MOD 3 - Pit 8 Extension

I’m writing as a young person who is deeply concerned about the proposed coal mine expansion near Wollar. Even though I haven’t visited the area, I’ve followed what’s happening and I’m alarmed by how much damage mining has already caused to the community, local environment, and cultural heritage.

Expanding this mine would worsen air and noise pollution for the small number of residents still living in Wollar. It would clear another 145 hectares of native vegetation and destroy 15 Aboriginal heritage sites significant to the Wiradjuri people. It would also threaten endangered species, including the Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater, and Koala. On top of that, it would generate around 25 million tonnes of additional CO₂ emissions — directly worsening the climate crisis.

We already know what the consequences look like. The Torres Strait Islanders’ landmark climate case showed that people on this land are already being displaced by rising seas and climate impacts. The idea of expanding a coal mine now, in full knowledge of this, feels unacceptable.

The project also poses major water risks, with expected groundwater drawdown of more than 20 metres and reduced creek flows by about 21 million litres per year. These are irreversible changes to a fragile system.

I ask the Department to:
1. Reject the proposal and assess it as a new project, not a modification.
2. Protect Wollar Village by ensuring mining does not extend to village boundaries.
3. Stop further destruction of Aboriginal cultural heritage, safeguarding the 15 Wiradjuri sites under threat.
4. Defend critical wildlife habitat and protect endangered species.
5. Protect local water systems from irreversible drawdown and reduced creek flows.

The project will sustain Wilpinjong’s wider economic benefits including supplying a quarter of the coal generated power in New South Wales, contributing more than half a billion dollars into the State’s economy and paying $96 million in wages. The modification will also help protect the culturally significant Indigenous sites at the Rocky Hill complex and preserve the Cumbo Creek corridor. The Wilpinjong Mine also supports more than 160 community organisations through $1.2 million in grants.

I am objecting to this project for the reasons set out below the short background history to this coal mine. The Peabody Energy Wilpinjong Coal Mine has approval to mine 16 MT/year to end of 2033. It is a wholly open cut operation disturbing over 30km2 of farmland and high biodiversity values between Goulburn River National Park and Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve, with little or no chance of recreating a suitable environment after it closes - nothing but a huge, useless hole in the ground.
The proposed mine expansion should not be assessed as a modification because it differs substantially from the current approved mine. Its purpose is to facilitate a much larger expansion in the near future that surrounds Wollar village.
This ‘modification’ proposal should be assessed as a new project.
Wollar community is preparing to rejuvenate and rebuild including a return of Aboriginal people through successful land claims. The Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (CWOREZ) starts at Wollar being the first approved REZ in NSW. Wollar is the starting point for the transition to clean energy. There should be no more expansion of dirty, polluting coal mining.
What will this project do and achieve
1. Releasing over 25 MT of additional Greenhouse Gas emissions - what has happened to Labor's Clean Energy and Environment Policies?
2. First stage of a bigger mine expansion and should be assessed as a new project
3. Mining to the boundary of Wollar Village, Do you think for 1 minute or even recognise the ongoing social and health impacts through increased noise, dust, blasting, lights of 24 hour mining operations to the edge of Wollar Village, that it will have on its residents?.
4. Disturbing an additional 155 ha which includes loss of Aboriginal cultural heritage and spiritual landscape for Wiradjuri Nation and DESTROYING more important habitat for the nationally threatened Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater and Koala
5. Permanently altering and degrading alluvial groundwater sources and surface flows in the Wollar Creek catchment.
6. Increasing pollution through poorly assessed noise, dust, blasting, onsite coal ignition (spontaneous combustion), lighting and water contamination
7. Increasing social impacts, loss of amenity and ongoing disturbance of rural way of life
8. Slowing the transition to clean energy future – competing with the Central West Renewable Energy Zone that starts at Wollar
9. This project is not needed to provide regional jobs – there is a huge workforce shortage for renewable energy projects in the Central West
10. There is no economic justification, the increased climate change impacts will cost more than public income generated through royalties and taxes.
11. Greed, money, lack of care or responsibility seem to be the only justifiable criteria underwriting this project - PLEASE DO NOT LET IT HAPPEN.

This proposal should not be assessed as a modification. It differs substantially fom the current approved mine and must be assessed as a new project. It is universally acknowledged that there should be no expansion of coal mining. Therefore there is no justification for this new mine to proceed. There are a multitude of additional reasons for this project to be rejected, but the already mentioned one dominates , but does not negate them. This poject must be rejected.

