18 December 2025
The community will be able to have its say at a public hearing on the Moolarben Coal Complex OC3 Extension Project, a State significant development application (SSD-33083358) by Moolarben Coal Operations Pty Ltd. The application seeks approval to extend open cut mining operations at the Moolarben Coal Complex, 12 Ulan-Wollar Road, Ulan approximately 35 kilometres north-east of Mudgee, and 7 kilometres to the east of Ulan Road.
The Moorlaben Coal Project Stage 1 was approved in 2007 by the Minister for Planning, with Stage 2 approved in 2015 by the Planning Assessment Commission. Mining operations at the Moolarben Coal Complex commenced in 2010 and are approved until 31 December 2038. This State significant development application proposes to extend the existing OC3 open cut pit as well as develop four new open cut pits along the floor of the Moolarben Valley.
The State significant development application has been referred to the Independent Planning Commission for decision because the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure received at least 50 unique submissions objecting to the proposal. The Commission has been directed by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces to hold a public hearing into the matter before making its determination.
A panel of three Commissioners will be appointed by the Commission Chair to conduct the public hearing and determine the development application.
The key issues identified in the Department’s whole-of-government assessment of the development application include biodiversity, water, greenhouse gas and Aboriginal heritage
The Commission has access to all previous written submissions made to the Department on this proposed development, however it is particularly helpful for the Commission Panel to also hear the community’s views on the Department’s Assessment Report, which can be found on the Commission’s website.
The public hearing on the Moolarben Coal Complex OC3 Extension Project will be scheduled for Tuesday 10 February 2026. The hearing will be held at the Mudgee Showground (main pavilion) at 11 Nicholson St, Mudgee NSW 2850, commencing at 10:00am AEDT. Registered speakers will be able to present in person or via video- or tele-conferencing, and the hearing will be livestreamed.
Anyone wishing to speak at the public hearing will need to pre-register on the Commission’s website. Speaker registrations will open on Monday 12 January 2026 at 10:00am AEDT and close on Monday 2 February 2026 at 12:00noon AEDT.
The Commission will also open for written submissions on Monday, 12 January 2026 at 10:00am AEDT. Submissions will close on Tuesday 17 February 2026 at 11:59pm AEDT.
Please note
The public hearing will be livestreamed on the Commission’s YouTube channel, accessible from the Commission’s website. Registered speakers will be asked to nominate their preference for presenting at the public hearing either in-person at the venue or by dialing in by telephone or Zoom. Please note that if the demand for either in-person or virtual attendance is low, the Commission may opt to conduct the hearing either entirely virtually or entirely in person. Similarly, if demand for speaker timeslots is high and 10 February 2026 becomes fully booked, the Commission will endeavour to schedule a second day on 11 February 2026. If either of these scenarios occur, this will be fully communicated to all registered speakers in advance, including how the Commission can assist people to attend the hearing virtually. These flexible arrangements ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to be heard, while also making best use of public resources.
The Office of the Independent Planning Commission will be closed from midday Wednesday 24 December 2025, reopening on Monday 12 January 2026.