MOD 3 - Pit 8 Extension

Fully support the Wilpinjong extension

I would like to express my support for the proposed expansion of the Wilpinjong mine. Peabody’s continued investment in this project represents a meaningful commitment to the local community and the broader region.
The expansion will not only secure ongoing employment for many local families, but also create new job opportunities that strengthen the economic fabric of our towns. Peabody’s track record of providing local funding and support to community initiatives has made a tangible difference, and this expansion will allow that support to grow even further.
Additionally, Wilpinjong’s production of high-quality thermal coal plays a vital role in ensuring reliable power generation across the country. As we navigate the complexities of energy transition, maintaining access to dependable energy sources remains essential.
I believe this expansion is a positive step forward for both the local community and the energy sector, and I commend Peabody for its continued commitment to responsible development and regional support.

I am strong supporter of the MOD 3 - Pit 8 extension as I know the value it will deliver to the community where the mine is located. Wilpinjong produces a high-quality thermal coal that is used for base load power generation for not only the region but for the greater NSW state. The coal Wilpinjong produces is also low emission coal unlike other thermal coal products.
Wilpinjong Mine also employs some 600+ local people around the region, in places such as Mudgee, Gulgong, Dunedoo and Merriwa, who earn collectively approx. $97M as well as the use of a number of Contractor companies that also put back into the community. The mine also directly contributes around $570M to the NSW economy. Stage 1 modification will extend the mine life out to 2033 but will not change the intensity or total production output. Stage 2 will further extend the life of the mine out to the late 2030's. These extensions will continue to provide employment for the current workforce, continue to contribute to the local community and the greater NSW community and continue to provide low emission coal for power generation.
The team that is tasked with protecting the environment live locally and have won a number of awards for Environmental excellence. The mine is committed to ensuring responsible and sustainable practices are carried out each day as they strive to ensure compliance with state and federal regulatory standards are met. The work carried out to rehabilitate the mined-out areas are a credit to the dedication and commitment of the greater team at Wilpinjong. The land is seeded with native grasses and complemented with tube stock to return it to native woodland to attract the critically endangered Regent Honey Eater.
Wilpinjong mine is on Wiradjuri land so all employees and contractors whose work tasks interact with cultural heritage undergo cultural heritage training. From the numerous cultural heritage studies completed, there are over 1,000 cultural heritage sites registered, and management of these sites is through compliance with the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan.

If the extension is accepted - then Wilpinjong will be continuing, it's contribution to the economic wellbeing of the local business community.
Wilpinjong has also made a commitment to ensuring the impact of their operations on the natural environment is limited and the areas of cultural significance are protected

I am making this submission on behalf of my company Mechlec, I would like to write in support of the Wilpinjong Pit Extension.
Peabody has been a valued customer of our business and supports 20+ jobs internal to our business, without the extension approval these jobs would not exist. The Wilpinjong Mine does not only directly affect these jobs but the local community as a flow on. We as a business support local accommodation, fuel stations and hold toolbox talks at local dining establishments.
Our employees support local retails stores, hairdressers, gyms, cafe's, rent house's - the list goes on.

Wilpinjong Pit Extension is vital to supporting not only our business but our employees and the local community.

Thank you,
Mark Ostermann

The "MOD 3 - Pit 8 Extension" proposes yet more permanent damage to the life of people and nature in the locality of Wollar village. This is all loss and no gain for future generations of people, flora and fauna. The threat is further confirmed by permanant impact on two Creeks. The area supposedly to be "modified" is actually to be extended... hence the use of the term MODIFICATION is disingenuous. It is meant as usual to con the Dept. Planning into imagining that it's a weeny adjustment within an existing permission. It puts the NSW Govt into the position of being complicit in an understood ploy.
I pay this Government. I expect any Government to be straight and honest, and to demand the same from greedy mines.
I want a halt to destruction of what still remains to nurture future generations. I absolutely deplore and object to this application.

I am writing to strongly object to this project, I visit this area very often to capture and record as much biodiversity as I can, it is also the main area I visit to find Christmas beetles as yes I do discover them within this area and unfortunately their populations are on the decline. I recently got to observe an echidna within this area happily explore its environment not realising its safety and home is possibly at risk, I feel it’s my obligation to speak up for those who can’t and I am taking this opportunity to speak / stand up for the amazing and wonderful creatures large and small that are unable to speak up or defend themselves. This area truely is stunning and should be preserved for many more generations to come. If our environment goes down we go down to it’s our responsibility to try and preserve and protect what we can while we can.

It is critically urgent that we should not be opening any more coal mines. The Peabody Energy Wilpinjong Coal Mine extension needs to be assessed as a new project due to its scale (bigger than the exisiting mine) and the new effects on threatened species, new impacts on aboriginal heritage, damage to the local envrironment including creeks, microbat habitat etc. There is no economic jsutification, and the workers will be needed in the adjoining renewable zone. Listen to the community.

I am writing to formally object to the proposed Extension/Modification 3 of the Wilpinjong Coal Mine (Application Number: SSD-6764-Mod-3). As a property owner and resident of over 30 years in the direct vicinity of this operation, I have serious concerns about the significant adverse impacts this expansion will have on my property, my health and my rights as a landholder.

1.Noise
Current operations already create disruptive noise. The extension means more 24/7 machinery, increased blasting and constant heavy vehicle movements. This chronic noise exposure affects sleep, health and my ability to enjoy my own property. No one should be forced to live beside industrial operations that never stop and were never here before I purchased the property and moved here.

2.Dust and Air Quality
Coal dust is already a constant problem that will only worsen with expansion. Larger exposed areas, more vehicle movements and additional handling operations mean more dust settling on my home, water tanks and gardens. This dust contains harmful substances posing serious respiratory and health risks. I should not have to breathe contaminated air on my own property.

