Dear NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure

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.

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.

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 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 fuelled extreme weather.

Coal mining is not the future, it is not sustainable and it causes irreversible damage to the environment (natural and developed). Post mining rehabilitation is minimal at best whilst the mining companies make record profits leaving future generations to pay the price.

Regards
Geoff Harborne

I oppose the proposed modification to the Mount Pleasant mine on these grounds,
Muswellbrook is now overshadowed by the overburden wall of this project. This removes any rural amenity of a rural town.
Extreme dust problem, obvious by sight,especially from Black Hill,looking North.
Poor air quality alerts,especially at night,point to increased earth movement when not obvious .
Loss of social and economic fabric of the town and surrounding area with loss of many homes and farms.
Lastly the climate change emergency becomes greater every day. Seen by increased dangerous weather phenomena,floods,droughts,rising sea levels and retreating glaciers. There will be no turning back unless action is taken to reduce greenhouse gases.

The project will allow many jobs to be maintained and others to be gained.

I strongly support MOD 8 because it is important for my future, my family and our local community.
I live in Muswellbrook and work as an engineer for a contractor in the local mining industry. While I am not directly employed at Mount Pleasant, the operation has a major influence on the amount of work available to contractors like me and on the overall stability of mining jobs in the region. This stability is essential for my financial security and for planning to stay in Muswellbrook long term.
In 2024, the MACH Energy Mount Pleasant Operation Aboriginal Community Development Fund supported the Cultural Spectacular Festival at the Muswellbrook Showground. This is just one example of how Mount Pleasant contributes to our area by backing events that celebrate culture, bring people together and strengthen community ties. These benefits extend well beyond the mine itself.
Approving MOD 8 will help protect local jobs and the many livelihoods connected to Mount Pleasant. The certainty it provides will also support contractors, suppliers, local businesses and services, helping towns like Muswellbrook remain strong and sustainable.
Our community has dealt with uncertainty about the mine’s long‑term future for too long. This makes it harder for people to buy homes, invest locally and make long‑term decisions for their families. MOD 8 would provide much‑needed confidence about the future of Mount Pleasant and the ongoing employment and community benefits it delivers.
For these reasons, I support MOD 8 and ask that it be approved so that job security, financial stability and community investment can continue in Muswellbrook and the surrounding region.

I support the project as it supports local economy and produces jobs and cash flow for the community

Mt Pleasant Mine, is valued in the community with the jobs it offers to locals and also the substantial charity donations they make to our local community and businesses they support.

Mount pleasant provides 70% of local jobs in area
Supports community with sponsorship
Provides local contractors work
Over 2million and funding in local community
Over 650 million in royalty contributions
Mach will continue to provide 20% of electricity to NSW

Continuing growth in the community and local jobs

Fully support expansion

Fully support project. Muswellbrook relies on mining industry and needs to be supported