Modification 6 - underground mining extension

Thank-you for the opportunity to object to the Ulan Coal Mine Amended Modification 6. My objection is based on my personal experience of living with-in the extensively coal mined area of the Singleton LGA- Hunter Valley. For decades now coal mining has continued to expand operations across the valley. And the environmental degradation has continued to grow alongside it. The impacts to water and air quality are undeniable and clearly evident to those who live in the area. While the impacts on health (physical and mental) have continued to increase over the decades. And the landscape continues to suffer from the impacts from clearing, depleting water resources, dust, methane emissions etc.
This is not a time to be expanding coal mining operations. However, I understand this project will extend the life of Ulan Coal Mine to 2035 and will facilitate a much larger expansion called Modification 8(Mod). The cumulative impacts on climate, people’s health, endangered species, cultural heritage and water are of serious concerns and therefore these projects should be considered together as such and not as independent modifications. And should require a robust cumulative impact assessment and reporting. Along with this report there also needs to be a thorough assessment of total emissions. Another point for consideration is the importance of the CWO REZ which will be in competition with the mines for regional workforce. And therefore, should be given priority status to further the renewable transition for the future currently underway.
I witness the impacts of coal mining daily and it makes absolutely no sense to be threatening further environment, air, water and climate for outdated coal operations.
The end.

Good for local businesses.
Good for the towns in the area.
keeping locals employed and in the area so they can be at home with their families.
Good for kids growing up with employment opportunities at the mine and surrounding supporting industries.

I am a 5th generation local in the area and the mines have always been good for the community and the area.

Those will prove some and economy to the local area that is critical for its growth and survival given current governments failures at easing costs of living

I support this proposal as it will keep a lot of people employed in that region

I am lodging this submission as I strongly object to the planning proposal application by Glencore for Modification 6 (and 8) of the Ulan Coal Mine for its significant and disastrous threats to local environment and local and global climate impacts of extending coal mining.
Background
The Glencore Ulan Coal Mine, located in the Mudgee Region, currently has approval to mine 20 million tonnes of coal per year through underground mining until 2033. An earlier approved expansion (Modification 6) was overturned by the NSW Land and Environment Court in November 2025. A newly amended project has been resubmitted for public comment, extending the mine's life to August 2035 and facilitating further expansion under Modification 8 (Mod 8), which will disturb 2,368 hectares of land. Mod 8 proposes to extend mining until 2041 and further impacts local water sources.
These expansions must be assessed together to understand their cumulative effects on climate, endangered species, cultural heritage, and water. The Ulan Coal Mine lies within the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (CWOREZ), and any coal expansion will impede the region's transition to a safer climate.
For more information, visit: Mudgee District Environment Group

Key Points of Objection
1. Cumulative Impact Assessment Required
Both Mod 6 and Mod 8 should be treated as a combined project for a comprehensive assessment of climate, local ecology, and community impacts. The potential 45% increase in emissions from the combined proposals must be fully evaluated.
2. Climate Impacts on Local Environment and Population
• Increased Carbon Emissions: The expansion will generate an additional 18.8 million tonnes of coal, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. When combined with Mod 8's output, emissions will escalate, exacerbating climate change.
• UN Guidance on Fossil Fuels: The United Nations has emphasized the necessity of halting new fossil fuel projects to mitigate critical climate impacts. Approving further coal mining is contrary to global directives aimed at achieving sustainable environmental practices and safeguarding future generations.
• Local Environmental Changes: Increased carbon emissions can lead to rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, directly affecting local agriculture and water availability. These changes put pressure on crop yields, potentially reducing food security in the region.
• Health Risks: Higher carbon emissions and associated pollutants can negatively impact air quality. Poor air quality is linked to respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular problems, especially for vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly.
• Pressure on Biodiversity: Elevated temperatures and changes in weather patterns threaten local flora and fauna. Species already at risk, such as the Large-eared Pied Bat and others, may face further habitat degradation and uninhabitable conditions, pushing them closer to extinction.
3. Environmental Impacts
The expansion threatens critical habitats for endangered species such as the Large-eared Pied Bat, Powerful Owl, and others. The cumulative loss of habitats, particularly the Box Gum Woodland, has not been sufficiently analysed for Serious and Irreversible Impact (SAII).
4. Water Resource Threats
Land subsidence and the expansion will negatively affect groundwater systems and river flows, particularly the Talbragar River, which is a significant tributary to the Macquarie River and is crucial for the Macquarie Marshes.
5. Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
Potential impacts on significant Aboriginal cultural heritage are inadequately assessed. This area has a long-standing connection with the traditional owners the Wiradjuri people, and further disturbances can have lasting effects on these cultural values and rights.
6. Labour Market Implications
The justification for extended coal mining to create jobs is weak. The current labour demand in the regions pertains more to construction and renewable energy, focusing on a transition away from coal mining.
7. Lack of Justification
Coal mining and exports of coal make Australians the biggest emitters of carbon emissions per capita on the planet. It is urgent that short term profits for multinationals and spurious arguments about local employment not be placed ahead of what is scientifically evident - the causal relationship between burning fossil fuels and the resulting impacts of bushfire, flood and disruption to the water system cannot be justified. The NSW Government emphasizes diversifying the economy and has initiatives aimed at transitioning away from coal.

