Singleton mayor Sue Moore is expecting an "interesting couple of days in little old Branxton", when the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) opens its hearing on Thursday into the proposed extension of the Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) coal mine.
HVO, which is a joint venture between Yancoal (51 per cent) and Glencore (49 per cent), plans to extend the operational life of its north and south coal pits at Lemington from 2027 until 2045 and 2042, respectively.
Originally HVO proposed an extension of 25 years to 2050 for the north pit and 15 years to 2045 for the south pit.
The plan's scaled-back amendments came after environment groups urged federal Environment Minister Murray Watt to reject the project, which was one of the largest coal mining ventures ever proposed in NSW.
Across three days at Branxton Community Hall on Thursday and Friday, and on July 22, the IPC will hear addresses from a wide range of respondents, both supportive and opposed to the mine extension.
Day one will feature addresses from representatives of Hunter Valley Operations; the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility; Muswellbrook Shire Council, including mayor Jeff Drayton; Parents for Climate; Rising Tide; Business Hunter chief executive Bob Hawes; Jerrys Plains Public School Parents & Citizens; Hunter Communities Network; Daracon Group & Daracrete; Sydney Knitting Nannas; and the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
Cr Moore will also speak to advocate her support for HVO's continuation as an economic lifeblood for the Singleton community.
Cr Moore told the Newcastle Herald that she was satisfied that the changes proposed by HVO, which include a 43 per cent reduction in scope one greenhouse gas emissions compared to the original project, have reduced the environmental risk.
"They've scaled back their project to address the greenhouse gases for the burning of the coal overseas," Cr Moore said.
"So that involved, obviously, separating the two pits and scaling back the timeframe.
"It's a positive outcome for not only the 1500 workers but also all the associated workers that are connected to that workforce, supporting the economy not just Singleton, but the whole Hunter."
However, the HVO proposal remains contentious.
The Climate Council issued a press release on Tuesday with multiple voices condemning the mine extension.
Denman resident and Rural Fire Service volunteer Trevor Woolley was a senior engineer at the Bayswater power station during his 40-year career in power generation.
Mr Woolley said a warmer-than-usual winter was proof climate change was already occurring.
"My fences are ruined by rampant corrosion, and the rain on my roof is acid and full of black mud," Mr Woolley said.
"We have just had a record high-pressure system over Australia. The firefighting season is getting longer and tougher.
"We must take the science seriously and admit that we need to refocus and repair. We can't continue as before and keep burning fossil fuels. Clean energy must be our future."
Hunter Jobs Alliance organiser Sam Wilkins said the federal government needed to provide more support to help mine workers transition into secure jobs.
"This case exposes a fundamental gap in worker support: the Net Zero Economy Authority's Energy Industry Jobs Plan (EIJP) still excludes export coal workers, like those at HVO," Mr Wilkins said.
"Ninety per cent of coal produced in the Hunter is exported, and if the government is serious about a fair transition, the EIJP has to step up and support these workers.
"A real future for this region means planning and investing now in the industries, the training and the jobs that will keep people here for the long haul.
"Workers should be at the centre of that conversation, not used as a bargaining chip."
Glencore was approached for comment.
In the HVO fact sheet, the company said the mine extension would generate an estimated net benefit to NSW of $5692.4 million and $1778.1 million to the Lower Hunter in net present value terms.
