MOD 3 - Pit 8 Extension

I support the Wilpinjong Coal Pit 8 extension modification because it will continue to provide stable, well-paying jobs that help build stronger and more resilient communities. Wilpinjong Coal is strategically positioned to deliver positive economic and social benefits to the Mudgee area, neighbouring regions, and NSW.

Having operated for nearly two decades, Wilpinjong Coal has demonstrated an impeccable environmental record. The proposed modification will affect land that is already environmentally degraded from past agriculture practices, meaning the extension will have minimal additional environmental impact.

I strongly encourage the NSW Government to consider allowing solar farms to be developed on rehabilitated mine land. This initiative would deliver both economic and environmental benefits, supporting a sustainable future while maximising the value of post-mining landscapes.

The extension of Wilpinjong Coal Mine will secure jobs for locals, including those who already work within the mine. Wilpinjong is also a huge contributor to the community and other organisations.

I support the Coal Mining Industry for a sustainable future.

Good for the community and workers

It brings security and wellbeing to so many people and adds so much value to surrounding towns.

Peabody should not be allowed to mine up to any community border. I have worked in the mines for 16yrs and they are destructive through a fervor of getting everything they can at any cost to everyone else.

To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed modification to extend the Wilpinjong Mine’s operations until 2033. As the wife of a local crane hire business owner in the Mudgee region, I see firsthand the vital role this mine plays in supporting our family, our employees, and the broader community.
Our business is a proud supplier to Peabody’s Wilpinjong Mine, and the work we receive directly supports our family’s livelihood. Beyond that, it allows us to employ local staff, many of whom also have families to support. The mine’s consistent demand for our services provides financial stability, which is critical in a regional economy where opportunities can be limited. The proposed extension, which will secure over 700 jobs and inject more than $400 million annually into local suppliers like us, ensures that we can continue to thrive and contribute to the Mid-Western region.
The modification to extend an existing pit, allowing an additional 14 million tonnes of coal to be mined without increasing annual production or extending the mine’s life, is a practical and responsible approach. I’m particularly encouraged to hear that this plan protects significant Indigenous cultural sites at the Rocky Hill complex and preserves the Cumbo Creek corridor. This shows Peabody’s commitment to balancing economic benefits with environmental and cultural responsibility.
Wilpinjong Mine is a cornerstone of our region’s economy, contributing over $6 billion in economic output last year—more than triple the combined contribution of the next nine industries. Last year alone, the mine paid $96 million in wages and supported over 160 community groups with $1.2 million in grants. These figures are not just numbers; they represent jobs, opportunities, and community initiatives that make Mudgee a better place to live.
As a small business family, we rely on the mine’s ongoing operations to sustain our income and support our employees. Approving this modification will ensure that businesses like ours, and the families behind them, can continue to prosper. I respectfully urge the NSW Government to approve the Wilpinjong Mine extension, securing a brighter future for our region.
Thank you for considering my submission.
Sincerely,
Sarah Cini

I agree

We need this extension to keep local economy flowing

I am writing to express my strong support for the extension of approval for continued operations at Wilpinjing Coal Mine in Mudgee NSW.

My husband works at the mine, and it is not just his job, it’s our livelihood. Like many families in the area, our well-being is directly tied to the ongoing success of this operation. The mine provides stable employment, supports local businesses, and helps keep our town alive.
Beyond its economic impact, the mine is an active and generous supporter of our community. Their contributions to local schools, sports clubs, and charitable organisations have made a real and lasting difference. Their presence goes beyond mining; they are a vital part of the community.
If this mine were to shut down, the consequences for our town would be devastating. Local jobs would disappear, businesses would close, and the community we’ve worked so hard to build would suffer greatly. It’s no exaggeration to say that if the mine goes, so does the town.
I respectfully urge you to approve the mine’s extension and allow it to continue supporting families, jobs, and the community as a whole.
Thank you for considering my submission.

We have regularly travelled to Mudgee and can see the value this site brings to the prosperity of this community.

