September 25 2026
The New South Wales Independent Planning Commission (IPC) is expected to make its decision on the Hunter Valley Operations Continuation Project, the largest coal project in NSW, on Wednesday September 30.
The IPC held public hearings in July where it heard evidence from stakeholders, workers, climate and energy experts, and community members. It received more than 4,000 submissions opposing the mine expansion, which climate scientists urge is incompatible with a safe climate future for NSW communities, something the IPC is required to consider, and incompatible with NSW law.
Earlier this month the IPC requested further information from HVO on what the minimum timeframe would be for an orderly transition of its workforce, and the decision deadline was extended by four weeks from the original date of September 4. HVO refused to consider a shorter extension than its proposed 19 years, stating this would be “economically equivalent to a rejection”.
If approved, the Continuation Project would extend the life of the coal mine to 2045 and generate seven times the entire annual pollution of NSW, contributing to worsening climate disasters already impacting the Hunter: bushfires, floods, coastal erosion, heatwaves and droughts.
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW:
Elaine Johnson, Director and Principal Lawyer, Johnson Legal
One of Australia's leading environment and climate lawyers, with two decades of experience representing landowners and communities in disputes with the resources industry. Before founding Johnson Legal, she was the Director of Legal Strategy at the Environmental Defenders Office, where she led the landmark case Rocky Hill – the first Australian coal mine refused by a court on climate grounds.
Can speak to: the legal weight of the IPC's decision, the Commission's obligations to weigh climate and community impacts, planning-law precedent, and the prospects and grounds for any legal challenge or judicial review.
Nic Seton, CEO, Parents for Climate
Leads Parents for Climate, Australia's largest climate advocacy organisation for parents and carers, representing more than 26,000 supporters. A father of two whose eldest child was hospitalised with breathing difficulties caused by smoke during Black Summer. Nic spoke at the IPC hearings and made a submission on behalf of Parents for Climate, opposing HVO.
Can speak to: what the decision means for children and future generations, the health impacts on Hunter families, and why a NSW planning decision on coal carries national significance.
Jayden Pan, Environmental scientist, volunteer firefighter, and former coal mine worker
Environmental scientist and decorated volunteer firefighter who has fought major fires including during Black Summer and assisted in flood emergencies across NSW and Victoria. As an environmental scientist he has worked in contaminated land management including mine rehabilitation across Australia and in Indonesia. Jayden spoke at the IPC hearings and made a submission opposing HVO.
Can speak to: the on-the-ground reality of escalating bushfire risk, environmental science, using the planning system for climate activism.
Justin Page, Coordinator, Hunter Jobs Alliance
Coordinates the Hunter Jobs Alliance, a community-and-union alliance working to secure good jobs and an orderly economic transition for the Hunter. A former NSW Electrical Trades Union secretary, he has been a leading voice for worker-centred transition planning and for closing the gaps in government support for coal workers.
Can speak to: what the decision means for workers and the regional economy, the shortfalls in current transition support (including the exclusion of export-coal workers), and the case for planning and investing in the Hunter's next industries now.
Jonathan Teubner, Lead Analyst - Australian Coal, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)
A leading economic analyst with over 30 years experience of analysing Australia's resource, infrastructure and energy markets for assessment of the market risks facing participants to cost benefit assessments of individual projects. Before joining IEEFA, Jonathan was Head of Economic and Regulatory Development of the Australian Rail Track Corporation where he was responsible for the development of regulatory access undertakings for the Hunter Valley Coal Network. This gives him a unique insight into the specific risks of NSW thermal coal markets as well as the key methodologies for the economic assessment of coal mines.
Can speak to: the economic and market assessment underpinning the HVO submission as well as issues related to the lack of a post mine exit plan for HVO compared to the development of those plans at other sites (including by HVO owners).
Georgina Woods, National Coordinator, Lock the Gate Alliance
Jointly leads Lock the Gate Alliance, a national grassroots organisation that supports farmers, Traditional Owners and local communities to protect land, water and culture from harmful coal and gas mining. Lock the Gate commissioned scientific experts to present evidence to the IPC about the risks of the HVO extension, including climate scientists, water experts and economists. Lock the Gate also supported communities across the Hunter region to register to speak at IPC hearings and voice their concerns about the project, including the costs of climate change, which will be borne by people across NSW. Lock the Gate has also been advocating regionally for investment in transition support for the Hunter for over a decade.
Can speak to: the Hunter community-led campaign to oppose the HVO extension, the air quality, water, environmental and climate impacts expected from the project, and the NSW coal policy context and government’s continued greenlighting of coal expansions and extensions.
Greg Mullins, Climate Councilor, Founder Emergency Leaders for Climate Action
The former Commissioner of Fire & Rescue NSW and one of Australia's most experienced firefighters, with more than 40 years' service. He coordinated responses to major bushfires and other disasters over more than two decades, and now warns that fossil fuel expansion is driving the worsening fire conditions that he now faces as a volunteer fire fighter. Greg spoke at the IPC Hearings in July.
Can speak to: the direct link between coal expansion and escalating bushfire, flood and heatwave risk, the mounting pressure on emergency services and communities, and why this decision matters for the safety of Australian families.
MEDIA CONTACT: Laura Corrigan | 0423 690 152 | [email protected]