MOD 3 - Pit 8 Extension

I object strongly to this Peabody Wilpinjong Coal Mine Extension because I am a grandmother of 4. Seeing more and more destruction of our planet which was not seen by my generation early years, I fear terribly for their, and all beings’ future.
As humans we depend on a wide variety of BIODIVERSITY for our very human existence.

I have visited Wollar to see for myself what is at stake in this area. I am convinced the ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL and ECONOMIC damage will be too great.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions alone and resulting pollution will be 25 million tonnes of extra greenhouse gas emissions.

Wollar valley contains 2 CRITICALLY ENDANGERED ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES and 11 endangered species of fauna within the 155 hectares of impact, plus damage to precious water in the Wollar and Wilpinjong Creeks.
BIODIVERSITY of the 2 rocky hills in the proposed expansion area has the highest number of endangered Large EaredPied Bats and is the centre of their breeding areas making the mining impact too risky.
The mine will put the CRITICALLY ENDANGERED ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY of BOX GUM into huge danger of disturbance or even losing groundwater which those beautiful trees depend on.
The REGENT HONEYEATERS live within the mine expansion area where the limited number of survivors live and breed. Peabody does not consider these birds as important, as they arenot even mentioned as endangered nor their habitat.
The KOALA natural wildlife corridor will be broken between Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve and the Goulburn River National Park. Remnant vegetation not just for koalas survival but also for bird species, especially the beautiful but now known to be endangered Regent Honeyeater.
WATER is life. This Wilpinjong Mine is famous for water mismanagement by taking too much and causing poisonous salinity. This Peabody expansion will change the alluvial groundwater and surface flow in the amazingly beautiful healthy Wollar Creek Catchment. This mining plan has not taken this water source seriously and has not assessed carefully within the Wollar Village boundary.
With climate chaos worsening endangered species have enough to contend with, without putting their endangered ecological habitats at risk.

The SOCIAL IMPACTS on Wollar, which is designated as a RENEWABLE ENERGY ZONE will be plunged back from the promise of a clean green and healthy workplace back into a very dusty dirty and unhealthy environment with the expansion of open cut mining right up to the very boundary of Wollar.
The WIRADJURI CULTURAL HERITAGE of sacred 15 significant and sacred sites which they have successfully fought so hard to claim and regain will be a massive injustice for Aboriginal community and their Cultural Heritage.

This mine extension threatens the ECONOMIC FUTURE of Wollar. There is an urgent need for workers to transition from unhealthy climate destructive mining towards a bringing a thriving township of workers in a clean health-giving career.

The CLEAN ENERGY transition is definitely more ECONOMICALLY valuable for the future of Wollar than the predicted stranded coal mine ’assets’ of this and all coal mines.
The only sane decision is to REJECT this CLIMATE CHANGE driving Peabody proposal outright or at worst be assessed as a new project.

This Project represents a serious erosion of environmental values under the EPBC Act. The further expansion of coal in the regional area of Mudgee WILL undermine the well-being of residents in Wollar Village.
The NSW government is advised not to power ahead with the coal expansion in the Mudgee region where Peabody is seeking to expand their mine right to the boundary of Wollar village and destroy ecological communities along with threatened flora and fauna.
Please read my attached document as part of my submission.
Thank you
Janice Haviland

Dear Planning Secretary,
Submission in Support – Wilpinjong Coal Mine Modification 3 (SSD-6764-Mod-3) – Pit 8 Extension

Phronis welcomes the opportunity to provide this submission in support of the Wilpinjong Coal Mine Modification 3 (SSD-6764-Mod-3).
Our review of the Environmental Assessment and supporting technical documentation confirms that the proposed Pit 8 Extension represents a well-considered, environmentally responsible, and strategically important continuation of the existing operation.
Strategic Context and Policy Alignment
The Pit 8 Extension represents a logical and low-impact progression of existing operations under the current State Significant Development consent (SSD-6764). The modification is consistent with:
• The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) objectives for orderly, sustainable resource development;
• NSW Government policy to support regional employment and efficient use of existing mining infrastructure; and
• The approved operational envelopes and infrastructure already established at Wilpinjong.
The proposal makes optimal use of existing assets — including the coal handling and preparation plant, rail loop, access roads, and mine water system — and avoids the environmental footprint typically associated with new greenfield developments.
Environmental and Technical Merits
The Modification 3 Environmental Assessment demonstrates that potential impacts on water resources, biodiversity, air quality and noise can be effectively managed under existing management frameworks. In particular:
• Contiguous Mining Footprint: Pit 8 is directly adjacent to current operations, minimising new disturbance.
• Progressive Rehabilitation: Detailed plans commit to concurrent backfilling, contouring and revegetation to achieve a stable, free-draining post-mining landform.
• Water Management: Hydrological modelling confirms negligible downstream impact and maintains compliance with regional water-sharing plans.
• Biodiversity and Offsets: Offset strategies are consistent with NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 requirements and build upon Peabody’s existing stewardship areas.
Collectively, these elements demonstrate that the proposed extension is technically sound, environmentally responsible, and consistent with best-practice mine planning and rehabilitation principles.
Economic and Social Benefits
Approval of Modification 3 and the continued operation of the mine in our view will deliver significant and enduring benefits to the Mid-Western Region and to NSW more broadly, including:
• Sustained employment for approximately 550 direct workers and a large regional contractor base;
• Continued support for local businesses and service providers in Mudgee, Gulgong and Ulan;
• Significant ongoing contributions through payroll, local rates, royalties, and community investment programs;
• Efficient use of existing infrastructure, avoiding stranded assets and maximising return on prior investment; and
• Stable export and domestic energy supply contributions from an existing, high-quality thermal coal operation.
Public Interest Considerations
Modification 3 serves the public interest by:
• Maintaining regional economic resilience and employment continuity;
• Ensuring ongoing responsible environmental management and rehabilitation outcomes;
• Supporting the State’s strategic energy security and export earnings; and
• Reinforcing NSW’s reputation for rigorous, transparent, and sustainable resource development approvals.
Statement of Support
Phronis expresses our support for the approval of Wilpinjong Coal Mine Modification 3 (SSD-6764-Mod-3 – Pit 8 Extension).
We support Peabody Energy Australia in its continued leadership in responsible mine operation and community engagement., and view the approval of the proposed modification as a logical and beneficial extension of existing consent.
Disclosure and Acknowledgement
Phronis confirms that we have not made any reportable political donations or gifts to any party or person associated with this application, in accordance with Division 2 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021. Phronis also declares that we provide engineering services to Peabody Energy Australia.
Regards
Kevin Holder

