Artist's rendition of the proposed Glencore-Yancoal mine extension in the Hunter Valley.

7 October 2026

 

THE NSW Government has approved the project, which would allow approximately 429 million tonnes of coal to be mined through to 2042 and 2045 across the two mine continuations. he approval allows the joint venture between Glencore (49%) and Yancoal (51%) to continue open-cut mining at the HVO complex near Singleton.

 

The NSW Independent Planning Commission has recognised the project could result in 809 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from local mining operations and overseas coal combustion. The project still requires federal environmental approval.

 

The decision has sparked heavy backlash from environmental advocates, climate groups, and local farming communities, with the Climate Council labeling the expansion a massive "climate bomb". Critics point out that the decision contradicts recommendations from the NSW Net Zero Commission regarding alignment with long-term climate targets

 

The decision came just days before the Pacific Pre-COP was to begin in Fiji and Tuvalu on 5 October. Australia is serving as President of Negotiations for COP31, with the Pre-COP intended to help shape priorities for the November climate negotiations.

 

While the state-level hurdle is cleared, the project is not fully finalised. It remains subject to Federal Government environmental approval despite New South Wales giving its tick of approval to the biggest coal expansion ever proposed in the state. It is now sitting on Albanese and Watt’s desk.

 

Labor needs to rule this project out if it wants to claw back any shred of credibility on climate that it’s already well and truly lost.

 

How can our Prime Minister talk about climate leadership while waving through hundreds of millions of tonnes of new coal.

 

Instead of capitulating to the fossil fuel lobby and the wealthy donors who bankroll Labor, the Prime Minister should be listening to the Pacific communities on the frontline of the climate crisis.

 

Our Pacific neighbours should not have to watch Australia approve another massive coal expansion while Labor claims to be leading on climate.

 

At the last climate summit, Australia signed the Belém Declaration supporting a transition away from fossil fuels, yet the Prime Minister has walked into the COP31 summit having just approved a massive fossil fuel project.

 

Minister Bowen should be using his COP presidency to drive the transition away from fossil fuel, not to lock in decades more pollution from his fossil fuel mates.

 

"Labor is set to fail yet another climate test unless it rejects Hunter Valley coal," said Greens assistant spokesperson for climate and energy, Senator Steph Hodgins-May.

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