Modification 11 - Time Extension

I object to Clarence Colliery's Modification 11 proposal. Should it be approved despite widespread community opposition, the following conditions must be imposed:

* Approval must be linked to the upgrade of the Lidsdale coal unloader, reducing dependence on the wet and polluting Springvale mine.

* The use of truck to transport 300,000 tonnes of coal must be abandoned and replaced by a mandatory guarantee to switch to 100% railway transport.

* The full environmental, social, traffic, pollution and road safety risks associated with 7000 truck trips per annum must be honestly reported and effectively managed.

* Local use of the mined coal must be prioritized, with the focus on supplying the Mt Piper Power Station to eliminate the need for any new coal mines or mine expansions in the region.

* Rehabilitation requirements must be completely overhauled to reflect the current needs of the area and the community and these standards must be routinely revised and rigorously enforced.

I am writing to support the proposed mine extension. I have lived here all my life and this area was built by mining and the factory. I have also worked in this mine and know it provides may families with income and support. This mine provides steady work for more than three hundred people, many of whom live locally, including myself and people I know. These jobs help families stay in the area and give our community security and stability. The mine also supports many other local businesses, contractors, shops, and services that rely on it.
Mining has always been a big part of our community. It’s part of who we are and has supported generations of local families. Keeping the mine going helps protect that history and ensures our town continues to grow and stay strong.
The mining methods used here are carefully managed and designed to have very little impact on the environment and the land on the surface. The company monitors this closely, and the community sees the benefits of mining done responsibly.
Most importantly, this is a local mine that employs local people. The extension means ongoing work, ongoing support for local families, and ongoing benefits for the whole region. Losing these jobs would hurt our community, but continuing the mine will help keep it thriving.

I am writing to support the proposed mine extension. This mine provides steady work for more than three hundred people, many of whom live locally, including myself and people I know. These jobs help families stay in the area and give our community security and stability. The mine also supports many other local businesses, contractors, shops, and services that rely on it.
Mining has always been a big part of our community. It’s part of who we are and has supported generations of local families. Keeping the mine going helps protect that history and ensures our town continues to grow and stay strong.
The mining methods used here are carefully managed and designed to have very little impact on the environment and the land on the surface. The company monitors this closely, and the community sees the benefits of mining done responsibly.
Most importantly, this is a local mine that employs local people. The extension means ongoing work, ongoing support for local families, and ongoing benefits for the whole region. Losing these jobs would hurt our community, but continuing the mine will help keep it thriving.

No more extensions of fossil fuel mining
Thanks Joanne

Clarence is an important part of the Clarence community, bringing jobs to the local area and contributing in many other ways, including through significant coal royalties. I support this modification being approved.

I am writing to support the proposed mine extension. This mine provides steady work for more than three hundred people, many of whom live locally, including myself and people I know. These jobs help families stay in the area and give our community security and stability. The mine also supports many other local businesses, contractors, shops, and services that rely on it.

Mining has always been a big part of our community. It’s part of who we are and has supported generations of local families. Keeping the mine going helps protect that history and ensures our town continues to grow and stay strong.

The mining methods used here are carefully managed and designed to have very little impact on the environment and the land on the surface. The company monitors this closely, and the community sees the benefits of mining done responsibly.

Most importantly, this is a local mine that employs local people. The extension means ongoing work, ongoing support for local families, and ongoing benefits for the whole region. Losing these jobs would hurt our community, but continuing the mine will help keep it thriving.

Please see the attached submission on behalf of Lithgow Environment Group Inc.

I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed mine extension. My husband works at this mine, and like many families in our community, we rely on the stability and security that this employment provides. More than three hundred people work at the site, many of them local residents, and these jobs allow families to stay in the area, build their lives here, and contribute to the strength of our community. The mine also supports a wide network of local businesses, contractors, shops, and services that depend on its continued operation.
Mining has always been a central part of our region’s identity. It has supported generations of families, including ours, and it remains a key part of who we are as a community. Extending the life of the mine means protecting that history while ensuring our town continues to grow and remain resilient.
I also want to acknowledge the responsible way this mine is operated. The mining methods used are carefully managed to minimise environmental impact, and the company monitors this closely. As locals, we see the effort that goes into doing things properly and the benefits of having a mine that takes its responsibilities seriously.
Most importantly, this is a local mine employing local people. The proposed extension would mean ongoing work for my husband and many others, continued support for local families, and long‑term benefits for the entire region. Losing these jobs would have a devastating effect on our community, but allowing the mine to continue operating will help keep our town strong and thriving.
For these reasons, I fully support the mine extension and the stability it brings to our community.

