In 2022 Delta applied for a new development consent for Chain Valley Colliery to extend operations for two years to the end of 2029 – supporting hundreds of local jobs while ensuring the continued operations and reliability of Vales Point Power Station.
Latest news
The NSW Independent Planning Commission approved the Chain Valley Colliery Consolidation Project on Thursday 9 April 2026. To view the Commission's Statement of Reasons for Decision and learn more about the assessment, visit the Commission’s website.
Find out more
Project overview
Chain Valley Colliery supplies coal exclusively to Vales Point Power Station, providing around 1.3 million tonnes annually – around 50% of the power station’s coal needs.
The mine plays a critical role in supporting the power station’s operations, and in turn, the reliability and security of NSW’s electricity supply as the State transitions to a lower-carbon energy system.
It is also a major employer and significant contributor to the Central Coast and Hunter economies, employing over 330 workers and procuring goods and services from local suppliers.
In 2022, Delta lodged a State Significant Development (SSD) application to extend the mine’s operations for two years to 31 December 2029, aligning with the estimated technical life of Vales Point Power Station at that time.
The application included:
- Consolidating the existing consents for Chain Valley and Mannering collieries under a single development approval.
- Extending the mine’s operations for two years to 31 December 2029 to align with Vales Point Power Station operations.
- Aligning the mine’s production and output rates with the power station’s coal needs, while allowing secondary extraction (the recovery of remaining coal from previously mined areas) within approved mining areas under Lake Macquarie.
The application did not seek changes to the approved mining areas, and it did not change how Vales Point Power Station operates or increase its generation capacity. Rather, it sought to ensure continuity of coal supply to Vales Point Power Station, aligning the mine's operations with the power station's coal needs, and securing ongoing local employment for hundreds of workers.
Key benefits
The project will:
- Streamline administrative oversight and improve efficiency for both Delta and regulators by enabling the application of conditions, and the monitoring and reporting of performance, under a single consent.
- Enhance environmental protections by updating licence conditions in line with current regulatory requirements.
- Ensure the ongoing reliability and affordability of Vales Point Power Station operations, supporting stability and reliability for NSW’s electricity network.
- Support local and regional economies through continued employment for over 330 workers, as well as procurement opportunities for local suppliers.
Project status
The NSW Independent Planning Commission approved the Chain Valley Colliery Consolidation Project on Thursday 9 April 2026. Find out more.
Community engagement
The NSW Independent Planning Commission held a public hearing on Thursday 19 February 2026 and invited submissions from the community and stakeholders as part of that process. The public hearing documents and submissions are available to view on the Commission's website.
On 18 December 2025 the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure referred the application and its assessment to the NSW Independent Planning Commission for decision. Find out more.
The SSD application and supporting Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) were publicly exhibited from 18 November 2022 to 16 December 2022. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback. Read the response to issues raised in the Submissions Report March 2023.
Next steps
Delta will work with the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and relevant regulatory authorities to implement the conditions of consent.
Project documents
April 2026 – Chain Valley Colliery Consolidation Project – Development Consent
April 2026 – Chain Valley Colliery Consolidation Project – Statement of Reasons for Decision
February 2026 – Chain Valley Consolidation Project – IPC Public Hearing – Delta Presentation
December 2025 – Chain Valley Consolidation Project Assessment Report
December 2025 – Chain Valley Consolidation Project – Referral to IPC
December 2025 – Chain Valley Consolidation Project – Public Hearing Request
December 2025 – Chain Valley Consolidation Project – Recommended Conditions of Consent
All documents relating to the NSW Independent Planning Commission’s assessment and determination of the project are available on the Commission’s website.
All documents relating to the SSD application and assessment – including the EIS, submissions and Submissions Report – are available in the NSW Planning Portal: State Significant Development – Chain Valley Colliery Consolidation Project (SSD-17017460).
More information
Visit this page for the latest updates or contact our project team at info@deltapae.com.au or (02) 4352 6111.