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State Significant Development

Determination

Maules Creek Coal Mine

Narrabri Shire

Current Status: Determination

Interact with the stages for their names

  1. SEARs
  2. Prepare EIS
  3. Exhibition
  4. Collate Submissions
  5. Assessment
  6. Recommendation
  7. Determination

Consolidated Consent

Consolidated Conditions

Archive

Application (3)

DGRs (1)

EA (31)

Submissions (41)

Public Hearing (2)

Response to Submissions (12)

Recommendation (2)

Determination (4)

Approved Documents

Management Plans and Strategies (27)

Agreements (2)

Reports (10)

Independent Reviews and Audits (3)

Other Documents (4)

Note: Only documents approved by the Department after November 2019 will be published above. Any documents approved before this time can be viewed on the Applicant's website.

Complaints

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Enforcements

There are no enforcements for this project.

Inspections

17/03/2020

24/11/2020

15/03/2022

11/10/2023

Note: Only enforcements and inspections undertaken by the Department from March 2020 will be shown above.

Submissions

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Showing 1 - 20 of 95 submissions
Jimmy Malecki
Comment
Coraki , New South Wales
Message
I strongly oppose this mining operation. Alternative energy resources are the way to go. We should not be sending all our coal over to China. There are other ways to infuse the economy without destroying Australia. If this mine is approved it shows there is no common sense on those that are meant to ensure a quality life for generations to come.

Coal mines are dinosaurs and no new mining licenses approved. The NSW State Government pulls incentives for the solar sector with a mass lay off but defend those in the coal industry. If the decision makers have children and care for them, then this madness would surely stop.

These are some of the reason to NOT approve the mine.

The Maules Creek Coal Mine will:

Clear a total of 1,665 hectares of native bush, taking the total clearing in the Leard Forest to over 3,500 hectares.
Clear 545 hectares of the White Box Grassy Woodland endangered community, taking the total clearing of endangered communities in Leard Forest to over 1,169 hectares.
Impact on habitat for up to 36 threatened species which are known or likely to occur in Leard State Forest, including Painted Honeyeater, Koala, Turquoise Parrot and Eastern Cave Bat.
Contribute to the destruction of the largest remnant of vegetation left on the heavily cleared Liverpool Plains.
Result in a final pit depth of 320m that will cause massive depressurisation of the water table and impact on springs and unique groundwater dependent ecosystems.
Result in a final void that will permanently deplete groundwater, interfere with aquifers and divert surface water.
Make an enormous contribution to global warming amounting to at least 25 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per annum from burning the coal that is produced. This is equivalent to more than 15% of all emissions from NSW annually.
Forever change the quiet rural community of Maules Creek into a giant industrial zone with impacts on health, air quality, noise and amenity.

Regards,
Gareth Thomas
Object
Mt victoria , New South Wales
Message
I am unhappy with the environmental impacts of this project. I believe that mining projects like this should never be approved. I am particulary concerned about clearing native forest and disturbing the water table.
Alan Roberts
Object
Bentley , New South Wales
Message
NEC objects to this open cut coal mine and isists that it never be approved. Environmental damage in the Leard state forest is unacceptable - we are familiar with the Maules Creek environment. The White Box EEC is not up for grabs - it is of much greater importance than the fossil industry's rush to extract the last dregs of fossil and converting it to yet more unacceptable global warming.
Kerri Browne
Object
Armidale , New South Wales
Message
I am seriously concerned about the effects this proposed mine will have on groundwater, the local forest ecosystem and the local community. I am also concerned about the effects on our carbon output from mining, transporting and burning such a huge tonnage of coal. I object to this proposal and it should never be approved.

Sean O'Shannessy
Object
Toonumbah , New South Wales
Message
This development should not be allowed to go ahead at all.
Clear a total of 1,665 hectares of native bush, taking the total clearing in the Leard Forest to over 3,500 hectares.
* Clear 545 hectares of the White Box Grassy Woodland endangered community, taking the total clearing of endangered communities in Leard Forest to over 1,169 hectares.
* Impact on habitat for up to 36 threatened species which are known or likely to occur in Leard State Forest, including Painted Honeyeater, Koala, Turquoise Parrot and Eastern Cave Bat.
* Contribute to the destruction of the largest remnant of vegetation left on the heavily cleared Liverpool Plains.
* Result in a final pit depth of 320m that will cause massive depressurisation of the water table and impact on springs and unique groundwater dependent ecosystems.
* Result in a final void that will permanently deplete groundwater, interfere with aquifers and divert surface water.
* Make an enormous contribution to global warming amounting to at least 25 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per annum from burning the coal that is produced. This is equivalent to more than 15% of all emissions from NSW annually.
* Forever change the quiet rural community of Maules Creek into a giant industrial zone with impacts on health, air quality, noise and amenity.
Miro Hodza
Object
Melbourne , Victoria
Message
This project will clear a total of 1,665 hectares of native bush, taking the total clearing in the Leard Forest to over 3,500 hectares.

