HVO South Open Cut Coal Continuation Project

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 support HVO south and north mine extend as it’s supports my family and every other work at hvo family. It also contributes to the hunter vally

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.

The approval of this project to extend the mine life of HVO out to 2045 is extremely important to myself and my family. It is also extremely important as any other decision will cripple the Hunter Valley, NSW. The amount of direct employees, let alone support business that would be impacted is phenomenal. What will all these people do? The Hunter Valley would turn into a ghost town, with the employment market flooded with people looking for work with no industry to support. We aren't there with renewables or alternate energy sources.
The amended project proposal has addressed concerns raised by the NSW Government, reducing emissions and removing impact to endangered areas (Warkworth Sands Woodlands). The project largely targets already mined or approved areas and is in alignment with government objectives for environmental protection. I strongly support this amended project and am hopeful that approval is granted in the near future.

HVO supports the town of Singleton in many ways. They employee many residents in this location and support commercial/industrial business too. Losing one of, if not the biggest mine in the area will be detrimental to the area.
In this current financial climate we can't afford to starve the Hunter Valley of the financial benefits they provide to the people, businesses, charities and government. They are not asking for a Golden Ticket to mine until the end of time, they are requesting more time to continue what they are doing as we slowly transition away from coal. This is important as will give employees time to find new jobs and time for the government to put alternative energy projects into place.

I support the project as it will secure 1500 jobs, support local and surrounding communities and, supports more than 500 local businesses for the next 20 years.

The federal government recently released report on climate change impacts and the importance of emissions reduction, this projects emissions will cause harm to the environment locally, nationally and internationally and this is not acceptable.
The impacts of emissions scope 1,2 and 3 will cause financial burden and impacts on human health and harm to the environment.

I believe this is vital for the national and local economies.

The maximum benefit to the Australian GDP and tax generation that is needed to rin NSW and Australian Governments, we need assets that generate billions of dollars. HVO is both the North and South, one without the other, damages investment returns and impacts the economies of scale equations. Maximum return for the asset (both north and south), means maximum returns for the benefit of all stakeholders.

To Whom it May Concern,
It is inconceivable that the expansion of Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) is even under consideration.
The residue from the coal dust from mines in the Upper Hunter is already causing residents to pack-up and leave to other parts of Australia. The expansion of the already dirty mine would increase the already poor air quality of this area, an area that has a very high rate of asthma and respiratory problems per capita. My two teenage sons live within 15 kilometres (as the crow flies) of HVO. They are the 5th generation living on the farm at Appletree Flat. How dare Glencore and Yancoal put the health of their growing bodies at further risk.
In even closer proximity to the HVO mine than our farm is a primary school in Jerry’s Plains where children will be playing in the playground on days when the mine is blasting. This is completely unacceptable.
The expansion of Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) should not go ahead. Australia should aim to be the clever country, not the country that, in the 21st century, continues to rely on 19th century technology.
Regards,
Louise Jean Stokes
25th September 2025

I am writing to express my strong support for the continuation of the Hunter Valley Operations project. This initiative is crucial not only for sustaining existing employment but also for generating approximately 1,500 new jobs in the region. Such job creation is essential for the economic growth and stability of our local communities.

Additionally, the royalties generated from this project will provide significant financial support for the local area, enabling investments in infrastructure, education, and community services. These funds can enhance the quality of life for residents and foster further development in the region.

I believe that with responsible resource management and a commitment to sustainable practices, the Hunter Valley Operations project can bring about positive change while balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.

I urge the planning authorities to recognize the substantial benefits this project will bring to our community and to support its advancement.

I would like to pledge my support for the HVO North Open Cut Coal Continuation Project. I have worked in the mining industry for 31 years throughout the Hunter Valley at multiple sites. Over that time, I have had the opportunity to experience all levels and divisions of the mining business.
I am Electrical based and over the last 10 years I have been fortunate to experience the planning and execution of this type of project. The areas that have impressed me the most on this type of project is the attention to detail and compliance around Environmental consent. It is refreshing to know that the systems and resources are in place to ensure the project is executed as per the State Significant Development requirements and the operation is manned to comply to community expectation moving forward.

Submission in Support of HVO Continuation project

I am writing to express my support for the proposed Continuation of HVO mine site in the Hunter Valley.
Our business, Bower’s Heavy Haulage operates in the transport sector and has worked closely with HVO for a number of years. The continuation and extension of the mine would provide ongoing stability not only for our business, which employs up to 100 people, but also for many other local contractors, suppliers, and employees whose livelihoods rely on the operation.
The Hunter Valley region has a proud history of mining, the area was built on the industry, which has contributed significantly to local communities, businesses, and the broader national economy. A continuation of HVO would ensure continued investment in the area, job security for many workers, and flow-on benefits for local service providers.
Keeping mining activity in already established regions ensures operations are concentrated where they belong, rather disrupting communities in areas not traditionally associated with mining.
Whilst I understand green energy is the direction Government is taking, I believe right now is not the time, and it will take decades to get there.
In the meantime, let us continue to mine the minerals we have in this country.
We strongly support the proposed continuation project and the positive impacts it will bring to both the local economy and the wider community.
Regards
Daniel Bower
Managing Director
Bowers Heavy Haulage

I hold a Graduate Diploma of Environmental Studies and a BA Economics from Macquarie University, I have been an active member of my local conservation group and I have been doing bushcare for more than 20 years.
I object to the project for the reasons stated in the attached document.

The HVO continuation project will provide a large boon to the development of the hunter valley. It provides significant economic value and ensures the development of the local regional area.

The country needs coal mining to pay the debt that the Labour party is racking up.
Climate change is a scam and the government is making money out of renewable driving the cost of living up.

Support

I support the continuation project and believe the submission should go through. The project supports employment for my family and the local community, as well as injecting vital funds into the state revenue.