Maules Creek Continuation Project

To Whom It May Concern,

I wish to submit this formal objection to the proposed continuation and expansion of Whitehaven Coal’s Maules Creek Project on the following grounds:

1. Poor Treatment of Employees and Erosion of Workforce Trust

Whitehaven Coal has consistently demonstrated a disregard for the fair treatment and welfare of its workforce. Most recently, the company was subject to a leave audit which exposed significant payroll and administrative failures. This resulted in hundreds of workers being left with substantial negative leave balances — a direct consequence of Whitehaven’s own system errors. Instead of immediately rectifying these mistakes and taking accountability, the burden was placed unfairly on workers. This has caused widespread financial distress and further eroded trust in Whitehaven’s internal systems and management.

Such treatment of employees raises serious ethical and operational concerns, and should factor heavily into any decision to permit further expansion of the company’s operations.

2. Undermining Local Workforce Opportunities

Despite operating in a regional community, Whitehaven continues to implement rosters and employment structures that favour fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) workers over the development and retention of a local workforce. These rosters often place undue pressure on permanent employees, limit flexibility, and reduce opportunities for stable, long-term local employment.

This practice undermines the social and economic fabric of local communities, depriving them of the long-term benefits of employment and regional investment that should come from such large-scale mining operations.

3. Unsuitability for Project Continuation

Given Whitehaven’s documented failures in both workforce management and community engagement, it is difficult to justify granting approval for a continuation of its operations at Maules Creek. Allowing further development would send the message that poor corporate conduct — particularly towards workers and local communities — carries no consequence.

The continuation of this project should not proceed unless and until Whitehaven can demonstrate:
• Full accountability and compensation for workers impacted by the recent leave audit;
• A credible, transparent plan to prioritise and protect local employment;
• Independent oversight of future workforce relations and compliance systems.

In light of the above, I strongly oppose the approval of the Maules Creek Continuation Project. Communities and workers deserve better than to be left bearing the cost of corporate mismanagement and short-sighted employment practices.

Whitehaven are overestimating the project’s financial benefit to the state by:
a) inflating anticipated thermal coal prices
b) basing their carbon costs (their liability for cost of emissions to the NSW community) on an inappropriate model rather than the shadow carbon price published by NSW Treasury framework which should be used.

More than 100 incidences creating almost $2M in fines, due to Whitehaven Coal breaching environmental laws

With regard to the Swift Parrots coming north for winter is at 'Near extinct parrot 'under threat' from mining project,' Junee Southern Cross, 4 August 2025

I have lived near the Whitehaven Maules Creek coal mine.
I object to the continuation of this project. The animals & plants in this area are exceptionally rare & irreplaceable by using offsets.
The local Gomeroi community, whom I have worked with still have deep ties with the Leard forest despite the toxic coal mine already taking up most of the forest - Government authorities should have the decency and respect to leave at least some of this remnant white box bushland which has nurtured their community for thousands upon thousands of years.
The existing coal mine has had extremely bad and divisive effects on the local farming community, bribing some with facility funding so that they accept the damage by the mines while lowering the water table, fouling the creeks and sending toxic blast fumes across other farms. Compensation has been patchy & inadequate. Nothing can compensate for the damage to children's health and the lack of agricultural production in this area which used to be so fertile.
The massive Maules Creek coal mine has also had terrible effects on the mental health of many of my farming friends because of its destructive & divisive nature & the atmosphere of fear & bullying from the mine staff & security driving the previously peaceful country roads at breakneck speeds.
Coal is a product of the last two centuries. With the plethora of new technologies available for power & manufacturing it is no longer necessary to maintain our civilisations with a product this toxic.
Anthropogenic climate change is no figment of a "green" imagination. It is accepted by a consensus of the world's top scientists & responsible governments. If one is not going to claim the world is flat or the moon landing was faked, surely NASA should be the final arbiter of climate science, they have a good view of our unique planet. https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
Whitehaven won the battle of establishing Maules Creek coal mine against all decency, science and common sense, it's high time that our governance bodies preserve what is left & shut this monstrosity down.

Continued employment and growth for the region.

Continue to provide jobs for people in the surrounding community

It makes a lot of local to work and provide needs for their families

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

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.

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.

This project will provide the local community with long term job opportunities and sustained economic growth.

I support the project

Maules Creek, is a good quality coal resource with high CV and low ash. It makes sense to advance and extend good quality reesources, such as this one and allow other poor quality resource projects to grandfather. If Maules creek is not extended then this will increase the pressure on extending the lifetime of other less desirable projects in the future to meet coal demand.
Additionally, Maules creek provides significant benefits to the communities of Tamworth, Gunnedah and Narrabri that cannot be replaced by other existing industries.

The project is positive for locals creating jobs where people would have to leave home to work.

I support the continuation of the Maules Creek Mine project

Continued operations will support local jobs and procurement, contributing to the economic resilience of Northwest NSW

I work here and it supports lots of peoples income

I support the project

I would like to see this project continue, as it has helped 1000’s of People and surrounding communities.

I support the continuation