Mod 8 - Extension of time

This project needs to be approved, as an employee at HVO with a young family I am relying on this project being approved to ensure my employment is secure and I and many others can continue to provide for our families. This is more than just a coal mine this is our lives.

Economic benefit to the region and the state is undeniable - in a region where these jobs will provide confidence to local people

Subject: Objection to the Proposed Extension of the HVO Open-Cut Coal Mine near Jerrys Plains, NSW

I am writing to formally object to the proposed extension of the HVO (Hunter Valley Operations) open-cut coal mine near Jerrys Plains, NSW. As a lifelong resident of this area, a student of Environmental Science and Management at the University of Newcastle, I am deeply concerned about the detrimental impacts this project will have on our community’s health and environment.

Air Quality and Public Health
The air quality in Jerrys Plains has already been compromised by existing mining operations. The dust and particulate matter from open-cut mining are known to exacerbate respiratory illnesses, and my child with severe asthma is particularly vulnerable to these pollutants. Expanding the HVO mine will only increase the frequency and severity of health issues for families like mine and for the broader community.

Threats to Biodiversity
The proposed extension endangers local wildlife, including critically endangered species like the Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia) and the Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor). Open-cut mining destroys critical habitats and undermines conservation efforts. Protecting the biodiversity of Jerrys Plains is essential for maintaining the ecological balance of the Hunter Valley.

Impact on Cultural and Historical Heritage
The Jerrys Plains area is home to culturally significant Indigenous sites and historical landmarks. Expanding the HVO mine puts these invaluable assets at risk, eroding the heritage of local Indigenous communities and the historical identity of the region. Preserving these sites is a moral and legal responsibility.

Light, Dust, and Noise Pollution
The increased levels of light, dust, and noise pollution from the mine extension will severely impact our daily lives. Dust settles on homes, vegetation, and water sources, while noise and light from 24-hour operations disrupt both sleep and mental well-being. These effects are particularly concerning for children, who are more susceptible to the cumulative health impacts of pollution.

Climate and Sustainability Concerns
The global shift away from fossil fuels highlights the need for sustainable alternatives to coal mining. Approving the HVO extension would contradict Australia's climate commitments and further contribute to carbon emissions. Instead, investments in renewable energy and sustainable industries could provide long-term economic and environmental benefits for the region.

Conclusion
As a resident, and a student committed to sustainable environmental management, I urge you to reject the proposed extension of the HVO open-cut coal mine. The health of my children, the well-being of our community, and the future of our environment depend on making responsible and forward-thinking decisions.

Thank you for considering my submission.

Coal is king

We need coal, Australia is not ready to turn it off, if we turn it off to early think what it will cost to turn it back on. HVO support a huge amount of local businesses and charities within the area. Not only 1400 people onsite but all the contractual businesses and sub businesses. Look at the industrial areas around the hunter, nearly all linked to mining. Save coal its not a dirty word

This will keep this pit open and create stability and support for all the workers and community until they can get the approval for major extension. Which is just going through old digging, but deeper. HVO exports its coal, even if Australia fully stops using coal for power and steel making, the rest of the world still needs it at this present time. If Australia stops mining for it, with our top standards of mining, it'll just make some other country dig more coal or open another pit and mine it with less standards and regulations, so will actually pollute the world more. This is what people who are trying to stop mines in Australia just don't get. By stopping regulated Australian mines, it will make not one tiny difference to the world's coal usage, it'll just make another country expand or open another. It will make zero difference to yearly emissions for the world. It's more important to me to have a thriving community and royalties for our country, than to give the money to other countries and watch my local community get ruined just so some rich person in lives in inner Sydney or somewhere feels good about themselves by saying we don't cause emissions. The community needs this full project to go ahead, and until that is approved, we need this extension to be given green light so none of the 1400 workers and every business they support is out of work.

