Hunter Community Environment Centre

11/05/2026

Massive day in High Court this week for Muswellbrook locals who have successfully challenged the Mt Pleasant coal mine expansion in the High Court of Australia over the impacts of coal pollution we're facing right here in the Hunter, and communities everywhere are exposed to.

We wish Wendy, Tony and the team all the success, and will be staying tuned about the High Court's final decision which will effect decisions yet to come on another 17 coal mine expansion proposals across NSW....

https://www.nbnnews.com.au/2026/05/08/upper-hunter-locals-taking-climate-change-to-high-court/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRuEHdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFONVMxQlNrZEdxckVnQ0Foc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjlYfaW3GZJCZfp7_v393gR4SJ0OE1T3GxyRyLXeNXWmeGZHOCe6_802x2lw_aem_y54IaUx-rp4BsWxRuNV5Hg

The highest court in the land will hear its first climate change litigation case next week. An Upper

11/05/2026

Just as mining giant Glencore advocates for its Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) to be extended until 2045 down in Canberra the High Court will be reviewing the future of Mount Pleasant coal mine near Muswellbrook.
https://www.singletonargus.com.au/story/9240993/high-court-reviews-climate-case-future-of-nsw-coal-hangs-in-balance/

04/05/2026

Gary Blaschke of the Central Coast has been speaking out since 2020 about his concern, and his conviction about the contribution of coal-fired power station pollution to his cancer diagnosis.

These are deeply held concerns shared by local community organisations including Future Sooner and the Coal-ash Community Alliance.

The World Health Organisation attributes an estimated 6.7 million mortalities a year to fossil fuel pollution. This is not counting the impacts of climate change, just the health impacts of locally emitted pollutants from power stations and mines.

29/04/2026

Community on the Central Coast keeping the scrutiny up to one of the biggest industrial polluters left on Lake Macquarie, Delta's Vales Point power station, found guilty of the mass fish kill of 2022 and numerous breaches of water and air quality limits. This is the cost of coal locals live with and are speaking out against.

The EPA must ensure that Delta contributes additional funding to restoring the lake and its decades of impacts upon its scheduled closure.

Environmental and community groups have called for the maximum penalties to be imposed over Lake Macquarie fish kill.

15/04/2026

This is what the coal industry newsletters won't tell you: coal transported via the rail is expected to drop by 40% by the mid 2030's!

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) — which operates the Hunter Valley coal chain — forecasts contracted coal volumes on the network will fall by around 40% from 2023 levels by 2034.

Lower coal volumes across the Hunter Valley coal chain are expected to push up terminal and port charges for remaining producers, making some mines planning to operate beyond 2035 (like the expanded HVO, Moolarben and the contested Mt Pleasant coal mines) less profitable, which may further reduce volumes and increase costs again — a reinforcing cycle which can accelerate decline.

We are underprepared for the potentially rapid decline in the coal industry - workforce support and re-training, investment to diversify our regions economy and the massive clean-up and land rehabilitation feat from decades worth of environmental pollution are all urgent because this work takes years.

Coal communities have powered NSW for generations. They now need planning and support that matches the scale of the change ahead.

The National Net-Zero Economic Authority and the Future Jobs & Investment Authority MUST support the export coal workforce.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) — which operates the Hunter Valley coal chain — forecasts contracted coal volumes on the network will fall by around 40% from 2023 levels by 2034.

Lower coal volumes across the Hunter Valley coal chain are expected to push up terminal and port charges for remaining producers. This can make some mines less profitable, which may further reduce volumes and increase costs again — a reinforcing cycle which can accelerate decline.

The second half of the 2020s is therefore a critical period for the region - bridging peak production and long-term decline.

At present, key policy settings are not fully aligned to the scale of this change:
- The Federal Government’s Net Zero Economy Authority does not cover export coal workers.
- NSW’s Future Jobs and Investment Authority does not yet include enforceable minimum standards for worker support.

Coal communities have powered NSW for generations. They now need planning and support that matches the scale of the change ahead.

30/03/2026

What the new Eraring jobs plan means for Hunter power and coal workers.

23/03/2026

Last week, Hunter Renewal and Hunter Jobs Alliance stood with community members from NSW coal regions on the first sitting day of Parliament to call for a fair share of state funding to be allocated to the Future Jobs and Investment Authority which will pass NSW Parliament imminently after a long community campaign.

Add your voice to the petition to support the call for a fair share and a fair go at regional transition for coal-dependant communities in the Hunter, Illawarra, Lithgow and North-West NSW: https://www.hunterrenewal.org.au/fair_share

23/03/2026

Don't miss the Lock The Gate Alliance crew as they reach the final stop in a horseback ride across NSW to raise awareness about the threat of Santos gas expansions and pipeline. 🐎☀️🌳🐝

RSVP below to catch best mates Sal, Sharyn and Margaret at the end of a 400km journey on horseback along the gas pipeline proposed by Santos which will harm farmland and Gomeroi cultural heritage in NSW for dirty gas.

March 28th, 4pm - 8pm
Popular Hall, Millers Forest, 105 Scotch Creek Rd
RSVP NOW: https://www.lockthegate.org.au/millers_forest_muster

16/03/2026

These legends will be coming through the Hunter soon, stopping at Wallis Creek and the Hinton Pub. Check out the link and get on down to the pub or the community hLl to support the Sal, Margaret and Sharyn on the 400km Ride the Line to protect our food bowls from gas expansion.

02/03/2026

Nurse and Muswellbrook delegate for the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, Peggy Smith is frank about the future for the Hunter unless we plan for the decline in coal jobs.

Peggy features in Hunter Renewal's recently-released short film series exploring the problems and possibilities of the mining and energy transition in NSW and the Hunter, which is available free online here>>> https://www.hunterrenewal.org.au

"...NSW Treasury is even considering a complete cessation of coal mining in less than 20 years. While this news may sound unsettling, many in our community view it as a necessary transformation and an opportunity to pivot toward a healthier future. However, the state government appears out of sync with the urgency of this impending shift. Many families, including those with nurses married to coal workers, are fearful of what the transition will mean for their livelihoods. As work opportunities in the coal sector diminish, these nurses may find themselves leaving the community alongside their partners. This could exacerbate an already strained healthcare system as the prospect of increased unemployment and economic instability looms large."