Mod 8 - Ulan West Continued Operations.

I am opposed to the Ulan Mod 8 expansion because of the wide-ranging impacts it will have. The application is based on a flawed process because it will be assessed as a ‘modification’ designed to avoid community scrutiny through the Independent Expert Panel for Mining. It must be assessed as a new project because it is a major expansion putting our water, climate and wildlife at risk.

If approved, it will:

1. Extend mining for a further six (6) years to 2041 and will extract an addition 43 million tonnes of thermal coal and minimises the cumulative effects of mining that straddles the Great-Dividing-Range affecting the Murray-Darling Basin & Hunter River two major catchments.

2. Massively increase emissions by adding 105 million tonnes of CO2-e, an additional 45% on the currently approved operations (including Modification 6).

3. Threatens water security because it spans both the Hunter and Murray-Darling basins. This threatens base flows to Talbragar River, threatening Macquarie Marshes (Ramsar-listed wetland) and Goulburn-Hunter catchment and will export over 15,000 tonne salt loads to the Goulburn and Hunter River system by extending mine water discharge six years.

4. Significantly increase toxic tailings dam infrastructure to the river edge (132 ha area), risking seepage to river flow and downstream to the Goulburn River National Park and The Drip Gorge ecosystem.

5. Cause habitat and species loss through the clearing of 100+ hectares of native vegetation, including 34ha of Box Gum Woodland. This will affect the habitats of endangered species, including the Large-Eared Pied Bat and Eastern Cave Bat. It will directly impact the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater (habitat in Mudgee-Wollar Key Biodiversity Area) increases risks to Koalas and Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies.

6. Increase the cultural heritage risk on Wiradjuri Country under a Native Title claim: There are 71 sites that hold cultural significance for the Wiradjuri people that will be adversely affected by this expansion.

A Ulan extension approval has just been reversed. The reasons for that reversal apply also to this MOD 8.
It is misnamed a MODification, since it is outside the lease area, impacting areas beyond its own extent, outside the lease area.
The high impact on above-ground landscape, is unacceptable.. over 1700 hectares is affected.
Actually directly affecting the main River course, and the flow of local creeks, it is permanent damage. Not on.
this MOD further endangers biodiversity, and makes further incursions into aboriginal culturally significant sites.
Its planned and vast emissions of greenhouse gas (105 Mt) can never be justified.

The only lame excuse is "jobs" which everyone knows is rubbish, since the employment market is full already, locally, in mining.

I claim that the entire project and its impacts are NOT in the purview of Planning at all; they are the very serious responsibility of Environment, Energy, Climate and Heritage; in the interests of our common survival and that of our land. Planning has usurped the function of these Entities, in extending to Industrial projects. It has been influenced by political notions of "jobs" directly from "Policy". Its insistence on its own power, although lacking the full equipment to assess, is endangering our global and national future. This MOD 8 at Ulan is one of the most egregious, huge and daring grabs for Planning's easy leniency, that I have come across. It impacts our unique Goulbourn River Park area, and it must be REFUSED.

I would like to strongly object to the major expansion of the Ulan coal mine - Ulan Mod 8. I have a number of concerns with this proposal in a tie of climate change, threatened species and water security - this paln threatens these and other important environmental and cultural concerns.
* in a time when the world should be lowering emissions the Ulan Mod 8 expansion will increase its CO2-e by 45% , adding 105 million tonnes of emissions . The Hunter Region needs to divest from fossil fuels and invest in renewables. Instead the proposed 6 year extension to the mine will add 43 million Tonnes of polluting coal.
* The mine will span major catchments impacting both the Hunter and Murray-Darling basins leading to an unacceptable threat to water security. Further risks include toxic waste storage from Tailings dam seeping downstream into a National Park of great beauty and importance.
* In a time where Australia is leading the world in numbers of animal extinction the Mod 8 involves the clearing of many hectares of native vegetation including Box Gum woodland . This will impact threatened species such as the Koala and Regent Honey eater.
* The Mod 8 - Ulan West Continued Operations plan also impacts 71 Aboriginal sites on Wiradjuri Country - this is unacceptable.

Hi MOD Planning Portal
Due to the urgency of the climate crisis, I strongly oppose the expansion of the continued operations of the Ulan West Coal mine. However, if you are still using this coal mine as part of the backup assistance in the transition to renewable energy, it is also understandable that energy demand has risen and that you are trying your hardest, both physically and financially, to transition your whole industry from coal-locked to renewable energy one employee or company at a time. I also know that carbon capture, by the very name, should be used as an accelerant to emissions reduction, not as a distraction for extending the Ulan West coal mine. Therefore, you should do whatever you can to ensure that some of the renewable energy projects are delivered as quickly as possible to alleviate the climate crisis.

