HVO South Open Cut Coal Continuation Project

Great for the community

The HVO Amendment Report (AR) has been prepared to address comments regarding large amounts of fugitive emissions release when mining seams within Gas Domains 1 and 3, and no longer proposes to mine these areas. The Amended HVO continuation project still represents a major emissions heavy fossil fuels development in a time when we need to be seriously ratcheting down our emissions.
The AR does not appropriately consider the recent policy developments and findings of a number of inquiries by both state and federal governments including:
• The Climate change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023
• Strategic statement for coal mining and exploration in NSW 2020 currently under review
• CCA 2035 Emissions Reduction Targets Report
• National Climate Risk Assessment 2025
• Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group Inc v MACH Energy Australia Pty Ltd [2025] NSWCA 163
• NSW EPA Climate Change Action Plan 2023–26
The resounding theme from these from these above legislation, policies and judgements is that our economy and planning authorities is falling well short of its emissions reductions and obligations.
The amendment report provides minimal other than tokenistic mitigation measures for fugitive emissions and diesel fuel emissions, while expert agencies like the Independent Expert Advisory Panel for Mining state:
• “The only fugitive emissions avoidance measure available is mine planning that restricts the areal extent of mining and/or the depth of mining.”
• “There is little that can be done to mitigate diesel GHG emissions. They are a product of combustion for which no viable technology is available or emerging to mitigate the emissions prior to their release directly to atmosphere.” (IEAPM, 2024)
This project, while heavily amended to remove the gassiest seams in domain 1 and domain 3, still represents a huge increase in NSW emissions when its clear we need to be working in the opposite direction.
Correspondence from the EPA states should this project be approved; other parts of the NSW economy will bear the brunt of having to reduce emissions faster. (NSW EPA, 2024). Particularly if inflationary powers work together to raise the cost of carbon offsets that this project will rely on heavily.

The AR also does not adequately address the direct request by the DPHI to further explain how the project aligns with Glencore 2024-26 Climate Action Transition Plan. Reading between the lines it appears glencore intends to approve extensions to sell its coal mines for the maximum possible value. This does not assist NSW with its emissions reduction targets.

The AR justifies its strategic context with a heavily reliance on currently under review Strategic Statement for Coal mining in NSW. this is following recommendations by the NSW Net Zero Commission to the DRNSW. The AR also references the now invalid IPC development consent for the Mt Pleasant Optimisation project that was successfully overturned in the NSW Court of Appeal (see Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group Inc v MACH Energy Australia Pty Ltd [2025] NSWCA 163).

The reliance on offsets to bring their carbon emissions in compliance with the safeguard mechanism and EPA requirements may have inflationary pressures on the carbon offsets market (IEAPM, 2024). This may have wide reaching ramifications throughout the economy which may disproportionately impact small businesses that lack he deep pockets to pay for offsets like HVO does.

References:
IEAPM. (2024). Inderpendant Expert Advisory Panel For Mining Advice re: Hunter Valley Operation Continuation Project (SSD-11826681 and 11826621). Sydney: IEAPM.
NSW DCCEEW. (2025). NSW Government Response to Net Zero Commission 2024 Annual Report and the Parliamentary inquiry report by the Joint Standing Committee on Net Zero Future. Parramatta: NSW Government.
NSW EPA. (2024). Second Submission - HVO North and South Open Cut Coal Continuation Projects (SSD-11826681 and SSD-11826621) - EPA Comments to Response to Submissions . Parramatta: NSW Government.

The HVO continuation project represents sustainable and responsible extraction of coal, with a focus on minimising environmental impact while maximising economic benefits. Through innovative techniques, technology, and commitment to safety and strong community engagement.
Key Objectives:
Enviro-Friendly Practices:
Implement advanced methods such as water recycling, energy-efficient machinery, and sustainable waste management to minimise environmental footprint.
Economic Growth:
Generate local job opportunities & the continuation of employment for the existing 1500+ workers, boost the regional economy.
Community Engagement:
Foster strong relationships with indigenous & local communities.
On a personal level, my family & many others within the community support the project to ensure growth and care for the ones we hold dear.

I support this project

We support the project

I support the extension.

As a local hunter valley resident, and 4th generation coal worker, it is very important for projects like the HVO expansion to go forward, these projects not only provide local jobs but provide local support for the whole area, this includes small businesses, sporting organisations and schools to name a few. If we deny this and any project within the hunter valley we risk losing a whole lot more.
I understand that the whole “green” situation is happening and thats fine but to put this agenda before local communities and local jobs is ridiculous. Lets think of not only the families who rely on projects like this one but the future generations that will want to work in this industry.