Wilpinjong Coal Mine in the Wollar Area
The Peabody Energy Wilpinjong Coal Mine has approval to mine 16 Million Tonnes/year to the end of 2033. It is a wholly open cut operation disturbing over 30sqkm of farmland and high biodiversity values between Goulburn River National Park and Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve This should never have been reviewed as an extension, or modification.
It is the first stage of a much bigger mine expansion. It should be assessed as a new coal mining project. The application will allow mining right up to the boundary of Wollar Village. It will completely surround the village from the Pit no9 and through to Pit no10 area. Its purpose is to facilitate a much larger expansion in the near future that completely surrounds Wollar village. There was no independent review.
This application is appalling both on environmental and social criteria.
Pollution.
It will release 25 Million Tonnes of additional Greenhouse Gases. But the expansion will jeopardize the government’s climate target of 50% reduction by 2050. Peabody Energy company says, Wilpinjong will provide 25% of the State’s coal power. The mine application states it is supplying the Bayswater Coal Power Station. But by 2030-33, the Coal Power Station is expected to close down as it is so antiquated. There is no real justification for mining more coal as the Power station will close. So there is no argument about relying on this coal for power supply.
The 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 mining company bought the general store, the school grounds and the post office. People are still very sick from the continual pollution. All the property, brought up by the mining company, was left to fall into disrepair. The houses have not been maintained. They have even demolished houses which had quite an historic value.
There will be an enormous increase of pollution using open cut mining. Peabody Energy has asked for approval to blast twice a day, and up to 5 times a week. Coal piles can catch alight through spontaneous combustion. The local people have had nothing but problems on this issue as the company denies any spontaneous combustion takes place. Children are vomiting. Night lighting is also a problem, in disturbing sleeping patterns of both adults and children.
We were just beginning to attract new people into the area as we thought by 2033, the mine would close. There is now total uncertainty with this application for the expansion of coal mining.
Environment
The coal mining will disturb the habitat of over an additional155 hectares of land. There are many endangered species including Microbats, the Pied Bat, the Eastern Cave Bat, the Regent Honeyeater and Koalas. Many bats have been dislocated from other mining areas. There were 100 million Koalas in 1788 and now there are barely 100,000 Koalas Australia wide. This illustrates the result of the devastation of uncontrolled mining operations and destruction of habitat. The mine is severing the connection between the landscapes of Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve and the Goulburn River National Park.
The assessment fails to adequately consider indirect impacts from the proposal on the Box Gum Woodland and understates the extent of impact. This community of endangered species in the woodland is identified as groundwater-dependent. The potential impacts of the proposed groundwater drawdown is not considered or assessed. It takes a longtime, dozens of years for revegetation to produce a mature forest again, if ever and for the ground water levels to refill. In the meantime, many species are lost forever.
Indigenous Culture
The loss of Indigenous Culture and Sacred Sites for the Wiradjuri Nation is soul-destroying. Wilpinjong Mine area is very significant for First Nations peoples across the continent. In particular, Mod 3 will cause destruction of 15 cultural sites. There is a major song-line from the coast to Central Australia across the Great Dividing Range, involving 1000 cultural sites.
Further the Wollar community is preparing to rejuvenate and rebuild as a return of Aboriginal people through successful land claims is taking place.
Water
The mine will cause a groundwater drawdown of over 20 metres and loss of groundwater flows to Wollar Creek of over 21 million litres per year. This new project shifts the impact as it encroaches into the Wollar Creek water catchment area. The mining also will destroy aquifers and the ground water system. Open cut mining severs the flow of water into creeks which affects the Goulburn RIver right up to the Hunter River. This has an impact on agriculture and farm land in the eastern and coastal areas. To continue wrecking our ground water system is not sustainable in the driest continent on Earth.
Water aquifers play an important role in saving our native animals during drought. This issue is not taken into account. The assessment on animals has not been addressed.
Economy
This coal mining application is bizarre as a Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) is starting up in this area, called the Central West Orana Renewal Energy Zone project (CWOREZ). Wollar is the first approved REZ in NSW. Wollar is the starting point for the transition from dirty coal to clean energy. There should be no more expansion of coal mining. Therefore coal is not needed here to provide jobs. The mine workers can transition quickly into renewable jobs. This is no discussed in the proposal by Peabody Energy. There is no economic justification for the project, as people do not need this polluting and dangerous work.
The public benefit has been estimated by the company at $21 million through royalties and taxes. This money will not cover the costs of extreme weather events, the damage to roads, impacts on grape growing areas, tourism, the heat stress on the health of the people any damage caused by strong winds, all due to climate change due to the excess of Greenhouse Gases released into the atmosphere. The repair costs to the local council and payouts from insurance companies caused by climate change is many times the so-called benefit.
Over all the company’s assessment on all these issues, environment, social, Indigenous, economic, pollution, water use is extremely poor. This application necessitates refusal by a rational society for all the above reasons.

