HVO North Open Cut Coal Continuation Project

I support the HVO Project. HVO is vital to the locality and NSW.

Supporting the project following the damage it will do to the surrounding towns, without the support the mine gives to the local towns including sports, education and small local business.

i support the project & hvo.

Please see my attached submission.

I think we should do less coal mining and focus more on energy renewables.

The project wholly ignores the downstream consequences of fossil fuel emissions and climate change. Despite the extracted material not being used in Australia, it undermines Australian goals of emissions reduction by contributing to emissions elsewhere. The eventual emissions of this project is profound, amounting to 7 times the annual emissions of New Sourh Wales. Furthermore, it directly ignores court precedent that the environmental impacts of a project of this nature must assess the enormous environmental implications of such mining, of which the HVO has clearly not.

I am submitting my comments as an attachment.

This project has fiercely dangerous implications on the climate, even if it is done abroad.

we need this project to be able to live

I think should stop this as the new plan doesn't account for long term impacts of this coal project and it will make Australia's net zero goal harder to reach.

i dont think coal should continue as it destroys the environment

Great Project with a balanced outcome for the local and wider community, excellent use of existing infrastructure, brilliant upgrade over the Hunter River for residents from Jerry’s Plains and beyond and most importantly providing financial security and confidence for the greater Hunter communities.

The HVO Continuation Project Amendment will support local jobs, the local economy and community by extending mining operations at HVO North to 2045 and HVO South to 2042, using existing infrastructure.
HVO is not a new mine, it has been mining in the Beautiful Hunter Valley for 70 years. There will little change to the scale or intensity of mining and no increase to approved annual production rates. It will
manage community impacts.
Continuing up to 1500 local jobs and support for local businesses that we buy goods and services from.
Continuing taxes and mining royalties to support schools, hospitals and roads as well as pay for teachers, nurses and police services.
Continuing local charity and community support through our Workplace Giving, sponsorship and community grants program.
I strongly support mining in the Hunter Valley and all the benefits that it brings to our region.

As a young citizen of Australia I oppose the extension and expansion of the HVO North and South Coal mine, located in my home state NSW. I oppose this project because of the negative environmental impact coal has on the surrounding region and the global climate. Expanding a coal mine in 2025 when we have other energy sources readily available is irresponsible and must be reconsidered. The long term cost of digging up more coal and burning it and releasing further emissions into our atmosphere is astronomical. The coal mining companies that profit off this destruction must be made to be responsible for their environmental impact. Severe weather that results from climate change is a threat to our way of living, our food systems, our water and our housing. The science has been clear for decades and the recently released "State of Climate Report" developed by the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO clearly states, "Global fossil fuel CO2 emissions, the principal driver of the growth in CO2 concentrations, are continuing to increase." The report contains many concerning weather and climate impacts that Australians will be faced with in the near future if we do not stop reduce our emissions. This is very much a global issue, however, Australians are likely to face a heightened impact of climate change if we do not cut our emissions. The environmental impact of adding more coal emissions to our atmosphere is dire. As per the report, "The world’s oceans, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, have taken up more than 90% of the extra energy stored by the planet (as heat) arising from enhanced greenhouse gas concentrations". The CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere by coal are contributing to the heating of the our Oceans, with our nation being surrounded by oceans, we are directly under the threat of more severe weather, as well as the destruction of oceanic habitats that support our food system and surrounding eco-systems. We must move to renewable energy and support a global move away from fossil fuels that are threatening our way of life and the future of our children and environment. We can lead the way and we can do so by stopping the expansion of coal mines in our own backyard. The people in power making decisions now are making decisions that have so much more at stake then ever before. Decisions must be made with a view of what the future looks like, because right now we are not doing enough to make the world a better place for our future. When making this decision, I ask you to look at the children and the future of our great country and and say that you have done everything you could to give them a safe future, with a stable food systems, clean air and a livable planet, because approving new coal mine expansions does not give them that.

HVO is more than just a place of work. It’s a vital part of our lives our families and the communities we support. For myself and my family HVO represents stability, purpose and pride. It provides a reliable income that allows us to build a future, support our children, and live with dignity in a challenging economic climate. HVO employs around 1500 families. These are skilled, dedicated workers who take pride in what they do, and whose hard work drives our shared success. Our work at HVO doesn’t stop at the gates. We are deeply connected to the community around us. We support local business through our supply chains, we partner with local organisations and we invest in regional development. Our presence boosts the local economy, creating a ripple effect that benefits schools, shops, tradespeople, service providers and more. When HVO thrives, the entire region thrives. We also committed to doing things the right way, with responsibility, safely and care for the environment. This continuation project ensures that HVO can keep delivering value while continuing to evolve in line with community expectations and environmental standards.

Doctors for the Environment opposes the HVO North and South Continuation projects for the following
reasons:
● the burning of coal mined will exacerbate climate change, harm human health and cause hardship
and economic losses for the people of NSW and elsewhere in the world
● the justification for the mine is based on incorrect logic and, in some cases, false information
● the design of the mine is sited very close to the Hunter river, the main ecological artery of the region.
In normal years this will damage the river, and in flood years the river is likely to damage the mine.
The attached submission gives further detail.

I want to express my strong support for the continuation of the HVO coal mine.

Our family of five has lived in this community for the last 16 years and had a connection with HVO for the last few years. Two out of our three children were born in Muswellbrook and our oldest child was only six weeks old when we moved here for mining. We are deeply invested in the future of HVO and believe it plays a crucial role in providing stable, well-paying jobs that allow families like ours to remain in the local area, raise our children here, and contribute to the local economy. Not only does the mine provide direct employment, but it also supports countless businesses and services that depend on its operation. It also helps to sustain local schools, doctors, retail outlets, etc due to the employment of local people and their families residing in the local area. As a person who works in a local independent school, our school would not survive without families being connected to local mines, including HVO.

For us, the mine isn’t just about jobs—it’s about community. Our children attend local schools, we shop in local stores, we play on local sports teams, and we volunteer in local groups. Without the stability that mining brings, families would be forced to move away, which would weaken our schools, businesses, and community spirit.

I also note the mine’s ongoing efforts in environmental management and rehabilitation and believe that with strong regulation and community consultation, the mine can continue to operate responsibly while supporting the region economically.

As a family, we want our children to grow up in a thriving, resilient community with opportunities for the future. The continuation of the HVO mine is vital for ensuring that future, especially with other mines coming to the end of their life.

I urge you to consider the real families and communities who rely on the mine and to approve its continuation.

Thank you for taking the time to review my submission and I hope this has shed a light on not just the impact for the mine employees, but for the local communities who rely on mining for their future.

This projects approval underpins the economic health of our community and surrounding areas. This industry has supported my family for 25 years and must continue to do so for many more. Far too many people rely on our workplace and not approving this project with be irresponsible on many levels.

I support the continuation of the existing mining operation.
This will enable HVO to secure long-term employment for over 1,500 employees and contractors, many of whom live and raise families and contribute to the local economy. The mine also invests in local suppliers and community initiatives.
The HVO Continuation Project has undergone detailed environmental assessments and proposes extensive mitigation measures, including progressive land rehabilitation, biodiversity offsets, and water management strategies.
The continuation of HVO is vital to the economic stability, employment prospects, and regional development of the Hunter community and beyond.

The mine isn't trying to expand its footprint, just the ability to continue operating to provide ongoing support of local business, schools and families.