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SSD Modifications

Assessment

Modification 11 - Time Extension

Lithgow City

Current Status: Assessment

Interact with the stages for their names

  1. Prepare Mod Report
  2. Exhibition
  3. Collate Submissions
  4. Response to Submissions
  5. Assessment
  6. Recommendation
  7. Determination

Continued operation of Clarence Colliery for a further 5 year period beyond 31 December 2026.

Attachments & Resources

Modification Application (10)

Response to Submissions (2)

Agency Advice (8)

Submissions

Filters
Showing 281 - 300 of 367 submissions
Name Withheld
Support
YETHOLME , New South Wales
Message
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."
Name Withheld
Support
WALLERAWANG , New South Wales
Message
This needs to be approved for the workers of the colliery and the community of Lithgow
Name Withheld
Support
Highton , Victoria
Message
I full support this project
Danielle Rees
Object
CHERRYBROOK , New South Wales
Message
Mining and burning coal prolongs the environmental damage already affecting our waterways, landforms and climate. I want a livable future for my child, one free of air pollution, free from the catastrophic impacts of climate change that are accelerated by the greenhouse gases that result from burning coal. Renewable energy is available and ready to scale up. This extension is unnecessary and unethical.
If the extension is approved - shame on whoever approves it. Put your name against the decision for the historical record, your descendants should be aware of your legacy.

Despite community opposition, if approved, 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.
John Wood
Support
Lochinvar , New South Wales
Message
Clarence Colliery provides significant economic activity in the Lithgow LGA, and across NSW. The site is close to existing infrastructure such as Mt Piper power station, and provides export to international markets of higher quality coal. Energy security continues to be a significant global issue and the continuation of the colliery provides certainty to customers both locally and internationally of high quality, low environmental impact products to the markets, supporting energy security and lower environmental impacts through the utilisation of higher quality products in the energy mix.
Catherine Wilson
Support
VALE OF CLWYDD , New South Wales
Message
I have family in the industry and would like to see them employed in the future. Everyone there needs to be employed.
Daryl Wilson
Support
VALE OF CLWYDD , New South Wales
Message
My family is in this industry and would like them to continue with their employment in this industry.
Mick Burgess
Support
BOWENFELS , New South Wales
Message
I have worked in the coal mining industry at Clarence colliery for 21 years now. I have a young family also living locally & if this submission was to not get approved i would have to source a job outside of my local area. There is not to many jobs left in our local area, we would either have to



leave lithgow as a family & leave both our families behind or i would be a fly in worker no where near my own family.. i love seeing my 4 year old son everyday & dont want to lose it..both of these options sound horrific to me. I don't understand how these greenies from nowhere near our local
district can have such an impact on my job & many of my mates jobs. I can only imagine if we where to attack their livelihoods ( if they actually do contribute to this country & not just sit back taking & wasting taxpayers money on their lefty/
woke brain-dead ideas to attack the people that actually help this country ticking over)
roxanna wilson
Support
VALE OF CLWYDD , New South Wales
Message
This is import to me as I have family within this industry that needs employment here
Connor Sheil
Support
PORTLAND , New South Wales
Message
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.
Raylene Faulder
Support
WEROMBI , New South Wales
Message
The Clarence Colliery Modification should be approved as it directly supports the economic and social stability of the Lithgow region.
Secures 300–400 Local Jobs
Mod 11 guarantees continued employment for approximately 300 full‑time equivalent workers, with approval for up to 400, sustaining jobs that anchor the local economy and support families across the Lithgow region.
Largest Employer and Economic Driver in Lithgow
Coal mining is the largest employment sector in Lithgow LGA and contributes $241 million annually, meaning Mod 11 protects a critical economic pillar and prevents significant economic shock to the region.
Supports NSW Energy Security
The project provides essential coal supply to Mt Piper Power Station, supporting dispatchable baseload power during NSW’s renewable transition—a period when energy stability is paramount.
Protects Local Businesses and Supply Chains
The mine generates extensive indirect employment across transport, services, contracting and manufacturing, supporting over 580 additional jobs and significant local procurement benefits.
Strong Economic Benefit to NSW and Australia
Cost‑benefit analysis demonstrates substantial net social benefits: $149M for NSW and $212M nationally—benefits that are lost if Mod 11 is not approved.
Maintains Critical Royalties and Local Government Revenue
The operation contributes major revenue streams including state royalties, payroll tax, and local council rates, strengthening public services and infrastructure funding.
Strong Community Support for Employment Benefits
Consultation shows local residents support the continuation of the mine, noting its long history, stable operations, and strong role in maintaining local employment and services.
Avoids Social and Community Disruption
Failure to approve the modification would result in sudden job losses, reduced income, and reduced social cohesion—impacts identified as avoidable through approval of Mod 11.
Clear Alignment With Ecologically Sustainable Development
Mod 11 meets ESD principles by balancing environmental protection, community stability, economic development and inter‑generational equity, making approval both responsible and in the public interest.
Greg Banning
Support
MARRANGAROO , New South Wales
Message
Ongoing operation of Clarence Colliery is key to employment the broader economic environment in the Lithgow region
Lia Jennings
Support
SOUTH BOWENFELS , New South Wales
Message
I am writing to express my support for the proposed mine extension. The mine provides reliable employment for more than three hundred workers, many of whom are local residents, including myself and people I know personally. These positions allow families to remain in the area and provide our community with security and stability. The operation also supports numerous local businesses, contractors, retailers, and services that depend on it.

