The Independent Planning Commission has formally started its proceedings to determine an outcome for the stage three extension of the Narrabri underground coal mine.

Commissioners heard submissions during an online presentation on Monday morning. A second day of submissions will be held online on Friday.

The online hearings are being conducted as the commissioners seek information in relation to the proposed extension of Whitehaven’s Narrabri operations.

If approved, Whitehaven will be able to extend the life of its Narrabri underground coal mine from 2031 to 2044.

Among the initial speakers at Monday’s hearing were the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Whitehaven Coal, North West Protection Advocacy and the Lock the Gate Alliance.

The online hearing was chaired by Mary O’Kane AC who is part of the panel of three who will ultimately decide if the project will proceed.

She is joined on the panel by Professor Snow Barlow and Professor Chris Fell AO.

Richard Beasley SC appeared as legal counsel for the IPC during the hearing.

The deadline for written submissions in relation to the proposed mine extension has been extended until Friday, February 25.

Whitehaven Coal chief executive officer and managing director Paul Flynn provided background information on the company before the director of the NCO stage three project, David Ellwood, talked about specifics relating to the Narrabri mine extension.

Mr Ellwood told the commissioners Whitehaven was the largest private sector employee in the region.

“Our compact is to leave an economic and social legacy that outlives our mining operations, and lives on in the areas of education, health, skills and infrastructure,” he said.

Information was presented to the company detailing Whitehaven’s economic contributions.

In the financial year 2021, the information presented to the IPC said $344.7 million had been spent with local suppliers.

Fourteen indigenous businesses saw a combined $5.15 million spent.

Community partnerships and donations totalled $392,300 and wages paid totalled $210.5 million.

At the closing of the company’s presentation to the IPC, Mr Flynn said the company believed there is strong support for the project.

He also said the company accepted the draft conditions that would be included should the project be approved by the IPC.

Following Whitehaven’s evidence provided to the commissioners, North West Protection Advocacy spoke to object to the project.

Johanna Evans spoke on behalf of the grassroots advocacy organisation.

“It is inconceivable that the project has made it this far based on greenhouse gas emissions alone,” she said.

“The entire Pilliga is sacred to the Gomeroi.”

Ms Evans described the Pilliga as a living biodiversity bank.

She went on to detail the impacts the project could have on local biodiversity.

“I hope that what you learn today will have a bearing on the decision,” she said.

Nic Clyde spoke on behalf of Lock the Gate which is also objecting to the development.

Mr Clyde spoke about the project’s impact on groundwater, indigenous cultural heritage and ecosystems.

Boggabri farmer Sally Hunter made an impassioned plea for the commission to reject the development.

During the course of Monday’s hearings, local businesses and organisations also spoke in favour of the development and coal mining’s contribution to the local economy.

Wombali, which is a fencing contractor working with Whitehaven, praised its working relationship with the company.

Simmone Moodie provided evidence to the commissioners via phone and said five people worked at the mine through its contract.

Greg Griffiths, of Winanga-Li Child and Family Centre, based in Gunnedah, detailed the services provided by the organisation across the North West and the support Whitehaven provides to the organisation.

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