Louise Minty

I oppose the Clarence Colliery's extension of the coal mine in the Gardens of Stone region for another 5 years. The Gardens of Stone Alliance strongly advise against the approval or extension of any coal mine because it extends the damage already done to our climate, land environment and bodies of water. Should the coal mine be approved despite community opposition it should be subject to these 5 strict conditions.

1. Upgrade the Lidsdale coal unloader by providing a link approval to reduce dirty mine pollution in Springvale.
2. Transport or ship coal by rail other than by truck, given trucks are noisy and dirty and rail is already renewable.
3. Trucks cause noise and air pollution and can overcrowd the road. It is best to reduce or avoid coal shipments by truck.
4. Go as local as you can by reducing shipping miles and supplying coal power to Mount Piper Power Station since most coal from Clarence is exported elsewhere.
5. Strengthen rehabilitation and regulation. For example, by using filters to curb air pollution in the surrounding area.

Your consideration in this important matter is appreciated.

I am writing to support the proposed mine extension. This mine provides steady work for more than three hundred people, many of whom live locally, including myself and people I know. These jobs help families stay in the area and give our community security and stability. The mine also supports many other local businesses, contractors, shops, and services that rely on it.
Mining has always been a big part of our community. It’s part of who we are and has supported generations of local families. Keeping the mine going helps protect that history and ensures our town continues to grow and stay strong.
The mining methods used here are carefully managed and designed to have very little impact on the environment and the land on the surface. The company monitors this closely, and the community sees the benefits of mining done responsibly.
Most importantly, this is a local mine that employs local people. The extension means ongoing work, ongoing support for local families, and ongoing benefits for the whole region. Losing these jobs would hurt our community, but continuing the mine will help keep it thriving."

Approving Mod 11 guarantees continued employment for approximately 300 full-time equivalent workers, with approval for up to 400, sustaining jobs that anchor the local community and supporting families across the Lithgow region. It's continued operation would ensure reliable future coal supply to Mt Piper Power Station,supporting NSW energy security during the state's energy transition period.

Employment, Social and Economic Imperatives
Protecting Hundreds of Local Jobs

Approval of Mod 11 is essential to safeguard between 300 and 400 direct full-time equivalent jobs. These are secure, skilled, well-paid roles that sustain families, mortgages, small businesses and community services across the Lithgow region. Refusal would trigger immediate and irreversible job losses.

Safeguarding Lithgow’s Economic Foundation

Coal mining is the single largest employment sector in Lithgow LGA, injecting approximately $241 million annually into the regional economy. Mod 11 protects this cornerstone industry and prevents a sudden economic shock that would reverberate through local businesses, schools, healthcare services and community organisations.

Ensuring Energy Reliability During Transition

The project supplies essential fuel to Mt Piper Power Station, providing dispatchable baseload electricity at a time when NSW is transitioning to renewable generation. During this period of structural change, reliability and grid stability are critical. Mod 11 supports energy security when it is needed most.

Supporting Over 580 Additional Indirect Jobs

Beyond direct employment, the operation sustains more than 580 indirect roles across transport, equipment maintenance, contracting, manufacturing and professional services. The mine anchors a broad regional supply chain, generating substantial local procurement and economic multiplier effects.

Delivering Substantial Net Public Benefit

Independent cost-benefit analysis demonstrates clear and measurable public interest outcomes:

$149 million in net social benefit to NSW

$212 million in net benefit nationally

These are tangible, quantified benefits that would be forfeited if Mod 11 is not approved.

Maintaining Critical Public Revenue

The operation contributes significant state royalties, payroll tax and local council rates. These revenues directly support public infrastructure, schools, hospitals and essential services. Approval protects ongoing funding streams that benefit the broader community.

Strong Community Backing

Community consultation confirms clear local support for continuation of the mine. Residents recognise its long, stable operating history and its central role in sustaining employment, economic confidence and community cohesion.

Avoiding Avoidable Harm

Failure to approve Mod 11 would result in sudden job losses, business contraction, reduced household income and broader social disruption. These impacts are not theoretical — they are foreseeable and preventable. Approval avoids unnecessary hardship.

Consistent with Ecologically Sustainable Development

Mod 11 represents a balanced and responsible outcome, aligning environmental stewardship with economic stability and inter-generational equity. It achieves the objectives of Ecologically Sustainable Development by maintaining existing operations within already assessed and managed limits.

