Maules Creek Continuation Project

We need the continuation and growth of the mine to support our community.

Submission: Opposing Whitehaven Coal Mine Expansion – Banking Climate Harm

The NSW Government must not approve a coal mine expansion that won’t even begin operations until 2034. This is a blatant attempt to ‘bank’ approval before climate laws are strengthened, locking in carbon pollution for decades to come — at a time when urgent action is needed.

Climate and Biodiversity at Risk

The proposal would destroy over 500 hectares of critical Swift Parrot habitat, pushing the species closer to extinction, with only around 500 individuals left. It would also clear 428 hectares of Leard State Forest, one of the state’s last intact public woodlands, now already over 46% cleared for coal mining.

Whitehaven’s Poor Record

Whitehaven Coal has a long history of non-compliance, with over 35 breaches or investigations in the past decade, including illegal water take. They cannot be trusted to manage sensitive environments or community impacts.

Water, Communities and Farmland Under Threat

The mine would deplete water relied on by local farmers, worsen drought vulnerability, and damage rural communities through land alienation, dust, noise, and increased housing pressures.

Massive Climate Impact

This project will generate an extra 238 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, further fueling climate disasters across NSW. It undermines state climate targets and fails to properly assess downstream emissions, as now required under recent legal rulings.

Conclusion

This is a reckless, profit-driven proposal that threatens nature, water, communities, and the climate. It must be rejected.

Coal is better than renewables.
There should be a HELE coal fired power station built near Boggabri , the old rail coal load out facility would be ideal , makes more sense than solar panels or useless wind turbines.

I support the project for the extension of Mauls Creek mine life.

The job and community grants and donations it brings to support the people and community.

I love my job, this mine brings jobs to hundreds of people and I hope the mine life can be extended so I can see myself stay in this industry for the rest of my life. Thanks

Good for the community and Australian economy, and will provide income to many Australians over the time.

I support the continuation of the Maules Creek Coal Mine because it plays a vital role in sustaining local employment, strengthening the regional economy, and supporting families and businesses throughout the New South Wales region. The mine not only provides direct and indirect jobs, but also drives investment in local infrastructure, services, and community development—making it a key contributor to long-term regional growth.

I am writing to express my support for the Maules Creek Mine Continuation Project for the following reasons:
1. Economic Contribution & Jobs
The project will continue to support over 800 direct jobs and thousands of indirect roles in the region, providing stable employment for local families.
It will deliver significant royalties and taxes that fund hospitals, schools, and essential services in NSW.
2. Regional Development & Community Investment
Whitehaven Coal has a proven record of investing in local communities, including infrastructure projects, education programs, and indigenous employment initiatives.
This continuation secures long-term economic stability for Narrabri Shire and surrounding areas.
3. Energy Security During Transition
Until renewable energy and storage are fully developed and integrated, high-quality coal from Maules Creek plays a role in maintaining reliable energy supply both domestically and for key export partners.
This ensures a stable energy transition without compromising jobs or regional economies.
4. Environmental Management & Rehabilitation Commitments
The project includes plans for progressive rehabilitation of mined land, restoring areas to a safe and sustainable condition for future use.
Whitehaven has committed to strict environmental management practices and compliance with NSW and Federal regulations.
5. Balanced Approach to Transition
The continuation aligns with a realistic, managed energy transition strategy, ensuring that workers and local communities are not left behind.
For these reasons, I fully support approval of the Maules Creek Mine Continuation Project and urge the Department to consider the economic and social benefits it brings to our region and state.
Thank you for considering my submission.

I am writing to formally object to the proposed extension of the Whitehaven Maules Creek coal mine in Narrabri Shire, NSW. The Maules Creek Continuation Project seeks to extend the mine’s life by an additional 10 years, until 2044, and increase annual coal production from 13 to 14 million tonnes. I believe this proposal poses significant environmental, social, and climate-related risks that outweigh its purported benefits.

I am a mother, grandmother and scientist, I’m passionate about protecting our earth for future generations. Destruction of the environment and climate is the most important and urgent issue of our time. The science is clear, the huge emissions from mining and burning of fossil fuels with must stop.

For years I had been worried about the warming earth but not sure what I could do. I wrote letters, joined rallies and signed petitions. Then back in 2014 I heard about the development of yet another coal mine in northern NSW and joined a protest outside the area where Whitehaven was developing the new coal mine at Maules Creek. I realised that it was time I put my body on the line to protect the irreplaceable Whitebox forest, its Aboriginal heritage sites, ecology, endangered plant and animal species, to protect precious water resources, stop coal mining polluting surrounding areas with dust and light and accelerating the climate damage. I was just one of thousands who gathered up near Narrabri to protest approval of this mine. Visiting this beautiful rural and agricultural area I realised even more strongly that it must be protected.

