The coal company’s original condition of approval required it to transport 90 per cent of its mine workforce to and from the site using a shuttle bus, however due to the high percentage of employees now living locally, bus services have become less convenient.

Whitehaven has submitted a modification to its approval to the NSW Department of Planning.

In its original Environmental Assessment (EA), the company anticipated many of the Maules Creek employees and other miners working in the area on new mine projects would reside at temporary workers’ accommodation at Boggabri and Narrabri. They would be sourced from outside the region and utilise bus services.

However since the project began, there has been a significant contraction of the mining industry which has led to a higher proportion of employees being sourced from and residing in the local area with their families. They mainly live in private houses and other accommodation in Gunnedah, Narrabri, Boggabri and local rural areas like Manilla.

The workforce also includes many specialised contractors who attend site with their own tools and equipment, therefore requiring access by private vehicles.

 “This is a minor amendment which is concerned primarily with minimising mine related traffic. It reflects that fact that we have now successfully transitioned from a construction workforce to an operational workforce living and working in the local area,” Whitehaven Coal said.

The company will continue to provide a free bus service from Narrabri, Gunnedah and Boggabri to site which 80 per cent of its workforce will continue to use, however there will be more flexibility for employees’ personal commitments before and after work.

It also states no significant impacts on the road network are expected. The application can be viewed at www.majorprojects.planning.nsw com.au and feedback is welcome by the department.