Submission – Objection to Wilpinjong Coal Mine Modification 3 (Pit 8 Extension)

I strongly object to Peabody Energy’s proposed Mod 3 – Pit 8 Extension at the Wilpinjong Coal Mine.
This proposal should not be treated as a simple “modification.” It is a significant new expansion that will take mining to the very edge of Wollar Village, destroy more bushland and cultural sites, and release millions of tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution.

1. Impacts on Wollar community

For years, open-cut mining has damaged the health and wellbeing of people in and around Wollar. Noise, dust, light and blasting have driven families out and left those who remain living with constant stress. The mine’s own Social Impact Assessment shows that not proceeding with this modification would create seven positive outcomes for the community, while approving it would add new harm.
The community has begun to rebuild and plan a positive future linked to the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone. Extending the mine would reverse that progress and prolong uncertainty, anxiety, and loss of amenity.

2. Aboriginal cultural heritage

This country holds deep cultural and spiritual meaning for the Wiradjuri Nation. More than 1 000 Aboriginal heritage sites have already been recorded in the Wilpinjong area. Mod 3 would destroy at least 15 more. Protecting places like Rocky Hill and the Wollar Creek landscape is essential to honour continuous Wiradjuri connection to Country. Cultural landscapes cannot be replaced once they are mined out.

3. Biodiversity and habitat loss

The extension area contains high-value habitat for many threatened species, including:

the Large-eared Pied Bat and Eastern Cave Bat, with known maternity and breeding sites;

the Regent Honeyeater, a critically endangered bird still breeding locally; and

the Koala, which depends on vegetation corridors between Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve and Goulburn River National Park.


Removing rocky hills and remnant woodland will cause a significant and irreversible impact. The project also threatens two critically endangered ecological communities, including groundwater-dependent Box Gum Woodland.

4. Water impacts

The proposal risks over-extracting and polluting precious groundwater and surface flows. Predicted drawdown exceeds 20 metres, with more than 21 million litres per year lost from Wollar Creek baseflows. Wilpinjong Mine already has a poor record of water management, intercepting more water than predicted and discharging saline water—up to 3.5 tonnes of salt per day—into the catchment. There is still no proper baseline monitoring in the expansion area.

5. Climate and economic justification

Mod 3 would release over 25 million tonnes of additional greenhouse gas emissions at a time when NSW must reduce emissions and invest in renewable energy. The claimed public benefit of $21 million is trivial compared with the cost of climate-driven extreme weather events. Extending coal mining delays the clean-energy transition already underway in the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, which needs skilled local workers far more than the coal industry does.

6. Not substantially the same project

This proposal falls outside the existing mining lease, extends into new catchments, and destroys additional cultural and ecological assets. It is clearly the first stage of a much larger expansion and must be assessed as a new project with full public scrutiny and a new Environmental Impact Statement, not rushed through as a modification.


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Conclusion

The people of Wollar and the wider region deserve clean air, safe water, cultural respect, and a healthy landscape—not another decade of coal expansion. Approving Mod 3 would undermine the community’s efforts to rebuild, threaten nationally significant species, and contradict NSW’s commitment to a renewable energy future.

I therefore call on the Department of Planning to refuse the Wilpinjong Mod 3 – Pit 8 Extension and require Peabody Energy to lodge a full new application if it wishes to pursue any further mining.

Thank you for considering this submission and for listening to the voices of local residents, Traditional Owners, and supporters of a just and sustainable future for Wollar.

There is no need for an extension of this mine.
The impacts are environmental, social and destruction of sacred indigenous sites. Water quality for the town of Wolar will be affected as well as air quality. There is an endangered bat colony in the area which will be severely impacted.
Please put your efforts and money into creating renewable and non-life threatening energy and not destroying the natural environment on which we all depend. If this last burst of higher than average temperature re has not impacted on people in air conditioned places it has been unbearable for some without these facilities and is due to such things as coal mines

'Humanity has failed to limit global heating to 1.5C and must change course immediately, the secretary general of the UN has warned.' https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/28/change-course-now-humanity-has-missed-15c-climate-target-says-un-head

Clearly no coal mines or expansions should be approved by our government so I'm not going to waste my time outlining them. However, if this coal mine is subject to Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) clauses then the government needs to explain to the people of our state what this means, and they should be working towards getting ISDS clauses out of trade agreements.

