It is good for the towns and employment for all

I support this project

I support the Maules Creek Continuation Project with all my labido. As a local resident, Whitehaven have provided significant investment in local events and sporting clubs which have kept the local towns thriving. I have numerous friends who live in Gunnedah and work at MCCM and they contribute heavily financially and culturally to the town. Gunnedah is a livable bucolic town which is relies heavily on mining so a 10 year extension to MCCM will allow it to continue as a thriving regional hub.

I support this project

I currently work for Whitehaven Coal as an Environmental Officer. I have been quite satisfied with the level of care Whitehaven take to ensure their operations are compliant and are engaged with their surrounding community. Given Maules Creeks recent high Environmental EPA rating I believe this is a good indication of the future of this mine and its continuation to be a successful mine site. Additionally, the continuation of this project will continue job security for many locals and to support its community.

I live locally and I’m writing to strongly support Whitehaven Coal’s application to extend the Maules Creek mine lease until 2044. As someone whose family and home are in this region, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact the mine has on our community. Extending the lease within the existing tenements will help secure more than 900 local jobs and sustain vital support for businesses in North West NSW.
The Maules Creek Continuation Project proposes modestly increasing production from 13 to 14 million tonnes per year; this gives flexibility without expanding beyond the current mining areas. If approved, it would directly support an average workforce of about 900 people, mainly locals and peak staffing of around 1,030 during busy times. That means continued stable, well paid work for individuals and families in Gunnedah Basin.
Each year, the mine contributes over $160 million in wages to the workforce, and spends more than $200 million with local suppliers and businesses across the region. As a local, I know how essential that money is to shops, service providers, contractors, cafes, fuel stations, mechanics, and others. Without the mine, many small businesses would struggle.
Another important point is Whitehaven’s record on Indigenous employment. Around 20 percent of the workforce at Maules Creek identifies as Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander, well above the original goal of 10 percent, and significantly boosting participation and livelihoods for local Indigenous people.
Beyond jobs, the project includes landscape rehabilitation plans to establish around 2,300 hectares of new native woodland zones, these go on Whitehaven property adjacent to Leard State Forest and help improve biodiversity values in the region, above and beyond standard offset requirements.
While I understand community concerns about clearing of native vegetation and potential impacts on threatened species, I believe the project strikes a reasonable balance by staying within existing boundaries and supporting a rigorous Environmental Impact Statement process that addresses biodiversity, water, cultural heritage, noise, air quality, social and cumulative impacts
For me, this extension is about sustaining local life, jobs, homes, schools and shops. It means stability through ups and downs, and confidence that people I know and care about can count on steady employment. It means students from local schools can aim for technical and trade training and remain nearby, not forced to move away.
I believe the project delivers long term benefits while managing its impacts responsibly. Extending the mine lease until 2044, within existing land, preserves essential jobs and economic activity in regional NSW. I encourage the planning authorities to approve the proposal and allow our community to continue to benefit.
Thank you for considering my support.
Kind regards
Hashir Siddiqui

I support the project as it brings a lot of money into the community and gives the local people great job opportunities.

I support this