In a sentence, I object to this massive destruction by clearing to our eco system for the SOLE benefit of a private company.
Kim Lauren Hollingsworth
Object
Uki , New South Wales
Message
Dear Sir/Madam,
There is no reasonable excuse for continuing to permit development of new coal mines. The planet is already suffering the impacts of devastating climate change, keeping our fossil fuel industries adding to our CO2 emissions will result in increased loss of biodiversity, (In this case impact on habitat for up to 36 threatened species which are known or likely to occur in Leard State Forest, including Painted Honeyeater, Koala, Turquoise Parrot and Eastern Cave Bat. This coal mine will clear a total of 1,665 hectares of native bush, taking the total clearing in the Leard Forest to over 3,500 hectares.
Clear 545 hectares of the White Box Grassy Woodland endangered community, taking the total clearing of endangered communities in Leard Forest to over 1,169 hectares.
The result of continuing to support/subsidize fossil fuel industries will be more extreme weather events, loss of our way of life and loss of human life itself. The cost will far outway any financial benefits in the long run, as the cost of climate change should be factored into these destructive polluting industries. I like many others want 100% renewable energy, not continued reliance on polluting fossil fuels. I know about 'Beyond Zero Emissions', 'Zero Carbon Australia Plan', Published by the Melbourne University, 100% renewable energy by 2020, using already proven technology.

Yours sincerely,

Ms. K. Hollingsworth
Deborah Hart
Object
Albert Park , Victoria
Message
On behalf of LIVE, representing more than 3,000 concerned citizens, I write to lodge an objection to the Maules Creek Coal Mine. Why? Because it will:

Clear a total of 1,665 hectares of native bush, taking the total clearing in the Leard Forest to over 3,500 hectares.
Clear 545 hectares of the White Box Grassy Woodland endangered community, taking the total clearing of endangered communities in Leard Forest to over 1,169 hectares.

Impact on habitat for up to 36 threatened species which are known or likely to occur in Leard State Forest, including Painted Honeyeater, Koala, Turquoise Parrot and Eastern Cave Bat.

Contribute to the destruction of the largest remnant of vegetation left on the heavily cleared Liverpool Plains.
Result in a final pit depth of 320m that will cause massive depressurisation of the water table and impact on springs and unique groundwater dependent ecosystems.

Result in a final void that will permanently deplete groundwater, interfere with aquifers and divert surface water.
Make an enormous contribution to global warming amounting to at least 25 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per annum from burning the coal that is produced. This is equivalent to more than 15% of all emissions from NSW annually.

Forever change the quiet rural community of Maules Creek into a giant industrial zone with impacts on health, air quality, noise and amenity.

It's outrageous that, in the 21st century, the NSW department of planning would even consider such an environmentally devastating project.

Yours faithfully,
Deborah Hart on behalf of LIVE (www.live.org.au)
Pablo Brait
Object
, New South Wales
Message
In this day and age, when we face a climate crisis of immense proportions, not one single dollar of money should be put into new coal developments.

No government should allow any new fossil fuel projects to go ahead if it cares about the people it governs. Developing a coal mine is insanity.

This new coal mine will add to climate change, and thereby add to deaths, injuries and empoverishment through floods, bushfire, storms, drought, water shortage, food shortage, displacement, etc.

It must not be allowed to go ahead.
Lisa Costello
Object
Tuntable Falls , New South Wales
Message
I can't believe that this project is happening on our precious state forest property.

Where will the wildlife go?

What will happen to the unique forest combinations.

Please reconsider this project.

Yours
Lisa Costello
Julie Boyd
Comment
HAstings Point , New South Wales
Message
*It's about as bad as any coal mine can be - clearing one of the best remaining stands of an endangered ecosystem to cart away 13 million tonnes of coal per year for export out of Newcastle. *
Margaret Louise
Object
Lismore , New South Wales
Message
I am totally apalled by the proposal for the Maules Creek Coal Project, firstly because an open cut coal mine of any sort has no place within a State Forest ecosystem, and secondly because the mining of coal produces a product that will very significantly contribute to increased global greenhouse gas emissions at a time when Australia should be reducing same.
I strongly object to this project, which will not only destroy valuable native bushland and habitat for endangered species like the Turquoise Parrot --(have you ever seen a Turquoise Parrot? I have. And they are magnificently beautiful creatures!)--but allowing this project to proceed will also destroy the livestyle and health of those people living in the area.
This Maules Creek Coal Project should NEVER be approved.
Sincerely,
Margaret Louise
Lismore, NSW
Carolyn Jeckeln
Object
Wooloweyah , New South Wales
Message
This DA is about as bad as a coal mine can be. The environmental irreversable damage to one of the last stands of an endangered ecosystem . That a state forest owned by the people of NSW be privatised for the benefit of a mining company.