I strongly support the extension of the Wilpinjong Mine as a key employer in the Mudgee region and as an essential provider of fuel for NSW's baseload power - a stable energy grid is essential for NSW to be able to take advantage of advance technology / AI industries of the future and Wilpinjong currently provides >20% of the low-sulphur fuel used for NSW's baseload coal-fired power. That cannot continue if the mine is not allowed to continue its operations. In addition, the coal mined at Wilpinjong is competitive in both quality and delivered cost to growing Asian economies that rely in coal for baseload power, and Wilpinjong's coal exports therefore represent an ongoing source of revenue for the NSW government through royalty and the wider NSW economy.

The damage to the environment adjoining the Nature reserve is unacceptable. Particularly to the koala habitat present and with the criminal activity of the coal mine next door which is well known to various business people in Mudgee and to myself as a contractor to a busines that had been the victim of Moorlarben coal. To which my client had had no recourse and which Moorlarben, as a major company, has exploited to the maximum.

Given the undue influence of coal miners on decision making and ignoring requirementsto keep to decisons made to ensure all stakeholders are treated fairly and legally i strongly object to this project.

Given the appalling situation in the world where we have crossed the first threshold of disaster in terms of climate change, we must STOP any expansions in the mining of fossil fuels. It is criminal to knowingly not act in every way possible to reduce the effects of Climate Change for our children, our grandchildren, for people whose homelands are threatened and for all life on this planet. There is no time to waste! And the more we develop mining the less resources there are for renewables! Wollar was selected as the first REZ in NSW and is able and willing to expand that function.
The recent successful land claim is I think a reason to try and rush this through before there can be further objections from Wiradjuri claimants and the possibility that their voices might be heard.
Humans are incredibly selfish creatures and have no problem destroying land and air and life for other creatures including humans. Leaders should lead the way in looking after everyone. It would be better to subsidize people in a transition to Renewables and in reducing their power usage by better sustainable housing designs and farming practices. Nothing new about this. I read EF Schumacher’s book, Small is Beautiful, A Study of Economics as if People Mattered’ as a teenager and am a Franciscan since I was a child. I have lived and worked all my life to honour creation and to have a light footprint. We can do it but money has to be the means not the object.
Australia has proclaimed its position in the Paris Agreement; we must stick to it. An expansion is the same as a new mine so no getting around that sticky part by stealth. Transition to being a world leader in renewable energy systems, this is what people want! That’s where job growth is and needs to expand.
Let’s not drown our Pacific neighbours esp when we helped cause their plight.
Money is not Culture
Money is not animal habitat
Money is not for destroying ground water
Everywhere mining goes communities are destroyed, pollution is increased and Nature suffers.
We don’t need to list all the factors; you know them all. It is your duty of care to Wollar, the region and the country to STOP MINING.

I oppose the Wilpinjong Coal Mine Mod 3 (Pit 8 expansion). This isn’t a small change — it’s a major new project that would bring more pollution, more noise and dust, and more damage to Wollar’s land, water, and community.

The expansion would release over 25 million tonnes of extra greenhouse gases, destroy important habitat for threatened species, and impact Aboriginal cultural heritage. It would also slow down the clean energy transition right at the start of the Central West Renewable Energy Zone.

Wollar deserves a future built on clean energy and community, not more coal mining. Please reject this proposal and require any future plans to be assessed as a new project.

Dear Madam/Sir,

I hereby lodge my submission to the Wilpinjong Coal Mine Mod 3 – Pit 8 Extension.

I oppose Peabody’s Wilpinjong Coal Mine Mod 3 – Pit 8 Extension.

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.

The proposed mine expansion should not be assessed as a modification because it differs substantially from the current approved mine. It’s 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.

My key points of objection are:

1. The mine will release over 25 MT of additional Greenhouse Gas emissions.
2. This is the first stage of a bigger mine expansion and should be assessed as a new project.
3. Mining will extend to the boundary of Wollar Village.
4. Disturb an additional 155 ha:
• loss of Aboriginal cultural heritage and spiritual landscape for Wiradjuri Nation.
• destroy more important habitat for the nationally threatened Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater and Koala.
5. Permanently alter and degrade alluvial groundwater sources and surface flows in the Wollar Creek catchment.
6. Increase pollution through poorly assessed noise, dust, blasting, onsite coal ignition (spontaneous combustion), lighting and water contamination.
7. Increase social impacts, loss of amenity and ongoing disturbance of rural way of life.
8. Slow 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 the public income generated through royalties and taxes.

Aboriginal cultural heritage impacts:
The 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.

Social impact:
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 does not go ahead and only two negatives.

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.

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.

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.

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 New South Wales 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.

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 additional 15 sites within the proposed mine expansion.

The 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 coal mining.

With the ever-increasing effects of climate change on Australia and New South Wales the Minns Government must be actively pursuing the development of green energy generation and infrastructure and discontinue the extraction and use of fossil fuels immediately. To do otherwise would be irresponsible.

I thank you for this opportunity to express my opinions on this matter.

For the only planet we have.