Sincerely

Mod 8 - Ulan West Continued Operations is unsustainable

The Ulan Coal Mine has played a crucial role in shaping the socio-economic landscape of Ulan, Gulgong, and Mudgee towns, as well as the larger surrounding region, for several decades. Its contributions to state and national economies are significant. If approved, this will continue including delivery of a combined net benefit of $841 million nationally and $631 million for New South Wales through production, wages, and supplier spending.
More than 50% of the proposed surface disturbance, approximately 53 hectares out of a total of 101 hectares, is confined to previously disturbed mine rehabilitation land of average quality.
Only one isolated find of the 70 new cultural heritage finds has the potential to be directly impacted by the proposed surface infrastructure.
UCC has a low fugitive emission intensity, and the mine is classified as non-gassy, producing negligible methane emissions. The operation primarily utilizes electricity-powered underground equipment. The estimated direct annual greenhouse gas emissions from this modification are projected to represent about 0.004% of Australia’s total emissions and approximately 0.015% of emissions in New South Wales.
Approving this continuation project is essential for sustaining direct employment for the current workforce for an additional six years.
It will also generate substantial economic activity that benefits the Mid-Western Regional Council local government area, as well as New South Wales and Australia as a whole. Ongoing operations at Ulan will enhance job security and stimulate local businesses, fostering positive growth within the regional community. This will ensure the community continues to thrive both economically and socially.
While supporting economic growth, it is equally important to acknowledge Ulan Coal Mine’s responsibility towards the natural environment and its capability to manage mining-related impacts. The mine is committed to maintaining effective measures to manage and mitigate these environmental impacts throughout the continuation of operations.
In conclusion, decision-makers are urged to approve the continuation of mining operations at Ulan. This project is vital for supporting local economies and communities while ensuring responsible management of mining-related impacts on the environment.

This submission opposes the Ulan Coal Mine Modification 8 Expansion. See attached submission.

I oppose this project on the grounds listed in the attachment

I am writing to express my strong support for the Ulan West Continued Operations Modification (Mod 8), which is currently under public exhibition.
The proposed modification is crucial for the ongoing viability of the Ulan Coal Complex, which has significantly contributed to the local economy by providing jobs, supporting local businesses, and generating tax revenues that fund essential public services and infrastructure.
In 2024, the Ulan Coal Complex directly contributed $846 million to the economy, creating 730 direct jobs and supporting 920 suppliers. This economic activity not only sustains livelihoods but also strengthens the community by enabling continued support for local charities and sporting clubs.
The modification is designed to responsibly extend the life of the Ulan Coal Complex while carefully managing environmental and social impacts. The mine is dedicated to implementing robust measures that mitigate environmental effects throughout its ongoing operations.
This project is vital for supporting local economies and communities while ensuring responsible management of mining-related impacts on the environment.
I urge the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) to approve this modification, as it will secure jobs, attract investment, and provide continued community benefits for the region.

I object to the project based on the following factors:
1. The mine will release over 105 Mt of additional Greenhouse Gas emissions
2. Due to the operations being outside existing mine boundary with additional infrastructure disturbance, it should be
assessed as a new project
3. Constructing a large new tailings dam area of 132 ha within a revegetated, rehabilitated
old open cut pit risks leaking toxic contaminants into the Goulburn River.
4. Likely result in loss of flows to Talbragar River, tributary of Macquarie River feeding into significant Macquarie Marshes
5. Extended water releases into Goulburn River increasing salt load downstream to Hunter
6. Loss of Aboriginal cultural heritage and spiritual landscape for Wiradjuri Nation –
impacting 71 known sites, including rock art
7. Disturbing an additional 1743 ha with sandstone escarpment, caves and overhangs:
Destroying additional important habitat for the nationally threatened Large-eared Pied
Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater and Koala, critically endangered Box Gum
Woodland. Cumulative impact on these species across 3 mines in region.
8. Final layout of surface infrastructure not yet determined – mine plan not finalised
9. Undermining 17 private properties directly impacting 4 houses and 6 private bores
10. Increasing social impacts, loss of farm water and ongoing disturbance of rural way of life
11. This project is not needed to provide regional jobs – there is a huge workforce shortage
for renewable energy projects and other industries in the Central West!!

Thank you for considering my views on this significant matter.

I object to the project on the grounds that
- any new coal mines or expansions will increase emissions and therefore risk more extreme weather events associated with a changing climate
- new infrastructure crucial for this mine to go ahead has not been assessed for environmental impacts
- impacts on local water resources have not been assessed
- the destruction of this landscape and habitat cannot be replaced
- communities have had enough!

Mod 8 to be rejected now that Mod 6 has been ruled invalid?



Mod 8 cannot proceed without Mod 6. Because Mod 6 has now been overturned, Mod 8 is no longer valid - but we need to make sure the Department rejects it.