Please see the document uploaded which details my reasons for objecting to this proposal

Dear Sir/Madam

Liebherr-Australia Pty Ltd (“Liebherr”) writes to express our strong support for the proposed Modification 3 (MOD 3) to the Wilpinjong Mine development consent (SSD 6764), which will extend operations within Pit 8 and enable continued delivery of significant economic, employment and energy security benefits.

Liebherr has proudly supported the NSW mining sector since establishing our local branch in 1995, providing advanced mining equipment and service capabilities across the state. We have supported the Wilpinjong open cut operation specifically since 2013, supplying and maintaining heavy mining equipment tailored to the site’s production demands. Today, our engagement at Wilpinjong supports approximately 12 full-time Liebherr employees directly and indirectly dedicated to this operation.

The approval of MOD 3 will provide certainty for long-term planning and continuity for our local workforce, and will sustain the investment Liebherr has made in people, infrastructure and service capability in regional NSW.

Liebherr also acknowledges the importance of future-focused, sustainable resource development. As a global technology leader, Liebherr is actively investing in low-carbon and zero-emission technologies for the mining industry, including the development of electric drive systems and hydrogen-powered equipment. The continuation of responsible operations like Wilpinjong supports the commercial deployment of these innovations within Australia’s energy and resource sectors.

We understand that Peabody Energy has undertaken environmental and community consultation in support of MOD 3 and trust that these processes will assist a thorough and balanced assessment.

 
Liebherr supports the approval of MOD 3 and remains committed to enabling responsible mining in NSW through technology, safety, and sustainability leadership.

Highly supportive of the mine extension to support jobs for local residents.

I believe this extension is important as it will provide ongoing stable employment to several hundred employees currently working at the Wilpinjong Mine. The mine has an ongoing positive effect on the local economy and also provides support to local schools and community groups through generous donations.

To whom it may concern.

I am writing as a local resident of the region and in support of the proposed extension of Pit 8 at the Wilpinjong Mine.

This project plays a vital role in the economic and social stability of our community. My partner is employed at Wilpinjong, and I’ve seen first hand how the mine provides secure and well-paying jobs to many local families. The proposed extension will help ensure that this employment continues into the future, giving families like mine the certainty we need to plan ahead and remain in the area.

Beyond direct employment, the mine supports a wide network of local businesses and services, creating flow-on benefits for our whole community. Schools, shops, sporting clubs, and local contractors all benefit from having a stable workforce and industry presence here.

I also understand that the mine has a strong record of environmental management and community consultation. The continued operation under the extension should follow the same high standards that have been set, and I trust that relevant environmental safeguards and monitoring will remain in place.

In regional areas like ours, opportunities for long-term employment and investment are crucial. The Pit 8 Extension represents a sensible and balanced way to support our region’s future.

I respectfully ask that this project be approved and allowed to proceed in a timely manner.

Kind regards, a concerned resident. (Name to remain anonymous)

I believe the project should go ahead as it significantly impacts the local community economy in a positive way. I enjoy living in the Midwest region and the jobs this extension would continue to offer is instrumental in continuing the positive growth of my little community. I also believe that the mine has demonstrated its support for the continual growth or Mudgee, care for the local environment and commitment to the supply of coal for local purposes.

I support the extension proposal as it benifits the local community and myself greatly by injecting funds into the local economy

On a global scale this is adding to the climate emergency by adding 25MT of greenhouse gas emissions.
Locally this will make the village of Wollar uninhabitable as mining is proposed to the boundary.
It is also a threat to many endangered local species eg the Regent Honeyeaters and koalas. This is significant destruction of local flora and fauna.
It poses an irreversible impact upon water resources : specifically groundwater and the Wollar creek catchment.
This is completely contradictory to the designation of the central west as a Renewable Energy Zone and is an inexplicable retrograde step in achieving both the NSW government’s and Federal government’s stated aims in achieving emissions reductions targets.

It will supply jobs for locals and a good cash flow into the community supporting local charities and sporting clubs