Wollombi potential release ruled out for coal exploration
The NSW Government will not release the Wollombi potential release area for coal exploration under the Strategic Release Framework.
In 2021, the then Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, the Hon. Paul Toole MP, accepted the recommendation made by the Advisory Body for Strategic Release to not release the area. This is because the area is subject to several significant constraints that would likely limit any development and production of the coal resources in the region, including impacts on local industries and village townships, and that it did not consider the area suitable for release for the foreseeable future.
In making its recommendation, the Advisory Body for Strategic Release considered the Resource Assessment Report and advice from the Department of Planning and Environment on the likely environmental, economic and social opportunities and constraints.
The map of areas in NSW coal regions available and excluded from future coal exploration and mining (PDF, 1.43 MB) has been updated to remove the Wollombi potential release area.
The Advisory Body for Strategic Release recommendation and considered reports are available below: