HVO North Open Cut Coal Continuation Project

I think the HVO continuation project will be good. HVO employees and uses many people and businesses in the hunter region. Its a great asset for the economy of the hunter region.

Working at hvo enables me to provide for my family

I am writing as a resident of Jerrys Plains and a parent, deeply concerned about the proposed expansion of Hunter Valley Operations (HVO). I strongly object to this proposal for the following reasons:

1. Environmental Breaches and Impacts

HVO has a documented history of environmental breaches that directly affect my community:

Air quality exceedances: There have been at least five PM10 exceedances in the past year (March 2024, November 2024, December 2024, January 2025, and March 2025), with readings up to 57.9 µg/m³, exceeding the national 24-hour standard of 50 µg/m³. Despite this, I have received notification only once. The health of my children and other sensitive residents is at risk.

Saline water discharge: In 2024, HVO discharged over 500 kilolitres of saline water into Farrells Creek, threatening aquatic ecosystems and contaminating local waterways.

Greenhouse gas emissions: Even the revised proposal will contribute millions of tonnes of CO₂, plus methane emissions, worsening climate change.

Biodiversity and heritage impacts: The mine expansion threatens critical habitats, including Warkworth Sands Woodland, and poses risks to Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Broader impacts: Increased emissions from the coal when burned contribute indirectly to environmental damage, including threats to the Great Barrier Reef.


2. Community Concerns

As a parent, I am deeply worried about the ongoing health impacts of air pollution on my children. Repeated PM10 exceedances put them at risk of respiratory issues, especially given their vulnerability to asthma and other conditions. The lack of timely community notifications has left me largely unaware of these risks and unable to take precautions.

The mine’s history of breaches demonstrates a pattern of poor environmental management. Allowing this expansion to proceed will continue to expose my family, neighbours, and our broader environment to significant and unacceptable risks.

3. Conclusion

The proposed expansion fails to address the serious issues that led to the rejection of the original plan. Cosmetic changes do not mitigate the risks posed to health, environment, and cultural heritage. I urge the Commission to reject HVO’s proposal and to prioritise the safety, health, and wellbeing of communities like Jerrys Plains over continued fossil fuel extraction.

Thank you for considering my submission.

This will ensure thousands of people now and in the future are able to keep their jobs.

I am supporting the project for the continuation of the mining of HVO. Bringing jobs to the area and providing essential resources.

I support this business venture

Long-time Singleton resident from 1988 till 2022 with infrastructure and resources still available in the Hunter, this is a key project for the ongoing prosperity of the region. HVO has a long and proud history in the Hunter for its local support and valuable financial contributions to the local area and NSW government.

With the fixed assets for the mine already in place and the resource still available, why wouldn't we still mine the resource? With the net-zero 2050 target, the updated project closing in 2045 aligns with your goals. Does not make financial sense to close the mine now without this approval .

I am employed by HVO and I rely on the project to continue supporting my livelihood

I support keeping the mine open to support the local community and jobs.

This extension at HVO would allow for plenty of job opportunities & for the business to get the most out of the mines life & HVO have a great rehabilitation program in which they would ensure the mine is rehabilitated back to as close a normal. HVO ensures to always protect & look out for their neighbours ensuring environment procedures are followed.

I support the continuation of mining at HVO. It provides so many jobs and opportunities for so many people in the hunter valley.

N/A

I am in full support of this project’s continuation, HVO are an integral part of the Hunter’s community, continually working to improve their operations to ensure they continue to be a responsible employer and community member

Provides jobs to many,Including myself. Good for the hunter region.

Small towns not only rely on farming business but also mining business with employing 1500 people. Earned money is spent locally to small towns in various local businesses. With the amount of tax paid by employees, council maintains amenities. Environmentally, mining business grows trees to support health and wellbeing. Noise complaints from local residents are managed in accordance with policies and procedures set in place.
extending mining continuation project will have a bigger impact on economy positively as mentioned above.

HVO has been an operating Mine for many decades providing local employment, enhancing the local and state economies, doing business locally and been very active and supportive with regards community sponsorship and donations. The Mine has co existed with other business, the environment, the community and remains compliant with it's obligations under the consent conditions and associated management plans. Like other similar operations, HVO is a major contributor to royalty payments in the state of NSW helping boost government revenue which in turn supports critical state infrastructure. I fully support the continuation of mining at HVO as this in turn supports local jobs and the advancement of our area more broadly.

I support the continuation of HVO North as a previous employee the systems and planning are top notch in the business and support many people and businesses in the region.

My family and my community need this continuation of mining coal to go ahead.
Hunter valley operations work very hard and successfully mine with minimal impact on those in the community. They monitor noise, and dust vigorously. They support community business's, projects and sport teams. Most importantly Hunter Valley Operations makes this State revenue for important projects. The infrastructure is here, we must use it wisely for our future, it would be irresponsible and a terrible waste of the resources that already exist.

I support this project for the jobs it provides to the Hunter Region both directly and indirectly to the local communities. To not allow this project to continue will have dire effects on multiple industries in the local communities as well as abroad. The need for energy and steel to also be topics for this project.

HVO contributes heavily into the local community and economy and employs over 1500 locals from all surrounding areas. With many other mines coming to an end in the region HVO needed in the supply of its high quality export.