The amount of native forest which this proposal involves would be putting 36 threatened species including the koala, turquoise parrot etc virtually to the edge of extinction.

It is difficult to make a rational submission to such an appalling DA.
It is my belief that this should never be approved
Wendy Hardman
Object
Congo , New South Wales
Message
Hi,
Please register my strong opposition to the Maules Creek Coal Mine development. Our State forests are a national environmental resource and in this day and age, it's madness to proceed with such developments when common sense clearly dictates the protection of native forests above economic considerations. In particular, I am concerned that;
The Maules Creek Coal Mine will:

Clear a total of 1,665 hectares of native bush, taking the total clearing in the Leard Forest to over 3,500 hectares.
Clear 545 hectares of the White Box Grassy Woodland endangered community, taking the total clearing of endangered communities in Leard Forest to over 1,169 hectares.
Impact on habitat for up to 36 threatened species which are known or likely to occur in Leard State Forest, including Painted Honeyeater, Koala, Turquoise Parrot and Eastern Cave Bat.
Contribute to the destruction of the largest remnant of vegetation left on the heavily cleared Liverpool Plains.
Result in a final pit depth of 320m that will cause massive depressurisation of the water table and impact on springs and unique groundwater dependent ecosystems.
Result in a final void that will permanently deplete groundwater, interfere with aquifers and divert surface water.
Make an enormous contribution to global warming amounting to at least 25 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per annum from burning the coal that is produced. This is equivalent to more than 15% of all emissions from NSW annually.
Forever change the quiet rural community of Maules Creek into a giant industrial zone with impacts on health, air quality, noise and amenity.

Thank you
Wendy Hardman
Paul Mulhall
Object
Glebe , New South Wales
Message
The Maules Creek Coal Mine will make an enormous contribution to global warming amounting to at least 25 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per annum from burning the coal that is produced. This is equivalent to more than 15% of all emissions from NSW annually.

This development is grossly irresponsible and will contribute towards a problem that our descendents will struggle with for generations to come.


Tom Harding
Object
Sydney , New South Wales
Message
This looks to be a terrible idea. In this parched land our drinking water should be protected and digging a massive hole will negatively affect the flow of water. Our forests should be preserved. Finally, the huge amounts of CO2 released by this project will make a bad situation worse. Please do not allow the profit of a few people to over ride the land of many. Please do not allow this mine.
Barbara Lynn
Object
Bega , New South Wales
Message
James Bramwell
Object
North Melbourne , Victoria
Message
I object to this development on the basis that The Maules Creek Coal Mine will:

Clear a total of 1,665 hectares of native bush, taking the total clearing in the Leard Forest to over 3,500 hectares.

Clear 545 hectares of the White Box Grassy Woodland endangered community, taking the total clearing of endangered communities in Leard Forest to over 1,169 hectares.

Impact on habitat for up to 36 threatened species which are known or likely to occur in Leard State Forest, including Painted Honeyeater, Koala, Turquoise Parrot and Eastern Cave Bat.

Contribute to the destruction of the largest remnant of vegetation left on the heavily cleared Liverpool Plains.

Result in a final pit depth of 320m that will cause massive depressurisation of the water table and impact on springs and unique groundwater dependent ecosystems.

Result in a final void that will permanently deplete groundwater, interfere with aquifers and divert surface water.

Make an enormous contribution to global warming amounting to at least 25 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per annum from burning the coal that is produced. This is equivalent to more than 15% of all emissions from NSW annually.

Forever change the quiet rural community of Maules Creek into a giant industrial zone with impacts on health, air quality, noise and amenity
carol sparks
Comment
glen innes , New South Wales
Message
dear sir or madam
this mine is disgraceful , it will be a blight on the landscape and a very sad day for our environment and the native animals and species it destroys , shame shame shame.
carol sparks
Lorraine Boyd
Object
Arrawarra , New South Wales
Message
Mining of coal in a State forest which is land belonging to the nation is something that we should say NO to. Once this "dirty" fuel is removed from the ground, the forest can never be restored. It is outrageous to imagine that a huge open cut coal mine such as that proposed for the Leard Forest near Boggabri could be approved.
The Maules Creek Coal Mine must not be allowed to proceed. I and many others do not approve of this development proposal currently on public exhibition under Part 3A because of the huge cost to the environment. The removal of native vegetation will impact significantly on biodiversity, habitat for our native animals, threatened animal species, the destruction of large tracts of native vegetation in an area already heavily cleared generally, impact on groundwater and the diversion of surface water and a negative impact on the amenity of the area for the community of Maules Creek.

Pagination

Project Details

Application Number
MP10_0138
Assessment Type
State Significant Development
Development Type
Coal Mining
Local Government Areas
Narrabri Shire
Decision
Approved With Conditions
Determination Date
Decider
IPC-N
Last Modified By
MP10_0138-Mod-9
Last Modified On
20/03/2024

Contact Planner

Name
Stephen O'Donoghue