HVO North Open Cut Coal Continuation Project

I wish to record my support for the HVO North Open Cut Coal Continuation Project.
I have worked in the Hunter Valley Coal Mining Industry for the past 37 years and continue to work in the industry.
I have seen many changes during this time, I realize the world is changing and we have to change with it.
I see the current situation as a real opportunity for the Hunter Valley and Australia if we can take advantage of demand and price for our coal assets to transition to other types of industry and commerce.
To cancel this project would be a major blow to the Hunter Valley and Australian economy we need a Transition Plan funded by such developments as the HVO North Open Cut Coal Continuation Project to make sure we can keep our economy strong.
Also the Project produces a portion of semi-soft coking coal which is required for steel making. In high demand and not used as a fossil fuel.

Submission of objection attached

see attachment

The project will employ many local people from the community. HVO engages the services of many local suppliers who would be dependant on the project for their livelihood.

I support this project as it will provide employment for many people in and around the area.

I object to the HVO North and South Continuation Project.

Thank you for taking the time to read my submission. There are many issues with this project, however, I will focus on climate impacts.

This project would be responsible for 1.2 billion tonnes of total carbon emissions and is the single largest new coal project proposed in NSW since the Paris Agreement. This comes at a time when we need to be urgently making deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Indeed, HVO is seeking permission to double annual Scope 1 GHG emissions (mainly fugitive methane and diesel emissions released during mining) from the 0.56 Mt CO2-e reported in their 2021 Annual Environmental Review to an average of 1.19 Mt CO2-e for the next 27 years.

HVO is seeking approval to double its own direct GHG emissions at a time when the NSW Government’s policy is to reduce GHG emissions by 70% by 2035.

This Project seeks approval to more than triple Scope 1 fugitive methane emissions from 182,625t CO2-e projected for 2023 to 590,284 t CO2-e in 2030. The Global Methane Pledge (to which Australia is a signatory) requires at least a
30% cut in methane emissions globally by 2030.

Instead of electrifying their mining fleet to eliminate diesel emissions, Yancoal and Glencore are applying to steadily increase their diesel emissions. This Project seeks approval to increase it’s Scope 1 diesel emissions by 43% from 414,245t CO2-e in 2023 to 592,462 t CO2-e in 2035.

It is clear that the HVO Continuation Project will make significant contributions to greenhouse gas emissions, directly undermining government and community efforts to reduce emissions and avoid catastrophic climate change. On this basis alone the Project should be refused.

I support the project

A Plus Contracting and Poly Welding is a small locally based organisation with 50 employees working across the mining and power industries in the Hunter Valley. We have enjoyed a strong relationship providing maintenance and support services to Hunter Valley Operations for over 15 years, specialising in poly welding and civil maintenance contracts and major projects. Currently we have twelve employees working across various contracts, projects and also providing maintenance support for the CHPP, mining operations and expansion projects. We are also currently in negotiations to expand these support services and contracts with the potential of having over 40 full time workers at HVO alone within the next six months.
The future of A Plus Contracting and our workers relies heavily on the coal industry and particularly with the future of HVO. In the last 12 months we have invested $1.8M on new machinery for HVO alone and the prospect of future contracts will see another large investment in recruiting local labour and machinery. The services we provide to HVO are complemented by partnerships from many upstream subcontractors and suppliers involved with sustainable work practices and continuity for our ongoing relationship with HVO. A Plus Contracting, our employees and suppliers are therefore strongly in support of the approvals for the continuity of HVO.

I am an employee of Glencore and have worked on the Hunter Valley Operations Project, these words are my own and my opinion only.
Approval of this project will see continued employment for myself and enable me to support my family, including two children. I have been living in Aberglasslyn for the past 4 years though was living in Muswellbrook for the eight years prior. I have seen the impact of mine closures on Muswellbrook and the shock sent through the community first-hand as not only mine employees lose their jobs, but service industries supporting the mine also collapse.
This occurred with Drayton when Drayton South was not approved and would occur again with this Project if not approved.
I strongly believe that this project makes sense to approve, any transition away from coal is going to take some time and coal is still required worldwide. As surrounding mines gradually deplete their reserves and approach end of life this coal will have to come from somewhere.
It makes sense that it is obtained from a brownfield continuation, in an area surrounded by mines where the incremental environmental impact is small (like this project) rather than opening up a greenfield mine in a new area such as Bylong where the incremental impact is much larger.
As a resident of the Hunter Valley I am acutely aware of the role mining has played in our prosperity and I believe that any transition away from coal must be a gradual and just transition. To turn off mining immediately will not suit the global requirement for energy and would result in a severe impact on my community. Approval of this project enables a more fluid and seamless transition as it will partially offset production from other mines as they reach end of life and will continue to offer employment options for residents.

We recommend rejection of this continuation for the following reasons, explained in detail in the attached document
- Extending any coal mine is incompatible with the urgent need to avoid worsening the climate crisis
- Emissions impact of this Project is highly significant, especially due to its methane emissions
- Proponents are not “fit and proper”
- The net benefit to NSW has been overstated
- Project’s greenhouse gas totals will significantly harm Australia’s environment

I support the project

I write this in support of the HVO North Open Cut Continuation Project which would in turn ensure continuity of employment for a substantial amount of people in addition to continuity of employment for numerous businesses that provide support to the mine. We must continue to mine coal whist we look for sustainable options for power generation, steel making and revenue for the state and national governments. This mine provides employment for a member of my family, and like many families that are employed by this mine, income earned from this mine is spent with local businesses, so the entire community benefits from the continuity of this mine.

Approval of the HVO project will give a future to workers and their families.
This approval will affect 1000's of families and businesses, l would like this to be a positive for those families and businesses and for this to be the case, approval of this Project and Mine expansion must be made.

I work there ide like to keep my job please

i support this project

I am writing this submission in support of the HVO Continuation Project. I am currently employed by HVO for a period of 5 years as a Production Manager. My experience at HVO has been very positive with a large work force that is committed to safety and environment and community. These values demonstrated by the work force every day in the way they conduct themselves and the positive results shown. HVO supports myself and my family allowing us to have opportunities that would not have been available to them without my employment at HVO. Both of my children work in the coal industry as well with my son being a heavy equipment mechanic and my daughter an operator. HVO has a great reputation with our local community as a good neighbour and local supporter of schools and other community projects. HVO currently has 4 trucks allocated to local charities with a yearly contribution made which is greatly apricated. HVO has employed a large number of new to industry trainees and apprentices ensuring jobs for residents in and around the local area ensuring the future of our local community. This project is very important to myself my family, local, state and federal government with opportunity of jobs and royalties to keep our country advancing.

HVO is a well established and well run site. The continuation of it is vital for the area.

HVO provides significant employment and opportunity for thousands of Hunter Valley employees. It provides high paying work, and delivers training in skills that are transferable to a broad group of industries. They are a great supporter of local businesses, community groups and charities. I had the privilege of being part of HVO for the last 2-years. In that period, I was able to recognize employees that have worked at the site for well over 40 -years. Many of the employees are generational employees, which means that jobs and families have been able to remain in the area , supporting local schools, businesses and sporting groups. I support the project, the people and the local community.

This submission is to provide my support for the Continuation Project at HVO North. The expansion will allow for the continued employment of many local personnel in the Hunter Valley area and also will provide continued income for many local Hunter Businesses. There will be minimal impact relative to current impacts for the operations as of today.

Provides steady employment for the Hunter Valley and local communities