Colleen Wysser - Martin

I find it astonishing at a time when climate and environmental concerns should be paramount that this coal mine extension could be countenanced. The renewable sector is growing, the State and Federal Governments quite rightly subsidise solar and batteries which is taken up with alacrity. So why coal?
Not only is it a foreign company that has a poor pollution record, see Metropolitan Collieries, it provides virtually nothing to the local region except pollution and desecration. I have personal knowledge of this company's poor practices and have a connection to the wine industry.
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 coal mining.
It is not economic
It is not needed locally
It will impact local farming, vineyards and tourism
It will severely impact local inhabitants without providing any benefits to them
It severely impacts the wildlife of the area and the water quality
This 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.
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.
Peabody has a poor track record. Pays almost zero to Australia. Pollutes with impunity. Is not needed in our economy. Destroys local environments. Is a foreign company.
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.
Try instead to further voters interests. This means protect and preserve our environment. We did NOT vote for polluting coal mines. These should be considered historical artefacts of a bygone era. They go against the wishes of voters. They are antithetical to a resiliant future.
At a time when we are already experiencing the negative effects of Climate Change this expansion should NOT be countenanced.
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.
Our resources should given to renewable energy projects and all coal mining should be phased out. Future generations, future voters will not thank you if you allow this foreign company to further carve into our land, laying it bare, destroying it while simultaneously increasing emissions.
Do not expand this mine.

Re: Objection to Wilpinjong Coal Mine – Model 3 Pit 8 Extension Proposal (SSD-6764 MOD 3)

I write to formally object to the proposed Model 3 Pit 8 Extension of the Wilpinjong Coal Mine, currently under assessment as a modification to an existing approval. This submission contends that the scope and scale of the proposed works constitute a new project, not a mere extension, and should be subject to a full and independent environmental and planning assessment accordingly.

Grounds for Objection

1. Mischaracterisation of Scope
The proposed development significantly alters the footprint, environmental impact, and operational intensity of the mine. It introduces new open-cut operations adjacent to Wollar village and expands into previously undisturbed land. This is not a continuation of existing operations but a substantial transformation requiring fresh scrutiny.

2. Environmental Degradation
The proposal involves open-cut mining, which is inherently destructive. The impacts include:
- Airborne pollution: Increased dust and particulate matter affecting local air quality.
- Noise pollution: Continuous heavy machinery operations near residential zones.
- Groundwater disruption: Alteration of hydrological systems, including permanent changes to Wollar Creek.

3. Proximity to Wollar Village
The extension brings mining operations to the edge of Wollar, a residential village with cultural and historical significance. The social and health impacts on residents from noise, dust, and vibration are unacceptable and inadequately mitigated.

4. Biodiversity Loss
The development will disturb over 155 hectares of land, including critical habitat for endangered species such as:
- Koalas
- Regent honeyeaters
- Microbat populations

These species are already under pressure, and further habitat fragmentation could accelerate local extinction risks.

5. Cultural Heritage Impact
Numerous Aboriginal cultural sites lie within the proposed extension area. Their disturbance or destruction would represent a profound loss to First Nations communities and contravene principles of cultural preservation and respect for Country.

6. Climate Impact
The project is projected to generate an additional 25 million tonnes of greenhouse gases. At a time when climate resilience and emissions reduction are national priorities, approving such a carbon-intensive expansion is counterproductive and irresponsible.

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Conclusion

Given the scale, location, and cumulative impacts of the Model 3 Pit 8 Extension, it should not be assessed as a modification to an existing approval. It warrants full treatment as a new project, with comprehensive environmental, social, and cultural impact assessments, including genuine community consultation.

I urge the determining authority to reject the current framing of this proposal and require a fresh application under the appropriate legislative and regulatory frameworks.

I wish to strongly object to the Wilpinjong mine extension near Wollar for the following reasons:
1. The extension is projected to cause the emission of 25 MT of CO2 over its lifetime. In a climate crisis, this is completely unacceptable.
2. The extension is far to close to the village of Wollar, and would create a very unfair detrimental effect on the living situation of residents.
3. I understand the usual full development application process has not been followed.

Subject: Objection to Wilpinjong Coal Mine Modification 3 – Pit 8 Extension (SSD-6764-Mod-3)


I wish to formally object to the proposed Wilpinjong Coal Mine Modification 3 – Pit 8 Extension (SSD-6764-Mod-3). In my view, the modification should not be approved because it represents a significant expansion in mining intensity, footprint, and duration that is inconsistent with the intent of a “modification” under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). The proposal raises serious environmental, social, and climate concerns that outweigh any claimed economic benefit.

1. Inappropriate use of the modification pathway

This proposal extends the mine into new areas beyond the existing disturbance footprint. Its scale and potential impacts go well beyond a “substantially the same development”. Treating such an expansion as a modification rather than a new application undermines public transparency, limits independent review, and denies the community proper merits appeal rights.

2. Impacts on water resources and hydrology

The extension risks further drawdown of groundwater and reduction of surface flows into Wollar Creek and Wilpinjong Creek. These changes may damage dependent ecosystems, affect stock and domestic users, and degrade water quality. The hydrological modelling contains uncertainties and does not fully assess cumulative effects from nearby mining operations.

3. Threats to biodiversity and ecological communities

The proposed disturbance area will destroy around 155 hectares of native vegetation, including habitat for threatened flora and fauna. Two Critically Endangered Ecological Communities—the Central Hunter Valley Eucalypt Forest and Woodland and the White Box–Yellow Box–Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland—occur within the project area. Clearing these communities further fragments an already diminished landscape corridor linking the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve and Goulburn River National Park.

Biodiversity offsets offered by the proponent are insufficient to replace the quality and connectivity of habitat lost.

