Maules Creek Continuation Project

The continuation of Maules Creek will secure hundreds of local jobs, and maintain strong support for several communities. The presence of this industry will remain key in developing infrastructure, businesses, local events, and individuals in the region.

A a maules Creek community member we need save these gorgeous parrots from Whitehaven’s coal plans -
our beautiful Swift Parrots and am mading submissions to the government against destroying their habitat for coal -
Out here on our farm near Maules creek we’ve seen enough of big coal mining to know the terrible damage it does,
air water noise polluiction our health ,The expansion plan is also a grave threat to our water here and our community.
And the incredible Leard State Forest, home to the magnificent Swift Parrot, is on the chopping block.

There are a mere 500 Swifties left in the wild, and Leard State Forest has been home to at least 20 of them in the last few years. It is one of the few special places left where they have been officially recorded feasting on the native blossoms.

They’re right on the edge of extinction – imagine them arriving at the end of a long winter migration from their breeding sites in Tasmania to arrive at a thumping great coal pit where once stood magnificent flowering White Box trees!
Save the Swift Parrot
Major habitat loss has created a serious problem for the Swift Parrot. More than 70% of the forests and woodlands they rely upon have been cleared, primarily for agriculture and timber harvesting, and habitat loss remains an ongoing threat.
The expansion plan is also a grave threat to our water here and our community.

SAVE OUR SWIFT PARROT



Mining in our region has taken a terrible toll on our community. Coal mines have now bought up over 70 properties in the area, spreading across an estimated 75,000 hectares of land, just in our valley.

They’ve depopulated our local area, forcing farming families to shift away and undermining our way of life out here.



We’re not, and we never will, be accepting more irreparable damage from big coal in our valley.



It’s clear this mine expansion, which won’t even start til 2034, is all about “banking” approvals ahead of time, before governments finally introduce stronger climate controls.

Whitehaven Coal (WHC) is seeking approval to continue open-cut thermal coal mining at Maules Creek, an open cut operation 45 km SE of Narrabri and near Boggabri, in one of NSW's primary agricultural 'food bowls' beyond the mine's currently approved life for 9 years i.e., until 2044. It argues that the expansion is needed to realise revenue opportunities from key export markets such as India and also that if approved, it will support ongoing employment for more than 900 people and ensure the mine can maintain its significant contribution to the North West NSW economy.

I oppose the proposal for the following reasons:
1. High risk of failing to deliver economic and social benefits
The proposal to extend the duration of mining is premature (and seems to represent a cynical attempt to 'bank' an approval in the face of growing community concern and possible future regulatory tightening), with a high risk of failing to realise the claimed social and economic benefits due to falling demand for coal in its target markets (chiefly thermal coal to India). Specifically, it ignores changing preferences and plans in these markets to develop less-polluting and local energy sources. This will, inevitably, reduce demand and prices for thermal coal exports after 2030 and therefore the claimed benefits of on-going permanent jobs, procurement from local businesses, and royalty payments to the State.(1)
Whitehaven's shareholders have also expressed significant concerns in recent AGMs about the long-term risk of reliance on continued growth in export coal, highlighting that its executives' remuneration structure incentivises the pursuit and expansion of coal projects far more than industry peers, significantly increasing transition risk exposure and the likelihood that mines will become unfinancial.

2. Climate risks
NSW communities are already experiencing devastating impacts from global warming, with natural disasters previously regarded as 1-in-100-years, becoming 20-30 times more frequent by 2050 if warming exceeds 1.5 degrees. The science is clear - missing this target condemns current and future residents of our State to ever-worsening fires, floods, droughts and storms and ever-increasing costs, loss of life and risk. Some areas will become uninsurable, uninhabitable and unviable for agriculture. Natural disasters have already cost the State and Federal governments $9.5 billion since the 2019-20 bushfires. Unless targets are met, NSW's climate disaster costs will soon exceed coal royalties - and Whitehaven likely won't be around to help pay for it.
Approval also worsens NSW's ability to meet current and future climate commitments (50% reduction in carbon pollution by 2030, 70% reduction by 2035, and net zero by 2050 which can be expected to increase and include Scope 3 emissions). Whitehaven's business plans for increased coal production, and are not even aligned with Whitehaven's own stated support for the climate goals of the Paris Agreement, given that overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrates that this requires no new or expanded thermal or metallurgical coal mines (2)