Alas the mine was approved
Despite such widespread opposition from locals and people across the state the mine was approved, and as we feared Whitehaven has been causing constant dust and light pollution, water theft, irresponsible and dangerous explosions, carbon and methane pollution. Over the last ten years Whitehaven has been investigated on over 30 occasions and prosecuted many times.…. and now they are applying for approval to extend the mine further and destroy even more of the surrounding area, increase further all the negative effects so far experienced as the propose mining even areas previously set aside as offsets for the habitats already destroyed.

NSW must consider Greenhouse gas emissions and Climate Change
State, National and International courts and institutions agree on the importance of climate. A couple of years ago the IPCC said there can be no new fossil fuel approvals to remain within the Paris agreement.

Recently the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion on the obligations of States regarding climate change. States have legal obligations to protect the climate system under international law., including obligations to mitigate climate change, adapt to its impacts, and cooperate with other states. The ICJ emphasized that failure to meet these obligations could constitute an internationally wrongful act, potentially leading to legal consequences such as reparations.

Aweek or so ago a powerful judgement in the Torres Straight Islander ‘Duty of Care Case’ made it clear that fossil fuels were causing irreparable damage to the lives and livelihoods of the Island peoples.

And after the directions of the Court of Appeal to the Mount Pleasant coal mine, Whitehaven coal should also be required to fully assess the impacts of downstream emissions on the local environment and community.

No to approvals ten years in the future
The proposed expansion at Maules creek mine would not begin until 2034. I strongly object to approvals being granted so far in advance; companies should not be allowed to get advanced approval to avoid any future changes in the law as climate changes continues to inflict serious storms, floods, fires causing huge damage and spiralling insurance costs.

Swift Parrot and endangered species
I am especially concerned about the environmental damage further mining will cause. The Leard forest and surrounds is a key habitat for highly endangered Swift Parrot. Destruction of habitat will drive this beautiful species closer to extinction. If approved this project will result in the unacceptable destruction of over half the Leard forest by coal mining.

Water
Water is life for humans and all living things. Mining drains water from surrounding aquifers and alters water courses risking damage to local communities, farming and the environment. Whitehaven uses water to damp dust, what a waste of such a precious resource! Tragically Whitehaven was prosecuted for stealing water during times of drought whilst the local communities and farms suffered.
Coal mining causes permanent damage to the land which cannot be returned to its previous condition.

Short term greedy profit for shareholders, leaving a permanent scar on this beautiful landscape. This extension of Maules Creek mine must NOT be approved.

While the project promises economic benefits such as jobs and royalties, these must be weighed against irreversible environmental damage, climate consequences, and community wellbeing. I urge the Department to reject the Maules Creek Continuation Project and instead invest in sustainable development that aligns with NSW’s environmental and climate goals.

Furthermore, the government and planning departments should impose stronger requirements for rehabilitation of all mining areas and insist mines pay a large deposit in advance to avoid them disappearing once mining is finished and leaving the enormous costs of rehabilitation to governments and taxpayers.
Thank you for reading my submission and hearing my serious conserns.

For the continuation of Maules creek mine would mean my kids and myself will continue to have roof over our heads and food in our belly’s. I support the continuation project!!!

I support the continuation of this project as it:
• Secures the jobs of more than 900 local workers
• Provides ongoing economic benefits to businesses, families, and services across North West NSW
• Invests in regional development, training, and community partnerships

This extension is a cynical attempt to bypass legislation that will add environmental protection against coal mining. It will be a disaster for our global warming initiatives and further degrade an area that has been blighted by massive open cut coal mines. It is time to call a halt to fossil fuel extraction in the Hunter Valley.

This is so important to our district, state and the future prosperity of our country. We are being mislead about global warming and made to pay for this through higher taxes that are ever increasing. We have the best coal in the world and are happy to export instead of building ’green coal power stations’.

maules creek has contributed to the growth of the surrounding areas businesses and housing by creating jobs and work for local people and business,
Maules creek also brings people into the area that allow small towns like gunnedah and narribri to grow,

I support the project.
It will supply long-term jobs for the region and help provide energy security for the country.
The mine has a proven history of sustainable mining.

I believe the continuation of Moores Creek. Mine would be great for the local economy. I think mining is very important for our economy and to have mines in our local area supports a lot of local businesses. I would also like to see the mind continued so our local area can prosper.

I support the project

The Maules Creek Project Continuation has my support for it's many benefits to my local community, these are outlined in my submission letter attached.

I support this submission, without the mines Gunnedah, Narrabri and surrounding towns will become dying towns, the mines bring income into our small community.

I vehemently oppose the Maules Creek continuation project. Digging up more coal, whether for local or international markets, means burning more fossil fuels which accelerates global warming, climate disaster, and a bleak future for our children. It also contradicts our own government's objective which is to decrease CO2 emissions and invest in renewable energy sources. I decry the expansion of this outdated fossil fuel industry.