I support the project so long as direct employees of the company are also given a pay rise to be in line with other operations in the district.

This project will support jobs and local business and have several other flow on impacts like increased tax and royalties to government. This must be approved.

.

I work at ulan west an ir supports my family and the community

I support the ulan coal modification 6 .
Ulan coal is one of the main employers in the mudgee region , also donating to local community programs.
Without ulan coal the mudgee region would not be the same as there would be less employment opportunities which would have flow on effects for the whole community.

To the Independent Planning Commission,
I am writing to formally object to Ulan Coal Mine Modification 6 – Underground Mining Extension.
There are many reasons why this proposal should not proceed.
I would like to highlight five of these.
1. Modification 6 cannot be considered in isolation.
This proposal is clearly linked to the proposed Ulan Mod 8 expansion. Mod 8 cannot proceed without Mod 6, yet the two are being assessed separately. This approach prevents a proper assessment of cumulative impacts and understates the true scale and consequences of the proposed expansion. Decisions of this magnitude should be made with a full and transparent understanding of the combined environmental, climate and community impacts.
2. The proposal is not aligned with Australia’s climate commitments or the energy transition underway.
Modification 6 would enable the extraction of an additional 18.8 million tonnes of coal and, when considered alongside Mod 8, would significantly increase total emissions from the Ulan mine. The science is clear that continued expansion of fossil fuel extraction contributes to climate change and increases the severity and cost of natural disasters. The long-term social and economic costs of climate impacts far outweigh the short-term benefits of extending coal mining. Australia has the technology and capability to pursue cleaner alternatives, and planning decisions should reflect that reality.
3. The environmental impacts have not been adequately assessed.
Underground mining causes subsidence that permanently alters groundwater systems and reduces flows to creeks and rivers. Further pressure on the Talbragar and Macquarie River systems is unacceptable in a region already experiencing water stress. These river systems are connected to the Murray–Darling Basin and the internationally significant Macquarie Marshes, and cumulative impacts have not been properly considered.
4. Modification 6 will contribute to ongoing loss of threatened species habitat and cultural values.
The proposal involves further disturbance of native vegetation and habitat in an area already heavily impacted by mining. When combined with other existing and proposed operations, this contributes to cumulative biodiversity loss, including impacts on threatened species. The proposal also fails to adequately address cumulative impacts on Aboriginal cultural heritage in an area of known Wiradjuri significance.
5. This proposal does not support a sustainable future.
Modification 6 represents another incremental step in a much larger expansion of coal mining in the region. Taken together, these incremental approvals result in substantial long-term impacts without holistic assessment. This approach is inconsistent with sound planning principles and does not support a sustainable future for the Central West.

For these reasons, I request that Ulan Coal Mine Modification 6 be refused, and that any future proposals at Ulan be assessed transparently, cumulatively, and in the context of Australia’s climate obligations, environmental responsibilities, and regional transition goals.

Thank you for considering this submission.