3. Impact on Leard State Forest
Whitehaven's proposal, as it stands, will cause direct and immediate environmental damage. The construction included in the continuation proposal (extension to the area of the open cut and overburden placement; disturbance of existing overburden rehabilitation; a new pipeline between the mines and a small additional mining lease, according to a factsheet issued in January 2025) will clear over 500 hectares of the largest remnant of White Box Grassy Woodland, a NSW Critically Endangered Ecological Community already reduced to less than 4 percent of its pre-European extent on the south-western slopes and southern tablelands. It is an important habitat for several endangered ecological communities and up to 34 threatened species which are known or likely to occur in Leard State Forest. This is unconscionable and must not be approved.
I refer you to the recent NSW State of the Environment report which highlights a direct connection between increasing extinction risks and habitat loss from land clearing, which the current Land Management Native Vegetation Code (now under review) sadly has failed to stem. WHC's three mines: Maules Creek, Boggabri and Tarrawonga are, incomprehensibly, in the centre of the State Forest and Conservation area, which has already fragmented the surrounding native woodland. Reduction of connected habitat directly increases survival risk for native species due to increased competition for food resources and nesting hollows. I understand there are also ongoing community concerns about overcollection of surface water and excessive use of ground water, particularly during droughts.(3)
Of three areas indicated on by Whitehaven for revegetation, apparently to offset the biodiversity impact of clearing existing native vegetation forest, only one is adjacent to Leard State Forest and in any case, newly revegetated land, or offset land with different vegetation, regardless of its size, clearly cannot replace the rare remnant woodland with mature trees that is proposed to be cleared. Our scarce and precious public lands must not be permitted to be destroyed for coal mine profits that may never materialise.(4)

4. Insufficient benefit to local communities
Several submissions have noted a lack of consultation by WHC with local landholders and community organisations and noted that despite over a decade of promises of positive social benefits from the mine, these have failed to materialise, with local businesses struggling to keep employees and reportedly, very few of the employees at Maules Creek mine live in these communities, despite what Whitehaven claims or implies (it seems by 'live locally' they mean a purpose built workers accommodation village at Boggabri). I understand over 70 farms around Narrabri have reportedly been 'land-banked' by the mine with houses left to fall apart, which has exacerbated housing shortages for non-mine workers.
Resource extraction effectively privatises profits from public resources. Given this, for a continued social license it must provide a clear net benefit to affected communities including adequate compensation for loss of amenity and any reduction in the value (financial and non-financial) of property and non-renewable natural resources.
The proposed extension outlined in the January 2025 pamphlet puts the mine pit within 5km of the houses and school at Maules Creek, exposing local communities and property-owners to fine dust particles, blast noise pollution, light pollution from 24/7 operations, and damaging land values, which impact their human and economic rights, with long term impacts, particularly for children. In any approval considerations, this should outweigh the economic benefits of the mine for NSW and of contributing to energy security for South-East Asia claimed by Whitehaven.

5. Whitehaven can't be trusted with NSW's natural resources
Whitehaven has repeatedly demonstrated it cannot be trusted to act in accordance with community interests or expectations - including adherence to environmental undertakings attached to approvals - or even consistently to obey the law, where it conflicts with their pursuit of short-term profits. For example:
- As at 2022, they have been investigated for breaches of environmental law 35 times, including many multiple offences, with almost $1.5M in total penalties awarded against them for theft of 1 Bn litres of unlicensed water at Maules Creek during the worst drought on record, polluting waterways, and illegally clearing hundreds of hectares of endangered forest among other things.
- More recently Whitehaven was issued penalty notices for years of underpaid royalties for several of its mines, which it appealed. Evidence given at the Supreme Court of NSW revealed an “arrangement” to minimise royalties payable on its NSW mining operations by netting off 'negative royalties' for a closed mine against coal from functioning mines. This was rejected by the Court, with penalty interest awarded against Whitehaven.(5)

Yet despite all this, in making this proposal Whitehaven asks you, once again, to believe it will apparently become a model corporate citizen in order to continue this appalling record of environmental damage, disregard for local communities and bad-faith behaviour for another 9 years. Enough is enough.
The proposal asks you to rubber-stamp a continuation of coal mining at Maule's Creek for the next 18 years. A moment's contemplation will tell you this is not in NSW's long-term interests.
Rather than extending this project and effectively leaving the next generation of NSW taxpayers holding the bill for the climate damage it will cause, NSW taxpayers would be better served by using the next few years to plan together with the affected communities how their region will transition to more sustainable jobs, once the inevitable happens and these mines are no longer profitable.

