Dear Review Panel
I would like to express my support for this project.
HVO, along with all the coal producers within NSW provide extensive employment for their respective regions, and the ongoing financial benefits for the wider community must not be underestimated. I myself work for an organization which is mainly centered around mineral resources as core business. We employ over 300 people Australia wide, and it is an employee owned business. To lose a customer like HVO would certainly have an effect on our group.
We employ locals, from 20 years old to in their 50s. They spend their money locally.
We buy vehicles locally.
We get them serviced locally.
We have local admin staff, all of whom have young families. They spend their money locally.
We employ local cleaners.
We buy all our consumables locally.
We lease a facility in Singleton, which is owned by a local.
I am not getting into the pros and cons as to whether coal is bad or not, but it does have a place within our energy mix, and in particular base load. And you must also bear in mind the huge portion it has on our balance of payments. Ask yourselves, without mineral exports, where would we be now, particularly as local export manufacturing has all but dried up, and especially during the Covid period.
Best Wishes

I object to the HVO Continuation project in all its forms. Regardless of what anyone wants, the world is transitioning away from fossil fuels. This transition, as we have seen, will be driven by global political motives initially, and is therefore very likely to be chaotic, disorganised, and not efficient in anyway. Meaning global politicians will invariably go after the easiest target, being coal and gas. Transitioning away from crude oil extraction is likely to be much harder given the global reliance on oil supply chains, OPEC/OPEC+ political influence, not to mention all the oil derived plastic products the renewable "revolution" will rely on. The result will be the chaotic disorganised legislation against coal producers and supply chains.
Regardless of what anyone thinks about this scenario, it remains a existential risk to the industry. It therefore makes zero long term financial, political, or socioeconomic sense to embark on another 50+ years of economic activity (prime production and site remediation) extending the life of any coal mine, let alone HVO.
I work at HVO, so believe me when I say this opinion isn't based in some tree hugging personal bias.
The Hunter needs to begin the deliberate de-leveraging from coal assets. There will never be a good time to do this, only worse times, the longer we delay.

I would like to support the mine future. It is corner stone of the community and provides a multitude of the employment opportunities.

Further the life of the mine to keep my job for the future

Jobs and prosperity for the Hunter region.
Cash flow into our government via international coal sales and employee income tax.

Hvo north pit creates thousands of jobs around the Hunter from the operators and maintenance personnel to the cafe worker making there coffee in the morning.
They give kids the opportunity of apprenticeship that really set them up for life.

With the closure of the power stations and Mt Arthur Coal in the Hunter Valley, i believe this project is critical to keeping our local employment numbers higher, plus with the transition to renewable energy we will still need this commodity for years to come

HVO mine employees 1000's of people both directly and indirectly. They are an outstanding Member of the Hunter Valley community, and they are an integral part of the region's strong future.

I have been working in the mining industry for some 20 years.
I have lived in and supported a community that was opposed to the extension of MTW due to untruths being spread about the likely demise of the village.
I have watched as that community has grown and developed due to the mine's contributions and support for the village and surrounding areas.
I have watched very proudly as the mining industry has worked to develop new methods of attenuation for the equipment they use and work closely with communities to address any issues the community have.
During the period of MTW's extension application I dealt with the environment and community team of MTW and was impressed with the swift responce to any concerns.
I work at HVO I shop locally and support local community charities and businesses.
I strongly believe HVO can safely and sympathetically operate for the period of the extension without having a horrendous impact as some would make you believe on the community but have a very positive impact through jobs, not only at HVO but in the supporting businesses that assist HVO to operate in the community minded manner we have for so long.
I am a very proud miner and very proud of the operation I work at and our ability to support the surrounding communities and businesses.
Please take this submission into consideration in a positive manner and give the approval for HVO North.
Thank you,
Kind regards,
Stephen Williamson

HVO not only supports my family with my husband being a direct employee but also hundreds of other family’s within the Hunter valley. Not to mention the indirect support on all the local communities within the region. I believe this project should go forward. HVO do a great job to mine coal sustainably and safely with all neighbouring communities in mind.