Regards,
Julie Hunter
Rylstone, NSW

I have resided close to this project for 36 years. During that time I have had NO problem with any project or works Ulan Mine has undertaken.After each stage the regeneration is exemplary . The regeneration is amazing. The latest solar and wind factories around us have caused more destruction to the land and threat to wildlife than the mines.My eldest son went to Ulan Public School in which the Ulan Mine company supported and donated a large sum of money over the years for students and playgrounds. I was on exec committee with the local football club for many years where Ulan Mines donated large sums of money to the club for a Mudgee Mines pre season comp that brought heaps of people and money to the town. The company employs a lot of locals and keeps our towns afloat. The mines in our community to the best of my knowledge are the number 1 employers, the scrutiny they endure to conduct their business is hefty, as mentioned before I reside very close to the mines and have over 36 years no problem with the operation what so ever. I support the expansion whole heartedly

On top of this proposal going ahead despite being previously overturned, I object to this extended proposal on the following grounds:
1. It should be assessed together with the Ulan Mod 8 proposal as a new project to provide robust cumulative impact information instead of an extension of an existing project.
2. The amendment report still fails to fully identify the impacts of the increased greenhouse gas emissions on the local environment, community and economy, as required under NSW planning law.
3. The proposal will produce an additional 18.8 million tonnes of coal and when combined with Mod 8 (additional 43 MT) there will be over a 45% increase in total emissions above current approved operations at Ulan Mine.
4. There is no assessment of cumulative impacts from existing mine approvals or expansion proposals across the three Mudgee Mines: Ulan, Moolarben and Wilpinjong.
5. The cumulative loss of threatened species habitat, significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values, water from the landscape and flows to creeks and rivers, and threats to amenity and livelihoods of neighbours has not been assessed sufficiently, or possibly has been largely ignored in light of the previous proposal.
6. The proposal will place further pressure on already stressed surface and ground water sources within the Murray Darling Basin.

ulan coal mine modification 6 and 8 must be addressed together as all of mod 8 andpart of mmod 6 are on land that is covered by an exploration licence not a mining lease. they are new minesand should be subject to a rigorous full assessment.
my objections to these modifications are as follows:
Cumulative impacts have been over looked.
Increases in greehouse gas emissions.
Negative impacts on Biodiverity, threatened species, habitat loss and cumulative loss of Box Gum Grassy Woodland.
Damage to groundwater systems , subsidence, impact on loss of flow to the important Talbragar River.

Coal Mining has historically provided Mudgee with opportunities. Times have changed & the social ,enviroment ,cultural loss that would occur with any extension to Ulan Underground are not acceptable. Mudgee & the Central west deserve a smooth, secure & just transition away from Coal & its effects on water, air , human health, biodiversity climate & Indigenous culture.
This proposal for Mod 6 extension ,must be assessed together with the Mod8 extension- The combine effect is not diminished by reporting 2 results. As reported by the Climate Council, if the Governments are serious about the 2035 targets than no new or expansions of coals mine should be approved. The droughts, heat, warming oceans with algae blooms, cyclones & coral bleaching are all linked to CO2 & methane emission . How can Glencore maintain Ulan is a low emitter if there is no requirements to report ( or monitor) these emissions?
As a local vet,I have witnessed first hand what habitat destruction or disturbance does to our wildlife . There will be 2368 hectares of new land affected by this proposal. Many wildlife species are experiencing cumulative habitat loss across multiple coal mines in the Mudgee region. Enough is enough.
Water is critical to farming ,wildlife & communities . This project does will have a significant impact on the Talbragar river.
The Talbragar River is a major tributary of the Macquarie River in the Murray–Darling Basin and flows downstream of Burrendong Dam. These flows are directly connected to the internationally significant Macquarie Marshes. Ongoing groundwater damage will reduce river flows long after mining has ceased.
The amended Mod 6 proposal remains inadequate and should not be approved. Mod 6 and Mod 8 are interdependent and must be assessed together as a single ‘new project’, not two separate ‘modifications’, to fully understand their cumulative impacts on climate, water, biodiversity and cultural heritage.

Further expansion of the Ulan Coal Mine is incompatible with a safe climate, healthy water systems, and a just transition for the Central West.

Glencore Ulan Coal Mine is in the Mudgee Region with current approval to mine 20 million tonnes of coal per year through underground mining until 2033. An approved underground mine expansion through Modification 6 (Mod 6) was overturned by the NSW Land and Environment Court in November 2025. Mod 8 was out for public comment in November. It proposes to extend mining until 2041 and disturb a large new area of bushland and farmland, causing further impacts on water sources. Threats to amenity and livelihoods of neighbours has not been assessed. The two expansions must be assessed together as a new project to fully understand the cumulative impacts on climate, endangered species, cultural heritage and water.

