The future of the state's largest coal mining extension project Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) near Singleton is set to be determined by the Independent Planning Commission.
A joint venture between Glencore and Yancoal the project is hoping to gain approval to extract 716 million tonnes of coal from it joint venture with Yancoal known as HVO North and HVO South continuation projects.
The company has spent a number of years developing the two projects which would extend the life of the mines from 2026 for HVO North until 2045 and from 2030 for HVO South until 2042.
In their applications it states the projects would ensure ongoing employment for 1500 workers and continue to contribute significant fianncial resources to the local economy and to state royalties. Glencore says in 2024 the direct economic contribution from the mines was $1 billion.
A public hearing will be held next month in Branxton on two state significant development applications collectively known as the HVO Continuation Project.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has completed its whole-of-government assessment and referred the applications to the Commission for determination.
Commissioners Simon Smith (Chair), Janett Milligan and Michael Chilcott have been appointed by the Commission Chair to determine the development applications.
The key matters identified in the Department's whole-of-government assessment of the development applications include greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity, water resources, air quality, noise, social, economics, traffic, blasting and vibration, Aboriginal cultural heritage, historic heritage, visual, hazards, rehabilitation and land use.
In what would be a first the department did not recommend approval of the project but rather stated "The Department has not provided an overall recommendation but rather has undertaken a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of the project to inform the IPC as the consent authority and assist it in its need to conclude if the project is in the public interest. Should the IPC determine to approve the project, the Department has provided recommended conditions."
NSW Greens MP and spokesperson for Planning and Climate Sue Higginson said "The Minns Labor Government has allowed this massive and catastrophic project to proceed in the planning system despite publicly and legally committing to emissions reduction targets that will be impossible to reach if this project goes ahead.
"The Minister for Planning has once again guaranteed that the community will not be able to challenge the merits of this dangerous mine expansion through recommending the IPC conduct a 'public hearing', a decision that prevents the merits of a project from being challenged if it's approved.
"We cannot afford any more coal. Every single person in NSW is already paying $20,000/year because of the impacts of climate change, and this project is literally pouring petrol on a house fire."
The Commission has access to all previous written submissions made to the Department, however it is particularly helpful for the Commission to also hear the community's views on the Department's Assessment Report and recommended conditions, which can be found on the Commission's website.
The community is invited to make verbal submissions to the Panel by speaking at a public hearing on the project to be held at the Branxton Community Hall on Thursday July 16 and Friday July 17 , commencing at10:00AM (AEST)on both days. Speakers at the public hearing must pre-register on the Commission's website using the Speaker Registration Form. The deadline for speaker registrations is 12:00PM noon (AEST) on Wednesday July 8.
The Commission is also inviting the public to make written submissions via the Make a Submission portal on the Commission's website by 11:59PM (AEST) on Sunday July 26. Please note, submissions can only be lodged via the portal and are no longer accepted via email.
