I am a Muswellbrook resident and i have no problem with the mine as it hires local people and contractors, and supports local business.

I have resided in the Hunter Valley for almost 30 years & the whole time been engaged in mining & mining support employment. I am a Grandfather to 3 children with 1 more soon to arrive, all my children & their children also live in the Hunter Valley. I make the last comment based on the fact that I believe in a sustainable future & healthy environment for my children & grandchildren first & foremost but also the ability to obtain work . In considering my response its important to understand that whilst I'm employed & work in Mining Support, the future for all Australians but in particular my community & family are very important to me especially as I age.
MACH Energy have clearly demonstrated to me the genuine intent to run a world class operation by their positive & pro-active actions, community connection & engagement. Some of the areas they participate & in particular indigenous youth & adult support & education programmes are ahead of the game, an example to other large entities to follow suit. Their clear & transparent approach to mining operations & for me in particular the environmental management plans are positive & real in sustainable long term operations. The requirement to operate in 2021 requires robust & achievable environmental management plans & I have no doubt in which the seriousness & required resources (from all stakeholders) will in fact be achieved.
Whilst the world wide current discussions on renewables are a high focus point, removing political & incorrect facts, Coal remains an absolute essential resource for many years to come. Australia has the best quality & cleanest burning coal & with clean burn technologies utilised remains a viable & necessary raw material. MPO currently & if approved for the optimisation project will continue to employ hundreds of locals directly & indirectly which by & large is money spent locally in the community & other non mining small businesses keeping the community going as well as providing income for the government through royalties.
I'm endorsing the optimisation project openly & would be more than happy to discuss if required in more detail my submission. I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the process.

I am in support of the continuation of the Mt Pleasant MachEnergy Project for a number of reasons..As good corporate citizens,they play a large role in the support and continuation of much needed social programs and sponsorships... My relationship with the management and staff at MachEnergy has always been professional and enjoyable and as the owners of multiple local Indigenous businesses i have been impressed with their dedication to the Indigenous cause in particular to our local inmate works program..In my experience i have seen first hand how seriously they take their environmental responsibilities and have no doubt this will continue once the approval is granted for continuation...Please feel free to contact me on any of the contact details provided,
Regards,
Glen FInnan

If they stay open it support local jobs and business

To Whom it May Concern,

I, Steven Fordham, am the founder and Managing Director of Blackrock Industries (a 100% Indigenous-owned business) and I am writing this letter of support to highlight the invaluable work Mach Energy are doing within the social inclusion space that often may go unnoticed. We feel it needs to be highlighted and celebrated as they have made a real difference to our business and our Community.

As a proud Kamilaroi man, I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to help our mob, to help families grow together and not fracture and fall apart, which is part of the systemic problems we face in our community today. This is where I have created the Second Chance for Change Program, which works with incarcerated Indigenous men, to help them rehabilitate through training, skills and education. To date we have rehabilitated 65 men and have provided countless other opportunities for Aboriginal people to seek employment.

This achievement is impossible to do alone. We can only achieve this amazing result through help from our bigger brothers, and I can whole-heartedly recommend and shine light on Mach Energy and what they have done to truly help create change.

I have engaged with many large corporate companies to seek assistance and have been disappointed through many meetings which resulted in no outcome. My experience with Mach Energy, is that they have lived up to their values and have assisted Blackrock to grow into one of the larger Indigenous businesses in the Hunter Valley, which, in turn helps the Second Chance for Change Program succeed in making a real difference. Mach Energy have done this often without seeking public recognition.

The team at Blackrock Industries can speak very highly of Mach Energy and our contact, Ngaire Baker and Richard Baily . But, I can also say that my contemporaries in the Indigenous space would also share the same feelings of inclusion and support that we have all gained from our relationship with Mach Energy.

It’s not often you see a company take a chance on a young 25 year old with nothing but $20,000 a tipper truck and a dream, but Mach Energy did. They say our people come from the dream time, but Mach Energy made my dream happen, through the support and belief and optimism in giving us a chance. They did not see the RISK, rather they only saw the reward in helping create a better future.

