After discharging from the ADF at the start of this year, working at HVO has given me the opportunity to settle my family in the Hunter Valley and start to integrate into a community. I've highly enjoyed working at HVO so far and hope to work here until the end of mine life.

I support the employees at HVO and continuation of HVO Mining Project.

Submission in Support of HVO North

I am writing to show my support for the continuation of coal mining at HVO North. For me, this isn’t just about a mine, it’s about people, families, and the wider Hunter Valley community.

Jobs and Local Livelihoods

HVO North provides work for around 1,500 people directly, and many more through contractors and associated businesses. These are real people — neighbours, friends, and family — who rely on the mine to support their households. If the mine was to shut down or not be approved, it would mean job losses on a massive scale, and the impact would be felt right across the region.

The mine doesn’t just support those who work on site. Local businesses — from mechanics, fuel suppliers, and transport companies through to cafes, shops, and sporting clubs — all benefit from the wages and spending that come from HVO South. Without the mine, many of these small businesses would struggle to survive, and the whole community would feel the loss.

HVO has always been more than just an employer. It supports community programs, charities, and local initiatives that make a real difference in the Hunter. These contributions add to the strength of our region and would disappear if the mine were not allowed to continue.

As someone who lives in the Hunter, I see firsthand how important HVO north is to keeping our community strong. Approving its continuation is not just about coal — it’s about protecting families, supporting small businesses, and keeping opportunities alive for the next generation.

For all of these reasons, I strongly support the continuation of coal mining at HVO North. It’s vital for our community, our local economy, and the livelihoods of thousands of people.

Sir / Madam,
The continuation of Hunter Valley Operations mine is important to my family which includes three children, two who are at school and the youngest is 2.5 years of age.
My salaried employment from Hunter Valley Operations facilitates me to provide a good standard of living and education for my children which I hope to be able to maintain following graduation from The University of Newcastle in 2009. While there is an ongoing focus on environmental impacts there does need to be the right balance struck between economic, social and environmental impacts, which I believe the submission from Hunter Valley Operations JV clearly articulates. Hunter Valley Operations contributes tens of millions each year through royalty payments to the State Government; provides a significant regional contribution through jobs and expenditures on good & supplies; and make direct community contributions to many local bodies including local children sports clubs.
Recently, Hunter Valley Operations provided children’s toys and Christmas hampers to Singleton, Muswellbrook and Dubbo community outreach programs. Hunter Valley Operations continuing local charity and community support through our Workplace Giving, sponsorship and community grants program is a credit to our operation.
The energy needs of developing Asia are enormous, the improvement of which comes from cost competitive and reliable base load electricity. Secondly, infrastructure development, requiring steel and cement is contingent upon the supply of raw materials, thermal and semi soft coal being a primary input. As a Mechanical Engineer, I am fortunate to have a technical understanding of
manufacturing, construction and maintenance of infrastructure throughout its life cycle.
Modern cities would not function without steel, cement, aluminium, glass and of course synchronous power. Coal, gas, nuclear and hydroelectric power plants are capable of supplying synchronous power which modern devices require (air-conditioners, fridges, lighting circuits etc.).
Glencore who manages Hunter Valley Operations sets very high standards for safety and environmental management, for example, real time monitoring of noise and dust which trigger immediate alarms should conditions be approached. The arguments around health impacts can be quite emotive and it is important that the facts be established particularly through NSW Health and other expert bodies. It is my understanding that air quality in the Hunter Valley is in fact better that Western Sydney. Mineworkers at Hunter Valley Operations are monitored for exposure through Coal Services, exceedances are exceptionally rare and well managed, in which I play a part.
Greenhouse emissions are a global issue with Nations participating through Kyoto and Paris agreement commitments. These should not be targeted at individual mines, whereby our high-quality coal can be blended at international import terminals for which Glencore or YanCoal has no control. The revised submission from Hunter Valley Operations includes a significant reduction in potential emissions by not mining through a high methane gas domain. This is a responsible approach and provided a significant net reduction to modelled GHG emission.
I believe the Hunter Valley Operations Environmental Impact Statement is very robust and like other recent mining developments is an iteration on best practice. Hunter Valley Operations continued operations would utilise existing infrastructure in place to process and load product coal onto rail infrastructure. This in my opinion is an efficient use of installed infrastructure and maintains
employment of over 1500 employees and specialist contracts that support all facets of coal production and processing.

I support the proposal, for myself currently working at HVO and for the future of the Hunter valley it will be a knock on effect to all small businesses around the area as it employs 1500 direct and contract workers. Keeping the economy alive in the area.

Continuation of this mine site is needed to support the livelihood and the economy of the hunter and beyond’s
1000’s of families will be negatively effected

Jobs for the Hunter.

The world needs coal. It’s that simple.

I support this project.
I have been fortunate to experience and witness the planning and execution of this type of project. I in particular am impressed with HVO's attention to detail and compliance around environmental consent. I can see firsthand the systems and resourcing in place to ensure the project is executed as per the EIS commitments and the operation is manned to comply to community expectations moving forward.

My submission is attached.