Thank you for considering my submission.
Yours sincerely

References
(1) https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1885381 and https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-investment-2024/india.
(2) https://www.budget.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-06/nsw-budget-2025-26-regional-nsw-glossy
https://www.soe.epa.nsw.gov.au/all-themes/climate and
https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2021/phasing-out-coal
(3) https://leard.frontlineaction.org/leard-state-forest/ and
https://threatenedspecies.bionet.nsw.gov.au/profile?id=10837 (see Box Gum Grassy Woodland)
(4) https://whitehavencoal.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/January-2025-Maules-Creek-Continuation-Project-Factsheet.pdf (copy attached) and
https://whitehavencoal.com.au/maules-creek-continuation-project/
(5) Whitehaven Coal Limited v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue 2023/00240301

Number 1
Submission Regarding Maules Creek Continuation Project (SSD-20634572)
I object to the Maules Creek Continuation Project.
The Maules Creek mine sits predominantly on public land, the majority of people in Australia now accept the science of climate change and want to transition to a sustainable future. Reducing emissions is a part of a sustainable plan. I believe mining every last bit of coal out of the ground is no longer in the public interest.

As a long-term local landholder and farmer in the Maules Creek area, I have serious concerns about the ongoing and extended impacts of this project on our community, land, water, and our future.

There is already too much dust and noise in the area caused by current mining operations. These impacts are constant and directly affect daily life, putting our health at risk. Extending this project will only worsen these existing problems and prolong community exposure

I am particularly concerned about the groundwater depressurisation caused by mining, which is already reducing water security in the Valley. Maules Creek has no alternative water supply other than groundwater. This makes any interference with the aquifer system an unacceptable risk — especially in times of drought. Groundwater is already compromised,with fears, farms and homes will be left without viable water access.

There is no compensation plan in place if groundwater is lost or damaged. Cracking the water table solves the water shortage issues for Maules Creek Coal, while hanging us out to dry. That’s unacceptable. Local landholders carry all the risk, while the mining company assumes none of the long-term responsibility for the impacts it creates. This is deeply unfair and must be addressed.

Road infrastructure is already inadequate for the scale of mining-related traffic. Many roads around the mine are not up to standard — particularly the western end of Rangari Road, which is heavily used and continues to deteriorate. This new expansion will place even more pressure on these deteriorating roads, exacerbating wear and tear, safety risks, and community costs. The community shoulders the burden with no clear commitment from the project to properly fund upgrades or maintenance.

Given the projected expansion will be starting in 9years, I strongly recommend the project adopt an open-book, adaptive planning process that allows for meaningful public consultation and revision of plans at the time of expansion. This will ensure the project can respond to future environmental conditions and community concerns rather than locking in potentially outdated assumptions now.


Moreover, there is significant opportunity for feasibility studies into pumped hydro energy storage and other renewable energy projects to be undertaken alongside the coal mine’s operation. A two-pronged approach could prepare the region for a sustainable energy future and reduce dependence on coal before the mine eventually closes.

Other key concerns include:
- A lack of fair return to the local community through royalties or compensation.
- Uncertainty around whether the land will ever be rehabilitated to a usable and safe condition.

I urge the Department to reject this application and instead prioritise a just transition that restores land, protects water, and supports sustainable livelihoods.
Sincerely,
Andrew Laird
Local landholder, Maules Creek NSW
















Maules Creek causeway crossing
Harparary rd Maules Creek
During the floods in 2022 the cement was washed away and replaced with gravel
Photo taken on the 4/8/2025

Photo taken on the 4/8/2025


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Maules Creek causeway crossing
Harparary rd Maules Creek
During the floods in 2022 the cement was washed away and replaced with gravel
Photo taken on the 4/8/2025

Photo taken on the 4/8/2025

I fully support the Maules Creek Continuation Project.