I object to the Wilpinjong Coal Mine Mod 3 – Pit 8 Extension.
The Peabody Energy Wilpinjong Coal Mine currently has approval to mine 16 MT/year until the end of 2033. It is a wholly open-cut operation, disturbing over 30 square km of farmland with high biodiversity values between Goulburn River National Park and Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.
The proposed mine expansion should not be assessed as a modification because it differs substantially from the current approved mine. Its purpose is to facilitate a much larger expansion in the near future in the surrounds of Wollar village. This ‘modification’ proposal should be assessed as a new project.
Wollar community is preparing to rejuvenate and rebuild, including a return of Aboriginal people through successful land claims. The Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (CWOREZ) starts at Wollar, it being the first approved REZ in New South Wales. Wollar is the starting point for the transition to clean energy. There should be no more expansion of coal mining.
The key points of my objection are:
1. The release over 25 MT of additional Greenhouse Gas emissions.
2. This is just the first stage of a much bigger mine expansion and should be assessed as a new project.
3. Proposed mining extends right to the boundary of Wollar Village.
4. The expansion will disturb/destroy an additional 155 ha of land, leading to: loss of Aboriginal cultural heritage and spiritual landscape for the Wiradjuri Nation; destruction of important habitat for the nationally threatened Large-eared
Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater and Koala.
5. Permanently altering and degrading alluvial groundwater sources and surface flows in the Wollar Creek catchment.
6. Increasing pollution through poorly assessed noise, dust, blasting, onsite coal ignition (spontaneous combustion), lighting and water contamination.
7. Increasing social impacts, loss of amenity and ongoing disturbance of a rural way of life.
8. Slowing Australia's transition to a clean energy future – competing with the Central West Renewable Energy Zone that starts at Wollar.
9. This project is not needed to provide regional jobs – there is a huge workforce shortage for renewable energy projects in the Central West.
10. There is no economic justification. The increased climate change impacts will cost more than public income generated through royalties and taxes.
In short, this extension must not go ahead.

RE: Proposed Extension to the Wilpinjong Mod 3 - Pit 8 extension.

We are writing to express our concerns and strong objection to the proposed Wilpinjong Mod 3 - Pit 8 extension.

1. We contend that the proposed extension is not in the public interest and should be refused.
If approved:
- it would create open-cut mining operations that would extend right to the edge of the Wollar Village.
- It would permanently impact flows to Wollar Creek and destroy sensitive ground water systems.
- It would also disturb 155 ha of crucial biodiversity habitat as well as farmland.

2. The assessment of environmental impacts appears to be inadequate. It does not:

- adequately assess impacts on local ground water systems as well as Wollar Creek:
- adequately recognise the extent of the extension's impact on cumulative loss of habitat and particularly in relation to the survival of crucial local populations of Koalas, Regent Honeyeaters and Long-eared Pied Bats that rely on the area.
- adequately take into account the ongoing impacts of dust, noise, vibration, lighting, pollution and congestion of 24 hour mining on the biodiverse areas near the proposed extension and on Wollar Village as well as the social, economic and health impacts on the people of Wollar and surrounds.

- if approved, its impacts on the village would be unrelenting and expose locals to untenable levels of noise, sleep disturbance, dust pollution, rainwater pollution, congestion on a daily basis and permanently change the character and amenity of the town and surrounding areas.

- The proposed extension is close to crucial biodiverse areas, the Goulburn River National Park and Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.
- Apart from their high ecological value, these parks are popular tourist destinations that remain important to the Mudgee area and its reputation.

3. Land Use Conflict

- The Mudgee area and surrounds is known as one of the most important tourist destinations in NSW, attracting thousands of visitors who are fundamental to its economy. It is known for its stunning farmland and food production, boutique agriculture, wineries, quiet rural retreats and pristine nature reserves.
- Mining, and in particular this proposed extension, is in direct land use conflict with this. Permitting an extension in close proximity to a local town and next to crucial nature reserves is completely inappropriate and should not be permitted.
- The proposed extension would impose a significant range of land use conflict problems for the long term: social, health, economic and environmental, as well as threatening crucial water and land resources and biodiversity values.

The mine, itself appears to be a new mine rather than a modification as it appears to be outside the existing mining lease.

This proposed extension is not in the public interest and should be refused.

Thank you for considering our submission.

