The NSW Government acknowledges the High Court of Australia’s ruling on MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant coal mine extension and will carefully consider the full judgment.
We want to be very clear with workers and their families, Mount Pleasant has a separate approval to continue operating until 2032. This decision does not change that.
The Court’s decision relates to the way the mine’s expansion was assessed and approved in 2022, under the former government. It does not mean the expansion cannot be reconsidered or that coal mine extensions cannot be approved.
The Minns Labor Government’s NSW Coal Industry 2026–2050 policy provides a clear framework for the industry. It supports important coal mining jobs that sustain so many of our regional communities, while charting a course to net zero.
We have also made significant planning reforms. The recent approval of the Hunter Valley Operations project included detailed consideration of Scope 3 emissions and conditions to minimise them.
We believe the current planning framework is capable of addressing these issues, and we'll carefully examine the judgment to ensure future decisions meet the requirements of the law.
MACH Energy has indicated it will continue to pursue options for the project, and we will engage closely with the company as it does so.
Australia's reputation as a reliable coal exporter matters. That includes meeting the environmental standards and expectations of international markets, many of which have their own commitments to reducing emissions.
Coal has underpinned the state's economic prosperity for generations, powering industry and supporting regional communities. It will continue to play an important role in NSW for decades to come.