Public hearing for coal mine underway
The NSW Independent Planning Commission’s public hearing into the proposed expansion of the Hunter Valley Operations coal mine is underway. If successful, it will become the largest coal mine in NSW history and generate around 809 million tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution over its lifetime, which is seven times the state’s annual emissions.
Despite the NSW Net Zero Commission finding coal extensions and expansions inconsistent with the state’s legislated climate targets, the Minns government approved its 11th coal project just last week. The public hearing, which has generated strong public interest has been extended from two days to three, with 80 speakers due to appear before the hearing.
What we’re reading
House prices are falling again but there’s evidence that most Australians think that’s a good thing. Recent polling found that 54 per cent of Australians surveyed don’t mind, and that’s regardless of their political affiliations. But updated numbers this month reveal that support for the drop in house prices has increased by seven points.
Meanwhile, those opposing the drop eased from 11 per cent to 9 per cent and undecided or neutral also dropped from 35 per cent to 29 per cent.
According to a poll by Resolve Strategic for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Labor voters, property investors and those with higher incomes are still the strongest supporters of the drop. Read more.
Business publication Capital Briefs found similar views with its own poll by DemosAU, with 45 per cent of respondents saying they “believe a modest reduction in property prices would be a good thing”. Only 24 per cent say falling house prices are a bad thing and 31 per cent had no opinions.
The polls suggest voters are “willing to accept a modest personal loss if it benefits others” – meaning the Coalition may need to change its rhetoric. Read more.
New EV truck deal
EV truck and charging providers New Energy Transport has signed a deal with Unilever to operate a Volvo heavy electric prime mover for deliveries between its Ingleburn warehouse and Sydney.
The move is also part of the consumer goods giant’s goals to reach net zero across its entire value chain by 2039. and it has already made investments into using alternative fuels and EVs in other countries.