My name is Rod Pryor ,I strongly object to this proposal.
I have called Wollar home for over 50 years. I have witnessed the impacts of mining especially those of the Wilpinjong Coal Project(WCP) which have been overall negative.
I have seen my local village depopulated.
I have seen the loss of a pub ,a retail, hardware and Auto repair shop. a postal service and school.
I have watched productive farms abandoned and infested with weed and feral animals while in the care of WCP.
I have seen liveable houses neglected since purchased by WCP to deteriorate to the point that they are declared unrentable ,then demolished. This while we experience a critical housing shortage.
I have seen an open wound in the landscape that has destroyed habitat for endangered species and impacted Aboriginal Heritage
I have been directly affected by constant machinery background noise where once it was just the sound of nature
I see uncontrolled dust plumes coming of the mine site and wonder of its impacts to health.
I navigate through increased heavy traffic and its resultant road kill as shift change is at the most dangerous times for drivers and wild life dawn and dusk.
There have been changes to the flow of the Goulburn River which I have to cross to access my property, sometimes after heavy rain events I can be locked out or in for extended periods of time compounded and lengthened because of mine discharge; and WCP wants to gain approval to increase this even further to 20 ml per day, this when their original approval was for a nil discharge mine.
The river's ecology has changed with a constant flow and an increased salt load .She Oak seedlings no longer get a foothold on a permanent flowing river and invasive fish, carp now survive all the way upstream.
This proposal for an expansion will add to and amplify all these impacts that the Wollar community is dealing with.
The proposal portrays itself as an expansion when it should be considered as a whole new project. It extends beyond the current mine footprint into a different exploration licence area, into a different valley with a different water catchment. It will impact more cultural sites more biodiversity, threatened and endangered species and groundwater ecosystems.
For WCP to claim that some of the impact is offset by not mining Cumbo Creek and RockyHill is nonsense. Cumbo area is uneconomical and the backlash and reputational damage that would result from mining a significant cultural site like Rocky Hill wouldn't be tenable.
The royalties from this project in no way compensates for the negative impacts it will cause.
The current mine has enough remaining coal to satisfy its contracts .In fact under WCP current approval it is supposed to be scaling back, rehabilitating the site and ceasing operation by 2033.There is no need for this project.
In light of WCP current approval many have regained an optimism that the area can again be repopulated ,those derelict farms brought back into production and those remaining neglected houses renovated, the community revitalized .
The Social Impact assessment for this project states there are more positives for the community than negative if this project does NOT go ahead.
The Wollar community has suffered enough we have paid a heavy and unreasonable cost due to coal mining and should not be expected to pay the ultimate price of our very existence as a community, just for the sake of profit for a multinational that can generate over 10 billion dollars in revenue a year yet manage to not make a profit and pay no corporate tax.
I ask that you decline this proposal and allow a determined and resilient community look forward to a future putting life back into this beautiful part of the world.
Thank you.

