HVO has been an operating Mine for many decades providing local employment, enhancing the local and state economies, doing business locally and been very active and supportive with regards community sponsorship and donations. The Mine has co existed with other business, the environment, the community and remains compliant with it's obligations under the consent conditions and associated management plans. Like other similar operations, HVO is a major contributor to royalty payments in the state of NSW helping boost government revenue which in turn supports critical state infrastructure. I fully support the continuation of mining at HVO as this in turn supports local jobs and the advancement of our area more broadly.

My family and my community need this continuation of mining coal to go ahead.
Hunter valley operations work very hard and successfully mine with minimal impact on those in the community. They monitor noise, and dust vigorously. They support community business's, projects and sport teams. Most importantly Hunter Valley Operations makes this State revenue for important projects. The infrastructure is here, we must use it wisely for our future, it would be irresponsible and a terrible waste of the resources that already exist.

I support the continuation project of HVO.

HVO supports the local community and provides direct employment for more than 1500 people. HVO contributes royalties and taxes to NSW and Australia vital for providing services.
The HVO extension project does not present any major changes to the scale or intensity of mining, or the planned annual production.
The project provides for long needed local infrastructure, such as the crossing of the Hunter River at Moses Crossing.
Through my employment as Regional Manager - NSW for Xenith Consulting, I am proud to support the HVO Project. HVO is an important client and we are privileged to support them in mining efficiently, safely and in an environmentally responsible manner.

The project wholly ignores the downstream consequences of fossil fuel emissions and climate change. Despite the extracted material not being used in Australia, it undermines Australian goals of emissions reduction by contributing to emissions elsewhere. The eventual emissions of this project is profound, amounting to 7 times the annual emissions of New Sourh Wales. Furthermore, it directly ignores court precedent that the environmental impacts of a project of this nature must assess the enormous environmental implications of such mining, of which the HVO has clearly not.

As a young citizen of Australia I oppose the extension and expansion of the HVO North and South Coal mine, located in my home state NSW. I oppose this project because of the negative environmental impact coal has on the surrounding region and the global climate. Expanding a coal mine in 2025 when we have other energy sources readily available is irresponsible and must be reconsidered. The long term cost of digging up more coal and burning it and releasing further emissions into our atmosphere is astronomical. The coal mining companies that profit off this destruction must be made to be responsible for their environmental impact. Severe weather that results from climate change is a threat to our way of living, our food systems, our water and our housing. The science has been clear for decades and the recently released "State of Climate Report" developed by the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO clearly states, "Global fossil fuel CO2 emissions, the principal driver of the growth in CO2 concentrations, are continuing to increase." The report contains many concerning weather and climate impacts that Australians will be faced with in the near future if we do not stop reduce our emissions. This is very much a global issue, however, Australians are likely to face a heightened impact of climate change if we do not cut our emissions. The environmental impact of adding more coal emissions to our atmosphere is dire. As per the report, "The world’s oceans, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, have taken up more than 90% of the extra energy stored by the planet (as heat) arising from enhanced greenhouse gas concentrations". The CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere by coal are contributing to the heating of the our Oceans, with our nation being surrounded by oceans, we are directly under the threat of more severe weather, as well as the destruction of oceanic habitats that support our food system and surrounding eco-systems. We must move to renewable energy and support a global move away from fossil fuels that are threatening our way of life and the future of our children and environment. We can lead the way and we can do so by stopping the expansion of coal mines in our own backyard. The people in power making decisions now are making decisions that have so much more at stake then ever before. Decisions must be made with a view of what the future looks like, because right now we are not doing enough to make the world a better place for our future. When making this decision, I ask you to look at the children and the future of our great country and and say that you have done everything you could to give them a safe future, with a stable food systems, clean air and a livable planet, because approving new coal mine expansions does not give them that.

HVO supports the town of Singleton in many ways. They employee many residents in this location and support commercial/industrial business too. Losing one of, if not the biggest mine in the area will be detrimental to the area.
In this current financial climate we can't afford to starve the Hunter Valley of the financial benefits they provide to the people, businesses, charities and government. They are not asking for a Golden Ticket to mine until the end of time, they are requesting more time to continue what they are doing as we slowly transition away from coal. This is important as will give employees time to find new jobs and time for the government to put alternative energy projects into place.