To date, through the ACDF fund, Mach Energy has put over $4 million into the Aboriginal Community with a focus on health; economic development; cultural and community development and education and also with a further commitment of $670,000 each year on top of the $4 million they have already spent. This is unbelievable but even more, they have given our mob a voice on how the money should be spent through having an amazing group of Aboriginal people that run the fund. This is the way it should be, to have our people not be told what’s good for them all the time, but with Mach Energy, they let us create our own destiny.

By letting this extension go ahead, you will support over 320 people employed on the project and their families, help continue their employment with most of their wages going back into the community that is used to buy things like a pie on the way to work, a loaf of bread on the way home, or even pay for a little girl to get dancing lessons a little boy to get his Ram’s team jersey, and to help a mum and dad put food on the table. This is the stability of having a job at Mach Energy.

This project is vital for not only the large businesses but the mum and dad business that started in their sheds at home with nothing but an idea and a chance and the willingness to have a go. Through the support of Mines like Mach energy these businesses have an actual chance a succeeding in their ambitions. If Mach Energy does not get this approval, it will not only affect these 320 people that would lose their jobs, it would affect 320 families and local business and our local community that rely on this income.

In 2016, when Drayton Coal Mine’s application for extension was rejected, our whole community felt this blow. Not only did it affect people’s jobs, but it affected people’s lives; people that have been living here for 3-4 generations were moving away from the area to look for work, and leaving an area they called home. Businesses that relied on that income had to shut down and their dreams of owning a business, destroyed. But, luckily we had Mach Energy open and this helped give our community a chance to rebuild and thrive and I hope never to see a day like this again.

Over the past five years, it’s been the hardest time to be in business, but in rural Australia, you have to be tough but you also have to have the support of your community and be there to support them through the hard times too. Bush fires and droughts are a common part of life living in rural Australia, but with COVID-19 this has affected not only Muswellbrook but all of Australia and provides much uncertainty to what the future holds. By approving this project you give a community hope and security in a very uncertain time.

Should you wish to support Mach Energy in their bid for this extension, I would have the utmost confidence in knowing they will fulfil their pledge to help support the local businesses in the Muswellbrook area. They will increase social inclusion and create a better future for our local community.

Please do not hesitate to contact me directly should you wish to discuss this further.

Thanks

Steve

As a resident of Muswellbrook I am thankful for the contribution to both the business and general community made by MACH Energy Mount Pleasant Operation. Not only has their operation increased the opportunity for employment for a wide section of the community, their everyday transactions with the petrol station, newsagent, real estate agent, coffee shop means they are creating opportunities for many people and enabling them to stay in Muswellbrook. Their support of the Aboriginal community and the current and ex-inmates at St Heliers Correctional Centre is to be commended. This is an amazing program and it changes peoples lives. Without MACH Energy these programs would not exist. MACH also support my children's school and sporting club, they don't ask for a pat on the back or publicity like other mines. Muswellbrook needs this mine to continue to ensure the long term future for so many. Thank you.

Mount Pleasant is community and environmentally focused, I believe it is an asset to the community, it supports the local and surrounding communities, people and families, it offers direct and contractor employment, additional training and education, traineeships, development programs and many more opportunities, it’s rehabilitation program is second to none, The Mount Pleasant Project brings with it many secure jobs and opportunities for the future of our town, families and friends.

This extension of this project brings certainty in local operational jobs, growth in local economy and additional royalties to NSW.
Natural mine landform design is also being incorporated into the mine planning to achieve high standard rehabilitation.

This project is essential to develop Australian economic and to maintain the employment of the local residents.

I am a supporter of Mount Pleasant. It already offers employment for a lot of locals in the Hunter Valley, going forward, these number will only increase. With these numbers increasing, so will the economic growth of our local towns and shops. Not only will there be more jobs, but job security would be a massive thing for the employees that already work there, and new employees to the project. The rehabilitated area is already looking good from Muswellbrook, and is only going to get better going forward.