Maules Creek Continuation Project

This mine supports the community of Boggabri and Gunnedah and supports my families income as well as hundreds of other families in the area and surrounds, as such I support this continuation of mauls Creek.

To support local communities

I would love the extension so can support my habits in the real world

Maules Creek coal mine supports hundreds of people and provides the community with ample opportunities to thrive. The mine attracts people from all over the country for employment and brings income to the region.

Good for employees around area

Continuation of the WHC maules creek project would be very advantageous for its current employees and other people looking to get a start in the mining industry

I would like to support the submission of the extended the mauls creek mine as it supports the local community with local jobs and support roles and sponsorship through the mauls creek area

It is really good for the town and its employment

Great community support and job

Jobs
Sponsoring community organisations and sporting clubs

I think we need jobs in the area. I support the extension

Maules Creek Mine has provided for growth within my local town through direct jobs, contractor support and community support through grants/donations.
I have witnessed this growth directly through Whitehaven support to my local sporting club and numerous others clubs.
Without the employment provided by Maules Creek I see a downturn in the local economy and community.

To create implement opportunities for future generations and for the community

It will supply local jobs and help grow the local economy, as well as provide great employment opportunities for young and disadvantaged people in the area. Many families rely on the employment this mine provides.

Employment and continued follow on employment.
Community wellbeing

The mine provides vital support for the local surrounding communities, pays taxes and provides many jobs for people.

On going employment & Comunity well being.

I support the project.

I support the continuation of the Maules Creek Project because I’ve seen what it means for our local economy, our community, and the people who live and work here. It’s easy to overlook the real, everyday benefits of a project like this when the conversation becomes too focused on broad headlines. But if you live in the area — like I do — the impact is clear.

The mine plays a major role in keeping our local economy alive. Whitehaven spends hundreds of millions each year with local suppliers — businesses based right here in Narrabri, Gunnedah, Boggabri and the surrounding areas. That money doesn’t just disappear; it stays in town. It supports local contractors, mechanics, accommodation providers, cafes, and more. Without projects like Maules Creek, a lot of those businesses would be under serious pressure — some probably wouldn’t survive. In regional towns like ours, that kind of economic activity matters more than people think.

One of the biggest benefits is the jobs it provides. Maules Creek isn’t fly-in-fly-out — most of the workers live locally. These are good-paying, stable jobs that let people live close to family, buy homes, and contribute to the community. And it’s not just about today’s jobs. Whitehaven is putting a lot into training programs, apprenticeships, and career development. A lot of young people from the area have started as trainees and now have full-time roles with a future. Plus, the company has done great work in boosting Indigenous participation, with a significant number of Indigenous employees now working across their sites.

I know there are concerns whenever coal is involved, and I get that. But I’ve watched how Whitehaven operates, and I believe they’re doing things the right way. They’ve put a strong focus on land rehabilitation — they’re not just digging and leaving; they’re restoring land as they go using native plants and ongoing monitoring. They’ve got systems in place for dust control, water recycling, and staying within environmental regulations — and they’re being held to account by government agencies, as they should be. Whitehaven also works with the Gomeroi people to make sure cultural heritage is respected and protected. It’s not perfect, but there’s real engagement happening, and that matters.

Another big reason I support the project is the work Whitehaven does outside the gates of the mine. They fund a lot of local programs and services — from schools and sports teams to mental health support and emergency services. I remember during COVID, they were one of the first local companies to step in and offer practical support — things like PPE, food vouchers, and help for remote learning. That support didn’t go unnoticed. And beyond emergencies, they’re consistently backing long-term programs for education, youth training, and Indigenous pathways. They’re not just writing cheques — they’re showing up and listening to what the community needs.

I know mining isn’t everyone’s first choice for the future. But the reality is that for our region right now, projects like Maules Creek provide critical stability. They give people a reason to stay in town. They support families, businesses, and community services. We can have a balanced conversation — we can support responsible mining while still caring about the environment and looking ahead to what comes next. But walking away from a project like this too early would hurt real people — and weaken the foundation of our local communities.

That’s why I support the continuation of the Maules Creek Project. Because it’s about more than coal. It’s about people, jobs, opportunities, and making sure our region continues to grow — not shrink.

I am writing to object to the Maule's Creek Continuation Project. Although I no longer live in the area I grew up on a farming and grazing property on the Liverpool Plains and my family made major contributions to the development of wheat growing in the area. It must be noted that Whitehaven's Maules creek mine was initially strongly opposed, but despite this approval was granted and mining started in 2015. Since then Whitehaven have acquired a proven record of non compliance and been prosecuted on many occasions for offences including water theft during drought times. They are not a fair player and do not take environmental conditions of approval seriously. With past performance in mind their current proposal to extend their mining operations until 2044 should not be approved on the following grounds:
1. The NSW government should not be approving a mine expansion 10 years ahead of time so that Whitehaven can avoid stricter rules operating in the future.
2.Enough is enough! Whitehaven have little respect for the local farming community and know that their use of water resources, particularly ground water, severely impacts local farming operations which rely on ground water for cropping and to water their stock. The profits of Whitehaven are short term but the destruction of farmland and water resources has long term impacts on our ability to produce food.
3.Whitehaven have already destroyed a large part of the irreplaceable Laird State Forest. Clearing a further 428 hectares will mean that precious species such as the Swift Parrot will be driven to near extinction, when it is estimated there are only 500 left in the wild. The combined impact of the numerous mines in this area must be taken into account when approvals are granted. To approve an extension to this mine will condemn the biodiversity of the Laird State Forest to become a wasteland into the future.
4. The overall impact of coal mining in the Boggabri area is already huge. The local community has already suffered with the loss of farming families and their irreplaceable skills, honed over generations, in growing food to feed our Australian population.
For the above reasons, as well as the impact of massive CO2 emissions from the mine itself as well as scope 3 emissions when the coal is burnt, and its impact on our atmosphere resulting in extremes of flood and drought, I ask that this project be rejected.