Continuation Project would be responsible for 1.2
billion tonnes of total carbon emissions and is the single largest new coal project
proposed in NSW since the Paris Agreement.
Eight new coal mine proposals in the NSW planning system right now (which are all
likely to determined in 2023) represent the largest increase of new coal capacity
proposed in NSW since the Paris Agreement entered into force at the end of 2016.

Instead of electrifying their mining fleet to eliminate diesel emissions, Yancoal
and Glencore are applying to steadily increase their diesel emissions. This
Project seeks approval to increase it’s Scope 1 diesel emissions by 43% by next decade

Air pollution
● The expansion of activities at HVO would inevitably result in degraded air quality, with
significant and prolonged air pollution in the form of PM10 and PM 2.5 emissions.
The Project would clear 397 ha of native vegetation, 97.4 ha of which is home to
Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs)

Biodiversity
At least two TECs face ‘Serious and Irreversible Impacts (SAII)’ as a result of the
Project, being Hunter Floodplain Red Gum Woodland in the NSW North Coast and
Sydney Basin Bioregions EEC and Warkworth Sands Woodland in the Sydney Basin
Bioregion EEC.

● The newly discovered legless lizard - the Hunter Valley delma (Delma vescolineata) -
is also at risk. While the Hunter Valley delma is not currently listed as a threatened
species, it is expected that it soon will be. It is understood that the species has been
nominated for listing under the Commonwealth EPBC Act. The species is only known
to occur in a geographically restricted area in the Hunter Valley, which is heavily
impacted by mining.

Please do not allow these projects to proceed for the sake of the environment and future generations of people, flora and fauna.

Regards,
J Howden

1. This is a very confusing application. I am going to submit only one objection and wish it to apply to HVO North and South.
2. 400 Mt? It is difficult to see where this figure comes from. 25x20+18x15 = a lot more than 400, although the application says "up to"
3. Climate. The proponent says extending to 2050, and ending there, fits within the 2050 net zero target of the Government. This is just nonsense. If we are still mining coal up to 2050 we will not be reaching net zero anywhere near then. Other industries like agriculture, steel, chemicals and cement are much more difficult to address. Also it is not about time, but quantity. We need a fairly steep decline starting yesterday.
1.2 Bt of scope 3 emissions is unacceptable and unconscionable. The increased scope 1 and 2 emissions means other industries will have to bear the burden of their own required emissions cuts, as well as the HVO non-cuts
4 Air quality. The proponent admits and addition to the particular load in the air over the Upper Hunter. The air is already saturated to the point where air quality alerts have gone off 45 times already this year
5 Biodiversity. The EIS lists a number of threatened and vulnerable species that live in the 397Ha of additional clearing (some threatened ecological communities) including the fat tailed phasgogale, the newly identified Delma species and a microbat.
6. This is a company that is hostile to any regulation that impedes its road to profit.

My submission for the HVO North Open Cut Coal Continuation Project constitutes the attached poem, The New Cooee March.

I am a proud HVO employee. At HVO, I get to develop myself and my career, surrounded by experienced and knowledgeable colleagues. I get to meet and work alongside fantastic people, most of whom have roots in local communities. And I get to be part of the bigger picture - one small part of a mine that makes a big difference.

When i say a big difference, I mean it. In obvious terms - HVO plays a big role in providing the energy that Australia needs to power every day life. It also contributes significantly to the economy.

But more than that, HVO provides ongoing employment for 1500 people (by extension, supporting their families and the communities they reside in), works with 700 suppliers, considers environmental implications and enforces strict environment controls, and has active involvement in the communities in which it operates. In my time at HVO, I've witnessed and/or been involved in a number of community/charity events - including partnering with SoldierOn, delivering Christmas presents for children in Parkes and Dubbo, having a dedicated fundraising and donations committee, running a Movember fundraising campaign, partnering with charities such as Westpac Helicopter Rescue and Hunter Breast Cancer...the list goes on.

The HVO mine extension is good for me, good for my work mates, good for the local communities and good for the economy. I support this extension and the prospect of a long and exciting future at HVO, providing enormous benefit to the surrounding communities and infrastructure.

I support the HVO South open cut coal continuation project and HVO north open cut coal continuation project. It will provide income/employment for the community.

HVO has provided employment for my family since 1978 and will continue to do so for many years to come.
The region, local communities, local charities, local businesses small and large all benefit from HVO through our Community Grants, Smarty Grants and Donations.
The Hunter Valley will continue to grow with extended life of mining at HVO with the prospect of increase in jobs and longer job security.

There will be no change in the scale of the mines operation and it will bring in thousands of jobs from all over the state.

The project provides long term employment and economic sustainability for the Hunter Valley.

With this expansion of HVO north it will guarantee myself and other family members employment for the long term future. These family members are not all in direct mining jobs but also companies and businesses which rely on the flow on from this industry.Surrounding towns and businesses will also rely heavily on mining continuing in this area.

As a life long resident of the Hunter Valley and a coal miner for 38 years I fully support the HVO North Open Cut Coal Continuation Project.

I support this

Renewable energy isn't in a position to fully take over from coal and nor will it be for an extended period of time. It is important moving forward that we globally take a balanced approach when looking at our current climate crisis. To me despite being progressive with environmental causes I don't see the sense in shutting down large mines, where there is a known commodity with relatively low gas levels and easy access. Australian coal is good quality, we export the coal to countries that have much more up to date technology that further reduces the emissions and the bad side of coal.

Renewable energies are much more destructive and costly to extract, no large copper deposits have been found in decades, there is only a finite amount of lithium etc. Unless Australia goes to nuclear the reality is we will need coal here too moving forward of course we will need to make more efficient power stations of course to lessen our emissions but coal will still be an integral part to society if we want to continue living with the current luxurys that we have today. Stop the opening of small barely economic new mines yes but allow ones such as HVO to continue on.

I support this project. I believe the continuation is a positive for the future of our local community

I support the proposal as I am employed at the mine and require continued income to support my family

See submission in attached letter

The site provides so many local jobs whilst still effectively managing community and environmental impacts.

I believe that renewable energy is part of the future but this expansion extension is part of the lease that that has been around for several decades, I believe that the coal is needed to supply power & steel in the short term,the jobs that are created from this extension will provide jobs & security for the young people of the Hunter Valley while we are devoloping the renewable sources. the flow on for work accross all local business will also be strengthened by the approval of the extension

The continuation of HVO is of great benefit to the community & the local economy. It will continue to provide jobs and opportunities and should definitely go ahead.

I have worked within the transport and mining industry for over 20 years and believe that mining has a huge influence not just on the local but the national economy aswell, the mining industry employs thousands of people but also helps keep jobs within other companies that supply the industry with their products, mining companies also have great affect on local communities by sponsoring local events and have great regeneration plans for the areas that have already been mined

I support both north and south projects