NSW conservation group 4nature is taking legal action to make Centennial Coal rehabilitate its mothballed Angus Place coal mine near Lithgow, two hours west of Sydney on the edge of the Blue Mountains. 

4nature, which is being represented by EDO, is alleging the original approval granted by the NSW Government expired in August 2024 and that the company was required to rehabilitate the mine by that date. 

4nature has been concerned about historical discharges of water from this mine for many years, expecting that upon the conclusion of the rehabilitation works most of these discharges would cease. 

However, the rehabilitation has not occurred, and the company continues to pump out mine water that ends up in the Coxs River, an important source of Sydney’s drinking water supply. 

In October 2025, the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) granted Centennial Coal’s application to modify its development consent. 4nature is concerned this effectively permits the mine to defer its rehabilitation obligations to an unspecified future date.   

“4nature is taking legal action to overturn the IPC decision and to seek court orders requiring the company to develop and implement a rehabilitation plan within 12 months,” 4nature President Andrew Cox said.  

“While the October 2025 decision didn’t authorise the production of coal, it deferred the rehabilitation of Centennial Coal’s Angus Place mine indefinitely. 

EDO Special Counsel Natalie Vella said: “Our client believes the IPC decision was invalid because the mine’s consent had already lapsed when the extension was granted.  

“It is essential that the letter of the law is obeyed by all parties, but especially regulators, to ensure the community has confidence in the planning system.  

“4nature is seeking to uphold that principle while also striving to end the water discharge that is emanating from that mine site.”  

The case was filed on Thursday, January 8, and a directions hearing is scheduled for March 13. 

Background  

  • The proceedings do not affect any active coal mines.  
  • Coal was last extracted from Angus Place in 2015.  
  • Centennial Coal continues to operate other mines in the Lithgow region, including Springvale. 
  • Between 2015 and 2017, 4nature successfully challenged approvals allowing pollution from the Springvale mine to enter the Coxs River and Sydney’s drinking water.  
  • In response to the court’s decision, the former NSW Liberal-National government passed special legislation that weakened water pollution laws to enable Springvale mine to continue operating. 

About 4nature 

4nature is a volunteer-based conservation group established in 2010, working to protect the natural environment in Australia and the South Pacific. 

Media contact 

EDO | Media Adviser James Tremain | 0419 272 254