1. Amended proposal
The previous approval overturned in the Land and Environment Court had nine different options for surface infrastructure –demonstrating that a mine plan had not been completed. After MDEG successfully overturned the Ulan Coal Mine Modification 6 approval in court, Glencore immediately re-applied for planning approval.
The Department of Planning placed a revised proposal on exhibition over the Christmas period, Dec 11 – 27 January. The amended proposal is very similar to the original overturned project with only minor changes.
The new amended proposal seeks to extend the life of Ulan Coal Mine to August 2035 and is a necessary precursor to a much larger expansion, Modification 8 (Mod 8). Together, Mod 6 and Mod 8 would disturb approximately 2,368 hectares of new land, extend mining until 2041, and significantly increase impacts on water resources, biodiversity, climate and cultural heritage. Subsidence from underground mining, as well as clearing for infrastructure development (roads, pipelines, bores, ventilator shafts) has a significant impact on the landscape.
This amended Mod 6 proposal has finalized the mine plan and identified exactly where the surface infrastructure will impact native vegetation. These two proposals are functionally inseparable and must be assessed together as a new project to properly understand their cumulative impacts.
The amended proposal fails to fully assess the impacts and has focused on a very narrow update of new information. There is no recognition that the Mod 8 proposal is dependent on Mod 6 before it can proceed. It is essential that both proposals are assessed together as a new project. Modifications remove independent scrutiny of the quality of impact assessment and remove community merit appeal rights in the Land and Environment Court.

2. Greenhouse Gas Assessment
The proposal will produce an additional 18.8 million tonnes of coal and when combined with Mod 8 (additional 43 MT) there will be over a 45% increase in total emissions above current approved operations at Ulan Mine. Glencore does not publicly report methane emissions and maintains that Ulan Mine is a low emitter, therefore there are no feasible means to reduce fugitive methane emissions.
The assessment does not meet the requirement of the NSW EP&A Act to assess the environmental, social and environmental impacts of all GHG emissions, including Scope 3. The assessment does not meet the requirement of the NSW EP&A Act to assess the environmental, social and environmental impacts of all GHG emissions, including Scope 3, as ruled by the High Court under the Mt Pleasant Mine (Denman) decision.

3. Environmental impacts
The proposal will impact on threatened species habitat particularly Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Powerful Owl, Barking Owl, Southern Myotis. The Large-eared Pied Bat and Eastern Cave Bat have ongoing cumulative loss of habitat across the three Mudgee coal mine operations, including in the proposed Moolarben Open Cut 3 extension. These cumulative impacts have not been assessed for Serious and Irreversible Impact (SAII) on these threatened microbats. The cumulative loss of Box Gum Woodland critically endangered ecological community across the region as an SAII entity is not assessed.

4. Water Impacts
Subsidence or land collapse caused by underground mining damages groundwater systems that store water in the landscape. Groundwater provides base flows to rivers and creeks. This mine expansion when combined with Mod 8 will cause a significant additional loss of flow to Talbragar River – does not report cumulative loss of flows from current approvals. The Talbragar River is a major tributary of the cumulative loss of flows from current approvals. The Talbragar River is a major tributary of the Macquarie River in the Murray Darling Basin that flows in below Burrendong Dam. These flows are directly connected to the internationally significant Macquarie Marshes.
The proposal will place further pressure on already stressed surface and ground water sources within the Murray Darling Basin

5. Aboriginal cultural heritage impacts
The cumulative loss of significant Aboriginal cultural heritage in the Ulan area is not assessed. There is ample evidence of continuous Wiradjuri occupation of the region with spiritual connection to country. A significant number of cultural heritage values will be impacted, particularly when combined with Ulan Mod 8 impacts.

6. Not Justified
There is no need for extended coal mining in the region to provide local jobs. Mining is
competing for skilled labour urgently required in the construction, housing and renewable competing for skilled labour urgently required in the construction, housing and renewable energy industries. There is a major labour shortage in the Central West with local workers needed for the CWO REZ construction.
The NSW Government has prioritised the Central West Future Jobs and Investment Authority to manage the transition away from coal mining. The Mudgee region has many opportunities to diversify the economy.
In conclusion, there are very few reasons for this new proposal to be approved. In light of the recent heat wave across NSW, the threat of more fires and property destruction due to climate change caused by coal mining, this proposal should be confined to the dustbin by any rational government institution.