Environmental Responsibility and Compliance
No Significant Environmental Impacts

Comprehensive technical assessments covering traffic, noise, vibration, water resources, greenhouse gas emissions and socio-economic factors confirm that Mod 11 results in no significant adverse environmental impacts.

No Material Change to Noise or Vibration

Independent modelling demonstrates no meaningful change in community noise levels. Any minor exceedances (≤2 dB) are attributable to existing operations, fall within accepted regulatory frameworks and are effectively managed.

No Traffic Deterioration

Traffic impact assessments confirm that all intersections will continue to operate at acceptable Levels of Service (A–D) through 2031. No road upgrades are required and no adverse impacts on public road users are anticipated.

Protection of Groundwater and Sensitive Ecological Systems

Monitoring confirms no mining-related impacts on shallow aquifers or on the Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone. Sensitive ecological values remain protected under existing management controls.

No New Land Disturbance or Biodiversity Impact

Mod 11 does not expand the mine footprint, introduce new infrastructure or require additional land clearing. There are no additional impacts on threatened species or ecological communities.

Full Regulatory Compliance

State agencies have confirmed the proposal remains “substantially the same development” under EP&A Act s4.55(2). The modification complies with all statutory requirements and remains within the scope of the approved project.

Demonstrated Environmental Management Capability

Existing, proven management plans for traffic, noise, water, greenhouse gas emissions and rehabilitation remain in force and will continue to be updated as required. The operator has demonstrated capacity for effective monitoring, compliance and adaptive management.

Conclusion: A Clear Public Interest Outcome

Mod 11 protects hundreds of jobs, sustains regional economic stability, secures energy reliability and delivers substantial net public benefit — all without introducing significant environmental impact or expanding the approved footprint.

Approval is not merely justified; it is a responsible, balanced and necessary decision in the public interest.

I support the mine extension, it will provide employment to a large number of locals and support a lot of local businesses, the town is already dying there is no new businesses in the main street other than tobacco shops.
The extension will prevent a lot of families from relocating to mudgee or Queensland to guarantee employment and give life to the Lithgow area.

I am an octogenarian grandmother of 4. I grew up never needing to fret about how clean the air and water is and certainly no worries about climate chaos at that time.
I object strongly to this mine extension. It is one more of many extension requests and each mine already has a negative cumulative effect. Our grandchildren’s ability to simply live on a planet that is suffering serious irreversible damage is being reduced day by day and mine by mine.

The rapid occurrence of simultaneous floods, fires, droughts and extreme temperatures is surely enough of a message to stop mine extensions, let alone the existing mines and requirement for mining void amelioration.

Every mine extension has an increasing negative drive to more loss of habitat and species.

Please do not accept the request for this mine extension

Sincerely
Keelah Lam
Fairlight

This proposal is unacceptable, given the potential for damage to the Gardens of Stone and that we urgently need to reduce reliance on coal and all fossil fuels.

However if the extension is approved despite community opposition, it MUST come with these five strict conditions:
1. Link approval to the upgrade of the Lidsdale coal unloader. This critical infrastructure would reduce reliance on the polluting, wet Springvale mine.
2. Reject the continued approval of 300,000 tonnes of coal by truck. There is no justification for extending years of heavy truck movements through the Blue Mountains and Sydney. Rail is available and should be mandatory.
3. Acknowledge the real impacts of truck transport. The claim of “no or negligible” impacts does not reflect the experience of communities dealing with noise, traffic, diesel pollution and road safety risks from over 7000 truck trips every year.
4. Prioritise local use over export. Most Clarence coal is exported. If extraction continues, it should supply Mount Piper Power Station to avoid pressure for new coal from more damaging mines in the region.
5. Strengthen rehabilitation requirements. Existing rehab commitments are outdated and inadequate. Any extension must impose modern, enforceable rehabilitation standards.
The proposed extension of coal extraction is not a minor administrative change — it is a significant decision for our environment, our communities and the Gardens of Stone. For the sake of my grandchildren - AND YOURS - this proposal must not be subject to the conditions listed above, but must be rejected entirely.

