MOD 3 - Pit 8 Extension

Wilpinjong coal mine has provided full time employment to myself and family for over 16 years. I believe Wilpinjong coal mine plays a major part in the mudgee community, supporting over 600 jobs in a strong Wilpinjong workforce with and additional 100 roles for contractors.
Wilpinjong coal mine injected over $569 million directly into the NSW economy last year with $96 million in wages alone.
In the past 10 years, Wilpinjong coal mine has invested over $1.2 million to 160 community organizations. It has helped develop a skilled regional workforce and provide jobs to at least 30 apprenticeships and traineeships last year.
Wilpinjong coal mine provided $90 million in royalties to the Australian government last year, it has also jointly funded the doctors 4 Mudgee region program and provided a GP to Gulgong community after an 18 month absence.
In dollar terms, minings economic contribution to the Mid western region is more than double the contribution of the next nine industry sectors combined. Wilpinjong coal mine has supported myself, my family and the Mudgee community for the last 16 years, so therefore I believe and support the project going ahead.

I support the project as I work at Wilpinjong, I would like to see this go ahead as I have a young family and this is our income. I also believe this project would be great for Gulgong/Mudgee.
I believe if this project does not go ahead the people who work at Wilpinjong will have to relocate for more mine work, this would be bad for local businesses. More jobs means more money back in to the community. Wilpinjong's support to the community would be greatly missed.

I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for the pit extension at Wilpinjong Coal Mine, operated by Peabody. As a small Indigenous business owner who has had the privilege of partnering with Peabody for the past six years, I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact this company has had on our community and on my business.

Peabody has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence and integrity in all their dealings. They have not only supported my business but have also fostered a strong sense of community by engaging with local stakeholders and prioritizing the well-being of those affected by their operations. Their dedication to high standards of safety, environmental responsibility, and community engagement sets them apart as a leader in the industry.

The proposed extension of the Wilpinjong Coal Mine is essential not only for the continued growth of Peabody but also for the broader economic vitality of our region. The jobs created by this extension will provide valuable opportunities for local residents, including Indigenous community members, and will contribute significantly to the local economy.

Moreover, businesses like Peabody are vital to Australia’s economic landscape. Their responsible operations ensure that we can continue to thrive as a nation, balancing the need for energy resources with our commitments to sustainability and community development. Supporting the extension of the Wilpinjong Coal Mine aligns with these values and will help create a prosperous future for all.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly support the pit extension at Wilpinjong Coal Mine and urge decision-makers to approve this project. Peabody’s commitment to our community and their support of local businesses like mine exemplify the kind of responsible corporate citizenship that benefits everyone.

Thank you for considering my perspective. I am hopeful for a positive outcome that will enable Peabody to continue its essential work in our community.

Sincerely,

Dallas Morris

iCutter Industries

I have worked as a contractor at Peabody Energy Wilpinjong and other coal mines and can attest to the professionalism with which Wilpinjong is operated. It is a safety conscious and efficient mine, with a strong focus on sound environmental practices. I believe that this project will be beneficial not only to the Mudgee area, but also to all of NSW. I fully support this project.

The extension will provide secure employment for the Mudgee region for the future and assist in the growth of the region.

Great support to local economy & has created career opportunities to many local people over 2 decades

i believe this project should be approved, it will provide ongoing commercial support to the community

I support the Wilpinjong Mod 3 - Pit 8 Extension

I support the project as it will provide security to my family and more jobs will stay in our region.

I am writing in support of the proposed extension of the Wilpinjong mine. As a local resident and a Maintenance Planner working in the region, I believe this project represents a vital opportunity for continued economic stability, community growth, and long-term sustainability for families like mine who have chosen to build their future here.

My family and I made the deliberate decision to move to Mudgee with a long-term vision in mind: to raise our children in a safe, vibrant, and opportunity-rich community. We were drawn to the region not only for its natural beauty and lifestyle but also for the strong sense of community and the employment opportunities that industries like Wilpinjong provide. The mine has been a cornerstone of local employment and economic activity, and its extension would ensure that families like ours can continue to thrive here.

Our vision is to establish deep roots in Mudgee — to contribute meaningfully to the community, support local businesses, and be part of a region that values both progress and preservation. The extension of Wilpinjong aligns with this vision by offering job security, supporting local infrastructure, and reinforcing the economic foundation that allows families to plan for the future with confidence.