Yes I support coal mines for Australia

HVO is supporting singleton , Muswellbrook , Cessnock and central coast communities giving jobs and using local suppliers .
I am an employee of programmed skill force working at HVO and I support this project because will help my family to have a better future

HVO North is due to close in 2026. It is critical to our efforts to reduce the causes of climate change asap. At the same time, we cannot close the industry immediately because of the impact on the local economy. The closure of coal in the Hunter should be ordered, and at the same time not drawn out, This is a perfect opportunity to begin this phase down. The companies, and the work force have been aware of the looming closure date. They should have been prepared. Allowing the mine to continue operating will produce additional emissions which will make the critically important goal of keeping the planet to !.5 Deg C warming. The substantial Scope 1 emissions will ensure other industries have to do more than their share of reductions. This is an unfair burden to place on other industries.

This project needs to go through. So many people depend on it either directly or indirectly. Coal isn’t a forever deal, but for right now this region needs it.

HVOs project supports local communities by providing employment and income directly and indirectly to 1500 people (approx.)

The local community would suffer without secure employment.

I am a retired former employee of Hunter valley operations. I strongly object to multinational corporations plundering the resources of this country profiting to the tune of billions of dollars utilising the roads and infrastructure of this country and paying a pittance in tax and royalties in return.
Glencore and the numerous other mining entities operating in Australia are bludgers. Because our government is so badly corrupted via corporate donations such a system has been created.
Until our tax base has been secured like Norway has in forcing mining companies to fairly benefit the communities in which they operate no new mining extensions should be even considered. Norway has a sovereign wealth fund measuring in trillions of dollars where as our insanely corrupted government has debt measuring in the trillions despite us mining far more resources. Such companies can well afford paying $5,000 / plate dinners at political functions when the returns for doing so are so vastly rewarded.
Australia is a hopelessly corrupt place with both major political parties offering virtually no choice to the public. Covid taught most of us that government and the media are the greatest sources of misinformation.
Of course l would have little faith in government doing anything of use for the voting public like environmental impact reports they tend to state whatever view that the payer of the report wants to be reported. Strange how most western so called democracies are behaving similarly in ignoring the views of the majority.

I support the extension of the Hunter Valley Operation. Coal mining is an important part of the Hunter Valley community. We will continue to need coal into the foreseeable future.

This project will keep 1500 diret jobs in place plus hundreds of suppliers going in the Hunter region while we transition to a lower carbon future.

I believe this project will continue to provide a high level of economic benefit to the Hunter Region and overall State Government through wages, supplier payment, royalties and taxes.
HVO has a long history of mining sustainably and responsibly and I trust they will continue.

The royalties from this project is what allows our Medicare, emergency services, schooling etc.
Without these types of sustainable and practical projects we will go backwards in this country, further than we already have.

I am a strong advocate for the continued operation of coal mining in our Local Government Area, especially at important sites such as Hunter Valley Operations. The coal mining industry has been integral to the growth of our community, providing jobs, supporting local businesses, and contributing to vital infrastructure.
With many of our coal mines starting to wind down, it is crucial that we continue to operate sites like Hunter Valley Operations to support the strength and vibrancy of our community. The economic benefits from this industry—including employment opportunities, contributions to local infrastructure, and support for community organisations—are essential to our way of life.

I support the extension of time to the HVO Nth operations, a rejection of the application will have significant impact on both direct and indirect employment and opportunities.

Mining provides and supports my livelihood.
Coal provides the baseload power for the state, that despite best efforts, will not be able to be replaced in the next 30yrs.
Coal is also required in manufacturing and producing the materials required by society until a sustainable alternative can be implemented.

I support the HVO Project.
I have been fortunate enough in my career to experience and witness the planning and execution of this type of project. I in particular am impressed with HVO's attention to detail and compliance around Environmental consent. I can see firsthand the systems and resources that are in place to ensure the project is executed as per the EIS commitments and the operation is manned to comply to community expectation moving forward.