HVO supports local jobs and contributes millions of dollars each year to the community. Without HVO there would be thousands of lost jobs both direct and indirectly.

My wife and I moved to the Hunter Valley in late 2012 for an employment opportunity in mining when we were pregnant with our first child. Not long after, we bought a house in Singleton for our young family.
Since that time our son has gone to school in Singleton and joined the Singleton Junior Rugby Club. I’ve worked for several mining companies, both major mining houses and smaller suppliers to them and now I work directly for HVO. I have volunteered in a local service organisation and as a coach at the Singleton Junior Rugby Club. My wife has worked for several local businesses in this time. We’ve sold our first house and built a new house in Singleton using a local building company and contractors.
All of this is continues to be made possible by the continuation of HVO and other mining projects in the region. We have seen what happens in Singleton and the Upper Hunter during a serious mining downturn in 2013 and ’14. Eight years later and there are still empty shop fronts on the main street of Singleton from businesses that closed at that time. The effect will be similar as mines begin to close and if HVO is not allowed to continue mining beyond its current consents, the effect in the near future will be heavily felt by my family and our community.
In short, I support this project as it supports me, my family, and the community in which we live.

I support this project

As HVO is mining thermal coal for power stations, we will still need this mine to export to other countries for income, plus with this form of mining there is only 1 mine, 1 regeneration after use.
Unlike other forms of power such as wind turbines, solar energy and battery vehicles these items require more precious metals and more mines to obtain them.
Plus I doubt State or Federal governments have sufficient systems in place to follow on with green power at this stage, which will leave us all in the dark, literally.
When you are bringing in new systems common sense would tell you to use both systems parallel for a substantial time before dropping 1.
I would appreciate being told by the Government, what stage they're up to and what we should expect.

I strongly believe with the continuation of the HVO South Open Cut Coal Project that the local communities will continue to be supported and benefit from the project through charities, donations and keeping the workforce and their families in the local areas.
I am currently employed as a fitter in the coal mines and as a primary income provider for my family, i believe that continuing the project will allow my family and myself to continue to live in the area and support our local community.

I support the project

I currently work at HVO and have for 19 years and I support the project as it continues to support 1500 local jobs and local bussinesses as well as mining royalties to support schools and hospitals and continues with local charities and community organizations and is good for the economy .

To Whom It May Concern,
I am putting forward my full support for the HVO south project for the following reason's.
Living in small rural town there isn't a whole lot of work and the opportunities this project will bring in the way of trade and upskill growth is endless not including future employment opportunities for my young family.
The 24hr run mine site will continue to give the option of working days or nights to allow me to support my family financially and physically. In being home weekdays, I am able to support my partner in multiple extra curriculum specialist appointments my children need to further their education, speech, fine motor skills and physical abilities.
Finally, I would like to add the financial stability a large mine provides currently and into the future only further allows the support towards my small local community, businesses and town.
I look forward to the continued support HVO South will bring to myself and local communities in the ways I have mentioned above and in far more ways into the future.

Project supports the community

secure employment for myself and future children

I write to give my full support for the HVO extension project in the South.
I have been a part of the HVO team for 13 years now. It provides me with great opportunities that allows me to provide a great balanced lifestyle for my young family. The site and roster allow me to spend quality time with my 3 young children and wife. Be involved with the schools, sporting clubs and support my wife in her career.
The people at HVO are what set it apart from other workplaces. It's a real family environment.
HVO's approval will provide the community with countless job opportunities not only at the mine itself but all its suppliers, contractors and support the local community in the Hunter and Newcastle regions which would benefit everyone in those communities.
With the approval it will be able to continue to support local charity organisations, industries suppliers, schools and community grants. The employees of the mine, contractors and suppliers will continue to invest their money in the local community at the shops, cafes, bakers, pubs and clubs, supermarkets, restaurants etc etc. Their children will attend the local schools, tafes and participate in sporting clubs and organisations. This would continue to build a strong, vibrant and diverse local community.
In addition, with the approval the flood prone Moses crossing would be upgraded with a bridge over the Hunter River to allow access for the public and mine workers to Lemington Road in heavy rain events.
HVO offers educational assistance for their employees which I have been fortunate enough to use and will complete a trade upgrade through one of the local registered training organisations.
I fully support HVO and look forward to seeing the mine continue into the future and keep providing a great future and lifestyle for myself and all personnel involved with the site and community far and wide.

For future job security and maintaining small businesses that serve the mining industry

I fully support the HVO South continuation project as it will provide thousands of jobs for the local community and surrounding areas, not just on the mine site but also for contracting, OEM and supply companies too.
HVO is also very committed to rehabilitating the area back to a natural state after mining.