I write to strongly oppose the proposed Maules Creek Coal Mine Continuation Project coal mine expansion (SSD-63428218).

We are in a climate crisis – we simply cannot keep approving further fossil fuel developments. When will we ever shift from business-as-usual and face the crisis that we are in and act accordingly? Across NSW including where I live in Wollongong, we are experiencing climate chaos already. Why make things worse?

We are also in a biodiversity/species extinction crisis – and the critcially endangered swift parrots are a regular visitor to the Maules Creek Coal Mine area in north eastern NSW. I read that that area is a highly significant habitat for the birds – critical to the survival of the species. There are only about 500 of these birds left. And it is one of just three migratory parrots on our planet – breeding in Tasmania then flying across the Bass Strait to the Australian mainland. They are beautiful and special and irreplaceable. Remove their habitat (on their migratory routes) and they will disappear!

I also understand that Whitehaven Coal has an appalling compliance record, having been found guilty or investigated for breaches of the law on 35 occasions, many of them including multiple offences. They have been prosecuted numerous times. Based on my experiences at IPCs, I understand that IPCs cannot take into consideration the appalling compliance records of any proponent. This in itself is an appalling situation – where community are frequently told that any potential problems can be resolved by attaching appropriate conditions to approvals. But then fossil fuel proponents go on to breach conditions and see the associated costs of penalties (if there are any all) as merely the cost of doing business. IT is a cost to the community to undertake monitoring and keep attention on corporations, and, a cost to the community when companies like Whitehaven Coal wantonly breach approval conditions with social and environmental consequences – that inevitably become also economic consequences (which are never included in the cost-benefit analyses in EISs in the first place).

When is this all going to stop? When are people like me going to be able to not have to continually oppose further fossil fuel mining in NSW in our current age? When is the NSW government going to act and commit to no more fossil fuel projects and a stop to fossil fuel exploration?

Thank you for considering my submission.

Cherrida J. Hardaker

This project should go ahead to allow for the ongoing employment it has provided to continue.

I support the seeking of the extension of Maules creek mine as it supports not only me but over 900 people in the wider community. It’s a vital employment opportunity for our local area which is a rural small town. Whitehaven’s contributions to local businesses and charity have been an integral part of their survival.

Maules Creek creates over 900jobs in the community with a strong attempt in employing locals.
With out this project the surrounding towns will suffer without that income. Not just from money being spent in towns but local business not being used for services and the royalties the mines pays to operate.

Objection due to
1. GHG inconsistent with NSW, Australia and international obligations targets
2. Air pollution impacts on local populations.
3. Water pollution on local area
4. History of proponent breaching licences multiple times previously, including theft of millions of litres of water during a drought, and illegal burying of tires after which a modification/consent was sought.

For the avoidance of doubt, any development which promotes the burning of Fossil Fuels, is counterintuitive to life on Planet Earth for the most frequent species' AND all others'.

Fortunately this is an industry which is in steep decline after a century because global decisions are being made to contract the sector and this reduction in viability is NOT being determined by any Government, the public or even the writer.

It is being (the fossil fuel industry's decline and EXIT) determined by economic forces and any reasonable person will conclude that to permit more, carry out the same decisions' from history of over 100 years, in defiance of abundant Scientific evidence of the risk to life on Earth is untenable.

What is futuristic, solving and delivered by abundant Scientific evidence is that Australia MUST tranfer its energy system to Renewable Energy urgently if our Nation is to have any chance of future global trade.

That trade will require the majority exports from Australia to have no carbon input, Agriculture, metal exports such as Zinc, Steel and Aluminium will have to have minimal and ultimately in a few years ZERO carbon input intensity to be commercially viable for trade with overseas partners'.

The mighty Nation of China has installed 1TW of Renewable Energy and is forging aheaed at a pace to dominate in future trade opportunities, therefore Australia will need to heed this matter and similarly continue to contract Fossil Fuel consumption whilst expediting the development of Renewable energy sources in Australia such as solar arrays, battery storage, PHES (Pumped Hydro Storage) and Wind Energy.

One other critical outcome of greater Fossil Fuel mineral extraction is that in the near future, these developments may become stranded assets which will remain a deep burden on the economy of Australia.