4. Social, health, and amenity impacts

The Pit 8 extension brings mining operations closer to the Village of Wollar, exposing residents to increased dust, noise, vibration, and night-time light. These impacts reduce quality of life, disrupt sleep, and undermine mental and physical health. Residents have already endured significant cumulative impacts from years of mining; further expansion would make conditions intolerable and threaten the survival of what remains of the community.

5. Climate change and policy inconsistency

The proposal would enable additional coal extraction, locking in new greenhouse gas emissions at a time when NSW and Australia have committed to net-zero emissions by 2050. Approving new or extended coal projects directly contradicts these commitments and undermines the State’s transition to a clean-energy economy.

6. Compliance and rehabilitation concerns

Independent Environmental Audits of the existing Wilpinjong Mine have identified numerous non-compliances. It is inappropriate to approve a further expansion before those matters are fully rectified and verified. Long-term rehabilitation success remains uncertain, particularly with respect to achieving a stable, self-sustaining, and free-draining final landform.

Conclusion

Given the scale of new disturbance, environmental and social harm, uncertainty of modelling, and inconsistency with climate and land-use policy, the Wilpinjong Coal Mine Mod 3 – Pit 8 Extension should be refused.

A full, new development application (DA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process should be required if Peabody Energy wishes to pursue such an expansion, allowing proper assessment under current planning, water, biodiversity, and climate policies.
This application should be denied.
Yours sincerely,
Robert McLaughlin

✉️ Draft Submission

To: NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
Subject: Objection to Wilpinjong Coal Mine Modification 3 – Pit 8 Extension (SSD-6764-Mod-3)

Re: Objection to Wilpinjong Coal Mine Mod 3 – Pit 8 Extension (SSD-6764-Mod-3)

Dear Planning Officer,

I wish to formally object to the proposed Wilpinjong Coal Mine Modification 3 – Pit 8 Extension (SSD-6764-Mod-3). In my view, the modification should not be approved because it represents a significant expansion in mining intensity, footprint, and duration that is inconsistent with the intent of a “modification” under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). The proposal raises serious environmental, social, and climate concerns that outweigh any claimed economic benefit.

1. Inappropriate use of the modification pathway

This proposal extends the mine into new areas beyond the existing disturbance footprint. Its scale and potential impacts go well beyond a “substantially the same development”. Treating such an expansion as a modification rather than a new application undermines public transparency, limits independent review, and denies the community proper merits appeal rights.
Cumulative and incremental impacts exceed “modification” envelope

The proposed Pit 8 extension lies largely outside the originally approved mine boundary, and introduces new pits and infrastructure. Some critics argue this means the proposal is not “substantially the same” as the prior consent, making its treatment as a mere modification inappropriate.
Because modifications (versus new projects) benefit from a lower threshold of scrutiny or appeal, treating a large expansion as a modification may sidestep full independent assessment.
Approving such substantial expansions under the modification pathway limits recourse (for example, modification approvals generally cannot be challenged on merits in the Land & Environment Court)
2. Impacts on water resources and hydrology
The extension risks further drawdown of groundwater and reduction of surface flows into Wollar Creek and Wilpinjong Creek. These changes may damage dependent ecosystems, affect stock and domestic users, and degrade water quality. The hydrological modelling contains uncertainties and does not fully assess cumulative effects from nearby mining operations.
Risks to water resources and groundwater / surface water hydrology
The extension would deepen the zone of aquifer depressurisation and drawdown, potentially further impacting local groundwater levels, baseflows, and dependent ecosystems.
Even though prior modelling predicted < 2 m drawdowns for external bores, the cumulative effect of adjacent mines plus extension may exceed acceptable limits or increase uncertainty.
Alterations to stream–groundwater interactions could reduce baseflow contributions to Wollar Creek and Wilpinjong Creek, affecting downstream environmental and water users.
The proposal would require additional water take (licensed under existing or new WALs), increasing pressure on water sharing and allocations.
Uncertainty remains in modelling and predictions of water impacts; incomplete assessments may fail to capture worst-case or long-term impacts.

3. Threats to biodiversity and ecological communities
The proposed disturbance area will destroy around 155 hectares of native vegetation, including habitat for threatened flora and fauna. Two Critically Endangered Ecological Communities—the Central Hunter Valley Eucalypt Forest and Woodland and the White Box–Yellow Box–Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland—occur within the project area. Clearing these communities further fragments an already diminished landscape corridor linking the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve and Goulburn River National Park.
Biodiversity offsets offered by the proponent are insufficient to replace the quality and connectivity of habitat lost.
Loss of and harm to threatened ecological communities, species, and habitat connectivity

The modification’s disturbance footprint (~155 ha) would directly clear habitat and possibly harm threatened species.
EPBC Act Public Portal
+2
Mudgee District Environment Group
+2

Two Critically Endangered Ecological Communities (CECs) have been identified within the disturbance area:

Central Hunter Valley Eucalypt Forest and Woodland CEEC

White Box–Yellow Box–Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland & Derived Native Grassland CEEC
EPBC Act Public Portal

The extension threatens habitat for multiple endangered fauna species (for example, koalas, large-eared pied bats, Regent Honeyeater) and may exacerbate cumulative habitat loss.
Mudgee District Environment Group