I strongly object to the proposed expansion of the Wilpinjong coal Mine pit8. I am a resident of the Wollar district and have felt the impacts of this mine in many areas of my life. Not only has a vibrant rural village been systematically been destroyed, removing shop, school, 2 churches , all residents and demolished much needed dwellings, but the whole region has been covered in coal dust and the noise is inescapable.If approved this expansion will effectively isolate the village into the centre of an opencut mine as this 1st application is only a precursor to opening pits 9 and 10 in the future which will ceate a pit on 3 sides of the village. The noise, dust , lights, traffic and blasting will render the village uninhabitable. This is significant as there is a RFS fireshed and a community hall which is a neighbourhood safe zone in the event of an emergency. These things are essential for the wellbeing of the local community , now and in the future when mining has ceased and people return to the area. This infrastructure has been built and maintained by community money and effort over many years and does not deserve to be eliminated for short term profit for Peabody.
wollar is also the starting point for the central West Orana Renewable Zone, we have 2 solar farms nearby and 2 500kw transmission lines being installed. this is a perfect example of transition to renewables and away from coal. It is disingenuous to encourage renewable projects and then approve an opencut in the same village. Classic example of say one thing and do another!
wollar is also a connecting corridor between the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve and Goulburn river National Park. These are home to a few endangered species such as the regent honeyeater, the eastern cave bat, the large eared pied bat and koalas. the proposal creates a barrier between these 2 important breeding habitats and will also remove critical habitat and box gum woodland essential for their survival. It will also permenantly degrade and alter the groundwater sources and surface flows in the Wollar creek catchment and indirectly impact the box gum community which is groundwater dependant.
We live on the Goulburn River which is the ultimate destination of all the water pumped out of the mine site. Nowhere in this proposal do they mention their application for a 20 megalitre discharge license. this will put that amount of water into a normally dry creekbed which will cause erosion and sediment to flow into Wollar creek thereby changing its flow and finally discharging into the Goulburn river and contributing to unnecessary and unwanted changes to the flow of that river. this is already a problem for residents living along the river as Ulan and Moolarban mines are allowed 30 negalitres per day each which creates access problems due to constant elevated flows particularly after rain when the river rises very rapidly due to the constant flow. There is also increased salinity and the introduction of carp which were never in the river but are now able to move upstream due to the normal drying cycle of the river not occuring. None of these issues are addressed in the proposal!
It is worth noting that this new expansion will be happening at the only entrance to the Goulburn River national Park so visitors to the park will have to drive through or around an opencut mine to access the park. This seems to be a ridiculous juxtaposition, destroying habitat and good farmland for a couple of years of mining whilst extolling the virtues of creating and preserving National Parks. Allowing Peabody to do whatever they like destroys the idea that the government is looking after its constituents. There is no economic justification for this as the increased climate change impacts will cost more than royalties and taxes and will be here for a lot longer than Peabody.
We have owned our property for 50 years and decided to retire here permenantly 3 years ago. As the original arrangement with Peabody was that mining would cease this year and only rehabilitation after that which would allow people to start returning to the area to enjoy its beauty and traquility. Recent land sales in the area would indicate that this is already happening . Renewables will not affect this as once constructed they have little impact environmentally whereas a coal mine has impacts forever, as they change topography and ground water, unfillable voids, are visually disgusting and are noisy dirty and disruptive. This is the perfect oppurtunity for the government to demonstrate that they are serious about climate change and the transition to renewables. Reject this proposal and any further expansion which will destroy forever our local environment and lifestyle simply to provide Peabody with more profits to take back to America, which does not benefit us in any way. We will be left with damaged land , disrupted waterways and climate change. The idea that this provides jobs is also outdated as all the renewable projects struggle to find sufficient workers so there are lots of jobs available, we dont need coalmines for that.
Act wisely and reject this proposal and future generations will thank you for your vision and determination . To allow it will just mean another capitulation to the greedy demands of foreign companies.

This submission should not be approved on the following grounds:
Expansion is against all Government and Environmental principals of a cleaner future to be set by Australia.
It has major indigenous cultural implications.
To surround village is criminal.
We need to care for the environment, not line people's pockets.
There is plenty of employment locally in the renewable energy sector.
Protect the fauna and fauna, not further
degrade/destroy habitats.

This is an important step for all of us, as it will help secure jobs for more than 700 of our colleagues and ensure one of Australia’s most productive coal mines continues to be a strength for our business.

The proposal will extend an existing pit, allowing another 14 million tonnes of coal to be mined. This will sustain Wilpinjong’s wider economic benefits including supplying a quarter of the coal generated power in New South Wales, contributing more than half a billion dollars into the State’s economy and paying $96 million in wages.

21 October 2025

Submission to the NSW Government Planning Portal objecting to the proposed Wilpinjong Coal Mine Mod 3 – Pit 8 Extension

Running Stream Water Users Association objects to Peabody Energy’s proposed extension of the Wilpinjong Coal Mine, which threatens to damage public health, the environment and Aboriginal cultural heritage. Below we list our specific concerns about this proposed mine expansion.

1. Water impacts
The proposed expansion would cause a groundwater drawdown of over 20 metres and loss of groundwater (base) flows to Wollar Creek of over 21 million litres per year. No monitoring has been done within the area of mine expansion to establish a baseline or measure impacts from current mining operations in Pit 8.

Terrestrial Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) have not been adequately assessed, including those within the boundary of Wollar Village that provide significant ecological and aesthetic values.

Wilpinjong Mine has a poor history of water management and modelling, by intercepting more water than predicted. Increased salinity loads of up to 3.5 tonnes of salt per day in mine discharge are a potential downstream water quality impact.

2. Aboriginal cultural heritage impacts
Wilpinjong Mine area is significant for Aboriginal cultural heritage, with over 1000 sites recorded over many years. There is ample evidence of continuous Wiradjuri occupation of the region, with spiritual connection to Country. Mod 3 will destroy an additional fifteen irreplaceable Indigenous sites.

3. Social impacts
The proposed new area will take open-cut mining operations to the boundary of Wollar Village. Pollution from current mining has led to significant health and wellbeing impacts on the Wollar community, forcing many people to sell up to Peabody Energy and leave the district. The depopulation directly attributable to mining has not been addressed in the mine extension documents.

