In a statement, Wollar Progress Association secretary, Bev Smiles quoted the report released last month. 

“Given fewer residents, decreased amenity, uncertainty about the future and the potential loss of village services, it is likely that the decline of Wollar village would be accelerated if the project proceeds, and that the wider Wollar community (including former residents and businesses) would feel a sense of loss if this is occurs.”

However the report does clarify that the village may experience a loss of remaining services whether or not the project proceeds. 

“The project’s potential impacts and opportunities, considered as a whole, demonstrate an often-seen dichotomy between the regional benefits and local impacts of mining projects,” the report said. 

“With Wollar’s population so small and local services’ viability already marginal, the village may experience a loss of remaining services due to a declining population regardless of whether the project proceeds. WCPL has approval for WCM’s operations until 2026, and the combination of the existing low amenity, the potential loss of the school and store, isolation, and community ageing is likely to see Wollar cease to function as a village at some point.”

If approved the project would bring the mine closer to Wollar village, with the village likely to be affected by more frequent audible operational noise, above levels that some already find intrusive, and possible increased dust levels, and blasting events closer to sensitive receptors in the village.

Ms Smiles said the residents believe their village “has been sacrificed by a poor planning and assessment process that fails to value or protect rural communities, businesses and rural industry”. 

“The Wilpinjong Coal Mine has a current approval to mine coal until 2026. This is another 10 years of production and employment,” Ms Smiles said.  

“The world is moving away from coal, the largest single source of carbon emissions causing climate change. The NSW Government and Peabody Energy need to move with the times and start investing in clean energy employment opportunities.

“Our community of Wollar should not be destroyed for an additional seven years of damaging coal production.”

The report said social mitigation strategies have been identified as part of the proposal. 

“This assessment has identified a number of mitigation and engagement strategies which would mitigate the project’s social impacts, and proposes a monitoring and reporting strategy to demonstrate accountability and transparency in the management of the project’s social impacts and benefits.”

It said the project represents an “important element of the Mid-Western Regional LGA’s employment base”, with 88 per cent of the mine’s employees (484 people) living in the region. 

“...the extended period of employment represents a significant benefit both to existing employees, their families and the general community. Sustained employment would also support economic activity and stability, through an extension to expenditure by both the project and its employees.”