Removal of remnant vegetation reduces ecological connectivity (e.g. between Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve and Goulburn River National Park) and fragments habitat corridors.
Proposed offsets may inadequately compensate for the scale, quality, or locational importance of the ecological values lost.
4. Social, health, and amenity impacts
The Pit 8 extension brings mining operations closer to the Village of Wollar, exposing residents to increased dust, noise, vibration, and night-time light. These impacts reduce quality of life, disrupt sleep, and undermine mental and physical health. Residents have already endured significant cumulative impacts from years of mining; further expansion would make conditions intolerable and threaten the survival of what remains of the community.
Loss of and harm to threatened ecological communities, species, and habitat connectivity
The modification’s disturbance footprint (~155 ha) would directly clear habitat and possibly harm threatened species.
Two Critically Endangered Ecological Communities (CECs) have been identified within the disturbance area:
Central Hunter Valley Eucalypt Forest and Woodland CEEC
White Box–Yellow Box–Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland & Derived Native Grassland CEEC
The extension threatens habitat for multiple endangered fauna species (for example, koalas, large-eared pied bats, Regent Honeyeater) and may exacerbate cumulative habitat loss.
Mudgee District Environment Group
Removal of remnant vegetation reduces ecological connectivity (e.g. between Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve and Goulburn River National Park) and fragments habitat corridors.
Proposed offsets may inadequately compensate for the scale, quality, or locational importance of the ecological values lost.
The expansion would effectively bring the opencut mine closer to the boundary of the Village of Wollar, intensifying noise, dust, vibration, light, and blasting impacts on residents.
Continuous 24/7 operations exacerbate impacts on sleep, mental health, and general wellbeing of nearby residents.
The risk of flyrock or stray blasting effects, and potential safety hazards, increases with more active mining front.
Visual impacts: large scale earthworks, removal of vegetation, and altered landforms degrade scenic, landscape, and visual amenity values.
Potential decline in community population or viability (e.g. reductions in local services, strain on volunteer emergency services) as people relocate due to negative effects.
5. Climate change and policy inconsistency
The proposal would enable additional coal extraction, locking in new greenhouse gas emissions at a time when NSW and Australia have committed to net-zero emissions by 2050. Approving new or extended coal projects directly contradicts these commitments and undermines the State’s transition to a clean-energy economy.
Additional coal extraction contributes further to greenhouse gas emissions, conflicting with state and national policy goals (e.g. net zero commitments). The expansion locks in higher emissions over its life.
Major Projects
+1

Using the modification path reduces the opportunity for broader climate impact assessment against current policy settings or updated climate benchmarks.
Approving new fossil fuel expansion is arguably inconsistent with NSW’s evolving expectations and frameworks for reducing carbon emissions in line with climate science.
6. Compliance and rehabilitation concerns

Independent Environmental Audits of the existing Wilpinjong Mine have identified numerous non-compliances. It is inappropriate to approve a further expansion before those matters are fully rectified and verified. Long-term rehabilitation success remains uncertain, particularly with respect to achieving a stable, self-sustaining, and free-draining final landform.
The Independent Environmental Audit of the existing Wilpinjong operation identified 13 non-compliances under the current SSD-6764 consent, which raises questions about the rigor of compliance and whether additional expansion will exacerbate risk.
Peabody Energy

Some assessments in the modification referral or EIS may understate or insufficiently quantify indirect and cumulative impacts (to flora, fauna, water, social impacts).
Mudgee District Environment Group

The cumulative impact of multiple nearby mines may already have pushed the local environment to thresholds; further expansion may tip systems over safe limits.
Lack of robust “no additional final void” assumptions: while the proposal intends to backfill the void and produce a free-draining final landform, uncertainties persist in the success of long-term rehabilitation.
Given the scale of new disturbance, environmental and social harm, uncertainty of modelling, and inconsistency with climate and land-use policy, the Wilpinjong Coal Mine Mod 3 – Pit 8 Extension should be refused.
A full, new development application (DA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process should be required if Peabody Energy wishes to pursue such an expansion, allowing proper assessment under current planning, water, biodiversity, and climate policies.
This application should be denied.
Yours sincerely,
AnneMaree McLaughlin

I have been part of a team which has been carrying out a long term bird banding study in Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve which is only 2-3 km from the proposed mine extension. This study was started in this reserve because there are a number of bird species in this reserve that are either rare or vulnerable. The study started in 1965 and has continued on with over 35,000 birds handled and examined of which 30% have been recaught which indicates that these birds are permanent residents of the area. We have caught and banded many rare and endangered species of birds including Regent Honeyeaters, Brown Treecreepers, etc. in the study and have also observed koalas in the reserve. Consequently, this study has shown how important this reserve is for Australian wildlife.
It is also particularly important because it straddles two types land form - Sydney sandstone and Narrabeen shale, each type of soil supports different types of flora and fauna. As a result the nature reserve has a high population and variety of Australian flora and fauna.
One of the reasons this study has been very effective is that there is a reliable water supply from a natural spring, in the many droughts that have occurred in this time the spring has never stopped flowing. Many years ago a small basin was constructed around the spring to enable the water to be stored in a pond that made it easier for wildlife to get to the water. Not surprisingly having a reliable water supply is critically important for wildlife and is key part of the richness of this site.
Unfortunately, over the past 10-15 years that water level has declined, the pond rarely has any water in it now and the water from the spring now appears at a lower elevation than the original source. The water in the spring is ground water and the lowering of the spring outlet suggests that the water table has dropped. This not surprising as all the mines in the area are pumping out huge quantities water from their sites so as not to interfere with their coal production. This loss of water must be having a wide impact on the surrounding flora and fauna. We have major concerns that further expansion of mining nearby will cause further lowering of the water table which could easily affect the spring and its potential impact on the wildlife in the reserve. Attachment 3 discusses the water management in general and the impact that the mine expansion might have on the water table but the recommendations are very general. Perhaps in the long term when mining has finished the water will stabilize but that is unknown at this stage. The recommendations state that dams will be constructed around the mining area for wildlife, however these dams are normally not of much use unless there is thick vegetation nearby or over the water. Unless these dams are constructed very close to the nature reserve boundary and are extensively surrounded with local vegetation they will be of minimal benefit. Therefore, if this expansion goes ahead, I serious concerns about the long term viability of the nature reserve and particularly the water supply for the flora and fauna. Consequently, to save the flora and fauna in Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve I feel the expansion should be rejected.