The Social Impact Management Plan for the current approval identifies that mining and workforce would begin ramping down this year (2025). Remaining community members are preparing to rebuild and reinvigorate the community. This proposed new expansion adds to future uncertainty and stress levels, further threatening the mental health and wellbeing of those residents.

4. Biodiversity impacts
The proposed extension of mine disturbance would significantly impact two critically endangered ecological communities (CEECs) and eleven endangered fauna species.

Endangered microbats: The new open-cut area contains the highest density of the endangered Large-eared Pied Bat and Eastern Cave Bat in the region. Two rocky hills will be removed, which are at the centre of the hotspot. These are critical breeding habitats, including known maternity sites, resulting in a Significant and Irreversible Impact (SAII).

Box Gum Woodland CEEC: The assessment fails to adequately consider indirect impacts from the proposal on the Box Gum Woodland CEEC, and understates the extent of impact. This community is identified as groundwater dependent. The potential impacts of the proposed groundwater drawdown are neither considered nor assessed.

Regent Honeyeater: The proposed expansion will directly remove mapped areas of important habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater. There are current records of breeding activity in the district that are not noted in the assessment report.

Koalas: Impacts on landscape connectivity. Expansion of open-cut mining forms an extensive and hostile barrier between the locally significant conservation areas of Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve and Goulburn River National Park.

In short, the proposed expansion would remove the closest points of intact remnant vegetation on the valley floor which currently form ‘stepping stones’ of habitat between Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve and Goulburn River National Park for a wide variety of woodland birds including the Critically Endangered Regent Honeyeater and mobile fauna like the endangered Koala.

5. It is not substantially the same project
The proposed extension should not be assessed as a modification because it is not substantially the same as the current mine approval:

• It falls outside the current mining lease.
• It is part of a larger expansion project.
• It would mean mining activity would occur right up to Wollar Village boundary.
• It encroaches on Wollar Creek catchment.
• It would destroy an endangered microbat hotspot.
• It would cause additional biodiversity impacts under Federal environmental law.
• It would destroy a new area of Aboriginal cultural heritage significance.

6. The mine expansion is not justified
The proposal has been assessed to contribute $21 million of net public benefit. This would not cover the costs of current extreme weather events generated by climate change. The additional greenhouse gas emissions will cause a greater public cost.

There is no need for extended coal mining in the region to provide local jobs. Mining is competing for skilled labour which is urgently required in the construction, housing and renewable energy industries. There is a major labour shortage in the Central West, with local workers needed for the CWO REZ construction.

The NSW Government has prioritised the Central West Future Jobs and Investment Authority to manage the transition away from coal mining. The Mudgee region has many opportunities to diversify the economy.

Lastly, we would like to note that the exclusion of Cumbo Creek realignment and Rocky Hill significant cultural heritage site in the mine expansion documents is a red herring. This appears to be a cynical exercise on the part of Peabody Energy, in an attempt to offset the impacts of the proposed mine expansion. Emphasis throughout the assessment reports which focuses on the exclusion of these two areas from the existing mine approval creates a level of confusion and distraction. There is no requirement to seek a modification to leave coal in the ground. Cumbo Creek was never going to be diverted as this would be too costly, and Rocky Hill should never have been approved for destruction. The belated protection of the significant Rocky Hill cultural heritage site under the current approval for Pit 8 should not detract from the proposed destruction of an additional fifteen significant Indigenous cultural sites within the proposed mine expansion.

We trust that the issues noted above will be carefully considered, and that Peabody’s modification request will be denied.

Yours sincerely,
Fiona Sim, President
(on behalf of Running Stream Water Users Association)

My view on the project is highly positive. Blackwoods’ role as a supplier to Wilpinjong Mine not only reinforces our commitment to supporting the mining sector but also contributes meaningfully to local employment and economic development. The partnership enables us to provide consistent product and service support while creating valuable opportunities for our team members in the region, and allows Peabody Wilpinjong to continue to deliver overall economic benefits to the region.

Increasing the life of this mine will be great for the community and local businesses.
I am a local business owner, my husband works for Wilpinjong as a contractor.
He constantly tells me about the rehabilitation of the mined land and also promotes the safety procedures and practices on site.
This mine makes generous donations among local areas also sponsors local clubs.
My husband loves his job due to the ethics this mine has and the care they take for their people and environment.

I strongly object to the proposed Wilpinjong Coal Mine Modification 3 (Pit 8 Extension).

