NSW coalmining companies using planning 'loopholes' to avoid scrutiny
More than a dozen coalmine modifications have been approved by the NSW government since 2023, with critics saying the process is a "loophole" that allows companies to expand operations without proper oversight.
The New South Wales Greens and environmental groups claim the state government is using planning loopholes to approve coalmine expansions without proper scrutiny. The Boggabri coalmine, operated by Idemitsu, has received approval for a modification that will enable the mine to run until 2040 and produce an estimated 68 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
This decision allows up to 30 million tonnes of additional coal to be extracted from the mine. The Greens accuse the NSW government of exploiting the modification process to evade stricter planning rules for new developments. Community group People for the Plains, one of 16 objectors to the Boggabri modification, argues that modifications bypass the full rigour of the planning process and lack adequate scrutiny.
The government maintains that every mining proposal or modification undergoes a merit-based assessment. Idemitsu, the mine operator, states that the Boggabri coal mine currently employs around 875 people, and the expansion will maintain job security for the local community.
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