I understand 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.

This huge mine expansion will create 1.5 million tonnes of local greenhouse gas pollution in the next ten years in NSW and over 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 fauna, flora and people of NSW are already suffering the impacts of climate change and adding further greenhouse pollution will cause further unacceptable harm.

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 the Mount Pleasant 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 the people and the economy of New South Wales. The people of New South Wales are already dealing with increasing bills and escalating dangers from climate change–fuelled 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.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on this planned mine expansion. I trust that all the many negative consequences of such expansion will be considered and the proponent's request will be denied.

Sincerely, Fiona Sim

Mount Pleasant will deliver over local 1,000 jobs. There is a have significant amount of local employment in the Hunter, with over 70% of employees living locally. The livelihood of multiple contractors, suppliers, and local businesses rely on supplying operations such as Mount Pleasant. Community investment and sponsorship programs, associated with MACH’s Community Sponsorship Fund, has provided over $2 million in support to local schools, sporting clubs, and community organisations to date.
At a time when other major projects in the Hunter Valley are winding down, Mount Pleasant will deliver over local 1,000 jobs and provide long term certainty for thousands of local families. This project has been subject to significant assessment by a number of experts and was approved several years ago by the IPC. Muswellbrook and the Hunter Valley have had to live with uncertainty for far too long. MOD 8 will provide reassurance to locals who will finally be able to look to the future with confidence.

1.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.
2.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 “[c]ontinued extensions or expansions to coal mining in NSW are not consistent” with NSW climate law nor with the Paris Agreement temperature goals.
3.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 Mount Pleasant Project is an important part of my work.
I originally worked on the project in the mid 1990s and through my current employer, I have advised and assisted Mount Pleasant's current operations for many years.
Mount Pleasant is a key contributor to the local economy.
They should be supported in continuing to operate an efficient and responsible operation.

The project will bring money and people to the area and keep Muswellbrook going. There will be over 1000 jobs make from this project going ahead.

The mine is already here so let it continue to support the regen, families and jobs it already does.

Please see the attached letter for our comments regarding the support for this project.

This huge mine expansion will create 1.5 million tons of local greenhouse gas pollution in the next ten years in NSW and over a 100 million tons 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.

Mt Pleasant supports over 1000 local jobs in the Hunter Valley and plays a significant role in the continuity of a healthy economy in the Valley by supporting a large range of local businesses and suppliers.

I support the Mach Energy Mt Pleasant extension project. My wife and I were born and raised in Singleton with strong family engagement in direct mining employment through out history and have built a career supporting the Upper Hunter Mines for the past 29 years. I have been apart in directly supporting Mach Energy mining since its inception in 2017 and along with most of the other regions major mine sites. I have 1 son and Daughter also living, working and studying in Singleton. My Son is now a 3rd year apprentice at a mine supporting company in the Upper Hunter region and my Daughter is in her Senior High School years. Both of my children play sports locally most notably Rugby League for Singleton and I have been a Singleton Rugby League coach for the past 16 years supporting and engaging with the youth of our region. Mach Energy supports my family's involvement in the community and also enables the profitability to local business (Of which we are employed) be able to sponsor local teams and school of which we benefit. For the 1st time in history our region is starting to feel uncertainty around job security, long term viability and housing value anxiety due to recent mine closure, closure announcements and uncertainty of mine lives with project announcement delays etc. Mt Pleasant mine is one of very few that brings hope for the longer term certainty of our region. Without this extension approval and lack of visible industry shift/training, skills transfer we are all fearful of having to leave the region in seek of short and long term employment and what will become of our region if we leave gaps in the regions industries.