Modification 11 - Time Extension

As a local business owner in the Lithgow region, I strongly support the proposed extension of Clarence Colliery. My business, like many others in our community, depends directly and indirectly on the mine and the people it employs. When the mine is operating steadily, local shops, cafes, trades, mechanics, and service providers all benefit. When there is uncertainty about its future, spending slows, confidence drops, and small businesses like mine feel it almost immediately.
The colliery has long been part of the economic backbone of this region in New South Wales. The wages earned by mine workers are spent locally—on groceries, fuel, school supplies, home improvements, and professional services. That circulation of money keeps our town alive. Without the extension, many families could be forced to relocate for work, which would mean fewer customers, fewer students in our schools, and less demand for local services.
I also believe that the extension allows for stability while we plan for the future. Transitioning regional economies takes time. An abrupt closure would hurt hardworking families and small operators who have invested their lives here. With operator Centennial Coal working under strict environmental regulations, the extension can proceed responsibly while continuing to meet rehabilitation and compliance standards.
For my staff, my customers, and my own family, this isn’t an abstract policy debate—it’s about livelihoods. The extension offers certainty, protects local jobs, and gives our community the breathing space it needs to adapt and grow sustainably.

Clarence Colliery Modification 11 should be approved because it represents a low‑risk, high‑value continuation of an already well‑regulated operation with a proven environmental and compliance record. The modification does not introduce new disturbance, alter mining methods, increase production, or change the mine’s existing footprint.

Comprehensive technical assessments—including traffic, noise, water, social, economic and greenhouse gas studies—confirm that extending operations for five years would result in no new or material impacts beyond those already assessed and approved.

Importantly, the mine sits within an established mining precinct, continues to operate under strict environmental licences, and has demonstrated its capability to manage water, noise, subsidence and emissions within regulatory limits. With ongoing improvements to water treatment, modern monitoring systems and transparent engagement with regulators and the community, the operation is positioned to maintain and enhance its environmental performance throughout the extension period.

Beyond maintaining compliance, Mod 11 directly supports the economic and social stability of the Lithgow region. Clarence Colliery sustains approximately 300 full‑time equivalent jobs—with approval for up to 400—and underpins local businesses, contractors, suppliers and community services. Its continued operation ensures reliable coal supply to Mt Piper Power Station, supporting NSW energy security during the state’s transition period while renewable generation and storage capability continues to scale.

The mine is a significant contributor to local and regional economies, and its staged retirement must be managed responsibly to minimise social disruption.

Approving Mod 11 ensures continuity of employment, maintains critical energy supply resilience, and provides time for the region to progress economic diversification without imposing unnecessary shock on workers, families and local communities. This is a practical, responsible and socially beneficial decision for NSW.

Clarence has along history of supporting the Lithgow and Blue Mountains communities by employing thousands of people over a 45 year period as well as supporting the coummunities through local suppliers and contractors, the date extension in Mod 11 is critical to the local economy as hundreds of familiues rely on Clarence's continued operations to support them.

The proposed MOD 11 to the Clarence coal mine consent allows for the continued operation of the mine for another 5 years. Coal mining is the largest employment sector in Lithgow LGA and contributes $241 million annually which cannot be immediately replaced with any other industry at the moment. Potential closure of the mine would impact 300 immediate jobs and 580 supply chain jobs in the area. Clarence also provides fuel to the Mt Piper powerstation which is required as part of the energy transition well into the next decade. The mine also strongly contributes through royalty payments, payroll tax, council fees to support the people of NSW with essential services. The low subsidence mining methods employed at Clarence have demonstrated negligible environmental impacts over decades and produces very low Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

"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." Thanks Luke Bennett.

This would be a valuable employment opportunity for the local population and there are no negatives that I can see. centennial Coal has been a most respectful employer and their commitment to environment controls is exemplary. This project should go ahead for the greater good of the local community and NSW as a whole.

This proposal seeks to extend operations for another five years. At a time when we urgently need to reduce reliance on coal, approving extended coal extraction is the wrong direction for the Gardens of Stone region and for NSW.
I have expressed my objections to more mining in the Gardens of Stone for years. WE MUST STOP MINING ANY MORE COAL.

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 support the submission
My livelihood and my familys livelihood and well being and also the flow on to the community of Lithgow and surrounding communities will be greatly impacted if this project does not succeed this project has my full support.

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 support this proposal.

this project is critical for Lithgow local community.

I support this proposal

Clarance is a critical part of the Lithgow fabric. The town needs this to be a fully functioning mine, to ensure the future stability of the town. The mine not only supports the direct employees and their families, but the extended community including bakery's, schools. This is an absolute critical asset to the future of the Lithgow community

I support this project.

Provides jobs for the community of Lithgow and beyond. Not only for the workers but also for the supporting community.

I write to express my strong support for the approval of Mod 11 for Centennial Coal’s Clarence Colliery. The proposed modification is critical to maintaining employment, economic stability, and energy security for the Lithgow region and New South Wales more broadly.

Approval of Mod 11 secures continued employment for approximately 300 full-time equivalent workers, with approval for up to 400 positions. These jobs support hundreds of local families and underpin the regional economy. Coal mining is the largest employment sector within Lithgow Local Government Area and contributes around $241 million annually. The continuation of the Clarence operation therefore protects a key economic driver and avoids a significant economic shock to the region.

The mine also plays an essential role in NSW’s energy system by supplying coal to Mt Piper Power Station, supporting reliable dispatchable baseload power during the state’s transition to renewable energy. At the same time, the operation sustains a wide network of local businesses and contractors across transport, services, manufacturing, and maintenance, supporting more than 580 additional indirect jobs and delivering substantial local procurement benefits.

Economic analysis demonstrates that Mod 11 delivers strong net benefits, estimated at $149 million for NSW and $212 million nationally, benefits that would be lost if the modification is not approved. The operation also contributes significant revenue through state royalties, payroll tax, and local council rates, directly supporting public services and local infrastructure.

Community consultation shows strong local support for the continuation of the mine, reflecting its long history of stable operations and its importance to local employment and services. Failure to approve Mod 11 would result in sudden job losses, reduced household incomes, and avoidable social and community disruption.

Mod 11 represents a balanced and responsible outcome that aligns with the principles of ecologically sustainable development by appropriately balancing environmental protection with economic development, community stability, and inter-generational equity. For these reasons, I strongly support its approval as being clearly in the public interest.

I support this proposal.
It supports jobs, the local community and the state via coal royalties.

I support the 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."