This proposal should be treated as a new project, not a modification. It falls outside the existing lease area, extends mining to the boundary of Wollar Village, and would enable a larger future expansion inconsistent with the current approval.

The expansion would:

Release over 25 million tonnes of additional greenhouse gas emissions, worsening climate impacts that far outweigh any public benefit.

Destroy 155 hectares of land, including critical habitat for the Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater, and Koala—species already threatened with extinction.

Cause irreversible damage to Aboriginal cultural heritage, with at least 15 additional Wiradjuri sites to be destroyed.

Degrade groundwater and surface water systems, reducing baseflows to Wollar Creek by over 21 million litres per year.

Harm the social fabric and health of the Wollar community, undermining its efforts to rebuild after years of mining-related depopulation.

Furthermore, this expansion conflicts directly with the goals of the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, which begins at Wollar. The future of the region lies in clean energy and sustainable development, not further coal extraction.

There is no economic or social justification for extending coal mining to 2033 and beyond. The claimed public benefit of $21 million does not offset the environmental, health, and climate costs of the project.

For these reasons, I urge the Department of Planning to reject Modification 3 and require any further mining proposal to be assessed as a new development under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

I was employed by Peabody at Wilpinjong for 7 years. I started a traineeship there and the project gave me a valuable career to support my family. I have since moved on but I have fond memories of the workplace. This project needs to keep going. It is a vital piece of the central west and surrounds. Provides a good, stable income for families when times are tough. But it also provides a place for employees to go to build an exceptional career. Anyone can go as far with their career as they want to at Wilpinjong with a little bit of hard work. It would be disappointing to see this expansion not get the approval it deserves.

Please take this statement as a submission in full support of the ongoing mine operation at Wilpinjong and the support of Wilpinjong mine modification.
I have been employed at WIlpinjong for the past 18.5 years. Wilpinjong and Peabody have supported my career growth from a contract tradesmen to an Engineer, giving me the opportunity to further my study through University whilst still being a contributing member to the Central West community of Mudgee.
My family has benefitted from the ongoing employment in Regional NSW with my son now studying full time for his medical degree in the hope of returning to regional NSW to practice. This would not be a consideration had he not had the opportunity to grow up in a progressive regional town that has been able to thrive from the continual support from the mining community.
Continuing the mining operations will allow the support of the Mudgee region and NSW as a whole to continue, my family and I are in full support of the modification to the Wilpinjong mine.

I strongly support the proposed modification for Wilpinjong Mine.

Wilpinjong Mine plays an essential role in supporting New South Wales’ energy needs and regional prosperity. The operation produces approximately one quarter of the coal used for electricity generation across the state. This makes it a critical part of the energy system that keeps businesses operating, homes powered, and communities functioning reliably.

The mine provides stable employment for around 700 people. In regional communities such as Mudgee, the importance of this level of employment cannot be overstated. Each job represents a household that depends on the mine’s continued operation. In addition to direct employment, Wilpinjong supports more than 500 suppliers who rely on its ongoing activity to sustain their own businesses. Collectively, this contribution adds approximately four hundred million dollars each year to the local and regional economy.

Wilpinjong has a strong record as a responsible operator. The proposed modification reflects its commitment to sustainable resource management and environmental protection. The design ensures that coal reserves near the Rocky Hill complex, an area of cultural significance to Traditional Owners, will remain undisturbed. It also maintains the Cumbo Creek corridor, which holds ecological and cultural importance for the region.

The mine operates under some of the strictest environmental regulations in the world. Its emissions intensity is among the lowest of any coal mine in Australia, demonstrating its efficient practices and investment in environmental performance. Producing high quality coal under this framework is far more sustainable than relying on imported coal from regions with weaker oversight and lower environmental standards.

Wilpinjong’s contribution to the community extends well beyond mining activity. Through its Community Investment and Partnership Program, more than 1.2 million dollars in grants have been distributed to over 160 local organisations. These contributions have supported education, health, and inclusion initiatives, including the development of accessible facilities for people with disabilities and funding for community infrastructure. Such programs make a genuine difference to local quality of life and demonstrate Wilpinjong’s long-term commitment to regional wellbeing.

The modification also supports New South Wales’ broader energy transition. While renewable technologies are expanding, coal remains an essential part of the energy mix required to maintain stable and affordable power supply. As electricity costs continue to rise across the country, the continued operation of efficient, low-emission domestic coal mines helps ensure energy reliability and affordability during the transition to cleaner energy sources.
The proposal will not extend the disturbance area beyond what is already approved, but it will enable continued use of existing infrastructure. This represents an efficient use of established resources and minimises the need for new land disturbance. The modification will therefore deliver ongoing benefits with limited additional environmental impact.

