You’re Invited: Koala trivia and a big coal mine decision
How are a quirky koala trivia online, a film screening and a rally connected to a a big coal mine decision?
Compiled from Lock the Gate Alliance information
It is big news – Yancoal’s Moolarben coal mine expansion, near Mudgee, has just been referred to an Independent Planning Commission (IPC) hearing for a final decision on whether it should be allowed to go ahead or not.
Below are some opportunities to help you get informed, or rally to show support to stop the mine expansion.
This is your chance to have a say and submit on whether this dangerous coal mine expansion in critical koala habitat should go ahead.
Submissions close February 17, just a week after the IPC hearing and rally.
Quirky koala trivia ~ join in online
Join in for a fun online event , Wednesday 28th January at 12:30 PM or Thursday 5th Feb at 5:30 PM → there’ll be some quirky Koala trivia we do together and then provide support for you to write your own submissions, on the spot, as to why this coal mine expansion should be rejected!
A mother and joey right next to the Moolarben coal mine expansion area.
Yancoal’s Moolarben coal expansion near Mudgee, right in the heart of koala territory, is clearly so wrong that, with the right evidence in front of them, we believe the Independent Planning Commission can – and should – reject it. Yancoal has already come under fire for its plans to bulldoze koala habitat for this expansion, and the company’s own environment report noted the population is likely to be “critical to the survival of the species” in NSW as fossil-fuel driven global heating worsens.
Voices for the Valley: Film screening + info-session
‘Voices for the Valley’ is a powerful short documentary, created by 19 year old filmmaker Jess Nipperess that tells the story of Wollar and the Mudgee region, where locals have spent over two decades resisting the devastating impacts of coal mining.
📅 When: Wednesday 28th Jan, 5:00PM – 8:00PM
📍 Where: Theydy’s (behind the Creator Incubator on 50 Clyde St, Hamilton North, NSW 2292)
RSVP: https://www.lockthegate.org.au/voices_for_the_valley_film_screening
Rally to stop the Moolarben expansion
Right outside the IPC hearing ~ be counted in showing your concern
Here are the rally details and RSVP:
What: Rally against Yancoal’s Koala-killing Moolarben Coal Mine
When: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 9 AM – 10 AM
Where: Mudgee Showground Main Pavilion – 11 Nicholson Street, Mudgee NSW 2850
RSVP:https://www.lockthegate.org.au/moolarben_rally
Submit on Moolarben until February 17.
The IPC is accepting submissions here on Moolarben now, until February 17 – a week after the hearing in Mudgee.
Here is Lock the Gate’s submission guide: https://www.lockthegate.org.au/object_to_moolarben_coal_expansion