I am employed at Maules Creek Coal. My partner has worked at Maules Creek Coal and we now have a young family that we plan on raising in Gunnedah. We have many friends that have grown up in Gunnedah and love to support the community with their income from Maules Creek Coal. Shutting down such a major employer in the area would be an injustice to the community. Whitehaven supports many local industries and sporting clubs which we love to see

To shut down such a pivotal employer in this small community would be an injustice to the community

It brings a lot of jobs to my hometown & the company do amazing things for the community. I will always support this.

See attachment

ACCR recommends that emissions costs in the Maules Creek Continuation Project cost-benefit analysis (CBA) are assessed using the current Treasury guidelines (TPG23-08), which accounts for available abatement options and the state’s legislated emissions reduction targets. The existing project CBA, contained within the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) submitted by the project proponent, relies on outdated assessment guidelines (TPP17-03). These guidelines have been superseded and do not consider legislated targets.

The existing project CBA states that there is a net benefit to NSW of $1,078 million. When TPG23-08 is used to assess the project, and the full scope of emissions costs from this proposed project are properly accounted for in relation to NSW legislated targets, the project represents a net cost to the NSW community.

The current Treasury guidelines (TPG23-08) should also be applied consistently across all projects assessed by DPHI to ensure alignment with current policy.

I support the Maules Creek Continuation Project because it brings significant benefits to our community, including:
* Job creation: The project will generate employment opportunities for local residents, supporting families and boosting the regional economy.
* Support for local suppliers: Local contractors and suppliers will benefit from increased demand, strengthening the broader business ecosystem.
* Economic growth: Increased activity in the mining sector will stimulate local businesses and services, contributing to the town’s financial stability.
*Skills development: The project offers opportunities for training and upskilling, helping locals build careers in mining and related fields.
* Opportunity for diversity and women to gain employment in the mining industry
* Population retention and growth: Employment opportunities help retain residents and attract new families to the area, supporting schools, healthcare, and other essential services.

Submission to NSW Government Opposing the Proposed Ten-Year Extension of the Maules Creek Coal Mine to December 2044

Thank you for the opportunity to record my total opposition to this egregious and far-anticipatory proposal to both expand the Maules Creek Coal Mine, and to extend its destructive and foully polluting operation for a decade more, until the end of 2044.

As a long-term resident of NSW and well familiar with the affected area, I have been implacably opposed to this Maules Creek project from the time it was originally proposed: along with the fierce objections and rightful concerns of the farming community throughout the surrounding areas, and also the total opposition of the elders and families of the Gomoroi people, the original custodians.

As you would surely be aware, the whole regional community mobilised in unity against the project, with rolling protests at the site involving many thousands of people over a period of more than two years. That community anger has surely not diminished since the original mine opening in 2015; that fiercely smouldering anger, disappointment and resentment will surely flame up more fiercely than ever at this utterly unconscionable - and highly presumptuous – further proposal not only to enlarge the project but also to add a further decade of its contamination beyond the present end date of 2034, through to the end of 2044.

In terms of that contamination, the approval and implementation of the “Maules Creek Coal Mine Continuation Project” would dig up an additional 117 million tonnes of coal for export; the greenhouse gas emissions from the extraction and burning of this obsolescent fossil fuel will jeopardise Australia’s meeting legislated emissions reduction targets and commitment to the Paris Agreement and heighten the risks of accelerating climate change disasters. It will also destroy the beautiful Leard State Forest, endangering Swift Parrots, draining water resources and putting the health and wellbeing of the local community at risk.

Laying those critical issues out more clearly and sequentially: my key concerns are:

1. Proponent Deviously Leapfrogging an anticipatory approval that won’t start until 2034, as a free pass to avoid and evade any intervening tightening of the rules

I do not believe that the NSW Government should be considering – and certainly not approving - a massive coal mine expansion now that will not even start until 2034. The particular concern in this is that the proponent deviously seeking to secure a long-term “free pass” through till then in case climate laws are strengthened further in response to the rapidly escalating impacts of global warming in more extreme weather events.

It is also intended to provide an anticipatory “free pass” is locking in Maules Creek’s greenhouse gas emissions far into the future – a “free pass” that we surely cannot afford to give, as it jeopardises everyone’s sustainable future.

2. Swift Parrots and Leard State Forest

This project will clear over 500 hectares of key foraging habitat for the extremely endangered Swift Parrot, despite only 500 of them remaining in the wild; and will push the species drastically closer to extinction. This is a key site for "Swifties " and must not be put at risk.