The mine has consistently demonstrated its willingness to engage transparently with stakeholders, including government agencies, local residents, and Traditional Owners. Its consultation approach shows respect for community concerns and a genuine commitment to continuous improvement.

From a regional development perspective, Wilpinjong’s presence sustains indirect employment across transport, maintenance, hospitality, and service industries. Local businesses benefit from increased trade, which in turn supports population stability, investment in housing, and stronger community infrastructure.

Approving the modification will also maintain export revenues and help strengthen Australia’s reputation as a reliable global supplier of responsibly mined resources. Given current international demand for high-quality, low-ash thermal coal, the continuation of operations at Wilpinjong supports both local and national economic resilience.

Overall, the proposal represents a practical and balanced approach that aligns economic, environmental, and community priorities. It allows for continued energy security, protects culturally and environmentally sensitive areas, and sustains long-term regional employment.

Coal mining remains one of Australia’s most important export industries and continues to underpin regional growth and investment. The Wilpinjong Mine has proven its commitment to operating responsibly, engaging with its community, and delivering benefits well beyond its workforce.

By approving the proposed modification, the New South Wales Government would be supporting secure jobs, local business stability, community development, and a reliable energy future. Wilpinjong has shown that responsible mining and community contribution can coexist effectively.

For these reasons, I believe the Wilpinjong Mine modification should be approved in full. It represents a continuation of safe, well-regulated, and economically vital mining activity that delivers significant value to both the local region and the state of New South Wales.

