Chain Valley Colliery Consolidation Project

11996

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26/01/2026

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Concerns about air quality

12001

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26/01/2026

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We have seen adverse health impacts in the community already. While it is expected that emissions and air quality impacts are within recommended levels I submit those levels are too high and should be reviewed. We don’t want this in our community nor our lake where we live and play, where our children live and play. People before profits please. Furthermore, expansion of a dying fossil fuel industry is shortsighted and ultimately while profitable for corporations and shareholders in the short term will not see cheaper energy for consumers and will very deliver a legacy of pollution and environmental degradation for decades for those of us for whom this place is our home

12026

New South Wales 2259

26/01/2026

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I am concerned with the lack of control over the ash dams. Cancer rates are many times higher than national average and we need to ensure the air and water are not being contaminated.

12036

New South Wales 2259

26/01/2026

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I believe the consolidation of Chain Valley and Mannering Collieries to increase throughput from 2.1 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to 2.8 Mtpa will increase the amount of coal ash produced and this will in turn increase the coal ash piles and dams. I reside in a small housing estate located at Lake Munmorah. Of the 52 residences who were asked about health issues 13 have cancer. A number of these cancers are bladder, kidney and lung. Ghost wipes taken and analysed from the roof of our outdoor shed by Australian Government Department Industry, Science and Resources National Measurement Institute showed Arsenic levels 4 times higher than acceptable levels, Chromium 15 times higher, Lead 28 times higher and Selenium 6 times higher. All are well documented carcinogens. I believe these readings are caused by the unlined coal ash dams created by Vales Point Power Station (VPPS). The air quality monitors used by NSW Government are located at Wyong and Morisset which are South and North respectively of VPPS. No NSW Government monitors exist to the East or West of VPPS to capture data when extremely strong Westerly winds blow. Despite the EPA and Vales Point Power Station claiming any pollution caused by the coal ash dams is within acceptable limits I have a sensor on my property which shows very different results, mostly on very windy days. Photos and videos exist of coal ash being swept across roads adjacent to the coal ash dams. Large piles of uncovered coal ash could be seen from Ruttleys Road until Delta recently reduced the size of the piles to below fence height, possibly due to protests against the coal ash stockpiles. The conveyor systems used to transport coal are in a state of terrible disrepair. Younger families are moving into the area as well as new housing estates planned for Lake Munmorah and surrounding areas. The community deserve to have confidence the air they are beathing and the information they are being delivered is true and accurate. The EPA in particular should live up to its title of Environmental Protection Authority. Regards Jennie McKilliam

Combined images.pdf (PDF, 709.81 KB)

11961

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25/01/2026

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I’m deeply concerned about the ongoing environmental and healthy impacts of mining and power generation in our area. I’m aware of many neighbours who have had soil tested on their properties with unacceptable levels heavy metals. I’m distressed about the over representation of developmental concerns of our children in this area (I work in a local school) and strongly believe that poor air, water and soil quality in our community is a contributing factor. There’s also multiple cancer clusters in our community and a serious Lack of public health intervention.

11986

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25/01/2026

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I have lived in this community since 2007. I have got cancer in the breast and bones and now I have Pulmonary Fibrosis and need oxygen full time because of the pollution in the air.

10026

New South Wales 2283

12/01/2026

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Dear Commission, I have meticulously followed all matters pertaining to the health of Earth, since the initial nonchalance of society to, and acceptance of, lead, photochemical smog, depicted, including pictorially, in the news and other coverage, starting in the 1960s, (the presence of lead completely covering Earth's surface relied on by those insisting on the lead additive, not end, until it was established this presence had come from leaded fumes, to press home the point of the often herculean task in getting action right in, an applied science, scientific age). The best on climate, in such as an age, such as the International Energy Agency and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, warn there is no scope for any expansion, of the fossil power sector, in any shape or form. Accepting the proposal before you breaches the warning. Warnings are to be heeded, and this one is of soaring stature, given the warning bodies, of vast risk being covered. Earth is heading towards another ice age, but, in short cosmological time, has jumped almost 1.5 degrees, not as high as expected, scientists, now thinking that reflective pollutants, only recently removed, explained this, with the result that the rising temperature rate will now quicken, on a greenhouse gas presence, more than 50 per cent higher than when industrial use of fossil began, without such presence, the global temperature would be minus 18, to give some idea of their potency, and the recklessness of not heeding the warning, of the best. All fossil fuel sector activity, from exploration to end product, massively leaks methane, up to 80 times more potent than CO2, from burning, and nitrous oxide, into the now very charged atmosphere. Unheard of, in the first 2/3 of my life, were ocean heatwaves, now successive, signalled by worldwide coral bleaching; in the last six years, the ocean temperature, at Sydney, reached a tropical 26 degrees; taught in primary school, in the early 1960s, of coastal south-east Australia's temperate climate, of very predominantly mild and far wetter summer days, increasingly lost since the 1990s; and the growing violence of the weather, all set out by the modelling over the years. Wishing you well in your deliberations, Kind regards.