The project will also clear a further 428 hectares of the beautiful Leard State Forest, resulting in over 46% of the State Forest having been cleared in total for three coal mines. Our scarce and precious public lands should not be destroyed for coal mine profits.

3. Whitehaven is a serial high-risk offender

Whitehaven Coal has an appalling compliance record. In the last 10 years, Whitehaven has been found guilty or investigated for breaches of the law on 35 occasions, many of them including multiple offences. They have been prosecuted numerous times.

4. Water and communities at risk

This expansion poses a major risk to local water resources – it will suck down water beneath local creeks and the groundwater used by farmers to water their stock. Whitehaven has already been prosecuted for stealing water at the Maules Ck coal mine at the height of the last drought.

The expansion will harm the local farming community at Maules Ck and cause negative social impacts. It will further empty the district of families through alienation of productive land and create dangerous dust pollution and escalating noise for surrounding areas, whilst creating division and conflict. It will also exacerbate the housing crisis in the region.

5. Court Ruling on 24 July 2025: Approving Authority MUST take account of Clime Impact Implications

NSW communities are already experiencing devastating impacts from runaway global heating and the increasingly deadly impacts of intensifying climate change; and this project will produce an extra 238 million tonnes of total greenhouse gas pollution. The direct emissions from the mining process itself, of over 3 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, will completely undermine NSW achieving climate targets.

On 24 July 2025, “The New South Wales court of appeal has overturned the approval of the largest coalmine expansion in the state after a community environment group successfully argued the planning commission failed to consider the impact of all of the project’s greenhouse gas emissions.
“The court found the independent planning commission was required and failed to consider the impacts of all emissions associated with the project on the local environment, including from the exported emissions – known as scope 3 emissions – when the coal is sold and burnt overseas. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/24/significant-legal-breakthrough-as-nsw-court-blocks-coal-mine-expansion-over-emissions

In Conclusion

Accordingly, I now urge that the Proposal for the Expansion and Extension of the Maules Creek Coal Mine be refused.
Thank you.

Rupert Macgregor
04/08 /2025

The continuation of the Whitehaven Maules Creek Coal Mine is essential for the ongoing growth and prosperity of the Gunnedah, Boggabri and Narrabri regions in the North West of NSW and for the continued job security of the approximate 950 people that are directly employed at this important project that live up and down the Eastern Seaboard of Australia. The financial benefit to the Government, the businesses that are contracted to the operation, and the businesses that the 950 employees patronise is almost immeasurable over the next fifteen years if the extension is granted by the Government.

The Knitting Nannas Hunter Loop are a group of women dedicated to preserving what we can for future generations. As residents of the Hunter Valley we are aware of the benefits and consequences of having a coal mine in close proximity. We object to the proposed Maules creek coal mine expansion on several grounds.
1. Green house gas emissions
Globally we are facing a climate crisis which has been reflected locally, just this winter in NSW, with horrific unprecedented flooding events.
The direct emissions from the mining process itself, of over 3 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, will completely undermine NSW achieving its climate targets.
The NSW Court of Appeal decision on the Mt Pleasant coal mine established that new approvals need to fully assess the impacts of the downstream emissions from the project on the local environment and community. Whitehaven Coal should now be required to do this. None of this has been done in the current EIS.

2. The effect on the local community
This expansion poses a major risk to local farmers. water resources will be damaged and stolen. Whitehaven has already been prosecuted for water theft. Dust, noise and competition for local housing will all impact the local community. Perhaps worst of all this approval is so far into the future that the community will be left with no opportunity for other development, agricultural or otherwise, into the future. It will effectively mean the death of the community even if the project fails to go ahead. In other words, the opportunity loss to this community if the approval goes ahead is immense.
3. Environmental and habitat effects
This project will clear over 500 hectares of key foraging habitat for the Swift Parrot, despite only 500 of them remaining in the wild, and will push the species closer to extinction. This is a key site for Swifties and must not be put at risk.
The project will also clear a further 428 hectares of the beautiful Leard State Forest, resulting in over 46% of the State Forest having been cleared in total for three coal mines. Our scarce and precious public lands should not be destroyed for coal mine profits.