The proposed mine expansion should not be assessed as a modification because it differs
substantially from the current approved mine. Its purpose is to facilitate a much larger
expansion in the near future that surrounds Wollar village.
This ‘modification’ proposal should be assessed as a new project.
Wollar community is preparing to rejuvenate and rebuild including a return of Aboriginal people
through successful land claims. The Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (CWOREZ)
starts at Wollar being the first approved REZ in NSW. Wollar is the starting point for the transition
to clean energy
Key points of objection:
1. Releasing over 25 MT of additional Greenhouse Gas emissions
2. First stage of a bigger mine expansion and should be assessed as a new project
3. Mining to the boundary of Wollar Village
4. Disturbing an additional 155 ha:
• loss of Aboriginal cultural heritage and spiritual landscape for Wiradjuri Nation
• destroying more important habitat for the nationally threatened Large-eared
Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater and Koala
5. Permanently altering and degrading alluvial groundwater sources and surface flows in
the Wollar Creek catchment.
6. Increasing pollution through poorly assessed noise, dust, blasting, onsite coal ignition
(spontaneous combustion), lighting and water contamination
7. Increasing social impacts, loss of amenity and ongoing disturbance of rural way of life
8. Slowing the transition to clean energy future – competing with the Central West
Renewable Energy Zone that starts at Wollar
9. This project is not needed to provide regional jobs – there is a huge workforce shortage
for renewable energy projects in the Central West
10. There is no economic justification, the increased climate change impacts will cost more
than public income generated through royalties and taxes
More reasons in detail
1. Aboriginal cultural heritage impacts
Wilpinjong Mine area is significant for Aboriginal cultural heritage with over 1,000 sites recorded
over many years. There is ample evidence of continuous Wiradjuri occupation of the region with
spiritual connection to country. Mod 3 will cause the destruction of an additional 15 sites.
2. Social impacts
The proposed new area will take open cut mining operations to the boundary of Wollar Village.
Pollution from current mining has caused significant health and well-being impacts on the
Wollar community forcing many people to sell up to Peabody Energy and leave the district. The
depopulation directly attributed to mining has not been addressed. The Social Impact
Management Plan for the current approval identifies that mining and workforce would start
ramping down this year 2025. Remaining community members are preparing to rebuild and
reinvigorate the community. This proposed new expansion adds to future uncertainty and stress
levels further threatening mental health and wellbeing. The Social Impact Assessment
identified seven positive social outcomes if the proposal doesn’t go ahead and only two
negatives.
3. Biodiversity impacts
The proposed extension of mine disturbance will significantly impact two critically endangered
ecological communities (CEEC) and eleven endangered fauna species.
Endangered microbats: The new open cut area contains the highest density of the endangered
Large-eared Pied Bat and Eastern Cave Bat in the region. Two rocky hills will be removed, which
are at the centre of the hotspot. These are critical breeding habitats including known maternity
sites, resulting in a Significant and Irreversible Impact (SAII).
Box Gum Woodland CEEC: The assessment fails to adequately consider indirect impacts from
the proposal on the Box Gum Woodland CEEC and understates the extent of impact. This
community is identified as groundwater dependent. The potential impacts of the proposed
groundwater drawdown is not considered or assessed.
Regent Honeyeater: The proposed expansion will directly remove mapped areas of important
habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater. There are current records of breeding
activity in the district that are not recognised in the assessment report.
Koala: Impacts on landscape connectivity. Expansion of open-cut mining forms an extensive
and hostile barrier between the locally significant conservation areas of Munghorn Gap Nature
Reserve and Goulburn River National Park. Will remove the closest points of intact remnant
vegetation on the valley floor currently forming stepping stones of habitat between these two
reserves for a wide variety of woodland birds including the Critically Endangered Regent
Honeyeater and mobile fauna like the Endangered Koala.
4. Water Impacts
Will cause a groundwater drawdown of over 20m and loss of groundwater (base)flows to Wollar
Creek of over 21 million litres per year. No monitoring has been done within the area of mine
expansion to establish a baseline or measure impacts from current mining operations in Pit 8.
Terrestrial Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) have not been adequately assessed
including those within the boundary of Wollar Village that provide significant ecological and
aesthetic values.
Wilpinjong Mine has a poor history of water management and modelling by intercepting more
water than predicted. Increased salinity loads of up to 3.5 tonnes salt per day in mine discharge
are a potential downstream water quality impact.
5. Not substantially the same project
The proposed extension should not be assessed as a modification because it is not
substantially the same as the current mine approval:
• Falls outside the current mining lease
• Is part of a larger expansion project
• Mines to Wollar Village boundary
• Encroaches on Wollar Creek catchment
• Destroys an endangered microbat hotspot
• Causes additional biodiversity impacts under Federal environmental law
• Destroys a new area of Aboriginal cultural heritage significance
6. Not Justified
The proposal has been assessed to contribute $21 million of net public benefit. This would not
cover the costs of current climate change generated extreme weather events. The additional
greenhouse gas emissions will cause a greater public cost.
There is no need for extended coal mining in the region to provide local jobs. Mining is
competing for skilled labour urgently required in the construction, housing and renewable
energy industries. There is a major labour shortage in the Central West with local workers
needed for the CWO REZ construction.
The NSW Government has prioritised the Central West Future Jobs and Investment Authority to
manage the transition away from coal mining. The Mudgee region has many opportunities to
diversify the economy.
7. Explainer: for those who have viewed assessment reports: The exclusion of Cumbo
Creek realignment and Rocky Hill significant cultural heritage site is a red herring
This is a confusing and cynical exercise on the part of Peabody Energy attempting to offset the
impacts of the proposed mine expansion. Emphasis throughout the assessment reports
focusing on the exclusion of two areas from the existing mine approval creates a level of
confusion and distraction. There is no requirement to seek a modification to leave coal in the
ground. Cumbo Creek was never going to be diverted as too costly and Rocky Hill should never
have been approved for destruction. The belated protection of the significant Rocky Hill cultural
heritage site under the current approval for Pit 8 should not detract from the destruction of an heritage site.

I am strongly in favour of the Project and support the extension of the mine.
Wilpinjong Mine provides a critical energy source to the NSW electricity grid. In addition Wilpinjong Mine is a substantial economic contributor to rural NSW in the Mudgee region. The mine supports over 700 jobs with the impacts positively affecting numerous families and businesses in the region. Wilpinjong Mine has a solid environmental record and consults regularly with traditional owner groups.
The positive impacts from mining extend well beyond the region of Mudgee and provides a key role in NSW rail and port employment. The export revenue from mines like Wilpinjong underpin the economy for all Australians no matter what field of work they participate in.

This project should be considered as a New Project, not a Modification. This proposal is considerably different to the current one, and should be assessed as a new, large scale project. The proposal falls outside the current lease area, which alone is enough to make any reasonable person see it as a new project. Especially as this expansion would impact upon an Indigenous site and different habitats than the original site.
There is also the issue of new coal mining impacting the climate. Australia is already suffering from climate change induced extreme weather. Any communal benefit granted by this proposal to the Australian people is far outweighed by the risk it has of increasing property loss and deaths from extreme weather events.
This proposal should not be considered a modification, and must be assessed as a new project and with climate change affects in mind