BY SARAH BOTRILL
The future of one of the Hunter’s largest coal mines is now in the hands of the Independent Planning Commission (IPC), with supporters and opposition presenting arguments this week over the proposed Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) Continuation Project.
The project, jointly owned by Yancoal and Glencore, would extend the life of the existing open-cut operation near Singleton to 2045 at its northern site, and 2042 at HVO South.
The NSW Department of
Planning referred the project to the IPC after receiving more than 50
objections.
Supporters argue that the extension is crucial
for protecting jobs and regional communities, while environmental groups
contend it would undermine New South Wales’ legislated climate
targets.
Mining and Energy Union (MEU) Northern District
President Robin Williams said the mine is one of the Hunter's final chances to remain a float while heading into the renewable energy transition.
"We're supporting the expansion of the
Hunter Valley Operations mine… It's about protecting 1,500 direct jobs at that
mine," Mr Williams said.
"Then there's a large group of supporting contractors, suppliers.
"Thousands of families will be impacted if this extension doesn't go ahead for that mine.
"We need this operation to continue so that we can have some form of rational transition from where we are today to where we might need to be in the future."
Environmental advocacy group Lock the Gate Alliance urged
the Commission to reject the proposal, arguing the project is incompatible with
the state's climate commitments.
NSW Coordinator Nic Clyde said climate change
was already affecting communities and that extending coal mining would increase
greenhouse gas emissions.
"It's very clear that we need to transition
away from coal mining and that our entire planet and our community are
suffering as a result of unmitigated climate change," Mr Clyde
said.
Mr Clyde said the Hunter's economy was already
beginning to diversify through industries such as green steel manufacturing,
pumped hydro energy storage and train manufacturing.
"The challenge ahead is to plan for the future, look after workers and have an orderly closure of these mines as coal demand inevitably reduces," he said.
The Department of Planning has identified key issues including
greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity, water resources, air quality, noise,
social and economic impacts, Aboriginal cultural heritage and mine
rehabilitation.
The Independent Planning Commission will
consider evidence presented during the hearings, along with written submissions
from the public, before making its determination later this year.
