Mt Pleasant helps delivers jobs with 70% local jobs, whilst making significant contributions to the local economy and community including plus $2M in schools, sporting clubs and community groups.
5% indigenous employment from the local area and over $650M royalties paid since the project started.
Contractors, suppliers and local businesses rely on Mt Pleasant.

Provides support to local communities and families

Mt Pleasant future is vital for our community, providing income and employment for local families and businesses. In the current climate of other coal mines being closed, it is essential this project keeps operating into the future.

I am a homeowner working full-time in service delivery for decades, and I care about the environment.

MACH Energy has applied for Mod 8 - Extension of mine life, seeking approval to extend the life of Mt Pleasant Coal Mine by six more years out to 2032. I object to this project because:
● This huge mine expansion will create 1.5 million tonnes of local greenhouse gas pollution in the next ten years in NSW and over a 100 million tonnes in downstream emissions at a time when our state is not on track to meet its legislated 2030 or 2035 emissions reductions targets. The people of NSW are already suffering the impacts of climate change, including in the Hunter region and adding further greenhouse pollution will do unacceptable harm to the public interest.

● The NSW Court of Appeal’s Denman Decision made it clear that the local impacts of climate change caused by the downstream greenhouse pollution from NSW coal have to be considered by planning authorities. As this decision is now in the High Court, acceptance of this application will cause legal and practical confusion with environmental and social consequences for the area.

● The expansion of this mine is in direct contradiction to the Government's own advice from the NSW Net Zero Commission in December of last year that “continued extensions or expansions to coal mining in NSW are not consistent” with NSW climate law nor with the Paris Agreement temperature goals.

● Approval would inflict harm on our people and our economy. The people of NSW are already dealing with increasing bills and escalating dangers from climate change fueled extreme weather.

● This expansion is not a modification. It is not “substantially the same development” as the one previously approved (DA 92/97) and calling it a “modification” avoids independent review. This project must go to the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) for proper assessment.

Sincerely yours

.

Both my husband and I work at Mt pleasant and so dose my brother in law. It supplies income and support for my family. Without this job we would have to leave the area.

Local employment @70%. Mount pleasant plays a significant role in financial contributions to the state and local Government. Numerous contractors, suppliers and local businesses depend on operations like MPO. Contributions to local indigenous communities via direct employment, Over $2m investment in local schools, sporting clubs and community groups. Over $650 million in royalty contributions since the project started from Mach Energy.

Looks after the local community and families

I am writing to formally express my support for Modification 8 for the Mount Pleasant Operation.
I am directly employed at the Mount Pleasant Operation and have worked at the site for approximately 8.5 years. The operation provides stable, well-paid employment that supports my family, including my wife and our three children. We have built our lives in the region, purchasing a home in Muswellbrook and becoming part of the local community.
The Mount Pleasant Operation is not just a workplace for me; it is a critical economic driver for the Muswellbrook Shire and the wider Upper Hunter region. The operation supports up to 1,000 direct jobs and hundreds more indirect jobs through local contractors, suppliers, transport operators, maintenance providers, and small businesses that rely on the activity generated by the mine and its workforce.
For many families in the Muswellbrook Shire and broader hunter region, the Mount Pleasant Operation provides secure employment that allows people to raise families, purchase homes, and contribute to the local economy. The wages earned by employees flow directly back into the community through local spending at shops, restaurants, trades, schools, and services. If the operation were to cease, the economic impact on the Muswellbrook Shire would be severe. Hundreds of families would face uncertainty, and many workers including myself may be forced to seek employment elsewhere, which could ultimately lead to families leaving the region.
The loss of these jobs would have a ripple effect throughout the local economy. Small businesses, contractors, service providers, and community organisations that rely on the presence of a strong local workforce would be significantly impacted. Reduced economic activity would affect everything from local retail and hospitality to housing, services, and local government revenue.
Beyond employment and economic activity, the Mount Pleasant Operation and Mach Energy make important contributions to the local community through sponsorships and donations to sporting clubs, charities, and community organisations.
My family is heavily involved in the local community through both participation and volunteering with junior and senior football as well as touch football. These sporting organisations receive sponsorship and support from Mach Energy, which helps them operate, maintain facilities, and provide opportunities for local children and families to participate in sport. Without this support, these clubs along with many other community groups would struggle to continue delivering the level of programs and opportunities they currently provide.
Mach Energy also supports numerous local charities and community initiatives across the Muswellbrook Shire. These contributions help ensure important community programs can continue to operate and support local residents. Without the ongoing support of the Mount Pleasant Operation, many of these organisations would face reduced funding and capacity, which would ultimately affect the broader community.
The Mount Pleasant Operation plays a vital role in sustaining employment, economic stability, and community life within the Muswellbrook Shire. The loss of the operation would not only impact employees but would also have far reaching consequences for local businesses, sporting organisations, charities, and the overall economic health of the region.
For these reasons, I strongly support Modification 8 for the Mount Pleasant Operation and the continued operation of the mine.
Yours sincerely,

David Hartley

I support this project as the coal and mining industry has provided countless well paying jobs for the community members including myself, and injected dollars into our hunter economy for years and hope to continue to do so.