I object to the proposed expansion of HVO North and South.
HVO project is still the biggest expansion ever proposed in NSW
Although it is scaled down from the initial proposal, this proposed expansion is still massive in terms of the quantity of coal proposed to be extracted: 429 million tonnes.
When this coal is burnt it will contribute to total carbon emissions well beyond the direct emissions of methane and carbon dioxide produced during the extraction process, and by vehicles and power servicing the mine. Taking into account all emissions, it would contribute 803 million tonnes CO2-e over its lifecycle.
Coal campaigning organisation Lock the Gate has calculated this is seven times the total annual emissions from all sources in New South Wales.
Coal mine expansion is not compatible with NSW regulations and law
The Net Zero Future Act set targets to reduce the state's emissions by 50% by 2030 and 70% by 2035. The NSW Large Emitters Guide says that the coal mining industry, like other sectors, should be on the same trajectory to reduce emissions.
The only document with which an extended mine might be compatible is the Strategic Statement on Coal – and that, written over 5 years ago under the previous NSW Government, is in the process of an overdue review, so should not be allowed to decide policy at this point in time.
The expansion of HVO North and South will result in very significant emissions increases - Compared to the current mines (figures for FY 2024) methane emissions would actually double. If this expansion goes ahead, not until 2042 are emissions predicted to decrease from levels higher than they are now. This expansion is, therefore, in direct violation of the targets set by the Net Zero Future Act.
The recent Climate Risk Assessment predicts dire consequences of climate change
NSW is one of the states (in the sense of governed entities) most likely to be severely affected by climate change, so it is in our particular interest to limit global warming.
To be extending a coal mine approval to operate until 2045 is totally inappropriate.
Coal mine expansion is not compatible with NSW regulations and law

The Net Zero Future Act set targets to reduce the state's emissions by 50% by 2030 and 70% by 2035. The NSW Large Emitters Guide says that the coal mining industry, like other sectors, should be on the same trajectory to reduce emissions.

The expansion of HVO North and South will result in very significant emissions increases - Compared to the current mines (figures for FY 2024) methane emissions would actually double. If this expansion goes ahead, not until 2042 are emissions predicted to decrease from levels higher than they are now. This expansion is, therefore, in direct violation of the targets set by the Net Zero Future Act.
This week's Climate Risk Assessment predicts dire consequences of climate change

NSW is one of the states (in the sense of governed entities) most likely to be severely affected by climate change, so it is in our particular interest to limit global warming.

To be extending a coal mine approval to operate until 2045 is totally inappropriate. Every fraction of a degree of global warming spells a step towards disaster for life on this planet - and to be allowing further expansion of our export coal industry is putting our heads in the sand.

The NSW Planning Department should instead be considering projects which can have a positive impact on the community, on our environment and our future. Simply continuing to support a polluting industry is not in the interests even of the local Hunter Valley community, let alone other residents of NSW.

Coal mine expansion is not compatible with NSW regulations and law

The Net Zero Future Act set targets to reduce the state's emissions by 50% by 2030 and 70% by 2035. The NSW Large Emitters Guide says that the coal mining industry, like other sectors, should be on the same trajectory to reduce emissions.

The expansion of HVO North and South will result in very significant emissions increases - Compared to the current mines (figures for FY 2024) methane emissions would actually double. If this expansion goes ahead, not until 2042 are emissions predicted to decrease from levels higher than they are now. This expansion is, therefore, in direct violation of the targets set by the Net Zero Future Act.
This week's Climate Risk Assessment predicts dire consequences of climate change

NSW is one of the states (in the sense of governed entities) most likely to be severely affected by climate change, so it is in our particular interest to limit global warming.

The NSW Planning Department should instead be considering projects which can have a positive impact on the community, on our environment and our future. Simply continuing to support a polluting industry is not in the interests even of the local Hunter Valley community, let alone other residents of NSW.

I fully support the HVO Continuation Project, as it is critical to sustaining jobs and economic growth in the Hunter region and contributes significantly to the broader NSW economy through royalties and local business opportunities. The project also plays an essential role in ensuring the ongoing supply of affordable and reliable energy, which will be increasingly important post-2030 as many other operations wind down and demand for dependable baseload power remains.

I work at HVO.
I live in Muswellbrook.
I have lived here for 21 years.
I have worked at HVO for 15 years.
I do not wander in and out. I spend my money locally.
I own my home and pay rates.
I support local sporting clubs, schools and charities.
I shop locally where I can.
My children attend local preschools.
My family depends on the mine, the food on our plates, the clothes on our backs, the roof over our head are reliant on these jobs.
All the local townships are reliant on mining. Singleton Muswellbrook, Denman, Aberdeen, scone.
Without long life mines more than half the local businesses wouldn’t survive. Once the money leaves, the town will die.