3. Road Closures and Access
Frequent road closures for blasting and mine operations restrict my access to my own property and essential services. This impacts emergency access, if there's a fire or medical emergency, closed roads could be life-threatening. It disrupts access to medical appointments and grocery shopping. My freedom of movement is being controlled by a mining company's schedule, which is wrong.

4. Property Rights and Values
This expansion compromises my basic property rights. It reduces my property value, limits how I can use my land and forces me to adapt my life around mine operations. I bought this property expecting peaceful rural living, not industrial interference that grows worse every year.

Conclusion
The impacts are too severe and the proposed mitigation measures are inadequate. Residents shouldn't sacrifice their health, safety and property rights for corporate profit. The cumulative burden on our community is already excessive, further expansion is unjustifiable.

I urge the Department to reject this application.

I support for the proposed Wilpinjong Mine Expansion Project due to the economic benefit and employment that the project will bring to the Mudgee Region. As someone who has worked in the mining industry for a number of years, I have seen the importance of responsible resource development to both local communities and the broader NSW economy. The Wilpinjong Mine has consistently demonstrated its ability to operate safely, efficiently, and with a strong commitment to environmental management.

The Wilpinjong Mine is a major contributor to regional and state economies. Its continued operation and expansion will continue to support local and regional businesses, including suppliers, contractors, and service providers that rely on the mine’s ongoing operations.

The expansion will also secure ongoing employment within the region until 2033. These are high-quality, stable jobs that support families and communities in the Mid-Western Region.
Continued operation ensures that local workers and businesses can plan for the future and provides time to transition the community for alternative energy projects and other employment opportunities as NSW moves away from coal mining.

The mining industry today operates under strict environmental regulations, and Wilpinjong has a strong record of compliance and continuous improvement.
The site’s progressive rehabilitation program demonstrates Peabody’s commitment to restoring land to sustainable post-mining uses.

The Wilpinjong Mine Expansion represents a balanced and responsible proposal that delivers clear economic and social benefits while maintaining high environmental standards. Continued operation of the mine supports local families, businesses, and the NSW economy, while building on a proven record of environmental performance.
For these reasons, I strongly support approval of the Wilpinjong Mine Expansion Project.

Ongoing project is good for the Mudgee community with no going employment that supports the growth of the town and area

Vital for the longevity of the mine and employees, and the regional towns it supports.

I wish to lodge an objection to the proposed extension to the Peabody Energy Wilpinjong Coal Mine. This proposal is unacceptable on so many levels. It is not an "expansion" but a whole new project and should be assessed as such.

My main points of objection are:

1. It will seriously impinge on the village of Wollar.
2 It will release 0ver 25 MT of Greenhouse gas emissions
3 It will lead to further loss of Aboriginal cultural heritage and spiritual landscape for member of our Wiradjuri nation.
4 It will destroy more of the important habitat of our koalas, the Regent Honey Eater, as well as endangered microbats.
5. There are no benefits that I can see for our historic community. As there is a huge shortage of workers for renewable energy projects in the Central West, it will increase pollution and degrade our alluvial groundwater sources.

The project is competing directly with the Central West Renewable Energy Zone that starts at Wollar and for this reason seems contradictory and irrational.
It threatens to disturb an additional 155 ha of land and should not be assessed as a modification but as a new project.
There is currently a workforce shortage in the Central West as well as limited available accommodation.
This is all in addition to the devastation which will be created by loss of aboriginal cultural heritage, destruction of natural habitat, degrading of the water system, noise, lights, dust pollution and water contamination as well as millions more tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
There is no economic justification for this project. As a Mudgee resident I believe that we need to protect our town and its surrounding countryside as a sought after tourist destination into the future. This larger expansion proposed must be protected by inclusion in the Munghorn Gap Reserve.

I consider the Modification application totally inappropriate and that it should be treated as a new project, for reasons laid out in my attachment.

Supportive of money that flows to local business in Gulgong

I ibject to this project on behalf of ECCO due to its impact on the environment. Please see attached submission

This project should not proceed, in particular due to severing of an in use Koala corridor between national parks, evidenced by recent sightings throughout the surrounding habitat.
It will also significantly impact two critically endangered ecological communities and eleven endangered fauna species, including the Large-eared Pied Bat and Regent Honeyeater.
These impacts are completely unacceptable.

This project has no economic rationale. It is a last ditch effort to continue an environmentally unacceptable mine. The Mudgee area has plenty of employment opportunities and the few displaced miners will be easily reemployed.

This coal mine extension will have unacceptable impacts on the local community which cannot be offset by the supposed jobs it may bring.

The Community of Wollar are opposed to this expansion and fear it will surround the village and cause catastrophic impacts that cannot be mitigated.

This coal mine expansion will cause irreversible damage and will -
• Disturb an additional 155 ha of important biodiversity habitat values and farming land, decimating a biodiversity hotspot for threatened microbats and critically endangered Regent Honeyeaters
• Bring open cut mining operations right up to the edge of Wollar Village causing more social distress for the community
• Generate an additional 25 million tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere at a time when the world is already overheating and impacted by increasingly violent extreme weather events.
• Permanently alter flows to Wollar Creek and destroy groundwater systems.
• Continue to disturb Aboriginal cultural heritage and the connection to country.

A serious concern is that this extension is the first stage of a much larger expansion of Pit 9 & Pit 10 meaning that the impacts to the community will be far greater than those presented to the DPHI Assessor.

Don't be hoodwinked, get this right and stop coal mine expansions and start rehabilitating this beautiful region now.