MEDIA RELEASE
9 July 2026
Today's opening of the Maxwell coal mine in the Hunter Valley will do enormous harm to the people of the Hunter and NSW, according to environment groups.
Quotes Attributable to Jacqui Mumford, CEO of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW (NCC):
"Coal is the number one cause of global heating, and it's this coal that's making bushfires unfightable, heat waves unbearable, and floods more frequent.
"Every coal mine approved does enormous economic damage to the people of NSW by undermining our climate, groundwater, and local environment.
"The Minns government is trying to walk both sides of the street by saying it's pro-climate action, but also supporting coal expansions.
"We're calling on Premier Minns to set a clear direction away from harmful industries like coal mining and toward sustainable jobs that give future generations a chance to live with a safe climate.
"There's still no real support on the ground for workers and communities to transition, and the Labor Government needs to focus on getting its Future Jobs and Investment Authority through parliament and into reality."
Quotes Attributable to Tony Lonergan, spokesperson for Denman, Aberdeen, Muswellbrook, Scone Healthy Environment Group (DAMSHEG):
"We hope the Minns government hasn't forgotten its legislated 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, which are not on track to being met.
"The recent Autumn rain has given Upper Hunter farmers temporary respite from worsening drought conditions, but recent record heatwaves across the Northern hemisphere remind us that climate change is only intensifying.
"NSW citizens are already paying the price by way of the costs of more frequent droughts, floods, heatwaves and fires.
"Doubling down on coal mining is the last thing the Hunter needs.
"Starting operations at this coal mine undermines the future of Hunter residents who will bear the impacts of climate change for decades to come."
