The Independent Planning Commission has approved two State significant development applications for the HVO North and South open cut coal mine continuation projects, imposing a series of conditions relating to greenhouse gas emissions.
Simply put, it means mining operations can continue at HVO North until at least 2045, and HVO South until 2042.
Diving a bit deeper, the approval requires Hunter Valley Operations Pty Ltd to implement measures limiting coal exports to jurisdictions with greenhouse gas policies consistent with the Paris Agreement, maximise the use of renewable energy at the mine, and purchase additional carbon offsets. The application was referred to the Commission by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in June, with a three-member panel considering more than 10,500 written submissions and 129 verbal submissions over a three-day public hearing, along with direct meetings with the applicant, Muswellbrook Shire and Singleton Councils, and several state government agencies and regulators.
In its Statement of Reasons for Decision, the Commission acknowledged that the project’s estimated 809 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from local mining operations and coal combustion overseas would contribute to climate change impacts on the Hunter region, across the state of New South Wales, and globally. The Commission said it weighed these impacts against the significant employment, business, social and economic benefits of the mine’s continuation in reaching its decision.
Under the conditions imposed, the operator must publish a Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Plan within six months, purchase carbon offsets in addition to those required under the Commonwealth Safeguard Mechanism, and take reasonable and feasible measures to maximise renewable energy use within four years of commencement. A Scope 3 Management Plan, limiting coal exports to countries with Paris-aligned climate policies, must be published within three months. The operator must also prepare a Closure Management Plan within 12 months, developed in close consultation with Muswellbrook Shire and Singleton Councils and the local community, setting out how the mine will transition to closure in a way that supports the workforce and community.
The Commission has also imposed conditions to manage biodiversity, water, noise and dust impacts. All documents relating to the assessment and determination can be found on the Commission’s website.
The Government firmly believing the approval strikes the right balance.
“Today’s decision means long-term jobs for the Hunter,” said Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley.
“We are proud to back coal mining and the jobs that support it. Mining has powered our region for generations and commonsense decisions like this one will ensure that contribution can continue.
“We don’t have to choose between the jobs and industries that sustain our economy today and the opportunities we’re building for the future. This decision does both.
“I know many local families will sleep easier tonight knowing this proposal has now cleared a major planning hurdle.”
Worker protections is something the Mining and Energy Union also hit on in a statement.
“This is an enormous relief for HVO workers and their families. They stood up and told the Commission what these jobs mean to them, to local businesses and to towns across the Hunter,” said MEU Northern Mining and NSW Energy District President Robin Williams.
The NSW Minerals Council echoed those thoughts.
“After six long years, the NSW Independent Planning Commission’s decision to grant approval to the Hunter Valley Operations Continuation Project (HVO) is an important step in finally securing certainty for the workforce and the region,” NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said.
“Workers at HVO also still face the uncertainty of a potential ‘lawfare’ legal challenge from climate activists determined to object to every coal mining approval on ideological grounds.”
On the environmental front, climate groups who campaigned throughout the hearings have called the approval a ‘generational failure’.
“We are shaken and shocked by this decision, which will go down in history as an infamous betrayal of the public trust,” said Lock the Gate Alliance National Coordinator Georgina Woods.
“Climate change is already increasing floods and fires in the Hunter, and driving up the cost of living for everyday Australians. It is a deadly threat and the NSW planning system is making it worse.
The Greens part have also weighed in, perplexed as to why a full extension was granted.
“The Net Zero Commission has told the Government plainly that continued coal mine extensions and expansions are inconsistent with our legislated climate targets. The Commission has also warned that approving more coal makes those targets harder to achieve,” Greens MP, Solicitor and Spokesperson for Climate Change and Planning Sue Higginson said.
“I can’t believe the IPC didn’t even follow through with shortening the life of the mine life to avoid some of the greenhouse emissions, it’s an absolute betrayal of the science, the evidence and the voices of our communities who are already suffering the impact of climate change.”
