Overview
- The High Court of Australia dismissed Mach Energy’s appeal on Wednesday, effectively invalidating the 2022 approval for the Mount Pleasant expansion until authorities properly reconsider the decision.
- By a 3–2 majority the court found the New South Wales planning commission failed to consider imposing conditions to minimise all greenhouse gas emissions, including scope 3 emissions from coal burned after export.
- A local community group led by Wendy Wales brought the multi‑year legal challenge that reached the High Court and argued the expansion ignored the climate harm caused when exported coal is burned overseas.
- The approval would have extended the mine to 2048, added about 406 million tonnes of coal and produced emissions the operator estimated were roughly 98% scope 3, so the judgment halts that proposed growth for now.
- Industry and opposition figures have urged quick legislative fixes to restore investor certainty while governments assess the judgment’s state‑law limits and courts, experts and campaigners warn the decision will influence future approvals nationwide.