I am writing the oppose Whitehaven Coal’s new approval to expand and extend mining at its massive Maules Creek coal mine for another decade, from 2034 to 2044. This expanded area includes the Leard State Forest, home to the critically endangered Swift Parrot, only 500 of which are left in the wild.
Leard State Forest has been home to at least 20 of the remaining Swift Parrots in the last few years. It is one of the few special places left where they have been officially recorded feasting on the native blossoms. In addition, Whitehaven’s project would clear a further 428 hectares of the Leard State Forest, resulting in over 46% of the State Forest having been cleared in total for three coal mines. NSW has one of the highest a deforestation rates on the planet. Our scarce and precious public lands should not be destroyed for coal mine profits.
Whitehaven cannot be trusted with Australia’s natural resources. They were found guilty of illegally taking a billion litres of water during the last drought to operate the Maules Ck coal mine. This expansion poses a major risk to local water resources – it will suck down water beneath local creeks and the groundwater used by farmers to water their stock. Whitehaven has already been prosecuted for stealing water at the Maules Ck coal mine at the height of the last drought.
The expansion will harm the local farming community at Maules Ck and cause negative social impacts. It will further empty the district of families through alienation of productive land, and create dangerous dust pollution and escalating noise for surrounding areas, whilst creating division and conflict. It will exacerbate the housing crisis in the region.
In short, the NSW Government must not approve a coal mine expansion now that will not even start until 2034 – it is locking in greenhouse gas emissions far into the future that we can’t afford. Whitehaven’s proposal is designed to ‘bank’ an approval now before climate laws are strengthened further in response to the rapidly escalating impacts of global warming in the form of more extreme weather events.
The planet cannot take any more destruction for the profit of a few.

Because Whitehaven supports the community

I came to the area to work at Maules Creek Mine. My family followed, moving to a rural property near the Maules Creek Operation. We have found that on top of employment, Whitehaven Coal and Maules Creek have a massive positive impact on the local community. My three young children enrolled at a local school, and engaged in local sporting activities. The move of schools for my kids was made so much easier through their engagement in local sporting activities, in particular involvement in Gunnedah Swimming Club. This is a fantastic organisation that provides life skills to local kids at an affordable cost, largely due to the support we receive from companies like Whitehaven Coal and the many companies who provide services to their Operations. With the continued operation of Maules Creek, Whitehaven Coal will be in a position to continue the support to the many community organisations they help, if Maules Creek does not continue, obviously this would cease. In summary, I and my family strongly support the continuation project for Maules Creek Coal Mine.

Maules Creek Coal is very important supply to Japan for its energy security.

I want to work there for long term

Maules Creek project continuation will play a vital role in supporting the economic growth and development of our regionand it will generate substantial local employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly, by creating well-paying jobs and supporting local businesses through supply chain partnerships.

In addition to fostering workforce development, the project will significantly contribute to public revenue through taxes and royalties, helping to fund essential services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure improvements. Maules Creek is committed to continue operating responsibly, sustainably, and in close collaboration with local communities

Please see attached. I believe the proposal should not be considered now because the Maules Creek Mine already has approval out to 2034. To consider extending it at this stage is premature because over time it is less and less likely to be considered in the interests of NSW. I discuss the following points:
Coal mining expansions are the weak spot in NSW reaching its climate targets
Granting approval to mine until 2044 makes NSW vulnerable to future liabilities
Coal is on the way out
Ten-year extension to 2044 will likely be a final blow for the Swift Parrot
Whitehaven can't be trusted with water.

It is good for the towns and employment for all