The proposal is to develop an underground coal mine near Wyong, situated between Newcastle and Sydney, NSW. The mine would extract up to 5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of coal which would require little further processing to reach saleable quality. The mine has attracted controversy due to its potential impacts on the local environment, particularly water resources.

The Australia’s Institute submission focuses mainly on the economic aspects of the project and how these were addressed in the Department of Planning and Infrastructure’s (DPI) recent Environmental Assessment Report (EAR).