Mining has long been an important part of our community. It forms part of our identity and has sustained generations of local families. Continuing the mine helps preserve that legacy and ensures our town can keep developing and remain resilient.

The mining practices used here are responsibly managed and structured to minimise impact on the environment and surrounding land. The company oversees this carefully, and the community experiences the benefits of mining carried out in a responsible way.

Most importantly, this is a locally based mine that hires local people. The extension represents continued employment, continued support for families, and continued advantages for the wider region. Losing these jobs would negatively affect our community, while moving forward with the extension will help it continue to prosper
Name Withheld
Support
GLOSSODIA , New South Wales
Message
I support the project
Name Withheld
Support
PORTLAND , New South Wales
Message
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.
Deb Stevenson
Object
MORUYA HEADS , New South Wales
Message
This modification seeks to extend the operations of Clarence Colliery for another five years. At a time when we urgently need to reduce our reliance on coal due to the growing impacts of climate change, an approval to extend coal extraction will only make an already dire situation worse.
Mining and burning more coal will prolong the environmental damage to our lands and waterways, including the biodiversity they support and the communities that use them.
This mine is already severely impacting local communities in both the Blue Mountains and Sydney with over 7,000 heavy truck movements per year through these areas which generate noise and pollution, as well as increasing traffic congestion and road safety risks.
Most of the coal from the Clarence Colliery is exported and not used to supply local power coal-fired stations, so there will be additional transport emissions associated with the extension of this mine.
With 43% of our domestic electricity now being generated by clean renewable technologies, coal as a fuel to generate electricity is becoming obsolete. This in itself is reason enough to reject the proposed modification to extend the operations of the Clarence Colliery.
Given this context, 5 more years of coal extraction from Clarence Colliery is unjustified and wholly irresponsible in light of the contribution that mining and burning it will make to greenhouse gas emissions and the downstream impacts of these increased emissions will have on our planet and the life it supports.
Debbie France
Support
PITT TOWN , New South Wales
Message
The mine must remain open. There are too many livelihoods at stake and we must continue with coal for energy. Solar and wind farms are just not good enough and too expensive.
Tracey Sharp
Support
PORTLAND , New South Wales
Message
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 many 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.
Tracey Sharp
Support
PORTLAND , New South Wales
Message
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 many 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.
Name Withheld
Support
Haymarket , New South Wales
Message
"Supporting future energy security for the NEM goes hand in hand with supporting the Lithgow economy and community."

Pagination

Project Details

Application Number
DA504-00-Mod-11
Main Project
DA504-00
Assessment Type
SSD Modifications
Development Type
Coal Mining
Local Government Areas
Lithgow City

Contact Planner

Name
Gabriel Wardenburg