In February 2019 The Australia Institute made a submission to the NSW Independent Planning Commission on the United Wambo coal mine proposal. The economic assessment of the United Wambo coal mine project (the Project) has not been adequate. Issues that have been raised repeatedly through the assessment process have not been addressed. In particular, the justification for approving a new large thermal coal project has not taken into consideration international and Australian commitments to climate action and the likely resulting impacts on coal markets. The Project’s economic assessment relies on forecasts that predate key events in coal markets such as the cancellation of Newcastle’s T4 fourth coal terminal.

In May 2019, The Australia Institute made a further submission to the NSW Independent Planning Commission on the United Wambo coal mine proposal.