I am writing to support the proposed mine extension. This mine provides steady work for more than three hundred people, many of whom live locally, including myself and people I know. These jobs help families stay in the area and give our community security and stability. The mine also supports many other local businesses, contractors, shops, and services that rely on it.
Mining has always been a big part of our community. It’s part of who we are and has supported generations of local families. Keeping the mine going helps protect that history and ensures our town continues to grow and stay strong.
The mining methods used here are carefully managed and designed to have very little impact on the environment and the land on the surface. The company monitors this closely, and the community sees the benefits of mining done responsibly.
Most importantly, this is a local mine that employs local people. The extension means ongoing work, ongoing support for local families, and ongoing benefits for the whole region. Losing these jobs would hurt our community, but continuing the mine will help keep it thriving.

I strongly support approval of Clarence Colliery Modification 11 because it allows Clarence to continue operating safely and responsibly while protecting the livelihoods of the people who work there and the broader Lithgow community that depends on the mine.

As someone who works within the same company, I see firsthand how important Clarence Colliery is in supporting local jobs and businesses. Hundreds of workers rely on the mine for stable employment, and many local contractors, suppliers and service providers also depend on its continued operation. Without this extension, there would be significant impacts on workers, families and the local economy. The additional five years would provide important stability and allow time for workers and the region to prepare for the future in a planned and responsible way.

Approving Modification 11 would allow Clarence Colliery to continue operating responsibly, maintain local employment, and support the community during a period of transition. This extension would provide certainty for employees and their families and help ensure the company can continue contributing positively to the local community.

I am writing to support the proposed mine extension. This mine provides steady work for more than three hundred people, many of whom live locally, including myself and people I know. These jobs help families stay in the area and give our community security and stability. The mine also supports many other local businesses, contractors, shops, and services that rely on it.
Mining has always been a big part of our community. It’s part of who we are and has supported generations of local families. Keeping the mine going helps protect that history and ensures our town continues to grow and stay strong.
The mining methods used here are carefully managed and designed to have very little impact on the environment and the land on the surface. The company monitors this closely, and the community sees the benefits of mining done responsibly.
Most importantly, this is a local mine that employs local people. The extension means ongoing work, ongoing support for local families, and ongoing benefits for the whole region. Losing these jobs would hurt our community, but continuing the mine will help keep it thriving.

I write in strong support of the proposed Mod 11 application to extend the operational life of the Clarence mine to 2031.

The Clarence operation is the largest employer in Lithgow and remains a cornerstone of the region’s economy. Approval of Mod 11 will secure between 300–400 direct local jobs and protect many additional indirect positions across contractors, suppliers and service businesses. These are skilled, well-paid roles that support hundreds of families. Maintaining this employment is critical to community stability and regional resilience.

Clarence is also a major economic driver for Lithgow. The mine underpins local small businesses, equipment and maintenance providers, transport operators, and retail and hospitality sectors that rely on workforce spending. Early closure would have significant flow-on impacts across the local economy and supply chain. Extending operations to 2031 provides certainty and allows for a more structured and responsible economic transition.

The project also supports NSW energy security. Continued operations contribute to reliable domestic supply and help maintain system stability during the State’s ongoing energy transition. Reliable resource supply remains essential to ensuring affordability and reliability for households and industry.

Ongoing mining will continue to generate important royalty payments to the NSW Government, as well as local government revenue and broader economic contributions through payroll, taxation and business activity. These funds support public infrastructure and essential services.

Importantly, the Mod 11 proposal does not introduce significant environmental impacts. It does not increase noise or vibration levels, does not impact sensitive groundwater systems or surrounding swamps, and remains consistent with existing planning approvals and regulatory requirements. The proposal represents a continuation of established operations within approved frameworks.

The extension to 2031 supports jobs, protects local businesses, contributes to government revenue, and maintains energy reliability, all while remaining within environmental and regulatory limits.

For these reasons, I strongly support approval of the Clarence Mod 11 project.

I am writing to support the proposed mine extension. This mine provides steady work for more than three hundred people, many of whom live locally, including myself and people I know. These jobs help families stay in the area and give our community security and stability. The mine also supports many other local businesses, contractors, shops, and services that rely on it.
Mining has always been a big part of our community. It’s part of who we are and has supported generations of local families. Keeping the mine going helps protect that history and ensures our town continues to grow and stay strong.
The mining methods used here are carefully managed and designed to have very little impact on the environment and the land on the surface. The company monitors this closely, and the community sees the benefits of mining done responsibly.
Most importantly, this is a local mine that employs local people. The extension means ongoing work, ongoing support for local families, and ongoing benefits for the whole region. Losing these jobs would hurt our community, but continuing the mine will help keep it thriving.