23 January 2026
On 23 January 2026, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure wrote to the Independent Planning Commission advising that the Applicant for the proposed Moolarben Coal Complex OC3 Extension Project (SSD-33083358) will seek to formally amend its Application. A copy of the Department’s letter to the Commission and the Applicant’s letter to the Department can be found here.
Under the terms of a delegation from the Commission to the Department, applications to amend development applications are determined by the Department as the Commission’s delegate. See item 10 of the Instrument of Delegation linked here.
To ensure that the public hearing is informed by the most up to date assessment of the Application, the Commission will postpone its consideration of the Application pending the Department’s receipt, consideration and any further assessment of the amendment to the Application.
Consequently, the public hearing into the Application currently scheduled for 10 February 2026 at Mudgee Showground Main Pavilion will be postponed to a future date to be advised when either:
- the Department advises that it has rejected the pending application to amend the Application; or
- the Department advises that it has approved the application to amend the Application and provided to the Commission any further assessment.
Speakers who have already registered for the 10 February 2026 date can expect to receive notification of their speaking time being cancelled via the email they used when registering their interest to speak. When a new date for the public hearing is set, the Commission will notify all stakeholders including the media. Everyone who has already registered to speak will be contacted to ascertain their availability on the new date.
All written submissions already made to the Commission will still be considered by the Panel. Submissions currently close on 17 February 2026 and the public will also be given a further opportunity to make written submissions on any amendment to the Application when received.