I would like to object to the MOD 3 Pit 8 Extension because this extension is only the first step of the march towards the village of Wollar by Wilpinjong Coal Mine. The impacts are already being felt by the remaining local land owners and the wider community. There is a lot of development happening in the MWRC, the area has been declared a REZ which has seen a large influx into the area. Renewable energy is what is needed NOT MORE COAL dug and burnt to add to the already high CO2 levels worldwide.
The Social Impact Assessment fails to identify the cumulative impact of Wilpinjong Coal Mine on Wollar community or the vulnerability of remaining residents. Current Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) – latest version approved May 2025 (with no consultation with CCC or Wollar Community, as required by Condition 68.) Identifies throughout that current approval will start ramping down in 2025. This has encouraged people to start returning to Wollar district and community organisations to start planning to rebuild. The final closure of WCM will be welcomed by some existing and former Wollar residents, and may be viewed as an opportunity for progressive regeneration of the area.
Residents of Mogo Rd and visitors to National Park will have to drive past mining operations to travel to and from village – very high impact. We all witness the carnage on the roads wheather Mudgee or Gulgong roads.
The community Hall and recreation ground is regularly patronised by many residents as well as friends and relatives who are sometimes travelling great distance for an entertaining day or social event. This extension also extends the length of social impacts and uncertainty in the community.
The extension will cause additional biodiversity impacts under Federal environmental law.
The assessment of diesel emissions does not include emissions from trains. Each of the trains has a number of diesel engines to pull the 100 plus carriages. There are no inclusion of these emissions WHY?
The air quality assessment uses 2022/23 as representative of the long term, local conditions around Wilpinjong Mine – these were wet years. Drought and bushfire years have been excluded from modelling studies. The dust is visible every time I have driven through the area lately. The weather has not gotten to the point of the year where there is hot and dry yet but when it does the dust WILL BECOME WORSE. This bias in the model for air quality assessment has not been adressed.
Noise impact assessment does not acknowledge that Mod 3 is moving closer to remaining private property and the village of Wollar.
This Mod 3 Pit 8 Extension is not substantially the same as current approved operations and falls outside the current mining lease. It is also part of a larger expansion project.
Peabody WCM is developing an application to extend the mine into the EL 9399 area directly opposite Wollar Village.
The cumulative impacts of the three large mines operating in the region has not been included in the assessment. The loss of community members and services between Ulan and Bylong has been extensive.
I would like this extension to be rejected.

I write in strong support of the proposed modification to Wilpinjong Mine, which seeks to extend Pit 8 and sustain operations until late 2033. This proposal represents a balanced and forward-thinking approach to economic development, environmental stewardship, and community wellbeing.

Wilpinjong Mine has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the region through meaningful investment and engagement. The Community Grants program alone has supported over 160 organisations, contributing more than $1.2 million over the past decade. This is not just financial support—it’s a testament to the mine’s deep-rooted connection to the people and causes that shape our community.

Economically, the mine is a powerhouse:

• It supports a local workforce of 605 employees, plus 100 contractors.
• Injected $569 million into the NSW economy last year.
• Maintains a $400 million annual spend across 1,260+ suppliers.
• Pays $96 million in wages annually.
• Contributed $90 million in royalties to the government last year.

Wilpinjong also plays a vital role in regional development:

• Hosted 30 apprentices and trainees last year, helping build a skilled workforce.
• Jointly funded the Doctors 4 Mudgee Region program and restored GP services to Gulgong after an 18-month absence.

The proposed modification is modest in scope but significant in impact:

• It allows for the extraction of an additional 14 million tonnes of coal.
• It does not alter the mine’s annual production or overall lifespan.
• It includes an additional six months of rehabilitation to shape the final landform, extending care and responsibility into mid-2034.

Importantly, Wilpinjong is one of Australia’s lowest emitting coal mines and remains committed to environmental performance. The modification plan respects and protects culturally significant sites, including the Rocky Hill complex and Cumbo Creek corridor. These areas contain rock shelters and hand-stencilled art identified by Registered Aboriginal Parties, and the preservation of Cumbo Creek ensures that established vegetation remains undisturbed.

In summary, Wilpinjong Mine continues to be a responsible operator, a major economic contributor, and a valued community partner. I fully support the proposed modification and encourage its approval to ensure continued benefits for our region.