I respectfully urge decision-makers to consider the positive impact this extension will have on local families, workers, and the broader community. It is not just a matter of industry growth — it is about sustaining the livelihoods and aspirations of those who have chosen to call this region home.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input.

I support the Wilpinjong Mine Pit 8 modification because Wilpinjong Coal:
employs 605 staff and 100 contractors.
contributes $569 million directly into the NSW economy.
supports more than 1260 suppliers, many local.
helps 160 community organizations ($1.2 million over 10 years).
provides job opportunities (traineeships & apprenticeships) for young people living in the region.

I strongly support the proposed modification for Wilpinjong Mine. I have worked in the mine for the last 12 years, this supports my family and lifestyle as well as providing many local jobs. Supports the local community and other industries and provides for NSW power generation at a reasonable cost I believe Wilpinjong to be a responsible low cost resource miner.

Wellington Valley Wiradjuri Aboriginal Corporation are aware that the original scope of this modification has been reduced in size and this environmentally is a positive. We continue to work with Peabody Energy Wilpinjong Coal to ensure optimal outcomes for Registered Aboriginal Parties and the Coal Mining Industry.

Wellington Valley Wiradjuri Aboriginal Corporation have consulted numerous times with Peabody Energy Wilpinjong Coal around this Modification and believe they have come up with the most appropriate and viable version. There are heritage items which will be 100% impacted by the mining activities, however other areas have been quarantined to ensure they are saved.

There are two hills that will be mined, these are currently habitat areas for various flora and fauna. It is noted that some trees are older than 80 years and the remaining bushland is regrowth and younger than 80 years. There are two other hills that are not within the modification plan to be mined due to geological reasons. We seek to have these two hills revegetated with flora species endemic to the area that match documented plants and trees from pre-1900 and with species that have an Aboriginal Cultural link such as white box, grey box, wattle, xantharea.

This will highly benefit the community and keep the local area profitable for all businesses and local workers

I have lived in the area since birth and this mine means everything to the surrounding towns

I strongly support the proposed modifications and the support it will provide for the region.

I support Peabody’s proposed Wilpinjong Modification 3 Extension of Pit 8 project because it represents an important continuation of local employment, regional economic stability, and responsible resource development within the existing Wilpinjong operation. The proposed modification allows for the extraction of an additional 14 million tonnes of coal and extends the life of the mine by one year to 2034, providing ongoing work for employees, contractors, and local businesses that rely on the operation.
Peabody has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to operating within environmental and regulatory frameworks, and the refinement of the project since its initial scoping phase including the reduction in the disturbance footprint shows a willingness to respond to community and environmental considerations.
While I recognise that the proposal has been referred under the EPBC Act due to potential impacts on threatened species and water resources, I believe these matters can be appropriately managed through rigorous environmental assessment, monitoring, and mitigation measures. Continued mining in this area allows the company and government to leverage existing infrastructure rather than develop entirely new sites, which can help minimise overall regional disturbance.
The extension of Pit 8 offers tangible economic and social benefits to the region, including secure employment, royalties, and support for community programs, while maintaining alignment with NSW and Federal regulatory oversight. On balance, I consider the project a sensible and responsible progression of Wilpinjong’s operations that supports both local livelihoods and ongoing environmental accountability.

I strongly approve of the extension into pit 8
I see it as a benefit to myself as I am employed by wilpinjong and as a benefit to the community
With millions of dollars added to Mudgee with an extension of mine life for the foreseeable future through to at least 2033 for the 700+ employees who majority live locally

The project will damage the local environment and cause harm to native flora and fauna. Its purpose is to prolong a harmful industry which sells an outdated and polluting product which contributes to climate change. Living within kilometres of the existing mine we are subject to dust, traffic and road damage. By extending the existing mine those harms will be exacerbated to an unacceptable level. We cannot leave our property without having to navigate through B double trucks on roads which are barely adequate for small cars. Our home grown fruit and vegetables are damaged by coal dust and our house is made dirty and unhealthy by the same dust. Our water is collected from run off to tanks and is made unhealthy by the mine residue.
We do not need coal for Australia’s transition to renewables which is already well underway. We support the future renewable projects and have installed rooftop solar and batteries. Replace coal with renewables and do not prolong or extend existing coal mines. They do so much harm they are not in the best interests of our local community.

I support the project