11981

New South Wales 2259

25/01/2026

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I am troubled to be told there needs to be a clean up completed and if it is not completed there could be significant health issues from this.

11606

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24/01/2026

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The consolidation project has no negative impact on air quality, noise and vibration or subsidence as it’s an UNGERGEOUND COAL MINE, designed in such a way subsidence isn’t possible. Furthermore closing down a local mine which employes 300 plus LOCAL people due to so called green house gas emissions makes no sense? Wouldn’t you rather 300 people drive 20 minutes down the road to work in the local community and put money back into the local community? Or would you rather 300 people drove 4 hours out west (which makes no sense if what your concerned about is green house gas emissions) or jump on 2 planes to central Queensland to find work and pump money into those local communities. Yeah no worries let’s emit thousands of times more greenhouse gas emissions to drive our cars further and fly planes further to find work. Smart thinking guys!

11121

Redacted

21/01/2026

Support

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I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed consolidation of the Chain Valley and Mannering Collieries and the extension of Chain Valley Colliery’s operations to 31 December 2029. This project represents a sensible, low-impact and well-justified proposal that supports energy security for New South Wales, protects local employment, and strengthens regulatory oversight without expanding mining disturbance or increasing power generation capacity. Chain Valley Colliery supplies approximately 1.3 million tonnes of coal per year exclusively to Vales Point Power Station, accounting for around 50 per cent of the station’s coal requirements. This supply relationship plays a critical role in maintaining the reliability and stability of electricity generation in NSW, particularly during the State’s transition to a lower-carbon energy system. The proposal does not increase coal production beyond existing needs, nor does it seek to expand mining areas or alter how Vales Point Power Station operates. Instead, it responsibly aligns mine output with the ongoing operational requirements of the power station, ensuring continuity of supply and reducing the risk of supply disruption during a critical transition period for the energy network. Chain Valley Colliery is a major employer in the Central Coast and Hunter regions, providing direct employment for more than 330 workers and supporting many more jobs through local procurement and contracting. Extending operations to 2029 provides certainty for workers, their families, and local businesses who rely on the mine’s continued operation. This certainty is particularly important in regional communities, where large employers play a vital role in economic stability and workforce retention. Without this extension and consolidation, there is a real risk of premature job losses and economic disruption, despite the continued operational needs of Vales Point Power Station. The Chain Valley Consolidation Project is a well-considered proposal that balances economic, environmental and energy system needs. It supports reliable electricity supply for NSW, secures hundreds of local jobs, improves regulatory efficiency, and does so without expanding mining footprints or increasing generation capacity. For these reasons, I strongly support the approval of the Chain Valley Consolidation Project and encourage the Independent Planning Commission to give it favourable consideration. Thank you for the opportunity to make this submission.

11046

New South Wales 2267

20/01/2026

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I fully support the above proposed. Hundreds of employees and the surrounding community rely on the business. Direct supplier of coal to the Vales point power station . Equal opportunity workplace.

10961

New South Wales 2259

19/01/2026

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Support local jobs

10971

New South Wales 2264

19/01/2026

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I support approval of the Chain Valley Colliery Consolidation Project, which consolidates existing consents and continues operations within existing approved mine boundaries. The project supports local employment, local power generation and economic stability by maintaining coal supply to Vales Point Power Station.

10976

Redacted

19/01/2026

Support

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The mine creates employment for a large number of people, supporting families and stimulating economic growth. This project will help extend this colliery and strengthen the sustainability of the operation. Overall, it is a valuable initiative with clear social and economic advantages.

10996

Redacted

19/01/2026

Support

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hello , i am writing this submission in support of this project to go forward. the reasons i support and believe this project should go forward are the following . -Chain Valley Colliery employe’s hundred’s of local people from the Central Coast and Hunter Region in return Helps boost local economy. - Chain Valley Colliery community funding program Contributed over $50,000 to 7 local projects and with approval of this project will allow continuous support to the local community. -Chain Valley Colliery Provides Safe and Reliable coal to Vales Point Power Station which Provides around 10% of the State’s electricity and with approval of this project will continue to help provide cheap and reliable electricity to New South Wales. -With the Approval of this project no new environmental impacts or changes to day-to-day operations are proposed as part of this application. Thank you for taking the time to read my Submission

11036

New South Wales 2281

19/01/2026

Support

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Chain Valley Colliery is an integral part of the local community. The families it supports & The grants & the work the colliery do in the community is second to none…