I am an industry consultant that has experience with multiple coal mine operators. I have provided services to Ulan West and also to other Glencore operations in the past.
I recognise the importance of mining to the regional economy and support responsible resource development that balances environmental protection and community wellbeing.
I support the modification for the following reasons:
- Coal mining is a significant economic contributor to the success of the surrounding towns ($846 million in direct socio-economic value from the Ulan Complex in 2024)
- Coal mining royalties are significant contributor to state government revenue ($2.96 billion 2024/2025) this helps to fund vital public services such as infrastructure, teachers, nurses and police.
- Proper utilisation of a State Resource - The coal identified for extraction by the modification is extremely unlikely to ever be mined if not taken as part of Mod 6 – effectively sterilising the reserve.
- Glencore is a company worth doing business with. It is a large multinational company that meets its financial obligations and generally seeks to protect its reputation. In contrast to this there are several instances in the last 12 months in the NSW coal industry of small mine operators with solvency issues failing to meet their financial obligations to government, local contractors and service providers.
- Support local charities not-for-profit organisations and junior sporting clubs, as well as major projects such as the Mudgee 4 Doctors initiative, Country Universities Centre in Mudgee and the Mudgee High School LINK Program.

I strongly object to this Modification 6 application for many reasons. I am greatly restricted from giving time to writing this objection by family happenings this past month, and so have limited ability to fully express the seriousness of this modification application.
It continues the piecemeal approach of modification lodgements, when really the whole Ulan, Wilpinjong and Moolarben mines are not looked at together for their huge, serious combined impacts on the surface and underground water, flora, fauna, vibration, noise, dust and emissions.
This modification should be combined with Modification 8 (as this mod. 6 paves the way for it), and treated as a stand-alone mine application.
Glencore wants approval to dig up another 18.8 million tonnes of coal. Even though they says that this Ulan mine is a low gas emitter, when added to the coal proposed to be dug up in Mod 8, it’ll release 43 megatonnes – an enormous 45% increase over what they have approval for now. This underlines the need for a mine application – not a modification application.
The processes of how modification approvals are treated here in NSW takes away independent scrutiny of the quality of impact assessment. Any Community merit appeal in the NSW Land & Environment Court is also not possible.
Looking at the Mt Pleasant Mine ruling by the High Court, it explained that the NSW EP&A Act needs to assess the environmental, social and environmental impacts of all GHG emissions, including Scope 3. Glencore has not done that here.

I am a local, Mudgee wildlife volunteer and TAFE Teacher and care deeply about the environment. I feel compelled to be a voice for nature and all the animals that call Ulan and its surrounds home. I object to the Ulan Coal Mine Amended Modification 6 for the following reasons.
1. The amended report does not identify the impacts and consequences of increasing greenhouse gas emissions upon the local environment, including the flora and wildlife. The assessment does not meet the requirements of the NSW Environmental Protection Act to assess the social or environmental impacts of all green house gas emissions, including Scope 3, as ruled by the High Court under the Mt Pleasant Mine in Denman decision.
2. There has been no assessment of the cumulative loss of flora and fauna from this underground extension. Any further loss of land will risk put further pressure on vulnerable and endangered species such as the Koala, Regent honey eater, Large-eared pied bat, Eastern cave bat, and Powerful owl. The cumulative loss of Box Gum Woodland must be assessed for serious and irreversible impacts. This amendment has not done this.
3. This proposal will put further pressure on an already stressed ground water system. We cannot afford to take water that it essential for the health of the Murray Darling Basin and the internationally significant Macquarie Marshes. I write this at a time when we are in heatwave situation and possibly entering another drought. Water is a precious resource that is needed for local people, wildlife and to maintain a healthy environment.

I cannot stay silent on developments or projects that result in the loss of biodiversity. Our human survival is in jeopardy because we continue to exploit, dominate and destroy our environment. I wholeheartedly object Ulan Coal Mine Amended Modification 6.

This Ulan modification is an important project for ongoing employment for NSW and the local region and, importantly, ongoing royalties for NSW. It is also consistent with the NSW Strategic Statement on Coal.