Interview Alert: Parents for Climate at IPC Hunter Valley Operations hearing | 16-18 July 2026
Parents for Climate
Interview Alert - 14 July 2026
This week, the NSW Independent Planning Commission will begin a three-day public hearing into the proposed Hunter Valley Operations coal mine expansion, one of the most closely watched planning decisions in NSW this year.
Parents for Climate CEO Nic Seton will appear before the Commission and is available for interviews before, during and after the hearing. Nic can provide commentary on what's at stake for Hunter communities, why the proposal has become a key test of NSW's climate commitments, and what the decision could mean for today's children and future generations.
Please see the attached interview alert for background, interview topics and spokesperson details.
For interviews contact: Claire Maloney | 0431 279 785 | [email protected]
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INTERVIEW ALERT - 14 July 2026
Parents for Climate Hunter Valley Operations hearing | 16-18 July 2026
From 16-18 July, the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) will hold a three-day public hearing into the proposed Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) coal mine expansion - one of the most closely watched planning decisions in NSW this year. The proposed HVO project is the largest coal mining operation in NSW history, and if approved would generate around 809 million tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution over its lifetime, equivalent to approximately seven times NSW’s annual emissions.
The hearing has been extended to three days due to strong public interest, with around 80 speakers expected to appear. Parents for Climate CEO Nic Seton will address the Commission on behalf of more than 26,000 parents, grandparents and carers.
The hearing follows NSW Government's response to its independent Net Zero Commission, which found continued coal extensions and expansions are inconsistent with the state's legislated climate targets. Despite that advice, the Minns Government has continued approving 11 coal mine extensions and expansions, making the proposed HVO project one of the clearer tests yet of how NSW intends to balance its climate commitments with future coal development.
Nic is available before, during and after the hearing to discuss the significance of the proposal, its implications for Hunter families and communities, and why Parents for Climate believes today's children will live with the consequences of this decision long after the mine has ceased operating.
Nic is available for interview on:
- The HVO coal mine expansion and the significance of the IPC hearing
- Why the proposal is a major test of NSW's legislated climate commitments
- The impacts of climate change on Hunter families, including floods, bushfire smoke, extreme heat and rising household costs
- Why today's children will live with the consequences of this decision for decades
- The future of Hunter communities and the need for long-term transition planning
- Coal mine expansions, Australia's energy transition and climate policy more broadly
About Nic Seton: Nic Seton is CEO of Parents for Climate, Australia's leading climate advocacy organisation for parents, grandparents and carers, representing more than 26,000 families nationwide. A parent himself, Nic has more than 16 years' experience leading climate advocacy, public engagement and behaviour change campaigns in Australia and the UK, including senior leadership roles with Greenpeace Australia Pacific and WWF UK. Under his leadership, Parents for Climate led Australia's landmark greenwashing action against EnergyAustralia.
Media enquires: Claire Maloney | 0431 279 785 | [email protected]
About us:
About Parents for Climate: Parents for Climate represents over 26,000 parents, grandparents and carers from Australia. We are Australia’s leading organisation for people who care about a safe future for kids and advocating for a safe climate. Our supporters come from across the political spectrum, all Australian electorates, and from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds. We seek non-partisan responses to climate change and its impacts.
We advocate for Australian governments and businesses to take urgent action to cut Australia’s carbon emissions to net zero as quickly as possible. We encourage Australia to demonstrate leadership on the world stage through positive and proactive domestic action and calling for other nations to take the necessary steps to protect our children’s futures. For more information, visit www.parentsforclimate.org
Contact details:
Claire Maloney
0431 279 785 [email protected]