Mod 6 extended the mine’s life from 2033 to 2035.

Mod 8 relies entirely on that time extension — it covers 2035 to 2041. Now that Mod 6 has been overturned, Mod 8 has no basis to proceed.

Mod 8’s proposed infrastructure is also directly attached to Mod 6’s underground longwall panels. Without Mod 6, that infrastructure cannot exist — meaning

Mod 8 is fundamentally unworkable.

On behalf of all our members I object to this extension. For a start, the Glencore Ulan Mine Modification 8 must not be approved as a mine extension. Instead, it should be assessed as a new project as it falls entirely outside the current mining lease and therefore has new environmental impacts from a new tailings dam, and tunnelling under homes, farming land, recorded aboriginal sites and biodiversity hotspots containing key endangered species.
In addition, it will further impact waterways in both the Murray Darling System and the Hunter River system.
There must be no more expansion of coal mining if we are going to reduce our emissions and limit the already disastrous impacts of climate change.
The expansion is not needed for jobs as there is currently a shortage of mining labour in the Mudgee Region and further mine expansions will compete for workers with renewable energy projects.

I am grandmother to two small boys and I want to ensure that climate change impacts are not made worse by approval of more coal mining activities, masked as "extensions" (very cunning"). The Glencore Ulan Mine Modification 8 should not be approved as a mine extension. Instead, it should be assessed as a new project as it falls entirely outside the current mining lease and therefore has new environmental impacts from a new tailings dam, and tunnelling under homes, farming land, recorded aboriginal sites and biodiversity hotspots containing key endangered species.
In addition, it will further impact waterways in both the Murray Darling System and the Hunter River system.
There must be no more expansion of coal mining if we are going to reduce our emissions and limit the already disastrous impacts of climate change.
The expansion is not needed for jobs as there is currently a shortage of mining labour in the Mudgee Region and further mine expansions will compete for workers with renewable energy projects.

This project will affect where I reside and surrounding areas. I object due to as following;
Extension on the mine will add additional tonnes of water discharge into the river, added tonnes of salt. The combination impact of the releases from the 3 mines upstream have not been assessed. Residents need to cross Wollar creek to get onto the main road and if this creek is flooded we are unable to cross, very concerning when we have an emergency situation and we cant cross due to the mines excess water discharge. Continuation of train loads coal per day on Sandy Hollow rail line causing ongoing delays for road users, and the train noise impacts it will cause, health and safety issue.
Tailings dam next to the Goulburn River, potential unmonitored leakage of toxic pollution into the river, no downstream monitoring of heavy metals. This is risky and can cause extreme harm to the community and the environment.
Habitat & Species Loss, in any mine project they wipe out what they cannot replace as before.
Cultural Heritage Risk, the impacts on the 71 aboriginal sites on Wiradjuri country under a Native title claim.
We need no more fossil fuel extraction, this project needs to be withdrawn.

Wollar Progress Association objects to the cumulative impact of coal mining in the Mudgee Region

Attached

I object to this project on the following grounds:
- Mod 6 extended the mine’s life from 2033 to 2035.
- Mod 8 relies entirely on that time extension — it covers 2035 to 2041. Now that Mod 6 has been overturned, Mod 8 has no basis to proceed.
- Mod 8’s proposed infrastructure is also directly attached to Mod 6’s underground longwall panels. Without Mod 6, that infrastructure cannot exist — meaning
- Mod 8 is fundamentally unworkable.

It is a great relief to here that the proposed Mod 6 to the Ulan West project has been overturned.
I believe, however, that he related Mod 8 is still being proposed and has not yet been overturned.
I would like to emphasise that Mod 8 relied at least in part on Mod 6 proceeding, and as Mod 6 has now been overturned, Mod 8 should also be formally overturned.

The proposed Ulan MOD 8 expansion must be assessed in light of recent NSW court rulings on coal mine approvals and climate impacts. The Land and Environment Court recently invalidated the state approval for the Ulan MOD 6 mine extension, citing the need to consider climate harms. Similarly, the Court of Appeal overturned the 2022 approval for MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant mine, establishing a clear precedent that all fossil fuel projects must account for the local and global impacts of climate change. These decisions underscore that considering climate impacts is a legal requirement under NSW planning law.
The MOD 8 expansion alone would add 105 Mt CO₂-e of Scope 3 emissions to our atmosphere at a time when we drastically need to be reducing them. It would be a significant contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions and must be factored into the assessment, particularly in light of the court’s rulings that these impacts can’t be ignored.
Any assessment must find that people like me, across NSW, are living through record heat, bushfires, floods, increased storm activity, broken roads and bridges roads and exploding insurance bills, all made worse by fossil fuels and therefore, Ulan MOD 8 expansion must be rejected.