Narrabri Underground Mine Stage 3 Extension Project

Public hearing notification

The NSW Department of Planning & Environment has finalised its whole-of-government assessment of the proposed Narrabri Underground Coal Mine – Stage 3 Extension Project (SSD 10269)​ and it has come to the Independent Planning Commission NSW for determination under ministerial delegation.

The Minister for Planning has requested that the Commission conduct a public hearing into the carrying out of the Project prior to determining the SSD application for it. 

Professor Mary O’Kane (Chair of the Commission), Professor Snow Barlow and Professor Chris Fell AO have been appointed to determine this SSD application. They will host the public hearing to hear directly from community members. Due to the level of interest, this hearing will now be held over two days -- from 8.30am AEDT on Monday 14 February 2022 and 8:20am AEDT Friday 18 February 2022.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission will conduct this public hearing remotely with registered speakers participating via tele- and/or videoconference.

How to Have Your Say

If you wish to apply to speak at the electronic public hearing, you must complete the registration form on our website by no later than 12pm AEDT on Wednesday 9 February 2022.​ Once speakers who wish to participate in the public hearing are registered, they will be provided additional information on how to join the hearing and the technical support available to them. 

How to watch the Hearing

This electronic Public Hearing will be livestreamed on the Commission’s website.

In the interests of openness and transparency, a transcript of the public hearing will also be published on the Commission’s website. 

Written submissions

If you want to have your say on this project but are unable to participate in the public hearing, you can submit your comments in writing to the Commission up to one week (seven days) after the public hearing via email, post or our online portal.

Due to the public hearing being extended to a second day (Friday 18 February 2022), the new deadline for written submissions is 5pm AEDT on Friday 25 February 2022.

Merit appeal rights 

After this public hearing, no merit appeal may be brought under Division 8.3 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 in respect of any future decision made by the Commission as consent authority for this SSD application.