Maules Creek Continuation Project

To Whom it May Concern,
Please find attached letter from Payload Industries Pty Ltd, Trading as Schlam, supporting Maules Creek mine Continuation Project until 2044.
Kindest Regards
Stuart Sephton

This Project will guarantee my employment and see me through to my retirement. Having lived in Gunnedah my entire life I have seen the town go bust with the closing of the abattoir. Now with employment from Maules Creek Coal the town is currently thriving!

Fully support of this project as it has created many jobs and career opportunities for the local communities that surround. With the continuation of this project allows job security and further opportunities for new employment for this are.

I object to the Maules Creek Continuation Project (SSD-63428218) - the proposal extends mining to 2044 and increases processing to 14 Mtpa but fails to meet key SEARs requirements:

No evidence of free, prior and informed consent from all Traditional Owner groups, despite undetermined Aboriginal Land Claims and possible Native Title.

Significant risks to EPBC-listed species and water resources; no reconciled cumulative water impacts.

Unverified Indigenous employment/procurement claims (“20% identify”), risking “black cladding” / blakwashing (like greenwashing).

No demonstration of project design changes from First Nations engagement.

Consent should be refused, or if approved, strict conditions applied for cultural consent, water transparency, biodiversity safeguards and verified Indigenous participation.

Please find attached a submission from Aurizon that is signed by Mr Ed McKeiver, Group Executive, Aurizon Coal. I am wishing to lodge this submission on behalf of Mr McKeiver and Aurizon.
Thank you,
Patrick Coleman
Principal Policy and Stakeholder
Aurizon

Zeal Futures strongly supports the continued operation of Maules Creek Coal. As a key partner in workforce development, we have worked closely with Maules Creek to place apprentices and trainees from the local communities of Gunnedah and Narrabri into meaningful employment pathways.

Through this partnership, we have seen firsthand the positive impact that Maules Creek has on local lives — providing stable employment, skills development, and long-term career opportunities. These opportunities not only benefit the individuals directly involved but also have a ripple effect, enhancing the wellbeing of their families and contributing to the social and economic strength of the broader community.

Maules Creek Coal plays a vital role in creating real, lasting outcomes for regional youth and adult learners. Their ongoing commitment to training and upskilling local people is helping build a more resilient, skilled, and locally based workforce — one that will continue to support the region well into the future.

We believe that continued operations at Maules Creek are essential to sustaining these outcomes and to maintaining a strong pipeline of skilled talent for the region.

This site provides many jobs and I think their work should continue

It cannot be understated how much of a positive impact this continuation project would have. Whether that be locally, state and even nationally. Several key benefits have been listed below:
- This continuation will secure more than 900 jobs for local workers. This is extremely important for the region, as we wish to grow as a community and a part of that is job opportunities.
-This will see continued investment in regional development, training and community partnerships.
-This mine is a viable means of economic growth for Australia. Which is felt all the way from federally, down to local communities.
I encourage a positive determination of this project and hope to see the operation continue providing for our community for many years to come.

The continuation of maules creek coal will help Secure the jobs of more than 900 local workers
Provide ongoing economic benefits to businesses, families, and services across North West NSW
Continue investment in regional development, training, and community partnerships ongoing sponsor ship of local sporting clubs

I strongly object to the Maules Creek Continuation project; as a parent, as a health professional, and as a human being who would quite like to have a livable planet. The very idea of proposing an extension to a coal mine during a time of climate breakdown, while our own government is working out our 2035 emissions reduction targets, is mind-boggling; the direct greenhouse gas emissions of this proposal (estimated at 238 million tonnes) will dash any hopes of a safe climate future for all of us, including my 7 year old and his entire generation. I also object to this project on the grounds that it will involve clearing of foraging habitat for endangered swift parrots and state forest, and will put local communities at risk of water insecurity and pollution. Fossil fuels are a dying industry and I respectfully request that we do not prop them up any longer.

I am in support of the continuation of the Maules Creek project. I live and work in the community of Gunnedah with my small children and husband. We have lived in Gunnedah for the past 14 years. Over this times we have seen Gunnedah develop into the busy community that it is today. Whitehaven is an important part of the community. It has played a vital role in the progression of this town. In particular when we have experienced drought we have observed the mining industry to be what has propped the community up when agriculture has struggled to do so. The mining industry and in particular Maules Creek has brought families to Gunnedah which has positively influenced all industries in Gunnedah including small business, schools and health industries just to name a few.
I work in the mental health field and see that in the current economic market that Maules Creek has played a vital role in maintaining financial security in the Gunnedah community both as a wider community and at an individual level. Finacial stress is one factor that influences decline in mental health which if Maules creek did not continue to operate it is very likely that mental health would decline leading to increased pressure on families and the wider health industry in Gunnedah which is already at a stretched capacity.

Support to the local economy and community in Gunnedah region.

I support the continuation of the Maules Creek Mine project

I support the extension of Maules Creek Mine life because it plays a vital role in our local economy. The mine provides stable, well-paying jobs for residents, supports local businesses, and contributes significantly to community services through taxes and partnerships. With responsible environmental management and continued investment in safety and sustainability, extending the mine’s operation is a practical step toward long-term economic stability for our region.

Please see my attached submission.

Maules Creek mine is a critical part of our business, providing local spending and employment. Our business has a team of 27 employees in the Gunnedah region along with a large workshop facility in Gunnedah, all of which is reliant on Maules Creek. Local employment and jobs continues to bring a large amount of cash into the surrounding area.

My family moved to the region because my husband took a job at Maules Creek Coal. We purchased a farm nearby and enrolled our 3 children in a local School. We live local, shop local and engage in local sports and activities. It is through these sports and activities we realised how great a contribution Whitehaven Coal makes to the community. Our children became part of Gunnedah Swimming and were so proud to find out that Whitehaven Coal is a big supporter of the Club, knowing their father works for them. Their support for Swimming Gunnedah and the many other community events and organisations they support is reliant on the continued operation of Maules Creek Mine, as such we strongly support the Maules Creek Continuation Project.

The more projects In mining in our area that are approved the better for small business sustainability! Our business is a second generation business which is unique to the area! Coal jobs generate sustainability in small business! A necessity in these times! We live in times of vulnerability in business and economy! Mining supports many organisations in Gunnedah Narrabri Tamworth ! Great for helping sports to achieve greatness and Whitehaven gives opportunity for employment

This has increased the economy of the town. Also, the projects have been useful for all community