Hunter Community Environment Centre

05/08/2026

Until midnight tonight, you can lodge your objection to the HVO mine expansion:

🚨 SUBMISSIONS CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT!

This is a key moment to have your say on the largest coal mine ever considered under NSW planning law.

Make your submission and object to the Hunter Valley Operations coal project today: https://www.lockthegate.org.au/hvo_ipc_submission

04/08/2026

Just 2 days left to lodge our objections to the HVO via this link. The deadline is Wednesday 5th, 11:59PM

https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/form/hvo-north-and-south-open-cut-coal-continuation

See the Submission Guide from Lock the Gate Alliance here:
https://www.lockthegate.org.au/hvo_ipc_submissions

🚨 The NSW Independent Planning Commission has extended the submission deadline for the Hunter Valley Operations coal project to Wed 5th August.

This is a key moment to have your say on the largest coal mine ever considered under NSW planning law.

Make your submission today: https://www.lockthegate.org.au/hvo_ipc_submissions

30/07/2026

Lodge your objection to the HVO Continuation project here, before August 5th - that's next Wednesday!

Just over a week ago, numerous people stood before the Independent Planning Commission to speak about what approving the Hunter Valley Operations coal expansion would mean for their lives, their families, and their future.

"I'm here today because I'm fearful for the quality of life that my children will have in a hotter world and also the state of the natural world. I'm opposed to this extension." - Janet Murray, former blast furnace superintendent, Newcastle steelworks.

The IPC's decision is expected in early September. But right now, your voice still matters.

Make a submission before August 2nd: www.lockthegate.org.au/hvo_ipc_submissions

29/07/2026

The City of Newcastle has passed a motion calling on the Federal Government to establish a National Climate Compensation Fund, so council can ensure a safer and stronger city in the face of worsening extreme weather! 👏🎉

The establishment of a Climate Compensation Fund would be a huge step in the right direction, and would protect local councils, and everyday people from picking up the costs of the extreme weather we're going to experience in coming decades due to climate change.

Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe, who moved the motion, said: "Every time, it is local ratepayers and council budgets that carry the costs of recovery and repair. As the home of the world’s largest coal port, we are calling for the coal and gas corporations whose climate pollution is driving these disasters to pay their fair share – not just so we can manage and recover after each disaster, but so we can build back better. That is not radical. That is fair,"

The motion passed with an overwhelming majority of support from all but two Newcastle City Councillors.

See the Media Release from the Communities for Climate Compensation here:
https://www.whatsonoz.com.au/news-releases.html?id=1054240&headline=home-of-the-worlds-largest-coal-port-city-of-newcastle-calls-on-big-polluters-to-pay-for-climate-damage&pageNumber=2

15/07/2026

Interest in the state's largest coal mining extension project Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) near Singleton has been so...

09/07/2026

Thanks for speaking up Greg Piper MP!

👷👷‍♀️FUTURE PLANNING FOR MINING JOB LOSSES👷👷‍♀️

👷Yancoal’s announcement on Tuesday that Ashton mine will close in 2028 due to geological issues, taking almost 300 jobs with it, hits close to home for the Hunter and Lake Mac, where we’ve only recently grappled with the near closure of Myuna Colliery.

👷‍♀️To state the obvious, transition planning needs to have started years ago for the Hunter.

👷But the federal transition scheme doesn’t support workers in export coal mines, including Ashton and indeed more than 90 percent of Hunter coal mines.

👷‍♀️The State’s proposed scheme, set out in the Future Jobs and Investment Bill, would cover all mines – export mines included. It would require coal mines to prepare and maintain workforce plans. It would also set up an authority to lead strategic intervention and economic diversification in our coal regions, along with skills mapping and worker retraining.

👷The Bill passed the Legislative Assembly in March but is currently stuck in the Legislative Council, where political games are holding up the timely passage of legislation.

👷‍♀️Political games in Macquarie Street should not be allowed to undermine the future of regional New South Wales. I spoke plainly in Parliament about the need to urgently pass this Bill, so our coal communities and workers can thrive for years to come, and called on the Coalition to step up so the Bill can pass.

👷You can read my full Private Members Statement here: https://shorturl.at/7mXeR

09/07/2026

Get yourself down the Branxton Community Hall next Thursday 16th, 9AM sharp to stand together against the Hunter Valley Operations Continuation Project - THE SINGLE BIGGEST COAL PROJECT EVER ASSESSED IN NSW!

RSVP to the Rally for our safety, and our homes here:
https://www.lockthegate.org.au/hvo_ipc_rally

Interest in the state's largest coal mining extension project Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) near Singleton has been so...

09/07/2026

Get behind this push to protect our bush!! Save Link Rd Forest

09/07/2026

Two major industrial investments in the Hunter in one week, in a huge boost to local manufacturing.

Over the weekend, the NSW government committed to a state-owned train manufacturing pipeline in the Hunter, bringing full-scale train manufacturing back to the region. 780 jobs during construction, 550 ongoing. AMWU NSW secretary Brad Pidgeon said: "A dedicated state-owned train building facility in the Hunter, and this steady long-term fleet pipeline, will translate to decades of secure highly skilled manufacturing jobs for local workers."

This morning, news broke that Greensteel Australia has secured the former BHP Newcastle Steelworks site at Mayfield to build Australia's first new steel mill in more than 30 years. 200+ direct jobs (fitters, electricians, crane drivers, metallurgists, engineers), plus construction and supply chain jobs. The mill will use electric induction furnace technology, replacing carbon-intensive furnaces with a solution that prioritises electricity and taps into renewable energy grids, and will produce up to 600,000 tonnes of steel a year.

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